CHAPTER 458: CHAPTER 458: HAN JIFENG DISCOVERS HER VISIT TO TAN PALACE

Ji Lan is not just a greenhorn who has just left school; she understands these insinuations all too well, and without thinking, she retorts, "If you think I am good, why are we not suitable?"

Han Jifeng doesn’t answer.

"Would you not even meet me if it weren’t for his involvement?"

Even though she has long been aware, Ji Lan still asks aloud, "Including the last time we went out for dinner, you did it out of consideration for his face, right?"

After a long silence, Han Jifeng looks at her: "I am not a good husband candidate; even if we were together, I would place value on your father’s position. Before you, I had two girlfriends—one was the girl I loved in my first love, and the other was a marriage prospect I was willing to settle for. After my first love came back to me, I quickly got back with her, but it hurt the woman about to marry me."

Upon hearing this, Ji Lan swallows back her retort.

Suddenly, she asks, "So you broke up with your first love again?"

Han Jifeng’s gaze falls on the rose in the glass vase, looking as though he is seeing something else through it: "We broke up last September."

"And the woman who was supposed to marry you?"

"...She has passed away."

Ji Lan looks at him in surprise.

"After I got back with my first love, she found out. At that time, I spoke harshly to her, completely breaking her heart. Later, she and my first love had an accident, I saved my first love first, and due to my misjudgment, she indirectly lost her life because of me."

Saying this, Han Jifeng’s gaze returns to Ji Lan: "In love, I am naturally selfish. If you married me, the husband you get would not give you his whole heart. Rather than regretting it later, it’s better to think it over now. There are many more capable young men better than me; I am not the right one for you."

After a moment, Ji Lan speaks, "If we don’t work out, were you planning to tell him these things too?"

"The problem lies with me; I will explain clearly to him."

Ji Lan nods, packs her things, and stands up.

"Since that’s the case, there’s no need to have this meal."

Saying this, she leaves the restaurant first.

Tang Li chooses two takeaways from the ordering area, returns to the private room, and sits for a while with Wu Xuehan and the others. At 7:40 PM, she excuses herself for having an errand, stands up from her chair, and under the strange stares of Wu Xuehan and the others, takes her bag and coat, and leaves the private room first.

After closing the door of the private room, she hangs her backpack on her arm and walks to the ordering area while putting on her coat, picking up the takeaway bag at the counter.

Tang Li leaves the restaurant and heads directly to National Square.

These last two days, she didn’t have training, so she didn’t bring Yuan Qin.

After crossing two streets, Tang Li sees the Tan Palace architecture; the perimeter of Tan Palace is surrounded by a black iron fence, and security personnel on duty nearby prevent idlers from approaching.

Tang Li takes out her cellphone and makes a call.

Not far away, a sedan is parked by the roadside.

Han Jifeng is sitting in the driver’s seat, under the dim streetlight, he sees Tang Li standing outside the square, one hand carrying a takeaway bag, while she places her cellphone against her ear, occasionally looking towards Tan Palace.

About five minutes later, a tall figure appears on the second-floor balcony of Tan Palace.

He quickly descends the stairs.

To either side of the main entrance of Tan Palace are lush pine trees, a national flag waving in the night breeze. The man walks down the stairs, takes out a pass from his suit, and exchanges a few words with the security personnel, the iron gate is slowly opened.

As the person approaches, Han Jifeng recognizes him; it’s Ji Ming, from his boss’s side.