Qin Shi kept approaching, but Shen Xian didn't dodge and just stood still, watching the person walking towards her. Her brow twitched intensely, her hands clenched tightly into fists, the reimbursement form in her grip already crumpled into a ball.
"Qin Shi, how have you been all these years?"
Shen Xian's throat was sour, looking at the Qin Shi before her, who was now so different from her past self.
She looked affluent and radiant, yet for some reason, looking into her eyes, Shen Xian inexplicably felt sad.
Hearing Shen Xian's words, Qin Shi raised an eyebrow and smirked with disdain. Her makeup was exquisite, with maturity in her eyes gained from experiences in the workplace.
"Shen Xian, I'm doing very well, much better than you hiding away like a scared turtle for three years."
The Qin Shi speaking now was no longer the timid, shy, and easily embarrassed little girl from those years ago.
It was clear that in these three years, she had rapidly grown and changed, shouldering the misfortunes life had dealt her, fighting against fate.
Now she stood there, graceful and confident, a strong presence.
Shen Xian remembered how after Bai Zhan's sacrifice three years ago, Qin Shi had vanished.
She didn't know what Qin Shi had been through in those three years, but if a person's demeanor could change so drastically so quickly, it must have been the result of enduring great pain and transformation.
"I'm sorry, Qin Shi."
"Why are you apologizing to me? Shen Xian, why say sorry to me? Am I the one you should be apologizing to?"
Tears welled up in Qin Shi's beautiful eyes as she grabbed Shen Xian's shoulders, as if she wanted her perfectly manicured nails to dig into her flesh, shaking Shen Xian while whispering her questions harshly.
Shen Xian, like a puppet without support, let herself be shaken, both women locked eyes, each dwelling in their sorrow.
After a while, Qin Shi let go of Shen Xian. She swept her slender fingers across her beautiful face as if she could just wipe away the invisible tears.
She stared at Shen Xian, bent down, and snatched the form clenched by Shen Xian's side, "I'll sign this for you."
Without waiting for Shen Xian's response, she turned around, spread the document on the desk, smoothed out the wrinkles with force, and after a brief pause with her hands bracing the desk, she quickly picked up the pen and signed her name.
"But tell me, Shen Xian, does your conscience truly not hurt? Parading as a hero, sitting in all your splendor at the top of Shen Fei's building, do you realize that Bai Zhan loved the sunlight the most?" As she spoke, she pulled up the half-drawn curtain entirely.
Shen Xian was thus left hanging in the light streaming through the glass. She unconsciously raised her hand to shield the dazzling light.
Qin Shi's emotions seemed to stabilize somewhat. She slapped the document against Shen Xian's chest, pressing hard into it.
"I really feel sorry for Bai Zhan! I hope you last longer here."
Qin Shi sneered, as if Shen Xian was nothing but an incapable wretch who had exchanged an accidental experience and a head full of empty honors for a bright future.
Shen Xian caught the document that was about to fall, unangered by Qin Shi's impoliteness and humiliation. She looked resolutely at Qin Shi and said, "Qin Shi, I won't let Bai Zhan's sacrifice be in vain."
"Well, I'll be watching!"
Qin Shi obviously didn't believe her, and with an air of indifference, she retorted once Shen Xian finished speaking, then turned and sat down in the swivel chair, turning her back to Shen Xian.
On the armrest of the chair, a red bracelet was looped around her delicate wrist, a few golden beads strung on it, the red and white and gold complementing each other beautifully, albeit somewhat mismatching Qin Shi's fashionable attire.
Shen Xian recognized that bracelet; it was handmade by Bai Zhan for Qin Shi's twenty-fourth birthday.
She had never forgotten him!
Bai Zhan, can you see? Your beloved still loves you.
We're all still here, none have forgotten you.
Shen Xian quietly left Qin Shi's office and shut the door behind her.
Gazing at the words "Financial Director" pasted on the door, she stood in a daze for a while before handing over the signed document to the young girl outside and returned dispiritedly to the thirty-fifth floor.
"Shen Xian, she didn't give you a hard time, did she?"
Upon seeing Shen Xian's return, Chen Nuo rushed over to ask anxiously.
Shen Xian shook her head and didn't look back at Chen Nuo.
"What's wrong with you?" Chen Nuo noticed something was off with Shen Xian; her clothes and hair seemed a bit disheveled, and her eyes were hollow.
"I'm fine, Chen Nuo. I just want to be alone for a bit." As they spoke, they arrived at the door to Shen Xian's office.