9
While Ji Shengsheng was at a meeting, Xu Yu received a call from his mother. Looking at the restaurant address sent via WeChat, he went downstairs to get his car.
His parents' divorce was expected. His mother's decision to go abroad without informing him wasn't entirely unexpected either.
His father's infidelity was unforgivable, and he had long since accepted that his mother had brutally severed him from her life.
Everyone around him was generous with their praise, but no one truly treated him well; he had long since gotten used to it.
Zheng Rulan returned to China without informing him beforehand, and he didn't know why she was coming back.
He had no intention of having any further contact, but Zheng Rulan said she had something very important to discuss, so he agreed to meet her once.
Zheng Rulan had arrived at the restaurant early, and Xu Yu saw her when he arrived at the restaurant entrance.
Time seems to have left no trace on her face. In the years she's been abroad, she seems to be happier than before.
Although they look alike, they are too distant to be mother and son.
Xu Yu pushed open the door and went in, then sat down opposite Zheng Rulan.
"I'm short on time, I have two things to tell you." Zheng Rulan didn't exchange pleasantries since they hadn't seen each other for a long time.
Xu Yu crossed his arms and placed them on the table, simply looking at Zheng Rulan without saying a word.
"First of all, the first thing is that your father is getting a divorce. The reason is that he has a new partner. I came back this time to settle things that weren't clearly separated before, but it won't affect your share, so don't worry."
They had already divided their assets once during their divorce, and Xu Yu knew he was entitled to his share, but he didn't want it and wasn't interested.
"The second thing is that I know some things about you and I'd like to give you some advice," Zheng Rulan said, somewhat hesitantly.
After all, she and Xu Yu weren't very familiar with each other.
"No need," Xu Yu refused.
“Oh, you can’t refuse this time.” Zheng Rulan raised an eyebrow. “This is my last time coming back, and it’s also the last time we’ll see each other.”
"So what?" Xu Yu was calmer than Zheng Rulan.
In other words, he was less afraid of losing the relationship than Zheng Rulan, even if it was Zheng Rulan who was going to leave.
“Although we don’t have a deep relationship, you are still my son.” Zheng Rulan wanted to make things difficult for Xu Yu, but she didn’t want to make things too difficult for him. “I have prepared some words for you today. If you listen to them, then it will be over. If you don’t listen to them, then I will tell them to that girl.”
From Zheng Rulan's voice-over, Xu Yu roughly knew what she was going to say.
He wasn't worried about what Zheng Rulan meant by possibly going to see Ji Shengsheng. He was just suddenly curious about what Zheng Rulan was trying to say.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zheng Rulan smiled.
"You're the other woman, aren't you?"
Zheng Rulan laughed even louder: "When my marriage was ruined by a third party, I was afraid that you would be like your father, inheriting his bad genes and not being able to control yourself after marriage."
"I never imagined you'd become a mistress. Xu Yu, don't you think that's ridiculous?"
"What I want to tell you is very simple. Just like your father, who abandoned his family for a third party, he will naturally abandon a third party for a fourth party as well."
"Falling in love with someone else can be addictive. Once she gets a taste of the sweetness, it becomes difficult for her to seriously commit to a relationship. She will only want to try more new relationships."
"I know you won't change your mind about what you've made up your mind. But even if you manage to get it, it will eventually become a thing of the past."
"You will not truly find happiness."
Zheng Rulan's expression was somewhat fierce, as if she had transferred her hatred for the third party onto Xu Yu.
Xu Yu looked calmly at Zheng Rulan.
His mother traveled across the ocean to return to his side, only to vent some boredom.
What a waste of time.
"Are you done talking?" Xu Yu prepared to get up and leave.
“I can see that you are not moved at all.”
Although she didn't love this son, Xu Yu had been outstanding since childhood. Whether it was his studies or various special skills, he allowed Zheng Rulan to enjoy the sense of accomplishment of raising children.
Zheng Rulan had never been so disappointed in Xu Yu.
She could only attribute this to the inferior genes of Xu Yu's father.
"So, you insist on continuing to entangle yourself with her?" Zheng Rulan decided to save Xu Yu one last time. "You like her that much?"
Xu Yu finally smiled.
"Why do you think," Xu Yu paused for a few seconds, "that I would 'confide in' you?"
He has no obligation to express his feelings for Ji Shengsheng, nor does he need to report to anyone or seek anyone's consent regarding how he wants to develop a relationship with Ji Shengsheng.
