Chapter 2: Going in Opposite Directions

Fate always plays games with us, for reality and dreams are forever at odds with one another!

Because Lu Huaining had kept his head lowered while walking, he naturally noticed the foot that had stepped on his own. He was only slightly surprised—not at the exquisite shape of the foot itself, but at the lush butterfly ornament perched on her ankle.

Looking further upward, above her ankle was a pair of white cropped trousers. Following the line of the pants to their wearer, Lu Huaining caught sight of a woman’s bewildered expression beneath a cascade of disheveled hair.

It was her!

Yet her actions seemed even more frantic than her expression; before she had even steadied herself, she swept hurriedly past Lu Huaining, showing not the slightest intention of stopping. Throughout, the girl kept her head down.

Lu Huaining glanced at the door toward which the girl rushed. On it hung a small plaque with three words—“Washroom.” He looked at the clear shoe print now stamped on his leather shoes, then turned back to watch the girl hurrying away. The butterfly on her ankle flickered rhythmically, and in that instant, Lu Huaining felt his own heart flutter in tandem.

"Hey, miss, you dropped something."

A sudden, unfamiliar reminder from behind brought her hurried steps to a halt.

The butterfly abruptly stopped its advance. Yet the woman still did not raise her head. She spun like a top, her damp hair scattering and arching elegantly like a sunshade beneath the blazing sun, drawing a graceful circle in the man’s heart.

Lu Huaining watched as she anxiously returned to his side, searching as if in annoyance. Aside from the two shadows reflected on the gleaming tiles, nothing else could be seen.

"What did I drop?" she asked nervously.

Lu Huaining regarded this unexpected encounter with leisurely amusement, letting a soft laugh escape. "You dropped your shoe print—and your sincere apology."

This time, the woman finally raised her head at his words, but only to cast him an angry glare.

"I’ve already apologized, sir!" Her last words were almost spat out.

"Exactly—I said you lost your sincere apology!" He was unsure why he insisted on this trivial matter, only that he followed his capricious impulse.

"Sir, please don’t make trouble!" Could this idiot not see that she had something urgent to attend to?

She must be cursing him inwardly, Lu Huaining thought, watching her reddened eyes, reminiscent of a startled rabbit. He took a step closer, only for her to turn away sharply. He grabbed her as she tried to leave, turning her to face him. "So you stepped on me—is that my fault?"

His strength was overwhelming. Unable to break free after several attempts, she could only turn her face aside.

"Sorry. Is that enough?" she said, each word bitten off.

"No," he replied, his tone openly defiant. Lu Huaining decided he would not let her off so easily; she had to acknowledge her mistake.

Xue Zuining turned back to face him, and he saw a hint of helplessness. At that moment, he almost felt like letting her go. Yet, deep within, a mischievous sprite egged him on, encouraging him, indulging him. He found his own behavior strange—this wasn’t his usual unruly or domineering self.

"I’ve already apologized—what more do you want?"

Lu Huaining gave her a smile that was almost demonic, determined to see her final expression. "That was only half."

"Half?"

"Yes. I said you lost two things: your apology and your shoe print—"

The girl was sharp as ice and snow; she immediately understood Lan Dongchen’s meaning. Her eyes widened, red and incredulous. "You want me to wipe your shoe?"

"Shouldn’t you? It’s not mine—I don’t want it left on my shoe." Lu Huaining pulled a sapphire silk handkerchief from his pocket and, in the next moment, forcefully opened her palm.

When the cool touch of silk met her skin, Xue Zuining heard only the crackle of sparks within. But as she caught sight of the pattern on the handkerchief, her anger suddenly gave way to laughter.

On a gentleman’s handkerchief, carried at all times, there was embroidered—a white butterfly!

Lu Huaining watched as she took the handkerchief and reached into her own pocket, searching for something. Catching a flash of delight in her eyes, he saw her, in the next instant, pick up his hand, return the handkerchief untouched, and place it back in his palm.

"Sir, please show some respect!" Xue Zuining left him with this final remark, turned, and headed toward the doors. If not for the little farce just now, her anxious self might have mistaken the direction and rushed straight into the restroom.

Lu Huaining looked down at the sapphire handkerchief lying quietly in his palm, now holding two coins. Was this woman’s idea of a sincere apology? Did this little firecracker treat everyone with such logic?

"Mr. Lu! Mr. Lu? Are you listening?" The hesitant voice of his assistant came through the phone. Glancing at his watch, Lu Huaining realized the appointed time had arrived.

"The schedule is on track; the car is ready and the driver is waiting at the entrance of Maple Leaf Hotel." Chu Ci, his assistant, spoke with meticulous precision.

Lu Huaining gave a slight grunt to indicate he understood, hung up, and took the elevator downstairs.

Sure enough, Old Ma, the driver, hurried out of the car to open the door for him as soon as he spotted Lu Huaining emerging from the hotel’s gilded entrance.

He got in. "East City, Plot Number Ten."

"Yes, sir." Old Ma, trained and efficient, started the car. Like a leopard, it quickly merged onto the main road and became just another splash of color in the endless stream of traffic.

Inside the hospital, hurried footsteps brushed past countless pedestrians, the faint scent of disinfectant rising in the air, seeping inch by inch from skin to soul.

Waiting—sometimes, it is the most unbearable torment.