CHAPTER 616: CHAPTER 533: CLASSMATE WHO RETURNED FROM ABROAD

Li Si’s eyes carried a trace of nostalgia: "So many things from childhood are worth reminiscing about, but sadly, we can’t go back! Do you still remember when we did homework together, and your mom bought those creamy white ice creams?"

At that moment, the dishes started to arrive, interrupting their reunion reminiscing.

After the waiter left, Wang Ruotong nodded brightly with a radiant smile: "I remember! I remember! I really loved eating those back then! It’s such a pity they seem to be discontinued now!"

"Yeah! They’re long gone!"

Suddenly, Wang Ruotong’s eyes lit up as she recalled something: "Oh, Li Si! Do you remember the little snack stands outside our elementary school? I miss them so much! After moving to Beijing, I never had the chance to eat them again!"

Li Si could completely relate: "Me too!"

The more they talked about childhood, the more engrossed they became, gradually unearthing many cherished memories.

After a while, Li Si casually asked, "What kind of job do you want after graduation?"

Wang Ruotong’s eyes darted around as she smiled: "I haven’t decided yet! I’ll wait until I’ve had my fun first, then I’ll start working! My family set up a civil servant position for me, but my personality is still the same as when I was a kid—I can’t handle all that scheming and backstabbing!

By the way, what about you? Shopping every day? Is life in a wealthy family as leisurely as that?"

"Not at all like you say! I’ve been super busy recently. My younger sister is about to get engaged, and a good friend is getting married, so I’m swamped!"

She truly felt like a spinning top, constantly on the move, with no sign of stopping.

Wang Ruotong showed the first melancholic expression since their reunion and vented: "Ah! Li Si, tell me, why does everyone have to date, get engaged, and married and all that nonsense? Being alone is so much better! Free and unrestrained! You can play however you want!

My mom’s nagging lately has been driving me crazy! We’re still so young—why must we rush into relationships?"

Li Si blinked: "It’s not like you have to be in a relationship. Maybe when the time is right, and you meet someone you genuinely like, you naturally start dating. But even if you’re dating, it doesn’t necessarily have to lead to marriage—everyone has their own views.

No suitable match? Being single is perfectly fine too!"

She couldn’t shake the feeling that, between someone who’s married and someone who hasn’t seen their old deskmate for years, their perspectives and attitudes toward life had grown far apart.

After so long without seeing each other, they’d both changed from what they once were, and a wave of sentimentality washed over her.

"That’s true! What should we do after eating? Where should we wander off to?" Wang Ruotong skillfully shifted topics.

"Up to you! You’ve been in France all these years. Do you feel a bit out of touch with this place?"

"A little, yeah! When I left back then, many of the courtyard houses were still here, but now quite a few have been demolished. How about we just wander around aimlessly?"

"Sure!" Li Si didn’t want to spoil the mood. Honestly, wandering in Beijing’s scorching summer heat was nothing short of torture.

After the meal, as they stepped out of the Western restaurant’s revolving door, Wang Ruotong bumped into an acquaintance.

"What a coincidence, Wang Ruotong? Li Si! You two?" An Zhengran’s poker face showed a rare look of astonishment. He couldn’t figure out how Li Si and Wang Ruotong had crossed paths.

Li Si glanced at An Zhengran, utterly taken aback. Could it be the person Liu Xiaole mentioned—An Zhengran’s blind date from abroad who attended the same middle school—was actually Wang Ruotong?!

Thankfully, the interaction between Wang Ruotong and An Zhengran didn’t seem particularly intimate. They talked like regular acquaintances.

When it was revealed that the two were schoolmates, even Wang Ruotong was shocked at how coincidental it was.

An Zhengran clearly had something to discuss privately with Li Si: "Li Si! Can I talk to you alone for a moment?"

"Sure! Go ahead!" She was curious to hear what An Zhengran had on his mind.

Did he know about the things his mother had said and done?

Watching them step aside to talk, Wang Ruotong suddenly felt she might have figured something out. Pressing her forehead, she thought maybe it had to do with that girl?

"Liu Xiaole... is she doing okay?" Ever since the day they quarreled and Liu Xiaole declared their breakup on the spot, every attempt to call her cell number had resulted in the line being shut off.

He wasn’t the kind of person who would lower his pride to coax someone, so today seeing Li Si was an act of courage to ask about Liu Xiaole’s situation.

Li Si gave him an icy sideways glance: "She’s doing just fine! Quite well! What exactly happened between you two? And what’s your relationship with Wang Ruotong?"

If she didn’t ask clearly on Liu Xiaole’s behalf, she wouldn’t be satisfied!

"I’m just classmates with Wang Ruotong. I had no idea she suddenly barged in that day, and some of the things she said were a bit over the line. So I said a few things to her afterward..."

Some words were not easy for him to admit openly. His male pride made it difficult for him to swallow, which had led to...

"Do you know why Liu Xiaole stormed in then? You guys broke up, but I’m not sure if you know—your mother approached Liu Xiaole and said some really hurtful things. Then she even texted her, directing her to the place where you were meeting.

That move was really brilliant, wasn’t it!"

An Zhengran hadn’t expected the truth to be like this. He had assumed Liu Xiaole had just followed him there.

While he knew his mother disliked Liu Xiaole, he genuinely liked her. Ultimately, if the person you end up with isn’t someone you like, what’s the point?

Li Si didn’t bother caring how astonished An Zhengran looked. She grabbed Wang Ruotong and left together.

After hesitating for a long while, Wang Ruotong finally asked in a low voice: "Li Si! So his girlfriend turned out to be your good friend? Then please help me apologize to her. I honestly had no idea what was going on!"

That day when the girl suddenly burst out, she had only objectively explained her relationship with An Zhengran.

An Zhengran had then said something to that girl, and the two had ended up arguing and breaking up.

Afterward, she did feel a bit guilty about it and asked An Zhengran about it, but he had dismissed it as nothing.

Li Si was a bit absent-minded: "I will tell her! Wang Ruotong, how about we hang out together another day instead?"

Right now, all she wanted was to check on Liu Xiaole. What a mess this whole situation had turned into!

"Alright! Let’s plan for another day!" Wang Ruotong felt that the unexpected encounter with An Zhengran had dampened their mood to continue exploring.

After parting ways with Wang Ruotong, Li Si checked her watch—it was past 3 PM—and directly asked Jiang Tong to drive her to Mo Si Furniture.

When Liu Xiaole saw Li Si pushing open the office door and walking in, her eyes lit up with delight: "Ah! How come you’re free to visit me today?"

"I was just passing by! Are you busy?" She glanced around the office, which housed two desks. The west desk was unoccupied, while Liu Xiaole sat at the east one, her desk impeccably neat.

As she walked closer, she noticed the computer screen displayed a spreadsheet.

Hastily, Liu Xiaole pulled over a chair: "Sisi! Sit quickly! I’m okay, not too busy! Want some coffee or tea?"

Just after Li Si sat down, Liu Xiaole scurried about welcoming her, her enthusiasm through the roof.

"I’ll just have plain water! Xiao Le, stop fussing over me! I’m not some guest!"

Giggling, Liu Xiaole handed her a cup of warm water: "Well then, bear with warm water for now! I’ll treat you to something delicious after I get off work, haha! My parents asked about you yesterday too, wondering when you’d come over to our restaurant!"

Li Si took a small sip of the water and smiled: "Then let’s make it today. But, please make sure your parents don’t go overboard—something simple is just fine!" (To be continued. If you enjoyed this story, you’re welcome to cast your votes on Qidian (qidian.com) for recommendations and monthly rankings. Your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)