After saying that, Xu Yu got up and left.
If this is the last time he and Zheng Rulan will meet in this life, and this is how it ends, then it's not so bad.
When Xu Yu returned to the company, Ji Shengsheng and Cheng Yu had just finished a meeting. Xu Yu stood in front of the office window, watching Ji Shengsheng take out the small parts from the box and explain their functions and uses to the others.
Then, he remembered that he had just been in the office with Ji Shengsheng.
After he said he wanted to "ask for something" from Ji Shengsheng, the other party fled in panic.
This time, there are still limited things he can be certain of.
The only thing that seems certain is that she is not as brave as before.
In our recent interactions, apart from our first meeting, she has almost never taken the initiative.
While Xu Yu was distracted by Ji Shengsheng, Cheng Yu strolled up to him and nudged him with her shoulder, saying slyly, "Who was it that wanted to cut ties completely last time? Why are you staring at him like glue now?"
"You said you wouldn't fight or snatch anything, but now you're planning to fight and snatch everything."
"I have to go on a business trip on Monday."
Cheng Yu was stunned for a moment: "You're going abroad with Ji Shengsheng?!"
Before Xu Yu could speak, Cheng Yu said understandingly, "That's fine too, after all, you haven't had much of a vacation in over three years."
After saying that, Chengyu thought about it again and couldn't help but ask, "You're not going to leave and never come back, are you?!"
Xu Yu: "Go see a neurologist when you have free time."
Cheng Yu was still worried, so she asked Ji Shengsheng about Monday's plans during her lunch break. She was relieved to learn that Xu Yu wasn't going abroad.
Although he had indeed thought it would be really cool if the company were entirely his, in reality, without Xu Yu, he probably wouldn't be able to manage the company's various affairs very well.
It will go bankrupt within three years.
...
Because Xing Xing had taken up a lot of time in the morning, Ji Shengsheng didn't have time to make lunch, so she decided to grab something to eat at the convenience store downstairs.
Just as they reached the elevator, Xu Yu entered the room behind her.
"Ji Shengsheng." Seeing that she didn't look up, Xu Yu called her name.
"Huh?" Ji Shengsheng looked up, puzzled.
"What do you want to eat?" Xu Yu pressed the elevator button for B1, as if they had arranged to go out for a meal together.
Xu Yu's lips were still pale, and her complexion was not good either.
Ji Shengsheng suddenly remembered that three years ago, Xu Yu had suddenly and gently approached her, also when he was sick.
So, this doesn't actually mean that Xu Yu has any feelings for her. It's just that being sick makes people vulnerable and makes them want to get closer to sources of warmth in their surroundings.
"Getting ready to eat..." Ji Shengsheng was about to answer truthfully when she heard Xu Yu's phone ring. She glanced at it casually and saw Shao Yun's name on the screen.
Then immediately shut up.
Xu Yu didn't answer the phone; he just stared at her, waiting for her reply.
Ji Shengsheng didn't want to say anything more.
Just then, Xing Xing called, and Ji Shengsheng quickly answered to avoid the awkward situation.
"My girlfriend wants to invite you to lunch! We're in the underground parking garage, come quick!"
"immediately."
After saying that, Ji Shengsheng hung up the phone and then turned to look at Xu Yu: "I'm going to have dinner with my friend."
"Friends?" Xu Yu nodded.
He heard the other person's voice.
That's clearly more than just "friends".
The elevator stopped at B1. Xu Yu pressed the open button and let Ji Shengsheng get off first.
After going downstairs, Ji Shengsheng turned to look at Xu Yu and couldn't help but say, "You don't seem to be feeling well. I brought the fever reducer I gave you the day before yesterday and put it in the first-aid kit. You can use it if you need it..."
"Okay." Xu Yu nodded, then turned and left.
When Cheng Yu returned after dinner, Xu Yu was resting in the conference room.
He clearly remembered seeing Xu Yu and Ji Shengsheng take the elevator downstairs together. Why is Xu Yu back alone now?
Where is Sheng Sheng?
Hearing his voice, Xu Yu opened his eyes and slowly rubbed his temples: "You've seen a psychiatrist?"
Cheng Yu frantically scratched her head: "...I'm a person, not your punching bag!"
"To be honest, I feel that Ji Shengsheng isn't as proactive towards you as before this time." Cheng Yu really enjoys talking to Xu Yu about Ji Shengsheng's love life; he loves seeing Xu Yu's hidden pain and hurt because of love.
