The Changing Phases - Chapter 32 - A Loving Dinner

The elderly spectators were enthusiastically discussing the situation. As it happened, they formed a pair and were told to clean up. An elderly man handed over a broom and waved at the two of them, saying, “You two go ahead, I could use the exercise.”

Wenhui warmly held Jin’s hand while Liu Yuxin took pictures furiously the entire way. When they opened the door to their home, they were greeted with candlelight and flowers everywhere, causing Jin to scream with delight once again. Liu Yuxin continued to film, but suddenly remembered an important matter. She rushed to the table, picked up the lunchbox, and ran towards the door, not forgetting to say goodbye to the sweet couple on her way out.

Liu Yuxin had initially planned to deliver dinner to Zhao Junyang, but she hadn’t expected Wenhui and Jin to intervene and spoil her plan. Zhao Junyang might be starving.

Liu Yuxin quickly returned to the office, with the security guard teasingly asking, “Liu Yuxin, working late again?”

Liu Yuxin smiled and replied, “I forgot something and came back to get it.”

When Liu Yuxin stepped out of the elevator, holding the lunchbox, she couldn’t help but smile secretly. How womanly she felt! Where would someone find such a considerate girlfriend? Hehe, Zhao Junyang must be secretly laughing.

The hallway was brightly lit, and under the white glow, Liu Yuxin’s face appeared even more lively and excited. Zhao Junyang must be very hungry. Would he be happy knowing she came to deliver dinner? Would he praise her?

As she approached the office door, Liu Yuxin carefully peered inside. Just right, Wang Zhaojun wasn’t there; perhaps Zhao Junyang had asked her to go home earlier. The door to Zhao Junyang’s office wasn’t fully closed. Liu Yuxin gently walked to the door and yelled, “Hi!”

Zhao Junyang was discussing data with Director Yang from the marketing department, and her sudden shout startled them. Ah? She didn’t expect someone else to be here! Liu Yuxin laughed awkwardly, “Hello, Director Yang, hello, Mr. Zhao.”

With a sullen face, Zhao Junyang asked, “Do you need something?”

Liu Yuxin chuckled, “I just saw Director Yang here and felt a bit friendly, so I thought I’d say hello.”

Director Yang laughed heartily, “Liu Yuxin really is unique, greeting people in such a distinct way.” He picked up the documents and said to Zhao Junyang, “Mr. Zhao, I’ll go talk to Mo Zhiqiang about your thoughts and make some adjustments to next quarter’s plans.”

Zhao Junyang nodded. As Director Yang was leaving, he said to Liu Yuxin, who was standing at the door, “Liu Yuxin, it’s getting late. If there’s nothing urgent, you should head home early.”

“Got it!” Liu Yuxin responded crisply.

When Director Yang’s figure disappeared down the hallway, Liu Yuxin smiled and walked into the office. Zhao Junyang stood up and gently tapped her nose, “You little rascal.”

Liu Yuxin smiled and asked, “Did you forget what I told you? Did you listen to me?”

Zhao Junyang’s lips curled slightly, and a flash of light appeared in his eyes. “Of course, I listened. I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Good boy,” Liu Yuxin laughed as she took out the lunchbox. “On this day, Liu Yuxin prepared a special meal with love for Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Junyang chuckled as he took the lunchbox. “Liu Yuxin is a good comrade,” he said, tousling her long hair. “I’ll eat in a bit. I still have some work to finish.”

“Really?” Liu Yuxin felt a twinge of disappointment. She said, “How about I make you a cup of coffee?”

Zhao Junyang smiled, “That would be great.”

After Liu Yuxin prepared the coffee, the fragrant aroma filled the room. She handed the coffee to Zhao Junyang and said, “I’ll stay here and keep you company, okay?”

Zhao Junyang shook his head. “I’ll be busy until late. You should go home first. Make sure to take a cab, and call me when you get home.”

Liu Yuxin stared at him with wide eyes, then silently turned to leave. Zhao Junyang walked her to the elevator door and suddenly took her hand. “Not happy?”

“No, just fine.”

“Then give me a kiss,” Zhao Junyang whispered.

Liu Yuxin playfully punched him. “You’re such a rogue.”

“My bad,” Zhao Junyang suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, “I care about you. If you felt disappointed, I’d feel bad.”

“Who are you talking about?” Liu Yuxin’s face turned rosy. Zhao Junyang laughed again. “Don’t pretend to be dumb, or I’ll shout.”

Liu Yuxin’s smile lit up the room, and Zhao Junyang felt momentarily dazed. He was always drawn to that smile, which gave his wandering heart a sense of peace.

