Chapter 33 I'm Not Chasing You Today
The revelry came to an abrupt end, and the air seemed to freeze instantly.
The hands holding champagne glasses hovered in mid-air, the smiles on their lips still lingering, but their eyes had already shifted from ecstasy to astonishment and shock. The expressions on everyone's faces seemed to be replicated.
"........Mr. Chen".
Chen Cheng hesitated before speaking, as if a materialist was trying to determine whether it was a ghost or a real person.
Ignoring the stares of others, Chen Jiashu tapped his cane on the ground, the tip of which brushed against the bottom edge of the glass, and slowly walked to the end of the path. Hearing the slight creak of the automatic door track, he probed forward with his cane to make sure there was nothing in front of him. He then entered the office area and stopped in front of Qin Qiao.
His eyelids were lowered, and his dark pupils could only hold her.
Qin Qiao, dressed in a fitted, deep red trench coat or overcoat that reached her calves, swayed slightly as the revelry abruptly ended. Her slightly heavy breathing was amplified in the silence. She was delighted; receiving the letter of intent was indeed something to celebrate, and her outfit was fitting for the occasion.
Chen Jiashu reached out, his fingertips touching the sleeve of her coat, and grabbed it.
Since the day they reunited, even when they were close at hand, it always felt like a thin mist was shrouding them. But strangely, the next second her image would become exceptionally clear, as if it were already deeply etched in his mind, or as if his eyes had activated some kind of compensation for him. The details that were blurred in reality were all filled in by the details in his memory.
Just like when she was dancing, the smile on her lips and the allure when she gripped that man's shoulder were vividly displayed before his eyes.
She avoids him like the plague, yet she's all over that man. Is it because he's ambitious, insightful, and hardworking? Or is it because he's young? ...He's not disabled.
He came here specifically to see how the people who got the letter of intent would celebrate. Deep down, he both looked forward to seeing Qin Qiao and was afraid of her showing up here.
What a 'surprise'! Not only that, but I'm also so close to that person.
For a moment, he even felt that it would be better if he were completely blind, so that... he wouldn't be able to see her in another man's arms, and it wouldn't be so unbearable.
His hands, hanging tightly at his sides, were clenched tightly. He suppressed his anger, forced a smile, and said softly, "I'll take you home."
Upon seeing Chen Jiashu, Qin Qiao's drunkenness subsided considerably, and at that moment, she inexplicably dared not look into his eyes.
Perhaps it was the memory of past happiness that moved her and made her nostalgic, or perhaps she simply didn't want to embarrass herself in front of everyone. She struggled a couple of times, then gave up and let him pull her outside.
Every probing gaze on my back was deep, like layers of gravity, until I turned into the corridor, where the burden was lightened.
Qin Qiao breathed a sigh of relief.
The window on the west side of the elevator lobby was only half closed, and a breeze was blowing in. Even though it was late November, it already felt chilly.
Xiao Jun was waiting by the elevator door when he saw the two of them come out together. He quickly went up and pressed the down button.
"Why are you here?"
Upon entering the sedan chair, Qin Qiao withdrew her arm and asked coldly.
"Don't you know who Hengyu's partner is?" The man's voice was deep, his displeasure obvious.
So, Chen Jiashu came to inspect potential partners in the dead of night?
The two figures on the staircase door were crooked and distorted, standing too close together. Qin Qiao intentionally leaned slightly to the left, leaving a curved gap.
Xiao Jun stared at the crack, wanting to laugh but not daring to. He bit his upper lip and forced himself to turn away.
In his eyes, Chairman Chen was kind to people, but he also had a strong sense of boundaries. It was as if an invisible line had been drawn. As long as people did not cross this line, he would be gentle and polite. But once someone tried to cross it, his gentleness would disappear instantly, and an undisguised coldness would surge in his eyes. Anyone could tell that he was really angry.
Two years ago, the female executive in the marketing department frequently tried to curry favor with Chairman Chen. She dressed fashionably every day, showing off her curves that she was so proud of, and used all sorts of strange methods such as faking falls and getting drunk. These were things that Assistant Zhang told him.
