In the evening twilight, the sky rged into dusk, and the last ray of the setting sun caressed the horizon.
Atop the building, an open-air Western restaurant.
Having learned that Gao Chuan had completed his scientific research project in Switzerland, Song Li invited Gao Chuan to dinner, but this ti it was to discuss so business matters. Knowing that Gao Chuan didn’t like to wait, Song Li had reserved a spot in the restaurant early and was waiting there.
About five minutes later, a man in a suit walked in. Seeing Song Li waving to him from the table, he walked over. Song Li’s intention was clear to him; he wanted to collaborate with Gao Chuan’s lab on a batch of dical equipnt.
"When did you get back?" Song Li made small talk while handing over the nu to Gao Chuan.
"The day before yesterday." Gao Chuan browsed the nu briefly and picked out a few simple dishes. Song Li ordered a bottle of red wine, and with the open-air ambiance, the soft evening breeze, and the hazy riverscape in the distance, the mood was rather pleasant.
Although Song Li had a good relationship with Gao Chuan, he nonetheless felt awkward to directly reveal his intention for collaboration during the al, so he beat around the bush. Gao Chuan noticed his hesitance, which was out of character, and raised an eyebrow. While cutting his steak, he broached the subject directly: "What’s the quantity?"
Song Li, who had been coy until now, hurriedly replied upon hearing the question: "Twelve hundred units."
"Is the quality up to standard?" Gao Chuan sipped his wine and continued to inquire.
Seeing that the conversation was progressing, Song Li began to talk incessantly about the details of the equipnt. When he heard that Gao Chuan would consider diating if the quality was fine, joy burst from his eyes. He raised his glass of red wine to toast Gao Chuan. While they were talking, the sound of a birthday song ca from nearby. The tables at this Western restaurant were always in demand, and it was not uncommon for custors to celebrate birthdays here. Gao Chuan paid no attention and continued to eat, his handso face still calm and composed.
When Song Li heard the birthday song, he looked over and saw a group of people surrounding a table, each holding flowers in their hands. He figured it was soone taking advantage of their birthday to propose to their girlfriend. However, when he recognized the woman at the center of the crowd, he was taken aback and blurted out, "Isn’t that sister-in-law?"
Gao Chuan, who had his back to the group, turned around slowly at the ntion and indeed saw Jiang An in the midst of the crowd, holding a bouquet and laughing with her hand over her mouth. In the twilight, a row of lights along the terrace wall illuminated the words "Happy Birthday" clearly before his eyes.
It seed to be a well-prepared event. They noticed that even the other custors sitting around were also taking flowers over to join in the celebration. The pastry chef had quietly brought out a multi-tiered cake, and everyone harmoniously sang the birthday song together.
If they hadn’t been able to see clearly due to the dim light earlier, now, as everyone sang "happy birthday to Jiang An," they could confirm that the birthday girl was indeed Jiang An.
A flicker of astonishnt crossed Gao Chuan’s eyes. Within the crowd, Jiang An stood beside her birthday cake, wearing a birthday hat and making a wish with her eyes closed. The candles faintly illuminated her delicate cheeks, and through the blurred vision, Gao Chuan saw the man he had encountered downstairs at Jiang An’s place, standing right beside her.
Song Li was also in a fog, looking surprised at Gao Chuan, who had just turned around. He asked uncertainly, "Is it sister-in-law’s birthday today?"
A chill flashed through Gao Chuan’s sharp eyes, and with an expressionless face, he downed the half-glass of wine at his side, feeling suddenly as if he had been scorched. At Song Li’s inquiry, he didn’t know how to respond.
Because he wasn’t aware that today was Jiang An’s birthday.
Although he had always insisted on not interfering in each other’s lives, seeing the man by Jiang An’s side caused Gao Chuan’s feelings to plumt. Yet a voice in his heart was still rebutting him.
She was just his wife in na; her having male friends was none of his business.
Song Li, watching Gao Chuan with a morose expression across the table, beca confused as the atmosphere suddenly dropped to freezing. While the crowd continued to buzz, a waiter ca by shortly after with a bottle of red wine, claiming it was a complintary gift from the hosts of the party. Seeing the icy look on Gao Chuan’s face, Song Li stopped the waiter and tried to probe, "Is that gentleman celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday?"
Song Li intended to inquire on behalf of Gao Chuan, but imdiately regretted his question, thinking he was inadvertently telling Gao Chuan about being cuckolded. However, sister-in-law didn’t seem like the type to be fickle in love.
The waiter seed unsure, nodding and replying, "I suppose so."
No sooner had the words fallen, Gao Chuan silently stood up, said "I’m leaving first" to Song Li, and left the restaurant. Song Li watched his departing figure in a daze, suddenly unclear about the situation. "What on earth is going on?"
Going down in the elevator, Gao Chuan sat in his car with a frown, hands on the steering wheel but not starting the vehicle for a long ti.
After silently contemplating with a cold expression, he thought of smoking a cigarette. Searching his pocket in vain, he imperceptibly furrowed his brows, his eyes flickering with irritation. He then pressed on the accelerator, and the car sped away.
Twenty minutes of fast driving later, Gao Chuan arrived at his apartnt complex. Having removed his suit jacket, he imdiately took off his tie upon entering the door and slumped dejectedly on the sofa. The scene from the restaurant was replaying in his mind, and his downcast eyelashes fluttered, revealing a pair of eyes filled with an indescribable weariness.
It was as if ants were crawling over his heart, a sensation both familiar and strange.
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