The White Moonlight I Chased, the Divorce I Never Expected (GL) - Chapter 22.2
More than one spokesperson from renowned enterprises had publicly praised her abilities.
Even setting aside the halo effect of the Wen family’s influence, Chi Yi’s own excellence was enough to inspire admiration.
Following the university leadership’s outline, she spoke eloquently about the latest advancements in the bridge and road industry, and how traditional industries could adapt to national development goals.
Her words were fluent and compelling, her whole being radiating youthful confidence.
Wen Ranqing arrived a little late.
She entered through the side door of the auditorium and cast a brief, smiling glance at Chi Yi — just a glance — before heading backstage.
She knew their relationship required discretion.
After the speech, a junior from the student union chatted with Chi Yi backstage.
Chi Yi half-listened, waiting for the ceremony to move on to the conferral of degrees.
The six-thousand-seat auditorium was packed with students, most dressed in academic robes, forming a dense sea of black caps and gowns.
Standing last among the student representatives, Chi Yi bowed her head slightly as the principal shifted the graduation tassel and handed her the degree certificate.
The principal, a kind middle-aged man and an academician of the National Academy of Sciences, also served as the president of Beihang University.
He looked at Chi Yi warmly, his tone full of admiration for the talented youth.
“Do you have any plans after graduation? Are you considering research, or have you already found a unit you’re interested in?”
The seat marked for Wen Ranqing remained empty.
Chi Yi withdrew her gaze, smiled apologetically, and replied, “I haven’t decided yet.”
The principal moved to her left, standing in line with the graduate representatives for a group photo.
“I heard you interned at the Provincial Survey Bureau — planning to work on the front lines, doing fieldwork?”
Chi Yi felt a little embarrassed.
Standing before an esteemed scholar who had devoted his life to pure academic research, her own messy thoughts seemed somewhat shameful.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to phrase her answer.
At the side entrance, Jian Xi folded her arms and followed Wen Ranqing’s gaze.
She clicked her tongue and shook her head.
“You really like her that much?”
Wen Ranqing didn’t have many friends. Jian Xi considered herself the closest among them.
She had been one of the first to collaborate with Wen Ranqing when the Wen Corporation had just been handed over to her.
Over the years, even though their conversations rarely touched on personal matters outside of work, Jian Xi felt she understood Wen Ranqing fairly well.
In professional matters and leadership ability, Wen Ranqing was beyond reproach.
Privately, however, she was taciturn, somewhat slow-witted, overwhelmingly rational — emotionally as pure as a blank sheet of paper.
That night, though, Jian Xi had seen all the carefully hidden emotions reflected in Wen Ranqing’s eyes.
Wen Ranqing remained silent.
At least, when it came to business partners, she still maintained the necessary vigilance and distance.
Yet memories from that night surged back, bringing a wave of shame and longing.
Wen Ranqing’s chest tightened painfully.
She changed the subject.
“President Jian, what brings you here?”
“There.” Jian Xi jerked her chin toward the auditorium.
“My little goddess is graduating with your Chi Yi. How could I not come?”
The graceful figure of Xiao Qian was reflected in Jian Xi’s eyes.
A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, but she still couldn’t resist teasing Wen Ranqing:
“First time chasing a girl, huh, President Wen? You don’t even know how to make the first move. No wonder you couldn’t even make her jealous.”
“Poor me, though. I got dragged home and tormented by Ah Qian for ages afterward.”
Jian Xi was naturally carefree and impulsive, acting according to her own whims rather than careful planning.
When she saw two interesting people, she couldn’t help but meddle a little for her own amusement.
The temperature had risen noticeably.
Parents and even some notable public figures crowded the surroundings, creating a lively atmosphere.
This side hall of the grand yet low-key auditorium now resembled a miniature business networking event.
Wen Ranqing stepped a little further away from Jian Xi.
Although she was slightly shorter, her reserved aura made her no less commanding.
“President Jian’s affairs have nothing to do with me.
What happened last time was my fault. I hope it won’t happen again. It benefits neither of us.”
In the past, Wen Ranqing had been accustomed to avoiding her feelings for Chi Yi.
In the ruthless world of business, she had learned to let many things slide.
But now that she knew Chi Yi cared about these matters, she couldn’t ignore them anymore.
She had already instructed Cheng Yuan to deal with the little gossip workshops that had been stirring up trouble.
“President Wen, so coldhearted~”
Jian Xi wasn’t foolish.