This was the last time he witnessed it. After the dinner that day, the female executive, emboldened by alcohol, chased after Chairman Chen to the parking lot, hooked her arm around his neck, and tried to kiss him. It was truly outrageous. This time, Chairman Chen pushed her away without any mercy.
The female executive lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, and berated him for "pretending to be a saint."
The next day, the female executive resigned voluntarily. Some said she felt ashamed, while others rumored that Chairman Chen was angry and Quehe intervened. However, since then, no woman has dared to cause trouble again.
It was truly this woman who made Chairman Chen indulge, accommodate, and humble himself time and time again.
“Qiaoqiao.......”
Unable to get a reply from Qin Qiao, Chen Jiashu had to try another topic: "December 12th is a Saturday, Chengcheng's birthday. Chengcheng wants to go to the aquarium. Do you want to come along?"
When the elevator reached the first floor, Qin Qiao asked coldly, "Chen Jiashu, have you forgotten our agreement?" Then she stepped out of the elevator and continued walking out without stopping.
For the past six months, Chen Jiashu would give Lan Jie the skincare products he had intended to give to Yang Shuhua every few days. Although Lan Jie had been instructed by Yang Shuhua not to accept them, she hesitated and accepted them anyway because Chen Jiashu was the father of two children, and then gave them to Yang Shuhua.
Bird's nest, donkey-hide gelatin, cordyceps... Yang Shuhua never touches these things, but she can't bear to throw them away, so she just piles them up in the storage room.
Chen Jiashu was like that; when he got stubborn, he was almost obstinate. Qin Qiao walked very fast, almost like she was running. She quickly reached the outside of the building. The two footsteps and the sound of her cane hitting the ground behind her were far away. She stopped and turned around.
The lobby was spacious, and the tiled floor was spotless, reflecting Chen Jiashu's huddled shadow. Xiao Jun beside him pointed the way, and the white cane made a crisp echo as he walked towards her, his face extremely anxious.
Qin Qiao recalled a scene from thirteen years ago in Norway, in broad daylight, amidst the snow and ice. The two of them chased each other through the snow, and each time Chen Jiashu caught her, her breath turning into mist. He would embrace her, and she would hug him back tightly.
Back then, pursuing her was a piece of cake for him.
A drop of water fell on her cheek, still warm. Qin Qiao raised her hand to wipe it away, but unexpectedly, tears streamed down her face and she couldn't stop them from flowing.
Her vision was blurry until that tall, pine-like figure stood before her.
Yu Guangli saw Xiao Jun turn around and walk straight away.
It must have been his intention.
The bittersweet, heart-wrenching emotions slowly returned to her heart. Her hands clenched at her sides, and she swallowed hard, as if her throat was stuffed with cotton, making it difficult to speak.
Chen Jiashu lowered his gaze:
"Qiaoqiao, six months ago—"
He was sick at the time, which is why he agreed to her decision in a daze; he didn't really mean it. If Qiaoqiao told him this, she would definitely think he was awful.
"I regret it." His voice was hoarse.
As if struck by his words, Qin Qiao swayed. Chen Jiashu reached out to help her, but before his fingers could touch her, she had already taken a step to the left, keeping her distance from him.
"I'm leaving," she told him anyway.
Then, Qin Qiao turned sideways, stepped off the platform to the ground, raised her chin to look at his face, and looked down at her like a tree.
His gaze was deep and complex, as if he had a thousand words to say.
Outside was a parking lot, with cars driving in and out, their headlights occasionally sweeping across them.
"Stop chasing me, I'll take a taxi home myself."
But Chen Jiashu was so stubborn that he wouldn't listen to her. He lifted his leg and started walking forward. Just as his cane touched the edge of the platform, Qin Qiao's heart jumped into her throat. The image of his right eye being bandaged half a year ago flashed through her mind. She immediately went back up and decisively grabbed his right arm and pulled him back.
"Chen Jiashu!" She was genuinely angry. "How old are you? How can you still act so recklessly! Are you trying to make me bear the cross of guilt?"
Sometimes he can be really childish.
Chen Jiashu turned halfway around, his gaze shifting slightly. He lowered his eyes to meet hers, stared at her for a few seconds, and said very seriously, "I'm almost thirty-nine. All I know is that the person who was once willing to walk with me through the night will not let me get hurt."
