No matter how painful it was, he still wanted Meng Bingsen.
That boy who endured ridicule and isolation from all his classmates, the one who would extend a helping hand when others were in trouble, the one who remained as upright as green bamboo amidst countless taunts and sarcasm, the one who broke through doubts and still shone brilliantly every part of him made his heart flutter, and he couldn’t bear to let go of any of it.
“But what can we gain by continuing like this?” Meng Bingsen gave a bitter smile. He had nothing, he was all alone. But Yang Huai was different. He had family, friends, and a strong social network. As for himself, it seemed he had never brought anything positive into Yang Huai’s life. Instead, he had filled it with doubts and uncertainties.
“You said we should part does that mean we should never see each other again?” Yang Huai’s expression was icy as he spoke.
“Yes,” Meng Bingsen nodded. “After this, I’ll leave Huaicheng and stay as far away from your life as possible.”
If he stayed far enough away, he could force himself to stop paying attention to Yang Huai’s life. There was another reason, too: if Yang Huai found a new love someday, at least he wouldn’t have to witness it firsthand. Call it cowardice or self-deception, but he’d rather live with that.
Yang Huai’s heart ached. After all these years, why had they ended up in this situation?
“Then why did you approach me in the first place?!” Yang Huai’s eyes were bloodshot as he reached out and grabbed Meng Bingsen by the neck, gritting his teeth. “Why?!”
“Ah!” Meng Bingsen’s face turned red from the choking, yet his eyes held a sense of relief.
If he could die by Yang Huai’s hand, he was willing.
Seeing Meng Bingsen’s resigned, almost eager acceptance of death, Yang Huai grew even more furious. He abruptly released his grip, pressed forward, and fiercely kissed Meng Bingsen’s lips. The refreshing scent of bamboo grew stronger, intertwining and clashing with the light fragrance of green tea. Their pheromones battled like a tug-of-war, neither giving ground.
“One last time,” Yang Huai murmured against Meng Bingsen’s lips, his voice strained. “One last time. Let’s try one last time. If we still can’t make it work, then we’ll never see each other again.”
Meng Bingsen looked up at Yang Huai’s red-rimmed eyes and softly agreed.
He didn’t know how their path would unfold, but they would try this one last time. If they still couldn’t make it work, then it was simply fate that they were never meant to be.
Yang Huai could still feel the sharp pain in his heart. Suddenly, he stood up, pulling Meng Bingsen with him, and dragged him forcefully out of the reception room. As they stepped out, he spotted Cai Meilin not far away, but Yang Huai was in no mood for gossip or small talk. Without a word, he tugged Meng Bingsen toward the elevator.
Nearby, Cai Meilin adjusted her glasses as she watched their retreating figures, her expression calm and composed.
Lunch break had arrived. Shen Zuofeng picked up his phone and glanced at it, there was still no reply from Chi Qingwei to the message he had sent earlier.
Since returning from Jiangyang City, the two of them had gradually been in touch more often. It seemed as though everything was moving in a positive direction.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Zuofeng stood up and headed toward Yang Huai’s office, intending to ask him if there were any taboos or pitfalls to avoid when pursuing someone.
After knocking on the door for a long time with no response, Shen Zuofeng felt a little puzzled. Wasn’t Yang Huai usually in his office at this time? Even during meals, he’d stay in his office instead of going to the cafeteria.
Cai Meilin, who had just returned from lunch, saw her boss standing outside Yang Huai’s office and kindly reminded her, “Director Yang went out on some business.”
“Huh? What kind of business would he have at noon?” Shen Zuofeng was confused. There didn’t seem to be any urgent matters recently.
“Probably something about urgently booking a hotel room,” Cai Meilin said with an unruffled expression.
She had accidentally seen what was happening inside the reception room. After all, the reception room had glass walls, and those two hadn’t bothered to draw the curtains. It wasn’t her fault she saw it. Besides, Yang Huai clearly hadn’t made any effort to hide it.
Shen Zuofeng: “???”
What had she missed?
Booking a hotel room?
Yang Huai?
“With Meng Binsen?” Shen Zuofeng asked.
“Mm,” Cai Meilin replied.
Shen Zuofeng: “…”
For a moment, she didn’t know what to think. Over the years, she had witnessed this kind of situation at least three times.
“Forget it, let’s not worry about him. Do you have some time now? I’d like to borrow a little of it.” Unable to find Yang Huai, Shen Zuofeng turned her attention to the serious and diligent Chief Steward Cai.
She didn’t feel it was appropriate to interfere in Yang Huai’s affairs. In fact, as someone who had been single her whole life, she couldn’t offer him any good advice anyway.
“I have time,” Cai Meilin said, following Shen Zuofeng into her office.
Shen Zuofeng picked up her phone, her fingers tracing the edges of the device. She felt a bit embarrassed. It felt strange for a superior to ask a subordinate for advice on how to pursue someone.
“Boss?” Cai Meilin sat down, watching Shen Zuofeng, who seemed hesitant to speak.
