The door opened to a long wooden floor corridor, lined with flowers and plants, with Summer Wei Ge’s favorite violets visible in the distance.
The purple blossoms were displayed in white porcelain planters. Summer Wei Ge squinted, and the rush and panic in her heart seemed to lessen a bit.
Violets weren’t originally her favorite flower. The noble and elegant purple was something she avoided, but Wen Rong liked it. The other person once wore a light purple qipao and asked Summer Wei Ge to admire it.
The embroidery on the qipao was done by Wen Rong. Summer Wei Ge didn’t quite understand what the other person meant about the old things of the new era needing innovation; she only felt that Wen Rong in that moment was so beautiful that she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Just like the flower language of the violet: eternal beauty and love.
From then on, Summer Wei Ge loved violets deeply, as if seeing the flower meant seeing the person.
The first two guests who had arrived were together. When Summer Wei Ge entered the house, she saw the two of them sitting rigidly on the sofa chatting.
“Hello,” the sound of the door opening had already caught their attention. Summer Wei Ge walked over with a smile. “Have you been here long?”
The two people on the sofa stood up to respond. The man was wearing a dark blue, straight-cut suit, with a silver-white wristwatch on his wrist. When he stood up, he smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes with a light and natural movement.
Summer Wei Ge subtly lowered her eyes. She had been around the circle of the rich for many years and had seen many men like him.
The other woman, or rather, girl, looked very young, probably just over 20, with long, straight black hair draped over her shoulders. She was as well-behaved as a girl next door, and when she looked at Summer Wei Ge, her eyes instantly curved into two little crescent moons, as if she had seen an idol.
Summer Wei Ge couldn’t help but smile along with her.
“Hello, I’m Jiang Xing’an, and this is Xiang Meng. We just arrived not long ago,” Jiang Xing’an said, looking at Summer Wei Ge.
Summer Wei Ge paused, then replied with a smile, “Hello, my name is Summer Wei Ge.”
Jiang Xing’an tugged at his tie, seeming amused by Summer Wei Ge. “Everyone should know that.”
He was about to say more to Summer Wei Ge, but he saw the latter walk straight over and sit next to Xiang Meng, complimenting Xiang Meng’s naturally curly light brown hair.
Being a man, he didn’t understand these things, so he had no choice but to sit down to the side and keep quiet.
At this time, the live stream was already filled with bullet comments. Since Summer Wei Ge truly appeared on screen, the number of viewers and the popularity of the live stream had risen sharply.
【F*ck!】
【She’s really here??????】
【OMG, that really is Summer! The studio has been silent, but I had a hunch. When did she start dating behind our backs?!】
【A secret relationship during her career climb. Is this the most dedicated idol that fans brag about?】
【Summer is not young anymore. Isn’t it normal for her to have dated? She’s transitioned into an actress now, what’s the big deal?】
【She’s only acted in one movie, and you call that transitioning into an actress?】
【Dating is okay, but rumor has it he’s an ordinary person. If he looks average… I really can’t accept it!】
【I’m going to cry myself to death. I can accept Summer finding someone in the industry with similar standing to date now, but I can’t accept her randomly choosing some average-looking guy back then!】
【Hehehe, watching Summer Wei Ge’s fans lose it is hilarious. It’ll be even funnier if an old man comes out later.】
【Summer’s taste can’t be that bad…】
【Who knows? It’s been kept so secret, maybe it’s not a proper relationship, something that can’t see the light of day.**】
Summer Wei Ge was currently smiling and asking Xiang Meng how old she was. The girl was a little shy, shaking her head and quietly saying, “Didn’t they say not to reveal our ages to each other at the beginning?”
Summer Wei Ge had forgotten about that. She smiled ruefully and winked at Xiang Meng, putting her index finger to her lips in a “shush” gesture.
Xiang Meng didn’t expect Summer Wei Ge to make such a playful move. Her eyes widened, and the admiration and affection in her gaze seemed to overflow.
While they were talking, two more people entered the small house together.
The man in the lead had short indigo hair, a delicate face, and light-colored clothing, making him look sunny, cheerful, and clean-spirited—the popular “youthfulness” look of today.
Summer Wei Ge recognized him; he was another celebrity invited by the show, Zhuo Jingcheng, who had recently become very popular after starring in an idol drama.
“Summer, we meet again,” Zhuo Jingcheng quickly walked into the room and greeted Summer Wei Ge first, his tone intimate as he tried to bridge the relationship, before turning to greet Xiang Meng and Jiang Xing’an.
Summer Wei Ge responded politely. She didn’t like Zhuo Jingcheng, not only because he often publicly expressed his liking for her and tried to hype up their relationship, but also because she had seen his completely different private face.
The woman following Zhuo Jingcheng was his manager. Those who knew a little would remember that Zhuo Jingcheng was photographed on a date with his manager, Ye Jing, a year ago. He had publicly announced their relationship, and the woman was heavily criticized. Zhuo Jingcheng, however, played the role of the devoted man, which not only prevented him from losing many fans but also earned him praise as a good man who dared to take responsibility.
However, they had recently broken up.
After the greetings, Zhuo Jingcheng immediately sat next to Summer Wei Ge and enthusiastically tried to chat with her. Summer Wei Ge was not really familiar with him, and knowing the cameras were rolling, she could only respond politely. But Zhuo Jingcheng kept clinging to her and wouldn’t leave, making Summer Wei Ge rub her fingertips in slight irritation.
