My Aloof Husband Can't Stop His Devoted Affection-Chapter 529 - 015: When did you start smoking?
Under the artistically designed white corridor, it was quiet, with the soft patter of drizzle tapping against the floor-to-ceiling windows, gradually blurring her indifferent and aloof phoenix eyes. Her fair and slender jade-like hand held a half-burnt cigarette butt, with eye-catching wine-red nail polish on her fingertips.
It seems that the day she went to find him back then, only to discover he had vanished without a trace, was also a rainy day like this, with lightning and thunder in the sky. Unexpectedly, upon reuniting now, it’s still the same weather, yet... everything has changed.
Nan Jiayan rose from his swivel chair, leaving the remaining arrangement to his assistant and curator, then walked directly out of the meeting room, taking the untouched hot coffee from the table with him. His deep-set eyes scanned the outer corridor, and that bright silhouette came into his dark pupils. Seeing the cigarette butt held between her fingers made him unconsciously furrow his brows.
His hand holding the coffee cup slightly tightened as Nan Jiayan slowly walked toward her.
Perhaps hearing the footsteps, Lu Shishu turned her head to look, her eyes reflecting his still handsome face. Her gaze darkened slightly, dropping the hand holding the cigarette vertically to throw the cigarette butt into a nearby trash can, gently extinguishing it, as her expression returned to a look of indifference, her eyes filled with alienation and coldness.
The glossy black luxury leather shoes landed steadily in front of her. He handed her the coffee, a slight curve on his lips, and in a stable, pleasant voice, he said, "Just brewed by the assistant, your favorite mocha."
"Thank you." Lu Shishu took the coffee from his hand, her lips lightly pulling into a smile to express thanks.
As she took it, her warm fingers accidentally brushed against his hand, clearly feeling a touch of coldness. Lu Shishu’s gaze lightly swept over him and then nonchalantly withdrew, taking a small sip of the coffee, which carried a faint bitterness along with the milky flavor she liked.
"Since when... did you start smoking?" Looking at her cold demeanor, Nan Jiayan tried to keep his voice calm.
"For many years." Lu Shishu withdrew her gaze, sipping the coffee as she looked out into the drizzling rain.
Listening to her indifferent tone, Nan Jiayan pressed his lips tightly, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, his gaze also fixed outside the floor-to-ceiling window. "All these years... how have you been?"
Lu Shishu didn’t answer him quickly, causing him to turn his head to look at her delicate profile. Her return this time had sparked many scenes of reunion in his heart. He assumed that when she saw him again, she would resent him, be angry, filled with hostility, or perhaps even hysteric towards him. All of these were within his expectations; however, he never anticipated she would be so calm and indifferent, becoming someone entirely unlike herself. Had it not been for her unchanged appearance, he wouldn’t dare believe this was the Lu Shishu from seven years ago.
Yet, he also felt heartache, watching her disguise herself as a hedgehog. He very much wanted to hold her in his arms and shield her from the storms.
But he also understands that some storms are ones he caused, leaving her bruised and battered.
"Whether well or not, life’s just like that. Isn’t it just living?" Lu Shishu lightly laughed, her tone very flat without much fluctuation. Yet that laughter sounded very much like a mockery.
"I’m sorry... for leaving without saying goodbye back then." Hearing her words, Nan Jiayan felt a twinge of guilt in his heart. His voice was warm, yet the tail end carried a slight tremor, revealing that this apology came from the bottom of his heart.
Upon hearing this, Lu Shishu was momentarily stunned. The hand holding the coffee cup trembled slightly, though it wasn’t obvious. She quickly composed herself, letting out another laugh, turning around to place the coffee cup back into his hand. "The past is just that, dust to be settled. I’ve long been at peace. Your apology, I won’t accept it. Between us, apart from being alumni, we’re now merely business partners. Also, your coffee, thank you. Just that... over time, a person changes, as do their interests and tastes." Finishing, she walked straight past him, heading back into the meeting room.
Nan Jiayan tightly held the coffee cup she almost finished, tilting his head as he watched her silhouette. Perhaps it’s too late now to try to make amends, yet he still can’t help but want to make up, to keep her by his side, no matter the cost, no matter how.
