Testing and Avoiding

Morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the design department's office area. Xu Ying rubbed her temples and swallowed the last sip of her iced Americano. The spring product design she had stayed up all night revising was still lying on the table, the color-printed drafts covered with red pen marks marking the changes.

"Yingying, your dark circles are almost down to your mouth." Her colleague Xiaolin, with a pineapple bun in her mouth, came over and casually placed a stack of documents in front of her. "The director said you should prioritize this."

Xu Ying opened the folder, and the first page of the contract, with its gold-embossed logo, prominently displayed "Raycus Technology Annual Brand Upgrade Cooperation Memorandum." Her fingertips paused on the paper, and the ice cubes in her coffee cup clinked softly.

"When did you take on this case?" she asked casually, her fingernails unconsciously scraping the condensation on the glass.

"It was an urgent shipment that just arrived this morning." Kobayashi lowered his voice mysteriously. "I heard they specifically requested you to be in charge, and even skipped the bidding process—the quote is double the market price!"

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the morning rush hour traffic formed a shimmering river of lights on the overpass. Xu Ying stared at the signature section at the end of the contract, where three words were scribbled in a flamboyant hand: Zong Heng.

The ink of the fountain pen is so strong that it penetrates the paper, and the final stroke is like a drawn sword.

“I think it should be transferred to Director Wang.” Xu Ying stood in the director’s office and pushed the contract back onto the table. “He is more skilled in designing technology brands.”

The sunlight streaming through the glass curtain wall made the director's bald head shine. Director Liu pushed up his glasses: "The CEO called personally, saying he'd read your minimalist research published in *Design Frontiers*." He took a brown paper bag from his drawer. "This is the advance payment check."

The amount on the check made Xu Ying gasp; it was enough to cover her mother's targeted therapy costs for six months.

“They’re asking for a proposal by next Monday.” Director Liu looked at her meaningfully. “I heard Raycus is preparing for an IPO. If this project goes through, you’ll be the VP of Creative next year.”

The motion-sensor lights in the corridor suddenly dimmed. Xu Ying touched the faint ring mark on her ring finger—where she used to wear the pull tab from a soda can that Zong Heng had given her when she graduated from high school.

The afternoon sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the "Old Time" café, casting a warm glow on the wooden tabletops. Xu Ying sat in her usual corner, a design draft spread out in front of her, her pencil lightly sketching lines on the paper.

She'd already drunk half of her hot Americano, its slightly bitter aroma lingering in the air. She liked the café's name—"Old Times"—it felt like some kind of mysterious coincidence, or perhaps a silent irony.

Five years have passed, and she has long since grown accustomed to sitting here alone, quietly drinking a cup of coffee, and sorting out her thoughts.

jingle--

The wind chimes by the door rang as the door was pushed open, and a gust of cold wind swept in, carrying with it the noise from outside. Xu Ying subconsciously looked up, her gaze sweeping across the doorway, before she lowered her head again to continue drawing.

Until a shadow fell on her desk.

"Designer Xu, what a coincidence."

The deep voice was like a sharp knife, unexpectedly slicing through her calm thoughts.

Xu Ying's fingers trembled suddenly, the pencil tip leaving a stark black dot on the paper. She slowly raised her head, her gaze following the long black suit trousers upwards, past the loose tie and the slightly open collar, finally meeting those familiar yet unfamiliar eyes.

Zong Heng.

He stood with one hand in his pocket, looking down at her with a faint smile on his lips, like a hunter who had finally found his prey.

Xu Ying's breath caught in her throat for a moment, her heart pounding violently in her chest, making her eardrums ache.

Five years have passed, and he hasn't changed at all.

He still had that lazy yet dangerous look, but the boyishness between his brows had faded, replaced by the sharpness and imposing presence unique to mature men.

She gripped the pencil in her hand tightly, forcing herself to remain calm: "Mr. Zong, is something the matter?"

Zong Heng chuckled softly, pulled out the chair opposite her, and sat down as naturally as if they had just met yesterday.

"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?" His voice was deep, with a hint of teasing.

