10 Years Ago, 10 Years Later

Chapter 6

"Well, what a surprise, huh? To think that the two of you know each other," standing in the hotel's lobby, President Bernard laughs as he waits for his driver to come pick him up, "But I'm glad that it turns out you two aren't strangers. That will make it easier for us to proceed with the next step of the discussion since we won't be needing any more introductory meetings."

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Bernard," ignoring the first half of the older man's words, Gong Jun tries his best to smile as if nothing is the matter.

"Don't mention it. The pleasure is mine," says the French man, "Ah, it looks like my ride is here. That was a pleasant dinner, you two. Have a good rest tonight. I'll see you again tomorrow in the opening ceremony."

"Certainly, sir," this time, it is Zhang Zhehan's turn to smile and respond to his remark.

They see an expensive black sedan driving into the lobby, stopping right in front of them. Waving his hand at the two young men, Mr. Bernard thus climbs into his car and drives away, leaving the hotel that remains brightly lit in spite of the late hour.

For a moment, the two people he left behind stay still like a pair of statues. Their gazes are fixed on the black sedan until it disappears in the distance, after which it seems that the tension in the air is released at last.

"Would you like to stay for another drink?" attempting to open a conversation, Gong Jun throws the most casual question he can think of to the other man.

Zhang Zhehan, however, visibly flinches for a split second before averting his gaze from him, answering in a small voice.

"N-No, thank you very much, but... I think...I should head back..."

His answer is to be expected. Of course, there is also no denying the uneasiness heavily hanging between them, even if they are only standing less than a meter apart.

The unprecedented revelation that Mr. Bernard went out of his way to invite Zhang Zhehan to their dinner meeting is nothing less than a shock for them both.

Gong Jun did come all the way to Paris in order to meet this person, to see for himself that it is indeed the same Zhang Zhehan he knows, the one that used to be betrothed to him until their engagement ended some ten years ago. It is more of a personal plan than for the sake of his company, even if he did make use of this business trip as a guise. However, he hasn't actually prepared himself for what he should do if it really turns out to be the person he is looking for. In the scenario that he did see this man in tomorrow's event, he still isn't sure if he would go talk to him or not.

But President Bernard just has to come up with the initiative of inviting Zhang Zhehan tonight, something that is completely beyond Gong Jun's imagination.

And if this accidental meeting is able to shake him to this extent, he can only imagine how it feels for Zhang Zhehan.

"That's fair. It's already pretty late, after all," Gong Jun says, rubbing the back of his neck, "Wait here, I'll ask the staff to call a taxi for you."

He intends to just give a light pat on the other man's shoulder, a simple gesture that doesn't really mean anything. Nevertheless, when he has just brushed against Zhang Zhehan's hand, the latter almost jumps away and instantly takes a big step back. Zhang Zhehan holds himself with an arm; his dark eyes are opened wide as they stare at Gong Jun, utterly terrified. One must be blind not to see his entire body trembling. In fact, his face turns as white as a sheet of paper and it stays that way for a while until he seems to finally realize that Gong Jun isn't going to do anything to him.

"I... Sorry..." Zhang Zhehan stutters, still clutching onto his own arm, "I wasn't... I didn't mean to–"

"...Do you hate me that much?" eventually, Gong Jun is unable to hold back his question any longer, "I won't be surprised, though, and I won't blame you for it, either. If I were in your shoes, I might have reacted the same way, or I might've even punched this man named Gong Jun the moment I saw him."