After such a pointed warning, her interest cooled immediately.
She took out her lipstick and touched up her makeup unhurriedly.
“Ah Qian must be getting anxious not finding me. I’ll leave you to it, President Wen.”
By the time the graduation ceremony ended, it was already afternoon.
As the crowd dispersed, Chi Yi chatted with the principal for a while before leaving the auditorium.
Song Yan sent a message saying she had taken Tan Jin to shoot some graduation photos, and that they would meet up once they finished.
What kind of graduation photo shoot takes several hours?
And you even rushed back just for that?
Chi Yi ignored her disdainfully.
Letting out a long, frustrated breath, Chi Yi walked slowly toward the university’s artificial lake.
The artificial lake and the auditorium were at completely opposite ends of campus.
Most of the graduates were taking pictures with family and friends on the athletic field.
Current students were either cramming in the library or studying for exams.
The lakeside, by contrast, was desolate and cold.
Chi Yi rubbed the cord in her hand, thinking about sending Wen Ranqing a message to arrange a meeting.
She knew the number by heart, but staring at the screen, she couldn’t bring herself to type.
After a long while, the sun began to dip westward, and shadows stretched long and thin across the ground.
Occasionally, the buzzing of cicadas reminded Chi Yi of that night she had spent with Wen Ranqing.
Two students, hugging textbooks to their chests, passed by.
“That girl just now looked familiar — wasn’t that Senior Chi Yi?”
“Probably. Should we tell Xia Xiaoxi?
I think she’s been looking for Senior Chi for a while now.”
“I’ll send a message! Let me!”
Meanwhile, Chi Yi received a message from the university principal, asking if she was interested in participating in the design of a new landmark bridge in Country X.
She was absorbed in reading the detailed information and didn’t notice someone approaching from behind.
By the time she finished, she turned around — and saw Wen Ranqing.
The woman wore a thin sweatshirt, a cap, and a face mask.
There was a hint of anxiety in her peach blossom-shaped eyes.
The loose sweatshirt made her slender figure seem even more fragile; her waist looked as if it couldn’t even fill a hand.
To avoid unnecessary attention, Wen Ranqing had changed into casual clothing.
After leaving the auditorium and not finding Chi Yi, she had overheard a conversation between students and hurried to the lake.
She tugged her mask down slightly.
A fine layer of sweat clung to her nose, but her voice was still soft and warm, like a gentle breeze.
“Why aren’t you with your classmates? Why are you alone here?”
“How did you know I was here?”
Chi Yi frowned, her face hidden in the shadows.
A gust of wind brushed past her ear, and her long, narrow eyes turned cold and sharp.
On someone her age, a sweatshirt would have looked youthful and lively.
But on Wen Ranqing, who was nearly thirty, her mature figure could not be concealed even by loose clothing.
Wen Ranqing tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Her face, slightly flushed from the heat, was hidden beneath the oversized hood, giving her an air of restrained allure.
“I overheard it,” she said, her voice light.
She didn’t mention that she had actually wandered around campus for a long time.
She made it sound like a mere coincidence, worried that Chi Yi would be annoyed if she admitted the truth.
Wen Ranqing didn’t even manage to explain why she had been looking for her in the first place.
“This is yours,” Chi Yi said, placing the bag back into Wen Ranqing’s hand.
The long sleeves of the sweatshirt wrapped around her fingers as she held the bag, the fabric drooping downward.
With her head low and her hat drooping too, Wen Ranqing looked like a forlorn little fox, even her tail drooping listlessly.
Chi Yi never regretted her decisions — whether it was marrying through a contract or getting divorced.
She wasn’t a child; every choice she made was based on reality.
As long as the person she cared about lived well, that was enough.
But she liked Wen Ranqing.
Liked her so much that she still couldn’t let go even now.
Chi Yi hated herself for her weakness — for wavering in front of Wen Ranqing.
Part of her hoped that everything Wen Ranqing said was genuine, while another part of her coldly judged it all to be nothing more than guilt.
Chi Yi didn’t want sympathy disguised as love.
But it was Wen Ranqing’s repeated gestures that made her fall into unrealistic hopes again and again.
“I drank too much last night,” Chi Yi said calmly.
“If it caused any misunderstanding for you, President Wen, then it was my mistake.”
Wen Ranqing hadn’t asked why Chi Yi had kissed her, nor had she demanded anything because of that kiss.