Yu Wan drooped her eyelashes, her voice trailing off softly as she said, "I don't expect you to forgive me, but I was really forced by the situation at that time."
Xiao Yanzhi looked at her calmly.
"I heard from Xiao He that you've brought down Tan Mizong. Congratulations on achieving your wish," she said composedly, her tone extremely solemn. "Whether you believe me or not, I didn't really mean to harm you back then."
As soon as she finished speaking, her gaze met Xiao Yanzhi's.
His eyes were cold and gloomy, but mostly filled with an indifferent nonchalance. "It doesn't matter."
Yu Wan couldn't quite figure out what he meant for a moment.
Did he mean it didn't matter because so many years had passed, or did he never blame her in the first place?
Yu Wan waited for a while, but since Xiao Yanzhi didn't say anything more, she subtly shifted the topic. "Just now, Miss Jiang said she terminated her contract with your company?"
Xiao Yanzhi frowned slightly but didn't deny it. "Yes."
"It's a pity," Yu Wan said, her face showing regret. "In my opinion, she has good temperament and talent. She has great potential in acting and will be a good prospect in the future."
Xiao Yanzhi brushed it off with a cold statement. "It was her own decision."
In other words, he didn't force her to leave; she chose to go on her own.
Sensing his displeasure, Yu Wan smiled faintly. Looking at Xiao Yanzhi across from her for a moment, she said, "Miss Jiang is very beautiful. You two make a good match."
"You're not young anymore, are you? It's time to consider your own marriage. Don't always be alone."
She was very considerate and caring.
Xiao Yanzhi's voice was deep. "After not seeing you for a few years, you've become keen on playing matchmaker."
"What, not willing?" Yu Wan asked with a smile. "You won't lose out with such a beauty."
"It's unnecessary."
Xiao Yanzhi's tone was flat, and his reply was non - committal, but the refusal was obvious. "There's no future for me and her."
Yu Wan was taken aback. She didn't expect him to be so cold towards Jiang Li. She let out a soft laugh, her tone half - teasing and half - reproachful. "Are you so repulsed by Miss Jiang because a female actress like me broke your heart?"
Xiao Yanzhi's eyes were deep. He remained silent.
...
After using the restroom, Jiang Li received a call from the airport saying that the flight time had been changed temporarily. She then called Sister Chen to inform her.
When she returned, she happened to hear Yu Wan's light - hearted question -
"Are you so repulsed by Miss Jiang because a female actress like me broke your heart?"
Jiang Li stood still.
Her heart was like a lake where a stone had been thrown. It sank straight to the bottom, while the water surface rippled with circles after circles.
She still remembered what Bai He had said excitedly earlier, that Yu Wan was once a popular star.
Jiang Li lowered her head and smiled faintly.
So, a cold and aloof man like Xiao Yanzhi also had a devoted side.
When he was in love, he could wait for so many years.
Bai He deliberately walked around outside a few times to create some alone time for the two. When he thought the time was about right, he finally returned to the table. The dinner was coming to an end.
The group walked out of the restaurant one after another. Bai He turned around and was about to call Jiang Li. "Jiang Li, it's so late. I'll ask my brother to take you back to the hotel - "
Jiang Li took a few steps to the roadside, quickly opened the door of a taxi, got in, rolled down the window, and waved at them. "The hotel I'm staying at is in a remote area. I won't trouble you all. Goodbye."
As the taxi drove away, Jiang Li couldn't help but turn back to look.
Yu Wan, standing there, was smiling and waving at her car. Beside her stood the tall and straight Xiao Yanzhi.
Yu Wan's makeup was very light tonight, but one could still see the air of a former star.
She was really beautiful, both in figure and appearance, pleasing to the eye.
Especially her pale face, which made her look frail and vulnerable, was even more endearing.
Jiang Li had once wondered what kind of woman a man as high - minded and cold as Xiao Yanzhi would eventually marry.
Now that she had met Yu Wan, the answer was finally revealed.
...
Back at the hotel, after taking a hot bath, Jiang Li's emotions and nerves finally relaxed. She got up, dried herself, and wrapped a towel around her as she walked out of the bathtub.
At the dinner table earlier, Jiang Li, Bai He, Yu Wan and the others had exchanged phone numbers, saying that they would keep in touch if they had the chance.
Jiang Li thought it was just a polite social gesture, but she was a bit surprised and confused when Yu Wan actually called.
Why was Yu Wan calling her so late at night?
She wrapped her semi - dry hair in a towel and coiled it on her head. After hesitating for a while, curiosity finally drove her to answer the phone. "Miss Yu?"
"Miss Jiang, I'm sorry to bother you so late," the other person's voice was clear, beautiful and gentle, making one want to continue chatting with her. "Are you already resting?"
Undoubtedly, she was gentle.
"No. What can I do for you, Miss Yu?"
Yu Wan's tone was soft. "I haven't been back to China for about five years. I'm quite unfamiliar with Beicheng. I was wondering if you could introduce any suitable houses for rent."
"Xiao He has been abroad all this time. She doesn't know much about the rental market in Beicheng either. You're the first friend I've made since I came back to China, so I thought I'd ask you."
So that was the reason.
Jiang Li thought for a while and replied, "Coincidentally, the lease of the apartment I rented before has expired. The community of that house has good security and is quite quiet, but the space is relatively small. Is that okay?"
"I don't mind. I'll be living alone," Yu Wan said with a smile. Her tone was still as gentle as a spring breeze.
"I can send you the landlord's contact information later," Jiang Li adjusted the strap of her nightgown. "Do you have any requirements for the rent? I can also keep an eye out for other houses for you."
"That's great. Thank you," Yu Wan sincerely thanked her. "I didn't know what to do otherwise."
When Jiang Li was with Yu Wan, she could feel the other person's serene and gentle aura. Her natural and considerate manner made Jiang Li even feel self - conscious.
The two chatted casually for a while. Just as Jiang Li was about to end the conversation, the other end of the phone suddenly let out a regretful sigh. "I just made a friend as soon as I came back to China, but I'll have to say goodbye so soon."
Jiang Li was taken aback and subconsciously comforted her. "It's okay. I'll come back if I have the chance. We can have dinner together then."
"Will Ah Yan be there too?"
Yu Wan suddenly asked this question, her words carrying an underlying meaning. "If I'm not wrong, something happened between you two, right?"