Pure goodwill
“You’re right,” Lin Tingyue took a deep breath, the night wind carrying a chill that made her even more alert. “I am indeed lucky. But you have more options now, you don’t have to do this.”
A hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Yan's eyes; she clearly hadn't expected Lin Tingyue to say that.
“We are different, Miss Lin.” Jiang Yan turned her head away, her voice hoarse. “I have no other choice.”
"Who said that?" Lin Tingyue stepped forward, grasped her cold wrist, her grip light but firm, "You have a choice if you want to."
Just then, the glass door to the balcony was gently pushed open.
Chi Zhuo stood there, his gaze first falling on Lin Tingyue with inquiry and concern, then looking at Jiang Yan with calm and unwavering eyes.
"President Zhang is looking for you," he said to Jiang Yan, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
Jiang Yan's body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously tried to pull her hand back.
Lin Tingyue gripped her hand even tighter, clearly wanting to keep her there.
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Lin."
After saying that, Jiang Yan broke free from Lin Tingyue's hand and quickly left.
Once there were only two people on the balcony, Lin Tingyue said with a choked voice, "I still couldn't persuade her."
Chi Zhuo looked down at her, his eyes understanding, and wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace.
He whispered in her ear, his voice firm yet gentle. "Everyone has their own path to walk, and you can't help everyone."
“I understand,” she said in a muffled voice, “but it hurts me to see her go back even though she clearly didn’t want to.”
“You gave her a choice, which is important in itself.” Chi Zhuo gently patted her back, as if comforting a child. “For her, perhaps such a gesture is enough to make her feel warm.”
Lin Tingyue raised her head, her eyes slightly red: "I... I just couldn't bear it..."
“I know.” Chi Zhuo interrupted her, his eyes steady. “But this is her battlefield. She has her reasons for choosing to go back and the realities she has to face. Perhaps she just doesn’t want to trouble anyone.”
He paused, then gently brushed away the tears from the corner of her eyes with his fingertips. "Listen, you're not a savior. Some roads are destined to be walked alone."
Lin Tingyue understood the reasoning, but she still couldn't let go of the emotions.
"Let's go, Mom and the others are waiting for you to eat."
"Um."
In the latter half of the banquet, Lin Tingyue had lost her focus and was feeling a lingering, unexpressed emotion.
With Chi Zhuo beside her, no one at the dinner table dared to speak to Lin Tingyue easily, for fear of offending someone and making Lin Tingyue unhappy.
The meal went relatively peacefully.
Midway through, someone poured Su Jinghe a glass of wine, and Lin Tingyue, seeing this, also went over to drink it.
"I want one too."
Chi Zhuo frowned and turned his head. "What would you like to drink?"
"liquor."
"You're not allowed to drink."
Lin Tingyue looked at him unhappily, "I want to drink."
A boy nearby, with exceptionally keen hearing, immediately handed over the bottle he was holding.
"Sister-in-law, do you want to drink? Here, take this."
The next second, Chi Zhuo glared at him, which startled him so much that he quickly withdrew his outstretched hand and said in a low voice, "No, no, drinking is bad."
"Just one sip." Lin Tingyue leaned close to Chi Zhuo's ear. To others, this looked no different from a public display of affection.
Is it okay?
Finally, Chi Zhuo couldn't resist her and poured half a glass of wine from his own glass for her.
"Just try it."
"Okay." Lin Tingyue had never tasted wine before, and this time she gulped it down in one go. Apart from a slightly astringent feeling in her throat, it also had a fragrant aroma, which seemed to be different from ordinary wine.
"Hehe, it's delicious~"
Su Jinghe was somewhat surprised, "Tingyue, you're so amazing! You downed such strong Xuechun liquor in one go?"
Lin Tingyue opened her eyes wide with curiosity, not quite understanding the meaning of the sentence.
"Mom, what do you mean? Is there anything special about this wine?"
"Oh, I see. Every year around this time, the old man would bring out Xuechun wine to celebrate the New Year. This kind of wine is astringent at first but sweet in the end, but it has a high alcohol content, so it is best to savor it slowly and drink it in small sips."
Lin Tingyue shook her head. "It's okay, Mom. I only had a small sip. Don't worry, I'm fine."
Su Jinghe was skeptical, glancing at Chi Zhuo with some worry, "Are you...really alright?"
"It's alright, don't worry."
As the banquet drew to a close, Lin Tingyue went to the restroom to touch up her makeup. Just as she turned the corner of the corridor, she heard suppressed sobs.
She paused, looked in the direction of the sound, and saw Jiang Yan with her back to her, her shoulders trembling slightly, secretly wiping away tears by the window.
That slender figure looked particularly helpless in the empty corridor.
