Ranita remained silent, crossing over without any expression on her face. She returned to her apartment and stayed there for two days until the bruises on her face disappeared before leaving again. In the morning, she had a meeting to attend for her professional association. On the way there, Olivia called her.
“Ranita, your visa and plane tickets are all taken care of,” Olivia said.
“Are you really leaving?” Olivia sounded sad as she choked up a bit.
“Yes.”
Holding onto the steering wheel, Ranita spoke softly. “But we agreed on this beforehand didn’t we? Just come visit me when you have time! And don’t work too hard either; make sure to take some time off.”
“Ranita, how can you say such things to me?” Olivia snorted twice, “You are famous in our translation circle for being a workaholic! Seniors all say it’s fortunate that you are young; if it were a few years earlier, they wouldn’t have a foothold!”
These were all polite words.
The translation circle, whether big or small, was significant.
When Ranita arrived at the hotel conference room, most people were already there. She glanced at the agenda; it was almost the same every year.
“Ranita?” Lily sat beside her at this moment. “Don’t you have a studio anymore? Why are you still attending the meeting?”
Ranita ignored her, infuriating Lily, “Hey! I’m talking to you; can’t you hear me?”
“Oh, Lily, don’t get angry! Maybe the big beauty is not in a good mood, after all, she lost her studio, quite pitiful!” Another man nearby chimed in.
Ranita felt a sense of familiarity but couldn’t recall who he was, so she simply pursed her lips and said nothing.
Lily became more spirited, “That’s right! They say a fallen phoenix is no match for a rooster. Ranita used to be so glorious! Now, when you look at her…”
Ranita remained calm and steady.
“Ranita! Did you hear me or not? Or do you have no shame…” Lily was provoked and frustrated.
Ranita glanced at Lily indifferently and said in a calm tone, “Are you talking to me?”
Completely ignored.
“You!” Lily gritted her teeth.
“What’s ‘you’? Lily, those who start first are often the most vulgar. If you keep speaking without restraint, don’t blame me for being impolite!” After a pause, Ranita crossed her arms and smiled, “After all, I used to be quite illustrious, and I knew quite a few people.”
Ranita rarely bullied others.
But Lily was simply too annoying. She had only met at the class reunion, and Lily stuck to her like gum.
“You!” Lily was infuriated but didn’t dare to say more. Ranita indeed had many connections; if she offended her too much, who knew…
At this moment, someone intervened, “Lily, we’re all in the same circle, and I heard you two are classmates! Let’s clear up any misunderstandings!”
The association president arrived, and the meeting officially began.
It was similar to before, with each industry having its rules. Ranita didn’t want to be too accommodating, but survival required some level of unity.
After the meeting, it was lunchtime.
Ranita chatted with familiar faces, feeling quite good. But at this moment, Lily approached again, awkwardly sitting beside her and muttering, “I’m not insisting on bowing to you; I just don’t want things to get ugly.”
Ranita was speechless. It was unnecessary!
Lily handed her a glass of orange juice and insincerely said, “I was wrong before; I apologize!”