Ji Tong: "I know you won't try to keep me; this is the result of my careful consideration."
At least by separating now, they could part on decent terms, and a sweet memory would remain. She couldn't continue to be his little pet as before; she desired an equal relationship, something Shen Su couldn't offer.
Though Ji Tong was innocent, she wasn't foolish. She didn't believe she had the ability to change Shen Su.
Furthermore, views on relationships were subjective. She couldn't say Shen Su's views were wrong; they were simply incompatible, their needs mismatched. Forcing the relationship would only lead to endless troubles.
Adding to this, her parents remained unyielding. The combined pressure made Ji Tong feel suffocated. Shen Su's forceful intimacy during their last encounter became the final straw that broke her.
"Alright, I respect your decision." After a moment of silence, Shen Su agreed to Ji Tong's request. He gently patted her back and softly said, "Let's sleep."
Ji Tong: "Thank you."
Closing her eyes, she told him, "I was happy with you, and I don't regret it."
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, when Ji Tong woke up, Shen Su was no longer beside her. After washing up, she went out and heard movement from the kitchen. Without guessing, she knew it was Shen Su busy cooking.
Whenever they spent the night together, Shen Su would always wake up before her to prepare breakfast.
However, today would likely be the last time. Ji Tong's eyes welled up. She sniffled, holding back her tears. Despite her sadness, she didn't regret her decision from the previous night.
Just as Ji Tong held back her tears, Shen Su emerged from the kitchen. Seeing her, he smiled and said, "I made breakfast, let's eat."
Ji Tong: "Thank you."
Shen Su: "Are you taking my car to work?"
Ji Tong: "No, I'll take the subway later."
Since they had broken up, there was no need for further interaction. She had to gradually get used to life without him.
Shen Su: "Okay, then I'll be going. You can arrange your own time."
Ji Tong: "Alright, be careful on your way."
Ji Tong stood in place, watching Shen Su leave the apartment before turning back to the kitchen.
Milk and sandwiches were laid out on the dining table. Ji Tong sat down, took a bite of a sandwich, and tears fell silently, eventually sliding from the corner of her mouth into her mouth, tasting of salt.
Her first relationship had ended. Although she had initiated the breakup, the habit of having him around made the loss and sadness inevitable.
Fortunately, Ji Tong's emotional control was quite good. She only shed a few tears while eating breakfast and quickly regained her composure. Her trip to work was not significantly affected.
The news of her breakup with Shen Su hadn't been made public yet, but colleagues would eventually find out, and she would likely face gossip.
After breaking up with Shen Su, Ji Tong also began to seriously consider resigning. When she had free time, she worked on her resume, looking for suitable opportunities and positions.
Putting aside other considerations, her nearly two years of work at Jinhe Fund had significantly boosted her capabilities. As she was personally mentored by Shen Su and willing to learn, she had been exposed to many large projects, a level of experience few her age possessed.
She might not find a platform as large as Jinhe, but securing a well-paying job in a medium-sized enterprise wouldn't be difficult.
Meanwhile, Feng Feng was completely unaware of Ji Tong and Shen Su's breakup. Time unknowingly marched into April.
Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan had arranged to drive to Nanjiang the day before the Qingming holiday. Therefore, on the afternoon of the holiday, Feng Feng and Li Yue took time off, piling up their work in the morning.
On this day, Ji Tong happened to come to the office. When Feng Feng went to the conference room to discuss work with Ji Tong, she was not present. Only her computer was on the conference table. As Feng Feng passed by, she saw the resume on the screen.
The resume had clearly just been updated, and the work experience section was not yet complete.
Feng Feng frowned. Was Ji Tong planning to change jobs?
Without time to ponder further, Ji Tong returned.
Feng Feng did not mention the resume at all. After discussing work with her, she prepared to leave early.
At three in the afternoon, Feng Feng and Li Yue left the office together. Feng Feng did not drive, getting directly into Li Yue's car.
Li Yue started the car and drove towards Feng Feng's apartment.
Upon learning that Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan were coming, Li Yue had already prepared gifts for the two elders and was not as nervous as most people would be.
Feng Feng, sitting in the passenger seat, watched Li Yue calmly steer the wheel and asked with a smile, "Aren't you nervous?"
Li Yue: "Don't worry."
Feng Feng: "It seems I was overthinking."
Li Yue: "I hope I can give you more surprises like this in the future."
Feng Feng: "I hope so too."
Since they met, Li Yue had given her quite a few surprises.
Chatting as they drove, they soon arrived at the apartment building. Li Yue had timed it perfectly, arriving almost simultaneously with Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan.
After the car stopped, Feng Feng and Li Yue got out together and walked towards Feng Zhang's minivan. Without needing Feng Feng to introduce them, Li Yue walked up and began speaking with Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan.
Having video-called many times before, they were not strangers. Li Yue naturally helped them with their luggage. Such thoughtful and considerate behavior earned him praise from Zhou Xuan.
Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan would not be staying in Nanjiang for long, so they only brought one suitcase. Besides that, they had brought some things for Feng Feng.
There were quite a few items. Li Yue made two trips. During the second trip, Li Yue asked Feng Zhang for the car keys and went down alone.
After Li Yue went downstairs, Zhou Xuan began praising him to Feng Feng, "Li Yue is truly remarkable; he's even more handsome in person than in videos."
Feng Feng: "Is that so?"
Zhou Xuan: "Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"
Li Yue's upright and refined appearance was precisely the type Zhou Xuan favored, and his personality was a significant bonus. Zhou Xuan was extremely pleased and even felt like urging them to get married quickly.
However, understanding Feng Feng's attitude towards marriage, Zhou Xuan did not rush to discuss it.
Feng Zhang also had a particularly good impression of Li Yue and chimed in with praise.
Ten minutes later, Li Yue returned upstairs with the items. He not only carried the things Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan had brought for Feng Feng but also the gifts he had prepared earlier.
Li Yue presented the tea and a custom tea set to the elders. "I heard Uncle and Auntie brewing tea during our last video call. My father happens to have a friend who owns a tea shop."
Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan were very surprised that Li Yue remembered such a detail!
Feng Zhang: "You're very thoughtful."
Li Yue: "Uncle, you're too kind. If you like it, I'll send you some regularly in the future."
Feng Feng and Li Yue accompanied the elders for a brief rest at home. At six o'clock, they went out for dinner together.
The dinner location was booked at Rufeng Clubhouse, a place personally chosen by Zhou Xuan. Although Feng Feng didn't particularly want to go, she couldn't refuse.