novelhk Chapter 201 Some things have already quietly changed.
Chapter 201 Some things have already quietly changed.
Upon unexpectedly encountering Yao Yao, Yuan Bao's face immediately lit up with a warm smile, and he greeted her generously, "Yao Yao! What a coincidence, what are you doing here?"
Yao Yao smiled back and said, "I've been working too hard lately, so I took a couple of days off. I came to the park in the morning to take a stroll and get some fresh air."
After saying that, she looked at Yuan Bao and asked with concern, "Sister Yuan, how have you been lately?"
Yuan Bao replied in a relaxed tone, "Yes, not bad, I'm doing quite well now."
After hearing this, Yao Yao looked slightly conflicted. After hesitating for a while, she finally mustered up the courage to say, "Sister Yuan, I'm sorry... I actually knew about the time when your superiors maliciously made things difficult for you."
But at the time, I was in a very difficult situation myself and really couldn't help you anymore. I... I've always felt bad about it."
Yuan Bao gently patted Yao Yao's shoulder and said softly, "I understand. Everyone was going through a tough time back then."
Actually, if they had just told me back then that the company was facing difficulties and needed to lay off people, it wouldn't have been so awkward.
We're all acquaintances, and we're all adults, so I'm sure I can understand. Just tell me directly, and I'll resign.
"The fact that the superior has been playing the villain for so long is really unsettling, don't you think?" Yuan Bao shook his head slightly.
Yao Yao nodded, wanting to say something, but in the end she didn't finish her sentence; the unspoken feelings were left unsaid.
Although Yuan Bao's mind was racing, a faint smile remained on his face as he skillfully diffused the sudden awkwardness. He said softly, "Yao Yao, it's rare that you have a day off today. I was thinking, would you have time to have lunch together? Since we've met today, let's seize the opportunity and get together." As he spoke, Yuan Bao's eyes were full of enthusiasm, making it hard for anyone to refuse.
Seeing Yuan Bao's sincerity, Yao Yao hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently and agreed: "Okay, Sister Yuan, then I'll trouble you."
After parting ways with Yao Yao, Yuan Bao immediately began making arrangements.
She carefully selected and booked a highly-rated restaurant in the city. Then, she quickly opened WeChat, tapped lightly on the screen, and carefully sent the dining time and private room number to Yao Yao, adding at the end, "See you in a bit."
Around noon, Yuan Bao arrived at the restaurant ahead of schedule.
The private room was elegantly decorated, with soft lighting casting a warm glow on the exquisite tableware.
She sat at the dining table, watching the waiters bring out one carefully prepared dish after another, all of which were the restaurant's signature dishes and dishes that Yao Yao had once casually mentioned liking.
Soon after, Yao Yao arrived.
Pushing open the door, she saw a table laden with delicious dishes. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "Sister Bao, you're too kind. You ordered so much good food."
Yuan Bao stood up to greet him, his face bearing his usual warm smile, and said, "Please sit down, please sit down. It's rare for us to eat together, so of course we should enjoy ourselves."
After the two sat down, Yuan Bao enthusiastically served Yao Yao some food, saying, "Try this, their cooking is very authentic."
Yao Yao took it and nodded in approval, "Mmm, it really tastes good. Sister Yuan, how have you been lately?"
Yuan Bao was slightly taken aback, then smiled and replied, "It's great. I'm very comfortable with my life now, and I'm doing what I love."
During the meal, Yuan Bao would occasionally bring up interesting anecdotes from his past work, trying to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Yao Yao responded with a smile, but there was always an indescribable subtle tension between them.
Yuan Bao knew in her heart that although she tried hard to go back to the way things were before, her former boss's words were like a pebble that had stirred up ripples in the lake of their friendship, leaving an indelible mark.
She looked at Yao Yao, her thoughts drifting away.
They were once inseparable mentor and apprentice, sharing work troubles and the trivialities of life.
They are good friends in life, sharing the happiness of shopping, strolling around, and enjoying delicious food together.
But now, some things have quietly changed.
Yuan Bao sighed silently in his heart, but his face remained smiling as he poured Yao Yao a glass of juice and said, "Yao Yao, this meal is a way of thanking you for something I've always wanted to do. If it weren't for you, I really don't know how I would have gotten through that difficult time."
A complex look flashed in Yao Yao's eyes, a mixture of guilt and gratitude. She said softly, "Sister Yuan, don't say that. I didn't help much."
Yuan Bao shook his head and said nothing more.
She only wanted to use this meal to bring their past friendship to a perfect end, even though she knew in her heart that the two of them could never go back to the close and intimate relationship they once had.
Yuan Bao caught Yao Yao's complicated look, his heart filled with mixed feelings, but he still maintained a gentle smile on his face.
She leaned forward slightly, gently set down the juice pitcher, met Yao Yao's gaze frankly, and said softly, "Yao Yao, the past is the past. I know that everyone inevitably has their own difficulties at different times."
After saying that, she picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs that Yao Yao loved the most, and put it into her bowl, as if she wanted to use this simple action to gently gloss over those unspeakable past events.
Yuan Bao's voice was soft yet firm as she continued, "Today's meal is simply about getting together, chatting about the present, and looking forward to the future. You see, we're all striving forward in our own lives, and that's good enough."
Her eyes were full of relief, a clarity and open-mindedness about life after experiencing ups and downs. She tried to use this open-mindedness to dispel the faint gloom between the two of them and make their reunion more pure and warm.
Upon hearing Yuan Bao's words, Yao Yao's eyes instantly reddened, and a surge of heat welled up in her nose. She forced back the tears that were about to spill, lowered her head slightly, and tried to hide her loss of composure.
After a moment, Yao Yao slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with emotion and guilt. Her voice was slightly choked as she said, "Sister Yuan, I... I really don't know what to say. I've felt so guilty. When you were going through such a difficult time with your failed business, I helped you with that little bit of help, but then... You were still so forgiving of me, I..." At this point, her voice trembled even more, and she couldn't continue.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and then said, "Sister Yuan, I will remember your generosity for the rest of my life. I know that once some things happen, they can never be the same again, but I am really grateful that you still invited me to dinner today and spoke to me so calmly. If you ever need any help in the future, just say the word and I will definitely help you without hesitation."
As she spoke, Yao Yao picked up a napkin and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her gaze towards Yuan Bao was full of sincerity and determination.
Looking at the emotional Yao Yao, Yuan Bao felt a pang of emotion. She smiled gently, reached out and patted Yao Yao's hand lightly, saying, "Silly girl, why are you crying? We're here to have a happy meal today."
As Yuan Bao spoke, she picked up a juice glass and playfully shook it. "Come on, let's finish this juice and forget all the unhappy things. From now on, we'll only look at the happy things."
She blinked, tilted her head back and took a sip of juice, then smiled at Yao Yao, hoping to use her optimism and cheerfulness to completely dispel the gloom that shrouded the two of them.
As Yao Yao listened to Yuan Bao's words, a smile gradually appeared on her face, which was still streaked with tears.
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with gratitude, and her smile carrying a hint of relief.