In the living room, Lin Fan walked back to the couch and sat down, crossing his legs, his gaze profound.
On the phone, Vice Director Luo suddenly fell silent. After all, as the vice director, he ranked sixth in the hierarchy, while Director Wang was the top dog at the TV station—the gap between their positions was anything but small.
"Do you think just knowing the Director’s last na will fool ?"
Although guilty, Vice Director Luo naturally wasn’t going to give up just because Lin Fan casually ntioned Director Wang’s na—after all, anyone could make up such baseless claims.
"Don’t rush, the call will co to you soon, just wait patiently."
Lin Fan hung up the phone and placed Li Huizhen’s mobile phone on the coffee table. Then, he picked up his own phone, sent out a text ssage, and only after that did he reach for the cigarettes on the table.
"Click!"
The crisp sound of a lighter, Li Huizhen had already taken the initiative to light his cigarette, her deanor alluring as she half sat on the couch.
"I rember you used to hate it when I smoked."
After lighting his cigarette, Lin Fan looked at Li Huizhen. Back at ho, he could only sneak out to the corridor to smoke, and he had to brush his teeth after coming back inside.
"You used to only smoke Baisha, but now you’re smoking Zhonghua."
Li Huizhen put down the lighter, so things had changed beyond recognition.
"So the saying ’economic conditions determine family status’ does hold true—at least you’ve changed."
Lin Fan took a drag from his cigarette, knowing that the days when love was enough had long passed. Now, inco determined one’s speaking rights in a household.
"You’ve changed too, from a person who could only point out problems to one who can solve them."
Li Huizhen stroked her hair back from her forehead; in the past, aside from complaining, he was utterly helpless, but now it seed he could be counted on even if the sky were falling.
"So, you are no longer you, and I am no longer , perhaps this is what maturing is all about."
Lin Fan leaned back on the couch, understanding the aning behind Li Huizhen’s words. That’s why she had kept so many things from him before.
"Maturing cos at a price. I used to think that power and money were not important, but now I understand that’s just self-delusion. Our previous disdain was solely because we never had it—it’s only after you obtain it that you realize its value."
Li Huizhen sighed. At twenty-six, she had finally co to understand things that had once been beyond her comprehension.
"Yes, we really were too naive before. We should both try to be more mature."
As Li Huizhen’s phone rang again, a cold smirk crossed Lin Fan’s lips. He straight up hit the speakerphone button.
"Huizhen... I’m so sorry... I was foolish before... I shouldn’t have made you do such things... I’m really a bastard... Huizhen... Please, I’m begging you, on account of my nearing retirent, forgive this once... I won’t dare again... This wasn’t my sche... it was Lucki who tricked wanting to reconcile with you... I just wanted to do a favor... I really didn’t an to hurt you..."
On the phone, Vice Director Luo, who had been so self-assured just monts ago, was now pleading nonstop. Although Li Huizhen didn’t know exactly what had happened, his current state indicated he must be in deep trouble.
"Enough, I understand!"
The truth was now clear; it was all Lucki’s plotting behind the scenes. Li Huizhen hung up the phone decisively. She did not want to hear any more explanations; this matter had already troubled her for many years.
"Lucki harassed you before, why didn’t you tell ?"
Lin Fan looked at Li Huizhen, who only gave a bitter smile and shook her head, "What would saying it achieve? Could you have dealt with him? Your family finally had a civil servant, perhaps not the most capable, but it was an honor to your family. Was it worth it to fight him to the bitter end over such a thing? A lousy person like him isn’t worth it, it was better to just ignore him."
"So, in your mind, I was pretty useless before?"
Lin Fan took another puff of his cigarette, no answer was needed for this question—the lackluster past had already proven that powerless as he was, he could only be stepped on without a way to fight back.
"I know you’re responsible, but everyone has their limits. Was it fair to expect you to handle things that were beyond your capacity, then turn around and bla you for being incapable? To be honest, sotis I really thought you were spineless, but I also understood your anguish. Anything I could take care of myself, I would, so you wouldn’t have to bla yourself."
Li Huizhen took a deep breath, "But for last night and today’s incidents, I still have to thank you. I knew you would make sothing of yourself soday; it’s just that I’m not the woman who can help you succeed. Of course... I left you out of vanity, and I’ll admit that at any ti—I betrayed your love, so I’ve never tried to make excuses for myself."
"If anything cos up in the future, you can tell , I’ll help as much as I can."
Watching Li Huizhen stand up, Lin Fan sighed. Betrayal aside, feelings remained. As a school beauty, she really had endured a lot with him. It was hard to be clear-headed about feelings, but since Li Huifang had let go of the resentnt, he would still do what he ought to do.
Not making a sound, Li Huizhen took a small square box from her bag and looked towards Lin Fan, "Then, can this still be used?"
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