IMH - 12

During the days Peter returned to the country, Yu Qian would accompany him for walks whenever she had time.

The first few days of October were national holidays, and the capital city was bustling. However, it was during such a lively time years ago that Peter lost his beloved wife and child.

Thus, amidst this vibrant world, he unusually fell silent.

The capital was not just a rapidly developing first-tier city but also an ancient capital renowned worldwide, boasting over three thousand years of history.

Peter stood in front of an ancient site, suddenly sighing, his soul weathered as if it had experienced thousands of years along with this city.

In such moments, even someone like Yu Qian would believe that there truly exists undying affection in the world.

On the evening before the holiday ended, to avoid the peak dining hours outside, Yu Qian and Peter stayed to dine at the hotel restaurant in “Wu Tong Li.”

The hotel restaurant had seating areas near the windows as well as small private rooms with partitions.

Yu Qian and Peter chose a private room and ordered French cuisine and red wine.

Perhaps due to their mindset, the topics they discussed were somewhat heavy.

But the fact that Peter started talking again was good.

Peter recounted some things about his late wife. After a while, he looked at Yu Qian and suddenly asked: “Haven’t you ever met anyone who deeply influenced you? Even one person?”

“Yes.”

“For example?”

“For example, my mom, those who maliciously speculated about me, those who accused me of campus violence, or the media that claimed I had an affair with you.”

Yu Qian swirled the stem of her glass casually, “There are too many.”

Peter rolled his eyes and said, can’t you reveal a bit of truth on this red wine night and talk about something romantic?

“For example?”

“For example, someone of the opposite sex who left a deep impression on you.” He emphasized the words “opposite sex.”

It’s hard for anyone to resist the allure of gossip, and Peter was no exception.

Yu Qian smiled. After knowing each other for so many years, she mentioned for the first time: “There were one or two.”

“Not your father, right?”

Yu Qian shook her head: “I’ve never met him. How could he influence me?”

Among the two opposite-sex individuals who had an impact on her, one was her neighbor’s older brother.

“Let me tell you about my neighbor’s older brother.”

Her neighbor’s older brother was named Han Chu, three years older than Yu Qian, the kind of “other people’s child” who excelled academically since childhood.

When her mother, Qu Liwen, was alive, one of her favorite pastimes was comparing Yu Qian with Han Chu.

Qu Liwen even hoped that Yu Qian would date Han Chu in the future, preferably marry him.

As Qu Liwen put it, the Han family had been scholars for three generations, a good family.

But when Yu Qian mentioned Han Chu, she only thought that during the most precarious moment of her life, Han Chu played the role of prying her fingers off the edge of the cliff.

He indirectly made her stronger.

For a period, Yu Qian truly envied top students.

So when she met Cheng Xiaonan and he asked what kind of men she liked, she instinctively answered, top students.

It was just an offhand remark.

After recounting the achievements of her neighbor’s older brother, just as she reached the part about him being recommended for graduate school, perhaps the diners from the adjacent private room left, and the sound of doors opening and closing came through.

After the noise outside dissipated, Peter asked: “Among the two opposite-sex individuals who influenced you, is the one you didn’t mention more important to you?”

Yu Qian said: “You guess.”

Due to the upcoming fashion show, she drank less than half a bottle, feeling slightly tipsy. Peter finished all the red wine alone, getting thoroughly drunk.

When helping the drunken, sobbing Peter leave, the entire restaurant floor was almost empty.

Walking out of the restaurant, Yu Qian’s high heels struggled to support her. Just as she was about to turn back to call a staff member for help, someone supported her.

Under the bright lights of the hotel, Yu Qian turned around and saw Cheng Xiaonan.

Perhaps due to the slight effects of the wine, she frowned: “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t look happy, his lips tightly pressed together. Without answering her question, he asked: “Which floor?”

Peter, with half-foreign blood, wasn’t short by domestic standards; he was a tall, middle-aged man.

But Cheng Xiaonan didn’t need to support him. With one hand firmly holding Peter’s forearm, he led him into the elevator.

Following behind, Yu Qian only felt that Peter seemed especially “petite” today.

Moreover, she noticed two blood marks on Cheng Xiaonan’s arm, as if scratched by someone.

Cheng Xiaonan helped them to the room door. After thanking him, Yu Qian, fearing that the drunken Peter might vomit on the hotel carpet, hurriedly rummaged through his bag for his room card.

This floor had many guest rooms. The entire quiet corridor only echoed with the rustling sounds of her searching.

When she found the room card and looked up, she discovered that Cheng Xiaonan had already left without saying goodbye. His footsteps were muffled by the carpet.

Yu Qian only felt that Cheng Xiaonan’s mood was particularly bad.

Had he argued with his girlfriend again?

The next day, in the company elevator, Yu Qian unexpectedly encountered Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend.

She was tall, with a good figure. Initially, Yu Qian didn’t recognize her, but the girlfriend called Cheng Xiaonan: “Nan Ge, we’re going out for lunch. There’s a package being delivered to the company; could you help sign for it?”

