“I believe in your judgment.” Shu Tinglan said.
Cheng Chen smiled and said, “That’s very good.” Then he fell silent.
“Let go?”
Shu Tinglan knows the most about Cheng Chen and Lu Kuai’s past. Lu Kuai openly pursued her from high school, all the way through college and even after graduation when they started working.
Unlike Lu Kuo and Zhuo Yu’an, Lu Kuo has a sunny and outgoing personality. He is warm to everyone, so even though he openly declared his love for Cheng Chen in high school, Cheng Chen couldn’t feel it. Because while he said he liked her, he also flirted with many other girls. Cheng Chen seemed more like a seasoning to him on a whim, so during high school, Cheng Chen ignored him.
After going to university, the two were separated by different cities. But Lu Kuo still went back to Cheng Chen’s university in Qishan every month. He sent WeChat messages to greet her every morning and evening without fail. At that time, Cheng Chen had fallen for him and tacitly accepted their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. She even thought about moving to Senzhou with Lu Kuo after graduation.First love is the most beautiful, but also the most fragile. It can’t withstand any wind or rain. Lu Kuo’s mother’s casual words made her feel insignificant. After graduation, she worked hard and strived to catch up with Lu Kuo someday.
But Lu Kuo remained that prodigal son. He hoped she would put her work aside to spend time with him, enjoying life’s pleasures. He wanted her to adapt to his pace and live a leisurely life. She couldn’t, so he felt tired. His reasons were seemingly noble: he had pursued her for so many years, and since he couldn’t catch her, he was tired and gave up.
He didn’t know how much effort she had put in to catch up with him, to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. She later even gave up everything in Qining to start over in Senzhou, and even gave up her pride to ask him if they could be together, but he said no.
So Lu Kuo, this wealthy young master, didn’t truly love her. He merely saw her as a mark of his youth, a way to make his life less pale and something he could reminisce about years later, saying, “When I was young, I deeply pursued a girl.”
“He’s just a scumbag, yet he pretends to be deeply in love. What is there to let go of?” That was Cheng Chen’s response to Tinglan’s question.
Of course, she had also been deceived by his so-called deep affection and wasted so many years of her youth. Thinking about it now, she would naturally still feel heartbroken, but it was only heartache. Especially after meeting Shao Hui, she truly felt what it was like to be wholeheartedly cherished by a man.
Although Shao Hui is usually taciturn because of his work, it’s the subtle and unintentional consideration he shows in details that reveals his true nature. A man tempered by a hundred fires yet tender as silk is most captivating. Cheng Chen has never felt this secure before.
Shu Tinglan stopped talking. After all, love is most important when both parties feel it. Cheng Chen couldn’t feel Lu Kuo’s love, just as Lu Kuo couldn’t feel Cheng Chen’s effort. Their gears were just a little off, derailing and unable to mesh again.
Shu Tinglan has only the most sincere blessings for Cheng Chen.
“Cheng Chen, you must be happy in the future.”
“You too.”
As Shu Tinglan and Zhuo Yu’an returned to Senzhou, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wistfulness. The youthful infatuation had transformed into a steadfast love, how much courage and perseverance did it take to achieve a happy ending?
“Well, people like me who are so persistent are rare. You should cherish that.”
If you give him some color, he’ll open a dyeing workshop. Shu Tinglan was not to be outdone: “Then you have to keep working hard. We haven’t achieved the perfect result yet, we are just co-parenting our children now.”
Zhuo Yu’an smiled and put his arm around her: “Are you implying we should get married?”
“You’re overthinking it.” She thought things were just fine as they were, that marriage certificate didn’t really matter.
She didn’t think it was important, but Zhuo Yu’an did. Since they weren’t registered under the same household registration, his heart always felt like it was hanging in the balance. He was constantly anxious and afraid that if she got unhappy, she would run off with someone else. Even though they were already in this relationship, he still lacked confidence.
“By the way, don’t tell Lu Ku about Cheng Chen’s marriage. ” Shu Tinglan reminded him, lest it cause unnecessary trouble.
“It’s late, Lu Kuo has already gone to Qining.” Zhu Yu’an admitted, it was he who told Lu Kuo.
“You…,” Shu Tinglan was speechless. Was he trying to stir up trouble?
“Tinglan, just as you hope Chenchen will be happy, I also hope Kuai will be happy and not have any regrets. He has the right to pursue happiness.” Zhuo Yu’an didn’t feel he had done anything wrong.
He has the right to pursue happiness, that’s true, but he has no right to arbitrarily disrupt other people’s lives. What is he doing in Qingshen? Stopping Chen Cheng’s wedding? What happens after he stops it? Will he be responsible for Chen Cheng for the rest of his life? You guys will always just act high and mighty, doing whatever you want and interfering with other people’s lives at will.
If Lu Kuò really cared, he would have done something long ago? Shū Tíng Lán thought of this, and her emotions flared up. She unconsciously dragged Zhuó Yǔ ?n into it as well. Now, she saw him just like Lu Kuò, with a disgusting face.
“You’re meddling in my business!”
This matter, there’s no right or wrong on either side. Both parties have different stances and are acting for their own friends.
This was the first time Zhuo Yu’an had been labeled as meddling, and a hint of displeasure flickered in his heart. Tinglan should know about his relationship with Lu Kuo; he didn’t want regrets to stain Lu Kuo’s life. How could this be considered meddling?
“Don’t you know Lu Kuo’s character? He went to Qining not because he loved Cheng Chen, but because of resentment, because Cheng Chen found another half earlier than him. Did he go to let Shao Hui know about Cheng Chen’s past? To add trouble to their new marriage?” Shu Tinglan became angrier the more she thought about it.
“If Chengchen were truly determined to marry Shaohui, she wouldn’t care at all about Lu Kuo’s presence.”
He was being straightforward, but to Shu Tinglan, it sounded like veiled insults, implying that she hadn’t been firm enough in her relationship with Yi Muyang before and therefore was overly concerned about his appearance!
So, he was pleased? After all that circling around, it still ended up back with him. He was pleased, wasn’t he?
“Isn’t it interesting to just test people’s humanity?” She was stung, her voice turning cold.
“???” Zhuo Yu’an was baffled. What did he have to do with this?
They had an argument out of the blue, and then a cold war ensued. No matter what Zhu Yu’an said, she ignored him completely.
Just as the Spring Festival holiday ended and everyone returned to work at the law firm, all were in high spirits. She was the only one with a gloomy face. Even when Xiao Xin brought her specialties from the city, she responded indifferently.
“Mr. Shu, did you have a good rest during the Chinese New Year?” Li Anna was in high spirits after the holiday. Back at work with several contracts to sign, she found Shu Tinglan much more agreeable.
“Happy New Year, Lawyer Li,” Shu Tinglan said without the mood to make polite conversation with them.
Zuo Yu’an, that scumbag, did something wrong and dared to give her the cold shoulder. He didn’t even come back until the middle of the night last night, and this morning he left before her. He was clearly avoiding her.
Lan Xiaoshan arrived at the office early today, accompanied by Human Resources representative Guo Ran, to give red envelopes to the lawyers. Shu Tinglan had to force a smile and greet them with enthusiasm.
“It seems like everyone had a great Chinese New Year, keeping their spirits high. Let’s all work hard this year.”