The attempt failed.
The taillights of Chi Zhuo's black car disappeared around the corner.
It was like a silent period, coldly severing the last glimmer of hope in Lin Tingyue's heart.
The evening breeze ruffled her thin skirt, bringing a chill, but it was nothing compared to the coldness in her heart.
She leaned against the pillar, motionless for a long time, her mind replaying his indifferent, almost ethereal glance from earlier.
The pressure, the probing, the mockery, and even the cold scrutiny of their initial encounter were gone from those eyes.
All that remained was a complete, utter indifference.
It was as if she were nothing more than a speck of dust, not worth his emotional investment whatsoever.
Lu Tingyuan's words were more like a curse playing on repeat in her ears.
I made a special trip to the auction.
I picked out that bracelet for her.
Every word felt like a fine needle, pricking her heart with a sharp, persistent pain, accompanied by a surge of regret that nearly overwhelmed her.
What exactly did she do?
She interpreted his every approach with the worst possible malice, armed herself with vigilance and fear, and twisted every possible gesture of goodwill he might have made into an act of ulterior motive.
Even after he had almost made his point clear, she still used a judgmental tone to ask him questions, completely trampling on his... pride?
A man like Chi Zhuo, who is willing to put in the effort and may even be trying to get closer to her without her knowing, is already an exception in itself.
But she herself smashed it all to pieces.
During the latter half of the birthday party, Lin Tingyue was completely distracted.
Her mother noticed her unusual behavior and asked her with concern, but she could only manage a weak smile and shake her head, saying that she was fine.
Back home, she threw herself onto the bed and pulled the covers over her head, but she couldn't escape the chaotic thoughts and sharp pangs of sorrow in her mind.
That night, she lay awake until dawn. Regret clung to her like vines, tightening its grip ever more.
The next day, with huge dark circles under her eyes, the first thing she did was open the locked drawer and carefully take out the velvet box.
The diamond bracelet shimmered with a cold yet dazzling light in the morning sun, each facet seeming to silently mock her foolishness and cowardice of yesterday.
She gently stroked the cool diamond and made a decision in her heart.
She can't let it end like this.
At the very least, she owes him an apology. For her misunderstanding, for her hurtful suspicion.
But how should I apologize? Should I just call?
He probably won't even answer the call.
Send a text message?
I still vividly remember that cold reply from last time.
She thought of Xia Xiaoran.
When the call connected, she told her best friend everything that had happened last night and what Lu Tingyuan had said, her voice thick with nasal congestion and frustration.
After listening, Xia Xiaoran remained silent for a long while before sighing, "Sigh, I knew it... So what do you think now?"
"I want to apologize..." Lin Tingyue said softly, "but I don't know how..."
"An apology is a given!" Xia Xiaoran said firmly. "But Yueyue, you need to think this through. Are you apologizing because you feel you were wrong and regret misunderstanding him, or because you realize you actually care about him and are afraid he'll really ignore you?"
Lin Tingyue was stumped by the question.
Was it out of guilt? Or was it because the clear heartache and disappointment told her that she already cared?
"I...I don't know," she said, somewhat confused, "but I just feel so bad. The thought that he might never come back makes me..."
"Alright, I understand." Xia Xiaoran interrupted her. "If you want to apologize, you have to be sincere. Just saying it isn't enough; you have to let him see your change in attitude."
"How do we do it?"
“That bracelet is a great starting point,” Xia Xiaoran analyzed. “Didn’t he say he would throw it away if he didn’t like it? You didn’t throw it away, and now that you know where it came from, you can’t just return it. You have to let him know that it’s not that you don’t like it, but that you didn’t understand it at the time, and that you cherish it now.”
"But...wouldn't it be awkward if I just took it back to him, or said I'd accept it? Wouldn't he be even angrier?"
“So you can’t just return it directly!” Xia Xiaoran said in a tone of exasperation. “You have to create an opportunity to let him know your attitude naturally and tactfully.”
For example…does he like horseback riding? Didn’t you say last time that the horse farm had a nice environment?
Lin Tingyue seemed to have grasped something: "You mean..."
"Play to his tastes, sister!" Xia Xiaoran exclaimed excitedly. "Go to the horse farm and 'bump into' him! Wear that bracelet! Then find an opportunity to apologize for your attitude on the phone last time, and while you're at it... um... thank him for the gift? Wouldn't that seem much more natural?"
