Gao Yan did indeed want to get back together with Wan Wei. Back then, he was young and immature. He had regretted breaking up with her, but at that time he was busy with his studies. After graduation, he had good opportunities abroad, and maintaining a long distance relationship was difficult. So even if he wanted to ask for reconciliation, he didn’t have the ability to follow through.

Over time, those feelings faded.

Later, he heard she had a new boyfriend who was five years older than her. Later still, he heard she got married.

Men and women are very different, at least when it comes to relationships. Men fall in love quickly and fall out of love just as fast. They break up quickly and move on quickly.

However, the longer time passes, or if they don’t meet anyone better, they will always miss the past.

In this regard, men and women are actually the same.

Gao Yan had dated several girlfriends over the past few years. One of them had even reached the stage of discussing marriage, but they broke up in the end.

He and Wan Wei were in the same university club and had many mutual friends. Occasionally, he heard them talk about her. When Wan Wei got married, someone sent him a video of the wedding. The girl looked very happy. He thought she would live a better life after breaking up with him.

Then later, he heard she got divorced. She became a “Gold Medal Agent.” He often saw her photos in Yang Xiaole’s social media feed and occasionally caught glimpses of her in entertainment news. She didn’t seem affected by the divorce at all; instead, she became more dashing and had more character.

Even though they had been broken up for many years, he could still hear about her from many people.

…

Wan Wei finished the work at hand and leaned back in her chair. Just as she lit a cigarette, the phone on the table rang.

She glanced at it, exhaled a smoke ring gently, and picked up the phone.

Gao Yan: “Finished working? I was passing by. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”

Wan Wei smiled. “You seem to be passing by our company quite frequently lately.”

Gao Yan laughed low. “But you are often not at the company. What about today?”

Wan Wei checked the time. “Where are we eating?”

Gao Yan: “I’ve booked a table. Can you leave now? I’m already downstairs.”

Wan Wei extinguished her cigarette and picked up her bag. “I’m coming down now.”

The sky was gray and dim. Wan Wei walked out of the office building and saw Gao Yan’s Mercedes parked by the roadside from a distance. She walked over, opened the door, and sat in the passenger seat. Gao Yan smiled at her and started the car. “By the way, since I’m back in the country to develop my career, some old friends and classmates said they wanted to organize a class reunion. It’s this Saturday night.”

Wan Wei had heard Yang Xiaole mention it two days ago. Yang Xiaole was her best friend; they went to the same high school, same university, and were in the same club. The group had a very good relationship back then. Gao Yan had returned after getting “gold plated” abroad. Among their former classmates, he was one of those who had done very well for himself, so naturally, some classmates were eager to organize a reunion.

Seeing she didn’t make a sound, Gao Yan smiled. “Are you free on Saturday? Should I come to pick you up?”

Wan Wei answered truthfully, “I’m not sure yet.”

Gao Yan didn’t press her. “I’ll call you in advance that day.”

“Mm.”

…

In the Shiguang Media office, Yang Xun returned carrying takeout from Wan Wei’s favorite restaurant. Through the glass window, he saw that the lights in her office were already off.

Frowning, he grabbed a young girl passing by outside. “Where is Wan Wei?”

The girl replied, “Sister Wei? She left half an hour ago…”

A young man next to her added, “Oh right, I went downstairs to buy coffee just now and saw Sister Wei get into a Mercedes.”

Mercedes? Gao Yan.

Yang Xun’s frown deepened. “I got it.”

He shoved the food into the young man’s hands. “Ask who hasn’t eaten among those working overtime and share it.”

The young man quickly said, “Okay.”

Sister Wei had a bad temper, and Brother Yang had an even more explosive one. For the past three years, the two often clashed. Everyone on this floor knew it. Seeing Brother Yang like this, he was obviously unhappy.

The two assistants took the lunch boxes and quickly disappeared.

Yang Xun returned to his office and paced around twice, feeling incredibly annoyed. He had been showing goodwill frequently lately, but Wan Wei treated him like air. No wonder! Was she really thinking of rekindling an old flame with Gao Yan?!

