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Inside the spacious café, what should have been a warm atmosphere, thanks to the air conditioning, felt instead shrouded in a layer of cold frost amidst the whispers and murmurs of the crowd. The temperature seemed to drop significantly as every word and glance carried a chill, weaving through the air and enveloping the entire space in a subtle yet tense ambiance.
Shuwen's face flushed like a ripe apple, the vibrant color spreading from her cheeks to her ears, almost igniting with embarrassment. Her hands were nervously clasped together, fingers turning slightly white from the pressure, while her gaze remained lowered, avoiding the probing and speculative stares around her. Those gazes felt like countless tiny needles pricking at her skin, making her feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
In contrast, Ning Chen sat calmly on the sofa like a steady iceberg, his deep-set eyes resembling an unfathomable abyss that concealed his emotions. At that moment, his gaze drifted back to the snowflakes dancing outside the window. They fell gracefully, and he seemed completely absorbed in the snowy scene, as if everything that had just transpired in the café was nothing more than those snowflakes—lightly drifting down without leaving a trace in his heart.
Shuwen lowered her head even further, nearly burying herself in her collar. She could clearly hear the discussions around her; each word struck her heart like a heavy hammer. The buzzing voices in her ears made her feel incredibly awkward and embarrassed. Since she first joined the company, she had heard whispers about Ning Chen and Xiao Zong's ambiguous relationship. But from the moment she laid eyes on Ning Chen, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
She had once thought that if they truly had feelings for each other, there would be no reason for them not to be together. Yet now, reality felt like a bucket of cold water ruthlessly extinguishing the small flame of hope in her heart. Had she been too naive to think she still had a chance? Given the current situation, it seemed she had been overthinking; the cost of such thoughts was heartbreakingly high.
"Hey, isn't that Xiao Zong?"
Suddenly, an astonished voice broke through the oppressive atmosphere of the café.
"Wow! To see Xiao Zong here today is quite a treat!"
Another voice chimed in excitedly, brimming with enthusiasm.
People around began to turn their attention toward the entrance as the previously tranquil space transformed with Xiao Zong's appearance. An invisible current seemed to flow through the air; everyone appeared enchanted, their eyes fixed on that figure.
Xiao Zong stood at the entrance of the café, gently brushing off the melting snow from her shoulders. As she did so, flakes fell away like shattered crystals. She wore knee-high black leather boots that glistened with moisture from the melted snow, resembling a lake under a night sky.
Her delicate hands were red from the cold, akin to plum blossoms blooming in winter. Even her exquisitely made-up face bore a faint blush from the chill. She truly despised being cold.
"Xiao Zong."
"Xiao Zong."
Around her, various voices greeted her enthusiastically, rising and falling like waves.
This title, "Xiao Zong," took Xiao Xiao five years to slowly accept. Once, it had felt so foreign and heavy to her, but now she was gradually getting used to her role and status within the company.
She tucked her hands into the pockets of her coat, trying to absorb some warmth, and then strode confidently toward the front desk. Each step exuded a sense of assurance and composure, a demeanor honed from years of navigating the business world.
"One espresso, please. Thank you."
"Good to see you, Xiao Zong."
Ning Chen watched as Xiao Xiao approached the café from a distance. At that moment, he felt a subtle shift in his emotions, like ripples spreading across a calm lake.
Xiao Xiao didn’t notice Ning Chen’s gaze; she was simply thinking that it was lunchtime and she needed to be alert for her evening shift. She didn’t want to feel drowsy later, so she decided to take this opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee and relieve her fatigue.
After ordering her coffee, she finally caught sight of Ning Chen sitting by the window. Dressed in a black coat, he stood out distinctly in the crowd. His profile was sharp and defined, like it had been chiseled from stone. She could even see his long, curled eyelashes casting soft shadows on his eyelids.
Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but silently marvel at how long they had known each other, yet she had never noticed that he had such beautiful eyelashes.
However, her gaze quickly shifted to the petite woman sitting across from Ning Chen. Her brows furrowed slightly as an inexplicable emotion surged within her.
Xiao Xiao narrowed her beautiful eyes. Having switched from thick glasses to contact lenses, her gaze had become sharper.
"Ning Zong?"
She rarely called him "Ning Zong"; most of the time, she addressed him by his full name. This title carried a different connotation when it came from her lips, making the surrounding air feel noticeably tenser.
Ning Chen's heart skipped a beat as he turned his attention toward Xiao Xiao. A complex mix of emotions flickered in his eyes—surprise, joy, and a hint of fluster that he himself hadn’t realized.
"Xiao Xiao," he replied calmly. Yet if one listened closely, they could detect a subtle tremor in his voice.
"Yes," she said thoughtfully. "And who is this?"
Xiao Xiao approached directly, showing no signs of hesitation, her gaze fixed intently on Ning Chen. After greeting the waiter and signaling for coffee to be delivered to Ning Chen's table, she walked straight toward him.
Her delicate features bore little expression, yet it was precisely this lack of emotion that conveyed her attitude more clearly.
When Shu Wen saw Xiao Xiao, she felt a sudden rush of anxiety; her heart raced as if it were about to leap out of her throat.
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