After a moment's thought, Lan Lan gave a positive answer. She did feel a certain way about Liang Yufeng. When it came to work, she always maintained a clear separation between her personal and professional life. Even when she was dating Gu Xiao, she never allowed him to bring her breakfast into the office, nor would she stay alone with him in her office for so long.
She disliked blurring the lines between work and private life, yet Liang Yufeng seemed to have entered her office more than once so casually. Sometimes, other colleagues were even present, and she had never once gotten angry with him about it. Could this be a "former boyfriend filter"?
Seeing Lan Lan lost in thought, Bai Ang smiled and asked again, "Do you like Mr. Liang?"
This question required no thought. If she didn't like him, how could she have developed a friends-with-benefits relationship with Liang Yufeng? But it was only liking. "Yes, I like all handsome men."
This was clearly a way for her to save face. Bai Ang, with his high emotional intelligence, simply smiled and remained silent, not calling her out.
Lan Lan had never denied her liking for Liang Yufeng. It was the same back then. Liang Yufeng's face and physique perfectly matched her aesthetic preferences. If she hadn't liked him, she wouldn't have broken her own rule to get back together with him. However, Liang Yufeng was too controlling, and that was something she found hardest to accept.
Lan Lan's understanding of "liking" differed from the conventional sense. She could like several people at the same time, just as she liked several handbags. Men and handbags were no different to her; they were simply sources of amusement to please herself.
Conventional liking, on the other hand, was exclusive, unique, and even needed to be proven through marriage. She couldn't do that, nor had she ever thought of marrying someone for a lifetime. This was the fundamental difference between her and Liang Yufeng.
He yearned for family and stability, while she was devoted to a life of leisure and freedom. There was no right or wrong in their preferences, but for two people with different outlooks to be in a serious relationship would be draining for both.
Therefore, Lan Lan had thought it through very clearly: once Liang Yufeng got married, she would completely withdraw from their relationship.
However, the timing of Liang Yufeng's marriage was uncertain.
On Friday afternoon, Lan Lan received notification from her supervisor that she would be traveling to Runcheng the following week. Speaking of Runcheng, Lan Lan immediately thought of Jiang Wan at the nursing home.
That evening, upon arriving at Liang Yufeng's villa, Lan Lan shared the news with him. "I'm going to Runcheng on a business trip next week."
Liang Yufeng responded with an "Oh," and asked, "For how many days?"
"I don't know yet; I haven't booked my return ticket." Lan Lan then asked him, "If you have time, I plan to visit Auntie at the nursing home. Do you want me to bring her anything?"
Liang Yufeng fell silent. When he looked at her, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected her to do this. "You're going to see her?"
"If I have time," Lan Lan replied. "Auntie has been very good to me."
She was very fond of Jiang Wan, who was gentle, firm, and strong. She had also promised her last time that if she had the chance to visit Runcheng, she would definitely see her. Lan Lan hadn't taken this promise as mere polite talk.
"Yes, she should be happy," Liang Yufeng said. "She likes you quite a lot."
Lan Lan smiled, making no pretense of modesty. "Of course. I'm naturally likable."
Liang Yufeng, however, was reminded of something else by this remark and retorted sarcastically, "Yes, any client who walks into the company is instantly your admirer."
This was clearly a jab at Bai Ang. Lan Lan rolled her eyes at him. "Why are you acting like a child?"
Liang Yufeng asked, "Do you like him?"
"He's alright," Lan Lan answered after careful consideration. "He's quite handsome, mature, and has a good physique. He plays golf very well."
"You even went golfing together?" Liang Yufeng instantly seized upon the most crucial piece of information, asking it in a way that left Lan Lan speechless for a moment.
That night, during intimacy, Liang Yufeng was as rough as he could be, as if punishing her. He even bit her neck and shoulders, leaving quite a few marks on her.
The next morning, Lan Lan looked in the mirror and felt like killing Liang Yufeng when she saw the mottled love bites on her body.
In April, the weather in Nanjiang City had already turned warm. When she put on her clothes, these areas were exposed. She was also going on a business trip next week; what would people think if they saw them?
"You damn man," Lan Lan cursed Liang Yufeng as she finished her ablutions. When she went downstairs, Liang Yufeng had already prepared breakfast, and her anger subsided a little.
When she departed for Runcheng on Monday, the love bites on her body had not yet disappeared. Lan Lan had to use concealer to cover them, and they were not noticeable.
The business trip to Runcheng was tightly scheduled. The first two days were almost entirely filled with meetings. After working overtime for two days, she finally managed to carve out some personal time. Lan Lan bought a bouquet of flowers and some fruits and pastries, then took a taxi to the nursing home.
Liang Yufeng had brought her here once before. The caregiver responsible for Jiang Wan's care already recognized her. Upon seeing her, she led Lan Lan to meet Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan was not very lucid initially, but upon seeing Lan Lan, she immediately became clear-headed. She stopped what she was doing, stepped forward, took Lan Lan's hand, and sat down with her.
Jiang Wan was very surprised. "What made you think of visiting me? Where's Fengfeng? Is he outside?"
"He didn't come," Lan Lan explained to Jiang Wan. "Our company sent me here on a business trip, so I came to see you."
"Oh..." Not seeing Liang Yufeng, Jiang Wan was somewhat disappointed. "I suppose he's busy."
Lan Lan was moved and said to her, "When I go back this time, I'll tell him to visit you as soon as possible."
"No, no, his work is more important," Jiang Wan said. "I was just thinking, his birthday is coming up soon. I haven't cooked him longevity noodles for many years."
Birthday?
Lan Lan recalled the time Liang Yufeng gave her a gift. To reciprocate, she had been wanting to find out Liang Yufeng's birthday.
From Jiang Wan's words, it seemed Liang Yufeng's birthday was very soon?
Jiang Wan assumed they were a couple. Lan Lan naturally couldn't ask her directly, so she subtly steered the conversation and learned from Jiang Wan that Liang Yufeng's birthday was May 24th, which was next month. Lan Lan checked and found that the 24th was a Saturday, so she could likely spend it with him.
When Jiang Wan met Lan Lan, she couldn't help but talk about Liang Yufeng's past. As a mother, she worried about her son. She was most afraid of Liang Yufeng being bullied by the Xu family. It seemed that she and her son had suffered a lot of grievances back then.
Lan Lan comforted Jiang Wan. "Don't worry, he's doing very well now. The Xu family can't trouble him, and the company can't do without him. He's very capable."
"I don't need him to be capable; I want him to be happy," Jiang Wan said with teary eyes. "Since childhood, he hasn't experienced a complete family. Although he never complained about it, I know he always wanted one... Fortunately, he met you, Xiao Lan. Once you have your own home, I'll be at peace."
Lan Lan didn't know how to respond, so she just smiled and nodded.
Jiang Wan believed that she and Liang Yufeng had been together since their first year of university. Given her own delicate health, it was inconvenient for Lan Lan to reveal the truth, so she let her continue in her misunderstanding.