Her brother had a fiancée, yet she couldn't be with him.
The one he loved was, after all, another woman.
Her tears dripped onto the floor. She closed her eyes, trying to suppress the tumultuous emotions surging within her, but the tears still fell uncontrollably…
Seeing this, Sheng Mengyi felt a pang of guilt. "Xinxin, I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said something to hurt you."
"Sister Mengyi, it's not your fault." Shi Xinxin wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at her. "I know, I have no right to cry."
She took out a tissue to dab her eyes and said, "Sister Mengyi, I'm going to the restroom. You chat first, I'll be right back."
"Go ahead," Sheng Mengyi nodded. "Make sure to rest."
Shi Xinxin nodded and turned to leave.
Sheng Mengyi watched Shi Xinxin's slender back, a faint worry in her brows. She knew her concern wasn't unfounded.
If nothing unexpected happened, after today, she would terminate her contract with Shengshi Group, drawing a clear line between herself and the company.
She and Shen Luohan would have no further connection.
Shi Xinxin walked into the restroom and stood before the washbasin, looking at her tear-streaked face in the mirror, her heart aching.
"Buzz buzz—"
Shi Xinxin took out her phone.
"Hello." Her choked voice startled the person on the other end. "Xinxin? Why are you crying?"
Shi Xinxin raised her sleeve to wipe the tears from her cheeks and replied softly, "I accidentally spilled a glass of wine just now, so I choked a little. I'm fine, really."
"Really?" Shen Luohan asked suspiciously.
"Mhm, really," Shi Xinxin said. "I have to hang up now."
"Wait." Shen Luohan called her back. "Xinxin, can you come over to my place for dinner tonight? Mom and Dad are cooking, they're just waiting for you."
Shi Xinxin was silent for a moment, then said, "I probably won't be able to make it."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Xinxin, tell me honestly, are you in trouble? If you are, just tell me, and I'll help you solve it!"
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke, "I… I'm moving back to the dorm."
"Why?" Shen Luohan asked in surprise. "Xinxin, you don't want to marry Chen anymore? I think, if you try hard, he'll fall in love with you sooner or later!"
Shi Xinxin gave a bitter laugh. "Love? Heh… he never cared about me at all. Why should I waste my time on him?"
"But…"
"Alright, thank you. I still have work to do. Bye."
After speaking, Shi Xinxin hung up the phone.
She sat in the restroom, lost in thought, Shen Luohan's cold face appearing in her mind.
"Xinxin, I hope we can be friends, but I know that's a luxury. I just hope we can maintain our current relationship. Because I don't want to lose you as a friend."
"I…" Her nose tip felt sore, her eyes were red and glistening with tears.
She reached out to wipe away her tears, regained her composure, and pushed open the door to leave.
In the banquet hall, everyone turned to look at Shi Xinxin with curious gazes.
She pretended not to notice their attention and walked directly towards Sheng Mengyi.
"Sister Mengyi, I'm sorry, I'm late." She pulled out a chair and sat down.
Sheng Mengyi looked at her gently. "It's alright."
Sheng Mengyi raised her glass. "Xinxin, I wish you happiness."
Shi Xinxin nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
Sheng Mengyi smiled and said no more, raising her glass and taking a sip of champagne.
"Xinxin, sit here." Sheng Mengyi pointed to the seat next to her. "Let's sit here. I'm afraid someone might knock something over if we sit elsewhere."
Shi Xinxin nodded. "Okay."
She linked arms with Sheng Mengyi, and the two of them took their seats.
Shi Xinxin picked up her plate, took a piece of cake, and offered it to Sheng Mengyi. "Sister Mengyi, try this. This cake is super delicious."
"Thank you, Xinxin." Sheng Mengyi took the cake. "I don't like sweets."
"Then eat more vegetables. Maintain a balanced diet." Shi Xinxin said, and then served Sheng Mengyi some vegetables onto her plate. "Sister Mengyi, you've lost so much weight recently."
Sheng Mengyi smiled. "Perhaps it's because I'm too busy, with social events every day, my stomach has been a bit upset."
Shi Xinxin nodded. "Then eat more to supplement your nutrition."
"Okay." Sheng Mengyi smiled at Shi Xinxin. "Xinxin, you eat more too."
"Mhm."
The two chatted and laughed, and lunch passed in a joyful atmosphere.
After lunch, Sheng Mengyi suggested they go sing karaoke.
Although Shi Xinxin didn't particularly like such occasions, since she was already here, she couldn't avoid it.
Sheng Mengyi booked a private room.
Shi Xinxin followed Sheng Mengyi inside and found a crowd of people already seated in the room. Besides Shen Luohan, Xu Jiahui and Sheng Chenjin were also there.
"Xinxin!" Shen Luohan was the first to stand up and greet Shi Xinxin. "You're finally here."
Shi Xinxin politely nodded at Shen Luohan. "Senior, we… meet again."
Shen Luohan took Shi Xinxin's hand and led her to the sofa. He courteously bent down, placed a hand on her shoulder, and pressed her down onto the sofa. He then knelt in front of her and removed her high heels.
He held her right ankle and gently applied antiseptic with a cotton swab to the bruised area.
His movements were gentle, with a hint of tenderness. "Does it hurt?"
"No, it doesn't hurt." Shi Xinxin shook her head.
Shen Luohan curved his lips into a shallow smile. "Xinxin, you don't have to lie to me." He looked up, gazing at her fair and tender cheeks. "This bruise looks much worse than yesterday. How could it not hurt?"
Shi Xinxin bit her lower lip and lowered her gaze to her toes, remaining silent.
"What's wrong?" he furrowed his brow.
Shi Xinxin remained silent.
Shen Luohan suddenly looked up, his dark, deep eyes locking onto her slightly trembling eyelashes, his voice becoming slightly urgent. "What exactly is wrong?"
Shi Xinxin looked up at him, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
"Did you… did you have a fight with Sheng Chenjin?" he guessed.
Shi Xinxin nervously clenched the hem of her clothes and shook her head. "No…"
Sheng Chenjin, hearing her denial, let out a sigh of relief. He gently rubbed her head, comforting her. "Xinxin, don't overthink. Someone like Sheng Chenjin isn't worth being sad over."
"Mhm, I understand." Shi Xinxin took a deep breath, forced a smile to her lips, and smiled at Shen Luohan. "Senior, don't worry, I'm fine now."
"That's good." Shen Luohan affectionately patted her head. "Xinxin, will you dance with me tonight?"
"Sure." Shi Xinxin immediately agreed with delight.
She had originally planned to find an excuse to leave tonight, but now that Shen Luohan had personally invited her to dance, she would go along with it.
"I'll have the waiter bring up a bottle of red wine." He beckoned to a waiter and instructed, "Bring Miss Shi a bottle of Lafite, 1982 vintage."
The waiter acknowledged the order and left.