Qin Qiao let go angrily: "We're divorced. You know you'll only cause me trouble if you stay with me?"
As soon as she said it, she realized she had gone too far and was about to add, "Getting injured will interfere with your work," but she was interrupted by a soft laugh from Chen Jiashu.
“I am indeed a problem.” He slowly withdrew his cane, straightened his body, and his deep black eyes instantly turned frosty. He looked straight into the distance. “You can go.”
It looked like he was just sulking, and Qin Qiao was amused and exasperated by his childish behavior.
Her laughter made Chen Jiashu tilt his head. His slightly tense jaw relaxed, and after a few seconds he laughed too, raising his eyebrows slightly: "I'm not chasing you today. Be careful on the road."
Someone's stomach rumbled twice at an inopportune moment. Qin Qiao glanced at him, noticing the slight bluish tinge under his eyes, and frowned as she asked, "Didn't you eat dinner?"
He said casually, "I didn't even have lunch."
A car turned around, its headlights sweeping over Chen Jiashu and the two of them, causing dust particles to dance in the air.
At this moment, someone came out of the building, and Qin Qiao immediately grabbed his arm and led him a step to the side.
"How about I treat you to wontons?" Qin Qiao asked tentatively.
"Wonton..." He hesitated for a long time, as if he had a hard time making a decision, before finally saying, "Are there any wonton shops around here?"
"When I came here, I saw a night market street. There should be wontons there. It's not far. Just cross the road and walk about 500 or 600 meters to get there."
"Let's go then."
"Thank you, Chairman Chen, for giving me the opportunity to apologize," Qin Qiao thought to herself.
It wasn't time for late-night snacks yet, and apart from the small business owners standing at their stalls, the night market was mostly deserted. The bright white lights bathed this small area, creating a clear dividing line between light and shadow against the orange streetlights of the outer street. Low murmurs drifted out; a few groups gathered in front of the stalls to chat, while others stood alone inside, a cigarette between their fingers.
The two stood at the street corner, looking inside, remaining silent.
A Bentley with its hazard lights flashing was parked on the side of the road, like a large pet waiting quietly.
"Let me treat you to something good," Qin Qiao said.
Eating wontons is a bit shabby.
"Ms. Qin, I'm hungry."
Bringing him here, letting him smell the aroma of food wafting out, isn't that torture for him?
"Then let's go."
When a living person walked in, the stall owners, who were already bored out of their minds, all looked over.
Amidst the subtle scrutiny of the group, the two approached the wonton stall. The proprietress turned off her phone, which was playing a short video, and smiled as she looked up to greet them: "Which kind of wontons would you two like?"
"Shepherd's purse wontons, cabbage and pork wontons, fresh meat wontons..." Qin Qiao softly recited the names of the dishes.
When Chen Jiashu heard "pickled cabbage wontons," he said, "Then let's have pickled cabbage wontons."
"I'm the same as him, boss lady."
The tables in the night market were communal, long tables with fixed benches. The two sat down facing each other in front of that stall. Chen Jiashu put his white cane on his lap, unbuttoned a button, and, feeling Qin Qiao's gaze, slightly raised his chin and smiled back at her.
The wontons were being cooked, and the north wind, carrying the steam rising from the pot, rushed towards them, the damp heat feeling like feathers brushing against their skin.
The two gazed at each other through the misty air, the man's eyes crinkling slightly at the corners, a particularly vivid detail.
And so it went, without a word, until—
"Aren't you Chen Jiashu?" His voice trembled slightly, sounding very excited.
As soon as Qin Qiao looked up, a sturdy man wearing a red apron was already standing next to Chen Jiashu.
Many people may not know Chen Jiashu, but in Lanchuan, everyone knows Qiaoshu Group. Those who can recognize him at a glance are either former neighbors or former employees; it's unlikely that a complete stranger would recognize him.
Since Chen Jiashu has never given a television interview, his occasional side profile in news footage is unlikely to leave a lasting impression. Although Mr. Chen is handsome, he is not a celebrity.
In just a few seconds, Qin Qiao considered all the possibilities, while Chen Jiashu turned to the side, looked up, and asked, "Excuse me..."
The man rubbed his hands together and said, "My daughter studies at the Xincheng Primary School that you run."
