STT – Chapter 1

WARNING: MTL

Are you an old acquaintance of Lian Xuan?

If, many years later, you reunite with someone you had a secret crush on many years ago, what kind of expression would you have, and how would you behave?

Would you smile and exchange pleasantries, or pretend to be strangers who have never met?

The person you loved deeply in your heart many years ago has become a sharp needle at the deepest part of your heart over the years, always pricking you hard when you least expect it. How much preparation do you need to face her calmly when you meet again?

Lu Zizheng’s experience gave her the answer.

No matter how much preparation she had made, all her defenses would collapse instantly when they meet again.

She remembered smiling and extending her hand to Lian Xuan, saying, “Hello, Manager Lian, please take care of me in the future.” The smile, polite and courteous, should have been flawless.

Lian Xuan, however, did not extend her hand for a handshake but instead opened her arms and gently hugged her, smiling naturally and kindly, saying, “Zizheng, we’ve been old classmates for many years. Even though we haven’t seen each other for a long time, there’s no need to be so distant and formal, right?”

Lu Zizheng dug her thumbnail hard into the pad of her index finger to control herself from pushing Lian Xuan away and fleeing in panic. She took a deep breath, pretended to be calm, and merely smiled at Lian Xuan’s words, letting it pass.

Just like many years ago, even now, she still couldn’t see through Lian Xuan.

She never could see through how much of Lian Xuan’s smile was sincere and how much was feigned.

Temporarily transferred to Fengshang as Lian Xuan’s personal translator, she had long anticipated that her superior would be Lian Xuan. However, she did not expect that she had overestimated herself. The moment she saw Lian Xuan, she was still startled, her composure lost.

Her neatly tied black hair, exquisite makeup, and courteous smile could not hide the faint aloofness in her eyes and brows. After eight years, Lian Xuan was still beautiful and graceful, drawing all attention. In her pounding heart, Lu Zizheng saw through the present her the Lian Xuan who, wearing a white school uniform with a ponytail, waved goodbye to her.

She was no longer the foolish child who used to clench her lips and endure in silence, and Lian Xuan was no longer the beautiful girl who would smile gently at her. She smiled bitterly, perhaps what passed was time, but what couldn’t pass was sentiment.

Sitting in the temporary office arranged by Lian Xuan for her, Lu Zizheng was restless all afternoon, with her temples throbbing and her thoughts drifting.

Finally, it was time to get off work. Lu Zizheng rubbed her temples, tidied her desk, and left the office with her bag, feeling a great relief.

During the rush hour, the elevator was crowded. She barely squeezed in, stood straight, holding her breath and drawing in her stomach. However, the physical discomfort was clearly not as painful as her current mental agony. Standing by the elevator door, she was lost in thought, wondering if she should resign early and return to the company to wait for the next employer if she couldn’t be as carefree as she had initially planned.

Just as she reached the first floor, she was pushed out of the elevator by the crowd behind her, still lost in thought, and almost stumbled and fell.

A fair and slender hand suddenly reached out beside her, holding her arm, and asked gently, “Are you alright?”

Lu Zizheng looked up and saw Lian Xuan’s beautiful face smiling at her with concern.

Lu Zizheng quickly stood up straight, pulled her arm away from Lian Xuan’s hand, and said, “I’m fine, thank you, Manager Lian.”

The two of them walked out side by side, neither too close nor too far apart. Lian Xuan glanced at Lu Zizheng and smiled, saying, “Why are you always so distant and polite? I can overlook it during work hours, but after work, can’t you call me by my name?”

Lu Zizheng glanced at her, smiled faintly without speaking, and continued walking towards the door.

Why could she act as if nothing had ever happened, but she herself could never forget all these years, turning it into a nightmare?

Lu Zizheng, after all, you are still too inexperienced.

At the door, just as Lu Zizheng was about to say goodbye to Lian Xuan, Lian Xuan spoke first, inviting, “Zizheng, why don’t we have dinner together tonight? Firstly, to welcome you to the company, and secondly, to celebrate our reunion. Would you do me the honor?” She spoke as politely and thoughtfully as she did many years ago. Many years ago, she loved her attentiveness and thoughtfulness; now, she only felt it was full of false politeness.

