It had been two years since he "forced" her to stay by his side. She had celebrated two birthdays with him, and the most recent one had just passed two months ago.
He knew her well. As she had said, she was never one to compromise herself or play games in a relationship. He had believed that after his birthday last year, she had become serious about him. Otherwise, why would she have "wasted" so much time on him?
However, her words just now proved his thoughts to be a laughable joke. Just like before, he was once again the one in a relationship fantasizing about a future, while she had never considered any "future" with him.
She was willing to celebrate his birthday and visit Jiang Wan, which led him to naively believe he was special to her. Liang Yufeng chuckled mockingly. They say one cannot step into the same river twice, yet he kept falling for Lan Lan, again and again.
After hearing her words, Liang Yufeng didn't contact Lan Lan for several days. Lan Lan, oblivious to this, was busy with work. Liang Yufeng usually initiated contact, and she didn't think to message him.
However, on Friday after work, Lan Lan, as usual, went to Liang Yufeng's villa. But she waited until eleven o'clock, and Liang Yufeng still hadn't returned.
Lan Lan frowned. This had never happened before. If Liang Yufeng had something going on, he would inform her in advance not to come. Had something come up unexpectedly today?
Unable to rest easy, Lan Lan called Liang Yufeng. After four or five rings, the call was finally connected. "Why aren't you back yet? Is work busy? Should I just..."
"Are you looking for Mr. Liang?" a sweet, girlish voice interrupted from the other end. Lan Lan's words were cut short. "He's showering and can't take calls right now. I'll have him call you back when he's done. May I ask who's calling?"
Lan Lan hadn't anticipated such a cliché scenario unfolding for her. She wasn't heartbroken, just surprised. Did Liang Yufeng like this type of woman?
"No need. You guys carry on," Lan Lan said, ending the call with a flourish.
She sat on the villa's sofa, gazing at the warm and cozy decor, lost in thought. It suddenly struck her that Liang Yufeng hadn't contacted her much this week. Their WeChat chat history was still stuck at early Monday morning. Usually, Liang Yufeng would say a few words to her almost every day.
Perhaps he was just tired of her this time?
Lan Lan had never expected Liang Yufeng to forsake all other women for her. Let alone his current status and position, even based on his looks alone, women should flock to him. Otherwise, Shang Ting wouldn't have been so sarcastic towards her back then. If he had other women around him, did that mean she could gracefully exit?
At the hotel, after Zhou Bing answered Liang Yufeng's phone call, she sat quietly beside him. The call had been on speakerphone. As soon as the woman on the other end said, "You guys carry on," a chill emanated from Liang Yufeng. Zhou Bing didn't dare to breathe too heavily. After the call ended, Liang Yufeng remained silent, and Zhou Bing could only sit there like a mute.
"You can go," Liang Yufeng finally said after a long while.
"Then, goodnight, Mr. Liang." Having completed her task, Zhou Bing retreated.
She walked briskly towards the door, but Liang Yufeng suddenly changed his mind. "Wait."
Zhou Bing had to stop. The relief she had just felt was replaced by anxiety. She truly understood the meaning of "accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger" today.
"Stay here," Liang Yufeng said, his words astonishing. "Sleep here tonight."
Zhou Bing's pupils dilated. Liang Yufeng added, "Sleep on the sofa. We have an event to attend tomorrow."
Zhou Bing said, "Oh." She was Liang Yufeng's employee and shouldn't pry into his privacy, but...
"Aren't you going back, Mr. Liang?" Zhou Bing asked. "That lady might have misunderstood something."
Liang Yufeng ignored Zhou Bing, his expression growing colder. Zhou Bing understood his unspoken command to stop asking questions and fell silent.
Lan Lan had been staying at Liang Yufeng's place intermittently for two years. Although she only visited on weekends, she had left many of her belongings there. Now that Liang Yufeng had someone new, she assumed she would be moving her things out.
After packing, it was already past midnight. Liang Yufeng would definitely not be returning tonight, and she was extremely tired. She decided to sleep there. After showering, she received a message from her supervisor asking her to attend an event tomorrow, an important business reception.
Lan Lan was the fastest riser among her peers who joined the company at the same time, and her comprehensive abilities were the strongest. Therefore, her supervisor would give her more such opportunities, which she could handle well.
Lan Lan booked an appointment at a studio for styling. After sorting out tomorrow's arrangements, she went to sleep.
Perhaps it was because of the call answered by the sweet-voiced woman, but Lan Lan had a dream that night.
In her dream, she married Liang Yufeng, but he had an affair. Heartbroken, she tearfully questioned him, "Why would you do this?" and "Didn't you say you would always love me?" Liang Yufeng coldly replied, "Everything I did was to get revenge for you abandoning me back then."
Then, he brought his new lover in front of her and shamelessly showed off their affection. She was forced to stand still, watching them be intimate, her legs feeling as if they were filled with lead, unable to move.
When she woke up in the morning, Lan Lan found herself laughing at the dream. The actions in the dream were completely out of character for her.
Even if she truly loved a man to the point of obsession, she wouldn't lose her mind over his abandonment or beg him pitifully. She would simply turn and leave gracefully, just as she was doing now.
Back at her apartment, while waiting for takeout, Lan Lan saw the morning's sensational news. It was gossip shared in the colleague group chat. Someone had captured photos and videos of Liang Yufeng going into a hotel with a young and beautiful woman, claiming they had "spent a passionate night" together. While there were no intimate photos, there were pictures of them having breakfast together at the hotel. Compared to the previous night, they had both changed their clothes. A man and a woman going to a hotel couldn't possibly be there just to chat under the covers.
This matter was originally just ordinary gossip. However, Liang Yufeng and Lan Lan's relationship was an open secret at Xinhe. There had even been rumors of them getting married not long ago, and then this news about Liang Yufeng broke out.
Everyone began to speculate if Lan Lan had been dumped. Lan Lan saw the discussions in the group chat. She didn't mind and even commented, "Very well-matched. Congratulations."
As soon as she posted, the group chat fell silent.
Many colleagues thought she was putting on a brave face. Only the colleague who had chatted with Lan Lan that day knew that her words were entirely sincere.
This was because she didn't care who Liang Yufeng was with and was always prepared for the end.
After sending the message, Lan Lan stopped looking at the group chat. When the takeout arrived, she ate breakfast and took a nap. Then, she went out for styling and attended the evening event.