noveldrama
Chapter 475 - 475 267 Wanting to Buy Osmanthus Flowers Along
Chapter 475 - 475 267 Wanting to Buy Osmanthus Flowers Along
?Chapter 475: Chapter 267: Wanting to Buy Osmanthus Flowers Along with Wine Chapter 475: Chapter 267: Wanting to Buy Osmanthus Flowers Along with Wine “How does it feel? Isn’t it nostalgic?” Wang Jiao propped her chin with both hands, smiling as she looked at her friend across the table, “When you were in Imperial City before, you especially liked to stroll around these lively places at night.”
Wen Ruan withdrew her gaze and spoke softly, “It’s alright, I guess. It’s just revisiting old places, brings back quite a few memories.”
“Of course, the last time you came to Imperial City was for my wedding two years ago. Time flies so fast!”
Then, the two started talking about their respective jobs.
Wen Ruan’s eyes were filled with emotion.
After graduating from college, Wang Jiao successfully got into the graduate program for journalism at her university and joined the Imperial TV Station after obtaining her master’s degree.
As a government-affiliated enterprise, she quickly settled her residency and became a new citizen of Imperial City.
Later, she married a colleague who was a director at the TV station and bought a house in Yao Garden.
Last year, she got a license for a new energy vehicle and bought a Tesla Model Y.
Now, she has a comfortable job, a car, a house, and both parents are in good health.
She had fulfilled her college dream of settling down in the bustling, international metropolis of Imperial City.
Of course, that had once been her dream too.
Now, Sun Simin had reached this stage as well.
Compared to them, she indeed was the most unfortunately off among all her dorm mates.
An employee at a media company in Yan City, a typical second-tier city.
Though she had extra income and her job was easy with little stress, her future was not promising.
Soon, the meal they ordered was served.
M5 filet mignon, a sausage platter, avocado corn chips, tuna Niçoise salad…
Wang Jiao cut a piece of steak, took a bite, and looking at Wen Ruan across, spoke softly, “Ruannuan, have you ever thought about moving back to Imperial City? I could refer you internally. With your outstanding abilities, it’s a waste for you to stay in your hometown.”
She had been working at the TV station for nearly 5 years, and her husband was also exceptionally capable.
She really had quite a good network.
Arranging a suitable job for her was not difficult.
“No need, I’m quite content with my current situation,” Wen Ruan gave her a sausage, smiling, “Star Cloud International is planning to open a branch in Yan City. I’m thinking of applying internally; it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“It seems you still want to stay in your hometown, alright then,” Wang Jiao said somewhat regretfully, “I know quite a few outstanding guys here in Imperial City, well-matched in age, education, and family background. With your qualifications, you would have a wide range of choices.”
Being 30 and unmarried in a big city like Imperial City was actually not noticeable.
Especially since Wen Ruan’s physique and appearance were still outstanding, or perhaps even more mature and sexy than a few years ago.
After a moment of silence, Wen Ruan spoke in a low voice, “Let’s forget about it, I’m quite happy as it is.”
Regarding these former classmates, she did not want to reveal the existence of Tang Song.
After all, even if they were together, their relationship was difficult to make public.
If that were the case, why bother presenting such an illusion of glamour to others?
Having said that, she took a serious look at Wang Jiao, whom she hadn’t seen in over two years.
In her social media and videos, she always saw her with beauty filters, but in reality, the signs of the years were clearly visible on her face.
Yet, she could still see faint traces of her youthful, lively self from university days.
Probably the same was true for herself.
Time truly is an unstoppable force.
…
By the railing of the terrace, green vines climbed up the structure, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze, rustling softly.
The two of them reminisced while enjoying their meal.
The unfamiliarity of not seeing each other for a long time gradually disappeared.
After finishing their meal, Wang Jiao took the initiative to pay the bill.
The two strolled from the south to the north district of Taikoo Li.
Looking at the dazzling array of luxury stores, Wang Jiao commented, “When we were in university, I really really wanted an LV bag, dreaming about it, feeling like it was the prettiest, best bag in the world. Later, after graduating from grad school and finally saving some money, I eagerly came here. I looked around for a long time, but in the end, I spent just a few hundred yuan on a lipstick.”
She paused, “Perhaps this is what they mean by ‘intending to buy wine with the scent of osmanthus, but in the end, it can’t compare to the fun of our youth.’
Wen Ruan nodded silently, seemingly equally moved by the sentiment.
Exiting the streets of the north district, the two continued walking north, arriving at the sparkling Liangma River.
On the walkway, the street lamps cast a soft glow.
Runners, elderly people walking, couples hand in hand, and families with children…
passed by them.
The early summer at Liangma River was full of life.