Just as she was about to decline, her phone suddenly rang. She took out her phone, and the name “Huaixi” was displayed on the screen. She smiled apologetically at Lian Xuan and answered the call. Jiang Huaixi’s always cool voice came from the other end, “I’m downstairs at your company, come with me to visit Auntie, she misses you.”

Lu Zizheng had no reason to refuse, replied “Okay,” and hung up the phone. Then, she smiled at Lian Xuan and said, “Manager Lian, I’m sorry, my friend specially came to pick me up after work, and I have plans tonight, so…”

Lian Xuan, looking understanding, smiled and said, “Boyfriend? Haha, it’s alright, we can do it another day.”

Lu Zizheng did not deny it, merely smiled and said goodbye, then turned and left.

Every additional word with Lian Xuan made her feel more agitated, yet she had to put on an act of calmness and smile like nothing was wrong. She just wanted to leave quickly and shed the forced smile.

Soon, she saw Jiang Huaixi’s familiar black Porsche, reached out, opened the door, and got in, collapsing like a deflated balloon in the passenger seat.

Jiang Huaixi frowned slightly at her and said, “Even if you have great confidence in my driving skills, don’t prevent me from being a law-abiding citizen. Seatbelt.”

Lu Zizheng leaned her head against the seatback, closed her eyes, and didn’t react at all.

Jiang Huaixi snorted lightly, complaining, “You’re becoming more and more unruly in my car.” But she leaned over, her hands gently fastening Lu Zizheng’s seatbelt.

Her hair brushed against Lu Zizheng’s face, carrying Jiang Huaixi’s usual faint fragrance. Lu Zizheng slightly opened her eyes, looking at the furry head in front of her, wanting to reach out and hug her but restrained herself and closed her eyes again.

After fastening the seatbelt, Jiang Huaixi started the car and drove smoothly.

On the way, Jiang Huaixi casually asked, “Are you and Lian Xuan old acquaintances?” Her eyes didn’t even look at Lu Zizheng, as if she was asking, “Do you think a certain cake is delicious?” casually.

Lu Zizheng looked sideways out the window, blew a breath against the car window, and smiled self-mockingly, saying, “Does having a crush on her and being rejected count?”

The car speed suddenly increased a lot, but it was only for a moment before returning to its usual steady pace. Jiang Huaixi’s usual cool and sarcastic tone said, “I thought with your high standards, no one in this world would meet your approval. But it’s good this way, at least it allows you to calmly examine yourself and realize that your current qualifications don’t match your standards, and you should work on improving yourself.”

Lu Zizheng gave Jiang Huaixi a cold look, “Can you speak like a normal person?”

Jiang Huaixi laughed, “Am I not? Then how did you understand?”

Lu Zizheng didn’t want to deal with her anymore for the moment.

While driving, Jiang Huaixi suddenly pulled over for a while. Lu Zizheng was puzzled and about to ask nervously what was wrong when Jiang Huaixi started the car again. While driving, she said, “My contact lens seemed to have shifted, but when I stopped, it seemed fine.”

Lu Zizheng was dubious, “When did you become nearsighted?!”

Jiang Huaixi snorted, “When did you ever care about my matters.” She casually opened the car window, slightly frowned, pursed her lips, looking serious.

Lu Zizheng sighed, not wanting to argue with her.

Sometimes, looking at Jiang Huaixi’s familiar and beautiful profile, she would feel a moment of confusion.

Is this how life’s encounters work? The person you once loved so deeply becomes a stranger one day, while the person you once hated becomes an indispensable part of your life.

Obviously, Lian Xuan is the former, and Jiang Huaixi is the latter.

LP: New release! I hope you enjoy reading this one too! And… if anyone knows what tags to use in novelupdates, please put the appropriate tags. I don’t really know what tags to use, thank you!

Re-translated on June 20, 2024