Chapter 40 Is this the change she wanted?
The next day, the sun didn't come out, but it didn't rain either; it was a bit chilly and overcast, but it didn't interfere with looking at houses.
Bai Yeke had her eye on three houses, all near the Santen store.
In the past few months, her salary has increased and she has received a lot of bonuses. The conditions are completely different from when she last looked at houses, and she can finally afford the budget.
In the end, Bai Yeke settled on a small apartment.
The building is newly renovated and in a good location. It's in a commercial building next to Santen Plaza, less than a 10-minute walk away. The upper floors house small companies, studios, and residences, while the lower floors are a shopping mall, making dining very convenient.
The only downside is that the building is crowded and might be a bit noisy.
However, Baiye doesn't have the extra budget to live in a better neighborhood.
"This balcony is nice. Look, there are no tall buildings blocking the view, so it doesn't feel cramped."
"On sunny days, the sunlight shines in, which is very comfortable."
"The last tenant was also a girl. She lived there for about half a year and then got married to a good family. This house has good feng shui!"
...
The agent kept rambling on, but Bai Yeke interrupted her, saying, "This one will do."
This apartment isn't a typical loft; it's a standard one-bedroom apartment, and it's very clean.
After signing the contract, Bai Yeke sat alone in the house for a while. It was quieter than she had imagined, and the soundproofing seemed to be quite good.
There is no sliding door between the living room and the balcony; instead, there is an arched doorway with curtains. When the curtains are open, you can see the gloomy sky outside from the sofa in the living room.
Bai Yeke sat for a while and then left.
We have plenty of time to sit here in the future. It's still early. If we don't move today, we'll have to wait another week for our rest day.
Bai Yeke ate a bowl of rice with minced meat and eggplant at the snack shop downstairs. It tasted alright and didn't seem to be a pre-made dish. Bai Yeke decided to add this shop to her shortlist of potential dinner options.
I got home around 2 p.m.
Bai Ye changed her shoes and went inside, finding Yi Sheng watching TV on the sofa. A science fiction movie was playing on the screen.
By the way, Yi Sheng said he's fine today.
Bai Ye thought it was a good idea; she could say goodbye to Yi Sheng in person instead of saying it over the phone, which would feel like an insincere notification and would be too impersonal.
"Miss Yi." Bai Ye was certain that Yi Sheng had heard her return, but the woman didn't look at her; she seemed engrossed in a movie.
"You're back." Yi Sheng turned to look at her, his tone flat. "Have you finished looking at the house?"
"I've finished watching it, it's not bad."
"oh."
Bai Yeke stepped closer and said, "I came back to pack my things."
Yi Sheng looked away and continued watching the movie. "Oh."
"Hmm..." Bai Yeke noticed the cookie wrapper on the coffee table. "Did you eat cookies for lunch?"
"Hmm." Yi Sheng watched the movie, then slowly sighed, "I don't know when you'll be back."
Therefore, it's difficult to order food because you're afraid it will get cold or won't taste good if you keep reheating it.
So, I ate some biscuits first, and after eating them for a while, I felt full, and that's when it was time to eat them.
Bai Yeke felt an overwhelming sense of guilt in an instant.
She's such a bad person.
When she was homeless, Yi Sheng kindly took her in and didn't charge her rent.
Now that she has some money, she insists on leaving despite Yi Sheng's attempts to persuade her to stay.
She even made Yi Sheng wait for her on an empty stomach.
Yi Sheng spent his rare day off eating cookies on the sofa.
Bai Ye had never been in a relationship, but she knew that if you like someone, you should be good to that person and wish them well.
As someone who secretly admires someone, she is inadequate.
All she brought Yi Sheng was trouble and unhappiness.
"I'm sorry, I should have made a phone call." Bai Ye was in the wrong.
"It's nothing," Yi Sheng simply said. "You didn't tell me to wait for you."
Bai Ye didn't know what to say. "...Then I'll go pack my things first."
"oh."
Bai Ye stood there for another two minutes, unable to speak. Yi Sheng didn't look at her again, and she quietly returned to her room.
Actually, there wasn't much to pack.