Lin Tingyue did not step forward immediately, but simply watched quietly.
Jiang Yan seemed to sense something, and suddenly turned around. A hint of panic flashed in her red eyes. She quickly lowered her head, wiped away her tears with her fingertips, and forced a smile: "Miss Lin."
"Your makeup is a little smudged." Lin Tingyue didn't point it out, but took out an unopened pack of tissues and a small sample of portable foundation from her handbag and handed it to her. "This shade should suit you. Touching it up will make it look better."
Jiang Yan stared blankly at the thing handed to her, her eyes seeming to redden even more.
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately accepted it and whispered, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Lin Tingyue said calmly. "No matter what, protecting yourself is the most important thing." She didn't say anything more and turned to leave.
When Lin Tingyue returned to the banquet hall, the pent-up frustration in her heart not only did not dissipate, but instead felt even more suffocated.
She sat back down next to Chi Zhuo, absentmindedly poking at the delicate pastries in her bowl with her chopsticks.
Chi Zhuo turned to look at her and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? You went to the restroom and came back even more upset."
Lin Tingyue shook her head and didn't say anything.
She can't very well say that she's making a fuss over someone she's only met twice.
Chi Zhuo is right, she is not a savior.
After sitting for a while longer, the banquet finally came to an official end.
The guests began exchanging pleasantries and saying goodbye, and then left one after another.
While Chi Zhuo, Su Jinghe, and several elders were talking, Lin Tingyue stood a little further away and waited.
She felt her head was a little heavy, and the effects of the Snow Pure Wine she had just drunk seemed to be slowly rising, making her cheeks slightly hot.
Just then, the boy who had handed her the drink earlier came over again, grinning, and said, "Sister-in-law, you can hold your liquor! I see you don't even flinch."
Lin Tingyue forced a smile, then held her head and remained silent.
Not long after, a slight commotion came from the elevator entrance. Looking in the direction of the sound, it was Jiang Yan being pulled by the arm by a man who was preventing her from leaving.
Jiang Yan seemed unwilling to argue in such a public place and struggled desperately to break free from the other person's restraint, but unexpectedly, the other person slapped her and pushed her to the ground.
"They don't know how to be polite."
People around cast glances, but most were unfazed and quickly looked away, continuing their lively conversation.
Lin Tingyue's brows furrowed instantly, the alcohol making the nameless fire in her heart burn even brighter.
Without even thinking, she lifted her foot and walked over there.
"Is it Mr. Zhang?" Lin Tingyue's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough, carrying a hint of coldness that was barely perceptible.
Mr. Zhang turned around at the sound of her voice, and when he saw Lin Tingyue, a smile immediately spread across his face. "It's Mrs. Chi? Is there anything I can help you with?"
Jiang Yan glanced quickly at Lin Tingyue, her eyes filled with complex emotions—gratitude, embarrassment, and above all, a resigned weariness.
Lin Tingyue didn't look at Jiang Yan, but only at President Zhang, forcing a cold smile: "It's nothing serious, I just saw things were quite lively here, President Zhang. Jiang Yan is my friend, and she doesn't look too well. Are you feeling unwell? I was thinking of taking her to rest over there. President Zhang, you don't mind, do you?"
She spoke politely, but the unquestionable tone in her voice was obvious.
Everyone present could tell that Lin Tingyue was trying to meddle in other people's business.
Mr. Zhang's smile froze for a moment, and his eyes darted between Lin Tingyue and Jiang Yan, as if he were weighing his options.
He couldn't refuse the Chi family's request; Chi Zhuo cherished the woman in front of him.
He chuckled dryly twice: "Hehe, so Jiang Yan is Madam Chi's friend. Of course, of course. Jiang Yan, why didn't you say you weren't feeling well earlier?"
Jiang Yan got up from the ground and responded softly, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zhang."
Lin Tingyue ignored President Zhang and reached out to take Jiang Yan's hand, feeling that her fingertips were cold and trembling slightly.
She sighed inwardly and pulled her toward Chi Zhuo.
Jiang Yan hesitated, "Miss Lin, there's no need to trouble yourself."
Lin Tingyue turned her head. "Hmm?"
"I don't want you to get involved in this matter. This is my own private matter, and I hope Miss Lin can understand."
Lin Tingyue's cheeks flushed, and she raised her voice, "So what if I say I'm going to help you? What if I'm going to meddle in other people's business?"
Jiang Yan was stunned, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Looking at Lin Tingyue's flushed cheeks and bright eyes, she moved her lips but ultimately couldn't bring herself to refuse.
The commotion caught Chi Zhuo's attention.
He strode over, his gaze first falling on Lin Tingyue. Seeing that she was unharmed, he then looked at Jiang Yan and President Zhang standing to the side.
