Chapter 110 Choking Back Tears [VIP]

Chapter summary: "But Aunt Yujing, I abandoned him."

On the eighth day of the lunar new year, Fu Xianyin returned to Beijing.

Alex was no longer content with staying in Beijing. A few days before New Year's Eve, he told Fu Xianyin that he wanted to go to other cities.

He's such a grown man, and the country is a society governed by the rule of law, so Fu Xianyin wasn't too worried about him. She just asked him to let her and Andrew know he was safe every day, so everyone would be aware of the situation.

The project is nearing completion, and everyone is working overtime to finish the last bit of work.

Gu Linzhao even started working on the day he returned to Beijing, and for several days in a row, Fu Xianyin didn't even see him.

However, the project team never missed a single afternoon tea.

Among the many ordinary milk teas, Fu Xianyin's Mango Pomelo Sago stands out.

The project team's attitude towards her is also very different from what it was a month ago.

The initial exclusion and isolation are gone, and now almost everyone in the project team can talk to Fu Xianyin.

It's unclear whether it was because the project was nearing completion, casting a filter on everyone's hearts, or because Fu Xianyin's arrival genuinely accelerated their project's progress.

When Song Jiaqi received the mango pomelo sago dessert for the fourth time, she couldn't hold back anymore.

She knocked on Fu Xianyin's office door, placed the mango pomelo sago on her desk, and finally couldn't help but ask:

"Teacher Fu, you drink mango pomelo sago every day, don't you ever get tired of it?"

Fu Xianyin said, "I drank it for more than a month straight during high school and I never got tired of it, this is nothing compared to what I've done."

Song Jiaqi moved a small stool to sit in front of Fu Xianyin's desk, propped her chin on her hand, and asked, "Teacher Fu, where did you go to high school?"

Fu Xianyin said, "Beichuan."

"Beichuan?" Song Jiaqi was a little surprised: "Teacher Fu, our CEO Gu also went to high school in Beichuan, what a coincidence."

Fu Xianyin smiled and said, "It is quite a coincidence."

She didn't say much to Song Jiaqi, and her gaze returned to the data.

She said, "The data is fine; the problem might be with your overall analysis method."

She briefly pointed out a few key points, and Song Jiaqi suddenly understood. She took her computer back and made the changes.

Back at her workstation, Li Yiran quietly spun her chair over and asked, "How did it go?"

Song Jiaqi said, "Teacher Fu said that the project is almost finished, so we just need to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Li Yiran said, "That's not what I'm asking."

He whispered, "Teacher Fu and President Gu really are... oh my!"

He covered his head, looking at Song Jiaqi with a wronged expression: "Why did you hit me?"

Song Jiaqi rolled her eyes at him: "You're incredibly audacious, Li Yiran! How dare you discuss such things?"

Li Yiran felt guilty and went back to her workstation with a pout.

Song Jiaqi kicked his chair, and when she turned around, she stared at the data, slightly lost in thought.

Before Fu Xianyin came to Xingfan Technology, the project team had discussed in private many times what kind of person this teacher Fu, who was about to come and provide them with technical support, would be.

Someone secretly browsed her WeChat Moments, and Song Jiaqi also took a look.

Basically, there's nothing there.

Fu Xianyin is the type who almost never posts on WeChat Moments. She doesn't even set the "visible to three days" or "visible to friends" settings. Her Moments are open to everyone, but there are only a handful of posts. Most of them are reposts of things like school club activities.

There isn't even a single photo of himself.

At that time, Song Jiaqi's impression of Fu Xianyin was just a few monotonous labels, coupled with Hu Chengcheng's occasional hints, so Song Jiaqi didn't really have a good impression of Fu Xianyin.

He's just a rich kid who went abroad to get some experience.

That's what she thought at the time.

Not just her, Song Jiaqi felt that almost the entire project team thought the same way.

However, the impression was shattered on the first day I met Fu Xianyin.

Song Jiaqi still remembers that Fu Xianyin wore black patterned trousers that day, with a white shirt over it, and a gray sweater over that shirt. The sweater was slightly fitted but not tight, and the material looked like it would cost her more than a month's salary to buy one.

She curled her hair with a curling iron and casually tucked it behind her ears. Her makeup was also very light; Song Jiaqi felt that she had only applied a base and casually put on a rose-colored lipstick before going out.

But it's stunningly beautiful.

This is completely different from the stereotypical image of an idle and rich second-generation heir.

The moment Song Jiaqi saw Fu Xianyin, she inexplicably felt that this teacher who had come from afar must really have some skills.

As expected.

Over the next month, Song Jiaqi couldn't help but berate herself for being stupid whenever she thought about her initial idea.

That's an MIT PhD, how could he not have real talent and practical skills?

When project schedules are tight, overtime is inevitable. Almost every time Song Jiaqi passes by Fu Xianyin's office, she can see that the light in her office is on.

I didn't just sit back and do nothing, nor was I the kind of leader who would assign tasks to you without understanding anything.

