Buying Osmanthus and Wine for a Journey

"How about it? Feeling nostalgic?" Wang Jiao rested her chin on her hands, smiling as she looked at her friend across from her. "Back when you were in the Imperial Capital, you especially loved coming to lively places like this at night."

Wen Ruan withdrew her gaze and said Wen Ruan, "Actually, it's alright. It's just that I'm revisiting a familiar place, and I have a lot of memories."

"Of course! The last time you came to Imperial Capital was two years ago when I got married. Time flies!"

Then, the two started talking about their work.

Her Wen Ruan eyes were filled with emotion.

After graduating from university Wang Jiao successfully passed the entrance exam for the graduate program in journalism and communication at her alma mater. After graduating with her master's degree, she joined Imperial Capital TV Station through a campus recruitment program.

As a public institution directly under the City Hall, my household registration was quickly resolved, and I became a new resident of the Imperial Capital.

Later, she married a colleague who worked as a director at the TV station, and they bought a house in Yao Jia Yuan.

Last year, I got a license plate for New Energy vehicle through the registration process and bought a Tesla Model Y.

Now I have an easy job, a car, a house, and both sets of parents are in good health.

This fulfilled her dream from university: to Anjia in the bustling international metropolis of Imperial Capital.

Of course, this was once her dream too.

Now Sun Simin has also reached this point.

In comparison, she was indeed the worst off among all her roommates.

Employees of a media company in Yancheng, an ordinary second-tier city.

Although there is income from a side job, the work is easy and not stressful, but the future is uncertain.

Soon, the food they ordered was served.

M5 Filet Mignon, sausage platter, avocado nachos, tuna Nice ...

Wang Jiao cut a piece of steak, took a bite, looked at Wen Ruan across from her, and said softly, "Ruan Ruan, have you ever considered returning to the Imperial Capital? I can help you get a referral. With your outstanding abilities, it's a waste for you to stay in your hometown."

She had worked at the television station for nearly five years and also had a very capable husband.

Actually, they have a pretty good network of contacts.

It's not difficult to help arrange a suitable job for you.

"No need, I'm fine as I am." Wen Ruan picked up a sausage for her and smiled, "Xingyun International is opening a branch in Yancheng. I'm planning to invest internally to try my luck. It shouldn't be a big problem."

"It seems you still want to stay in your hometown. Fine then," Wang Jiao said with some regret. "I know quite a few excellent men here in Imperial Capital. Their age, education, and family background are all suitable for you. With your qualifications, you have a wide range of choices."

Being unmarried at 30 is not particularly remarkable in a metropolis like Imperial Capital.

In particular, Wen Ruan Ruan's figure and appearance are still outstanding, or rather, she is more mature and sexy than she was a few years ago.

After a moment of silence, she said Wen Ruan, "Forget it, I'm fine now."

She did not intend to reveal Tang Song's existence to these former classmates.

Even if they were together, it would be difficult for them to make their relationship public.

If that's the case, then why show others such a glamorous facade?

After she finished speaking, she looked carefully at Wang Jiao, whom she hadn't seen for more than two years.

What you see on Moments and in videos is her with beauty filters; in reality, she shows obvious signs of aging.

However, you can still vaguely see the youthful and lively girl she was in college.

I guess I am one of them.

Time is truly an unstoppable force.

Green vines climb along the trellis beside the terrace railing, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze.

The two reminisced while enjoying the delicious food.

The awkwardness of not seeing each other for a long time gradually disappeared.

After finishing the meal, Wang Jiao paid the bill herself.

The two strolled from the Taikoo Li South District to the north section.

Looking at the dazzling array of high-end luxury goods in the store, Wang Jiao sighed, "When I was in college, I really, really wanted an LV bag. I dreamed about it all the time. I felt it was the most beautiful and best bag in the world. After graduating with my master's degree, I finally saved up A sum of money and excitedly came here. I looked around for a long, long time, but in the end, I still spent a few hundred yuan on a lipstick."

She paused for a moment, then said, "This is probably what it means to want to buy osmanthus flowers and share wine, but it's never the same as the carefree days of youth."

She nodded Wen Ruan, seemingly feeling the same way.

After leaving the streets of the North District, the two continued north to the shimmering Liangma River.

The streetlights cast a soft glow on the pedestrian walkway.

Men and women jogging at night, elderly people taking a walk, couples holding hands, families of three with children...

I brushed past them.

The Liangma River is full of life in early summer.

The brightly lit skyscrapers, reflected in the river, create a vibrant cityscape at night.

Wen Ruan gazed at a tall building flashing neon lights, a complex mix of emotions flickering in her eyes.

