"What's wrong?" Lin Yu asked softly with concern.
"Nothing, I need to use the restroom." Jiang Yan stood up flustered and hurried out.
"What's going on with sister-in-law?" Shen Yuxuan and Zhou Chen exchanged puzzled glances.
Lin Yu didn't respond but picked up the card from the bouquet. It bore a simple English phrase: "Miss you much."
Nothing else was written.
The handwriting was strong and elegant. Lin Yu guessed Jiang Yan had recognized it, hence her reaction.
Could it be him?
Thinking of Jiang Yan's panic, Lin Yu felt a pang in his heart. In all their time together, he had never seen her so distraught.
So we finally meet?
Lin Yu's grip on the card tightened, his knuckles turning white.
Let me see what kind of extraordinary person you are.
Though Lin Yu wasn't deeply in love with Jiang Yan, she was still his wife. Her heart belonged to another man, which was hard for anyone to accept.
Lin Yu had long wanted to see this man, and now he had the chance.
"Jiarong, is everything okay?" Shen Yuxuan had never seen Lin Yu look so serious.
"Jiarong, do you know who this man is? Don't worry, this is my event. I can have him escorted out immediately." Zhou Chen spoke confidently. It wasn't a boast; he could indeed have anyone removed, as the security was all his people.
"It's fine." Lin Yu calmly placed the card back and smiled. "I'm used to this. When you have a beautiful wife, you learn to handle this kind of pressure."
"Haha, exactly. It can't be helped. Sister-in-law is stunning."
"Right? You're lucky, Jiarong."
Zhou Chen and Shen Yuxuan laughed heartily.
"Jiarong, don't worry. You're the only son-in-law I recognize. The rest can get lost!" Jiang Jingren took a sip of wine, speaking earnestly.
"Sir, what about the flowers?" The waiter was sweating, unsure what to do. The person who sent the flowers was also someone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Are you stupid? Can't you understand?" Shen Yuxuan slammed the table in frustration.
"Give them to me." Lin Yu waved him off, took the flowers, and placed them aside without another word, urging everyone to eat.
It took half an hour for Jiang Yan to return. She had regained her composure, but the faint redness in her eyes told Lin Yu she had been crying.
"Sorry."
Jiang Yan apologized for her earlier behavior. When she noticed the roses on the table, her expression changed again. She grabbed them angrily, about to throw them away.
But Lin Yu caught her wrist. "Some things can't be resolved by running away."
Jiang Yan paused at his words.
Lin Yu guided her hand to place the flowers back on the table. "I know you want to let go and have been trying to. But throwing them away or crushing them only shows you still care. When you can look at them calmly, without any emotion, that's when you've truly moved on."
Jiang Yan trembled slightly, her eyes reddening. She didn't speak, just withdrew her hand.
"Let's eat. We can talk after dinner."
Zhou Chen and Shen Yuxuan, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject.
"Jiang Yan, do you like the flowers I sent you?"
A deep, magnetic voice sounded behind Jiang Yan.
She shuddered, her hands trembling uncontrollably. She fumbled on the table, desperately seeking something to hold onto.
Suddenly, a warm, strong hand grasped hers. She instantly calmed down and turned to see Lin Yu looking at her gently. He smiled and said, "I'm here."
Still holding Jiang Yan's hand, Lin Yu stood up and turned to face the man he had long wanted to meet.
The man was tall and handsome, wearing a well-fitted suit that highlighted his athletic build. Clearly, he worked out regularly.
Beside him was a woman in her twenties, wearing a champagne-colored gown adorned with diamonds, a necklace, and a diamond hairpin. She exuded luxury and wealth, unmistakably a rich socialite.
Her features were pretty, but her slightly sallow skin paled in comparison to Jiang Yan's fairness. She couldn't hide her jealousy when looking at Jiang Yan.
"Hello, I'm Jiang Yan's husband, He Jiarong." Lin Yu extended his hand.
"Hello, I'm Jiang Yan's good friend, Li Junyi." Li Junyi smiled and shook Lin Yu's hand, but he subtly increased his grip.
