A Graduation Gift

Cassandra felt a dull pain stabbing at her back and waist. Sighing out loud, she could feel tight knots in her muscles. It was indeed not an easy job to manage a business.

"Cassandra?"

A familiar voice called out to her. She looked up and met a man's concerned gaze. He seemed very familiar, and it took Cassandra a moment to recognize him.

"Oh, Uncle… Uncle Jasper!"

She hesitated on using the honorific, unsure of how to address him. Calling him 'Uncle-In-Law' did not seem very appropriate as she hadn't married into Rufus's family yet. At the same time, 'Brother' would sound too intimate, and so she settled for 'Uncle'... The only problem was that Jasper looked too young to be addressed as such.

Sure enough, he gave her an awkward look upon her greeting. He signed inwardly, 'Am I that old?'

At this moment, a man in a suit strode to his direction and bowed before him respectfully.

"President Li, we didn't expect that you would be coming today. Is there anything I could do for you?"

Cassandra peeked at the name tag on his chest. It bore the title "Supervisor".

But her thoughts were elsewhere instantly. 'What? President Li?' Cassandra tried to hide her surprise upon hearing the man call Jasper 'President'.

"I have checked the reports. Good work,"

Jasper said to him, with calm and formal air. It was as if a different person was standing in front of her. She failed to find any trace of the laughter and playfulness he had on the night of New Year's Eve.

The man visibly brightened at the president's acknowledgement.

Then, Jasper turned to Cassandra and asked her softly, "Are you here to shop for anything?"

His voice pulled Cassandra from her thoughts and back to reality. "Oh, I'm here to pick up some supplies," she managed to reply.

Jasper waved a hand at the supervisor, and in an instant he was at his side, wearing a big smile.

"Give Miss Qin the cost price of all the products. Charge the remaining balance cost to my account,"

he instructed. The supervisor nodded repeatedly.

"Well, thank you so much for your help, President Li," Cassandra uttered with gratitude, stunned by his generosity.

Not once had it crossed Cassandra's mind that Jasper would be the president of this huge mall.

business which had engaged in industries of all aspects. If that was the case…she

as if she was related to him. Somehow, she felt awkward when she

talk and Cassandra made sure to address him as 'President Li, ' this time, even as she stumbled over her words. Jasper felt even more uncomfortable at the sudden show of formality. 'So

clear picture in her head of what she wanted, but she hesitated. She had a limited budget, and she had to think well

needed were offered to her at an unbelievably low price. She silently thanked him for his graciousness. Now, she could get the things she needed without too

and she felt very pleasant as she bounced on her feet and wore a smile on her face. Today seemed like her lucky day. She had already crossed out two tasks from her

be good to celebrate this day with Rufus.They could have tea together and she would tell him all about what happened in

were also unanswered. She felt his absence put a damper on her spirit and her mind was racing a mile a minute thinking about where he

was very unusual. There had never been a time before when Rufus didn't call or send her a message

he told her that he would come

she stood up and put the dish she had cooked in a pot to keep it warm. Then, she slumped back on the couch and waited.

dreams, she was enveloped in the warmth of Rufus's arms.

G City, Amanda's performance was had paused

voices filled the room as the choir sang on the stage. They had

sponsor Miss Ke's next concert. It would be a good step to enhance our cultural influence and visibility. It would be

with his idea, and sank

at his watch and counted the seconds. He hadn't planned to come to this concert

to

in the past. Amanda had sent him two tickets for her previous show through her assistant, but he gave them to Victor

countless of her concerts. He remembered the crowd's faces when she played— mesmerized, and in absolute adoration. It was all too familiar, as he too, had once been one of them. He closed his eyes as memories drifted back to him.

one time, she had seemed to make his world brighter and more beautiful. But that happiness lasted a short time. He could still remember how distraught he was when she broke up with him at her father's request. All at once, his world turned gloomy, as if she took all the light with her.

was told that Amanda wanted to go back the way things were before. The knowledge brought him no feelings at all. It was as if his past self was a stranger. He had no desire to be involved with her in any way, and he only did so last time to

to Cassandra, bringing up the image of her drunk and in tears. A

through his musings as he replied to

appoint a spokesperson for the scenic spot, and they have their eye on Miss Ke," he

a smile was pulling on Horace's face as he heard the words.

he had been digging for any information he could

young, beautiful, talented, and from a good family. If he could pair them up, marriage would naturally fall

remained silent and unresponsive about this. He sat on his chair restlessly.

dinner with her on this holiday. He glanced at

anxious, waiting for him; and of all things, he had even left his phone at his office, so he had

seat, trying to find a more

sight of her. Everyone's eyes were fixed on her as she crossed the stage and sat down on the chair, her movements elegant and graceful.

took a deep breath and started playing, her fingers leaping on the keys. The music echoed through the halls, playing