That was where she worked for five years.

The period before she left the Imperial Capital was also the lowest and most depressed phase of her life.

The brighter the lights, the more I want to escape.

He fell into a state of self-doubt and self-denial.

I just want to find a You Guang place to lie down Jingjing.

Even now, thinking back on it, I still feel a bit short of breath.

On the way back.

Wang Jiao pointed to the young people sitting together on the lawn playing guitar and singing, and said with a smile, "I still remember that night in my junior year of college, when Zheng Jinpeng was downstairs with his guitar and sang Wang Leehom's ' The "Things You Don't Know"' for you."

He'll be at Si Min's wedding this time, and he even offered to be a groomsman. I bet he's still got his eye on you and wants to rekindle their romance as bridesmaids.

"So many years have passed, Zheng Jinpeng has had two or three girlfriends, and you still tease me about him." Wen Ruan smiled lightly.

University is also a wonderful memory for her.

Looking back, I feel mostly relaxed and nostalgic.

We studied together, read together, watched the stars together on the Sports Field, and talked about everything under the sun, including our dreams...

"Who told you to be so charming? I don't know how many boys in our school are your White Moonlight." Wang Jiao pinched her cheek, took out her Mobile Phone from her bag, searched for a while, opened a photo and shared it on her WeChat, "Do you remember this photo? It was taken by me with my camera during a painting class in college."

A few days ago, when I was helping Si Min prepare a wedding memory video, I found this photo on my QQ Zone.

To be honest, back in college you were someone we roommates were incredibly envious of.

Wen Ruan opened her Mobile Phone and glanced at it, then paused, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

This must have been taken during my junior year of college.

At that time, she had already integrated into the prestigious Imperial Capital Normal University.

Immersed in the vibrant and positive campus environment, I am filled with hope for the future and feel that I can become anyone I want to be.

Back then, I had short hair, and being vain, I dyed it a beautiful and unique purple.

She was twenty years old once too.

Dewy skin, youthful and vibrant body, and a youthful and energetic mindset.

The images of the Tang Song gradually emerged in my mind.

Twenty years old, the most radiant and passionate age, a time of Tian Tian romance.

If I were the person I was back then and met him now, I would definitely pounce on him without hesitation and compete with all my rivals.

"It's a pity I can never go back," she whispered.

Noticing her best friend's sudden drop in mood, Wang Jiao quickly comforted her with a playful laugh, "Ruan Ruan, you're actually becoming more and more feminine, and your charm is only increasing. If those guys who used to chase after you saw you now, they'd definitely have countless midnight dreams of you again."

"Hehe, you make it sound like I'm the one who's always trying to provoke people. I'm the only one in our dorm who never had a boyfriend in college."

"It's because you have high standards!"

A corner of the parking lot.

The black Tesla turned on its headlights.

Wang Jiao stood by the car with a happy smile on her face. "I need to go back to sleep early. I can't stay up late now. The reason is... don't tell anyone, okay? I'm pregnant."

"Ah!" Wen Ruan surprise, then exclaimed in delight, "How long has it been!?"

"It's only been four weeks, and we've been trying to conceive for almost a year. My husband is making me some white fungus soup right now, and he keeps urging me to come home." Wang Jiao touched her belly. "It's hard to believe that there's a little life growing inside me. It's such a magical feeling."

"Great! Now you should head back quickly, drive carefully on the road! Let me know when you get home."

"Okay, bye-bye." Wang Jiao hugged her tightly. "Also, Ruan Ruan, you should start thinking about settling down too."

I watched the Tesla merge into the traffic and disappear into the night.

Wen Ruan withdrew her gaze, the smile on her face gradually fading. She silently lowered her head and walked forward with all her might.

The thick-soled shoes made a "clack-clack-clack" sound as they stepped on the stone pavement.

A few minutes later, they returned to the entrance of the Lavande Hotel.

Wen Ruan stood in the evening breeze, lost in thought.

Youth, dreams, and love.

These were the three things I cherished most in the past.

She has now lost the first two, and it seems unlikely that the last one will be fulfilled.

She no longer has the courage and confidence she once had when it comes to her career and love.

Now, my decision to return to Xingyun International is merely a temporary refuge from the storm.

What about the future...?

What will my future hold...?

I will probably never become the person I imagined myself to be when I was 20.

Wen Ruan bit her teeth hard.

Looking up, the sky is dotted with stars, like jewels set in the black sky.

The prosperity of the Imperial Capital had not yet disturbed her heart, but the bullet from many years ago had already struck her right between the eyebrows.