Wen Yao couldn’t help tightening her grip on her chopsticks. How had she forgotten—Xing Yu had an excellent memory.
Back during military training, he had quickly memorized everyone’s names. If even one person was missing, he would notice without needing to count.
“I left in a hurry that day, and my shoe heel came off. I might have been crouching to fix it—President Xing probably didn’t see me.”
“Is that so?” Xing Yu picked up a piece of meat and casually asked, “Which department are you in?”
“…The design department,” Wen Yao replied.
Xing Yu chewed the piece of meat he had just picked up. It was so bland it tasted like water, with a faint fishy smell lingering.
Although he had eaten raw meat during survival training in the wild, who would willingly eat meat that still smelled fishy under normal circumstances?
The chef needed to be replaced.
“The design department?”
He lifted his head to look at Wen Yao. To get into Shenghua, the minimum requirement was a bachelor’s degree.
Earlier, he had thought she was only around twenty. He hadn’t expected her to have a daughter.
Now they were even working at the same company.
Her face was too deceptive—it made it impossible to guess her age.
“Not bad.”
Wen Yao looked at Xing Yu sitting across from her. For some reason, the pressure he gave off made it hard for her to breathe. Before even finishing the food on her plate, she stood up.
“President Xing, I’m done eating. I’ll take my leave first.”
Without waiting for him to respond, she picked up her tray and hurried off.
Xing Yu watched her retreating figure. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but it felt like she was a little afraid of him.
Ever since Xing Yu started eating in the cafeteria, the food there had improved. It was much better than the previously bland meals.
Afraid of running into him again, Wen Yao deliberately avoided his schedule when eating.
Sneaking around just to have a meal—she was probably the only one doing that.
Xing Yu had gone to the cafeteria several times for lunch but hadn’t run into Wen Yao once. He found it a bit strange.
Having just taken office, there were too many matters for him to handle. Though puzzled, he didn’t look into it further.
He had just sat down when he received a call from a friend.
“Brother Xing, among all the people I know—and even their classmates studying abroad—no one has heard of someone named Wen Yao.”
“Thanks.” Xing Yu hung up, somewhat disappointed. After a moment of thought, he dialed another number—his former comrade.
“Old Pei, help me check someone.”
“Who is it? Go ahead.”
“Check whether Wen Yao has applied for a visa in the past three years.”
“No problem. Give me a bit of time—I’ll get back to you once I find something.”
“Thanks.”
“We’re brothers—no need to be polite.”
After saying that, Pei Xinyu couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Brother Xing, who is Wen Yao? You’re so concerned about her—your girlfriend?”
Xing Yu paused for a moment. “No, just a classmate.”
“Just a classmate? I thought she was someone you liked.”
Not long after hanging up, Pei Xinyu called back.
“Brother Xing, I checked. In the past three to four years, there have been about a dozen people named Wen Yao who applied for visas—but none match the information you gave.”
“Thanks.”
Xing Yu frowned. Professor Yu had said Wen Yao went abroad—but without a visa, that wouldn’t be possible.
Could Professor Yu be lying?
Before getting off work, Wen Yao received a message from Shen Cunshu.
【You’re about to get off work, right? How about we have dinner together tonight?】
【Sure, Mr. Shen.】
【Send me your location later. I’ll pick you up.】
【Okay.】
After work, Wen Yao went to pick up her daughter from kindergarten. Only then did she take out her phone and send Shen Cunshu her location.
Not long after, Shen Cunshu drove to the entrance of the alley. Once the car stopped, he got out and first looked at Wen Yao—then at the little girl holding her hand.
She had her hair styled into two little buns, with a cute yellow hair clip on the side.
She wore a mustard-yellow knitted vest over a white blouse with a doll collar.
Below that was a small white skirt.
Her skin was fair like Wen Yao’s.
Her eyes were the same too—bright and watery, as if they could speak.
He had heard Aunt Yu say before that Wen Xin was very cute.
Seeing her in person, he realized she was indeed incredibly adorable.
“You must be little Wen Xin, right?”
Wen Xin looked curiously at the man in front of her. “Uncle, who are you?”
A faint smile curved at Shen Cunshu’s lips. “I’m your mommy’s friend. You can call me Uncle Shen.”
Hearing this, Wen Xin’s pretty eyes curved into a smile. “Hello, Uncle Shen.”
