Chapter 32: Past Events

The conference had passed, and the final version of the product planning proposal had been confirmed.

In reality, as the plan was being implemented, Jiang Nai had been running around attending live events for the past few days. She nearly forgot about what Xue Lin had mentioned earlier—having dinner with her senior from university.

It wasn’t until the day before their dinner, when Xue Lin sent her a message, that she remembered. The next day after work, she drove to the agreed location.

They had arranged to meet at a restaurant near Ming University, one that had been open for over ten years. They used to frequent it during their university days, and this time, choosing the same place brought a sense of nostalgia. There was some traffic on the way, so Jiang Nai arrived a few minutes late. After parking, she hurried to the restaurant and saw Xue Lin waiting for her outside.

“Has the senior arrived?” Jiang Nai asked.

Xue Lin nodded. “Everyone is here, but… Nai Nai…”

“Hmm?”

“Well, the senior also invited… Uh, I only found out just now.”

Jiang Nai: “Who? Someone from our club?”

“Yeah…”

Jiang Nai was going to say that if it was someone from their club, it wasn’t a big deal—just having a meal together. But seeing the unusual look on Xue Lin’s face, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She asked again, “Who is it?”

Xue Lin cleared her throat lightly. “Pei Xuan.”

Jiang Nai had somewhat guessed, but hearing the name still made her feel a bit dazed. It felt like that name belonged to a distant past.

“Is it okay if he’s here?” Xue Lin asked cautiously.

Jiang Nai paused for a moment, smiled, and said, “It’s fine. What’s wrong? What are you thinking?”

Xue Lin sighed in relief. “That’s good, I was worried you’d feel uncomfortable.”

Jiang Nai’s expression remained unchanged. “No, that was such a long time ago.”

Xue Lin nodded but couldn’t help but think back to their university days. Almost every young person has one or two crushes during their adolescence, and Xue Lin had hers, just as Jiang Nai did. 

At first, Xue Lin hadn’t noticed that Jiang Nai liked Pei Xuan. Jiang Nai wasn’t the kind of person to be expressive or outgoing. She kept most of her feelings to herself. When it came to discussing the senior Pei Xuan, Jiang Nai would simply show some admiration, saying that he was very kind, had excellent grades, and was very outstanding.

Later, she realized something was off during Jiang Nai’s sophomore year, when she insisted on joining the programming club. Programming had nothing to do with their major, and it was hard for them to learn, but Jiang Nai still wanted to join. So, Xue Lin, in her usual fashion, accompanied her and joined as well.

It was after joining the club that Xue Lin discovered Jiang Nai had feelings for Pei Xuan.

She was surprised, because in her mind, Jiang Nai had always focused on her academics. This was probably the first time Jiang Nai had done something for someone else that seemed unnecessary for her.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, they never ended up together…

Lost in these thoughts, the two of them had already arrived at the restaurant’s private room. The waiter helped open the door, and inside, there were already five people seated, all former members of the club. Senior Lin Yuanyuan stood up as soon as they entered and greeted them warmly.

“Jiang Nai, Xue Lin!”

Lin Yuanyuan gave them big hugs, and Jiang Nai returned the gesture. “Senior, long time no see.”

“Yes! You look even more beautiful now.”

Jiang Nai smiled, “You too, Senior.”

Lin Yuanyuan smiled happily and quickly led them to their seats. Jiang Nai glanced around, her gaze finally landing on Pei Xuan.

After a few years, he had changed a bit—his youthful college look had faded, and he appeared more mature. However, his smile hadn’t changed much. He still had that sunny, refreshing vibe that made people feel warm.

Jiang Nai greeted everyone, and when it came to Pei Xuan, she said as usual, “Long time no see.”

Pei Xuan nodded, “Yeah, it’s been years. How have you been recently?”

Jiang Nai replied, “I’m doing fine, and you?”

Pei Xuan smiled briefly, “I’m doing okay. By the way, I heard you went to the U.S. for graduate school. Are you back in Minghai now?”

“Yes, I’m working here now.”

