Sober and beautiful, my husband and son begged for my forgiveness on their knees.

"Happy birthday, Mom. I've prepared your gift. Can we have dinner together tonight?"

Lu Mingjin's childlike voice was filled with obvious anticipation and joy.

Ning Yao was reminded by his words that it was her birthday today.

However, this day was not a special day for her, so she didn't have any special plans.

Realizing that Lu Mingjin wanted to have dinner with her, she didn't agree immediately. "You should focus on your studies today. I'll let you know after I finish my work."

Lu Mingjin felt a little disappointed, but she remembered that her mother had said that she also had things she wanted to do, and even her father had told her to respect her mother's decision.

"Okay, Mom, I'll wait for your call."

Ning Yao washed up and went to the Lu Group.

This new design is nearing completion.

Once the first draft is finalized, Merlin will handle the rest, and she won't need to get involved. That way, she can return to Shattered Star.

Upon entering the office, she was greeted by Wen Zhao, Master Merlin's assistant, who gave her an ambiguous smile.

"What's wrong?" She was a little surprised.

Wen Zhao: "Designer Ning, go to your office and take a look for yourself."

Ning Yao then walked to her office, and as soon as she entered, she saw a large, eye-catching bouquet of red roses on her desk.

Each flower is exquisitely beautiful and exudes a rich fragrance.

This was the first time she had ever received flowers in her life.

I looked through the bouquet and found that there was no card or message on it.

Currently, the only men of the opposite sex around her are Lu Jingmo and Zhong Yunche.

For a moment, she really couldn't tell who it was.

No matter who it is, it's not the outcome she wanted.

She casually placed the flowers aside and began her work.

top layer.

Lu Jingmo kept checking his phone; it was almost midnight, and there was still no news.

Yang Qian saw through his thoughts and whispered a reminder: "President Lu, Master Merlin is currently finalizing the first draft with Designer Ning. Why don't you go down and take a look? This first draft is related to Lu's new business, and your personal oversight might yield better results."

Lu Jingmo's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he said in a calm voice, "I'm only free during lunchtime. Go and make the arrangements."

"Yes."

Yang Qian left his office and made a reservation at a nice Chinese restaurant near the company. Considering that Ning Yao had been rather cold towards the BOSS lately, he invited Master Merlin to join them.

Master Merlin was planning to have dinner with Ning Yao, and after receiving the invitation, the two went to the appointment together.

Ning Yao didn't refuse. Lu Jingmo never remembered her birthday, and he probably wanted to find out the progress of the new business during lunch.

The three met at a Chinese restaurant.

As soon as Ning Yao entered, she saw a group of young people celebrating a birthday. The fast pace of life nowadays means that many people celebrate their birthdays at night, and very few celebrate them at noon.

Judging from their appearance, they must be students.

In the center of their table was a lucky cat birthday cake, exquisitely presented and looking delicious.

Lu Jingmo's reserved private room was on the second floor. As he went upstairs, he inadvertently turned around and noticed Ning Yao looking at the young people at that table, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.

"Master Merlin, has the first draft been finalized?"

As soon as he sat down, Lu Jingmo pressed Master Merlin about his progress.

Master Merlin immediately reported the progress truthfully and praised Ning Yao in front of him.

Ning Yao smiled calmly, showing no intention of speaking.

Lu Jingmo poured tea for the two of them and casually asked, "Ning Yao, do you have any other opinions on the details that Master Merlin mentioned for optimization?"

His tone was very serious, without a hint of joking.

"No, we've already optimized all the details of the first draft and coordinated with the factory. If all goes well, we'll have a sample next week," Shi Nuan replied calmly.

Lu Jingmo nodded indifferently and did not ask any further questions.

Soon, the dishes were served one after another.

Ning Yao glanced at them; they were all dishes she liked.

She unconsciously looked at Lu Jingmo, but unexpectedly Lu Jingmo also looked at her.

Their eyes met across the distance.

A subtle atmosphere filled the air.

Merlin noticed their actions and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. "Mr. Lu, please go ahead and use it. I'm going to the restroom."

Ning Yao immediately looked at him and winked at him, signaling him not to leave!

Merlin, however, thought she was just shy and winked at her, urging her to seize the opportunity!

Ning Yao, who understood his gaze: "..."

The private room fell silent instantly.

Ning Yao found the silence somewhat unbearable.

The more you try not to want it, the more tightly it clings to you.

"Don't you like eating fish? That squirrel-shaped mandarin fish was specially ordered for you; it's a specialty of this restaurant."

Lu Jingmo made the recommendation in a calm tone, and even picked up the serving chopsticks to peel some for her.

Ning Yao immediately stopped her, "Lu Jingmo, you've crossed the line."

Lu Jingmo, however, didn't seem to care. "There's no such thing as boundaries between us."

“We’re divorced, and we’re like strangers to each other. Of course, there are boundaries. Have you ever seen a divorced couple still clinging to each other?”

She didn't give Lu Jingmo any face at all; their relationship was already fake, and she didn't want to give him any more pretense.

Lu Jingmo saw through her thoughts but wasn't angry. After placing the peeled fish on her plate, he said calmly, "You've seen too little. Last month, there was a news report about a celebrity couple who divorced but stayed together and made a lot of money by appearing together. So I'm not being persistent; I've just had a sudden realization."

Ning Yao didn't want to waste time with him, so she simply shut up and ate.

But Lu Jingmo's hands kept moving.

"Don't just eat fish all the time, eat some vegetables too. I've noticed you've been drinking a lot of coffee lately, which isn't good for your health. You need to make sure you have a balanced diet every day."

Ning Yao was a little annoyed and slammed her chopsticks down.

"Lu Jingmo, haven't you made enough of a scene? Can you please stop trying to force me to be with you? Our relationship is over, and nothing you do now will change that."

Lu Jingmo looked at her with a distance and annoyance in his eyes, his thin lips slightly pursed, "I'm not making a fuss, nor am I trying to change the past. I know that the damage has already been done to you, and that can never be changed."

"But Ning Yao, I know very well now that I can't live without you, and I want you to see the changes in me."

Ning Yao looked at him, her eyes devoid of any emotion, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.

“Your changes have nothing to do with me. I’ve spent six years confirming that you and I are from two different worlds, so no matter what you say or do, there’s no possibility of anything developing between us.”

Lu Jingmo's eyes flashed with complex emotions: guilt, regret, and desolation...

"Ning Yao, I don't accept your excuse. I clearly live in the same world as you!"

Ning Yao sneered, "This is only what is visible to the naked eye; what is invisible has already gone completely in the opposite direction."

Lu Jingmo suddenly looked at her, his eyes unreadable. "What do you mean by 'can't see'?"

Ning Yao stopped sneer and said expressionlessly, "You know it yourself."

"I don't know." Lu Jingmo stared intently at her.

Ning Yao didn't explain further, and simply stood up, saying, "I'm finished eating, Mr. Lu, please continue eating."

Lu Jingmo watched her leave, his hand gripping the chopsticks tightening instantly.