Song Jiaqi genuinely felt that if it weren't for Fu Xianyin, their project wouldn't have progressed so smoothly.

In fact, towards the later stages of the project, Song Jiaqi wanted to improve her relationship with Fu Xianyin.

But after several attempts, she found it difficult to get along with Fu Xianyin.

Fu Xianyin is not the difficult type to get along with; quite the opposite, in fact, she is very easy to talk to and can even crack a joke with you if you don't touch on any sensitive points.

But it's just that it doesn't touch the heart.

It seems you can only be acquaintances with her, but it's difficult to take things further and develop a relationship like friendship.

"You've been staring at this data table for ages, have you figured out anything about it?"

Li Yiran's cheeky voice rang out behind her. Song Jiaqi rolled her eyes at him, and seeing him carrying his cup toward the break room, she unceremoniously handed him her own cup.

"Here, get me a cup too, I want it warm."

Li Yiran hummed as she took the cup from her. Song Jiaqi stretched and looked back at the densely packed data.

After three sleepless nights, the initial finishing touches on the project were finally completed.

Fu Xianyin's time in Beijing to provide technical support is also coming to an end.

There wasn't much of her own stuff in the office. Fu Xianyin rummaged through the room and realized that she only had one notebook to put away.

Gu Linzhao provided her with everything she needed, and in the month or so she'd been in Beijing, she hadn't even needed to furnish her office.

She even bought herself a more comfortable computer chair while pursuing her PhD.

There was a sudden knock on the heavy wooden door. Fu Xianyin's fingers were still on the mouse. She said lazily, "Come in."

Unexpectedly, it was Hu Chengcheng who came.

Fu Xianyin was surprised for a moment, then stood up.

"Manager Hu," she said politely, a slight smile playing on her lips, "is there anything I can help you with?"

Hu Chengcheng said, "We need to double-check Teacher Fu's schedule for our celebration banquet tonight."

Fu Xianyin said, "Didn't I already send it in the group? I'm free tonight."

Hu Chengcheng smiled and said, "It's safer to double-check."

As she spoke, she placed an exquisite gift bag on Fu Xianyin's desk.

Fu Xianyin paused for a second, then quickly waved her hand. Before she could speak, Hu Chengcheng said:

"I'm sorry to have troubled you this past month, Professor Fu. I offended you in the past, and I was just being petty and judging you by my own standards."

With an apologetic expression and a sincere look, Fu Xianyin opened her mouth but ultimately accepted the gift.

It's a high-end hand cream; it looks very expensive.

After seeing Hu Chengcheng off, Fu Xianyin's gaze fell on the hand cream, and she sighed softly.

She also prepared some gifts for the project team. She originally thought that she would give them if they were useful, and it wouldn't matter if they weren't. But after Hu Chengcheng's actions, it seemed a bit awkward not to give them anything.

The gifts were all at the hotel. Fu Xianyin planned to go back first after get off work in the afternoon, and then take a taxi to the address of the celebration banquet. Unexpectedly, she received a message from Lu Heyu before leaving get off work.

Lu Heyu: [Teacher Fu, I'll take you to the hotel after work. Mr. Gu's flight is also this afternoon, so let's go to the airport first and then go there on the way.]

Fu Xianyin: [I plan to go back first to get some things, so there's no need to trouble Teacher Lu.]

Lu Heyu: [No trouble at all, it's on my way. I'll give you a ride back; it'll be more convenient for Teacher Fu.]

Fu Xianyin looked at the message on her phone and lowered her eyes.

Gu Linzhao was probably the one who insisted on sending her there; Lu Heyu was most likely just doing his boss's job.

With a click, the phone screen locked. Fu Xianyin stared at her reflection on the black screen, somewhat lost in thought.

After returning to Beijing, Fu Xianyin didn't even see a trace of Gu Linzhao.

He has to fly back and forth to discuss cooperation, so even when he's in Beijing, he can't meet her at the same time.

Fu Xianyin considered going to his office to find him. She had already entered the elevator, but her finger remained on Gu Linzhao's floor, and she hesitated to press the button.

Hu Chengcheng can handle the project matters, and Lu Heyu can help with other life-related issues.

Gu Linzhao had arranged everything for her meticulously, but in the end, she didn't even have an excuse to see him anymore.

Fu Xianyin finally convinced herself by using the excuse that there were too many people and too many eyes in the company.

The project is nearing its end, and she will soon be leaving Beijing.

after……

As she thought this, a bittersweet ache welled up inside her.

After that, the bridge goes back to its bridge, and the road goes back to its road. All the entanglements and entanglements should probably come to an end here.

The elevator went up, and Fu Xianyin followed it. The heavy doors slowly opened, and Fu Xianyin saw Lu Heyu outside.

Lu Heyu seemed surprised to see Fu Xianyin, as if he hadn't expected anyone to be in the elevator.

"Teacher Fu?"

He said, "Did you just come back from President Gu's office?"

