At some not-so-lavish restaurant's private room, Li Xue was sitting across an old man while politely serving him the dishes on his plate. Her eyes were guiltily avoiding any contact with the man. At some corner of the heart, she was feeling like she had betrayed him.
"CEO Jiang, I am really sorry. I know my sorry could not bring back the times when I was wrong but still apart from apologizing, I don't find anything else suitable at this time" She said, lifting her eyes a little up to look at the man.
At her words, the old man smiled at first and soon let out a peal of comforting laughter, "I see. I see. You are guilty. Is this why you have called me here to give a treat in this restaurant. If that's your plan, I am not going to accept it as this restaurant is not matching the taste I prefer these days. There had been a time when I liked the food here but not now".
Li Xue was a little obscure about his words but still, she nodded and said, "Ohh, I didn't know. I should have asked you before".
"Exactly you should have asked before if I really take you as a guilty one or not. Because thoughts of two different people vary" Old man Jiang replied, giving an understanding contemplation nod to the girl.
As if like some curious kid out in a class who even asks questions about the derived answer of the teacher, the woman spoke out, "Why won't you take me as a guilty one, CEO Jiang? What I did in the past was wrong. In some sense, it also looked like a betrayal. Even after whatever happened, you were among the few countable people who believed me and did everything to help me, yet when the time came, I was the one to flee away without thinking of anything behind. Why won't you blame me for that?"
The old man laughed out at her stubborn thoughts and asked, "Do you want me to blame you? Then do you blame me for not taking good care of you? Because being the model under our banner, a part of the responsibility should be ours to keep you all safe around the official parties you attend, yet we failed in doing so"
Li Xue at once shook her head. She has never thought it that way. In the past, she has herself has kept her safety in thoughts but that once, she chose to believe wrongly in the people, putting her guards down. It was her fault to think that they would keep her under their care when there was none thinking about her.
"Nope, that has never been the fault of the company. So, I never thought to blame you, CEO Jiang", she replied and the man also added his words after her, taking her thoughts for some inspiration.
"Same was for you, Xiao Xue. I never blamed you. At that time, so many things happened. There is no way I could expect you to stay strong till the end. After all, you were still the victim and it was not wrong for you to lose your strength and interest after losing so much". He said and Li Xue really felt unburdened.
Giving out a smile of regret, she said, "CEO Jiang, you have always been so nice to me. If only I would have been a little more careful and better to you then you would not have left the industry this abruptly".
"Aye, were you planning to torture my old soul till the end. Though I remember that back in time, I have said that I will accompany you to the whole journey of getting the crown as of Chiboa's best model, still after reaching these many years I feel like it would have been not necessary to be the CEO to support you. I can also remain a bystander and show you my love and support. Remaining at the position in the agency was becoming quite hectic already". The man said, taking a pause to take a small bite of the food and then continued.
"It was already time for me to take retirement, so I did. You were already quite good for helping me fortify my righteous work profile till the end. Or else if not for you, at the last of my work I would have gotten myself involved in something that from the very first I knew was wrong".
How could he not be grateful to the girl? Even after getting the legal notice from her former management, she chose to keep her faith in him and called to ask before letting her new agency take any actions in retaliation.
"Okay let's drop all that, let me know what are your plans? Joining Glamour World is not a bad step. You are on the right track but you still have this legal notice to look after. Though I know paying off the compensation looks like a simple and easy road but if you choose to do that in no way you will ever be able to prove yourself innocent after. It's a tough situation still, I believe that you must have got ways to tackle it. So, is there something, you got in your mind or in something you need my help?" He asked, not forgetting the topic for which he has come here.
Though he has promised that he would maintain the management's integrity and will do nothing against the company. After leaving his position he could still help the girl with his connections earned from all these years and also his knowledge.
Li Xue nodded her head as she said, "Yes, there is something in my plans but in all that I won't ask your help. I know you well and also Zheng Wenting. If anything gets wrong in between then he would definitely do something to tarnish your name and reputation along with me. So, all these things, I will handle myself. While as you said your support is what matters to me. You can also be a bystander to support me and guide me on the right path. To motivate me, your presence will be more than enough."
The old man has already seen these words coming. After all, it was he who has nurtured her for so many years. He was bound to know her attitude at times. Nodding his head to her words in acceptance, the two gave their focus back on the food.
Soon after completing the lunch, Li Xue came out to bid her mentor a farewell. Smiling, she turned back to make her way to her car but her path was obstructed.