Running Train
Zhou Fei took it with both hands, put it in her handbag, and handed over her business card.
The business card has a unique design, with the name embossed, showing that it was carefully crafted.
Yu Zou took the glass and looked up to see Zhao Junye walking over with a glass of red wine. His brown hair was neatly parted in a three-seven split, and he wore a pair of large-framed brown glasses. His short, wide face made him look younger than his age, and he didn't look like the president of Hedu who had been in charge for many years.
Zhao Junye stood beside Zhou Fei without glancing at her, and raised his glass to Yu Zou: "Brother Yu Zou, I heard you're back, but I haven't had a chance to visit you. Are you discussing business?"
Zhou Fei immediately took two steps back to the side without making a sound, stopped talking, and completely concealed her sharp edge.
"I simply admire her creativity. As for business, it depends on whether Designer Zhou is willing to give me a chance to collaborate."
"Designer Zhou is indeed very talented. With Long entering the fashion industry, Junxi is in for a tough time."
"No, it's not that bad, it's just a private customization."
Zhao Junye was slightly surprised, and he looked uncertainly behind Yu Zou. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Could it be for an engagement?"
The inexplicable conclusion prompted Yu Zou to turn his head and look back.
Tables were set up along the rim of the cruise ship, white tablecloths fluttering in the wind. Du Pianjian propped his head up, gazing at the sea, his fork unconsciously stabbing at the cake, the red filling dripping onto the white cream like a mixture of flesh and blood. Chi Hengxun sat opposite him, staring intently at him with an unreadable expression.
Yu Zou stiffly turned around, having been so focused on the discussion that he hadn't noticed who was beside him. He said dryly, "I hadn't thought that far ahead. I just wanted to buy myself a few things."
Zhao Junye adjusted his glasses and smiled, "Why talk about buying? I'll give it to Brother Yu Zou."
“This is Mr. Zhao’s birthday present,” Zhou Fei said abruptly.
"The clothes are just a ribbon on the gift; he won't care about them."
Upon hearing Zhao Junye's words, Zhou Fei's composed smile instantly froze, and she clenched her teeth inwardly. No fashion-loving designer could accept having their painstakingly crafted work dismissed as worthless.
But he was her boss, and she was his subordinate. She had no choice but to accept it.
But Yu Zou was not.
Before him, there was only the difference in their status at this moment. He could not stand idly by and watch someone bully the weak in front of him, whether it was open or covert, whether they were enemies or friends.
This is also why he didn't want to come here. His habitual arrogance and condescending attitude placed people on a long staircase, whipping them up with his eyes, words, and actions. And the reason was only one: to avoid being whipped.
"This bow is so exquisite, it makes one want to buy the box and return the pearl." Yu Zou said calmly, his polite smile showing no sign of aggression.
Zhao Junye looked back, and was about to speak when his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he slightly moved his thumb to answer and politely told Yu Zou that he had to excuse himself for a moment.
Taking this opportunity, Zhou Fei said, "Is President Yu getting engaged? Congratulations."
"It's not certain yet."
Zhou Fei suddenly smiled. Yu Zou's vague words made her mistakenly think that it was a lack of confidence caused by pre-proposal anxiety, so she encouraged him, "I believe that Mr. Yu will definitely achieve his wish."
"Thank you for your kind words." Little did she know that Yu Zou's thoughts were completely contrary to hers.
Less than a minute into the call, Zhao Junye put away his phone, looking apologetic: "Brother Yu Zou, there's been a problem with the part Junxi is in charge of. I need to go over and help deal with it. I'll have to stay a little longer."
Yu Zou nodded and raised his glass to Zhao Junye.
Zhao Junye understood, finished his drink, and seeing Zhou Fei remain unmoved, asked curiously, "Designer Zhou, don't you think it should also be dealt with? After all, you work under Junxi."
Zhou Fei had no choice but to bid farewell to Yu Zou and leave with him.
