The betrothal gift is 100,000 yuan, what does it mean to give 200,000

Time flies like an arrow; five years have passed in the blink of an eye...

One evening, as the sun set, the entire city was bathed in the afterglow of winter, turning a golden hue.

Mingzhu City.

In a quiet coffee shop.

Beside the wooden table stood a stunningly beautiful woman, dressed in a brown coat and a scarf. Her notebook was open on the table, and she was diligently typing on the keyboard.

She was tall and slender, and her overall demeanor was so intellectual and gentle.

Those beautiful eyes were intently focused on the work, without blinking.

Beside her was a little girl, about 3 or 4 years old, with two pigtails, chubby cheeks, and big, grape-like eyes, playing with a small green turtle in her cup.

The child's tender fingers stroked the little turtle's shell, occasionally placing it in the palm of his hand.

His eyes were full of curiosity and exploration.

Unlike other children her age, the little girl was unusually quiet and did not disturb her mother's work. Both mother and daughter were focused on their tasks, and the atmosphere was exceptionally peaceful.

Ring ring ring——

suddenly.

The coffee shop door opened, and another woman with long, flowing hair walked in. She had fair skin, round-framed glasses perched on her nose, black leather boots and high heels, and a brown coat.

A waiter quickly came forward.

"What would you like to drink, miss?"

"A half-sweet hot latte, please."

"To go, or to drink in the store?"

"Please pack it up for me, quickly, I'm in a hurry," the woman said softly.

The waiter quickly agreed and took the order for the woman.

This winter is really cold. The wind is howling outside, and even the sunshine can't dispel the chill.

Another year is about to pass, and a lonely end is approaching.

Pedestrians hurried past on the street, their necks hunched, wearing thick down jackets or coats, not daring to linger.

In contrast, the café was much warmer.

The woman casually found a seat and sat down. She took out her phone and glanced at it, clearly in a hurry, glancing around every now and then.

however.

Soon, her gaze fell on another table in the café—the one where the mother and daughter were sitting.

Tell the truth.

With that beautiful mother's looks, it's really hard not to notice her.

Time seems to have left no trace on her; there are no wrinkles around her eyes, her skin is still fair and glowing, and her nimble fingers, adorned with diamond rings, fly across the keyboard with exceptional focus.

Every now and then, she would pick up her coffee and take a sip.

Those soaring phoenix eyes left a deep impression even with just a fleeting glance.

Her long, slightly wavy hair, with chestnut-colored ends, draped over her shoulders and intertwined with a soft scarf. Looking at her outfit, an unparalleled air of nobility was palpable.

Such an aura is something most people wouldn't dare approach.

but.

The woman who entered the coffee shop later showed a hint of surprise in her eyes. She blinked as if she couldn't believe it, and then a complicated expression quickly appeared on her face.

He just stared at her, somewhat stunned.

Seemingly sensing the gaze, the little girl turned her head and curiously glanced at the woman staring at her and her mother. She pouted slightly, seemingly dissatisfied, before turning her head back to continue playing with the little turtle in her hand.

In life, there are always some encounters that are so unexpected.

On such an ordinary afternoon, the woman stood there stunned for a long time before lowering her eyes.

Waited for a while.

As if she had made a decision, she stood up and walked towards the mother and daughter.

"Teacher Jiang... Teacher Jiang." Even though she tried her best to control herself, her voice was still a little nervous.

At first, Jiang Ning didn't pay attention; it was only after a few seconds that she raised her face.

I don't know how long it's been since I last heard that title.

Jiang Ning belatedly raised her cheek.

The woman beside her came into view, her face somewhat familiar. Jiang Ning was stunned for a moment, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember who she was.

"Hello...who are you?" She could only respond politely.

“Teacher Jiang, you really don’t remember me…” The woman smiled, then brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and explained, “You taught me at Lanjing University.”

"No wonder, I was wondering why she looked familiar," Jiang Ning said, suddenly realizing.

Five years have passed.

But the woman still had to admit that the person in front of her was still so beautiful.

Back then, she was the most popular teacher in the university lecture hall. On the three-foot-wide platform, Jiang Ning, who was only twenty-six years old, was full of vigor and radiance. Her every move captivated the hearts of countless students.

Until, quite abruptly, she submitted her resignation and left the Lanzhou University campus.

Rumors circulated on campus that a certain physics student had captured Professor Jiang's heart, which led her to resign from her job and dedicate herself to dating that guy.

It sounds so incredible that even though the topic remains popular on forums, students just laugh it off and don't believe it at all.

However, the woman knew that this was not just a rumor.

She was also a participant in the experience, but with a deeper understanding.

"Teacher Jiang, you still can't remember my name?" The woman's feelings were complicated. After a long while, she seemed to be relieved and chuckled, "That's right. There's no reason for her to remember me. After all, I'm so inconspicuous."

"I'm sorry..." Sensing her dejection, Jiang Ning could only offer an apologetic look.

It looks familiar, but I really can't remember it.

As time goes by, what people can remember are only the most profound memories of a certain period of time, or those insignificant little things hidden in life. Most memories will fade and lose their color.

