Chapter 353: Chapter 340: The Closer the People, the Colder the Heart
The blood froze, and the color on her face gradually faded. Luckily, she was wearing makeup; otherwise, her paleness would surely have frightened many people.
Leng Siyan indeed did not come, but someone she least wanted to see did.
Her ex-husband—Leng Yan!
Tan Qing also noticed the commotion in the crowd. Wen Nuan’s hand grasped his tightly, and he could feel her fingers trembling. Slightly startled, Tan Qing looked over, his body jolting.
"Tan Qing." Wen Nuan’s lips moved slightly, the grip on his hand tightening, cool sweat seeping out.
"Nuannuan, I’m here." Tan Qing held her hand in return, trying to convey strength to her.
"Mm." Wen Nuan replied, instinctively looking behind Leng Yan, expecting to see Ji Wei’s figure, but there was only emptiness.
She shook her head gently, a self-deprecating smile appearing on her face.
Ji Wei is probably at home resting for her pregnancy now; how could she come to such a crowded place? She hadn’t forgotten how Leng Yan "treasured" Ji Wei.
Why did he come in place of Leng Siyan?
If it were Leng Ye, she wouldn’t feel so hard to accept. The large banquet hall, oh, why did the air become so thin, making it even harder for her to breathe?
Not wanting Leng Yan to see her, Wen Nuan bit her lip and quietly stepped back into the crowd, trying to blend in. Tan Qing frowned but didn’t oppose her actions, stepping back with her.
Leng Yan walked over with a polite and gentle smile, eyes straight ahead, ignoring the beautiful women around him, walking straight to the Zhan Family people.
Wen Nuan didn’t dare to look, nor did she want to, but sweat still kept pouring out.
"Nuannuan, are you hungry? Let’s go get something to eat." Tan Qing carefully wiped the sweat off her palm with a tissue, gazing slightly down at her pretty face, "Nervous?"
"I just don’t want to see him; I didn’t expect him to come." Wen Nuan shook her head, forcing a smile at Tan Qing. "Weren’t you going to meet some celebrities from E City? Don’t miss such a good opportunity. I can find a place to sit by myself."
"I’ll help you find a spot." Tan Qing smiled warmly, taking her hand, holding it tightly. His smile remained as bright as ever, but only he knew how complicated his feelings were inside.
Leng Yan’s appearance also surprised him. If he had known, he wouldn’t have let Wen Nuan attend the birthday banquet. Now, he could only silently pray that Leng Yan didn’t know Nuannuan was in E City.
"Should I not be hiding?" Seated in the place Tan Qing pulled out for her, Wen Nuan looked up at Tan Qing, "Tan Qing, I’m not afraid of him, but I don’t want to see him."
There’s nothing to be afraid of, really.
But it chills the heart. Seeing him reminded her of how he pampered Ji Wei, of her foolishness, thinking his last visit to E City was about Ji Wei’s miscarriage. She had hurried back from N City, hoping to help him, hoping to clear up their misunderstandings.
So foolish, there she was, standing by a taxi, watching them pass by, feeling his tenderness towards Ji Wei. She wanted to chase after them, but someone humiliated her as a homewrecker...
Ha, she was even foolish enough to go wash fruits to meet new neighbors, not knowing the new neighbor was his most cherished woman...
"Don’t overthink it, eat something here first." Tan Qing looked at her with heartache, "I’ll greet the Zhan Family, and then I’ll take you away, Nuannuan."
In the business world, there will be future opportunities to meet influential people. Even if not, it doesn’t matter. Comparatively, he wished more for Nuannuan’s happiness.
Nuannuan held his hand, "It’s okay. Go ahead, today’s a good opportunity. For MT to expand in E City, it needs some people’s help."
"Smile, otherwise I won’t be at ease." Tan Qing squatted slightly, pinching her cheek and showing a radiant smile himself, "Like this."
A very cute silly face made Wen Nuan burst into laughter, easing much of her gloominess.
"Is it okay now?" Deliberately pulling a face at him, Wen Nuan made herself look relaxed.
Tan Qing finally felt a bit relieved, "I’ll try to come back as soon as possible."
Leng Yan had given his gifts and chatted with Zhan Qingfeng, Zhan Aoze, and Yun Duo for a while before stepping aside. Glancing at Tan Qing, he was slightly stunned, his serene thoughts starting to churn.
After arriving in E City, he originally planned to go directly to the MT branch to find Wen Nuan. However, Ji Wei’s calls kept coming, repeatedly claiming to feel unwell and just wanting to chat with him.
In his mind, he hoped Ji Wei wouldn’t suspect anything, thinking Nuannuan could be visited the next day. So, he spoke with Ji Wei patiently, which even delayed his attendance at the event a bit.
He didn’t know about Tan Qing’s relationship with the Zhan Family, so he never thought Tan Qing would appear here.
No, that’s not the important part. The most important thing is, with Tan Qing here, could Nuannuan be here too?
His Nuannuan always disliked such gatherings; surely she wouldn’t be here, right?
Leng Yan kept thinking, yet his eyes couldn’t help but search everywhere.
He hoped the result would be not seeing her, yet he was still disappointed.
Many women greeted him, and he nodded and smiled past them. His gaze fell upon a woman in the distant corner, eating, and his elegant smile at the corner of his mouth could no longer be maintained.
She was there...
The nude dress complemented her skin beautifully, and her casually pinned hair exuded elegance. She was currently eating a pastry, the delicious taste making the corners of her mouth lift slightly, revealing a playful charm inadvertently.
Suddenly remembering their first meeting, she was lively and enthusiastic. So cheeky and cute, she even peeked out boldly to confess to him before getting into a taxi: "Handsome, I like you, tell me your name."
At that time, he coldly smiled and turned away, with the word "infatuated" in his mind.
But now, he really wished he could relive that day. He would earnestly say his name and pull her from the taxi, kissing her fiercely...
A cool sensation spread at the tip of his heart.
Now she was smiling so happily; she must be living joyfully, right?
But selfishly, he didn’t want to bless them...
Tightly closing his eyes and opening them after a moment.
It’s not like that!
He must be mistaken; he hadn’t asked her clearly, how could he make such a conclusion. His Nuannuan would always love him. Even if parted, even if she set him on the blacklist, she must love him.
She said it was love at first sight for him, even though his eyes then ridiculed her infatuation, she’d still think of him, and one thought lasted for three years.
She said when her father informed her to return and marry, her heart ached so much, without cure. She bore the heartache, persuading herself to let go of her unrequited love. But heaven gave her a big surprise, despite never finding him, found out her newlywed husband was her secretly loved man.
She said as long as he loved her, she would always love him...
He still loved her; how could she love anyone else!
He didn’t believe it, without hearing her say it herself, he would never believe it.
He tightened then released his fingers, crossing the crowd, one determined step at a time towards Nuannuan, with eyes and heart firm alike.
He believed she was still his Nuannuan, the girl deeply in love with him.
However, the closer he got, the colder his heart became.