Xincheng Primary School?
Qin Qiao recalled that she had visited the place with Chen Jiashu half a year ago. At that time, Chen Jiashu told her in the car that he had only donated a library and a computer room.
"Chairman Chen, you are a great benefactor to our family. It's truly an honor to meet you in person today."
The man was so excited he didn't know how to express himself. He grabbed Chen Jiashu's right hand and shook it, then lowered his hand and wiped the seam of his pants.
However, Chen Jiashu remained indifferent, saying, "It's just a charitable decision made by the group to help those who need it. There's no need to take it to heart."
Chen Jiashu is keeping his distance at this time to avoid being morally blackmailed, after all, there are all kinds of people these days.
He could sense those menacing gazes and restless bodies, even though he couldn't see them.
Qin Qiao spoke up at the right moment: "Chairman Chen is just an investor and does not participate in specific affairs."
After finishing their wontons, the two walked to the street. Something tugged at their trousers. Qin Qiao lowered her eyes and saw a little girl of about six or seven years old carrying a flower basket containing a dozen or twenty roses.
The footsteps in the distance suddenly stopped, and she turned around to see the girl's mother standing under a street lamp.
The mother was wearing a thick brown cotton coat. She was short and thin, which made her neck appear somewhat hunched. Her short hair was messy from the wind. At first glance, she looked to be in her forties or fifties, but upon closer inspection, one could tell that she was probably around thirty, because her eyes were clear and did not show any signs of her age.
Her daughter was dressed up neatly and beautifully.
"Auntie, would you like some roses?"
The little girl's voice was sweet and clear, and her childish voice reminded Qin Qiao of Xi Xi at home.
Qin Qiao had her wallet in the car. She took out her phone from her coat pocket and was about to buy all the flowers when Chen Jiashu turned to her and asked, "Little friend, are the roses from Uncle to Auntie or Auntie to Uncle?" His tone was very low and gentle, with a hint of warmth, making even the northwest wind tonight seem less cold.
That's just the kind of person he is; his gentleness can melt your heart. However, there's something strangely narcissistic about the question he asked—who's going to send him flowers?
"Of course, Uncle gives it to Auntie."
Chen Jiashu bent down and said, "Little friend, come here and count how many flowers you have. Sell them all to Uncle. How much is one flower? How many are there in total? Make sure you understand the bill."
The little girl exclaimed excitedly, "Eight yuan a rose!" She obediently walked over, holding the flower bucket in one hand and fiddling with the roses in the other, silently counting, "One, two, three..."
The six- or seven-year-old child was quite organized; she gathered all the counted flowers into a pile. Qin Qiao looked at the child and then at Chen Jiashu. He took out his wallet from the inside pocket of his coat, pulled out two hundred-yuan bills, and then put the wallet back in, quietly waiting for the girl to finish counting.
"Eighteen flowers, Uncle."
Qin Qiao stared in surprise at Chen Jiashu's profile, which was radiating fatherly love as he smiled. How did he determine that two hundred yuan would definitely be enough?
But then Qin Qiao thought, if it's not enough, I can just get more money.
"Little friend, you can keep the money. Uncle can't see it. Please give me the rose instead."
Chen Jiashu handed over two hundred yuan, and the little girl, who was already good at business at such a young age, immediately snatched the money from Chen Jiashu's hand and then hung the whole bucket of roses on Chen Jiashu's fingertips.
"Uncle, I'll go get you some change."
"No need." Chen Jiashu curled his fingers.
The little girl's mother came over, took the girl's hand with her left hand, and reached into her purse with her right hand, taking out a few banknotes and coins and handing them over: "Sir, here's your change."
Qin Qiao accepted it on behalf of Chen Jiashu: "Perfect."
The mother and daughter left, and Chen Jiashu smiled in the warm yellow light. He stuffed the change into his pocket and handed over the flower bucket with both hands: "Here, take this." It sounded like a casual remark.
Qin Qiao felt guilty about her slip of the tongue and didn't want to spoil his happy moment, so she not only accepted the flowers but also got into the car when the driver opened the door.
Chen Jiashu came in later, and she heard a soft "bang" as Xiao Jun closed the car door from the outside. She moved in a little further to give him more space.
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