Chapter 105. As long as she nods, then…
One autumn rain brings one chill.
After the holiday, Xicheng officially entered autumn, with ginkgo leaves carpeting the ground. Intern Wen Xue's life was fulfilling; her colleagues were all very nice, and she gradually got used to workplace life, going from being overwhelmed at first.
She rejected Zhou Xian's second friend request.
This is different from the first time it was ignored.
If He Yan hadn't become increasingly busy, if she hadn't learned from Nana that business at Changya Transportation had been terrible lately—where drivers used to have a constant stream of short and long-distance orders, but now they were all on leave, bored out of their minds, and even Nana had asked her anxiously if something had happened…
Wen Xue learned from these details that He Yan was not doing well, not doing well at all.
There's nothing she can do.
Whenever she was feeling down, He Yan would patiently tell her that he didn't need her to do anything, he just wanted her to stay by his side.
Before we knew it, December had arrived.
Early that morning, Wen Xue woke up to a message from He Yan, who was away on a business trip: "The weather forecast says it will snow this evening. Don't drive today, take a taxi."
She got up, stretched, and stood on the balcony looking out. Sure enough, the sky was gloomy.
She hadn't stood there long enough to feel quite cold, so she replied to him: 【Okay [hug] Time to get up^^】
Yang Siyi, with messy hair, came out yawning: "Is Xicheng particularly cold this year? It's almost as cold as our hometown."
Wen Xue thought for a moment and carefully felt the temperature. "It seems so."
She had spent several winters in the West City, and this was the first time the weather forecast predicted snow during her birthday month.
"I'm impressed." Yang Siyi took a sip of water to moisten his throat, walked to the side, unscrewed the pen cap, marked a line on the calendar, and turned back with delight, saying, "Your twenty-second birthday is one day closer!"
Wen Xue chuckled.
It seems that Siyi is more excited and attentive than she is on her birthday every year.
"Will Boss He be able to make it back in time?" Si Yi asked again.
Wen Xue held her phone and nodded: "He said he would definitely reply."
How similar it is to her birthday last year. He was also away on a business trip then, but he still didn't miss her twenty-first birthday, and he certainly won't this time either.
She listened to him and didn't drive. After washing up and having a simple breakfast at home, she and Siyi went out hand in hand and parted ways at the subway station.
It gets dark early in winter.
As Wen Xue walked out of the company building, dusk fell, a cold wind was blowing, and it was hard to tell whether what was falling was drizzle or snowflakes. She looked up at the inky black night sky, pulled her scarf tighter, and took a car to the vicinity of Xida University.
A while ago, He Yan hired a housekeeper to clean the house and help walk the stones.
Wenxue discovered that her aunt would only take Shitou downstairs for a short while before going back inside.
From then on, no matter how busy or tired she was, she would go to see Stone every day after work and take it out to run around. She was the one who bought it, and she knew even better that He Yan didn't actually like pets that much; the reason she got Stone was because she liked it.
She has to take responsibility for this clingy guy.
As soon as the door opened, a tapping sound came from inside. Stone rushed over. It's quite clever now; it would even bite her slippers and place them at its feet, then look up at her with bright eyes.
On very rare occasions, Wenxue felt that Shitou really resembled someone who was still away on a business trip.
She took off her boots, put on slippers, bent down to pat the dog's head, and said in an exaggerated tone, "So good, baby!"
The stone wags its tail.
Wenxue closed the door and came in, played with it, and opened a can of food for it.
She relaxed in the spot where He Yan usually sat, and after resting enough, she took Shitou out for a walk. The little dog went out every day, rain or shine, for a stroll. When they returned, her phone rang; it was a call from He Yan.
After the call connected, his deep voice came from the other end: "Have you eaten?"
Wen Xue laughed, her breath coming out in white puffs as she spoke: "I ate at the subway station..." She paused for half a second, "...a hamburger."
He Yan was speechless: "Why are you only eating hamburgers?"
"I want to eat it."
Actually, I miss him.
He Yan understood her implicit meaning and chuckled, "I will return on the 20th."
"You go about your business," she said sullenly.
This was the truth, but He Yan didn't dare take it seriously. They weren't together for her birthday last year, and she eagerly awaited his return. This year was her first birthday with him, and it wouldn't be right for him not to be there.
"not busy."
The two chatted. Wen Xue suddenly didn't feel that winter was so cold anymore; she felt very warm inside.
Suddenly, another familiar male voice came from the other end of the phone, calling out, "He Yan, come quick! We're drinking, why are you out here in the cold wind?"
She paused, realizing it sounded like Cui Ye's voice.
From September to December, he received a lot of help from friends. How lucky he is that every friend he has made over the years has been sincere.
He Yan had told her that if they could hold on for another six months, the situation would be completely stable.
He made it sound so easy, but three months was already so difficult, how could she possibly endure another six months? She didn't dare to think about it.
"Right away," He Yan replied.
Wen Xue realized what was happening and hurriedly said, "Then you go and get busy..."
He Yan paused for a few seconds, then lowered his voice, "I missed you."