She didn't bring any clothes from her stepfather's house, and after arriving, she only bought clothes twice to make moving easier.
With all the miscellaneous small items, one suitcase is all you need.
When Bai Yeke pulled her suitcase out of the room, Yi Sheng was still watching a movie. It wasn't the same one as before; they had switched to another one, which had just started.
"Um..." Bai Yeke felt a little awkward. It wouldn't be good to say anything in this situation, but it would be even worse not to say anything. "Miss Yi, I'll be going now."
"I'll see you out." Yi Sheng stood up.
"No need," Bai Yeke said softly. "You should rest."
Yi Sheng had already reached the entrance hall before her and picked up a coat hanging there. "This is the only time."
Bai Yeke tightened her grip on the lever, followed, and said with a hoarse voice, "Thank you."
The two got into the car one after the other.
"address."
As soon as Bai Yeke fastened her seatbelt, she heard Yi Sheng's indifferent voice. She replied, "372 Yongfu Road."
"Hmm." Yi Sheng placed his hand on the car's infotainment screen. He had already turned on the navigation, but after hearing this address, he turned it off.
That was near the Santen store, and Yi Sheng already remembered the store address, so he didn't need navigation.
The journey was marked by silence once again.
The traffic outside the car window increased, and the buildings became denser and more varied in height.
But in this gloomy weather, everything just felt gray and dull.
Only Yi Sheng's reflection in the car window had color. Yi Sheng was wearing a light blue Chanel-style suit, with a superior jawline and a delicate and beautiful profile.
They spent two months together, day and night, and it seemed as if she had seen all aspects of Yi Sheng.
But now, looking at this reflection, it feels both familiar and strange.
A familiar appearance, a familiar scent.
What's unfamiliar is that these are people about to embark on two different paths.
"Does the underground parking garage connect to your elevator?" Yi Sheng asked after driving near the plaza.
"It works."
Yi Sheng frowned slightly after hearing this, and said as he drove the car into the underground parking lot, "The people and cars there are a bit mixed."
The shopping mall and residential basement are shared, which does make the flow of people more complex, but Baiye doesn't seem to care much.
Located in the city center, the security and community security are reliable. At most, it might be a bit noisy, and the wait for the elevator might be a little longer.
You get the services you pay for.
After parking the car, Bai Yeke took out her suitcase and turned around. Yi Sheng had also gotten out of the car and was standing by the car.
Bai Ye was taken aback. "Uh, would you like to come to my place for a bit?"
"good."
Yi Sheng's brows had been furrowed ever since she entered the underground parking garage. After entering the elevator, her brows furrowed even more. As more and more people gathered, Bai Ye pulled her to the side, trying to keep Yi Sheng away from the others.
Stepping out of the elevator, Bai Yeke's floor was relatively quiet, with few people walking in the corridor.
Yi Sheng's brows relaxed a little only after he entered Bai Yeke's room.
Bai Yeke pulled her suitcase toward the bedroom. "You sit down first, I'll put my things down."
After Bai Yeke hung up her clothes, Yi Sheng stood on the balcony, his expression finally returning to calm.
"The scenery is quite nice," Yi Sheng said calmly.
Bai Ye smiled and walked over to stand next to her. "It's alright. It can't compare to your lush trees, but at least there's nothing to block the view. You can see the buildings of varying heights and the various vehicles flowing on the road."
Yi Sheng nodded, "Yes, it's always brightly lit and bustling with people and vehicles, making you feel like you should get moving and put your mind to work."
Bai Yeke: "..."
So that's what it is. The scenery is quite nice.
That's a very easy evaluation standard.
After standing for a while, Bai Yeke glanced at her phone; it was 4:20.
"What?" Yi Sheng saw her actions and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Trying to get rid of me?"
"No!" Bai Yeke quickly denied.
Worried that Yi Sheng might misunderstand, she expressed her inner conflict, "I was thinking of having a meal together, but it seems like it's still early."
"Hmm." Yi Sheng glanced at her phone and agreed. "So, are you inviting me to stay for dinner?"
It feels like we've gone back to the beginning.
Without the intimate and playful interactions she had shared these past few days, Yi Sheng spoke again, becoming direct yet polite, with an uncertain distance beneath the politeness.
