Reboot the heyday

"what?"

The question uttered simultaneously by Wang Taika and Ningning echoed in the private room for a moment, then fell into an unusual silence.

Seeing the two of them with identical stunned expressions, Lady Liu suddenly burst out laughing and waved her hand, saying, "Just kidding, look how scared you are."

Ningning's eyes darted around, she pursed her lips, and smiled without saying a word. Whether it's true or false, whether to believe it or not, is another matter entirely.

Wang Taika twitched the corner of his mouth: "This joke isn't funny at all."

"Really?" Lady Liu tilted her head, picked up a slice of grilled beef with her chopsticks, slowly put it in her mouth, chewed it, but her eyes drifted to the window: "I think it's quite funny."

Ningning glanced at Lady Liu, then at Wang Taika, sensing something odd about the atmosphere. She decided to continue eating her meat, pretending she hadn't noticed anything.

Wang Taika didn't say anything more, but poured himself a cup of barley tea and drank it slowly.

Lady Liu looked away from the meat in her bowl and suddenly lost her appetite.

"Perhaps it really should be around 80%?"

The moment she uttered those words, even Liu herself was startled. It was an unconscious response, unfiltered by her mind, and inexplicable, yet afterwards, a strange bittersweet feeling welled up inside her.

Lady Liu stole a glance at Wang Taika. He was drinking tea with his head down, and the lines of his profile looked softer under the light, not as infuriating as usual.

She suddenly remembered the first time she met Wang Taika. At that time, she didn't know who he was; she just thought this restaurant owner was interesting—he was clearly being sarcastic, but he wasn't unlikeable. Later, even after she learned that he was no ordinary person, she didn't feel anything changed.

When did things start to change?
Lady Liu didn't know.

All she knew was that when she said those words, it was truly without thinking; they just slipped out suddenly, and her heart was pounding. All she knew was that now, sitting opposite Wang Taika, she dared not look him in the eye. All she knew was that Ningning's presence made the nascent, vague thoughts in her heart suddenly clear, and suddenly heavy.

Ningning.

By the way, we only got to know each other little by little because of Ningning, right?

Looking at Ningning, who was engrossed in eating meat, Liu Nvxia felt a complex mix of emotions. Ningning called her "unnie," "older sister," and considered her one of her best friends. Ningning would share the hardships of practice with her, complain about the company's harshness, and secretly slip her a piece of candy when she was in a bad mood.

The person Ningning calls "little uncle" is Wang Taika.

Liu, the heroine, knew very well what that title meant. It was one of the few people Ningning could rely on in a foreign land, someone whose eyes would light up when Ningning mentioned them, someone who could bring her the taste of home when Ningning missed it.

If one day Ningning discovers that her best friend has developed inappropriate feelings for her family, what would she think? Would she be disappointed? Would she feel betrayed? Would she lose this friend?
Lady Liu didn't know the answer, nor did she dare to think about it.

The meal ended in this suddenly strange atmosphere.

"Let's go, I'll pay the bill and then take you home." Wang Taika got up to pay the bill.

Finally, only two people remained.

Ningning wiped her mouth, leaned close to Liu Nvxia's ear and whispered, "Unnie, were you really just joking when you said that just now?"

Lady Liu's heart tightened, but she remained outwardly calm: "Of course, what else?"

Ningning looked at her, her young eyes holding a wisdom beyond her years. After a moment, Ningning smiled and took Liu's arm: "That's good. Let's go, let's go, we still have to practice dancing when we get back."

The heroine Liu let her hold her arm, but her heart felt as if something was blocking it.

On the way back, Ningning sat in the back seat and quickly fell asleep against the window. A day of practice plus a big meal had put her into that light sleep state typical of trainees, where she could fall asleep anytime, anywhere.

Lady Liu was also in the back seat, watching the neon lights rushing past the window without saying a word.

Wang Taika drove without saying a word.

The only sounds in the carriage were Ningning's even breathing and the soft engine noise.

As they passed the Han River, Ms. Liu suddenly spoke up: "Boss, could you pull over for a bit? I'm feeling a little carsick."

Wang Taika glanced at her, didn't ask why, turned on his turn signal, and pulled over.