She stopped, as if she could feel his weariness and the overwhelming longing in his eyes. She softly hummed in agreement, and they remained silent for a moment. Then, remembering something, she lowered her eyes and said, "Drink less, drink warm water, don't drink anything cold, don't catch a cold."
He Yan: "Wait for me to come back."
"good."
After hanging up the phone, Wen Xue realized her hands were numb with cold. She put her phone back in her pocket, took Shi Tou's hand, and started walking back. The streetlights cast a dim yellow light on the path beneath her feet, and snowflakes fell softly. She held up her umbrella, the canopy of which blocked her view.
A black Bentley kept its distance from her and drove slowly.
Zhou Xian sat in the back seat, his gaze passing through the window and landing on her.
He may not be obsessed with her, but he is determined to have her.
Ding-a-ling.
The phone rang, breaking the silence in the car. He glanced down at the screen, somewhat impatiently, and swiped to answer.
The person on the other end spoke tremblingly about the crisis they had encountered.
These people have dirty hands and even dirtier accounts. It's fine if no one checks, but once you do, you'll find plenty of evidence against them. This year has been particularly unlucky; I don't know what kind of obstacle I've run into.
After listening to his trembling words, Zhou Xian sneered, "What, you've gotten used to being a good-for-nothing? You need me to teach you how to make money, and now you want me to clean up your mess?"
As he spoke, he lost his patience and hung up the phone.
Of course he knew who was behind it all.
Zhou Zhan maintained a good-natured demeanor but showed no mercy in dealing with him.
He tossed his phone aside and said, "Stop the car."
The driver smoothly pulled over to the side of the road.
Wen Xue walked slowly, holding her umbrella. Occasionally, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of life she would be living now if He Yan hadn't come to the school to find her that night. She would probably have met Lin Baizhou and Zhou Xian as well.
Is she doing well?
That's probably not a good idea.
Otherwise, He Yan wouldn't have come looking for her.
She remembered what Lin Baizhou had said: He Yan was now wading into troubled waters.
She had dragged him into this mess. She regretted it so much. She shouldn't have gone to the supermarket that day. If she hadn't gone to the supermarket, would she have run into Zhou Xian?
Now he won't be bothered with any more trouble.
She felt a little breathless; these things felt so heavy and burdensome. Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She paused, took it out, and saw a message from He Yan pop up on the screen: [Image]
Click to open.
The lighting was dim, the photo was blurry and out of focus; it was a brownie.
He Yan: [Cui Ye said it's delicious. Should I come over in a few days and pack some for you to take back to Xicheng before I leave?]
Snap.
Wenxue didn't want to cry, but her tears fell onto the screen.
She lowered her gaze slightly, and beyond the umbrella, someone stood in front of her, blocking her way.
The umbrella tilted, and snowflakes and raindrops dampened the stray hairs on Zhou Xian's forehead. He looked down at her face appearing under the umbrella, but was startled. Her nose was red from the cold, and her eyes were brimming with tears.
Their eyes met.
Zhou Xian's eyes flickered slightly as he stared intently at her.
The next second, Wen Xue immediately took a few steps back defensively, her gaze wary, mixed with disgust, and her vulnerability that she hadn't had time to hide.
"You knew everything?" he asked.
Wen Xue's grip on the umbrella handle tightened, her bony fingers turning white.
She only hated her own cowardice, only hated that she didn't have a knife in her hand...
She couldn't understand how this person could still appear in front of her and ask this question so casually.
Thinking of He Yan, who was still busy socializing and drinking at this moment, she didn't want to act impulsively or make any irreversible decisions.
She coldly looked away, preparing to walk past him and leave.
As they brushed past each other, Zhou Xian suddenly said, "I never believed in fate before, and I never will. But this time, I do. Wen Xue, I know your birthday is in a few days. Xicheng, Huacheng, America, or somewhere else—it's up to you. I'll celebrate with you."
Seeing her stop, he changed his previously casual tone and became serious: "Whatever you want, you can have it, including what I have for him now... I will take it back and even compensate him, as long as you say the word."
That's absurd.
That's absurd.
Wen Xue twitched the corners of her mouth; she almost laughed.
How could he say such things so self-righteously after hurting the person she cared about most?
She has no sense of right and wrong.
She wasn't as kind as she appeared; in fact, she deeply resented anyone who hurt the people she loved, whether directly or indirectly. She didn't even want to see the child He Heng had saved or the child's parents.
He Yan's shoulder injury, the huge losses in his career, and the threats he faces...
She hated the person in front of her so much that she couldn't possibly be with him.
Stop being disgusting!
"Get out of here," she said expressionlessly.
These two words reignited Zhou Xian's pent-up anger over the past few months. He was furious and utterly bewildered. She didn't want the priceless pink diamond, but instead treasured a cheap necklace. What did she have now even matter? He could have given her everything that others could only dream of if she had just nodded.
Why doesn't she want it?
He had never been so patient with anyone before.
And this is how she repaid him?
"What does he have?" he asked coldly.
What makes this clueless scoundrel from some backwater place worth her unwavering devotion? He has nothing—no family background, no power—what makes him so special, and what is she after?
Wen Xue stared at him silently for a moment.
She smiled at him, but the smile didn't reach her eyes, and said softly, "What do you have?"
You are the one who has nothing.
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