Chapter 313: Chapter 313

Peng Rui looked at Qu Chaozong dressed , clearly not having achieved much in recent years. She couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed, yet more so an indescribable sense of self-satisfaction.

Peng Rui asked, "Where are you working now?"

"It’s no big place, just getting by," Qu Chaozong quietly replied.

Peng Rui wanted to say something more, but suddenly someone poked their head out from backstage, shouting, "Hey! Chaozi! Hurry up! Mr. Shi is calling you to see someone off!"

Qu Chaozong turned around and saw Zhao Wendada, sweating profusely, waving at him from the backstage door. He quickly agreed, "Hey! I’ll be right there!"

Peng Rui asked in surprise, "You, you work at this maternity brand company? Have you switched to becoming a driver now?"

Looking at the disappointment in Peng Rui’s eyes, which she couldn’t hide, Qu Chaozong chuckled bitterly to himself.

Qu Chaozong had imagined meeting Peng Rui again, he thought it would be many years later, or perhaps a day they would never meet in this life. He had imagined many scenarios of their meeting, but never this one.

Time had left indelible marks on Peng Rui. She was no longer the youthful beauty of the past, with bright eyes when she smiled, a shy and pure girl.

The current Peng Rui had become mature and charming, maintaining an elegant and proper demeanor in every movement and smile, which appeared unfamiliar to Qu Chaozong.

Because of unwillingness, one tends to dwell on it.

Qu Chaozong suddenly seemed to understand a bit better. The reason one dwells on it is that there’s still a hint of hope, until that hope slowly fades and vanishes completely.

Qu Chaozong clearly realized that not loving is just that. All the unwillingness vanishes into thin air, and because of this, he could face Peng Rui so calmly at this moment.

Qu Chaozong didn’t deliberately explain his position in the company; he just nodded indifferently and waved, "I have to go now, goodbye."

Peng Rui stood there, watching Qu Chaozong’s figure as he left without looking back, her chest shuddering, feeling inexplicably unsettled inside.

"Tsk!" Peng Rui’s husband Sun Yingyu sneered disdainfully, "What now! Still catching up with your old flame? Haven’t had enough?! Do you want to chase after him and get a contact number?"

Peng Rui withdrew her gaze, glanced at Sun Yingyu, and said, "Let’s go."

Sun Yingyu glared at her, complaining, "It’s so hot, when is your sister finally coming out? I still have a social engagement later!"

Peng Rui hurriedly turned her head to look at the crowded event entrance, saying, "I’ll call her again to urge her."

Sun Yingyu grumbled impatiently, "She always dilly-dallies with everything! Why can’t she just take a cab back? Has to drag me out in the heat! Just got too much free time on her hands!"

Peng Rui’s face flushed, she gently persuaded, "Isn’t it on the way? Lower your voice, there are so many people around!"

Sun Yingyu glanced at passing strangers, eventually lowering his voice. "Then why don’t you quickly call her out!"

After saying that, Sun Yingyu walked under the shade of a tree by the roadside, lowering his eyelids, his face moody.

When the event ended, everyone gradually left the venue from the exit.

Zhao Meimei hurriedly hugged her handbag to avoid scratching others, noticing her phone vibrating. She took it out while walking with the crowd.

The call was from Shi Yang, and as soon as she picked up, Shi Yang’s voice came through, "Have you come out yet?"

Zhao Meimei replied, "I’m walking out now. Brother, where are you?"

Shi Yang instructed, "I’m heading to the airport to see someone off. I left the autograph you wanted at the store, you can go get it yourself. Also, if you’re shopping with classmates this afternoon, be sure to stay safe and don’t eat randomly, be careful not to upset your stomach. If you’ve finished shopping and I haven’t returned yet, just wait for me at the company. I’ll take you to dinner tonight."

Zhao Meimei agreed, "Okay, got it."

Zhao Meimei hung up the phone, turning to Qian Simeng, "Mengmeng, my brother left the autograph at the store, I’ll take you to get it."

Qian Simeng’s eyes lit up immediately, "Really? That’s great, let’s go, hurry up!"

Zhao Meimei led them towards the maternity store. As soon as they squeezed out of the crowd, someone called out for Peng Hui.

"Peng Hui! Over here! Look to the right!"

Peng Hui turned her head and saw her sister rushing over.

Peng Hui shouted, "Sister!"

Peng Rui approached, unable to help complaining, "Why did it take so long!" Saying this, she looked at Zhao Meimei and Qian Simeng, her expression softening as she smiled and greeted, "Ah, you must be Huihui’s friends, right? Hello, I’m her sister."

Zhao Meimei looked at Peng Rui, feeling she looked quite different from what she remembered. If Peng Hui hadn’t called her, she wouldn’t have recognized her.

It was obvious that Peng Rui hadn’t instantly recognized her either.

Peng Rui stared at Zhao Meimei for a couple of moments, her eyes widening gradually, she exclaimed in surprise, "Zhao Meimei? You’re Meimei, right?"

Zhao Meimei politely greeted her, "Hello, Sister Rui."

Peng Rui excitedly grabbed her hand, blurting out, "Wow! Meimei! It’s really you! You’ve become so pretty I didn’t recognize you. Huihui always talks about you." Turning her head, she looked at Qian Simeng, "You must be Mengmeng. Huihui said you’re in the same class or dorm, right? You get along very well."

Qian Simeng smiled sweetly, "Hello, sister."

Peng Rui smiled back, turning enthusiastically to chat with Zhao Meimei, "So many years have gone by in a flash. From what Huihui said, this maternity store is run by your brother?"

Peng Rui felt quite emotional, "Back in school, your brother was really outstanding, unlike Chaozi..."

"Are we leaving yet or what!" Suddenly someone called out, interrupting Peng Rui.

Peng Rui quickly turned around and responded, "Coming." Fresh chapters posted on n0velfire.net

Zhao Meimei looked toward Peng Rui’s husband, who was plain-looking, sporting a beer belly, and waiting impatiently with a scowling face for Peng Rui and Peng Hui to join him.

Peng Rui pulled Peng Hui along, somewhat awkwardly saying, "Your brother-in-law has a social engagement later, let’s go."

Peng Hui said goodbye to Zhao Meimei and the others, hastily following Peng Rui.

Qian Simeng stuck out her tongue, "Peng Hui’s brother-in-law is really fierce!"

Zhao Meimei didn’t have a good impression of the man either. She withdrew her gaze and linked arms with Qian Simeng, saying, "Let’s go, we’ll go to the store for the autograph, then I’ll treat you to a cold drink. I know a great place nearby."

Laughing and chatting, the two walked into the maternity shop, which was bustling with customers.

Zhao Meimei led Qian Simeng directly to the counter. The manager, upon seeing her, quickly greeted with a smile, "Meimei! You’re here for the autograph, right? Mr. Shi just brought it over and asked me to give it to you!"