Chapter 100 - Nightmare (2)

"President, are you sure it will be okay to cancel the reservation?"

Meng Renshu did not look up from the documents in his hand as he answered his personal assistant's question. "There is nothing I can do about it. This is an urgent matter that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible."

The assistant had a conflicted look on his face. Of course, the President could say that like nothing because he was not the one who would break the news to his wife. He still remembered how bright the Madam sounded on the phone when she found out the President had reserved a table in a famous restaurant to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The Madam even secretly prepared a present for the President with the assistant's help, so he felt bad for the Madam, who must have been looking forward to this day so much.

He bit his lips and asked hesitantly once again, "President, this might be presumptuous of me, but I think it's better if you talk to Madam first about it."

"Don't worry. My wife is a very kind and understanding person. She will understand if you explain it to her. Tell her I'm sorry for canceling it at the last minute and buy some flowers and gifts for her to make up for it." Meng Renshu said casually. "If that's all, you can leave now."

As reluctant as he was, the assistant could say nothing when the President had said that much, so he quickly retreated from the President's office.

When his assistant had left the room, Meng Renshu put down the document and leaned back against the backrest. He contemplated a bit before taking his phone on top of the table. His finger hovered over the screen while he hesitated whether or not to contact his wife.

Honestly, he did not know what to say to her. He had canceled so many appointments with her so far, so any kind of apology felt futile now. Of course, Meng Renshu had always felt bad for her, but it was not like he wanted to do this, either. 

He was relieved and grateful that his wife was such a generous person. If it were any other person, he probably would have a harder time focusing on his work. 

"It's okay. She will understand me. Besides, she also knows that the dinner is just for the sake of formality, so she would not feel troubled over something trivial like this." Meng Renshu reassured himself and put down his phone again. 

Then, the door of his office was pushed open. Meng Renshu raised his head slightly, and a gentle smile crept upon his face when he saw Li Chunhua walk over with a file in her hand. 

"President, this is the document you are asking for," she said as she put down the file in her hand.

"Thank you. But, are you really okay working overtime like this? The weather is cold, and I can't have my secretary catch a cold. You can ask my assistant to give you permission to leave. I will allow it," Meng Renshu said worriedly.

Li Chunhua giggled, "How can I leave when the President is still working until late at night? I can work in this company all thanks to your grace, so I can't slack off with my work."

"Why are you talking so formally? I already said you can speak comfortably with me when we are alone, didn't I?"

Li Chunhua tucked her hair behind her ears before smiling charmingly. "But I feel awkward calling you Brother Renshu, as I used to in the workplace. I felt like we were doing something bad."

Meng Renshu's heart skipped a beat at seeing Li Chunhua's lovely smile. He was tempted to pull her into his embrace, just like he used to do when they were still dating, but when he recalled how his wife was waiting for him at home, he quickly brushed off that thought.

"I see, you are right. We should keep our distance in the office. I'm sorry for saying something weird."

Li Chunhua smiled faintly before asking, "But are you sure you don't want to go home? Xiaoyi must have been waiting for you at home."

Meng Renshu's hand stiffened when he heard that, and he could not bear to look at Li Chunhua's face.

Everything that caused this awkward relationship was his inability to protect and cherish his dear one. He made Li Chunhua suffer a heartbreaking scene of him marrying someone else, and now he even made her feel concerned about his marital life with her sister. His guilt was increased tenfold. 

"It's fine. Xiaoyi won't mind at all." He replied shortly. 

"I know my sister is kind, but you should not neglect her too much. Even if your marriage was arranged by our parents and there was no love between you two, any woman would feel upset if their husband always left her alone at home."

Meng Renshu did not reply and only fell into a deep silence. He could not tell Li Chunhua that he had difficulty facing Li Caiyi these days. 

The older twin was a patient and tolerant person. She was too good that her kindness suffocated him sometimes. He felt like the worst person whenever he looked at his wife's clear and calm eyes. It made him subconsciously want to avoid her, even though he knew she did nothing wrong. 

He was afraid he would someday lash out at her and show her his ugly side. That was why he always put her on an arm's length. Meng Renshu would gladly give Li Caiyi anything she wanted in this world, except love as a spouse. 

Even he did not know why he was so cautious of her. Was it because she reminded him of his failure for not being able to protect his beloved one? Or was it because he secretly resented her for taking Li Chunhua's place while fully knowing she did not wish for this marriage?

He did not know, but he felt uncomfortable whenever he thought about that. 

"I know. You really care about your sister, as always. It made me feel jealous sometimes."

"Haha, it's because Xiaoyi is hopeless without me. I have to constantly keep watching over her, or she would cry." Li Chunhua giggled heartily. "Oh yeah, do you want to go out and have a late-night snack after this? I recently found out about this good place and have always wanted to try it."

Meng Renshu felt slightly confused about her request. Did she forget that today was his wedding anniversary? He still liked Li Chunhua even after all these times, but he was not that unscrupulous to go out with his ex-girlfriend after canceling his appointment with his wife during their wedding anniversary.

Then again, Li Chunhua looked so excited. He felt terrible for refusing outright, so he compromised a bit.

"I don't think it's a good idea to go out together tonight. I'll take you to that place some other time later when we are less busy."

Li Chunhua did not seem to mind as she beamed happily, "Yay! That's a promise, okay?!"

After that, the work became so busy that Meng Renshu almost had no time to go home. He would occasionally take Li Chunhua out to dinner amid their work. Even though they could not get married, Meng Renshu was already content to spend time together with her like this. 

They were childhood friends, so he thought little of it when he took Li Chunhua out to eat.. He did not realize until it was too late that his wife slowly lost the light in her eyes.