Chapter 23: Back Then, Se Se Liked You

At 3 a.m., the crowd had dispersed, and the private room was littered with cigar butts and empty bottles.

Cen Li flipped through the receipt of tonight’s club expenses, a sharp pain in his chest.

Those idiots—have they never drunk alcohol or smoked cigars? Why don’t they just drink or smoke themselves to death!

His expression was twisted with pain, so much so that Guo Song rolled his eyes.

“Come on, Cen Ge, how many years has it been since you treated everyone? Why are you so upset?” Guo Song crossed his legs, took out a cigar from his suit pocket, sniffed it under his nose, and said, “Everyone saw your sincerity tonight. But will Se Se really come tomorrow? Qianqian said she won’t be returning to North City anytime soon.”

Cen Li glanced at the cigar in his hand and said, “I don’t know.”

Guo Song chuckled, pinched the cigar between his fingers, and shook it lightly. “If she doesn’t come tomorrow, won’t you be in a big loss? Tsk tsk, all those cigars and wines you’ve kept for years—it’s all gone now.”

Cen Li gritted his teeth and resisted, saying, “Don’t worry about whether she comes tomorrow. She’ll come back to North City eventually. You all drank my wine and smoked my cigars, and if you can’t do what you promised, then you can just spit it out.”

He then took out his phone and opened WeChat to check.

Neither Cen Mingshu nor Cen Yu had replied.

Thinking of Se Se’s stubborn nature, which not even ten oxen could pull back, his chest tightened again.

Guo Song saw the look on his face and knew that Cen Li was feeling uncertain. Just as he was about to say something, Lu Huaiyan, who had been silent the entire night, suddenly spoke up, “How do you know she will come back to North City eventually?”

As soon as these words were said, the room fell silent.

Cen Li and Guo Song exchanged a glance before both turned to look at Lu Huaiyan.

Cen Li replied, “She grew up in the Cen family, how could she not come back? My parents are still angry with her for changing her surname without permission, but with me around, they’ll eventually compromise. As long as Se Se is willing to stay, I don’t care what surname she wants.”

He had only just returned from Australia a couple of days ago. The new project in Australia was at a critical point, and he would have to leave North City in half a month at most.

Cen Minghong and Ji Yunyi had been back for a while now. On the surface, they seemed indifferent to Se Se, but every time Cen Li mentioned the news he had gotten from Han Yin, they listened carefully, which showed they weren’t completely severing ties with Se Se.

Lu Huaiyan leaned against the back of the sofa, raising his chin slightly, and looked at Cen Li without saying anything.

After a long pause, he spoke slowly, “What does your sister like to do in her free time?”

Guo Song tucked his cigar back into its box and, upon hearing this, subtly glanced at Lu Huaiyan.

Cen Li lowered his head and thought for a moment, “Our family’s biggest hobby is, of course, making money. As for other things… Wait, why are you asking this?”

He squinted his eyes and looked at Lu Huaiyan, clicking his tongue. “Also, don’t forget who refused to even help with the smallest thing back then.”

Lu Huaiyan smiled faintly, as if remembering something, and then said, “Just consider this question a momentary curiosity.”

“A momentary curiosity?” Cen Li looked at him with a bewildered expression, “What nonsense is that?”

Lu Huaiyan didn’t answer him, probably feeling that Cen Li’s response was uninteresting. He got up and walked toward the door, took his coat from the rack, and said, “I’ll head back first.”

After he left, Guo Song stared at the soft-pack door that had closed, deep in thought, and said, “Tonight, Ah Yan didn’t touch your cigars or your wine.”

“If he had touched them, that would have been a big loss! With his indifferent nature, I never dare expect any attention from him, whether it’s for Xiao Yu or Se Se!”

Guo Song: “…”

Forget it, it’s like talking to a wall—better not to say anything at all.

---

The Cen family’s dinner started at 8 p.m., but Lu Huaiyan arrived before 7 p.m. The butler led him to the study on the third floor. As he entered, Cen Li was standing by the window, on a call with Cen Mingshu.

The call was nearing its end, and Cen Li spoke with a sigh of relief, “Alright then, Auntie, see you soon. Please tell Se Se not to rush off when she arrives, I have something to discuss with her.”

Lu Huaiyan glanced at him and then reached into his pocket, pausing briefly before pulling out a lighter and a cigarette box. He placed them carefully in his coat pocket without touching them.