It wasn’t that simple! He wouldn’t agree to it!

He walked out of the office quickly while calling that woman.

As soon as the call connected, he asked aggressively, “You went out to eat with Gao Yan?”

Wan Wei chuckled. “Yes. Is there a problem?”

Yang Xun took a deep breath. “Weiwei, I know that for the past two years, we’ve actually just been battling our egos. You still love me…”

“You’re full of shit!” Wan Wei interrupted him angrily. “Who the fuck still loves you, you bastard!”

Yang Xun’s brow twitched. Just as he was about to speak, the phone on the other end hung up.

Staring at the disconnected call, standing in the hallway, Yang Xun felt a sting in his heart. When he called back, she rejected it directly.

Yang Xun clutched his phone, furious but unable to do anything about her. He had no choice but to call Yang Xiaole. The call was answered quickly, and a leisurely voice asked, “Brother Yang, what’s up?”

Yang Xun lowered his voice. “Um… do you know where Weiwei and Gao Yan are eating?”

Yang Xiaole laughed lightly. “How would I know? They are adults. Weiwei has her own choices. Do they have to report to me where they go on a date? What, it’s been almost three years and you couldn’t lower your pride to ask for reconciliation. Now that you can’t find anyone suitable, or haven’t met anyone better, you want to eat the grass behind you?”

Yang Xun knew Yang Xiaole would mock him. Since he needed a favor, he kept his temper and said, “Weiwei and I have so many years of feelings; it can’t just dissipate like that. You also know that Weiwei actually can’t leave me…”

“How do you know she can’t leave you? You men are just self righteous! Don’t think Weiwei can’t live without you! There are plenty of people chasing her!”

Yang Xun felt helpless. “Can you wait for me to finish?”

This Yang Xiaole really was Wan Wei’s best friend; they said the exact same things.

Yang Xiaole huffed. “Speak then.”

Yang Xun: “I can’t leave her either.”

Yang Xiaole: “That sounds a bit more human.”

Yang Xun rubbed his temples. “Now can you tell me where she is?”

Yang Xiaole: “I told you, they are adults. Do they report to me when they go on a date?”

Yang Xun: “…”

Fine, he asked for nothing!

Yang Xiaole estimated she had angered him enough, so she spoke seriously. “I don’t know where they went to eat, but it’s just a meal. Nothing will happen, so don’t worry. However, I can tell you that Gao Yan organized a class reunion. It’s this Saturday. It’s all the students from the university club back then. You know Weiwei and Gao Yan met in that club. When everyone gathers, it’s inevitable to reminisce about university days. It’s very easy to trigger the fondest memories. You know what I mean.”

He knew shit! Wasn’t Wan Wei’s fondest memory with him? What did that Gao Yan have to do with anything!

Yang Xun held back his frustration. “Where is the location?”

Yang Xiaole kindly told him the location, then added, “Actually, I think Gao Yan isn’t any worse than you. He’s three or four years younger than you, came back to open a company, and is his own boss. If Weiwei marries him, she’ll be the boss’s wife…”

“If she wants to be a boss’s wife, I can make her one too!” Yang Xun snorted coldly. “I’ll treat you to dinner with Weiwei next time.”

Yang Xun had been in this industry for over a decade. His network was vast. It wouldn’t be hard for him to set up a studio; he just hadn’t wanted to do it.

If Wan Wei wanted to be a boss’s wife, with his and her abilities, it was absolutely no problem.

Saturday reunion, right?

Just wait.

…

On the other side, Wan Wei hung up the phone angrily, only to realize she was still in Gao Yan’s car. Gao Yan was looking at her with a smile. “Ex-husband?”

Wan Wei turned her head away, feeling a bit awkward. “Mm.”

Gao Yan didn’t ask further. He parked the car, reached out to rub her short hair, and said softly, “Let’s go eat first. It’s already past seven.”