"What's going on?" Chi Zhuo's voice was calm, yet it carried an inherent sense of oppression.
Mr. Zhang quickly smiled apologetically, "Mr. Chi, it's just a small misunderstanding."
Chi Zhuo didn't reply, but looked at Lin Tingyue: "Tingting, what do you want to do?"
Lin Tingyue held Jiang Yan's hand tightly, as if she would disappear if she let go: "I'm taking her away."
Chi Zhuo nodded and turned to President Zhang: "President Zhang, I've taken the person away. If there are any issues later, please talk to my assistant directly."
These words, spoken casually, caused Mr. Zhang's expression to change.
In the business world, Chi Zhuo's words carried too much weight, and he dared not say anything more, only nodding with a dry laugh: "Of course, of course. Please go ahead, Mr. Chi."
Jiang Yan stared at the scene in disbelief. Knowing Zhang's character well, she had expected to face even greater trouble, but Chi Zhuo had resolved it with just a few words.
"Let's go," Chi Zhuo said to Lin Tingyue, his gaze sweeping over her flushed cheeks, his brows furrowing slightly. "You've had too much to drink."
Lin Tingyue did feel even more dizzy, but she insisted, "I'm not drunk."
She pulled Jiang Yan toward the elevator, but Jiang Yan gently broke free from her hand.
“Miss Lin, Mr. Chi, thank you.” Jiang Yan bowed deeply. “But I cannot go with you.”
Lin Tingyue asked, puzzled, "Why? Didn't you not want to go back with him?"
"I don't want to, but I have family to take care of," Jiang Yan said with a wry smile.
How much do you need?
"What?"
Lin Tingyue bluntly stated, "How much would it take to solve your current problem?"
Jiang Yan was completely shocked. "Miss Lin, we... have only met a few times..."
"I've chosen to help you. Do you have any other questions?"
Jiang Yan finally couldn't hold back her tears and they started flowing.
Over the years, she has been involved with all sorts of men and has become accustomed to being objectified and traded.
This is the first time someone has offered help without expecting anything in return.
Lin Tingyue slowly spoke, "When I first met Miss Jiang, I felt that you were an independent and confident person. If you were to stop here now, it would be heartbreaking. Anyway, it's all about money. Should he give it to you or should I? Miss Jiang, you make the choice yourself."
Jiang Yan choked up instantly, "I..."
This time, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer. From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever stood by her side so selflessly to help her.
Now, the person who offered her help was a complete stranger she had only met a handful of times.
I choose you.
Hearing this answer, Lin Tingyue couldn't help but feel happy.
She turned to look at Chi Zhuo, who handed her a business card. "If you need anything, just contact my assistant directly, and he'll arrange it."
Just then, Lin Tingyue suddenly swayed, the effects of the alcohol kicking in completely.
Chi Zhuo caught her in time, nodded to Jiang Yan, and then half-carried, half-embraced Lin Tingyue and left.
On the way back, Lin Tingyue leaned on Chi Zhuo's shoulder and asked groggily, "Do you really agree with me helping Jiang Yan?"
"Mm," Chi Zhuo replied briefly.
"Why?" Lin Tingyue looked up at him. "Didn't you say that everyone has their own path to walk?"
Chi Zhuo gently stroked her hair: "I did say that. But you also taught me that sometimes, reaching out to help someone can change their life."
Lin Tingyue smiled and closed her eyes in relief: "Chi Zhuo, you're so good to me."
Chi Zhuo looked at her sleeping profile with gentle eyes.
"It's not me who's good, it's you."
The next morning.
When Lin Tingyue woke up, she had a splitting headache. She rubbed her temples and walked out of the bedroom, where she found Chi Zhuo looking at documents in the living room.
"Awake?" Chi Zhuo looked up. "There's some hangover soup in the kitchen."
Lin Tingyue felt much better after drinking the soup.
She hesitated before asking, "Last night... about Jiang Yan, are you serious?"
Chi Zhuo closed the document. "Of course, I support all your decisions."
Lin Tingyue lowered her head. "But I didn't discuss this with you; it was decided privately."
Chi Zhuo gently took her hand, "Because I acquiesce to your decision being my decision."
"Don't you think what I'm doing is naive?"
She lowered her head and spoke her mind. "After all, in the end, you'll be the one to clean up this mess."
Chi Zhuo gently stroked her hair, comforting her, "Listen, this isn't naivety, it's kindness. You need to know that this world isn't black and white. Many people live in dire straits, struggling every moment. Your appearance, your actions, are precisely a ray of light in their lives. Within your capabilities, preserving the purest kindness towards others may be the greatest salvation for them. It's a hope for them, and it's also for me."
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