Bai Ye felt a pang of sadness.
Is this the change she wanted?
It seems so; they're no longer close.
But then again, it seems not. She still wants to be close to Yi Sheng, but she doesn't want to go astray or go in the wrong direction.
Bai Ye swallowed the bitterness in her heart and forced a smile. "Let's eat. Let's go downstairs for a walk. Waiting for the elevator takes time, and choosing a restaurant takes time. Time will pass quickly."
No matter what, she couldn't bear to let Yi Sheng leave like this. Who knew when they would meet again?
Yi Sheng nodded, "Okay."
The two walked quietly and slowly down the corridor, entered the elevator, went down to the food court, and as soon as the elevator doors opened, a cacophony of noise and various aromas wafted out.
Amidst the lively atmosphere and cheerful hustle and bustle, the two walked in, keeping a fist's distance between them. Bai Ye felt a sense of incongruity.
"What would you like to eat?" Bai Yeke broke the silence and asked, "Hot pot? Barbecue? Korean food? Japanese food? Or stir-fry?"
Yi Sheng shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the signs without lingering. "I don't know."
“Let’s take a look around first,” Bai Yeke said. She saw that the fifth store ahead was a familiar chain milk tea shop. “Hey, let’s go buy some milk tea first.”
"Okay." Yi Sheng had no objections.
After joining the queue, which wasn't too long or too short, people would occasionally glance at them.
Yi Sheng seemed completely immune to other people's gazes, as if he couldn't feel them at all. He simply crossed his arms and earnestly accompanied her as they slowly moved forward.
Bai Yeke couldn't help but steal glances at Yi Sheng.
This woman's outfit was so different from the outfits of the other online celebrities around her; it was so sophisticated and high-end that she stood out from the crowd.
Needless to say, there's her figure and face, not to mention the contrast between the chattering and fussing of the people and Yi Sheng's aloof and almost invisible demeanor.
When Yi Sheng appeared at this occasion, he stood out from the crowd.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Yi Sheng asked her abruptly.
Bai Ye quickly looked away, "No."
They got their milk tea and eventually went into a hot pot restaurant.
After Bai Yeke sat down, she said with a mischievous grin, "Your suit will definitely smell."
"..." Yi Sheng glanced at her, completely unconcerned, "Oh."
During the meal, Bai Yeke tried to start a conversation several times, but Yi Sheng's responses were always lukewarm.
As they finished their meal and got up to leave, the atmosphere of parting grew stronger.
Bai Ye looked at Yi Sheng, who was half a step ahead of her, and at Yi Sheng's slender hand that swayed back and forth with his steps.
It really is time to say goodbye.
We won't see each other tonight, tomorrow, or the day after...
Bai Ye didn't know where the impulse and courage came from, she took half a step forward and grasped Yi Sheng's hand.
Yi Sheng glanced at her sideways but didn't say anything.
When they were almost at the elevator, Yi Sheng finally spoke, "I'm getting off now. You should go back. This elevator is too hard to wait for."
They should take the elevators going in different directions.
Bai Yeke held Yi Sheng's hand even tighter. She couldn't explain her feelings; she just wanted to hold it a little longer.
Yi Sheng glanced at their hands, but didn't look at her. "Since you're holding them so tightly, why are you leaving?"
Bai Ye was stunned for a moment, then unconsciously loosened her grip, and Yi Sheng naturally withdrew her hand.
With a "ding," the elevator arrived, heading in the direction we were going down.
Yi Sheng glanced at her. "Miss Bai, I don't easily accept someone as a friend."
Yi Sheng looked at her with a deep gaze, seemingly devoid of emotion, yet also seemingly filled with endless emotions.
Bai Ye didn't follow them inside.
Her heart sank little by little.
Yes, a woman like Yi Sheng is surrounded by outstanding people, yet in her eyes, the world is still a mixed bag, full of clowns. It's difficult for Yi Sheng to accept someone as a friend, and even more difficult for her to treat people sincerely.
And she, ungrateful and ungrateful, squandered this sincere affection.
She realized that although Yi Sheng had been agreeing to her requests, he was actually angry.
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