It wasn’t until the door of the small house made a noise again, and the sound of the lock being opened came through.
Summer Wei Ge instantly realized that it was Wen Rong arriving.
Initially, only three pairs of guests were meant to come. The show deliberately separated her and Wen Rong’s entry to build suspense and generate buzz.
Her heart instantly leaped to her throat. All the surrounding images seemed to become blurry.
Summer Wei Ge tried hard to calm herself, but her wildly beating heart roared in her ears.
She was extremely nervous, so much so that even Zhuo Jingcheng next to her noticed her unusual state.
But she could no longer control herself, staring at the direction of the door, her gaze unable to move an inch.
How long had it been since she had truly seen Wen Rong?
Not looking at a photo, but face-to-face, seeing the person clearly.
Someone walked in.
The soft footsteps were so familiar to Summer Wei Ge. Even after so many years, she could immediately recall them.
She watched the direction of the door, and the figure finally appeared slowly, as if returning to the time of their first meeting. Wen Rong was still the same, wearing a light-cyan qipao with a small black cape draped over it. The qipao was embroidered with magnolia patterns, signifying gentleness, elegance, and noble detachment.
Like a beauty who had stepped out of another era.
She always carried a faint smile, her expression gentle, and her gaze upon you would only make you feel warm.
As if no matter who you were or what you had done, Wen Rong could forgive it all.
Summer Wei Ge was the one who had drowned in that feeling.
She eagerly stood up and stepped forward, but after only a few steps, her feet abruptly froze.
Wen Rong looked at her.
A slight turn of the head, and then slowly her gaze fell completely upon her.
Just that was enough to nearly steal Summer Wei Ge’s breath. Her mind suddenly went blank. She just stared blankly as Wen Rong walked up to her, smiled softly, and called her name:
“Summer Wei Ge, long time no see.”
Summer Wei Ge couldn’t describe her feelings, only that a rush of warmth surged into her heart, scalding her whole body, and then immediately cooled down.
Wen Rong had never called her by her full name before.
Even when they broke up, the other person had only called her “Summer” with a forlorn and helpless tone.
Summer Wei Ge was speechless, staring dumbly at Wen Rong, watching the latter turn and greet the others with perfect courtesy. After acknowledging everyone, she turned back to Summer Wei Ge.
Wen Rong didn’t seem surprised by Summer Wei Ge’s loss of composure. Seeing Summer Wei Ge standing rooted to the spot, she gave a slight smile and, in front of everyone, reached out, took her by the wrist, and led her to the sofa to sit down.
Summer Wei Ge’s heart, which had been slowly chilling, began to pound violently again. Wen Rong’s expression was even warmer, her eyes, clear and gentle like spring water, were completely focused on Summer Wei Ge.
Summer Wei Ge could no longer suppress herself. Her reddened eyes had already broken through her disguise. Two lines of clear tears welled up from her eyes, tracing down her fair cheeks.
The crystalline tears did not fall to the floor; instead, they gently splashed onto the back of Wen Rong’s hand. Wen Rong was reaching out to gently wipe away Summer Wei Ge’s tears.
It was just like when they were in love, as if Wen Rong’s past affection was right there before her eyes.
“You’ve become so pretty; crying doesn’t suit you,” Wen Rong said gently, while using her finger to wipe away Summer Wei Ge’s tears.
The Cymbidium orchid pattern on the hem of her clothes was right in front of Summer Wei Ge’s eyes.
She finally heard the difference.
The gentle words and the inclusive tone were Wen Rong’s way of dealing with others. Her smile and her softness were already missing the unique intimacy she once reserved for Summer Wei Ge.
Summer Wei Ge finally stopped crying, but tears still hung in her eyes. She didn’t bother to wipe them away, urgently looking into Wen Rong’s eyes.
Wen Rong smiled warmly, her expression tender, her eyes like the warm sun of spring.
Yet, there was no affection.
Seven years had passed. How could Wen Rong still hold onto her love for Summer Wei Ge?
Summer Wei Ge lowered her head, and the tears that had barely stopped began to fall again.
This time, Wen Rong would not reach out to wipe them away for her. The heavy tears fiercely hit the cold floor.
“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom first.”
Summer Wei Ge could no longer stay in front of the camera and cry. She abruptly got up and walked toward the bathroom.
The corner of her reddened eye caught Wen Rong’s gaze. The other person was gentle as water, yet ultimately devoid of feeling.
Summer Wei Ge harshly closed her eyes, quickly left, and disappeared from everyone’s sight.
This sudden turn of events was unexpected for everyone, and they all fell silent.
Everyone had thought that Summer Wei Ge, the current top idol, should be the one who did the abandoning. Now it seemed that the big star was the one who couldn’t let go?
They looked at Wen Rong with a mix of curiosity and respect.
However, Wen Rong paid no mind to the thoughts of others. She looked at Summer Wei Ge’s retreating back with a sigh, reached for the kettle on the table, poured a glass of water, and gently held it to her lips.
Wen Rong slightly lowered her gaze, looking at the water in the glass. It was crystal clear, and as she moved, tiny ripples spread out.