Chapter 39: No recollection

The layers of grievances piled up, almost suffocating her.

She looked up abruptly, tears welling in her eyes.

"What kind of person do you think I am? In your mind, have I become the kind of person who would do anything to climb the social ladder?"

"Do you really think I left the Zhou family to climb up to Sheng Tingzhou? For some so-called power and benefit?"

She always thought that Zhou Yuze understood her.

I understand her persistence and her stubbornness.

He also understood the grievances and loneliness she carried when she left the Zhou family.

She never imagined he would look at her with such suspicion.

To say such hurtful things.

Looking at her reddened eyes, Zhou Yuze finally realized that he had said the wrong thing.

He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady.

"That's not what I meant. I just... there are too many coincidences, it's too abnormal, it's impossible for me not to have any doubts."

He took a step forward.

Raise your hand and gently stroke her hair, just like you did when she was a child, to soothe her emotions.

Song Zhiwei stepped back, quickly creating distance between herself and him.

“I’m not a child anymore. I know what I’m doing. I don’t want to be treated like a child who doesn’t understand anything anymore.”

"I'm sorry, I was too impulsive."

Zhou Yuce watched her retreating figure, a flash of pain in his eyes.

He lowered his hands, his voice low, almost a whisper.

"Zhiwei, I shouldn't have crossed the line. I shouldn't have pressured you like this."

"I want to be alone. Can you go ahead?"

She bit her lower lip, afraid of losing control of her emotions.

But tears had already begun to well up in her eyes.

Zhou Yuze withdrew his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging sense of loss and regret in his heart.

Soften your voice.

"Zhiwei, I'm sorry, I have to go now. You should get some rest."

After saying that, he turned around and walked unsteadily toward the door.

As soon as the door closed, a blast of cold wind hit her face, and Song Zhiwei finally came to her senses.

She casually wiped away the tear tracks that had slid down her cheeks.

My fingertips touched the warm, damp sensation, and a dull ache shot through my chest.

Unwilling to stay where she was, she walked step by step toward the bathroom.

Hot water was poured down, and the steam quickly filled the entire space.

The mirror surface was quickly covered with a layer of white mist.

Her shoulders trembled slightly as she let the water wash over her body.

But the images in my mind couldn't be shaken off.

When she was little, he held her hand as they went to school;

He tied her scarf for her;

He smiled and ruffled her hair, saying, "Zhiwei, be good."

Tears mingled with water droplets and slid down her cheeks.

She finally understood that they had all changed.

After taking a shower, Song Zhiwei walked out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe.

Her hair was still dripping wet, her shoulders were slightly damp, and she looked exhausted.

The room was so quiet that only the ticking of the clock could be heard.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Three soft sounds, the rhythm neither too fast nor too slow.

She cleared her slightly hoarse throat and asked.

Who is it?

"Air."

Two words, lazy and nonchalant, with a hint of cynicism at the end.

It sounds exactly like Sheng Tingzhou's style.

The familiar tone of his voice put her at ease.

For some reason, Song Zhiwei smiled.

As soon as the door was cracked open, a cool breeze carrying the aroma of food wafted in.

It instantly whetted her appetite.

Her stomach even rumbled in agreement.

"The takeout has arrived."

Sheng Tingzhou leaned against the doorway, looking rather unsteady.

One hand was casually tucked into his pocket, while the other hand swung the bag in his hand.

"Would you like to eat at my place, or yours?"

Song Zhiwei thought about it and decided not to trouble him.

So I answered.

"Why don't you leave it with me?"

"become."

Without saying a word, Sheng Tingzhou carried his things and went straight inside.

He walked into the kitchen as if he knew the way well and took a few plates.

Then he opened each lunchbox and placed them on the table.

Braised pork ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, hot and sour shredded potatoes, and sweet and sour spare ribs.

It was all her favorite food.

"What did you talk about with him? He didn't get angry at you?"

As he set out the bowls and chopsticks, he casually asked a question.

She gave a slight smirk and sat down at the table.

"Nothing was said, and it wasn't a big deal."

Sheng Tingzhou chuckled and teased.

"Hey, you little mouse who used to always hide behind people, have you gotten bolder now? Not planning to hide behind him anymore?"

His slender fingers tapped twice on the table.

His gaze fell sideways on her face, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Song Zhiwei frowned slightly, recalling his sarcastic remarks every time they met.

But at that moment, sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on her shoulders.

It's so heartwarming, it feels real.

She suddenly realized that Sheng Tingzhou wasn't so scary after all.

"President Sheng, hasn't anyone told you? Your mouth is incredibly sharp; a single touch could poison you."

She was stunned as soon as she said it.

I never expected that she would dare to tease Sheng Tingzhou like that in front of him.

"Oh."

Sheng Tingzhou curled the corners of his lips, looking completely unconcerned.

"Well, you've got some nerve, daring to insult me ​​like that?"

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her face.

It was as if they were re-examining something.

She used to be really afraid of him.

But after getting to know him a few more times recently, I've found that he's just sharp-tongued.

My heart isn't that bad.

She almost messed up her presentation at the last project meeting.

It was Sheng Tingzhou who saved the day for her at the last minute.

He said, "Don't drag the team down," but his eyes gestured for her to continue.

At that moment, she suddenly realized that although he was strict, he didn't really want to see her make a fool of herself.

She muttered to herself.

"You can criticize me, but I can't even say something back? I'm not a punching bag."

She regretted it as soon as she said it.

She subconsciously bit her lip and lowered her head, pretending to focus on the lunchbox in front of her.

Sheng Tingzhou tore open a pair of chopsticks and handed them to her.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Then what are you? A little spring?"

Song Zhiwei paused for a moment, then remained silent.

The words "little spring" swirled in my mind.

I felt like laughing, but also inexplicably felt my ears burning.

She simply avoided his gaze.

He picked up a piece of food and chewed it a few times.

It seems like this can suppress the heat on my face.

After taking a few bites, I suddenly remembered something.

I asked it casually.

"That friend you brought to the company yesterday, did he not complain about me?"

She spoke casually, as if it were just a casual remark.

The chopsticks hovered in mid-air, waiting for his answer.

Even my breathing unconsciously became lighter.

Sheng Jingyu frowned, his brows furrowing slightly.

"What close person? I don't remember them at all."

Song Zhiwei gently put down her chopsticks.

"Yesterday at noon in the company cafeteria, the woman who sat next to me, the one wearing black-rimmed glasses and a light gray suit."

Sheng Tingzhou was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

He then closed his eyes and recalled for a moment.

The image of that woman striking up a conversation and constantly putting food on his plate flashed through his mind.

He suddenly chuckled softly, a lazy smile curving his lips.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Song Zhiwei was startled, her pupils trembled slightly, and her heart seemed to skip a beat.

She quickly lowered her head to hide the tips of her ears, which were turning slightly red.

Unconsciously, he poked at the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.

The rice grains were stirred into a mess.

Her voice was soft and flat.

"Mr. Sheng has quite the imagination. I admire your innate confidence."

Sheng Tingzhou was not annoyed; instead, he raised an eyebrow slightly.