Zhang Shuang did not reply for a long time. Gu Song added another strong incentive, "If they successfully break up, I can offer you a job at a Fortune 500 company, or any company you want to work for, I can arrange it. If you need money, that's not a problem either."
For someone about to graduate, these two conditions were undoubtedly extremely tempting. Gu Song had investigated Zhang Shuang's needs thoroughly before negotiating these points with her.
How could a twenty-five-year-old girl refuse such offers?
—
Feng Feng had indulged too much the night before and only woke up close to noon. She reached for the spot beside her and found Li Yue already gone. She called out, but received no reply. However, his phone was still there, suggesting he hadn't gone far.
Feng Feng sat up, her body still feeling weary, and went to take a shower. As she emerged, wrapped in a towel, Li Yue returned, holding egg tarts and croissants.
Feng Feng remembered that the shop she liked had a branch downstairs in the hotel. She had wanted to buy some last night but couldn't. She hadn't expected Li Yue to still be thinking about it.
Li Yue went to make Feng Feng a cup of milk, "I bought them fresh out of the oven, come and eat."
Feng Feng walked up to Li Yue and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his Adam's apple.
She had just showered, and the scent of her body wash mingled with her natural fragrance, piercing his nostrils and reaching the top of his head.
Li Yue placed his hands on her hips and spanked her, "Move again, and you'll become my breakfast."
Feng Feng: "You're so easily provoked."
Li Yue: "It's not my fault, you're just too amazing."
Anyone would be pleased to receive such praise, and Feng Feng was no exception. She pushed Li Yue away and sat down to take a sip of milk.
At that moment, Li Yue's phone, which was on the bed, suddenly rang.
Li Yue walked over and picked it up. He noticed it was an unfamiliar number. After a moment of hesitation, he answered, "Hello, who is this?"
"It's me." The voice on the other end was both familiar and strange.
Familiar because they had been together for over two years, it was impossible to forget. Strange because they hadn't contacted each other even once after their breakup.
Zhang Shuang was a very decisive person. She had deleted all contact information, and Li Yue had not bothered her since.
He hadn't expected her to initiate contact.
Li Yue: "Do you need something?"
Li Yue's attitude towards Zhang Shuang was neither warm nor cold, but rather like that towards an old classmate.
Although their breakup hadn't been very pleasant, it was in the past. He always handled things with decorum.
Zhang Shuang: "I heard you're interning in Nanjiang now."
Li Yue: "Yes."
Zhang Shuang: "I'm also in Nanjiang. Would it be convenient for me to meet you?"
Li Yue considered for a moment, "If there's anything, you can tell me over the phone or by text."
Zhang Shuang: "But I want to see you."
Li Yue: "Then I'll discuss it with my girlfriend and see what she thinks."
As soon as he said this, Zhang Shuang on the other end of the line fell into a brief silence before asking, "You have a girlfriend?"
Li Yue: "Yes."
Zhang Shuang let out a self-deprecating laugh, "When you were dating me, you didn't seem to care about my feelings this much."
Li Yue didn't deny it. When he was dating Zhang Shuang, he was only nineteen, and his way of handling many things was immature.
Love is essentially about one generation planting trees for the next to enjoy the shade. With his previous experiences, he now paid meticulous attention to Feng Feng.
Li Yue: "I'll leave it at that for now. I'll get back to you after I've discussed it."
Li Yue had been polite throughout the conversation, not cold, but also not overly intimate.
After the call, Li Yue sat down opposite Feng Feng.
Seeing his expression, Feng Feng knew he had something to say.
She thought she had heard him mention her during the call.
Feng Feng: "Just say it if you have something to say."
Li Yue: "My ex-girlfriend called."
Li Yue hadn't told Feng Feng about his past relationships. Thinking about it now, it was indeed an oversight, not a deliberate concealment. It was just that Feng Feng didn't seem like someone who would care about such things.
As expected, Feng Feng was not surprised to hear this. She wiped her hands, "Did she need something from you?"
Li Yue truthfully replied, "She asked me to meet her, but I didn't agree. I thought I should discuss it with you."
Feng Feng: "Then I agree. Go ahead."
Li Yue smiled, "That's too easy. Ms. Feng, you're making me feel like I haven't accomplished anything."
Feng Feng: "Then I'll cooperate with you and act jealous. Teach me."
Li Yue couldn't imagine Feng Feng acting jealous and throwing a tantrum. He gave her a demonstration, and after watching it, Feng Feng wore an expression of disgust.
"Forget it, I won't cooperate," Feng Feng said. "It's a bit disgusting."
Li Yue was amused by her disgusted expression. Indeed, this was not something suited for her.
Getting back to the point, Feng Feng said, "It's just a meeting. Maybe she has something she needs to talk to you about. I'm not that petty."
Li Yue teased, "What if she wants to get back together?"
Feng Feng picked up a croissant, tore off a piece, and put it in her mouth, glancing at him indifferently, "Try it."
Li Yue: "I wouldn't dare. Ms. Feng, your expression looks like you want to drain me dry."
Feng Feng: "If you dare, I dare."
They playfully moved past the topic.
Li Yue didn't intend to be enemies with Zhang Shuang. She was a person with strong self-esteem. Her主动 invitation to meet might mean she genuinely had something to discuss.
After reporting to Feng Feng, Li Yue arranged to meet Zhang Shuang in the afternoon.
Around three o'clock, Li Yue arrived at a tea restaurant near Nan University and met Zhang Shuang.
They hadn't seen each other for over two years. Li Yue had matured considerably compared to his impression, his physique was sturdier, and his facial features were more defined. At this age, a man's temperament changes most noticeably.
Li Yue, wearing a polo shirt and a smile, sat down opposite Zhang Shuang and greeted her, "Long time no see."
Zhang Shuang looked at him, "It has been a long time. You've changed a lot."
Li Yue: "You too. You're even more beautiful now."
Li Yue had always been eloquent and was adept at social graces. Even though Zhang Shuang knew he might say such things to any old classmate, her heart couldn't help but beat faster.
When they were together before, she couldn't resist his charm. Now, with the passage of time, the points that attracted her to him had been magnified countless times.
Li Yue signaled the waiter, ordered some food, and then casually chatted with Zhang Shuang, "Where are you interning?"
Zhang Shuang stated her company's name and added, "It's a small company, can't compare to yours."
Li Yue: "A small company doesn't mean it has no future. You have the ability, and there are many opportunities in the summer recruitment."
These were all polite remarks. Zhang Shuang felt that he no longer treated her specially, but rather like any other old classmate, a stark contrast to his former gentleness and attentiveness.
This obvious disparity made her feel very uncomfortable.
Zhang Shuang suppressed her discomfort and asked him, "Why did you decide to intern back in China?"
Li Yue replied with a faint smile, "I was assigned to come back. Nanjiang is quite nice, and it's close to home."