Cen Li had already noticed Lu Huaiyan’s presence, and with a light-hearted tone, he greeted him, “Well, well, you’re early today.”

Everyone knew Lu Huaiyan’s habits—he usually arrived at the exact time for banquets. It was rare to see him arrive an hour early, like today.

The study had a cherry wood bookshelf that reached up to the ceiling, with two sliding wooden ladders quietly standing to either side.

Lu Huaiyan gave a soft hum in acknowledgment, took off his coat, and walked over to one of the walls. He draped his coat over his arm and stood still, his eyes scanning the photographs displayed there.

The photos were framed in cherry wood frames matching the bookshelves, with spotless glass reflecting the dim yellow light.

These photos had been there for a while, and Se Se’s photo was still among them, not many in number, mostly from her school days.

One of the photos was a group picture, and Lu Huaiyan was in it too.

In the photo, the young girl was looking at him sideways, smiling with her eyes gently curved.

It was still her usual graceful smile, but somehow, it felt a bit different.

Lu Huaiyan quietly stared at the girl in the photo, then asked in a soft voice, “I don’t remember this photo. When was it taken?”

Cen Li walked over and followed his gaze, then said, “Isn’t it normal for you not to remember? You’re always so absent-minded when you take photos, not every picture can stay in your memory.”

Lu Huaiyan couldn’t remember, but Cen Li remembered it clearly.

That day was Cen Li’s 21st birthday, and Se Se had just turned 17. Over half a year had passed since that incident. Like Lu Huaiyan, Se Se had never been particularly interested in taking photos. But on that day, when she heard that Ah Yan had arrived, she took the initiative to go downstairs and take this picture with him—the one Lu Huaiyan was now looking at.

It was at that moment that Cen Li realized Se Se’s feelings for Lu Huaiyan.

Of course, after the coming-of-age ceremony, Se Se’s feelings faded completely. Her liking for Lu Huaiyan had come quickly and gone just as quickly. As her mother, Ji Yunyi, once said, Se Se was clearer about her emotions than anyone in the Cen family, and she was able to let go when needed.

Even though that was the first time she had liked someone, it was likely the only time in her life.

At one point, Cen Li had even considered helping Se Se fulfill her wish. It was then, in this very study, that he had discussed the pros and cons with Lu Huaiyan, wanting to bring the two of them together.

But that wasn’t the right time.

Lu Huaiyan had just won a bet with his grandfather and had gained control over his marriage, with no one being able to interfere. And Se Se, despite being more mature than girls her age, was still just a child, freshly come of age and not someone who would catch Lu Huaiyan’s eye.

Cen Li had barely started when Lu Huaiyan half-closed his eyelids, looked at him coolly, and asked, “Do you think I’m some kind of pawn?”

After that, he made a series of dismissive comments, making it clear that he didn’t want Cen Li to interfere.

Thinking back on those words, Cen Li still felt a sharp bitterness.

He took out a cigarette, lit it, and said with a tone of mockery, “You didn’t know, did you? Back then, Se Se liked you. She only agreed to take this picture because the person she was taking it with was you.”

Lu Huaiyan’s gaze had already moved to another photo.

This one was from Se Se’s coming-of-age ceremony, a solo shot of her. She was dressed in a black gown, standing on the spiral staircase of the old Cen family home, looking like a noble and graceful princess. She gazed down at the guests below, smiling faintly.

The white, delicate wrist resting on the handrail was adorned with a jade bracelet from the Fu family.

As soon as Cen Li’s words dropped, Lu Huaiyan’s gaze shifted abruptly from the jade bracelet.

The man turned his head slightly, the gold-rimmed glasses catching a cold glint of light. He glanced at the cigarette held at the edge of Cen Li’s lips, raised a hand to extinguish it, and calmly asked, “Se Se liked me? When did that happen?”

---

At 7:40 p.m., Se Se finally couldn’t help but ask Cen Mingshu, “Auntie, when are we leaving?”

She had flown back to North City early this morning on Cen Mingshu’s private plane from Tong City. As soon as the plane landed, Ji Yunyi had sent someone to pick up Cen Yu.

Se Se followed Cen Mingshu back to the apartment she had bought near the old house.

Cen Mingshu had always been spontaneous about attending banquets, with no fixed schedule for going or not going.