Although it doesn't look obvious.
“But this time it’s your turn to take the initiative!” Cheng Yu, a lifelong single, seemed very experienced. “Relationships are like this: either you take the initiative or she takes the initiative. If neither of you takes the initiative, there’s no chance.”
"I have a bottom line."
After Xu Yu finished speaking, Cheng Yu was stunned for a long time.
This is the first time Xu Yu has directly addressed the question of his feelings for Ji Shengsheng.
"What do you mean?" Cheng Yu asked cautiously. "Are you saying... you'd only be willing to get involved in her relationship with her boyfriend if she also takes the initiative?"
Cheng Yu accidentally spoke too bluntly about the relationship, and immediately slapped herself afterward.
Xu Yu indeed ignored him.
Cheng Yu could only mutter softly.
"Your bottom line is so unreliable!"
Xu Yu was displeased: "Who gave you the audacity to push your luck?"
Cheng Yu lowered her voice even further: "Of course it's you!"
"On the first day Ji Shengsheng came back, you had to return her things and completely cut off all contact with her; on the third day, you left your clothes at her house. Then you started to have boundaries, and she had to give you signals first. In another two days, will you evolve to the point of forcing Ji Shengsheng to abandon her current partner and be with you?"
“This time I’m testifying for Ji Shengsheng. She didn’t do anything. You’re the one who actively pursued yourself.”
Seeing that Xu Yu didn't speak, Cheng Yu thought she had gotten the better deal this time.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yu just coughed twice and then put down his phone: "I'll be back on Thursday. All the work for this week has been transferred."
Cheng Yu: "Huh?"
Xu Yu continued: "I'll transfer everything to you."
Cheng Yu: "?!"
Cheng Yu: "No, can you even be a human being?!"
God knows how much work there is lately.
Although he had often asked Xu Yu to clean up his messes in the past, and although he should indeed give Xu Yu some rest time, the incident happened so suddenly that he was really not up to such a heavy responsibility.
Cheng Yu had been busy ever since Xu Yu finished speaking, and it wasn't until after 9 p.m. that she finally had time to take out her phone and browse her WeChat Moments.
He had only been scrolling for a few minutes when he saw that Ji Shengsheng had posted a photo with her boyfriend.
"Exciting, so exciting!" Cheng Yu gave Ji Shengsheng a thumbs up and then left a comment.
"A perfect match, a match made in heaven."
A few minutes later, Ji Shengsheng replied to him: "You have good taste."
...
When Ji Shengsheng got home in the evening, she was in a bit of a daze because of what had happened during the day, and found it hard to concentrate on her painting. She went to bed early, which was unusual for her.
Unable to fall asleep no matter how hard she tried, Ji Shengsheng got up again and made soup with the only chicken in the refrigerator.
While waiting, she opened WeChat and saw two message notifications in her Moments. After opening them, she saw Cheng Yu's comments and typed a reply.
Xing Xing's girlfriend is quite young, and he said they hit it off immediately after only meeting her once. After dinner, he insisted on taking a picture and posting it on his WeChat Moments to "form an alliance" with her.
She hadn't posted on WeChat Moments in a long time; her last post was a graduation photo from her undergraduate studies. However, sensing the other person's eagerness, Ji Shengsheng agreed.
This was Xing Xing's first normal relationship, and it was introduced by her mother. Feeling that it could lead to marriage, she was willing to contribute to the harmony of their relationship.
After replying to Yu, the phone returned to silence. Ji Shengsheng opened the chat window with Xu Yu, but not knowing what to say, she closed it again.
After tossing and turning for a long time, she finally lay back down on the bed and fell asleep.
She had never dreamed of that day. She followed Xu Yu to his home.
Feeling somewhat impulsive and angry, they cautiously and nervously entered Xu Yu's room.
A clumsy kiss. Unsure whether to continue.
She regained her senses once, then hesitated. Xu Yu regained his senses once, then stopped. Then, they both made a mistake.
Unaware of each other's feelings, they kept testing each other until they reached the final step.
At that time, they were not in a romantic relationship, nor did they make any promises about the future to each other. They even did not see each other or have any contact for several years afterward.
Ji Shengsheng opened her eyes, fully awake.
She recalled Xu Yu's words about wanting to "ask something" to her.
What did Xu Yu want from her?
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