Xu Ying subconsciously leaned back, her back against the chair, trying to create some distance: "I'm very busy."

Zong Heng's gaze swept over the design draft in front of her, then returned to her face, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "Busy taking my orders?"

Xu Ying tightened her grip, and the pencil made a soft "click" sound under her knuckles.

It really was him.

She took a deep breath and said calmly, "If this is what you want, I can decline."

Zong Heng raised an eyebrow, then suddenly reached out and gently tapped her coffee cup with his fingertips, making a crisp "ding".

“Xu Ying,” he leaned forward slightly, his voice low, “you’re avoiding me.”

His scent wafted towards her, mixed with a faint cologne fragrance, so familiar that it brought tears to her eyes.

Xu Ying abruptly turned her face away, avoiding his gaze: "I didn't."

"No?" Zong Heng chuckled, his gaze lingering for a second on her slightly reddened earlobes. "Then why don't you dare look at me?"

Xu Ying bit her lower lip, forcing herself to turn back and look him straight in the eye: "President Zong, we are just business partners, there is no need to talk about personal matters."

Zong Heng narrowed his eyes, then suddenly pulled a black room key from the inside pocket of his suit and pushed it in front of her.

Imperial View Hotel, Room 2801.

Xu Ying's pupils contracted, and she suddenly stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a screeching sound.

"What do you mean?" Her voice was low, but she couldn't hide the trembling in it.

Several customers at the surrounding tables looked over curiously, her ears burning, wishing she could disappear immediately.

Zong Heng slowly stood up, looking down at her: "It's just about cooperation, what did you think it was?"

His tone was flippant, but his eyes were unfathomable.

Xu Ying clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms: "I'm not going."

Zong Heng suddenly reached out and gently brushed his fingertips against her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Afraid of me?" He chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of danger.

Xu Ying dodged as if she had been electrocuted, grabbed her bag and was about to leave, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Xu Ying".

His palm was warm, and his grip was so strong that she couldn't break free.

She looked up and met his darkening gaze.

"That happened five years ago," he said, emphasizing each word. "Don't you want to hear an explanation?"

Xu Ying stood frozen in place, her heart feeling as if it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand.

Five years ago.

Graduation party.

That silver chain.

"wait for me."

She waited a year, until she was heartbroken, until a phone call from his father shattered her illusions.

"Zong Heng is not coming back, so stop bothering him."

Xu Ying's eyes reddened, and she abruptly shook off his hand: "It's too late."

She turned and left, her steps so hurried it was almost as if she were running away.

Behind him, Zong Heng's voice came clearly:

"I'll be waiting for you at eight o'clock tonight."

As she pushed open the door of the coffee shop, a cold wind blew in her face, and Xu Ying realized that her back was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

She stood on the side of the street, panting heavily, as if she had just survived a disaster.

My phone vibrated; it was a text message from an unknown number:

You have ten minutes to consider.

Xu Ying stared at the screen, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Five years have passed, and she thought she had long since let go.

But why was she so easily defeated in just one encounter?

——

The moment Xu Ying stepped into the top-floor banquet hall, the shimmering light reflected from the crystal chandelier dazzled her eyes.

It was not the private meeting I had expected, but a rather large business dinner.

She stood there, stunned, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the gold-embossed room key.

"Let's talk about cooperation."

Zong Heng's deep voice still seemed to linger in her ears, carrying an undeniable air of authority. Yet, the scene before her, filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the elegance of human presence, left her momentarily unable to discern his true intentions.

“Designer Xu?” A waiter approached with a smile and took the invitation from her. “Your seat is at table three in section A. Please follow me.”

She mechanically followed the waiter through the crowd, but couldn't help glancing around the entire room out of the corner of her eye—

Where is he?

The banquet hall was lavishly decorated, with a champagne tower gleaming in the center. Business elites in suits gathered in small groups, their laughter filled with calculations and interests. Xu Ying glanced down at her beige suit dress and suddenly felt out of place.

"Your seat is here." The waiter stopped and gestured for her to sit down.

