Even if he hadn't said it, Feng Feng understood. She looked at Li Yue's face, recalling his care last night and his behavior today. For a moment, she genuinely wanted to give it a try with him, but that impulse was quickly suppressed.
She couldn't start a relationship based on a fleeting emotion; it wouldn't be fair to Li Yue. Even if she had thoughts, she would need to consider them carefully after returning.
Although Li Yue didn't know Feng Feng's inner thoughts, he felt he had gained something from the past two days of the annual meeting. He could vaguely sense that Feng Feng was less distant towards him than usual.
She rarely initiated private conversations with him, but today, she had started the topic of conversation several times.
Li Yue knew that someone like Feng Feng wouldn't easily lower her guard and accept someone, so he hadn't expected any rapid progress between them from the start. A slow, steady, and subtle approach was the best method.
As Feng Feng and Li Yue chatted, they suddenly overheard some colleagues gossiping, the main subjects being Shen Su and Ji Tong.
One of them said, "I just went to the restroom and ran into President Shen and Ji Tong. They were like dry firewood and raging fire in the hallway; it was quite embarrassing to watch."
"President Shen is so impatient, or is Ji Tong just that charming?"
"It's strange. I used to think President Shen liked mature women, but I didn't expect him to have this preference."
"What happened next? Did they do anything else?"
"I wouldn't dare to watch; I slipped away quickly so as not to be a third wheel."
Human ears are peculiar; the topics one is most unwilling to hear are often the ones heard most clearly.
Hearing them say this, Feng Feng even imagined the scene in her mind. Having slept with Shen Su for so long, she naturally knew what he was like when things were heated.
Feng Feng felt a pang of discomfort and lowered her head.
Li Yue glanced in the distance and proactively suggested, "President Feng, shall we take a walk over there?"
The suggestion was exactly what she wanted, so she agreed. She walked with Li Yue to a place where no one else was around, her head bowed, looking at her feet, a stark contrast to her usual upright posture.
Li Yue tentatively asked, "Are you in a bad mood?"
Feng Feng remained silent.
Li Yue: "If you're willing to tell me, I'll keep it safe for you."
His tone was sincere. Feng Feng was feeling down at the moment, and hearing such words, it was hard not to be moved.
However, she still didn't tell Li Yue why she was feeling this way, only vaguely saying, "One should learn to be flexible in relationships, right?"
Li Yue thought carefully before replying, "It depends on personality and experience. Some people find it easier to move on, while others find it more difficult."
Feng Feng: "Those who can't move on are probably just stubborn."
"Not necessarily," Li Yue said. "People don't just fail to move on for no reason. There's always a cause. If someone shows you no care or effort, you wouldn't be unable to move on. Lingering attachment means the other person must have provided some emotional value, perhaps something you needed."
Li Yue's words suddenly reminded Feng Feng of the time when her relationship with Shen Su was more stable.
Back then, he would come to her apartment every Friday. They would either go out to eat, or Shen Su would cook. He was indeed a considerate and gentle person. Even though they weren't a couple at the time, he would cook for her and care for her meticulously.
Once, during a seasonal change, she caught a cold and was working overtime with a headache. When she returned home after work, she found Shen Su waiting for her. It was a weekday, and he had stewed a pot of soup, supervised her finishing dinner, and reminded her to take her medicine.
At that time, she felt grateful, but the emotional impact wasn't as significant as it felt recalling it now. Only at this moment did she realize that Shen Su had once cared for her so attentively.
She thought only Ji Tong could enjoy such treatment, but it turned out she had enjoyed it too.
Previously, she had always believed that she had lingering feelings for Shen Su. It wasn't until Li Yue spoke those words that she suddenly understood the reason.
However, it was too late now. He already had someone new by his side. Perhaps she should also move forward and not dwell on the past forever.
With this thought, Feng Feng looked at Li Yue again and said, "Yes, what you said is quite right."
Li Yue: "It's not difficult to let go. As long as you meet someone who can provide more emotional value, you'll gradually forget."
Feng Feng thought that Ji Tong must be the person who provided emotional value to Shen Su, while she had given him nothing.
She was indeed a very indifferent person. Previously, when Shen Su showed her various acts of care, she would only respond with a simple "Thank you." As for initiating care, she had never done so.
Thinking about it this way, Shen Su's decision to let go was the normal choice. Anyone with a clear mind would choose Ji Tong over her, this ice mountain.
Li Yue: "I believe in you; you will forget."
His sudden remark made Feng Feng's expression freeze for a moment. It was clear that Li Yue had understood her meaning.
But because he had said he would keep it safe, Feng Feng wasn't overly flustered. "Mm."
"Although I don't know what you've been through, I would be very happy if you were willing to tell me," Li Yue stated his thoughts directly this time. "Of course, if you're unwilling to say, I respect that."
When Feng Feng and Li Yue returned, the bonfire party was nearing its end.
By then, Shen Su and Ji Tong had also returned. They were sitting together, Ji Tong nestled in Shen Su's arms, her face flushed, her lips slightly swollen. It was evident that something had happened between them just now.
Feng Feng's gaze swept over them without lingering.
At this moment, another colleague came to tease her and Li Yue, "President Feng, did you and Li Yue sneak off on a date behind our backs?"
Feng Feng: "Can't I?"
It was a rhetorical question, and also an admission.
Shen Su heard it clearly. Holding Ji Tong in his arms, he looked up towards Feng Feng and Li Yue. Although they weren't showing any public displays of affection, their proximity and demeanor were enough to create an ambiguous atmosphere.
Especially just now, when faced with a colleague's teasing, Feng Feng had openly admitted it. She was so unreserved, completely unafraid of others misunderstanding her and Li Yue, which was completely different from when she was entangled with him.
After they had established their long-term casual relationship, Feng Feng's most stringent principle was that no one at work should know about their relationship.
Initially, Shen Su also feared trouble and readily agreed. Afterward, they always acted like acquaintances, like a client and a vendor, addressing each other as "President Feng" and "President Shen" when they met in a work setting.
Feng Feng was extremely demanding in her work and never mixed personal feelings with her professional life. However, this time with Li Yue was clearly different.
Was he that special?
Shen Su let out a sarcastic laugh. He hadn't expected to ultimately lose to an intern who hadn't even graduated yet.
As it neared midnight, the event finally concluded. Li Yue and Feng Feng's rooms were on the same floor. They had spent the entire evening together, so there was no reason for them to separate upon returning.