Chapter 140 I Love Her

At the beginning of 2021, Jiang Chuan accompanied Lin Yu back to his hometown for the first time as her boyfriend. The two planned to transfer at Linjiang first, and then drive Qi Sheng's car home.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, traveling back and forth to Australia for the Chinese New Year is too time-consuming. In addition, with the tightening of real estate control policies, the domestic construction industry as a whole is under pressure.

Qi Sheng decided to stay in Shanghai and focus on refining the two cultural tourism projects in the surrounding towns that he would be undertaking at the end of the year.

Lin Yu and Jiang Chuan landed at Linjiang Airport and had dinner with Yao Fangfang and Zhang Yunzhou, who had come to pick them up.

When Zhang Yunzhou first met Jiang Chuan, he couldn't help but think of Chen Guang, and felt somewhat uneasy. But he knew very well that Chen Guang and Lin Yu's relationship was a thing of the past, and he couldn't let someone's past hold her back in the present.

During the meal, Lin Yu asked Yao Fangfang about her recent live stream, and Yao Fangfang laughed and joked, "Now I'm considered a minor internet celebrity. My Douyin and Xiaohongshu accounts together have about a hundred thousand followers."

“This is a good sign.” Lin Yu seized on the business opportunity and pressed further, “Have you thought about how to convert it into profit?”

Upon hearing this, Yao Fangfang put down her chopsticks and her tone became serious. "I've discussed this with your sister, and we even conducted market research and audience analysis a few months ago."

She glanced at Zhang Yunzhou beside her and continued, "We can't handle the high-end fields for now, so we plan to start with the art popularization track."

"I've already talked to the gallery owner I worked with before about making videos on topics like 'understanding a painting in three minutes,' 'behind-the-scenes vlogs of galleries,' and 'interesting anecdotes about artists.'"

"Once we have a foundation, we'll gradually move towards customized art services and paid courses. It will definitely be more difficult at first, but we still want to give it a try."

"Is my sister going to get involved too?"

Thinking of Lin Jing, who stayed in Beijing for the Spring Festival due to the pandemic, Lin Yu felt both surprised and that it made sense.

She suddenly realized that this turning point might not only have helped Yao Fangfang get through the crisis, but also given her sister an outlet.

Help her break free from the repressive state of self-sacrifice and give her the opportunity to have her professional abilities recognized in the market outside of her family.

For a long time, Lin Jing's role as a full-time housewife has meant that her personal value has always been dependent on her contributions to her family, but this value seems to be too limited.

The attention garnered by Yao Fangfang's viral account allowed both women to experience the significance of roles beyond mother and wife. This shared experience strengthened their resolve to further prove themselves.

Lin Yu knew that the two of them were probably already dissatisfied with the status quo, but they had just lacked an opportunity to change it. Faced with this unexpected yet valuable opportunity, they no longer waited passively, but instead seized the opportunity to cooperate.

Thinking of this, she felt genuinely gratified by the courage of her friend and sister.

Looking at Zhang Yunzhou again, as Yao Fangfang talked about her plans, he sat silently to the side, his gaze following her tenderly. This scene made one feel as if they had returned to their innocent and sincere college days.

Their love seemed to always be a step off-beat.

While Zhang Yunzhou was deeply involved, Yao Fangfang was still tentatively testing the waters of the relationship. But when she finally gave herself completely, he began to be consumed by suspicion and constantly misunderstood her feelings.

After weathering all the storms and setbacks along the way, their love finally converged in the same space and time at this very moment.

Zhang Yunzhou's feelings for Yao Fangfang have finally transformed from the fear of losing her to the respect and protection he now feels.

The cracks that once appeared in the marriage are being slowly healed by this renewed love, gradually being corrected, repaired, and reshaped.

When the conversation turned to their respective jobs, Yao Fangfang also inquired about the current situation of Lin Yu Consulting Company. "It's a pity that our areas of expertise are not aligned, otherwise I would definitely help you promote it more."

"Actually, it's not too bad." Lin Yu picked up his wine glass and took a sip, his tone relaxed. "My company started with light assets. When I was working as a consultant in the early stages, I had already accumulated several stable clients who signed long-term contracts, and I made some money."