Xu Ying was about to sit down when her gaze suddenly froze—

The gold-embossed characters "Zong Heng" on the table card stung her eyes.

“Excuse me,” she immediately took a step back, “I think my seat might have been assigned incorrectly.”

The waiter checked the list with a puzzled look: "Ms. Xu Ying, there's no mistake for table A3..."

"She didn't go the wrong way."

A deep male voice came from behind her, and Xu Ying froze.

She slowly turned around—

Zong Heng stood less than half a meter behind her, his impeccably tailored black suit accentuating his prominent shoulders. Five years had softened the youthful sharpness in his eyes, but had also cultivated an even more imposing aura. At this moment, he had one hand in his pocket and the other holding a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid shimmering slightly under the light.

His gaze fell on her face, a half-smile playing on his lips: "What, don't you recognize your business partner?"

Xu Ying gripped her handbag tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms: "President Zong is joking."

She deliberately used a distant form of address, but he noticed his eyes darken.

The waiter tactfully stepped back, and Zong Heng stepped forward, so close that she could smell the faint scent of cedar on him—

Exactly the same as five years ago.

“You’re three minutes late,” he suddenly said.

Xu Ying was taken aback, and subconsciously retorted, "There was a traffic jam on the way."

Zong Heng chuckled softly, his gaze sliding from her slightly reddened ear tips to her taut lips, finally settling on the pearl earring on her left ear.

"Nervous?" He suddenly raised his hand.

Before Xu Ying could back away, she felt a chill on her earlobe—

Zong Heng's fingertips gently brushed against her skin, then he opened his palm. A pearl earring lay quietly in his hand, gleaming softly under the light.

"It's gone," he said calmly.

Xu Ying's ears burned, and she quickly took the earring: "Thank you."

The moment their fingertips touched, she recoiled as if electrocuted, only to see Zong Heng's eyes darken further.

Without saying anything more, he turned and walked towards the main table: "Come on."

Xu Ying followed behind Zong Heng, trying her best to ignore the probing gazes from those around her.

"Is that Mr. Zong's female companion?"

"Never seen it before, which company is it from?"

Whispers continued to reach her ears; she straightened her back and forced herself to maintain a professional smile.

Zong Heng suddenly stopped, and she almost bumped into his back.

“Sit here.” He pulled out the chair next to him.

Xu Ying hesitated for a moment, but still sat down. This seat was too conspicuous—directly facing the main stage, practically the focus of the entire audience.

Just as the waiter stepped forward to pour her a drink, she was about to refuse when Zong Heng spoke up: "Give her juice instead."

Xu Ying glanced at him in surprise.

"What?" Zong Heng swirled his wine glass. "Have you forgotten how easily you can't hold your liquor?"

—He still remembers.

This realization made Xu Ying's heart skip a beat. She lowered her head to hide her emotions, but then she heard applause around her.

The banquet officially began.

The organizer's representative spoke eloquently on stage, but Xu Ying didn't hear a single word. She could clearly feel the presence of the man beside her—

His long, slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, his wristwatch reflecting a cold light.

The subtle rustling of his suit fabric as he occasionally leaned forward to talk to someone;

Even the faint scent of cedar on him made it impossible for her to concentrate.

"Next, please welcome Mr. Zong Heng to the stage to give a speech!"

Amidst thunderous applause, Zong Heng calmly rose. As he passed Xu Ying, he suddenly leaned down, his thin lips almost touching her earlobe—

"Don't even think about escaping."

A warm breath brushed past her ear, and Xu Ying trembled all over.

Zong Heng's speech was brief and powerful, drawing continuous applause from the audience. Xu Ying gazed at the radiant man on the stage, and for a moment, she felt a connection to the boy in her memory who stood under the flagpole reciting a self-criticism.

"Zong Heng from Class 7, Grade 11, received a demerit for fighting."

"But the other party struck first." The boy's nonchalant voice still seemed to echo in my ears.

Xu Ying's fingertips unconsciously caressed the champagne glass, the cool touch bringing her back to her senses.

