bEvan /bpaused.

In bthe /bendb, /bhe bdidn’t /bmention tonight’s events.

bHe /bsaid: “Liz has a gift she wants to bgive /byou. Would bit /bbbe /bconvenient bto /bhave dinner together in the bnext /bcouple of daysb?/bb” /b

Liz bseemed /bbto /bhave bexperienced /bsome major bident/bb, /bsuffering bsevere /bphysical and emotional trauma.

bLiz /bhad told me before that I apparently resembled her mother somewhatb. /b

But her mother had already passed away.

bSo /bI understood bLiz’s /battachment bto /bme.

Howeverb, /bmeeting Evan alone for Liz’s sake made me hesitate, especially since he had always been quite unweing toward me all these years.

At this momentb, /bEvan suddenly said: “bI /bcan help with a project your uncle has.”

I was stunned.

bAs /ban unwanted illegitimate daughterb, /bI had never felt warmth from my father and his family, but my mother’s rtives had always been good to meb, /bespecially my uncle.

I had heard he was having some business difficulties recently. If Evan was willing to help, he certainly had the ability to help my uncle get through this crisis.

Evan didn’t say much moreb: /b“Think about it. Feel free to contact me anytime once you’ve decided.”

I didn’t speak.

Honestly, I didn’t trust him.

Because he had good rtionships with both Ashley and Ferris.

Even if Evan’s current approach was sincere, even if he eventually seeded with my uncle’s project.

But bif /bI had conflicts with Ashley in the future, who knew if he might threaten me through the project and my uncle, just like Ferris?

Perhaps guessing the reason for my hesitation, Evan said: “I can guarantee you that I will never let personal matters affect business between your uncle and

ne.”

Hearing this, I said: “Are you certain?”

Certain.”

I hesitated, then said: “Alright.”

When you have time, you can contact me and I’ll arrange the meeting.”

bI /bsaid: “Okay.”

At this point, Evan looked at my hair, somewhat disheveled by the cold wind, and said: “The night wind is cold. Let’s go inside.”

Hearing these words, I paused.

bI /bwondered if it was my imagination, but I seemed to hear a trace of… tenderness in his cold voice?

I nodded, said nothing more, and got into my car.

Ivan Aidn’t moveb. /b

bAs /bmy car passed by his feet, I rolled down the window to nod bat /bhim in greeting, then pressed bthe /belerator and bleft/b.

Watching my car disappearb, /bEvan finally got bin /bhis car and left.

Not long after I started driving, bI /bbreceived /ba mindlink from Ferris. He seemed bto /bhave just smoked, his voice somewhat hoarse.

b“/bCan we talkb?/bb” /b

The moment I breceived /bthe message, I couldn’t help but bbe /bstunned. In recent days, Ferris had contacted me more times than in all the yearsbined since we

became matesb. /b

I instinctively wanted to refuseb, /bbut after ncing at the date on the bcar /bscreen, I changed my mind.

b“/bAlright.”

Counting bit /bupb, /bbit /bhad been almost a month bsince /bbI /bsubmitted the divorce application.

He was probably looking for me to discuss this matter.

The next day at the agreed time, I arrived at the restaurant we had arranged.

The moment I pushed open the doorb, /bmy steps faltered slightly.

By the window, Ferris was gently wiping the corner of Ashley’s mouth with a napkin.

That look was so tender it could cut through iceb. /bStanding there, I felt my heart being viciously squeezed by an invisible hand.

Was this what he wanted me to see?

(5)