NCCnovel Chapter 168 Reunited with an Old Flame on That Rainy Evening
Chapter 168 Reunited with an Old Flame on That Rainy Evening
Cheng Ran left the conference room, where the atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost stagnant. This long business meeting was like a battle without gunpowder, with opinions from all sides clashing fiercely, and every decision being made was accompanied by countless weighings and games.
He dragged his weary body slowly out of the office building with its glass curtain wall. At that moment, the afterglow of the setting sun was like a thin golden veil, gently draped over the city's shoulders, outlining the towering buildings and crisscrossing streets in a dreamlike, golden and soft manner.
He raised his hand and gently rubbed his throbbing temples, trying to relieve the waves of fatigue that washed over him. His mind was still filled with the data, plans, and arguments from the meeting; his taut nerves were like a fully drawn bow, on the verge of snapping at any moment.
He desperately longed to find a quiet place where he could rest his mind and body for a moment. The little shop on the street with its rich coffee aroma was undoubtedly his "place of salvation" at that moment. Just thinking about the mellow taste of the coffee seemed to give him a renewed sense of vitality.
Cheng Ran merged into the bustling crowd and walked slowly along the street. The shops lined the street one after another, and soft, soothing music flowed from each open door. This music intertwined with the noisy voices of people and the honking of vehicles on the street, forming a unique urban "symphony".
However, Cheng Ran had no time to appreciate any of this; his mind was completely occupied by the cup of coffee he was about to drink.
As he mechanically moved past a dessert shop, he casually glanced up. Through the bright, clean window, which resembled a giant crystal, a figure all too familiar entered his field of vision without warning.
In that instant, his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, his whole body froze in place, all his thoughts were instantly emptied, and only that familiar outline remained in his mind.
That figure was actually Su Xuan! Cheng Ran felt a buzzing in his head, as if he had been struck by lightning, and froze on the spot, unable to move.
She stood before the dessert shop counter, her figure still as light and graceful as a butterfly that might take flight at any moment. Her simple beige dress, seemingly casual, perfectly accentuated her beautiful figure. The hem of the dress swayed gently with every movement, each sway seeming to stir Cheng Ran's heart.
Her long hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, a few strands shimmering with a dazzling golden luster in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if deliberately reminding Cheng Ran of the time they had spent together but could never return.
Cheng Ran's gaze was held captive by a powerful magnet, unable to look away even a fraction. A flood of memories surged through his mind: their passionate love, their heated arguments, and Su Xuan's resolute departure during their divorce.
Cheng Ran's breathing became rapid, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, as if it would burst out of his chest. His hands clenched into fists involuntarily, his nails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain. At this moment, his eyes were only on Su Xuan, the woman he had once loved madly, and who had also been hurt deeply by him.
He never imagined that on such an ordinary evening, outside an ordinary dessert shop, they would meet again in such an unsuspecting way.
He had imagined countless times what it would be like to see her again, whether at a lively class reunion or at a bustling street corner, and each time he carefully prepared his words and expressions.
However, at this moment, all his assumptions vanished the instant he saw her. He was like a helpless child, standing there blankly, letting the flood of memories overwhelm him.
He never imagined that on such an ordinary evening, outside an unremarkable dessert shop, they would meet again in such an unguarded way. He had spent countless sleepless nights imagining their reunion.
Or at a lively class reunion, he would appear before her in a suit and tie, charming and debonair, expressing his longing for her over the years with the most affectionate eyes and the gentlest words; or at a bustling street corner, he would pretend to brush past her unintentionally, then call out her name with surprise and give her a warm and affectionate hug.
Each time, he meticulously prepared his words and expressions, his words like heartfelt poems and his expressions like carefully crafted paintings, all so that he could present himself perfectly to her at the moment of their reunion.
However, at this moment, when her figure truly appeared before him, all his assumptions and preparations vanished in an instant. He felt a "boom" in his head, as if the whole world had stopped spinning. Everything around him became blurry, except for her figure, which was so clear and so dazzling.
He stood helplessly in the dark, like a child suddenly lost in the darkness, his legs feeling as heavy as lead, unable to move an inch. Memories of the past overwhelmed him like a surging torrent.
Those sweet moments, those scenes of arguments, those vows of eternal love and those heartless words flashed through his mind like a movie, causing his heart to ache in waves, a pain so intense that he could hardly breathe.
His eyes gradually welled up with tears, which swirled in his eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall. He was afraid that if he shed tears, he would completely expose his vulnerability and wretchedness in front of her.
Just as he was lost in his memories of the past, Su Xuan had already led Nianci out of the dessert shop. Her gaze lingered briefly on Cheng Ran before she lowered her head slightly, as if avoiding something. In that instant, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes—surprise, embarrassment, and a barely perceptible hint of longing.
"I never expected to run into you here," Su Xuan broke the silence first, her voice trembling slightly. Her lips quivered as if she had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to begin.
She tried to make her voice sound calm, but the slight tremor betrayed her inner turmoil.
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Cheng Ran's body jolted violently, as if struck by lightning. He slowly raised his head, and the moment his gaze met Su Xuan's, time seemed to stand still.
His eyes were filled with pain, doubt, and deep affection, a complex mix of emotions that made them incredibly intricate.