Upon hearing her speak, Yu Qian glanced at the woman just as she stepped out of the elevator.

Coincidentally, when having lunch with Peter, she encountered Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend again.

Going out for lunch was Peter’s idea. Fortunately, entering October, the weather was no longer scorching.

The long holiday was over, and the first working day, the streets outside were unusually quiet for the capital city.

Eating was incidental. Peter wanted to browse in the mall, buy a suitable suit, and pair it with a tie.

The main designer of Yu Qian’s upcoming show was an old friend of Peter’s.

Hearing that Yu Qian was participating in the conceptual show of an old friend, Peter said he should go see it and give his old friend a surprise.

“Surprise.”

Yu Qian parked the car in the underground parking lot and turned to look at Peter sitting in the passenger seat: “So you haven’t told your old friend that you’re coming to see the show, nor have you asked him for an invitation?”

It was at this moment, from the direction of the passenger side, that Yu Qian saw Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend walking into the mall’s internal entrance, accompanied by a man.

However, the man’s figure was obscured by Peter’s profile.

“Of course, ‘Eleven’ will give me the invitation. I asked your assistant Sun Yue, and it seems possible. Otherwise, could you help me ask again? Yu Qian? Are you listening to me?”

“I’m listening.”

It was a fish restaurant. When Yu Qian and Peter were selecting fish from the large aquarium, they encountered Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend for the third time.

Yu Qian’s first reaction was, is the capital really so small? Why does Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend always appear around her like him?

But as soon as she finished thinking that, Yu Qian recognized the man Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend was arm-in-arm with—

It was the man she met at the hotel elevator when picking up Peter at the airport, with a wheat complexion and a smile preceding every word.

This person, wasn’t he Cheng Xiaonan’s friend?

They obviously didn’t see Yu Qian, chatting and laughing as they entered a private room.

As they reached the door, Yu Qian still saw Cheng Xiaonan’s friend very intimately patting Cheng Xiaonan’s girlfriend’s butt...

Yu Qian remembered discussing this issue with Cheng Xiaonan years ago on the back street of the school.

That back street was also the back street of a residential area, a place rarely visited by people but lush with vegetation. They once saw young couples passionately kissing there.

But Cheng Xiaonan said, that woman has a husband who lives next to their teacher’s house; this is adultery.

At that time, Yu Qian asked him, what would you do if your girlfriend cheated on you?

Cheng Xiaonan was then 18 years old, brimming with teenage arrogance.

He turned his head to look deeply at Yu Qian and arrogantly said, I wouldn’t have such poor taste.

Regarding Cheng Xiaonan being cuckolded, and by his own good friend, Yu Qian thought about it and realized it was none of her business.

Moreover, between her and Cheng Xiaonan, there was no occasion for conversation, so it wasn’t her place to feel awkward.

But quite coincidentally, the next morning, Sun Yue called, her voice hoarse: “Qian, I forgot to turn off the air conditioner last night and caught a cold. I was supposed to check the show details with you today, but I just contacted President Cheng. He said he caught a cold and needs to stay away from you. Models getting sick at this juncture is very troublesome, so he will communicate with you...”

The location was set in the office building, the same meeting room where Yu Qian first met Cheng Xiaonan after returning to the country.

He seemed to like that meeting room. Several times she saw him in the company, he was working in this meeting room.

When Yu Qian arrived at the meeting room door, Cheng Xiaonan had already opened the door for her.

He was even wearing an avocado-green top...

Actually, sitting face-to-face with Cheng Xiaonan in a meeting room, Yu Qian should have many feelings.

After all, they never had such a moment of sitting together to discuss serious matters years ago.

But now, seeing Cheng Xiaonan holding a stack of documents and talking about the show arrangements, she only had one thought in her mind:

You’ve been cuckolded by your buddy.

“... If you’re available this week, we’ll depart and stay at the hotel next to the show venue, convenient for your makeup and rehearsals.”

“Assistant Sun Yue hasn’t recovered from her cold and can’t take care of you. I’ll be with you. If you have any issues, you can find me.”

“Or, if the collaborating party makes any requests that make you feel uncomfortable or inappropriate, you can contact me immediately, and I’ll negotiate on your behalf.”

As Cheng Xiaonan spoke these words, he kept looking into Yu Qian’s eyes.

After finishing, he handed the documents in his hand to her, placing them on the table in front of Yu Qian. Leaning relaxedly back into his chair, he smiled and said: “Starting next week, it’ll be tough.”

“Not tough.”

Yu Qian took the documents, “If there’s nothing else, can I leave now?”

“No official matters. There’s one personal question.”

“Welcome party?”

“You seem to be looking forward to the welcome party?”

Yu Qian kept a straight face: “Ask your question.”

Cheng Xiaonan squinted, looking pleased: “Teacher Yu, can you explain why, since entering, you’ve been looking at me with a complex gaze?”