The banquet hall was noisy and bustling with people, and amidst the clinking of glasses, she once again caught that gaze—Zong Heng stood not far away, talking with several business tycoons with a composed demeanor, but his gaze pierced through the crowd and was firmly fixed on her.

The heat is intense and cannot be ignored.

She took a big gulp of champagne, the bubbles bursting on her tongue, a slightly bitter and sweet taste.

"Ms. Xu, we are very interested in your design concept. How about we discuss it in detail another day?" The client next to her smiled and handed over his business card.

"Of course, thank you," she replied politely, but out of the corner of her eye she saw Zong Heng take a step toward her.

I can't stay here any longer.

"Excuse me for a moment." She hurriedly put down her wine glass and turned to walk towards the terrace.

A night breeze blew against her face, carrying the chill of early autumn. Xu Ying took a deep breath, placed her hands on the railing, and looked down at the city lights.

Five years have passed.

She thought she had long forgotten that feeling of her heart racing uncontrollably, but when he appeared again, she realized—

Some memories never fade.

"Avoiding me?"

A deep voice sounded from behind, and Xu Ying froze.

She didn't turn around, but the familiar scent of cedarwood wafted over, mixed with a faint hint of whiskey, quite aggressive.

The footsteps drew closer, finally stopping half a step behind her.

"Just need some fresh air," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Zong Heng chuckled softly, then suddenly reached out and swept past her, bracing himself against the railing.

A gesture that is almost like an embrace.

His chest was almost pressed against her back, his body heat seeping through the thin fabric. Xu Ying instinctively leaned forward, but he held her waist with his other hand and gently pulled her back—

"Why are you hiding?" He lowered his head, his breath brushing against her earlobe. "Weren't you quite bold before?"

Memories surged up instantly.

In high school, she was also trapped in a corner of the classroom by him in the same way, her face flushed but trying to remain calm: "Zong Heng, if you keep doing this, I'll tell the teacher."

The boy grinned smugly: "Go ahead, let's see who the teacher believes."

Now, his aura is even more dangerous and terrifying.

“President Zong,” Xu Ying forced herself to remain calm, “if it’s about the cooperation, we can discuss it at the company tomorrow.”

"A collaboration?" He scoffed, pinching her chin with his fingers and forcing her to turn her head. "Xu Ying, you know perfectly well why I came to you."

Their eyes met, and she finally saw his eyes clearly—

Deep, dark, suppressing some kind of surging emotion.

"Then why now?" Her voice trembled. "It's been five years, Zong Heng. What makes you think I'd stand still and wait for you?"

His eyes darkened, and he traced her lower lip with his fingertips: "Because I haven't had a single good day in the last five years."

Xu Ying was stunned.

Zong Heng suddenly released her, took out a wallet from the inside pocket of his suit, and threw it onto the railing.

"Open."

She hesitated before opening it, her pupils suddenly contracting—

Inside the transparent compartment of her wallet was a photo of her from high school.

The photo is yellowed and worn at the edges, clearly having been handled countless times.

"You think I've forgotten you?" he said in a hoarse voice. "Xu Ying, you think too highly of me."

A cool night breeze blew a wisp of hair away from Xu Ying's ear.

She stood by the railing of the terrace, her fingertips unconsciously gripping the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Zong Heng's hand was still gripping her wrist, his palm burning hot, like a branding iron searing her skin. His breath was close enough to touch hers.

A faint scent of whiskey, mixed with his usual cedar fragrance, enveloped her entirely.

“Xu Ying…” His voice was low and deep, like a storm that had been suppressed for too long finally finding an outlet.

She didn't dare to look up at him.

I'm afraid that if I look up, I'll drown in his unfathomable eyes.

I'm afraid that if I open my mouth, all the defenses I've built up over the past five years will crumble.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

Xu Ying bit her lower lip and stubbornly turned her face away.

The next second, his fingers pinched her chin, not with much force, but with an irresistible force, turning her face back.

His eyes were exceptionally deep in the night, as if they were filled with ink or burning with fire, scorching her heart.

“It’s been five years,” he said in a hoarse voice, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Xu Ying's eyelashes trembled, and her throat felt like it was blocked by something. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence: "What did you say?"

