CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: RADIANT SMILE

"Zhou Li?!"

Seeing the girl at the door, Huang Jun was the first to stand up and then exclaimed, "I never thought you’d be so beautiful."

Li Jing also stood up to greet her, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar girl at the door, and smiled, "Zhou Li, long time no see."

Seeing Li Jing, Zhou Li’s eyes lit up slightly, and she blushed subconsciously, especially when his appearance was even more handsome and presentable than she had imagined, causing her heart to quicken a bit.

Li Jing’s image got a boost this time, mainly thanks to the Gucci outfit matched by An Tong back then, which was more casually understated, coupled with the consistently good cut and style of luxury brands, it really added a lot of color to Li Jing’s appearance.

It’s said that clothes make the man, and this first meeting after many years, Li Jing’s image unexpectedly exceeded Zhou Li’s expectations.

As for Huang Jun, although Zhou Li hadn’t actually met him face-to-face over the years, his image had long been thoroughly posted from every angle in the social circle.

If Zhou Li hadn’t rarely checked social media, given the frequency of Huang Jun’s posts, she would have blocked him long ago.

Compared to the impression Li Jing and Huang Jun gave Zhou Li, Zhou Li’s first impression on Li Jing and Huang Jun was even more surprising.

Zhou Li was wearing a light-colored short sleeve on top, paired with a yellow short skirt below, and a pair of little white shoes on her long, straight legs. It wasn’t exactly sexy or trendy, but it was clean and made people feel particularly comfortable.

Compared to the literary girl vibe He Mo gave to Li Jing, Zhou Li was more like a shy and pure girl next door.

Fair and clean, simple yet always with a faint, healing smile on her face.

One has to admit, Zhou Li looks much better now compared to Li Jing’s impression of her.

Perhaps it was because she had fully grown into her looks, or maybe it was because back then Zhou Li often wore school uniforms and the typical mushroom haircut of students, which hid her already reluctant-to-show light.

And now, Zhou Li’s unique radiance has been fully revealed.

Seeing her shy smile, a word inexplicably popped into Li Jing’s mind:

First love face.

It’s that kind of face exuding beauty and nature, just looking at it can make one fall into the memories of youth.

Most boys probably can’t resist such pure beauty.

"Back then, us boys must have been blind to not see your potential beauty."

Huang Jun was straightforward with everyone he spoke to, gesturing for her to sit while chatting familiarly, "If we had the insight we do now back then, the school belle wouldn’t have been someone from class 208."

"Huang Jun, you’re exaggerating. I’m not that good-looking."

Blushing from the compliment, Zhou Li couldn’t help but softly refute, then carefully glanced around at the luxurious decor, "Do you guys usually spend this much? This is my first time here, it must be expensive."

As she spoke, Zhou Li’s gaze instinctively fell on Li Jing.

This was also the first time since she entered the door that she mustered the courage to look directly at him.

When she saw that still somewhat familiar face, countless memories in Zhou Li’s heart surged into her mind.

The springs, summers, autumns, and winters of those two years flashed back rapidly, with every figure sitting in the front row, constantly overlapping, constantly merging, and finally forming the current image of Li Jing.

Seeing Zhou Li suddenly staring at him without speaking, Li Jing raised an eyebrow, then took the initiative to start a conversation, "Huang Jun is right, you do look a lot better than before.

The children’s aesthetic taste and adults’ are somewhat different. Looking at it now, you’re much more beautiful than the school belle from that class next door."

"Re-really? Thank you..."

Zhou Li could refute Huang Jun’s words, but somehow, Li Jing’s compliment sounded genuinely pleasing to her. After replying softly with joy, she placed her hands on her legs’ skirt and kept fidgeting with her fingers.

At the same time, as she lowered her head, she unexpectedly noticed the Gucci logo on Li Jing’s clothes, a flash of surprise crossed her heart.

Li Jing is wearing Gucci, and he booked such an expensive restaurant...

Indeed, those who excel in school excel in adulthood as well.

After a few sighs, she bit her lip slightly, and an unspoken sense of inferiority quietly emerged, deeply lowering her head.

But soon, such emotions flashed through her heart, and after years of exercise, her sensitive heart gradually became much stronger.

Then she raised her head again, trying to smile at him, "Li Jing, I heard your career has developed really well over the years, much better than us."

Hearing this, Li Jing realized there was a misunderstanding and shook his head with a smile, "I lost my job a few months ago, how can that be talented, if anyone’s talented, it’s you."

"You lost your job?"

Zhou Li’s beautiful eyes widened slightly, a bit surprised and concerned, "How come, was there something wrong with your job?"

"It’s already in the past, it’s fine now."

Li Jing waved his hand, seeing the waiter starting to serve the dishes, he took the opportunity to ask back, "What about you, how’s life in Lishui City?"

"Working in the system, it’s just like that, you can see the end at a glance."

When mentioning her job, Zhou Li’s eyes turned to the decorations on the table, her eyelashes gently trembled, and she said softly, "It’s just that most people in the system are older, around forty or fifty, too few peers. Plus, I’m not talkative, and I haven’t made many friends in a few years.

