Love and choices across time and space

Chapter 152 Awkward Eye Contact

At that unexpected moment, time seemed to freeze. Li Yifeng's eyes met with Lin Wan'er's family's, and past grievances surged back like a tide, filling the air with awkwardness and emotion.

Li Yifeng's eyes flashed with surprise, then a complex mix of emotions. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin. His hands unconsciously clenched the corners of his clothes, and his body seemed a little stiff.

Lin Wan'er's face was equally uncomfortable. Her eyes were filled with memories of the past and helplessness about the current situation. She tried to smile to ease the awkwardness, but it was forced, the curve of her lips seeming stiff.

Li Ming stood aside, his expression also very solemn. He knew the past between his wife and Li Yifeng very well, and at this moment he was filled with worry, not knowing what kind of waves this encounter would bring to their lives.

The child was unaware of the subtle emotions between adults. He blinked his innocent eyes and looked back and forth curiously between Li Yifeng and Lin Wan'er.

Li Yifeng tried hard to calm himself down. He took a deep breath and tried to break the suffocating silence: "Long time no see, Lin Wan'er." His voice was a little hoarse, as if carrying endless vicissitudes of life.

Lin Wan'er nodded slightly and said in a low voice: "Yes, long time no see." Her eyes were a little evasive, and she didn't dare to make eye contact with Li Yifeng for a long time.

The two of them just stared at each other, the clamor around them seemingly having nothing to do with them. The arguments, misunderstandings, and hurts of the past flashed through their minds like scenes from a movie.

Li Yifeng recalled the fierce quarrel he had with Lin Wan'er over a trivial matter. At that time, they refused to give in to each other and used harsh words. Thinking about it now, he felt that he was too impulsive and naive at that time.

Lin Wan'er recalled Li Yifeng's misunderstanding of her, the groundless accusations and distrust that had broken her heart. Facing him again now, her heart still ached.

Li Ming looked at them and finally couldn't help but speak: "What's past is past, don't take it too seriously." His voice broke the two people's thoughts, but the awkward atmosphere still enveloped them.

Li Yifeng smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, I was wrong in the past and caused you a lot of trouble." His eyes were full of guilt and self-blame.

Lin Wan'er sighed softly: "It's all in the past, no need to mention it again." But her expression still looked a little unnatural.

At this moment, people came and went around them, some glanced at them curiously, while others hurried past. But for Li Yifeng, Lin Wan'er, and Li Ming, it seemed as if they were the only three people left in the world.

The child tugged at the corner of Lin Wan'er's clothes and asked in a low voice, "Mom, who is this uncle?" Lin Wan'er squatted down and gently stroked the child's head, "Baby, this is a friend Mom knew before." The child nodded, not quite understanding.

Li Yifeng looked at the child, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes: "The little guy is so cute." The child hid behind Lin Wan'er shyly.

Lin Wan'er stood up and sorted out her emotions: "Thank you." These two short words contained so much emotion.

Li Yifeng looked at Lin Wan'er and Li Ming again, opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it.

They stood there in silence, each second seeming to stretch endlessly. Past grudges stood like an invisible wall between them, preventing them from communicating naturally like ordinary friends.

Li Ming tried to break the awkwardness: "How about we find a place to sit down and talk?" Lin Wan'er hesitated for a moment, looked at Li Yifeng, and Li Yifeng nodded.

They came to a nearby coffee shop and found a quiet corner to sit down. After the waiter served the coffee, he tactfully left.

Li Yifeng picked up the coffee cup, took a sip, and then slowly said: "Over the years, I have been reflecting on my past behavior, and I am really sorry for you." His voice was low and sincere.

Lin Wan'er was silent for a while and said, "Actually, we also did some things wrong." The initial embarrassment was gone from her tone, and there was a sense of relief in her tone.

Li Ming said on the side: "Let the past be the past. What's important is that everyone is living a good life now."

Li Yifeng said with emotion: "Seeing that you are so happy now, I am really happy for you." His eyes revealed sincere blessings.

Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "Thank you. I hope you can get better and better."

The coffee shop was filled with a faint aroma and soft music flowed in the air, but it could not completely dispel the heavy and awkward atmosphere between Li Yifeng, Lin Wan'er and Li Ming.