"We also have the backing of large companies in terms of resources. Currently, we only have one or two full-time employees to pay salaries. The other partners are all old acquaintances, and we split the profits according to the project's revenue share."

"After the New Year, I'll find a cost-effective office space. The overall pressure won't be too great. At most, it'll just be a waste of time or some outstanding payments, but I don't need to worry about those."

After saying that, Lin Yu smiled and turned to look at Jiang Chuan beside him. "I believe my lawyer Jiang wouldn't stand by and watch me get into this kind of trouble."

“That’s great,” Yao Fangfang nodded in agreement. “Being your own boss means faster growth and more freedom in managing your time. Take advantage of your youth to learn and do more, and once you’re financially independent, you’ll have more choices in life.”

Jiang Chuan silently served food to Lin Yu, without saying anything like, "Doing business is too hard, why don't you come home and I'll support you?"

A tacit understanding seemed to have formed between them, a clear understanding of the rhythm that suited them best and what the other truly wanted. This understanding seemed more precious than any sweet words.

After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Chuan took the initiative to start a conversation with Zhang Yunzhou. He vaguely knew about the relationship between Zhang Yunzhou and Chen Guang, so he kept a proper distance, neither being overly enthusiastic nor deliberately cold.

"I heard from Banban that you work at the railway bureau. You must be very busy."

"It's alright." Zhang Yunzhou's response also showed a sense of measuredness and composure. "I'm just a department head, responsible for everything from reviewing and approving external agreements to handling conflicts and disputes in the staff dormitory."

Jiang Chuan nodded after listening. "The job of overall coordination and risk control is most likely to end up pleasing neither side. If you ever encounter any contract terms you're unsure about, feel free to contact me."

Zhang Yunzhou was clearly taken aback by his words, and paused for a moment, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Seeing this, Lin Yu quickly smoothed things over, saying with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang, we're all on the same side, and the consultation is free!" As he spoke, he affectionately put his arm around Jiang Chuan's arm.

Jiang Chuan turned his head to the side, reached out to wipe the foam from her lips, and ruffled her hair, a smile spreading across his eyes.

As a mutual friend of Chen Guang and Lin Yu, Zhang Yunzhou sincerely hoped that she could be happy.

After the meal, seeing Jiang Chuan's meticulous care for Lin Yu and witnessing his generosity and thoughtfulness in dealing with people, she finally suppressed the subtle emotions in her heart caused by their past relationship and began to try to accept him.

Towards the end of the meal, the two became noticeably more talkative. When they started discussing fishing, they surprisingly found they shared a similar interest.

Zhang Yunzhou said with great interest, "There's a Changqing Reservoir behind our railway bureau. Not many people use nets there. The water is shallow, there are lots of fish, and the fish nests are dense. If you go there between eight and ten in the morning, you'll basically catch them all."

Do you usually use a long pole or a short pole?

"I usually use a 5.4-meter rod, but sometimes the casting accuracy is a bit off," Jiang Chuan replied.

"You need to find a good reference point to cast a long pole! Let me teach you a trick..." Once he started talking about his hobby, Zhang Yunzhou became very talkative and even shared his techniques.

"Next time you go, first scatter two handfuls of fermented rice into the water to create a feeding area, wait half an hour before casting your line, and I guarantee you'll catch more than before!"

Watching the two chatting away as if no one else was around, Yao Fangfang secretly gave Lin Yu a wink and mischievously winked. Lin Yu immediately understood her meaning, and the two smiled knowingly.

The meal was quite pleasant. Considering that Lin Yu rarely came back, Yao Fangfang suggested that they go to a nearby nightclub that had just reopened before going home.

Since graduating from university, Lin Yu hadn't had a chance to indulge himself, so he was intrigued and readily agreed.

Zhang Yunzhou called a car and took everyone to the designated location. As they got out of the car, Lin Yu was startled to see the familiar street scene. Wasn't this the bar street that Yao Fangfang and Qu Lei had gone to together after their breakup?

She still remembered how Chen Guang almost got into a fight with someone right here at the door for their sake. Almost ten years had passed in the blink of an eye, yet everything felt as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday.

After having their temperatures checked and scanning QR codes at the entrance, the group walked around the stage, which was filled with loud music. Under the hazy lights, they saw young and excited faces.