He expected Lin Yu, with his slender build, to cry out in pain.
To his surprise, Lin Yu remained expressionless. Instead, Li Junyi felt a tremendous force crushing his hand, sending sharp pain through his chest.
Fortunately, Lin Yu released his hand before he could cry out.
Li Junyi shook his hand discreetly behind his back, his eyes narrowing with hostility. It seemed Jiang Yan's "useless" husband had some strength.
He had returned to Qinghai not only for the raw stone auction but also to see Jiang Yan. He had gathered all information about her beforehand.
Knowing He Jiarong was a good-for-nothing living off his wife, he asked, "Mr. He, you're lucky to have married Jiang Yan. Where do you work?"
"I'm currently unemployed." Lin Yu felt a bit embarrassed but maintained his composure.
"Oh? So Jiang Yan supports you? How enviable." Li Junyi's tone was mocking, his eyes briefly flicking toward Jiang Yan.
"With Jiarong's skills, finding a job paying millions a year would be effortless!" Shen Yuxuan, annoyed by Li Junyi's arrogance, retorted. If the auction weren't about to start, he would have thrown a punch.
"Skills? What skills does a useless person have? The skill of living off his wife?" Li Junyi laughed arrogantly, then said coldly to Jiang Yan, "Jiang Yan, I thought you left me for someone remarkable. Instead, you found a废物 (fèiwù - waste) who can't even support himself!"
He suppressed his anger, his words dripping with bitterness, still resentful that Jiang Yan had left him.
Jiang Yan pressed her lips together, remaining silent.
"Husband~!" The socialite tugged at his arm, pouting.
"Sorry, darling. I told you, she's in the past." Li Junyi patted her hand and said to Jiang Yan, "Sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is my wife, Shen Aijia, daughter of the Ling'an Municipal Party Committee Secretary."
He spoke with pride, as if to show Jiang Yan how inferior her choice was compared to his.
Jiang Yan lowered her head, overwhelmed by painful memories.
Sweet moments from the past felt like sharp blades, shredding her heart.
The image of Li Junyi with another woman haunted her, a nightmare she couldn't escape.
She couldn't believe that her first love, who had vowed eternal loyalty in the morning, was with someone else by night.
Li Junyi had even blamed her, claiming that if Jiang Yan hadn't refused him, he wouldn't have sought other women.
This was why Jiang Yan had suffered all these years, wondering if her conservatism had caused the breakup.
Since then, she had lost faith in men, which was why she had married He Jiarong without resistance.
"Mr. Li, the auction is about to start. Please go upstairs and prepare."
Zhou Chen, seeing the tension, stood up and gestured for Li Junyi to leave.
Li Junyi snorted, adjusted his suit, and left with his wife.
"What an asshole! Who does he think he is?" Shen Yuxuan cursed under his breath.
"Actually, he is quite capable. After returning from Yale three years ago, he started his own jewelry company. In just two years, he became a major player in Ling'an's jewelry industry. Though his father-in-law helped, his talent is undeniable."
Zhou Chen sighed. "I heard he's planning to open a branch in Qinghai. The city's propaganda department invited him. After the auction, he'll speak as an outstanding returnee. I can't afford to offend him."
"More like a sea turtle (海龟 - háiguī, homophone for returnee)! Look how he flaunts himself, nose in the air." Shen Yuxuan was furious, feeling Lin Yu had been wronged. He didn't understand why Lin Yu hadn't reacted to the insults.
Lin Yu was equally frustrated, but causing a scene wasn't an option.
Moreover, Li Junyi's taunts were based on facts. He had to endure them, thanks to He Jiarong's lack of achievement.
He knew Jiang Yan was suffering even more.
"If you're upset, we can leave," Lin Yu whispered to Jiang Yan.
After a moment, Jiang Yan shook her head. "Didn't you say running away doesn't help? The only way to move on is to face it."
She looked up, her resolve firm, and gently linked her arm with Lin Yu's. "Let's go upstairs."
"Okay, let's go upstairs."
Lin Yu held her hand, his voice soft but determined. "I promise you tonight, I will reclaim everything you've lost over the years."