"It's nothing. I'm Li Bing, and I'm in the same class as Chen Yuan. We've even eaten together." The woman finally revealed the answer.

instantly.

Memories of that name suddenly flooded back.

Jiang Ning immediately recalled that timid college student, wearing glasses, who looked fragile but as pure as a little white flower.

“You’ve changed, Li Bing,” Jiang Ning exclaimed. “You’ve grown up so much that even your teacher doesn’t recognize you.”

"It's alright..." Li Bing smiled sheepishly, then turned her gaze to the little girl: "Is this your and Chen Yuan's...daughter?"

"I suppose so," Jiang Ning said mysteriously, nodding.

"Really?"

"This is actually Chen Yuan and Jiang Yao's daughter, their little sister. Her older sister didn't come out with me."

"Chen Yuan actually has two daughters?"

“Yes,” Jiang Ning nodded happily as she spoke of her lover, “Yao Yao and I came to Mingzhu City on business, with Shuangshuang and Xiaohan in tow. Yesterday, when I was shopping, I bought Shuangshuang a little turtle, but Xiaohan didn’t want to go home…”

As she spoke, Jiang Ning reached out and patted the little girl's head.

"I'll have to take her out to buy things again."

"I see." Li Bing nodded.

"Her full name is Chen Zhihan, and her older sister is Chen Zhishuang. Both names were given to her by Chen Yuan."

"Teacher Jiang."

"Ok?"

"I'm sorry... I actually wanted to go to your wedding, but in the end I didn't," Li Bing suddenly said.

Jiang Ning was caught off guard and paused for a moment.

But she quickly realized what was happening.

"It's okay, you have your own things to do too."

In fact, so many guests came that day, from all over the country.

How could Jiang Ning remember that one of Chen Yuan's classmates didn't come?

If Jiang Ning hadn't met Li Bing today and heard her say that, she probably wouldn't have known about it at all, nor would she have cared.

She didn't have a strong impression of this girl to begin with.

"Miss, your hot latte is ready." Suddenly, the waiter came over and handed over the coffee.

"Thank you."

Li Bing took it, turned her face, and glanced at Jiang Ning.

"Then I..."

"Are you in a hurry? Then hurry up and get on with your work, I'm leaving soon too."

"Okay, then."

Li Bing pursed her lips, as if she had something to say but quickly composed herself and turned to walk out the door.

Standing by the glass door, she pushed it open to leave, and the cold wind outside rushed in, blowing against her face.

Li Bing's hair was immediately blown up by the wind and fluttered a few times.

She lowered her head.

As if having made a decision, it stopped in place.

Turn around.

She walked to Jiang Ning's side.

"Teacher Jiang, there's something I want to tell you, although it's not appropriate to say it in this setting."

"Li, please feel free to say whatever you want."

"Well."

She took a deep breath.

"It's such a surprise to run into you here. Seeing that you're still the same as you were back then, I don't know what to say. I can only sigh that Chen Yuan is very happy, and you are very happy too."

"Thank you."

"No, that's not what I wanted to say... Teacher Jiang may not know, but the reason I didn't attend your wedding was because at that time, I didn't even have a decent set of clothes, and I couldn't afford to buy any. I felt so ashamed to go... Ashamedness might be secondary, but perhaps the more fundamental reason was that I couldn't face the fact. My inferiority complex made me unable to hold my head up."

Li Bing looked at Jiang Ning and continued, "Chen Yuan's roommate in college, a guy named Quan Yafeng, once pursued me, liked me, and confessed to me many times. He's a good person, and I never agreed to be with him, but why didn't I? Actually, the person I liked was Chen Yuan."

After she said those words, Jiang Ning's smile disappeared, and she looked at her thoughtfully.

Li Bing seemed to have been holding it in for a long time, and said to herself, "I can't say this fact, and I don't have the right to, because he is too dazzling. Many people like him, including my best friend from college. He is a person like you. You two are a good match, and it is only natural that you get together. But people like me can only watch from the sidelines and become insignificant passersby."

She lowered her head: "Even though I've tried my best to improve myself, because I come from the countryside and have nothing to rely on, I started setting up a stall outside in my junior year of college to save up my savings to start my own business. Now, two years after graduation, I've finally opened a small company..."

"Although...although it sounds ridiculous, and perhaps it's just wishful thinking on my part, only by becoming better can I have the courage to chase the light, or the courage to say these words. Otherwise, what makes me think I have the right?"

Her voice grew softer and softer.

But Jiang Ning heard it clearly.

She concluded, "Was that love? I'm not sure, I can't tell. If it's a yearning for something beautiful, then so be it... I envy people like Chen Yuan so much. He doesn't need to be flamboyant, he doesn't need to be deliberate, he doesn't even need to chase after anything. He just needs to stand there, he just needs to be himself, and someone will love him... Will he remember that there was such a passerby in his youth? He barely even spoke a few words to him, yet he so easily became the white moonlight in his life... Just being yourself, and someone will give you love. This is such a dream come true. Even such an excellent teacher like Teacher Jiang is willing to love him."

"His life is so happy, I've envied him more than once."

(The End) (End of Chapter)