The sun had set.
The evening glow lingered at the edge of the city, beautiful as a painting.
Unfortunately, Lin Hanbing had no heart to appreciate the stunning view. As her client droned on at length, she murmured an occasional “Mm.”
Her eyes remained fixed on the two women not far away, uncertain what they were talking about amid their easy laughter.
Divorced, and yet so happy?
It had been a long time since Lin Hanbing had seen Cheng Zhanya smile like that.
Lin Hanbing’s expression remained impassive, but her fingertips gripping the coffee cup handle had turned white from the pressure.
“President Lin, is there something wrong with the proposal?”
“No.”
Lin Hanbing came back to herself.
“Go on.”
“…”
One piece of music came to an end.
Silence lingered for several seconds before it began to play again, languid and unhurried.
Cheng Zhanya’s hand paused as she stirred her coffee. She had heard it before, in Lin Hanbing’s car.
All Thoughts Are Star Rivers.
The name of the piano piece.
Healing or depressing—it all depended on one’s mood when listening.
The first time Cheng Zhanya had heard it, she had been upset with Lin Hanbing. Back then, it had felt quite painful.
Hearing it now, it felt utterly relaxed.
“The desserts here are good too.”
Lu Ting watched her, eyes sparkling. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Lin Hanbing watching them.
That gaze was heavy. Lu Ting felt as if she were being eyed by a hunter.
Her lips curved into a smile. “You should try the Cat Paw Pudding. It’s their signature.”
Cheng Zhanya smiled lightly. “Sounds good.”
Lu Ting placed the order, then looked at her and pointed to her mouth with a chuckle. “Coffee stain.”
Cheng Zhanya felt a touch embarrassed and grabbed a napkin to wipe it away.
She wore light makeup, and half her lipstick had worn off, leaving only a faint trace. With the coffee stain at the corner of her mouth, she looked rather innocent.
Just then, the server brought the Cat Paw Pudding.
It was pink and bouncy, crafted with exquisite detail, lifelike to the point of seeming real.
One serving came with two paws.
Lu Ting had ordered just one.
Cheng Zhanya asked softly, “Would you like some?”
“If you’re willing to share.”
“Didn’t you say good things are meant to be shared?”
Cheng Zhanya’s eyes crinkled with amusement. With deft movements of knife and fork, she transferred one paw to a side plate and pushed the other toward Lu Ting.
“You’re already putting it into practice.”
Lu Ting laughed, watching her.
Cheng Zhanya smiled. “They’re so cute, I almost hate to eat it.”
“No matter how cute, it’s still food.”
“You’re right.”
“We should respect it.”
As she spoke, Cheng Zhanya sliced off one of the pudding paw’s toes and popped it into her mouth, savoring it carefully.
“Delicious.”
The texture was stunning—soft and glutinous yet still bouncy.
She was truly curious how they made it.
“One serving not enough?” Lu Ting saw her eyes light up and smiled. “Want another?”
Cheng Zhanya shook her head with a laugh. “One is perfect.”
Too much would diminish the wonder.
“Mm.”
Lu Ting nodded. “We’re heading to the wharf for dinner later anyway.”
Cheng Zhanya took small bites, savoring the pudding’s flavor bit by bit.
The coffee was too sweet.
She had only drunk half a cup, taking just shallow sips each time she raised it.
Once they had finished eating and drinking, Lu Ting got up to pay.
Cheng Zhanya felt awkward about it. How could she let someone she had just met treat her to a meal? It didn’t feel right.
Lu Ting didn’t see it that way.
She was the one who had extended the invitation first. It wouldn’t do to let Cheng Zhanya pay, and splitting the bill was even less appropriate.
Under Lu Ting’s insistence, Cheng Zhanya could only sit obediently in her seat.
She nudged the half-drunk cappuccino farther inward on the table.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Lu Ting returned from the counter, her expression a little peculiar.
She glanced toward the area behind Cheng Zhanya. Lin Hanbing was staring at her screen, her gaze sharp and cold, though it didn’t seem focused on them.
“What are you looking at?”
Cheng Zhanya asked, puzzled.
Following Lu Ting’s gaze, Cheng Zhanya turned and saw Lin Hanbing.
Just then, Lin Hanbing lifted her eyes.
Their gazes met once more.
Cheng Zhanya turned calmly back around.
They were divorced.
It was better not to get too entangled—for her sake, or Lin Hanbing’s.
“Your ex-wife paid for us.”
Lu Ting withdrew her gaze, sat back down, picked up her bag, and said, “Let’s go thank her.”
Cheng Zhanya froze for a moment.
She glanced back at Lin Hanbing again. Those eyes were deep as an abyss, bottomless.
Why had Lin Hanbing paid for them?
She didn’t need her to.
Lu Ting was already standing. Though Cheng Zhanya had no desire to approach, courtesy demanded she go and express thanks.
During those few minutes of her hesitation, the person across from Lin Hanbing suddenly stood.
They shook hands cordially, and that person left first.
Lin Hanbing closed her laptop and strode directly toward them. Her posture was upright and graceful, like a lotus flower—elegant, aloof, with a hint of pride.
As she drew near, the familiar scent of her perfume wafted over, and Cheng Zhanya found herself thinking it smelled nice.
“President Lin.” Lu Ting spoke first, her smile warm and gracious. “Thank you for paying for us, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“Shall I transfer the money back to you separately?”
Lin Hanbing didn’t look at Lu Ting. Her eyes were fixed on Cheng Zhanya. “No need.”
“It’s really not right.” Lu Ting said.
“There’s no right or wrong about it.”
Lin Hanbing replied, “My wife treats someone to a meal. I just paid along the way.”
Cheng Zhanya corrected her. “Ex-wife.”
She couldn’t fathom what Lin Hanbing was playing at. She thought that once divorced, they should cut ties cleanly. Clearly, the other woman didn’t agree.
The heart she had only recently calmed now stirred with waves.
The woman she had loved for ten years—could she really stop loving her just like that after the divorce? Cheng Zhanya wouldn’t even believe it herself.
Lin Hanbing paused but didn’t directly address her words. “Do you have plans tonight?”
“The elders miss you. Come back for dinner.”
“I do.”
Cheng Zhanya glanced at Lu Ting. “I have an appointment.”
Lu Ting stepped to her side, smiling innocently, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
Only then did Lin Hanbing spare Lu Ting a glance. “Her?”
Cheng Zhanya nodded. “Mm.”
“Another day?” Cheng Zhanya’s expression was neutral. “I’ll make time next week to go back.”
Make time?
Cheng Zhanya was so busy now?
Lin Hanbing was baffled. She recalled the work Cheng Zhanya had mentioned earlier, and her gaze toward Lu Ting sharpened with scrutiny.
Cheng Zhanya had turned down her invitation for another woman.
Lin Hanbing asked, “Where are you going?”
“President Lin doesn’t seem the gossipy type.” Lu Ting chuckled lightly. “Since you won’t take the money, I can only say thank you.”
Lin Hanbing said nothing, looking at Cheng Zhanya, hoping to read the answer in her eyes.
Cheng Zhanya averted her face. “Thank you.”
“Director Lu, let’s go.”
“Yaya.”
Lin Hanbing grasped her hand, only for it to be pulled away the next instant.
She let her hand drop, bereft. The warmth of her ex-wife lingered on her fingertips. She rubbed her palm discreetly, suddenly nostalgic for that old sensation.
Cheng Zhanya headed for the exit.
Lu Ting followed behind. Near the door, she suddenly turned back and smiled at Lin Hanbing.
Lin Hanbing slowly clenched her fist.