Everyone took their seats, and Lin Yuanyuan added, “Nai Nai, where are you working now, and what do you do?”

“In market planning, at Siningte.”

Lin Yuanyuan gasped, “Wow, I heard Siningte has crazy high salaries.”

Pei Xuan seemed surprised as well. “What a coincidence, our company is working on a project with Siningte.”

Jiang Nai asked, “Which company are you from?”

“I’m at Huiding,” said the guy sitting next to Pei Xuan, named Meng Jie, who was also a senior. “Our company provides the fingerprint technology and flex-rigid PCB for your project, which was just signed recently.”

Jiang Nai knew about this project, but she hadn’t realized that Pei Xuan worked at Dinghui.

“That’s indeed a coincidence.”

“Yeah,” Meng Jie said, “Xue Lin, Jiang Nai, don’t just talk, order something. We’ve already ordered a few dishes; you can add more if you’d like.”

Xue Lin said, “Alright, I’ll take a look.”

Reconnecting with old college friends, reminiscing about the past, brought up many shared memories. Jiang Nai rarely thought about her college days, but now, as everyone chatted, she felt a bit sentimental. As they continued talking, the topic shifted to relationships. Both Meng Jie and Lin Yuanyuan were in relationships and preparing for marriage.

“Wow, you guys are moving fast! What about Pei Xuan? With him being such a handsome guy, I’m sure he must have someone already,” someone asked.

Meng Jie replied, “He doesn’t have anyone. He’s still single.”

“A handsome guy still single! That makes me feel better,” someone commented.

Lin Yuanyuan laughed and then suddenly asked, “Jiang Nai, what about you? Do you have a boyfriend?”

Jiang Nai set down her cup and nodded, “I’m married.”

There was a brief silence, and everyone gasped in surprise. Pei Xuan was momentarily stunned, then took a sip of his drink. Meng Jie glanced at him but said nothing. As for the events from back then, only Pei Xuan and Jiang Nai knew, along with their close friends—none of the other club members were aware.

“You’re getting married even earlier than me, that’s pretty fast,” Lin Yuanyuan remarked.

Jiang Nai responded, “Yeah… it’s fine.”

“Senior, when’s your wedding? Will it be in Minghai? You better invite me when the time comes,” Xue Lin changed the subject.

Lin Yuanyuan smiled, “It’ll be this year. Don’t worry, no matter where it is, I’ll definitely invite you.”

…

By 10 p.m., the dinner gathering finally ended.

Xue Lin and Lin Yuanyuan lived nearby, so they left together in the same car, while Jiang Nai headed to the parking lot alone.

“Jiang Nai.”

There was a short walk from the restaurant to the parking lot. As she was walking, she heard someone calling her name.

Turning around, she saw Pei Xuan not far behind. Jiang Nai paused in her tracks. “Senior.”

Pei Xuan walked over. “It’s hard to get a cab. Do you want me to give you a ride?”

Jiang Nai shook her head. “It’s fine. I drove here, thanks, Senior.”

“Did you call a driver?”

“Yes.”

Pei Xuan nodded in response, and then there was an awkward silence between them, both feeling slightly uneasy.

Jiang Nai was about to say something to break the silence when Pei Xuan asked, “Is the person you married the one your family introduced to you in your senior year?”

Jiang Nai was taken aback for a moment before nodding.

Pei Xuan seemed a little melancholy. “I see… Well, I hope you’re doing well.”

His words felt a bit strange, and after saying them, Pei Xuan regretted it. What he had meant to ask, though unspoken, was whether she and her husband were happy and if she was content with her life.

Jiang Nai picked up on his implication, offering a light smile. “I’m doing well.”

“Mm… That’s good,” Pei Xuan replied, and then added, “Well, I’ll be going now. Stay safe on your way home.”

As always, when Pei Xuan expressed concern, it didn’t feel insincere in the slightest.