Fu Xianyin opened her mouth, but in the end she just shook her head.

"No."

She said.

Then he stepped sideways and out of the elevator.

Since then, she has never gone to see Gu Linzhao again.

Gu Linzhao never contacted her.

As the car started, it began to snow again.

The phone vibrated suddenly, and Fu Xianyin's heart skipped a beat for some reason.

She unlocked her phone, opened WeChat, and saw that Alex's chat window had been pushed to the top.

Feeling an inexplicable emptiness, Fu Xianyin opened the chat window and saw a message from Alex.

Alex: [Are you off work yet?]

Fu Xianyin: [I'm off work.]

Almost instantly, Alex called her back.

His voice was full of excitement: "Yin, guess where I am right now?!"

Her tone clearly indicated that she had gone to a place she was familiar with.

For some reason, the first city that popped into Fu Xianyin's mind was Beichuan.

She asked, "Are you in Beichuan?"

Alex said, "No, no, no, you guessed wrong. I'm in Linlan, your hometown."

"Isn't it amazing? I've come to the place where you grew up!"

Fu Xianyin said indifferently, "It's amazing, just as amazing as the almost three years I spent in Boston."

Alex's voice fell into frustration: "Oh, Yin, you always have to dampen my spirits."

He quickly became excited again: "Have you been back to Linlan since you came back this time? It's so beautiful here, I really like this city."

Fu Xianyin said, "I went back. I just went a few days ago."

Alex asked, "How is it? Has it changed a lot compared to before?"

Fu Xianyin said, "It's alright."

She didn't actually look at it very closely.

There was only one purpose for returning to Linlan: to see Aunt Yujing.

Every second she spent at the sanatorium, she couldn't help but think of Gu Linzhao.

That day at No. 13 Middle School, Gu Linzhao asked her if she wanted to go back to Linlan together.

In the end, she didn't go back with Gu Linzhao.

Inside the sanatorium, Lin Yujing, dressed in a pure white cashmere sweater and wrapped in a thick shawl, leaned back in a recliner watching the snow. When she saw Fu Xianyin, she stared at her blankly for a long time, and after a long pause, finally called out uncertainly:

"Yinyin?"

At that moment, Fu Xianyin's tears fell directly down.

She choked back tears and sobbed, "Aunt Yujing, I've come to see you."

Lin Yujing waved to her: "Come here, come to Aunt Yujing's place."

She sat on the edge of the recliner, and Lin Yujing reached out and pinched her cheek, saying, "It feels like it's been a long time since I've seen Yinyin."

Fu Xianyin said softly, "I went abroad to study at university."

"Oh, I see," Lin Yujing smiled, her eyes brightening, but then she frowned again: "Are you all alone? Are you doing well? Are you eating well? Is there anything you're not used to?"

Fu Xianyin answered each question in turn: "I'm doing quite well on my own. The food is good too, and I'm not having any trouble adjusting."

"That's wonderful!" Lin Yujing smiled like a child. "Aren't you much happier now?"

Fu Xianyin wanted to nod and smile at her, but after a forced smile, she ended up bursting into tears.

Lin Yujing wiped away her tears.

She seemed to be in pretty good spirits today and could still remember some things: "Yinyin, my sister-in-law and her family just came back to see me a few days ago, along with my nephew. He's all grown up now, and so is Yinyin."

Lin Yujing recalled the past: "I remember the first time I met Yinyin, she was a very, very small child. I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be if Yinyin were my daughter."

Fu Xianyin's tears fell like a burst dam.

She murmured, "I'm sorry, Aunt Yujing, I'm so sorry..."

Lin Yujing said, "Don't feel sorry for me, Yinyin. Don't feel sorry. You're doing very well now, and Aunt Yujing is very happy."

She coaxed her like a child, saying, "Don't cry, Yinyin, don't cry."

Fu Xianyin stayed in the sanatorium for a long time.

When Yinyin talked to Lin Yujing about her experiences over the years, and mentioned that she was now a PhD student, Lin Yujing kept clapping for her: "Oh my god, Yinyin is amazing!"

Fu Xianyin talked a lot, but somehow, she ended up talking about Gu Linzhao again.

She didn't dare mention Gu Linzhao to Lin Yujing, so she could only vaguely portray him as a very, very good person.

She said softly, "He's so good to me, so very good. I've never been treated like this before. It's as if I'm something very precious. He worries about me, he's tolerant of me, he indulges me. I can be spoiled by him, I can be capricious with him, I can be unrestrained and do whatever I want."

Lin Yujing said, "I am so happy that Yinyin has met such a wonderful person who treats her like a treasure."

She asked, "What about Yinyin? Does she like this person?"

Fu Xianyin said, "I like it, I like it very much."

I like it very, very much.

But.

Her voice was choked with sobs.

She said, "But Aunt Yujing, I left him behind."

“I abandoned him.”

[Author's Note]

The copywriting idea is about to be finalized! I'm already so excited even though I haven't started writing yet! So excited!