Wan Wei paused. His hand was removed quickly. He opened the door and got out. Seeing him walk around the car to open the door for her, she quickly pushed her door open and stepped out. Gao Yan looked down at her. Wan Wei smiled. “Let’s go, I’m hungry.”

“Mm,” Gao Yan said.

Wan Wei was a bit distracted. Only when she arrived at the restaurant entrance did she notice that the place Gao Yan brought her to was the same Western restaurant as last time.

They sat in a window seat, a couple’s booth.

Wan Wei didn’t reject Gao Yan’s pursuit, but it felt a bit awkward. Too many years had passed. In between, she had experienced a marriage etched into her bones, and a man who had spoiled her like his life depended on it had appeared. Her first love… no matter how much she loved him before, had become somewhat insignificant.

There was no heart pounding joy of reuniting after a long separation. She felt very calm.

But it wasn’t like that with Yang Xun. After their divorce, they were like enemies. She was clearly trained by him, yet she was becoming less and less like him.

He couldn’t stand her methods, and she increasingly disdained his cautiousness.

They couldn’t speak more than a few sentences without arguing. He wouldn’t yield to her, and she didn’t want to admit defeat in front of him.

Battling egos. In fact, for these three years, they had both been battling their egos.

Neither was willing to bow their head.

Honestly, Wan Wei was a little tired. She didn’t have much time to keep battling with that man.

So, accepting Gao Yan’s pursuit wasn’t a bad thing.

After all, he was unmarried and she was single. Everyone had the right to choose. No one wanted to settle for less.

Gao Yan took charge of ordering. Seeing her zone out a bit, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Weiwei, are you that unhappy eating with me?”

Wan Wei looked at him and smiled. “No, I was thinking about some work matters.”

Gao Yan smiled. “It’s mealtime; no need to think about work. Work is never ending. You should relax properly right now.”

Wan Wei picked up her water glass and took a sip. “You’re right.”

Gao Yan said, “Do you want to go see a movie after dinner? I remember you loved watching movies. We used to go to the school theater every weekend.”

The tactics of a man trying to win back an old flame really couldn’t stray from reminiscing about the past.

Tickets at the school theater were cheap, and many movies were reruns, but they didn’t care. Watching movies was just a way for university couples to date. Being together was happiness enough. Holding hands and feeding each other snacks was distracting enough; who cared what movie was playing?

Wan Wei smiled. “Sure. It just so happens that a movie starring an artist I managed last year is out. The box office for The Heart Knot is quite good. You just came back, so you probably haven’t seen it, right?”

Gao Yan shook his head. “No. I’ve read reviews; it’s indeed a good film. The lead actress, Zhou Yining, is your artist, right? I saw the news about her before.”

They found topics like this to chat about until after the meal, then went to see the movie together.

Wan Wei had seen the movie long ago, but she wouldn’t get tired of it no matter how many times she watched. She was still engrossed in it.

Gao Yan turned his head to look at her. inside the dim theater, her gaze was focused, her profile soft and beautiful. The way she watched the movie was just like back in university: focused and immersed.

Youthful feelings are the most nostalgic.

Gao Yan missed the days when he dated Wan Wei in university more and more now. Simple, pure, without utilitarianism or distractions.

The movie ended very late. Wan Wei still had a lot of work tomorrow and just wanted to go back to rest early.

Gao Yan was tactful. “I’ll drive you back.”

Wan Wei nodded and said, “Okay, sorry to trouble you.”

Gao Yan smiled, looking a bit helpless. “Weiwei, is it my imagination? Why do I feel like you’ve become very polite with me, and a bit distant? We were lovers before; we know each other well.”

Wan Wei looked straight at him and told the truth. “It’s precisely because we were lovers before that it becomes polite and distant.”

Gao Yan pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose helplessly. “Alright. Then can I make a suggestion?”

Wan Wei stared at his habitual movement. Yang Xun also had a habit of pushing his glasses like that. “What?”

“Don’t be so polite with me, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

…

The car drove into the residential complex. Gao Yan saw the man leaning against his car, smoking.