Suddenly, Jiang Nai remembered the first time she met him. It had been a rainy day, and she had gotten stuck on the road while rushing to class. That particular class was very important to Jiang Nai because the professor was strict. Being late or leaving early would result in deductions from her participation score, which could easily lead to failing the course.

She had been quite anxious at the time when he had offered her his umbrella. He had been careful not to share it with her, merely saying, “Be careful on the road,” before leaving.

Amidst the pouring rain, as he dashed into the downpour, she saw his clothes instantly soaked through. Holding his umbrella, she went to the classroom, her white dress only slightly damp at the hem…

Later, at nineteen, her young heart slowly began to stir, though her personality was always reserved. Joining his club was already the boldest thing she’d ever done. She used to admire him, and of course, she still did now. But now it was merely admiration, without the former passion.

Youthful feelings had long dissipated with the wind and time.

“Goodbye, Senior.”

“Yes, goodbye.”

After bidding farewell, Jiang Nai headed toward her own car, and Pei Xuan returned to his parking spot.

Next to Pei Xuan’s car was Meng Jie’s car. Seeing Pei Xuan return, Meng Jie shook his head. “Given up yet?”

Pei Xuan didn’t reply.

Meng Jie continued, “If we’d just asked Lin Yuanyuan to check whether she’s in a relationship now, you wouldn’t have come tonight.”

Pei Xuan got into the car. “I only came to have a meal with everyone.”

Meng Jie smirked, “You’re just being stubborn…”

Pei Xuan didn’t want to continue the conversation. In fact, before coming, he’d held a sliver of hope, wondering if perhaps Jiang Nai hadn’t ended up with that person from before. But now, even that hope was gone. When Jiang Nai returned home, it was already ten-thirty. She opened the door, and the living room lights turned on automatically.

The smart assistant, now fully set up, asked if she wanted a drink. With little desire to talk, she told it to “go away,” and it immediately fell silent.

She sat on the sofa, zoning out for a while. After some time, the door to the study creaked open, and footsteps approached. She looked up to see Li Qingji walking over.

“Did you eat out?”

Jiang Nai nodded, “Yes, I did.”

“Did you have alcohol?”

Jiang Nai asked, “Is the smell that strong?”

Li Qingji leaned in closer. “Yes.”

“There were a lot of classmates today, so I had a bit.”

“A class reunion?”

“Not exactly, just a few friends from our university club, we had a meal together.”

“Have some milk.”

“No, I don’t want any.” Jiang Nai stood up. “I’ll go shower first.”

Her mood was subdued. Actually, she had been feeling this way for a while.

Li Qingji watched her leave, frowning slightly.

—

For Jiang Nai, this university gathering was an unexpected reunion. She hadn’t thought she would see Pei Xuan again. Even more unexpectedly, not long after the gathering, she ran into him at Siningte again. At that moment, she and Yao Qi had just stepped out of the elevator and happened to see Pei Xuan walking past in front of them.

“Senior?”

Pei Xuan turned his head and, with a brief flash of surprise on his face, said, “Jiang Nai.”

Jiang Nai asked, “What are you doing here?”

Pei Xuan gestured to the people ahead. “That’s my colleague and my boss up there. We’re here for a meeting about a collaboration project.”

“Oh…”

Pei Xuan smiled slightly, “I thought there was a chance I’d run into you, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.”

Jiang Nai replied, “I was just on my way upstairs.”

Yao Qi, curious, asked, “Who’s this?”

Pei Xuan looked at Yao Qi, “Hello, I’m with Huiding, Pei Xuan.”

“Hi, hi, I’m Yao Qi.” She shook his hand and then asked Jiang Nai, “Did you just call him Senior?”

Jiang Nai nodded, “Yes, he went to Ming University, like Senior Xu.”

“Wow, what a coincidence!” Yao Qi said excitedly, “Hey, handsome, are you all here at our company today?”

“Yes, leaving in the afternoon.”

“Then how about lunch together? Jiang Nai, your friend’s here; you should treat him to a meal at our cafeteria!”

