In her previous life, when Wen Ying met He Zhen, she had been working for some time, in a phase of rising income with daily career changes, which gave her confidence… Yan Yuchuan lacked such confidence, so when faced with external criticism, his reactions were particularly intense.
“I’m not just treating you to lunch; I might also introduce you to someone.”
Xie Tang didn’t notice Wen Ying’s momentary distraction.
“Huh?!”
Wen Ying had a sudden realisation, “Is it—”
“Sharp mind, you got it right,” Xie Tang confirmed.
Xie Tang decided to treat Yan Yuchuan to a meal at the Huaiyang restaurant.
While dating, she had many considerations, mindful of Yan Yuchuan’s pride, avoiding making him spend too much.
Now that they’d broken up, Xie Tang had no such reservations.
After dating so long, treating Yan Yuchuan to a meal was no big deal.
This meal was her way of putting a full stop to their relationship, a sense of closure for Xie Tang.
Xie Tang was so free-spirited… Wen Ying hesitated; being a witness to a breakup was a tad awkward.
Ever considerate, Xie Tang said, “Hey, I’ll bring Xie Qian along, alright?”
That made it fine.
But why did she have to bring Wen Ying?
Wen Ying was a bit puzzled.
Wen Ying and Xie Tang arrived at the restaurant first, while Xie Qian, coming from Zhangjiang Science Park, got there just before Yan Yuchuan.
Xie Tang arranged for two adjacent booths. The upscale restaurant prioritised privacy; loud conversation could be overheard, but you couldn’t see the neighbouring guests.
“Order whatever you like, don’t worry about saving me money.”
Xie Tang’s internship salary was decent, and she had savings.
The Xie family never took their juniors’ New Year red packets; from Xie Tang’s generation, each could keep their own, and Xie Tang had a habit of saving, making treating friends at a fancy restaurant no issue.
Sitting across from Xie Qian, Wen Ying was puzzled, “Does Sister Xie Tang always act like this?”
This style was just too carefree.
If Xie Tang was always this way, why hide her family background while dating Yan Yuchuan?
Xie Qian thought seriously and shook his head, “Maybe she’s let go, so she’s more unrestrained.”
Why insist on having Wen Ying and himself witness the formal breakup with Yan Yuchuan?
Xie Qian had a guess but couldn’t say it in front of Wen Ying.
Some words, once spoken, would break the unspoken barrier.
Looking at Wen Ying across from him, Xie Qian decided not to burden her “hamster brain,” saying, “Don’t overthink it. Just treat it as a meal. If it’s tasty, eat more; if it’s not, eat less. Don’t worry about the rest.”
Easier said than done!
With gossip unfolding at the next table, could she pretend not to see or hear?
As Wen Ying’s table got its first dish, Yan Yuchuan arrived.
He was dressed neatly, clearly having chosen his outfit carefully. His suit’s brand wasn’t obvious, but the cut and fabric were high quality. With his height and looks, he stood out impressively.
No wonder Xie Tang came to Shanghai for him!
Wen Ying only saw Yan Yuchuan’s charm, unaware that his suit was handpicked by Xie Tang.
When he sat down, the conversation began with the suit.
“This is the suit you picked for me. I wore it to see you today.”
Yan Yuchuan looked polished, but the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his turmoil. The two days since proposing the breakup had been agonising.
He’d been furious.
Then came regret.
After regret, only pain remained.
In those two days, Yan Yuchuan had wanted to contact Xie Tang countless times, picking up the phone only to set it down, always recalling the taunts of those playboys.
—What kind of life can you give Xie Tang?
—Do you know her family background?
—Trying to climb the social ladder, huh?
A poised, gentle, and brilliant girl like her had been his girlfriend.
Yan Yuchuan gave a bitter smile; how had he not realised sooner that such a perfect girl couldn’t come from an ordinary family!
Girls from poor backgrounds, shaped by material scarcity, rarely had such magnanimity.
Those who lacked for nothing naturally wouldn’t nitpick.
Details he hadn’t understood before resurfaced during those two torturous days.
Like the suit he was wearing now.
From Yan Yuchuan and Xie Tang’s conversation, Wen Ying and Xie Qian overheard the suit’s story.
Internships weren’t like school, where casual clothes sufficed, and spirit mattered more than attire. In the workplace, appearances counted; clothes didn’t need to be expensive but had to be neat and professional.
Image was a tool to quickly navigate career paths.
Wen Ying had learned this through trial and error in her past life, but Xie Tang, shaped by her upbringing, knew it instinctively.
Choosing clothes for Yan Yuchuan without exceeding his budget took Xie Tang considerable effort.
Mall brand suits were out; even decently styled ones with good fabric were pricey due to brand premiums.
Cheap ones looked tacky, diminishing even a tall, handsome guy, making him resemble a realtor or salesman, not an elite graduate.
Yan Yuchuan’s suit was custom-made, selected after Xie Tang scoured Shanghai’s tailors, comparing prices and craftsmanship. It was the best value custom suit in the city!
Was it just a suit?
No.
It was Xie Tang’s affection for Yan Yuchuan.
Xie Tang thought she still liked him.
Love wasn’t a tap, gushing when turned on and stopping when shut off.
What stood between her and Yan Yuchuan wasn’t his public breakup but that, after two days of pain, he had no intention of reconciling.
“We won’t get back together, will we? Even if you like me, even if I still like you, what’s happened can’t be undone.”
The reality was Xie Tang’s family background.
What could Xie Tang do?
She could follow Yan Yuchuan to Shanghai to build a life, but she couldn’t abandon her family to protect his pride.
Yan Yuchuan nodded painfully.
“I’m sorry, it’s just me now… If in the future I—”
“Shh.”
Xie Tang pressed a finger to her lips.
“Just quietly have this meal with me, okay? I’ve wanted to come here with you for so long. We dated; grant me this wish. After this meal, we’re officially over. You have your future, and I have mine.”
Yan Yuchuan broke down in silent tears.
Why couldn’t love keep them together?
Maybe they met too soon. Campus was an ivory tower, but the real world demanded facing reality, unable to control one’s future or make desired promises.
Wen Ying, at the next table, felt a pang of sorrow, unsure of Xie Tang and Yan Yuchuan’s moods.
Xie Qian’s eyes held deep, complex emotions.
This was the lesson his cousin wanted him to learn.
—Don’t start if you’re not in control!
