Chapter 380 - 379: I Regret It

"What do you think?" Guan Wenwen asked, looking at Xue Yue.

Xue Yue chuckled lightly. "I don’t drink tea often, so I’m not much of an expert."

Guan Wenwen smiled. "To be honest, I don’t know much about it either. But my father always says that tea is like life—it’s always bitter before it’s sweet. I’ve always remembered that, so whenever I’m feeling down, I have a cup of tea."

After speaking, Guan Wenwen stared intently at Xue Yue, who met her gaze.

Xue Yue’s intuition told her that Guan Wenwen hadn’t invited her out just for a simple chat over tea, but she didn’t ask.

After a moment, Guan Wenwen suddenly smiled.

"Xue Yue, I’m actually quite envious of you. Even though you’re from the countryside, you’re beautiful and have a happy family. Those two things alone are enough to make anyone envious."

Xue Yue just smiled and said nothing.

"You saw him yesterday, didn’t you?"

Xue Yue asked, "What?"

Guan Wenwen said, "My fiancé."

Xue Yue paused, surprised. "So that really was you at the hotel yesterday. I only glanced over and wasn’t sure."

Guan Wenwen nodded. "It was me. Actually, I’ve never told anyone what my family does here in Beijing City."

The corners of Xue Yue’s lips curved up. "I could tell. You must come from a good family."

Guan Wenwen then slowly began to tell Xue Yue about her family background. "My father is the director of a clothing factory, and my mom works at the sub-district office. I have older brothers and sisters, but they’re all married. I’m the youngest."

Xue Yue was surprised, but not shocked.

"You really do have a good family background. But if your family owns a clothing factory, why are you working at a clothing store?"

Guan Wenwen pressed her lips together. "I actually mentioned it when I first started. I just liked the decor in your store. I thought it was unique and wanted to experience life for a bit. My eye for coordinating outfits was trained from a young age, following my dad around the factory."

As she spoke, Guan Wenwen leaned back in her chair. "But now I regret it. I never should have come."

Xue Yue watched her, her heart skipping a beat.

Guan Wenwen looked at Xue Yue and continued, "Xue Yue, I don’t envy how great your own circumstances are. I’m just jealous that you found such a good husband."

Xue Yue’s pupils contracted. ’So that’s why she asked me here today.’ She finally understood.

"So—you’re trying to tell me you like He Lang." It was a statement, not a question.

Guan Wenwen nodded, chuckling softly.

"Yes. Is that surprising?"

"I originally planned to just work at the store for a little while and then leave. But... some people are just born to be dazzling. Even when you know he can never be yours, you can’t control your heart. I thought I was doing a good job of hiding it, and I even wanted to quit several times, thinking that leaving might make me feel better. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. And so, I’ve held on for five years."

"Sometimes I wonder, did you never see this coming? The store is full of single, eligible young women. Spending every day with a man who is so outstanding in every way... did you think there would be no reaction? Look at Yang Wenxiu and Shitou—they got together."

"It’s not that I never thought about competing with you. You’re outstanding, but I’m not bad myself. Plus, my family background is better than yours; I could help him so much with his career. But when I finally worked up my courage, I lost the second he opened his mouth. I won’t deny it, He Lang is a loyal man, and that’s part of why I like him. But at the same time, it’s depressing. I wish he weren’t so devoted. Even now, I’m just filled with resentment."

Xue Yue’s fingers curled. "You confessed to He Lang?"

Guan Wenwen laughed, a very strange laugh.

"He didn’t tell you? —Right. If you knew, you probably wouldn’t be so calm with me."

Xue Yue’s gaze darkened.

"So—you just brought me here today to tell me that you like He Lang, and he doesn’t like you back?"

Guan Wenwen’s smile froze on her face, then she said self-deprecatingly, "Because I’m getting married. It was arranged by my family. My fiancé is the man from yesterday. His family background is comparable to mine. After we get married, I’ll probably become a housewife, dedicating my life to my husband and children."

Guan Wenwen looked at the cup of tea before her, which had already gone cold. She picked it up and drank it. As expected, cold tea was bitter.

Guan Wenwen took a deep breath, then said to Xue Yue, "I’m telling you all this today because I’ve decided to give up. At the same time, I’m reminding you: He Lang—is an amazing man. I hope you cherish him."

"I don’t need you to remind me. That’s between my husband and me." This was the first time Xue Yue had spoken so harshly to Guan Wenwen.

Guan Wenwen’s gaze merely flickered before she stood up.

"Good. I’ll personally hand my resignation letter to He Lang tomorrow. Goodbye."

With that, Guan Wenwen left.

Xue Yue sat there for a long time without moving.

Finally, someone came over and asked, "Comrade, your tea is cold. Would you like a hot refill?"

Only then did Xue Yue look up at her and take out money from her bag.

"It’s already been paid for."

Xue Yue nodded, then stood up and left in a bit of a daze.

Xue Yue returned home to an empty house. She had dropped the children off at her brother’s place since she was going out.

So, she went over to her brother’s.

Xue Xingzhou wasn’t home. Zhang Qian was watching the three children play.

Seeing Xue Yue come in, she asked casually, "All done with your business?"

Xue Yue nodded. "My brother went out?"

"Mhm, he went to buy groceries. You should have lunch here, too. Otherwise, you’ll have to cook when you get back, and it’s not like they’re home anyway."

This was the difference between working for a state-owned enterprise and being self-employed. They had fixed days off, whereas He Lang and his staff, despite seeming to have flexible schedules, rarely had any real time to rest.

Xue Yue nodded. "Okay."

At lunch, Xue Xingzhou noticed that Xue Yue had been quiet. "You’re not in high spirits today?"

Xue Yue looked up at her brother and shook her head. "No, I’m fine."

Xue Xingzhou said, "You’ve barely said a word today. It’s not like you."

Xue Yue smiled slightly. "Don’t talk while you eat. It’s a rule even Shiyi knows."

Zhang Qian laughed too. "Your brother is always overthinking things. I doubt anyone would dare to upset you these days, except maybe your boss. But since your boss is also your dad, he’d be even less likely to criticize you."

"Dad is only the deputy. There’s still a director above him," Xue Xingzhou corrected.

"Ah, close enough. Our Yue’er is so capable—getting promoted and recognized for her merits in such a short time. Her superiors wouldn’t have the heart to scold her."

"That’s true," Xue Xingzhou agreed. In his heart, his little sister was, of course, outstanding.

Xue Yue said helplessly, "You two, stop flattering me. I was just a bit lucky, and my skills are decent, but it’s not like my superiors wouldn’t dare to say a word to me."

Zhang Qian laughed. "Well, you’re still doing better than me. Sigh, I’m stuck in my position. Why can’t my editor-in-chief see my potential?"

Xue Xingzhou said, "Well, I never see you guys out chasing stories. If you stay in the office all day, where is the news supposed to come from?"

Zhang Qian huffed. "Some people do, but not me. I may not be fetching tea and water anymore, but I’m still just a grunt. I don’t get to touch any of the core work. All I do is edit a few manuscripts every day. It’s so boring."