Chapter 140

Shen Nian didn't linger, taking the documents and leaving.

The two parted ways calmly, without any personal grudges. Apart from their past romantic relationship, they were still boss and assistant.

Watching Shen Nian close the door, Liang Jinghe finally turned her gaze away, looking at the busy Lu Lingchuan.

She wanted to say something but hesitated.

After a long internal struggle, she finally spoke up.

"Lingchuan, have you made up your mind?" she asked.

"Mm." Lu Lingchuan continued working, his voice indifferent: "My mother's health isn't good. One more happy event to cheer her up is a good thing."

"..." Liang Jinghe fell silent, pressing her lips together.

"Then... is there really no chance for you and her?" Liang Jinghe knew her position didn't allow her to ask this, but she still did.

"..." Lu Lingchuan's hand holding the pen trembled slightly. The pen tip pressed against the paper, and the ink quickly spread, leaving a very obvious mark.

He quietly put the pen aside and crumpled the paper into a ball, tossing it into the empty trash can nearby.

Without answering Liang Jinghe's question, Lu Lingchuan only said: "If you're unwilling, you can refuse at any time."

"..." This left Liang Jinghe speechless.

She lowered her eyes, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

Willing? How could she not be willing?

Even knowing that he hadn't truly let go of the person in his heart, even knowing that she had never truly entered his heart, he had also clearly told her and respected her choice.

But faced with his request, she still found it difficult to refuse.

...

Apart from that day when they met while delivering documents, in the following days, Lu Lingchuan and Shen Nian were busy with their own affairs.

Shen Nian was responsible for a project and often spent time in the meeting room, while Lu Lingchuan had his own arrangements. They wouldn't even cross paths once in a normal day.

During this time, Shen Nian had been living in her own home. Every day after returning home, she had no social life, no hobbies, not even watching TV. She just sat on the sofa hugging her knees, staring into space with no time limit.

After spacing out, she would get up and go to bed, then go to work the next day. After work, she would eat, shower, and then after showering, continue to space out. This cycle repeated itself.

After another busy day, Shen Nian finally finished her work.

She checked the time and realized it was quite late.

She quickly packed up her things, grabbed her bag, and left.

Walking to the roadside to hail a taxi, one quickly pulled up.

Shen Nian opened the back door and got in.

He turned the knob and entered.

His body swayed slightly, eyes half-closed.

Since that day when the security guard told him Shen Nian had left with her suitcase, Lu Lingchuan had been coming back here every day.

He didn't need to deliberately reminisce; just sleeping here for a night made him sleep very soundly.

He didn't even turn on the lights, changing his shoes in the dark.

After taking off one shoe, he was about to step into his slippers but stepped on empty air.

He frowned deeply.

Finally, he found the slippers in the shoe cabinet.

After changing shoes, he entered the apartment, swaying all the way.

At last, he reached the bedroom door, turned the doorknob, and pushed it open.

The faint light inside hit Lu Lingchuan like a blow to the head, instantly sobering him up.

As he looked up, his eyes met those of Shen Nian, who was sitting up in bed reading a magazine by the bedside lamp. Shen Nian's eyes were filled with bewilderment.

For the first few seconds after seeing Lu Lingchuan, she was stunned, followed by panic and confusion.

Why... why was he here?

This was their first face-to-face encounter since breaking up.

The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

Not expecting Shen Nian to be back, Lu Lingchuan sobered up considerably.

Now that he was already inside, there was no backing out. His hand tightened on the doorknob as he came up with a somewhat plausible reason: "I came to get some clothes."

When he left before, he had deliberately not taken anything, preparing this very excuse for coming back here legitimately in the future.

Shen Nian came to her senses and responded with a soft "Mm."

Then she lowered her head to continue reading the magazine, though she couldn't focus on anything. She just flipped through the pages aimlessly.

Lu Lingchuan walked in, heading straight for the walk-in closet.

Opening the glass cabinet, he casually browsed through the clothes.

Shen Nian flipped through a magazine with a rustling sound, listening to the noise from the dressing room but not looking up at him.

Lu Lingchuan picked out a set of clothes at random, then dawdled over selecting a tie and tie clip.

He was about to leave with his chosen attire when something crossed his mind. He paused, glancing towards the bed. After a few seconds of hesitation, he spoke to Shen Nian.

"I'm getting married."