Seeing Zhao Junye leave, everyone swarmed around Yu Zou, trying to strike up a conversation. They had already reached a cooperation agreement with Zhao Junjie, and the blockade against Long Shou would be lifted immediately; everyone else was dispensable. Yu Zou navigated the crowd with ease, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. Everyone was the same; their glamorous exteriors were heavy armor, each person wary and calculating. Handshakes resembled business collaborations, and business cards were the best business plans; the piled-up conversations were a silent competition for profits, and the back-and-forth manipulation of stock prices was palpable.
No one cares about the feelings hidden beneath the skin and clothes, and the soul, having no physical form, is insignificant.
At times like these, Yu Zou longs for intimacy, for a hand to hold, an ear to share secrets with, and a heart that beats at the same frequency.
He just didn't know if a facade could lead to a true love.
Yu Zou subtly moved to the edge of the banquet, and after guiding the other party to finally end this pointless topic, he was about to make his escape when Zhao Junjie pushed him back to the center.
Zhao Junjie, with a mocking expression, blocked his way and asked, "Why did you let Junye take the person away?"
Yu Zou then realized that Zhao Junjie had misunderstood, and waved his hands repeatedly: "You are the protagonist today. How can I keep making you worry about me? Go and have fun. Okay. I'll take care of whoever I like."
Zhao Junjie smiled broadly, pointing at Yu Zou.
Back when they were still in school together, they were at the age when their hearts were just beginning to open up, and everyone was eagerly waiting to differentiate themselves and start dating.
Among the many admirers at school, Yu Zou was one of the best. While a group of teenagers were still immature, he had already grown taller, and a hint of maturity began to appear on his face. Two contradictory qualities were magically integrated in him, like a rough rubbing of the adult world, which attracted even more those who longed for "maturity".
Zhao Junjie was no less attractive, and even more flamboyant than Yu Zou. However, the school beauty who had rejected countless people, the school beauty who had rejected Zhao Junjie, and the school beauty who rejected Zhao Junjie just like everyone else, ultimately favored Yu Zou more.
"Fate is so cruel..." Zhao Junjie sighed. "If you hadn't transferred schools back then, would you have been able to get married to the school beauty? Your child would be grown up by now."
"Running? Running a train?"
"Really no regrets at all?"
You look more disappointed than I am.
Zhao Junjie sighed deeply, stroking a non-existent beard under his chin with his right hand: "After you left, the school beauty had a complete awakening, ascended to the Path of No Emotion, devoted herself solely to studying the classics, and never again touched a trace of worldly desires..."
Yu Zou laughed and patted Zhao Junjie on the shoulder to comfort him. This rekindled the anger and disappointment Zhao Junjie felt: "Still like gentle and cute girls as always?"
“Of course!” Yu Zou’s gaze drifted into the distance, sketching out his ideal type in his mind. The lines melted into a smile on his lips. “Gentleness is wonderful. Who wouldn’t want to come home to a lover’s warm embrace that’s always open? That’s the concrete image of paradise in my heart.”
Yu Zou was lost in thought, pressing his palm to his heart and saying, "Cuteness is like an angel from heaven; it can heal even the deepest sadness in me."
Zhao Junjie asked in confusion, "Isn't this still our school beauty, Xiang Shanshan? Now that you're back, why don't you get back together with her?"
Yu Zou was pulled back to reality. The soft light vanished instantly, and his attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. He clicked his tongue coldly and said, "I think it's you who can't forget her. Why don't you go find her?"
"I can't forget you two, I love seeing you together. Honestly, I didn't find anyone I liked. Out of so many people, wasn't there a single gentle and lovely one? Isn't that designer gentle and lovely too?"
"Your brother and she have a very close relationship. I was just saying a few words to her, and he came to interrupt me. Do you want to watch?"
Zhao Junjie chuckled mischievously and said, "I love watching Junye get his comeuppance." He then added in a low voice, "I also love watching Hengxun get his comeuppance."
Yu Zou could hardly control his expression; he was practically going crazy inside. How did the topic turn back to Du Pianjian?
Zhao Junjie put away his frivolous attitude and said seriously, "As you can see, Hengxun has brought his men. No matter what, I don't want you to become enemies."
"Don't worry, no matter what, this is at least your birthday party. I'll keep a low profile."
Zhao Junjie left, and Yu Zou also prepared to hide away for some peace and quiet.