Zhang Yunzhou booked a good booth; it was away from the noise but not far from the dance floor.

Before he could even sit down properly, Yao Fangfang grabbed Lin Yu's wrist. "Come on, let's go change our clothes first."

Lin Yu followed her across the dance floor, squeezed into the dimly lit restroom, took off her heavy sweater, changed into the suspender dress that Yao Fangfang had prepared in advance, touched up her makeup in front of the mirror, and casually gathered her hair behind her head, tying it into a high ponytail with a black hair tie.

Their eyes met in the mirror, as if instantly transported back to their carefree student days. They smiled at each other, held hands, and, with that unspoken understanding, plunged back into the sounds outside.

"Let's go stretch our legs!" Yao Fangfang folded her clothes aside, waved to the two men in the booth, and before they could respond, she pulled Lin Yu and squeezed into the lively dance floor.

"Want some drinks?" Zhang Yunzhou suggested.

"No, I have to drive early tomorrow morning." Jiang Chuan pushed a glass of wine in front of Zhang Yunzhou, took a sip of the ice water beside him, and then looked up to see that Lin Yu's figure had completely disappeared into the crowd.

"Were they like this back in college?" he couldn't help but wonder.

Zhang Yunzhou's gaze fell on the center of the dance floor, watching Yao Fangfang's hot and vibrant body, like a swimming fish. He raised his glass, a smile playing on his lips as he reminisced.

"I first met Lin Yu in her school library. She was very quiet and timid back then. Later, my wife introduced her to going wherever there was excitement."

He deliberately omitted Chen Guang's name, but both of them knew perfectly well what it meant. Although Jiang Chuan no longer kept this person a secret, he still appreciated Zhang Yunzhou's sense of propriety in his kindness.

“...Well, how should I put it?” Zhang Yunzhou paused. “Back then, if either of them had undergone gender reassignment surgery, you and I probably wouldn’t be in the picture.”

The beam of light occasionally swept across Lin Yu's smiling profile. She was intimately holding Yao Fangfang's waist as the two jumped and danced on the dance floor, occasionally whispering in each other's ears, looking exceptionally close.

“...Indeed.” Jiang Chuan smiled and shook his head, agreeing helplessly.

Zhang Yunzhou withdrew his gaze and looked at Jiang Chuan, who was shrouded in the shadows of the booth. "Back then, I thought Lin Yu was a girl with a lot of inner beauty. Being with her, you must discover something new every day, right?"

Jiang Chuan gazed at the dance floor, where light and shadow danced. A beam of purple-blue light swept across his slightly lowered eyelashes, flickering in his deep pupils. He remained silent for a long time, so long that Zhang Yunzhou thought he hadn't heard him.

The music was climbing to another climax, with the drumbeats coming in rapid succession like a torrential downpour.

"yes."

Jiang Chuan finally spoke, his voice not loud, yet strangely penetrating. Water droplets slid down the cool glass and into the gaps between his fingers, spreading out in a small patch along the lines of his palm.

"So every day when I wake up, I fall in love with her all over again."

His voice was drowned out by the commotion of sound effects. Zhang Yunzhou instinctively turned his head and brought his ear closer. "What?"

Just then, a beam of warm golden spotlight broke through the sound waves of the stage and landed squarely on Jiang Chuan's well-defined profile.

He looked up in response, his eyes meeting the shifting light and shadows so closely that his dark eyes appeared exceptionally clear and bright. He deliberately raised his voice, speaking slowly and clearly, word by word.

"I said, I love her very much."

The moment he finished speaking, Jiang Chuan tilted his head back and drank the ice water in his glass in one gulp, then turned his gaze back to the direction of the dance floor.

Zhang Yunzhou was slightly taken aback, the wine glass he was about to bring to his lips froze in mid-air, and he looked at the calm and reserved man in front of him with some surprise.

Jiang Chuan's expression contained neither the slightest boastfulness nor the most deliberate perfunctoriness; it was as calm as if he were simply stating a common fact, like the rising and setting of the sun.

At that moment, the last bit of resentment he felt because of his old friend seemed to be completely smoothed out by those heartfelt words.

Zhang Yunzhou didn't say anything, but silently turned to the side, picked up his wine glass, and gently touched the rim of Jiang Chuan's glass.