Illness always passes, and life must go on.
There are ways to forget an old love: You don't always start a new relationship, and sometimes, throwing yourself into your work is enough.
It was time to make some money.
A high-paying translation job had just come in, an international merger contract, and they specifically requested her. Ms Wen, who had taken great care of Cheng Yi in Hong Kong, personally recommended her for the job. There was no way she could say no.
This time, the client required complete confidentiality. Everything had to be done on-site at the client's office—no more working from home like before. After being cooped up for so long, Cheng Yi welcomed the change of scenery. Coincidentally, Ye Minglang had just been summoned back to Hong Kong by his brother the day before, which meant she no longer had to prepare three meals a day for this "grown-up baby." Now, she could take on the assignment with no strings attached.
She only received the office address on the day work began, but it wasn't unfamiliar to her.
It was in the most prestigious office building in the CBD of Z City, on a mid-to-high floor with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a sweeping view of the city skyline. Ye Minglang had tried to rent an office here too, but all the prime floors were already taken. In the end, he settled for a slightly less impressive view in the building across the street, grumbling for weeks, convinced he'd lost half the city.
The receptionist ushered her into a spacious office and brought her a cup of hot tea while she waited. Cheng Yi took a sip, enjoying the faint lemon aroma that filled the light red tea. It was a flavor she liked. Her gaze wandered around the room. The design was clean and modern, almost minimalist, save for the tall shelves lined with thick volumes of legal books.
Minglang had been right: from this vantage point, the city's skyline was truly breathtaking.
This firm was one of the top law offices in Z City, known for handling major international projects. The person in charge was reputedly young, brilliant, and highly respected in the industry. The fact that they had reached out to Ms Wen's company was an unexpected opportunity, rekindling her hopes of expanding in the Chinese market.
Cheng Yi was well-prepared. She had bought a new professional outfit and got up early to apply light makeup, masking any lingering signs of her recent illness so she wouldn't
Cheng Yi hadn't come unprepared. That morning, she'd put on a smart suit and light makeup, doing her best to hide the weariness that lingered after her illness. She didn't want to appear too haggard in front of others.
The door opened softly, and Cheng Yi rose instinctively.
The moment their eyes met, she stood there, staring in shock at a face both familiar and strangely different.
Gone was the carefree young man of memory. Standing before her now was a man in a tailored suit, every inch the accomplished professional. And yet, the moment their eyes locked,he flashed a teasing smile, a hint of mischief in his gaze, and waved at the stunned Cheng Yi.
"Long time no see, Yi."
Aside from his love for teasing, Cheng Yi felt that the man before her was not as carefree as he used to be. Maybe that was the price of growing up. A faint hollowness stirred in her heart.
It really had been a long time... Yufan.
Fang Zhiyuan had always been that classic "perfect child"—top of the class, praised by teachers, admired by classmates. Yet through it all, he remained distant, polite but aloof, never truly letting anyone in. With his high standards and preternatural maturity, he never seemed to belong entirely among his peers.
Xie Yufan had been the exception, his college roommate and perhaps Zhiyuan's only true friend. Cheng Yi still remembered him vividly: cheerful, warm, and effortlessly optimistic. Even in the face of Zhiyuan's cool detachment, he remained unabashedly friendly. As the vice president of their student association, Yufan often played the diplomat, smoothing things over whenever the president, Zhiyuan, was too blunt to read the room.
"It's been... a long time, Yufan. How have you been?"
"Not good!"
Xie Yufan's response was blunt and straightforward. He walked over to the sofa, dropped down heavily, and leaned back with his hands behind his head, giving Cheng Yi a relaxed gaze..
"Yi, I still look back on our university days as the best times"
"Yes, they were..."
Cheng Yi's expression softened, but she didn't know what to say next, so she tried to change the topic.
"Are you working here? I'm just here to do some translation work, part-time."
Xie Yufan offered a slight smile and gestured for her to take a seat back on the sofa.
"I co-founded this firm with someone else."
So, he was the client. Cheng Yi wanted to congratulate him; after all, opening a firm was the ultimate dream for many lawyers.But before she could say anything, he quickly shifted to business mode.
"The guy in this office is currently out,You can start over there on the small desk. Here are the files—thank you."
He handed her a USB drive and disappeared as quickly as he'd come. It took her a moment to collect herself before she finally settled into her work.
After so many years, it was only natural to feel a bit distant.
As long as he was doing well, that was enough.