The bustling high-rise buildings, brilliantly lit, reflected against the lights in the river, creating a picturesque scene of the urban night.
Wen Ruan looked at a high-rise flashing with neon lights, her eyes reflecting complex thoughts.
That was where she had worked for 5 years.
The time before she left Imperial City was also when her mood was at its lowest and most suppressed.
The more resplendent the lights, the more she wanted to flee.
She fell into a state of self-doubt and denial.
She just wanted to find a place devoid of light and lie down quietly.
Even now, thinking back, she still felt somewhat breathless.
On the way back.
Wang Jiao pointed to the young people sitting on the lawn, playing guitar and singing, and said with a smile, “I still remember that night in our junior year when Zheng Jinpeng held his guitar downstairs and sang Leehom Wang’s ‘Things You Don’t Know’ to you.
This time for Simin’s wedding, he’s coming too, and he volunteered to be a groomsman. I guess he still harbors feelings for you and wants to rekindle something with you, the bridesmaid,” she teased.
“So many years have passed, Zheng Jinpeng has had two or three girlfriends, and you’re still teasing me about him,” Wen Ruan chuckled softly.
University was also an incredibly beautiful memory for her.
Looking back, it was mostly about relaxation and nostalgia.
Studying together, reading together, watching the stars on the sports field, and talking about everything…
“It’s your charm, you know? You were the first love of so many guys at our school,” Wang Jiao pinched her cheek, took out her phone from her bag, searched for a moment, opened a photo, and shared it to her WeChat, “Do you remember this photo? I took it during an art class in college.
Just a few days ago, when I was preparing a wedding video for Simin, I dug up this photo from my QQ space.
To be honest, we roommates were so jealous of you back in university.”
Wen Ruan opened her phone to look, paused for a moment, and her heart instantly became a mix of emotions.
This must have been taken in our junior year.
At that time, she had already integrated into the renowned Imperial Normal University.
Immersed in the vibrant campus atmosphere, she was full of hope for the future and felt she could become anyone she wanted to be.
Back then, she had short hair, and the vain side of her had it dyed a beautiful and unique purple.
The age of twenty, she had it once too.
Luminous skin, a body youthful and full of vigor, and an upbeat spirit.
Gradually, the figure of Tang Song began to emerge in her mind.
Twenty years old, the most brilliant and passionate age, and sweet love.
If it were me back then, meeting the current him, I would definitely throw caution to the wind and compete again with those rivals.
“Unfortunately, I can never go back,” she murmured softly.
Sensing her best friend’s sudden dip in mood, Wang Jiao quickly cheered her up playfully, “Ruannuan, you actually have more of a womanly charm now, your allure has only increased, not diminished. Those boys who chased you back then would still have countless midnight dreams about emo if they saw you now.”
“Haha, it sounds like I’m stirring up trouble everywhere, even though I was the only one in our dorm who didn’t date in college,” Wen Ruan responded.
“Isn’t that because you have high standards!”
…
In a corner of the parking lot.
A black Tesla turned on its headlights.
Wang Jiao stood by the car, her face radiant with a happy smile, “I need to get back early to sleep, I can’t stay up late anymore, because… don’t tell anyone, okay? I’m pregnant.”
“Ah!” Wen Ruan looked at her belly in surprise, exclaiming, “How long has it been!?”
“Just 4 weeks. We’ve been trying to conceive for nearly a year, and it finally happened. Right now, my husband is at home making me snow fungus soup, constantly urging me to come home quick,” Wang Jiao touched her belly, “It’s hard to imagine, but right now, a little life is actually being nurtured inside me, it really feels amazing.”
“That’s wonderful! You should hurry back then, and drive safely! Let me know when you get home.”
“Mhmm, bye-bye,” Wang Jiao hugged her tightly, “And you, you should really start thinking about settling down too.”
She watched as the Tesla merged into the traffic and disappeared into the night.
Wen Ruan withdrew her gaze, slowly retracted her smile, silently lowered her head, and walked briskly forward.
Her platform shoes clicked against the stone pavement.
A few minutes later, she had returned to the front door of Lavande Hotel.
Wen Ruan stood in the evening breeze, lost in thought.
Youth, dreams, and love.
These were the three things she once held dearest.
Now, she had lost the first two, and the last seemed just as out of reach.
In matters of career and love, she no longer possessed the courage and confidence of her earlier days.
Now resolved to return to Star Cloud International, she was merely seeking a temporary shelter from the storm.
And the future…
What would my future hold…
It would probably never become what the twenty-year-old her had once imagined.
Wen Ruan bit her teeth hard.
Looking up, the sky was studded with stars, like jewels inlaid in the black canopy.
The splendor of Imperial City hadn’t yet disturbed her heart, but the bullet from many years ago had already hit its mark.