Lady Liu got out of the car and walked to the railing by the river. The night breeze was still a bit cool, blowing her hair. The river water shimmered with tiny ripples in the night, and the lights on the distant bridge were reflected in the water, swaying gently with the waves.

Wang Taika got out of the car, came over, and handed her a bottle of water without saying a word. Taking the water, Ms. Liu was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "Boss, you must be very rich now, right?"

Wang Taika was taken aback. He thought he was already quite composed, and that he wouldn't be too surprised even if Lady Liu came over and kissed him the next second. But he didn't expect Lady Liu to ask such a cliché question.

“Yeah, that’s right.” Wang Taika almost laughed. “What, want to borrow money? Sure, I won’t charge you interest.”

Lady Liu lowered her head and smiled: "It's nothing."

This is a very important question. Actually, if Wang Taika weren't so rich, but of course he wouldn't be so poor either, just an ordinary person, then Ms. Liu could immediately speak her mind.

Yes, no, not now.

Because Wang Taika is very rich and powerful, he is already a truly successful person.

But because of this, some of the things she said made even Lady Liu herself doubt her motives. That was too disgusting, so she decided to leave it at that.

Humans are truly selfish. When you have all the goodwill you feel for someone, you don't actually hope that they will be better; rather, you hope that they will have some visible flaws so that you won't feel so helpless.

Liu, the heroine, turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked at Wang Taika in the night. His face was somewhat blurry and indistinct under the streetlights and smoke.

Having figured this out, Lady Liu seemed to suddenly understand what Wang Taika had said in the corridor earlier that day.

Oh, I see. No wonder Wang Taika said he hates those "nice girls" the most. His feelings are probably similar to mine right now.

Ms. Liu smiled and said in a low voice, "Boss, I understood what you said in the corridor today. Not all of it, but I roughly understood."

"What is that?" Wang Taika looked at her.

Lady Liu continued, "You said my kindness was without ulterior motives, that you didn't know how to face me, that you couldn't bear to part with me but didn't know how to show your affection. I understand all of that."

As the night breeze blew by, Lady Liu tightened her coat, but her voice grew clearer: "Now I understand, boss, you must have been my boss before. I'm very curious about the stories from before, especially the story of the previous lady."

Wang Taika remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, his voice low: "Heroine Liu..."

“Call me Zhimin,” Lady Liu interrupted him without turning around. “Just now, call me that once, and that will be enough.”

Wang Taika watched her back. That always carefree girl was now standing by the river. Her back looked a little thin, but she was still upright.

"Zhiminxi"

"Hmm!" Lady Liu refused in a slightly coquettish tone, "No honorifics."

"Zhimin."

"Hmm." Lady Liu's shoulders trembled slightly, though her eyes were a little red from the night breeze. "Alright, I feel better now. Let's go back, Ningning should wake up soon."

Liu, the heroine, walked past Wang Taika and headed towards the car, her steps lighter than when she arrived.

Wang Taika stood there, watching her retreating figure, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. What had that seemingly innocent and naive woman, Liu, who had suddenly left him unsure how to face her, that kind girl who made him feel so insecure, just said?
Back in the car. Ningning was still asleep in the back seat, completely unaware of anything. Suddenly, Lady Liu sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window, her profile calm, as if nothing had happened.

The car restarted and headed towards SM Company.

As they approached, Ms. Liu suddenly said softly, "Boss, just pretend you didn't hear what I said today. I just... the breeze tonight is so pleasant that I wanted to say something I wouldn't normally dare to say."

Wang Taika tightened his grip on the steering wheel, and finally only said one word: "Okay."

The car stopped in front of the company. Liu, the female warrior, woke Ningning, and the two got out of the car.

Ningning rubbed her eyes and waved goodbye to Wang Taika: "Goodbye, Uncle!"

Lady Liu waved her hand, said nothing, and just smiled.

Wang Taika watched the two walk into the company gate, and watched Liu Nvxia's figure disappear behind the revolving door, remaining motionless for a long time.

That wasn't his moon, but for a moment, moonlight truly shone upon him. (End of Chapter)