The atmosphere was a bit tense.
A word spoken is past recalling. Moreover, Jiang Li had been so righteous at that time. It would be really unreasonable if she were to go back on her words and admit her cowardice now.
She simply said seriously, "Since I offended you first, I should be self - aware and not make things difficult for you."
Sheng Shuocheng smiled. "You're quite sensible after the fact. You're really worry - free."
Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat.
It seemed that he was going to ask her to terminate the contract with the drama troupe.
This year had been full of bad luck.
She couldn't become a star. She had finally made some progress in the drama field, but because of her impulsive actions and wrong words, she was about to lose her job.
Jiang Li, Jiang Li, you're really regressing as you live.
"Three days of absenteeism. According to the regulations, your salary will be deducted." Sheng Shuocheng's hands hung on his knees, and his voice was solemn. "Starting tomorrow, you'll go back to the drama troupe for work as usual."
Jiang Li was stunned.
"At my age, I'm not so petty as to take a few words from a junior to heart and make things difficult for you. Moreover, after thinking about what you said, I realized there was some truth in it."
Sheng Shuocheng sat upright, well - dressed, and said gracefully, "You don't need to be too nervous. I don't intend to blame you. Instead, I should thank you and ask you for help."
Jiang Li paused involuntarily, feeling surprised. "Please just say it."
Sheng Shuocheng glanced at her. "You remind me of A Zhi. I mean, you're very much like her when she was young."
The moment their eyes met, alarm bells rang in Jiang Li's mind. She subconsciously crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Mr. Sheng, there's a big age gap between us, and I have no intention..."
"Put away those inappropriate thoughts in your head." Sheng Shuocheng glanced at her, coughed twice, and said unhurriedly, "I have no intention of dating a girl who could be my daughter."
It turned out that she had misunderstood. Jiang Li felt extremely embarrassed.
"Because you resemble her, I think you might share some similar thoughts. So I'd like to consult you."
Jiang Li was flattered. "Please go ahead."
"What you said to me last time made a lot of sense. But I can't help but wonder. A Zhi and I loved each other. Why did she never tell me how she felt?"
Jiang Li said, "Maybe she was afraid you'd be sad."
"How do you explain that?"
"Your love for her is beyond doubt. But you're used to being in a superior position and might unconsciously regard love and charity as the same thing when giving them to her. If she had spoken up, your pride would have thought she was doubting your love for her."
"She had absolute faith in your love and wanted you to be happy. So she chose to keep silent."
Sheng Shuocheng listened to her words, lowered his head slightly, and fell into deep thought.
"These might be A Zhi's thoughts." After a long time, Sheng Shuocheng spoke. "She did become more and more silent after marrying me."
"I ruined her."
After realizing this, Sheng Shuocheng sighed helplessly. "I thought she was happy, but I actually accelerated her death."
The light in his eyes dimmed. His straight back seemed a bit hunched now, and his whole state became depressed.
Jiang Li felt a bit uncomfortable.
Sheng Shuocheng was in his fifties, the chairman of Shengshi Group. He was used to being serious and reserved, and few people could see his vulnerable side.
Not to mention anything else, at such a young age, he had already achieved such wealth and status. He could have had a luxurious life with many women by his side.
But he had remained single for more than twenty years after his wife's death, which was enough to show his loyalty to love and his longing for his late wife.
She opened her mouth to comfort him. "It's not entirely like that. She must have been happy with you, which is why she was so brave to choose to marry you."
Sheng Shuocheng's expression softened a bit. He nodded. "Thank you for the comfort."
When the driver dropped Jiang Li off downstairs, she leaned over slightly to thank him. Just as she was about to get out of the car, Sheng Shuocheng suddenly called out to her. "Are you available to accompany me back to Beicheng in a few days?"
Jiang Li looked at him.
Sheng Shuocheng explained to her, "There are still some of A Zhi's relics in the old mansion. I'd like to take you there to have a look - of course, if you're interested."
Hearing this, Jiang Li blinked her eyes. For no reason, she thought of the woman in the photo album.
She suddenly had a faint expectation in her heart. She had an impulse to learn more about this woman she had never met.
She agreed to Sheng Shuocheng.
---
In the hospital.
The doctor gave Yu Wan a physical examination and found that she had a history of mental illness. She had fainted due to a stress reaction after being stimulated today.
Bai He was so anxious that she shed tears. She angrily complained to Xiao Yanzhi, "Cousin! Sister Yu Wan has anxiety disorder. How could you bully her!"
Xiao Yanzhi stood upright at the door of the ward, with a cold look in his eyes. "It has nothing to do with me."
"Cousin!" Bai He stamped her foot in anger. "How can you be so cold - hearted? That's Sister Yu Wan, your first love. How could you send her in front of that crazy person!"
"Bai He." Xiao Yanzhi pressed his finger against his temple, his tone impatient. "I won't interfere with your social life, but listen carefully. My relationship with Yu Wan is over, and there's no possibility of getting back together in the future."
"Don't make random remarks about the company's affairs without knowing the truth."
His eyes swept over Bai He indifferently, and then he said meaningfully, "You're a lawyer. You should be discerning and not be too emotional. You should be able to judge people correctly."
"If you keep making trouble, I'll ask Song Yu to take you back." The last sentence carried a warning.
After saying that, he didn't stay any longer. He turned around and walked towards the hospital corridor.
When he got downstairs and stood under the hospital building, that impatient and suppressed emotion welled up again. He remembered Jiang Li's sarcasm on the phone and her suspicion that he had done something with Yu Wan. He even felt like he couldn't defend himself.
He originally wanted to call her again, but after thinking about it, he decided to send a text message first.
He swiped to Jiang Li's contact card, opened the chat box with her, thought for a minute, and then chose a neutral opening line.
[Xiao Yanzhi: Li Li, are you busy?]
As soon as he sent it, a red exclamation mark quickly popped up on the screen.
He had been blocked by Jiang Li.
Looking at the red prompt, Xiao Yanzhi's temples throbbed. His eyebrows knitted tightly. He quickly exited the WeChat interface and directly dialed her phone number.
The phone number was also blocked.
Great.
The veins on his forehead bulged. When he got back in the car, Xue An didn't know what had happened. He turned around and asked, "Mr. Xiao, where are we going now?"
Xiao Yanzhi looked at the phone in his hand and suddenly had an idea.
"Give me your phone."