Feng Yi Lan was taken aback and so were the people behind them. In that small area, the words have been clear to everyone's ears. But those words were completely different from what they had expected.
With such a sweet, cozy setting, everyone was expecting to hear the warm and loving proposing confession that would mark the beginning of a love story. But who would have expected that all this while this was not the preparation to make the woman accept the love, rather was to appeal to her to let go of the past and move on in the future?
"What is happening?"
"Is Director Qi not here to propose to the Boss? Why is he asking her to let him go, instead of asking her to accept him once again?"
"Ahh, is our Boss again having a heartbreak? No, no, our Boss has always been such a sweet person. She doesn't deserve this."
Everyone in Aurora, who was witnessing the things there, was feeling the heartbreak for Feng Yi Lan. While Xiao Meng who was also equally feeling bad for the woman, stuck more to Li Xue to ask, "Sister Xue, why is Director Qi saying like that? Earlier looking at them I felt like he loves her more than anyone. But now …"
Li Xue didn't say anything abruptly, instead, her eyes kept her stares fixed at the couple at the distance. She has heard Qi Shuai as well but …
"Sometimes moving from the past is more worthwhile than anything. Don't worry, I am sure Director Qi's intention will never be to hurt Yi Lan. Wait a while more and let the story reveal"
Xiao Meng was confused. She blinked at Li Xue's confidence, before reverting her gaze back on her phone that was recording all the events from the front. Earlier, Li Xue had asked her to record things well and she was doing her job. Though she didn't understand the deep meaning behind Sister Xue's words, she was good at having patience. She could always wait and see.
While everyone behind was speculating things, Feng Yi Lan was feeling like her tongue was cut down. She was simply not finding any sense suitable to comprehend those words. Her lips opened to speak something but then closed on their own, not understanding the right words to let out.
"W-What do you mean with those words?" Feng Yi Lan asked, feeling like a part of her was shredding away, giving her pain that was a lot familiar to the one she felt back in that particular year when she got rejected by the man. Though she has said earlier that she doesn't want to begin any relationship with him, letting him go and moving on in her life has never come to her thoughts.
Qi Shuai looked at her. His expressions were all serious but his lips, not leaving the smile from the beginning. As if whatever he has said has been in his plans from the very beginning.
Feng Yi Lan looked at him like that and didn't understand where she went wrong?
"Don't think too much about it, LanLan. I meant it simply. I accept in the past, I did wrong to you. Although I have reasons for that, still no reason could justify my insensitivity towards you. So this time I want you to reject me the same way. There is nothing to feel bad for me because I deserve it." Qi Shuai said. His voice was laced with little playfulness on the surface, but deep within one could feel the guilt he was feeling inside.
Feng Yi Lan looked at him and suddenly chuckled, "Do you think it is fun? I thought you were … heh! Seems like I am wrong again?" She shook her head with little disappointment before pausing to give a proper thought before continuing again, "Anyway, perceiving things wrongly has kind of become a habit for me, I think. Let's ignore that for now and focus on the important terms."
"So, you want me to let go of you and the past and move on in the future. Fine, I agree. But then, Director Qi, please also let me know-how and with whom should I move on? I am sure you must have got someone in your thoughts"
She said, her tone holding her anger and irritation. If gaze would have been ever capable of killing someone, then the man would have surely been dead by now. But luckily, nothing such was yet possible in the world.
"Who can be more suitable than me?" Qi Shuai suddenly said, twisting the whole plot with just simple seven words.
Feng Yi Lan's brows knitted together while her facial features showed utmost confusion. "What?"
The man didn't explain, instead got on one of his knees the next second. "Though I have been the person to bring you the painful sufferings Yi Lan, I am also sure that I can only be the one to bring you to the happiness you deserve. So, move on in the future with me. Reject me harshly. Break my heart into pieces. Be as much cruel as you can, I won't complain. But don't stop me from chasing after you."
"…"
"I may deserve the pain, but I don't deserve losing all the happiness for life. I don't deserve to lose you for life. Please punish me and let go of the past. Begin a new story for our future together".
Qi Shuai said, and all his words and requests reached well to the people who heard him. But the one whose response mattered, remained like she had heard nothing. Like even if she has heard the things, those words and emotions failed to touch her heart.
The man waited and stayed on his knees to hear Feng Yi Lan. But nothing came in response even after minutes passed away.
"Yi Lan! Won't you say something in response?"
"I am sorry, Director Qi. But whatever you said, I could not agree as it doesn't make any sense to me."