As she said this, Yao Qi slyly tugged on Jiang Nai’s hand. Caught off guard, Jiang Nai turned and saw Yao Qi winking at her sneakily. Under the circumstances, Jiang Nai couldn’t really say no. Besides, for her, Pei Xuan, even if he was no longer someone she liked, was still a senior who had helped her a lot in the past. Since he was at her company, inviting him to lunch seemed only right.

“Sure, I’ll treat for lunch.”

Yao Qi beamed, “It’s settled then. New friend, we’ll meet up after your meeting.”

Pei Xuan smiled, “Alright, thanks.”

Pei Xuan went to the meeting room, and Yao Qi pulled Jiang Nai along.

“Wow, I didn’t know you had such a connection!”

“What?”

“This Senior of yours is really handsome; he’s totally my type,” Yao Qi said, “Is he seeing anyone?”

Jiang Nai chuckled, “So that’s why you insisted I invite him for lunch.”

“You treat him this time; I’ll treat you next time—for three meals.”

Jiang Nai rolled her eyes, “Alright, enough.”

“So, does he have a girlfriend?”

“Last I heard, he didn’t.”

“Perfect.”

Jiang Nai said, “Hold on, Yao Qi, I’m not setting up a dating scene here…”

“It’s not a dating scene, just a chance for everyone to get to know each other,” Yao Qi said with a meaningful smile. “We’re just having lunch.”

It seemed Yao Qi was truly being driven crazy by her family’s pressure. Jiang Nai shook her head but didn’t say anything else and got back to work. At eleven-thirty, lunch break began. Seeing that Pei Xuan’s meeting wasn’t over yet, Yao Qi pulled Jiang Nai to the nearby lounge area to wait.

“He’ll text me when he’s done,” Jiang Nai reminded her.

Yao Qi shrugged, “No problem, let’s wait here so we can see him when he comes out.”

Just as she said that, the meeting room door indeed opened not far away. People started filing out, led by Li Qingji and Huiding’s boss, followed by other representatives from each company. Yao Qi dared not greet Li Qingji when she saw him, waiting instead until he had walked by before waving energetically at Pei Xuan.

Pei Xuan saw them, gave a word to his colleague, and walked over.

“Jiang Nai.”

Li Qingji, who had been speaking with Huiding’s boss, turned around upon hearing this name. He saw someone who had been in the meeting room earlier walk toward another person seated a short distance away. The man stopped in front of Jiang Nai, smiling warmly.

It looked like they were familiar with each other.

Li Qingji glanced again at the man—he had remembered this name from the meeting room earlier. Pei Xuan, a technical expert on Huiding’s team. Jiang Nai and Yao Qi were about to take Pei Xuan to a restaurant, but as they reached the elevator lobby, they noticed the boss also waiting for the elevator.

The three of them moved aside to wait for the next elevator.

Yao Qi lowered her voice and said, “Jiang Nai, why don’t you ask your senior what flavor he prefers?”

Jiang Nai had noticed Li Qingji, but encountering him at work was no longer a big deal to her—she was somewhat used to it.

She turned to Pei Xuan. “What do you like to eat now? The restaurant has Western food, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese… a good variety.”

Pei Xuan replied, “My tastes haven’t changed.”

Jiang Nai thought for a moment. “Then let’s have Sichuan cuisine? The chef here makes excellent Sichuan dishes.”

Pei Xuan agreed, “Sure.”

Jiang Nai then asked Yao Qi, “What about you?”

Yao Qi replied, “I’m fine with anything. Hey, you seem to know him well—knowing he likes Sichuan food.”

Jiang Nai paused. “We were in the same club back in college. We often ate together, so I naturally picked up a few things.”

Yao Qi nodded, “I see.”

Pei Xuan smiled and didn’t comment. Just then, the other elevator opened. Jiang Nai’s gaze instinctively followed, and she saw Li Qingji and his team entering the elevator. Li Qingji was at the front. As the elevator doors closed, he looked over, catching Jiang Nai’s gaze before she had time to look away.

His expression was as stoic as ever. They made eye contact for a couple of seconds, then each looked away.

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