Shen Su’s brow furrowed even deeper, and he didn’t reply.
Ji Tong said, “Director Feng has always been very good to me. I want to visit her. Will you accompany me?”
Shen Su asked, “When do you plan to go?”
Ji Tong replied, “This weekend.”
Shen Su said, “Okay, I’ll do as you say.”
Feng Feng’s injury hadn’t significantly impacted her work. After a day of rest, she began working remotely, her efficiency no less than when she was in the office.
However, with her mobility impaired, she encountered many inconveniences in her daily life.
She needed the help of a caregiver for tasks like using the restroom and bathing.
Feng Feng had never sustained such an injury before. Even during her most severe illnesses, she hadn’t needed this level of personal care. Psychologically, she still found it difficult to accept.
Although the caregiver was attentive, there were certain things Feng Feng preferred to do herself. However, the objective reality was that she was simply unable to.
She felt a sense of frustration in her personal life, but she was able to compensate through her work. Even though she was working remotely, it hadn’t affected her efficiency. In fact, she was handling tasks faster than when she was at the office, and she always replied to emails promptly.
On several occasions, Feng Feng was still working in the early hours of the morning. Director Liu saw this during the day and advised her not to stay up late and to get enough rest.
After a few days in the hospital, the weekend arrived. Feng Feng temporarily put aside her work. The weather outside was pleasant, so the caregiver took her out to soak up the sun for a few hours.
In the afternoon, Feng Feng was sitting alone on her hospital bed, playing with her phone. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. She assumed it was Lin Mei or Lan Lan, so without even looking up, she said without hesitation, “Please come in.”
Then, the door opened. As Feng Feng looked up and started to speak, her expression froze when she saw who had entered. She was suddenly rendered speechless.
“Director Feng, are you alright?” Ji Tong held a bouquet of flowers, which she placed on the table nearby. She had come to inquire about Feng Feng’s condition.
Shen Su stood beside her, holding a fruit basket, which he also placed on the table.
Ji Tong’s concern was very sincere, and Feng Feng had no reason not to respond. “I’m alright, thank you for visiting me.”
Ji Tong said, “I went to your firm the other day, and Director Liu mentioned you had an accident. I was startled.”
Feng Feng replied, “It’s nothing serious, just that I was tired from work and was driving while fatigued.”
Ji Tong advised, “You must be careful in the future. Safety first. Fortunately, nothing serious happened this time.”
Feng Feng responded, “Okay, thank you.”
Although Shen Su remained silent, he heard Feng Feng mention “driving while fatigued.” He didn’t believe this “excuse.” Anyone else might drive while fatigued, but never her.
Ji Tong was very concerned about Feng Feng. She first asked about her physical condition and then about whether she had anyone to care for her, as if she wished she could stay and help herself.
If anyone else had made such a declaration, it might have seemed insincere, but every word Ji Tong spoke was so earnest, with no hint of pretense.
Ji Tong was so engrossed in her conversation with Feng Feng that she forgot to pay attention to Shen Su and didn’t notice that he hadn’t spoken a word since entering the room.
Half an hour later, Lan Lan arrived. She brought dinner for Feng Feng, carrying two lunchboxes each, and entered the room.
Upon entering, Lan Lan first saw Shen Su, and then she saw Ji Tong by Feng Feng’s bedside, fussing over her. The lunchboxes in her hands almost dropped.
This was a scene that even with her imagination, she couldn’t have envisioned…
Seeing Lan Lan’s expression, Shen Su smiled faintly and greeted her calmly, “You’re here. Good afternoon.”
Even Lan Lan was somewhat impressed by Shen Su’s composure. Bringing his current girlfriend to visit a former fling he had feelings for was something most people wouldn’t have the courage to do.
“Good afternoon. The news of Director Feng’s injury spread quite quickly,” Lan Lan remarked, implying more than she said.
Shen Su, of course, understood her meaning. “Ji Tong found out first, so she accompanied me to visit.”
Lan Lan clearly sensed Shen Su’s intention to distance himself from Feng Feng. Even though he was standing in the room, he showed no favoritism towards Feng Feng. The special treatment he had previously given her had all disappeared.
He even stood there, observing coldly, letting only Ji Tong and Feng Feng talk.
Shen Su’s current detached demeanor stood in stark contrast to his previous persistence in pursuing Feng Feng. Not only Feng Feng, the person directly involved, but even Lan Lan, as an observer, couldn’t help but sigh at how things had changed.
Knowing when to retreat and not to bang one’s head against a wall was supposed to be a virtue of adults. Yet, Feng Feng chose this moment to develop feelings for Shen Su.
“Director Lan, hello. It’s been a while,” Ji Tong said, greeting Lan Lan proactively upon seeing her.
Lan Lan replied, “It’s been a while. Have you been well recently?”
Ji Tong answered, “Yes.”
She noticed the boxes Lan Lan was carrying and, with keen observation, said, “Director Feng is about to eat. Director Lan, please come in. I won’t be in the way here.”
After saying this, Ji Tong stepped away from Feng Feng’s bedside and stood beside Shen Su.
As soon as she moved closer, Shen Su habitually put his arm around her.
Feng Feng glanced over, then quickly averted her gaze. When she looked back, she met Lan Lan’s eyes.
Although Lan Lan said nothing, they understood each other with a single glance.
“Tonight, we have radish and pork rib soup. I asked the auntie to cook some small wontons in it,” Lan Lan said, opening a lunchbox, releasing a fragrant aroma. “How is it? Smells good, doesn’t it?”
Feng Feng could tell that Lan Lan was trying her best to lighten the mood and cheer her up.
She smiled and said, “Yes, it smells very good.”
Lan Lan opened another box, which contained several small dishes. The portions were small, but the variety was rich, and they were all Feng Feng’s favorites.
“Eat up quickly,” Lan Lan said, handing Feng Feng chopsticks.
Shen Su glanced at his watch and then said, “Then you two go ahead and eat. Ji Tong and I won’t disturb you further. We’ll visit again another day.”
Ji Tong also said, “Director Feng, take good care of your injury. I’ll visit you again when I have time.”
“Okay,” Feng Feng replied. “Thank you.”
Since Feng Feng couldn’t get out of bed to see them off, Lan Lan escorted Shen Su and Ji Tong out. She stopped at the doorway of the room, and they asked her to stay.
Lan Lan didn’t return immediately. She paused and watched the backs of the two as they walked away for a long time.
Shen Su never forgot to keep Ji Tong in his embrace. Although Ji Tong wasn’t the type to be overtly affectionate, in front of Shen Su, she was a perfectly娇滴滴 (jiao di di - delicate and charming) little woman.
Logically, Shen Su shouldn’t have liked this type of personality. Perhaps it was truly because of the matter between Feng Feng and Wen Zhouyuan that he had completely changed his mind.
Lan Lan sighed silently. When she returned to the room, she saw Feng Feng mechanically putting food into her mouth with chopsticks. The delicious meal tasted bland to her.
Lan Lan glanced at the flowers and fruit on the table. “Did Shen Su and Ji Tong send these?”
Feng Feng replied, “Yes.”
Lan Lan said, “If you’re feeling upset, you can vent to me.”
Feng Feng smiled slightly. “No.”
Lan Lan retorted, “Don’t be stubborn.”
Feng Feng said, “I just feel that the more I interact with Ji Tong, the more I understand why he chose her. She’s quite sincere.”