Xue An didn't expect that just because he casually mentioned in the morning that Sister Jiang Li would have her first theater performance in the drama troupe that afternoon, President Xiao immediately booked a noon flight and asked him to buy theater tickets in advance.
He still had to entertain an important project partner that evening, but he was still willing to spare a few hours to travel back and forth like this, with no time to rest in between.
Xue An sat in the front passenger seat of the taxi, muttering to himself and occasionally sizing up Xiao Yanzhi in the rear - view mirror.
His face remained as expressionless as ever, giving away no emotions.
...
After the curtain call, Jiang Li changed out of her stage costume backstage and was sitting in front of a mirror removing her makeup.
She slowly wiped off all the stage makeup on her face, and gradually a plain face appeared in the mirror.
After she finished tidying up, she casually tied up her hair, went to the restroom to wash her face. Before she could dry the water droplets on her face, a young girl from the troupe came over, winking at her and saying that there was a fan of hers waiting for her outside.
"He's a young man. He looks very elegant and is holding a bouquet of flowers."
Jiang Li roughly guessed who it was from these clues. She smiled and said, "He's not a fan. He's a friend."
Hearing her answer, the others let out an excited "Wow" and watched her leave with smiles.
As soon as Jiang Li stepped out of the theater, she saw Chen Siqi as expected.
Just like before, he was holding a bouquet of roses. Leaning against the railing of the steps in his white shirt and black pants, he waited for her very gentlemanly, showing no trace of impatience in his eyes.
Hearing footsteps approaching slowly, he turned his head slightly. When he saw Jiang Li, he smiled and said, "Congratulations on your successful debut. You're a qualified theater actress now."
Jiang Li was wearing a light beige dress with her hair casually tied into a low ponytail. She looked very amiable.
She took the roses. The rich fragrance of the flowers lingered around her nose, and she couldn't help but praise, "President Chen is always good at choosing flowers and knows how to please girls."
Casually, she reverted to calling him "President Chen".
Chen Siqi noticed this subtle change but didn't correct her. He just said, "Believe it or not, I've never personally given flowers to a girl before."
Jiang Li was surprised. "You've never given flowers before?"
"I said 'never personally given'." Chen Siqi corrected her.
Jiang Li then realized what he meant. Her smile remained bright. "Right. A man like President Chen doesn't need to personally give flowers to please girls."
All they needed to do was crook their fingers, and girls would flock to them. Why would they need to go to the trouble of giving flowers?
Chen Siqi couldn't fail to hear the sarcasm in her words. He glanced at her and casually asked, "You've known Xiao Yanzhi for so many years. Has he ever given you flowers?"
Jiang Li seemed to be amused by him. It was hard to tell if what she said was true or false. "He often gives me flowers."
"Personally?" Chen Siqi didn't believe it.
People in their circle were all playboys. Having an assistant buy a bouquet for them was already considered thoughtful.
Giving flowers personally was too considerate and seemed very affectionate, which didn't fit Xiao Yanzhi's persona.
"I don't know. Anyway, there were always flowers on the table. They never ran out."
As Jiang Li was talking, she felt that this topic was getting more and more annoying, so she changed the subject. "Did you come to see me just to talk about this, President Chen?"
Chen Siqi said, "Of course I'm here to congratulate you on your successful debut and invite you to dinner."
Their way of getting along remained like this. They seemed like close friends, but there was an indescribable sense of distance between them.
Actually, Jiang Li understood what Chen Siqi was thinking.
Although they couldn't get married, maintaining a friendship like this with her was still a good thing.
After all, it was always right that having more friends meant having more ways out.
After dinner, the two took a walk near the restaurant.
The scenery in Flower City was pleasant. There was a river next to the bustling city, and the sound of the water could be heard from time to time.
After walking a few steps, they reached the riverbank. The air was filled with a moist and cool feeling, making them feel refreshed all over.
Jiang Li stood on the bridge and looked down.
When the wind blew, the flowers on the trees by the river were blown into the river and floated on the water.
She smiled at Chen Siqi. "Could you take a photo of me?"
"My pleasure."
Chen Siqi walked over and raised his phone towards her.
Just as he raised the camera to take her photo, the wind blew up her skirt, revealing the beautiful lace, and her long hair was also blown into the perfect arc.
Even the wind favored her.
At this moment, Jiang Li slightly raised her eyes and showed a smile. "Are you done taking the photo?"
He quickly pressed the shutter.
-
That day, it was Chen Siqi who sent Jiang Li home.
After getting out of the car, Jiang Li waved to him in the car and smiled. "Thank you for the flowers, President Chen. See you next time."
Chen Siqi's eyes lingered on her face for a second. He couldn't help but smile comfortably. "Okay. See you tomorrow."
Jiang Li thought he had made a mistake.
But the next day when she came out of the drama troupe, he was still there by the railing at the entrance, still holding a fresh bouquet of roses.
This went on for some time.
Finally, Jiang Li couldn't hold back anymore and asked him what he really meant.
Chen Siqi folded his arms and looked at her. After a while, he lowered his head and took out the photo he had taken of her from his pocket. It turned out that he had printed it out.
"I've thought it over carefully in the past few days. We'll still go ahead with the agreement as planned."
The atmosphere froze for a few seconds.
Jiang Li quickly reacted. She wasn't surprised by his change of mind. She just said, "But you said last time that the law doesn't allow it."
"I'll find another way." Chen Siqi squinted his eyes. "You don't have to worry. I'll handle everything."
Jiang Li didn't think too much about the meaning behind his words. She just said that she would follow his plan.
When sending her back, Chen Siqi casually asked, "How about your mother..."
"We've severed our relationship." Jiang Li said calmly. "She hates me for sending her debt - evading son to prison with my own hands, so she severed our relationship with me."
There was a faint sense of desolation.
Chen Siqi got the answer he wanted and noticed that her mood had darkened. He didn't continue to ask.
A few days later.
At the Chen family's residence.
When Zhou Ningyun learned that Chen Siqi had suddenly returned, she was so frightened that she hid in the bedroom. Only after she heard the father - son pair enter the study to talk did she carefully come out.
When passing by the study door, she accidentally heard their conversation inside, which made her back go cold instantly. She was so angry that she was shaking all over and could hardly catch her breath.
She heard clearly that Chen Siqi was clearly persuading Chen Donghai to divorce her!
Since she married into the Chen family, Chen Donghai had always been very kind to her. Although Chen Siqi had never clearly expressed his attitude, he had still been respectful to her.
But as soon as he came back today, he brought up the matter of her divorcing Chen Donghai. If no one had deliberately influenced him, how could it have been so sudden?
Zhou Ningyun immediately thought of something. Suddenly, she gritted her teeth tightly, and a look of malice flashed in her eyes.
This damned girl was really like sticky mud that couldn't be shaken off. She must find a way to get rid of her.