Upon hearing the question, An Tong’s expression subtly changed, and after a mont of silence, she looked at Ge Qin.
She realized that the woman before her seed even more formidable than she had anticipated.
Imdiately, An Tong’s eyes showed a bit more rationality, retracting so sincerity, she smiled and said, "Before I beca his assistant, I was his neighbor; it was then that we t. As for any other relationship we might have..."
An Tong gazed into the attractive eyes of the other person, smiling, "What do you think? Could we have any other relationship?"
Sensing the change in tone, Ge Qin’s expression altered slightly, realizing her question was sowhat abrupt, she shifted her gaze back to the river and said, "Apologies, I was just asking casually."
Seeing Ge Qin retracting the sharpness she briefly showed, An Tong continued smiling, "Actually, I can tell; you fancy Li Jing, don’t you?"
As soon as these words landed, Ge Qin’s eyes shifted and she stared intently at the river, but said nothing.
Then, An Tong also turned her attention to the luxurious buildings by the riverbank and spoke again, "In fact, you don’t really like Li Jing; you like his money..."
"I..."
Before she could finish, Ge Qin frowned and was about to refute, but An Tong quickly continued, "Because you don’t really know him, let alone being familiar.
During your youth, you were just schoolmates who t a few tis, and now, as adults, this is rely the first ti you’ve seen Li Jing again."
Saying this, An Tong turned back to look at Ge Qin’s face, "Therefore, your understanding of Li Jing is not even like that of any ordinary friend of his, so how can you say you like him?"
Having listened, Ge Qin, initially a bit unwilling, had a face with changing expressions, remained silent for quite a while, unable to co up with a retort.
Seeing the other’s sowhat unpleasant face, An Tong smiled, "You don’t need to think I’m mocking you, because I’m just like you. If Li Jing didn’t have money, I think I certainly wouldn’t maintain the relationship we have now."
Noticing Ge Qin’s slightly trembling eyelashes, An Tong continued, "But what makes different from you is that I have more self-awareness, I never hope to exclusively possess Li Jing, nor have I thought about marrying him, so he allows to be by his side."
Upon hearing this, Ge Qin finally turned to stare into An Tong’s eyes, slightly biting her lip, questioning, "If not for love or marriage, then why follow him?"
Facing Ge Qin, An Tong remained natural, showing no embarrassnt, spreading her hands to indicate the surroundings, smiling, "Everything you love, the reason you fancy Li Jing, isn’t this all what I yearn for..."
After the words fell, Ge Qin felt a slight shock internally, glanced at the luxurious yacht she was on, and then at the extravagant life by the riverbank.
She recalled how she was asked first if she liked the yacht and the experiences at Celestial Sea.
As she had answered herself, she liked it, even craved it.
But the thod she chose to obtain it was trying to win over Li Jing, whereas An Tong chose to offer herself voluntarily.
The biggest difference between An Tong and herself was what the other had just ntioned, she had enough self-awareness, but she did not...
Thinking of this, Ge Qin’s gaze beca even more dim, once again recalling what Li Jing had said to her earlier on the third deck, she smiled lightly, self-mockingly, then said softly, "I can’t do what you do..."
"I know you can’t."
An Tong no longer looked at her, instead, she continued enjoying the night scene on the river, "It’s just like how we made different choices in work.
I chose to struggle alone in Celestial Sea City, whereas you chose a stable job in your hotown with the help of your family.
At the core, our choices facing everything are different."
She paused briefly, then continued, "But you might have forgotten...
Regarding work choices, you just told you envied , even regretting the choice you made back then.
Now, facing Li Jing, it’s another choice; you are still envious of , but you still can’t do the sa as because you can’t let go...
Wanting sothing better but also reluctant to give up what you have, might lead to having nothing in the end."
After speaking, An Tong took a final glance at the now unfocused eyes of Ge Qin and said no more, turning to leave.
At the last mont before heading back inside, An Tong glanced towards the upper deck and thought to herself:
Li Jing, you said you have so fondness for Ge Qin, I hope what I did just now can help you.
As your assistant, I reckon I’ve done my job...
...
After An Tong left, Ge Qin stayed behind, silent for a long ti, without moving.
She kept staring blankly at the undulating waves of the river, unable to see her own reflection.
Does she envy An Tong?
Envy, imnsely so.
She envies her being able to stay by Li Jing’s side, enjoying good food, drink, and living situations; envy the far superior inco; envy the branded clothes from head to toe.
She and An Tong, just like the hotown and the Celestial Sea, there is an obvious gap.
But An Tong was right, even though she knows she envies her, she still can’t do what she does.
This is determined by her inherent views and personality, hard to break through and change.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have grown up never having formally dated even once.
"Maybe this is just my fate..."
Having seemingly co to terms, Ge Qin reorganized her mood, took several deep breaths, and looked towards the riverbank’s splendid scenery.
The star-like radiant buildings made her once again indulge in the longing and fascination for a luxurious life.
"Sister Qin, you were here all along."
At this ti, a familiar voice ca from the side.
Li Xiaoxiao appeared, full of joy, erging from inside the yacht, and excitedly said, "Tomorrow we’ll be leaving, right? My brother said he’s preparing a gift for each of us, you can choose what you want, and he’ll have soone buy it tomorrow."
"Gift?"
Ge Qin was surprised, her thoughts stirred.
"Yes, originally, my dad said it wasn’t necessary, but my brother insisted, he simply couldn’t refuse, and asked to tally up what everyone wants."
Noticing the small notebook in her hand, Ge Qin asked curiously, "Is this where you keep track of the gifts? What have they chosen?"
"My dad just asked for so local specialties. My uncle and aunt are getting clothes my brother specially bought for them."
Saying this, Li Xiaoxiao leaned closer and whispered, "I heard those clothes are big brands, worth tens of thousands; my brother only said they were expensive, didn’t dare reveal the real price to my uncle and aunt."
"Tens of thousands?"
Upon hearing this, Ge Qin was stunned, increasingly tempted, but still held back, asking, "What about you? What gift did you choose?"
"I didn’t choose a gift."
Li Xiaoxiao grinned, "I’ll be graduating next year and coming to Celestial Sea City to find work; maybe I’ll need my brother’s help then, so I didn’t choose a gift."
She continued, "Sister Qin, you should think it over carefully; my brother said not to worry about the price. He specifically asked to tell you, fearing you’d be too shy to choose sothing expensive."
"Your brother specifically asked you to tell ?" Ge Qin widened her eyes slightly.
"Yes," Li Xiaoxiao nodded, "just now my brother ca down and couldn’t find you, so he asked to tell you, and also to take notes."
Upon hearing this, Ge Qin felt sowhat conflicted, after a mont of silence, she said, "I haven’t decided yet, do I have to tell you now?"
"It’s okay, you can tell or Sister Tongtong by tomorrow morning, they’ll buy these things in the morning."
Li Xiaoxiao said, "If you’re unsure, you can directly ask my brother; he’s easy to talk to."
"Ask your brother..."
Ge Qin’s expression changed slightly, recalling An Tong’s words, feeling conflicted inside, finally she said:
"Alright, I’ll tell you tomorrow morning..."
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