Shen Cunshu also found Wen Xin very likable—her voice was soft and sweet.
He opened the rear car door and looked at Wen Yao with a smile. “Miss Wen, please get in first.”
“Mm.” Wen Yao carried her daughter into the car.
After Shen Cunshu got in, he drove off.
“Miss Wen, what would you like to eat?”
Wen Yao looked up toward the driver’s seat. “Chinese food is fine. There are restaurants nearby.”
Shen Cunshu glanced at the rearview mirror. “Then let’s go to a Chinese restaurant. What do you think?”
Wen Yao: “That works.”
It was peak dining hour, and the restaurant was crowded.
Shen Cunshu handed the menu to Wen Yao. “You can order.”
“Alright.” Wen Yao took the menu and ordered an omelet rice for Xin Xin, then a serving of ribs—Xin Xin liked ribs.
After ordering, she returned the menu. “I’m done.”
Shen Cunshu added a few more dishes: steamed fish, stir-fried greens with mushrooms, and Sanhe stir-fry.
Although the restaurant was busy, the food arrived quickly.
Before long, the dishes were served one by one.
Shen Cunshu placed the omelet rice in front of Wen Xin and asked with a smile, “Xin Xin, how old are you this year?”
Wen Xin’s eyes lit up at her favorite dish. “I’m four years old.”
Shen Cunshu continued, “Four already? You must be in middle kindergarten, right?”
Wen Xin shook her head. “Uncle Shen, I’m in the lower class.”
Wen Yao explained, “She wasn’t very healthy when she was younger and got sick often, so we only sent her to kindergarten at four.”
“I see.” Shen Cunshu picked up the serving chopsticks, placing a piece of rib into Wen Xin’s bowl, and another into Wen Yao’s.
“The ribs here taste pretty good.”
“Thank you.” Wen Yao took a bite—it really did taste good.
The meal went smoothly, and Shen Cunshu and Wen Xin seemed to get along quite well.
After dinner, Shen Cunshu drove them home.
When they reached the entrance of the alley, they got out of the car. Shen Cunshu opened the trunk and took out a bouquet of pink roses, handing it to Wen Yao.
“Miss Wen, this is for you.”
Wen Yao looked at the pink roses, a little surprised.
She paused for a moment before reaching out to accept them. “Thank you, Mr. Shen.”
With a smile, Shen Cunshu took out a plush toy and handed it to Wen Xin. “Xin Xin, this is for you.”
Seeing such a big doll, Wen Xin’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Wow, it’s so cute!”
She hugged the doll tightly. “Thank you, Uncle Shen.”
Wen Yao looked down at her daughter. “Xin Xin, say goodbye to Uncle Shen.”
Wen Xin’s hands were full holding the doll, so she couldn’t wave. “Bye-bye, Uncle Shen!”
“Goodbye, Xin Xin.” Shen Cunshu looked at Wen Yao. Remembering that she wanted to take things slowly, he gave up the idea of visiting her home.
“See you next time, Miss Wen.”
Wen Yao took her daughter back to their rented apartment. Looking at the flowers Shen Cunshu gave her, she recalled that over the years, people who pursued her had also given her flowers.
During the two years she dated Xing Yu, she hadn’t received a single bouquet—not even one.
Instead, she had given him flowers many times.
Yet there had never been a trace of joy in his eyes.
When you don’t like someone, even the things they give you won’t be liked.
Just like the gifts she bought by saving money and working part-time—their final destination was the trash can.
The difference between love and not love was truly vast.
Wen Yao took out her phone and sent Shen Cunshu a message.
【Mr. Shen, you don’t need to bring flowers next time we meet.】
【Don’t you like pink roses?】
【It’s not that. We’re still in the friends stage, there’s no need to spend money. Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal.】
【Miss Wen, you have to give me a chance to show myself, right? Even friends can give gifts.】
【Mr. Shen, I think it’s better if we keep things simple.】
【I understand. Don’t overthink it, Miss Wen. Get some rest early.】
【Mm.】
Wen Yao put down her phone and looked toward the sofa, where Xin Xin was still hugging the plush toy—it was clear she loved it.
With lingering doubts, Xing Yu visited Professor Yu again.
Yu Qian opened the door and was a little surprised to see Xing Yu standing there. “Xing Yu, what brings you here?”