He subconsciously looked at Wan Wei. She was also looking out the window, but she quickly turned her head back to look ahead.

The car stopped in front of Yang Xun. Gao Yan stopped Wan Wei. “Weiwei, you… is that man asking you for a reconciliation?”

Wan Wei thought of Yang Xun’s recent actions. “Probably.”

But it was too subtle.

Gao Yan smiled faintly. “Alright, I know.”

Wan Wei frowned. “What do you want to do?”

Gao Yan: “Nothing. I just feel that I can compete fairly with him.”

What was an ex-husband? He was an ex-boyfriend, a first love.

Both were “exes.” It was all the same.

Weibo Extra: Dong-ge the Waist Maniac

Fishnet stockings were popular this year, and Zhou Yining had bought several pairs. When Ji Dongyang returned home from the airport, she was matching clothes in the walk-in closet.

Zhengzheng’s excited voice came from outside: “Papa!”

Then, Coffee’s meows.

He was back.

Ji Dongyang scanned the room and asked Zhengzheng, “Where is Mama?”

Zhengzheng pointed his small hand toward the closet. “In there. She told me to wait outside and not disturb her.”

He added, “It’s been a long time.”

Ji Dongyang raised an eyebrow and put his son down. “I’ll go take a look.”

Coffee pawed at his pant leg with both claws. Ji Dongyang took a step, dragging the cat forward a step. He bent down to pet Coffee. “That’s enough.”

Coffee: Only one pet? No way! Continue pawing!

Ji Dongyang looked at Zhengzheng. Zhengzheng quickly went over to pick up Coffee. “Papa, you go quickly.”

Coffee had gained a lot of weight over the past two years. Zhengzheng struggled to hold him with his small body. Ji Dongyang smiled. They had agreed on a video call last night that they would go out to eat when he got home. The little guy was probably hungry.

Zhou Yining had just changed clothes and was about to go out when Ji Dongyang pushed the door open and entered. He stared at her heavily ripped jeans and the black fishnet stockings on her long, fair legs. His gaze moved up composedly to look at her face.

Zhou Yining raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Does it look good?”

Ji Dongyang scanned her wardrobe and offered a suggestion. “I think you would look better wearing something else.”

Meaning it didn’t look good?

With Ji Dongyang’s aesthetic, he indeed felt fishnet stockings didn’t look good. Even though Zhou Yining was beautiful and her legs were straight and long, he felt she could wear prettier clothes.

Zhou Yining complained that he didn’t understand fashion. Zhengzheng knocked on the door from outside. “Papa, Mama, when can we leave? I’m hungry.”

Zhou Yining quickly shouted, “Almost ready!”

She took a pair of short fishnet socks from the drawer, opened the door to let Zhengzheng and Coffee in, then picked up Coffee. She put the fishnet socks on Coffee’s furry paws and held them up to ask Ji Dongyang, “Does it look good?”

Ji Dongyang: “…”

After a few seconds, he said, “As long as you like it.”

“I’m going to shower. You and Zhengzheng get ready. We’ll leave in twenty minutes.”

When Ji Dongyang came out of the shower, Zhou Yining immediately pounced on him. “Does it really not look good?”

Just as Ji Dongyang was about to speak, Zhou Yining stepped back a few paces. She lifted her T-shirt. Low-rise jeans. That section of her waist, wrapped in black fishnet stockings, was slender, fair, and soft.

She smiled charmingly. “What about this? Does it look much better?”

The man stared at her waist and slowly walked toward her. His hands held her waist, his voice low. “Mm.”

…

Zhengzheng squatted at the door, drawing circles on the floor. “Are Papa and Mama not ready yet?”

Zhou Yining pushed Ji Dongyang away with satisfaction. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

…

PS: Dong-ge the waist maniac is hopeless. It’s his fatal weakness!

NOTES

Eat the grass behind you (吃回头草): A Chinese idiom meaning to go back to a previous partner or job. It implies returning to something one has previously discarded or left. 

Waist Maniac (小腰控): Someone obsessed with small waists.

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