Chapter 180

The sound of running water echoed in the restroom, and no one spoke.

Zhong Ning even used hand soap, carefully washing her hands with the seven-step handwashing method. She scrubbed each finger thoroughly, rinsed off the foam, then stepped aside and spread her hands out under the hand dryer.

The buzzing sound reverberated through the quiet space.

She dried her palms, then the backs of her hands, then her palms again.

Only after both hands were dry did she push open the restroom door, return to her seat, pick up her bag, and turn to leave.

As soon as she opened the car door and sat down, the door on the other side was pulled open, and Xie Shiqing got in.

"...Ning Ning."

"Miss Xie," Zhong Ning looked over calmly, "do you need something?"

"It was someone Grandma arranged. I thought it was for work... I didn’t expect it to be a blind date." Xie Shiqing's voice was tense. "When... when did you come back?"

"Our engagement is already over. Who you choose to be with is your freedom. You don’t need to explain it to me," Zhong Ning said coolly. "As for my matters, there's no need for me to report them to you."

"..."

Xie Shiqing bit her lower lip. "Ning Ning, my eyes are better now. I can see again."

"Congratulations."

"You're so cold now," Xie Shiqing said softly.

In her pitch-black eyes was the reflection of Zhong Ning’s profile—her lashes lowered like fans, and the small, dark mole on the bridge of her nose. The soft daylight cast a hazy glow over her face.

The light was so gentle, yet her tone was so indifferent.

"We already broke up," Zhong Ning turned her eyes toward her.

"I can explain, Ning Ning. I really know I was wrong. I’ve really changed, I—"

"I don’t want to hear it," Zhong Ning said word by word. "You can get out now."

Xie Shiqing’s eyes turned red in an instant, but the person in the driver’s seat just looked at her like that, her expression unchanged.

She bit her lip tightly and responded in a muffled voice, "Sorry to bother you."

After a pause, she opened the car door and got out.

As soon as the door closed, the engine started, and the car drove off.

Xie Shiqing stood frozen, watching the car speed up and merge into the traffic, disappearing from sight. Only then did the expression on her face gradually turn cold.

"Try to secure that piece of land the Zhao family is bidding on recently."

She hung up the phone, still burning with anger—not at Zhong Ning, but at that Zhao family young lady from earlier today.

It hadn't been a coincidence today.

There were hardly any true coincidences in the world. Xie Shiqing knew Zhong Ning would be there today—not because a private investigator had told her, but because of Ms. Xue.

The president of the Lanheng Foundation, who used to be her mother. After the car accident, Vice President Ms. Xue took over the responsibility. This gentle and kind woman had always been tolerant of Xie Shiqing, doting on her like a senior would on a younger relative.

Especially considering her past, it naturally evoked sympathy from elders.

When Zhong Ning came to find Ms. Xue, she had already discussed this matter with Xie Shiqing.

Zhong Ning’s identity was somewhat sensitive. The Zhong family was no longer what it used to be. The shares in Zhong Lin’s hands had been continuously diluted—although she was still a shareholder of the company, she no longer held the influence she once did.

She was unwilling to accept this, but every useful “nail” had been pulled out in advance by Xie Shiqing, leaving her in a difficult position and severely weakening her say in the company.

And Zhong Ning, the former heir who had suddenly disappeared, was also Xie Shiqing’s fiancée. Their lavish engagement banquet was still a topic of conversation among many. After her disappearance, Zhong Lin flew into a rage and publicly announced she would sever familial ties with her.

So when Ms. Xue saw Zhong Ning, she was indeed surprised and curious.

She had originally planned to refuse, but Xie Shiqing vouched for her, which led to this meeting.

As for the blind date, Ms. Xue was aware of it. The young lady from the Zhao family had been introduced through connections on the grandmother’s side.

The Zhao family was a second-tier noble family. Xie Shiqing never really intended to go on a blind date, so she didn’t care who showed up.

She deliberately arranged the meeting here to see if Zhong Ning would get jealous, to test whether Zhong Ning still had feelings for her.

What she hadn’t expected was that this Zhao family young lady was the typical “ordinary-yet-self-confident” type, acting like she was superior to everyone else, and even her words were rather unpleasant.

Xie Shiqing had to hold in her anger. She had originally planned to put on a show of helplessness, as if she had no choice—but apparently… it backfired.

Of course, Zhong Ning wouldn’t believe it.

Given her current status and personality—if others didn’t understand, would Zhong Ning not know? Who could possibly force her to do anything?

She had already decided to be honest, to be sincere, but when the words reached her lips, she still instinctively lied and deliberately acted weak in hopes of gaining Zhong Ning’s sympathy.

Imitating Zhong Ning’s earlier action, she lifted both hands to rub her face and muttered, “Calm down, calm down. Take it slow. Don’t rush.”

“Don’t rush.”

...

“I’ll be home in half an hour,” Zhong Ning said through a video call on her phone. “Is there anything you want me to bring?”

Michelle said, “The pine mushroom’s leash is a bit torn. Should we get a new one?”

“Let it choose for itself,” Zhong Ning replied. “Wait for me to get back.”

She ended the video call and stared at the countdown on the red light, her brows pressed low.

Xie Shiqing.

Her eyes had been full of expression. Even her tears had looked luminous, like a shattered silver crescent moon.

More than half a year had passed. Zhong Ning had thought she no longer cared. She seldom thought of her, and when she did, her mood remained calm.

But when the day came that they stood face to face, she realized the seemingly calm sea of her heart still had ripples.

Even so, she would never be entangled with this person again.

If she truly cared that much, she wouldn’t have returned to Fengcheng. Time would heal everything—sooner or later, she would let go completely.

…She wasn’t wearing makeup today. Maybe she really didn’t come for a blind date.

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