“Say you hate me,” he sneered. “Say you’ve long forgotten me, say you don’t care at all.”

She suddenly looked up.

"Zong Heng!"

"What, did I say something wrong?" He took a step closer, completely trapping her between himself and the railing. "At the banquet just now, who was it that acted like a stranger? Who didn't even dare to look at me?"

Xu Ying's chest heaved violently, her eyes welling up with tears: "And what about you? Who disappeared without a word back then? Who didn't even reply to a single letter?!"

Zong Heng's pupils suddenly contracted.

"A letter?" His voice turned cold. "What letter?"

"Stop pretending!" She finally lost control, her voice choked with sobs. "I've been writing for a whole year! Every single one of them has disappeared without a trace!"

Even a simple "Leave me alone" from you would have been enough for me! But you? You wouldn't even spare a single word!

Zong Heng's expression changed.

His fingers tightened slightly, his gaze so sharp it seemed to rip open her heart: "You wrote a letter?"

"Yes!" she glared at him, her eyes red. "One letter a month, sent to the address your father gave you! But what about you? Where are you? When you're in the news with those socialites and heiresses, do you ever think about me waiting for you?!"

Zong Heng's face darkened completely.

He released her, took a step back, and suddenly chuckled softly.

The laughter was laced with self-mockery and anger.

"Good, very good." He raised his hand to his brow, his knuckles turning white. "I knew it..."

Xu Ying was stunned.

His reaction was wrong.

It shouldn't be like this... He should sneer, he should mock, he should say with the same disdain as that arrogant young man back then, "Who cares about your letter?"

Instead of like it is now—

It felt like I'd been stabbed hard, and even my breathing became heavy.

"Zong Heng?" She subconsciously reached out, but the moment she touched his cuff, he grabbed her hand.

His palms were burning hot, and the force was so great that it almost hurt her.

“Listen,” he said, emphasizing each word, “I have never received a letter from you.”

Xu Ying froze.

"Impossible..." she shook her head, "I clearly—"

“My father,” he sneered, “intercepted all the private letters sent to me.”

Her breath caught in her throat for a second.

“I went to look for you after I returned to China,” he said in a voice so low it was almost inaudible, “but you had moved, changed your phone number, and even the school didn’t have your contact information.”

Xu Ying's fingertips began to tremble.

So these five years...

They were both waiting for each other.

But no one waited.

The night wind suddenly became biting.

She lowered her head, looking at the tips of her shoes, tears falling onto the marble floor, spreading into a small, dark stain.

"Zong Heng," she asked softly, "what are we now...?"

He remained silent for a moment.

Then he released her and took something out of his suit's inner pocket—

A faded blue envelope.

Xu Ying's pupils suddenly contracted.

That is...

“The first letter you wrote to me in my second year of high school,” he said softly, “was tucked in my textbook, and I’ve kept it ever since.”

The envelope was yellowed and worn at the edges, clearly having been handled countless times.

Her tears welled up again.

"So..." He cupped her face in his hands, his forehead resting against hers, "Let's start over, okay?"

Xu Ying gazed into his eyes, which were so close to hers.

The emotions inside were so intense and overwhelming, it felt like they were going to drown her.

She suddenly remembered that rainy night five years ago, when the boy gripped her wrist, his eyes red, and said, "Wait for me."

She waited.

He looked for it too.

Now, fate has taken a roundabout turn, bringing us back to where we started.

Do you want to miss out again?

Xu Ying gradually calmed down and pushed him away: "The past is no longer important."

Zong Heng stared at her, then suddenly laughed: "Not important?"

He picked up the contract on the table and tore it in half: "What about this? It's not important either?"

Xu Ying was stunned: "You..."

Zong Heng leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Xu Ying, I'm in charge of this game."

Xu Ying fled the hotel as if escaping, but received a new message in the elevator:

“Starting tomorrow, I will personally oversee the project's progress. —Zong Heng”

She gripped her phone tightly, her heart pounding.

Will she be able to escape this time?