“Zhao Junyang, keep it low-key,” Liu Yuxin said, gazing at his handsome face. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light peck on the cheek. Then she ran into the elevator, giggling. Zhao Junyang called out, “Don’t forget to call me when you get home.”

Liu Yuxin left the office, happily swaying her bag as she walked down the street. Her phone rang; it was her mom. Liu Yuxin answered obediently, responding to her mom’s questions and happily reporting her day to her parents. Her mom then asked curiously, “Liu Yuxin, why are you laughing so much? Hey, look, her dad, do you think our girl has gone a bit silly?”

Liu Yuxin heard her dad laugh on the other end, “Our Yuxin has always been a bit silly.”

After the call, Liu Yuxin put her phone back in her bag. Suddenly, she gasped and took out a pair of chopsticks from her bag. She immediately started running back. How could she be so careless? How would he eat without chopsticks? With his hands?

Out of breath, Liu Yuxin hurried back to the office. The security guard chuckled, “Back again? Forgot something else?”

Liu Yuxin kept walking, “I grabbed the wrong thing, coming back to get it.”

This time, she didn’t dare shout “Hi” suddenly. She ran to the door of Zhao Junyang’s office and listened closely. Suddenly, she froze.

Xia Wanlu’s gentle voice floated from inside, “Junyang, I heard you were working late, so I made you your favorite steak. I know you like the coffee I make, so I brought you some.”

“Thank you so much,” Zhao Junyang replied softly.

Leaning against the wall, Liu Yuxin felt a heavy weight press down on her heart. Xia Wanlu seemed to know Zhao Junyang’s preferences so well, while she didn’t even know what he liked to eat.

A hand suddenly touched her shoulder, making Liu Yuxin jump. She was about to scream when Yang Hongyi covered her mouth, whispering, “What are you doing? Wanna join in?”

Liu Yuxin angrily pushed his hand away. Xia Wanlu’s voice resounded from inside again, “Junyang, why aren’t you eating?”

Zhao Junyang replied, “Liu Yuxin brought me food earlier. I’m full.”

Xia Wanlu felt a pang of disappointment. Zhao Junyang no longer seemed to consider her feelings. Where was the Zhao Junyang who used to be so meticulous and attentive? She sighed softly and said slowly, “Yesterday, my dad had dinner with Uncle Zhao. You know what they mean, right?”

Zhao Junyang nodded, “Yes.”

Outside the door, Yang Hongyi whispered in Liu Yuxin’s ear, “So it’s an arranged marriage.”

Liu Yuxin glared at him, “You don’t need to add your two cents. I can tell.”

Xia Wanlu continued to ask, “So what do you intend to do?”

Zhao Junyang smiled and said, “I’ll find the right time to talk to my parents about it.”

Xia Wanlu’s voice trembled, “So, we really have no hope anymore?”

Zhao Junyang was at a loss for words and could only remain silent.

Silence can convey a lot of things-it could be rejection, or it could be agreement.

Xia Wanlu, agitated, said, “I understand now. A woman shouldn’t be too confident or arrogant, shouldn’t always assume she has someone protecting her, right?”

“Xia Wanlu, I…”

“You want to say it’s been over between us for a long time?”

Zhao Junyang was speechless.

Xia Wanlu trembled as she spoke, “It’s my foolish thoughts, my wrongdoing. Junyang, can you fulfill my one last request? On my birthday, you arranged an explosion of fireworks in the sky; that’s a beautiful memory I’ll never forget. Can you…act like you did that day, just one more time?”

Outside the door, Liu Yuxin dug her nails into her hands. Yang Hongyi whispered in her ear, “I know all about that night; they kissed passionately.”

Liu Yuxin’s hands were sweaty. Should she run away or stay and listen?

Zhao Junyang’s rich, magnetic voice responded slowly and gently, “Some memories can be replaced.”

Zhao Junyang didn’t want to hurt Xia Wanlu, but he had to make his stance clear. No matter how beautiful the memories, they would fade, having been replaced by her indifference. Such memories could only linger in a corner of the past, with no need to revisit them.

Xia Wanlu felt a crushing despair. She had always been intelligent. How could she not understand Zhao Junyang’s thoughts?

“Junyang, I plead with you for the last time. Starting tomorrow, I will look for a more outstanding man and…forget you.”

Xia Wanlu looked so pitiful, and it stirred Zhao Junyang’s emotions. This was the final, definitive ending.

There was no more sound from inside, and Liu Yuxin leaned against the wall, feeling utterly powerless. Her heart sank into an abyss. Had Zhao Junyang agreed? Was he comforting someone else, thinking she wouldn’t find out?

Was this empathy for Xia Wanlu? Or was it betrayal of Liu Yuxin?