Chapter 996: A Momentary Slip of the Tongue
Ling Sheng was overjoyed. Isn’t this the diary she had seen when she saw Dongfang Chu? She was a little excited as she pointed at it and asked, “Didn’t you say there isn’t such a thing? What’s that?”
Dongfang Meng was also taken aback. She had seen this diary before—it was her sister’s—and was very familiar with it. Hadn’t it been burned along with her other belongings long ago? Why would it appear here?
Ling Sheng bent down to pick up the diary.
Dongfang Meng beat her to it and entered the pa.s.sword with a pair of trembling hands. Then, they watched as the diary actually unlocked.
Initially, Ling Sheng had still been wondering what excuse she would use to explain how she knew the pa.s.sword later or where she got the skill to open a book that was locked with a pa.s.sword. She had not expected Dongfang Meng to open it directly, but it saved her the trouble.
They were biological sisters after all. Dongfang Meng really loved her older sister. Presumably, Dongfang Chu must have doted on this younger sister a lot too. The relationship between the sisters was so close that they even knew each other’s secrets. Something like a pa.s.sword really wasn’t something that just anyone could know lightly.
Dongfang Meng did not suspect anything about Ling Sheng. After all, she had always treated her as a little wacko. It wasn’t strange that she had guessed it right while talking drivel. Besides, it was only a momentary slip of her tongue because she wanted to gain the upper hand in the argument. She had not expected her blind guess to hit the nail on the head. There really was a diary from her older sister.
The look in Yan Yuanfei’s eyes was profound as he looked at the young girl squatting on the ground, stretching her head out to peek at someone else’s diary. The suspicion in his heart grew heavier.
It was definitely not a coincidence.
How did Sheng Sheng know?
Ever since she had started talking about Dongfang Chu, she kept arguing strongly that it was not his or Shui Shui’s fault.
Ling Sheng wanted to see exactly what had been written. Alas, she could not see it even if she extended her head. Dongfang Meng had blocked everything from her sight. She was so annoying. She looked at her and said, “Place it in the middle.”
Dongfang Meng said, “This is my sister’s belonging. Why should I show it to you?”
Ling Sheng said, “I found this! Is it a diary? What’s written on it?”
Dongfang Meng glared at her in disdain and dismissed her in a low voice. “Back off!”
Ling Sheng tsked and let out a snort. “You petty meanie!”
Dongfang Meng just wouldn’t let Ling Sheng look at it. Of course, she had to be the first to look at her sister’s stuff. She pointed at the words at the beginning of the diary and said, “For my younger sister’s eyes only. Do you see it?”
Ling Sheng sniffled and sat on the ground, cushioned by two books. She watched as Dongfang Meng sat in front of Dongfang Chu’s tombstone and started reading the diary.
The more Dongfang Meng read, the more she felt that the contents of the diary were strange. In the diary, it recorded information about a man. However, from beginning to end, there was no mention of the man’s name. Her sister had only used the word ‘he’ to subst.i.tute that man. He was the man she loved deeply, or rather, the man she had an unrequited love for.
The first diary entry started when she met the man in the diary.
She wrote:
[96.10.23]
In the past, I never believed that there was love at first sight in the world. It was only until I met him that I realized that there was really ‘a thousand years with a glance[1]’. When I looked at him, my heart pounded wildly. I know that I like this man. I’m certain.
[96.11.14]
I once told Shui Shui that if she liked someone, as long as she did not violate basic human ethics, she should woo him, love him. During a lifetime, one has to experience a pa.s.sionate love once in order to not have come to earth in vain. After much hesitation, I found someone to give me his residential address. I wrote him a letter. This is the first time I’ve invited a man to meet me.
[96.11.15]
He didn’t come. I waited at the cafe until the sun set. I told myself that he would definitely come, but until the end, I was all alone.
Later, I went to the entrance of his house. I saw his butler take out all the letters in the mailbox. I chased after him and asked if he had received any letters. Perhaps he didn’t receive or see it. That’s why he didn’t show up.
The butler said that he would never read these letters. The letters would be burned and disposed of by his subordinates.
At that moment, I was very happy. It’s not that he didn’t keep the appointment. He just didn’t see the letter.
[1996.11.20]
I don’t like attending banquets. I’ve always felt that they’re very annoying. I might as well stay at home and read my books quietly. But now, I’ll specially ask around to find out which banquet he will attend in the capital.
I waited and waited. Later, I found out that he doesn’t like attending banquets either. Look, even our preferences are identical.
[96.12.1]
I finally came face-to-face with him. At a dinner table, I sat on one side while he sat on the other end. He was so dazzling, polite, and gentlemanly.
When he was eating, for the first time in my life, I didn’t even dare to raise my head to look at him.
It turns out that liking someone can really cause one to become timid and feel inferior.
…
[97.2.14]
Today is Valentine’s Day in the West. I met him again after three months.
I lost an earring. It was a tourmaline earring my younger sister had given me. It’s very important to me. I hurried back to find it. When I lifted my head, I saw the man standing nearby, across from me.
His a.s.sistant came over with an earring and asked, “Ms. Dongfang, may I ask if you’re looking for this?”
I wonder why he didn’t hand it to me personally. To date, I have yet to speak a word to him.
How had I become like this? I’m not behaving like me at all.
As I held the earring, I remembered that it’s Valentine’s Day in the West today. And I happened to meet him on this day by chance. It must be fate bestowed on me by G.o.d.
…
[97.4.18]
I plucked up the courage to speak to him today.
“Mhm,” he said.
I think he definitely doesn’t like to talk. When he answers other people’s questions, he always uses ‘Mhm’ as a subst.i.tute too. It’s not directed at me alone.
…
Dongfang Meng flipped through the pages one by one. It was her sister’s graceful and beautiful handwriting. Every word expressed her intense love for a man and a heart br.i.m.m.i.n.g with true love.
Her sister, who was experiencing the first awakening of love, turned out to be like all girls who were in love. When she found out about a small secret of his, she would be overjoyed. When she wasn’t able to see him, she would feel sad and disappointed.
[97.5.3]
Shui Shui said that I was so proactive, so brave, so a.s.sertive when persuading her to pursue Second Yan. However, when it came to my own matters, I started to act overly cautious. Since I like him, I should chase after him. If I wait around, I will just become anxious. She said that I should be careful of others s.n.a.t.c.hing him from me.
I’ve decided. He’ll definitely attend the charity auction tomorrow. I want to go too. I want to look for him. I want to confess. I must be brave and a.s.sertive. I can’t let Shui Shui look down on me.
[97.5.18]
5.18 is my lucky number. Today is my lucky day.
I stopped him. I mustered my courage and told him I like him. That I want to date him.
He said, “Thank you for the compliment, Eldest Miss. However, I already have a wife at home. My wife is very strict with me. I hope you can be careful with your words in the future too, Miss. I’m afraid that my wife will get angry and kick me out of the house.”
I know that he’s lying. Everyone in the capital knows that he has always been using this as an excuse. No matter who introduces a woman to him, he will not accept her.
I won’t give up on pursuing him.
[1] This means that someone made such a profound impression that a single glance is all it took to remember him/her for a thousand years. It’s used to describe love.