She swirled the wine glass in her hand, then circled Se Se, scanning her from head to toe before nodding with satisfaction. “This dress is nice. It suits you.”

Se Se accepted the compliment, removed her silk gloves that reached her elbows, took the wine glass from Cen Mingshu’s hand, and smiled. “It is nice, but I don’t like being late. Also, I can’t drive in this dress, so to avoid drinking and driving, you can’t drink right now.”

Cen Mingshu: “…”

She eyed Se Se and teased, “Arriving early, talking more—this is what you like?”

At a banquet, wearing a mask and being diplomatic with others was inevitable, something both Se Se and Cen Mingshu generally disliked.

However, unlike Cen Mingshu, who openly showed her dislike, Se Se concealed hers very well. She excelled at being diplomatic and smooth in her interactions.

“I don’t like it, but I hate being late even more,” Se Se replied, setting the glass down and slowly putting her gloves back on. “Anyway, I won’t be there for long, so arriving early means I can leave early.”

Cen Mingshu scoffed. “What’s there to fear? I’ll drive myself, and I’ll make sure you’re not late.”

Cen Mingshu’s car was as impressive as she was—a flashy red Ferrari, resembling a streak of fire as it sped down the road.

After they got into the car, Cen Mingshu brought up an old topic again. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the medicine on your bedside table last night. You’re living too tightly. I won’t stop you from doing what you want, but you need to promise me that you’ll take care of your health. When you have time, find someone to have an adult relationship. Think of it as a way to ease your mood.”

Se Se smiled, her gaze drifting over the familiar streets of North City. “I know, I’ll consider it.”

At 7:55 p.m., Cen Mingshu drove the car into the private parking lot reserved for the Cen family at the back of the estate. Several elderly servants, holding indigo satin umbrellas, respectfully approached them.

As Se Se got out of the car, one of the servants, looking stunned, instinctively called out, “Young—”

“Uncle Chen,” Se Se interrupted his incorrect address with a smile. “Long time no see.”

Uncle Chen had been serving at the old house for years and was close friends with Uncle Tong.

Hearing this, he paused for a moment, then quickly reacted, saying, “Miss Jiang, long time no see. Please follow me; the banquet is about to begin.”

Cen Mingshu leisurely walked ahead, asking as she went, “Where are Mr. and Mrs. Cen?”

The servant holding the umbrella replied respectfully, “Mr. and Mrs. Cen have already gone to the banquet hall.”

The back garden had a long corridor leading directly into the banquet hall. As the group passed through the corridor, the servants waiting outside the hall bent their backs, slowly opening the heavy wooden doors. The dazzling light from the crystal chandeliers spilled through the widening crack in the door, while solemn symphonic music flowed through the air, faintly scented with fragrance.

Jiang Se walked slowly into the hall, once again returning to this familiar, high-society world where she had once felt at ease like a fish in water.

The doors connecting the back garden to the hall were only accessible to the Cen family. At the northwest corner of the old house, there was a quiet, deserted spot. It wasn’t until they rounded a winding corridor that they began to hear voices.

Jiang Se’s gaze fixed on the pair of graceful figures in the center of the banquet hall. She spoke softly, “Auntie, you go and greet your junior, I’ll go find them myself.”

Cen Mingshu glanced in the direction she was looking, then nodded. “Alright, go and say your proper goodbyes.”

Jiang Se smiled gently, agreeing that it was indeed time to properly say goodbye.

Of the ten people attending this banquet, nine recognized Jiang Se. Upon seeing her, they all showed expressions of surprise. After exchanging polite nods and greetings, many took a step back, clearing a path for her to walk toward the center of the hall.

There stood Cen Minghong and Ji Yunyi, both dressed in similarly elegant, expensive gowns, each holding a glass of champagne. They were speaking softly to each other, clearly a loving couple who treated each other with respect.

They had always been each other’s best cover.

As Jiang Se walked toward them, Ji Yunyi seemed to sense her presence, raising her head to look at her. Her exquisitely made-up face remained adorned with a trace of an elegant smile.

For a brief moment, when Jiang Se paused, it felt as though the entire banquet hall went silent.

Jiang Se bowed slightly, performing a proper gesture of respect to her elders, and spoke at a measured pace: “Chairman, Madam Ji, long time no see.”

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