Just like in school, back then my best friend... was you."

Hearing this, Li Jing was surprised, remembering that although he spent a lot of energy on studying during middle school, he still had quite a few friends.

And Zhou Li was just one among many of his friends.

Now hearing what she said, he realized that he was actually her best friend.

Thinking about it, he hadn’t contacted her since he graduated high school, and Li Jing felt a bit of inexplicable guilt.

Especially after finding out from Huang Jun about Zhou Li’s feelings for him and her stunning looks, Li Jing couldn’t help but think:

"I must have been so blind before, missing out on such a wonderful girl."

Seeing the two of them too absorbed in talking and not eating, Huang Jun finally shifted his gaze from the newly arrived braised pork, and urged loudly: "The dishes are almost all here, hurry and eat!"

After saying that, he eagerly picked up a piece of Q-elastic braised pork and gulped it down, his face immediately displaying happiness, as if he owned the whole world.

Having satisfied his taste buds, Huang Jun then decided to join the conversation, and while picking more food, curiously asked:

"Zhou Li, you’re so pretty, isn’t anyone chasing you in Lishui City? You don’t have a boyfriend?"

Mentioning this, Zhou Li, who was already slightly blushing, turned even redder, fearing Li Jing might misunderstand, she quickly replied: "I don’t want to date, so I’ve never had a boyfriend. But the leaders and colleagues at work have recommended quite a few people to me, and my family has started urging me these past two years..."

As she spoke, she sneaked a glance at Li Jing’s calm expression, paused for a moment, and then softly said: "I might go on blind dates in the future."

Buzzzzz.

Just as she finished speaking, Zhou Li’s phone vibrated.

She glanced at the number displayed, her expression slightly changed, then she turned aside, covered her mouth and answered: "Director Huang, is there something you need?"

"You’re mentioning the monthly summary? Oh, that’s Hu Xing’s responsibility; he didn’t submit it? Oh, okay, I can help out and do it for him by Monday.

Sister Liu’s survey form too? But I have several things on my plate... Could I submit this to you later?

Sure? Okay, thank you, Director Huang."

Watching Zhou Li nodding frequently and responding with such respect while on the phone, Li Jing frowned slightly: "You look like you often help your colleagues at work?"

"Ah, well... Sometimes when they’re busy and I have nothing else to do, I lend them a hand."

"Wow, it sounds like you’re being bullied!"

Huang Jun, holding a squab in his hand, exclaimed loudly: "Zhou Li, your personality is still too gentle, you need to be tougher, don’t let those slick-offs use you as free labor."

"It’s actually not that bad..."

Unexpected that she’d get a work call at this time, Zhou Li defended her colleagues: "Though Sister Liu and the others might not be that motivated at work, they are really helpful when it comes to issues in my personal life.

For example, with my rented apartment and other past matters, they have helped me a lot.

Anyway, these tasks aren’t difficult for me, and while I help them at work, they’re quite willing to assist me, as someone from out of town, in life."

Hearing this, Li Jing was enlightened and agreed with Zhou Li’s approach.

Previously, he also encountered some colleagues who, when collaborating on work, were lazy and unwilling to pitch in, yet in life, they were extremely eager to help.

Especially after he had helped them at work before, they were more inclined to help him with various small favors in life.

This was a case of mutual benefit.

"Really? These people are quite odd."

Huang Jun clearly couldn’t understand this, but didn’t say much further; looking at Zhou Li, who had eaten only a little, he urged: "Zhou Li, you’re so slim, eat more! Aren’t you worried you’ll eat Li Jing broke? Grab more, or it’ll look like I’m eating everything."

Hearing this, Li Jing glanced at the mountain of shrimp shells, lamb ribs, beef ribs, and squab bones stacked before Huang Jun, and remarked: "Two-thirds of the table are things you ate, are you trying to get Zhou Li to cover for you?"

"Come on, I’m not trying to defame myself, I was just worried Zhou Li was being too guestlike. Jingzi, don’t ruin my image."

"With your image, haven’t quite a few people blocked your WeChat Moments already."

"That really cuts deep, I post on Moments to spread positive energy; Hua Country men need the beauty of strength!"

"Your positive energy muscle mass is seriously overloaded. And when you’re showing off your abs, could you keep your pants on better..."

"Geez..."

"Haha!"

Watching the two habitually banter, Zhou Li suddenly covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

Upon hearing this, both Huang Jun and Li Jing instinctively turned their heads, stunned, showing a bit of surprise.

They saw Zhou Li’s unreserved and understanding smile, without the shyness, it was like the first flower blooming in spring, clean and bright.

Her brows were curved like crescent moons, and the corners of her mouth lifted at just the right curve, even the lighting seemed to be drawn to her smile, frozen in time.

Huang Jun looked amazed, grabbing Li Jing’s arm, and couldn’t help but say:

"Jingzi, other people read too much, affecting their eyesight; you read so much your eyes became blind!"

Li Jing: "???"