“Ahem.” Shen Zuofeng kept her expression neutral, though inwardly she was quite embarrassed. She suddenly regretted not having watched more romance dramas back in her school days.
“I want to know how to increase someone’s favorability,” Shen Zuofeng finally said, deciding to get straight to the point and not take up too much of Cai Meilin’s time.
“Is this person Miss Chi?” Cai Meilin asked.
Shen Zuofeng: “…”
“Well, it depends on the person. If it’s Miss Chi, I assume the favorability you want to increase isn’t just at the level of ordinary friends,” Chief Steward Cai said, unusually verbose for once.
“Yes,” Shen Zuofeng replied softly.
It still felt a bit strange. Would asking about these things make her seem dull?
Cai Meilin nodded understandingly and said, “In that case, it varies from person to person. I don’t know what would specifically appeal to Miss Chi.”
Shen Zuofeng: “…”
So, after all that, you’re essentially saying nothing?
“However,” Cai Meilin added, turning the conversation around, “judging by the fact that Miss Chi was willing to rush to Jiangyang City to support you, you don’t need to worry about favorability. You just need to treat her sincerely.”
“When it comes to someone, techniques and tricks aren’t important. What matters is sincerity.”
“Sincerity has always been universally effective.”
Shen Zuofeng pondered this, then smiled openly. It seemed she had been overcomplicating things, thinking that pursuing someone required following a set of rules, when in fact, sincerity was what truly mattered.
“I understand. Thank you,” Shen Zuofeng said earnestly.
“It’s because you’re perceptive,” Cai Meilin remarked calmly.
Shen Zuofeng felt a bit speechless. Was this what being perceptive meant? It sounded so odd.
“Don’t let me keep you, you should go back and rest,” Shen Zuofeng said.
“Alright, you should rest early too,” Cai Meilin nodded. Even when faced with such questions from her boss, her expression remained unchanged, as calm as ever.
Only after Cai Meilin had left and closed the door did Shen Zuofeng finally allow herself to smile fully. After all, Cai Meilin had pointed her in the right direction.
When it came to sincerity, Shen Zuofeng had no shortage of it toward Chi Qingwei.
Liking someone truly brought both sweetness and heartache. These feelings were so complex that even someone as clever as Shen Zuofeng found them difficult to manage for a while.
On the other side, when Chi Qingwei took a break after finishing a task and saw the message from Shen Zuofeng, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
She became even more convinced that Shen Zuofeng had never pursued anyone before. Who in the world pursued someone like this? Wasn’t this a surefire way to end up alone?
Asking directly about her preferences and dislikes shouldn’t such things be discovered through careful observation? Who would bluntly ask the person in question?
However, it was precisely because of Shen Zuofeng’s straightforwardness that Chi Qingwei found herself liking her even more.
Interacting with such a direct person wasn’t exhausting; instead, it felt comfortable. With this kind of dynamic, there was no need to overthink how to speak or worry about hidden agendas.
All of Shen Zuofeng’s little thoughts were laid out plainly for her to see.
“You already know about my food preferences, I like light flavors and don’t eat cilantro, onions, organ meats, or rabbit.”
“As for other preferences, I want you to figure them out through observation.”
Only if Shen Zuofeng observed her carefully would she direct more of her attention toward her.
If everything was handed to her on a silver platter, what would there be left to observe?
And would she truly value something that came so easily?
Chi Qingwei firmly believed that people only develop a sense of value toward something or someone when they’ve invested effort into it. Things that come too easily are rarely cherished.
Pursing her lips into a light smile, Chi Qingwei decided she wanted Shen Zuofeng to focus on her. In return, she would also observe Shen Zuofeng to understand her better.
Based on what she knew so far, Shen Zuofeng’s character wasn’t an issue. The real question was whether their lifestyles would be compatible and if they could adjust to each other.
Though she had never been in a relationship either, Chi Qingwei felt she understood matters of the heart far better than Shen Zuofeng. It seemed she would have to guide CEO Shen in the future.
The thought of that scene made the smile on Chi Qingwei’s lips grow even brighter.
Wouldn’t that be quite entertaining?
Just then, Xiao Xi walked in and, upon seeing her cousin smiling dreamily, rolled her eyes and said, “Still relishing the memories of your heat cycle?”
She already knew that Chi Qingwei had spent her heat cycle with Shen Zuofeng from Future Technology.
The smile on Chi Qingwei’s lips faded as she cast a casual glance toward Chi Xi.
Under her gaze, Chi Xi immediately straightened up as if standing at military attention, her expression turning serious in an instant.
“Don’t you think it’s time you found yourself a partner?” Chi Qingwei asked, sounding somewhat puzzled.
Otherwise, why would she have so much free time to meddle in her love life every day?
Chi Xi pouted, her face scrunching up pitifully as she said, “Are you starting to find me annoying now?”
Chi Qingwei looked at her with a hint of confusion. “Haven’t I always found you annoying?”
If it’s always been that way, how could it be a recent development?
Chi Xi was left speechless, her expression practically screaming, “I want to cry but have no tears.”
Her cousin doesn’t love her anymore, she’s hurting me so bluntly.