The phone had been ringing for a long ti when she drowsily picked it up. It was Xu Xiaoya. "Xixi, co to the shop. Business is booming lately, and I can’t handle it all..."
She blinked, only then rembering the shop. Suddenly, she rolled over and got up.
In the mirror, her face was pale, her steps unsteady, and her eyes were swollen. She covered her face in shock. What on earth happened to ? This was terrifying.
Without washing her face, she instinctively went to eat—even hastily cooking a large pack of instant noodles. She drank every last drop of the soup, and for so reason, tears suddenly stread down her face.
In her wardrobe, clothes hung in neat rows. On her vanity table, a dazzling array of costics lay displayed. Everything he had given her was still there. Yet, the most important thing of all had vanished.
She chose a long dress, applied lipstick, and quickly tried to conceal the dark circles under her eyes, but they were impossible to hide.
The shop was bustling with custors coming and going.
Xu Xiaoya wasn’t overly busy, but she breathed a secret sigh of relief when she finally saw Yan Xixi’s car pull up. Her tone was light. "Xixi, quick, help look at this quarter’s proposal. So key points still need tweaking..."
For the better part of the day, Yan Xixi pored over various reports and docunts. A specialty store this large naturally had no shortage of tasks. Only by keeping busy could she make ti fly.
"Xixi, look at this section on employee benefits and the training program. We’re planning to send two people to F Country for so training..."
She closed the file. "Xiaoya, you’re actually the one who should go for training."
How could Xu Xiaoya not want to go? But at a ti like this, how could she possibly leave? She feigned a cheerful tone. "I’m not in a hurry. I don’t want to travel far either. I feel more at ease keeping an eye on the store. Besides, there will be plenty of opportunities later."
Yan Xixi said seriously, "You go. I can watch the store."
"How could that work? You’re going to South Country soon. Xixi, you should prepare properly and go earlier. Get accustod to the environnt sooner. Otherwise, won’t you be in a frantic rush when you arrive? Will you even have enough ti?"
She couldn’t answer. She had once thought she would be going with Wan Donglin soon. But after Wan Donglin disappeared, she hadn’t dared to think about it—not because she was afraid of going alone, but Why go to a foreign land all by myself so early?
To travel? To adapt to the new environnt? I don’t know anyone there, and I’m not familiar with anything... Thinking about how long I’ll have to stay there eventually, can’t I just go a bit later?
She planned to go, at most, one month in advance.
Deep down, she was actually terrified. She still clung to a faint hope: If I leave, will I miss Wan Donglin? What if I’ve just left and he returns imdiately? What then?
How could Xu Xiaoya not know what was on her mind? But she couldn’t say anything. If Yan Xixi had cried or complained in front of her, Xu Xiaoya could have offered so comfort. But she didn’t.
She was dressed extravagantly and wore makeup. Her speech and actions were all normal—even more deliberate and polished than usual. Yet, it was precisely this deliberateness that made Xu Xiaoya feel a growing sense of unease.
They drank coffee and chatted until, finally, it was closing ti.
Yan Xixi was in high spirits. "Co on, Xiaoya, let’s go shopping and grab so dinner."
Xu Xiaoya readily agreed. "It’s been ages since we last went out. Let’s treat ourselves to a good al!"
Yan Xixi was driving her new sports car. It was the latest model, entirely handmade, and exceedingly valuable. It possessed a youthful, vibrant allure.
Xu Xiaoya exclaid in admiration, "This car is gorgeous!"
Yan Xixi also smiled. "But I still prefer my rcedes."
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