After searching for a long time, he finally chose the observation cabin on the top floor. He had just turned on the light screen when the reflection on the glass next to him showed a cold face without a smile. Then Zhao Junxi's voice rang out: "Senior, I didn't expect you to choose Chi Hengxun in the end."
The wind ruffled Zhao Junxi's long hair, her face reflecting the bitterness in her words: "Why Chi Hengxun? I don't understand. What do you like about him?"
"What does this have to do with you?" Du Pianjian leaned against the railing, arms crossed, gazing at the sea.
Do you hate me?
"Otherwise what?"
"But I don't think you like him either."
Zhao Junxi looked at Du Pianjian, hoping to see his eyes and hear some honest words from him, but he was destined to be disappointed and did not look away. "I asked my brother, you often quarrel with him, and he locked you up. This is wrong. I can ask him to set you free."
"Are you done talking?" Du Pianjian, having exhausted her already limited patience, turned and walked away.
Zhao Junxi reached out and grabbed his arm, shouting uncontrollably, "Senior! When we were in school, you hated Alphas who used pheromones to suppress Omegas the most."
Du Pianjian clenched her fist, her gaze slowly shifting from Zhao Junxi's hand to her face. Zhao Junxi subconsciously loosened his grip and repeated softly, "Didn't you hate her the most?"
Yu Zou felt a pang of sympathy. Zhao Junxi was still very young and didn't understand that an exception to someone's affections often stemmed from a hidden liking.
Du Pianjian countered, "Yes, I hate it the most. And then what?"
“Then you shouldn’t be with Chi Hengxun.” Zhao Junxi’s hope was rekindled.
"Who I'm with, and whether I should or shouldn't be with, is none of your business."
“But I’m not reconciled. I accept defeat to Xu Bo, but Chi Hengxun…”
Du Pianjian disappeared from sight before even finishing listening to Zhao Junxi's words.
Xu Bo?
Yu Zou never expected to hear such a lively scene. He thought he was the most shameful third party, but he didn't expect to hear from a senior.
Who could possibly handle such a fiercely beautiful woman?
Just as I was thinking this, the bell rang suddenly, but thankfully even Zhao Junxi's shadow was gone from the glass.
As soon as the call connected, Li Kuo's voice, barely containing his anger, rang out from the other end. He told Yu Zou to go to VIP Room No. 1 next to the casino, saying that someone in the casino had gotten carried away with gambling and gone too far, and asked him to handle the situation without disturbing Zhao Junjie. He even specifically reminded Yu Zou to raise his wristband.
He rushed over, only to find that the person in the VIP room was not the one he expected. Seeing Chi Hengxun sitting in the room, Yu Zou turned around, closed the door, and was about to leave.
Chi Hengxun said, "Don't go, let's talk."
Yu replied, "It's inconvenient; I need to speak with Li Kuo."
Chi Hengxun stood up and shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting with Pian Jian? Open relationship? What are you up to?"
Yu Zou, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks, not understanding where his anger came from, and even less reason to tolerate his unreasonable behavior: "This is good for you, me, and him."
"What a load of rubbish! You're such a hypocrite. If you didn't want to steal him, why did you get married in the first place? And you even tricked him into agreeing!"
Her promise to Zhao Junjie was still ringing in her ears, but the repeated insults were simply too much: "I haven't done anything yet. Don't take your resentment about your bad relationship out on me."
Veins bulged on Chi Hengxun's forehead, his jaw muscles jutted and rolled, and he squeezed out chewed words through clenched teeth: "If you hadn't interfered, would our relationship have suffered? What are you pretending for? As if my relationship with him needs your magnanimity to make things work out. You interfered in our relationship, and Pianjian feels sorry for you. What exactly did you say to him?!"
"Do you believe whatever you hear, or do you think Du Pianjian would lie to you for my sake?"
In that case, your relationship wasn't that great to begin with.
Yu Zou didn't say the last part aloud, after all, Chi Hengxun in front of him really didn't seem to have much of a rational mind. He didn't care whether the two of them loved each other or not, he just wanted to get away as soon as possible, so he didn't mind helping him out.
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