Li Yifeng's fingers gently stroked the rim of his coffee cup, his gaze occasionally landing on Lin Wan'er, then quickly averting itself, as if scorching with heat. His heart was churning, countless words swirling on his tongue, only to be forced back.

Lin Wan'er kept her head down, staring at the nearly untouched cup of coffee in front of her, her thoughts drifting back to those days filled with arguments and tears. Her brow furrowed slightly, and a faint, barely perceptible glint of tears gleamed in the corners of her eyes.

Li Ming sat to the side, his hands folded on the table, his expression serious and tense. He glanced at Li Yifeng and then at Lin Wan'er from time to time, trying to find a suitable topic to break the oppressive silence, but every time the words came to his lips, he felt uncomfortable and had to swallow them back.

The child sat beside Lin Wan'er, his face filled with confusion and uneasiness. He didn't understand why the atmosphere between the adults was so strange. He carefully tugged at Lin Wan'er's sleeve and asked softly, "Mom, why aren't you talking?" Lin Wan'er was brought back to reality by the child's voice. She forced a smile and soothed, "Baby, it's okay. The adults are chatting."

Li Yifeng heard the child's voice and raised his head. He tried to make his expression look gentle and said to the child, "Little boy, what's your name?" The child looked at him timidly, hid behind Lin Wan'er, and replied in a low voice, "My name is Mingming." Li Yifeng smiled and said, "Mingming, what a nice name."

Lin Wan'er patted the child's shoulder gently and said to him, "Mingming, how about going to the children's area over there and playing for a while?" The child looked at her, then at Li Yifeng and Li Ming, nodded, and ran obediently to the children's area.

After the child left, Lin Wan'er took a deep breath, looked up at Li Yifeng, and said, "Those past events did cause me great harm. But so much time has passed, and I don't want to keep dwelling on it." Li Yifeng nodded quickly, "I know, it's all my fault. I was too impulsive and selfish at the time, and I didn't consider your feelings."

Li Ming interrupted, "Well, since everyone is willing to let go of the past, let's not talk about those unhappy things anymore. We should look forward and think about the future." Li Yifeng looked at Li Ming gratefully and said, "Li Ming, thank you for your generosity."

Lin Wan'er's eyes softened. "Actually, it's not that I can't forgive you. It's just that those memories are too profound, and it's hard to let go for the moment." Li Yifeng lowered his head. "I understand. I'm sorry."

At that moment, the lights in the cafe suddenly dimmed. It was time for their daily music performance. A singer took the stage and sang a lyrical song. The melodious melody echoed in the air, as if expressing the complex emotions in their hearts.

Li Yifeng listened to the song, feeling a surge of emotion. "Sometimes I often think, if I had been more mature and rational, perhaps our ending would have been different." Lin Wan'er was slightly moved: "Maybe, but there are no ifs in life."

Li Ming looked at them and said, "No matter what, we must cherish our present life. Let the past be the past. What's important is to grasp the future." Li Yifeng nodded and said, "You're right. I will definitely be a good person in the future and not make the same mistake again."

Lin Wan'er gently stirred her coffee and said, "I hope you can keep your promise." Li Yifeng solemnly promised, "I definitely will."

The singing gradually stopped, and the lights in the cafe came back on. The atmosphere between the three people seemed to relax a little as the lights came on.

Li Yifeng looked at his watch and said, "It's getting late, I should go." Lin Wan'er and Li Ming were a little surprised, but did not try to keep him.

Li Yifeng stood up and said to them, "I'm very happy to see you again today. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again in the future." Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "Goodbye." Li Ming also said, "Goodbye. I wish you all the best."

Li Yifeng turned and left. Lin Wan'er and Li Ming watched his back disappear at the door of the coffee shop, feeling an indescribable feeling in their hearts.

After returning home, Lin Wan'er sat on the sofa, lost in thought. Li Ming walked over and gently held her hand: "Don't think too much, it's all in the past." Lin Wan'er leaned on Li Ming's shoulder and sighed: "I know, it's just that meeting me today made me think of those past events." Li Ming comforted him: "But you also saw that Li Yifeng has realized his mistakes. Maybe we should give him a chance." Lin Wan'er was silent for a while and said: "Maybe, I hope he can really change."

Meanwhile, Li Yifeng was walking home, his mood still lingering. He knew that today's encounter was an opportunity to start over, and he must seize it and leave no regrets in his life.