"A chance encounter?" Lin Tingyue felt that the plan sounded both audacious and full of loopholes. "Someone like him has an unpredictable schedule. How can I possibly bump into him? And what if he doesn't even go?"
"Go ahead and find out! Don't you have Assistant Lu's phone number? Try subtly asking about Chi Zhuo's schedule? Or just go and try your luck this weekend! The important thing is to show your attitude and make your appearance!"
Xia Xiaoran found it more and more feasible as she talked, "Even if you don't meet the right person, you've tried your best, which is better than staying at home regretting it like this!"
Encouraged by Xia Xiaoran, Lin Tingyue's heart, which was filled with regret, also found a bit of courage to take a gamble.
Yes, the worst outcome would be for her to continue being ignored by him. But if she didn't do something, she might continue to be tormented by this feeling of regret.
She took a deep breath, found Lu Tingyuan's number that she had saved before, and carefully edited an extremely polite and cautiously worded text message.
When asked if she might go to the racecourse this week, Chi Zhuo said she wanted to thank and apologize in person for her previous rudeness.
After sending it, there was another long and agonizing wait.
This time, Lu Tingyuan replied quickly, but the content was very official:
【Ms. Lin, Mr. Chi's schedule is a trade secret and I cannot disclose it. I'm sorry I cannot help you.】
A formulaic rejection.
Looking at the text message, Lin Tingyue felt her courage, which had just been mustered, deflate like a punctured balloon.
So...it just won't work?
She slumped into a chair, her spirits plummeting once again.
However, a few minutes later, the phone vibrated again.
It was still Lu Tingyuan.
However, Mr. Chi sometimes goes to the South City Horse Ranch to relax on weekends, but the timing is not fixed. If you want to try your luck, you might want to give it a shot. For reference only.
This text message, though still cautious, reveals a clear location!
Lin Tingyue's eyes lit up instantly! Was Lu Tingyuan... secretly helping her?
Hope is rekindled!
On Saturday, Lin Tingyue dressed up carefully.
She was still wearing the same riding outfit, with a warm light-colored trench coat over it.
She carefully put the diamond bracelet on her wrist; the cool touch against her skin seemed to remind her of the purpose of her trip.
She arrived at the horse farm ahead of time, feeling both excited and afraid.
She rented the docile "Cherry" horse and wandered absentmindedly along the edge of the field, her eyes occasionally glancing towards the entrance.
Time passed second by second, but Chi Zhuo did not appear.
As the sunlight grew increasingly intense, her initial anticipation gradually turned into anxiety and disappointment.
He's not coming today, is he?
That's true, there's no such thing as a coincidence.
Just as she was about to give up and leave with her horse, a familiar engine sound came from the entrance.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly turned her head to look.
The black Bentley, like a silent cheetah, slowly drove in and came to a stop.
The car door opened, and Lu Tingyuan, dressed casually, was the first to step out.
Then, the other car door opened, and Chi Zhuo appeared.
He was wearing a dark blue riding outfit today, which accentuated his tall and slender figure and gave him a cool and aloof air. His face was expressionless as he was talking to Lu Tingyuan with his head down.
Lin Tingyue's heart jumped into her throat, her palms sweated, and she could barely hold onto the reins.
He's here! He's really here!
The opportunity is right in front of you!
She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, then gently spurred her horse and, pretending to be nonchalant, slowly rode towards them.
The distance is getting closer and closer.
She could even see his slightly furrowed brows and somewhat tired eyes.
Lu Tingyuan saw her first, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his face before he regained his composure and whispered something to Chi Zhuo.
Upon hearing this, Chi Zhuo raised his head and his gaze fell precisely on her.
Their eyes met.
Lin Tingyue's heart nearly leaped out of her chest. She tried her best to maintain a calm expression, even managing to force what she thought was a polite, slightly surprised smile.
However, Chi Zhuo's gaze lingered on her face for less than a second before he indifferently looked away, as if he were just seeing an insignificant stranger.
He didn't even glance at her deliberately exposed wrist adorned with a diamond bracelet.
He nodded directly to Lu Tingyuan, then turned and walked towards the direction of the stable "Chasing the Wind," without saying a word to her from beginning to end.
Completely ignore her.
Lin Tingyue's smile froze instantly, and the color drained from her face.
All her courage, all her carefully prepared "chance encounters" and apologies, seemed so ridiculous and wishful thinking in the face of his complete and cold indifference.
turn out to be……
He truly doesn't care anymore.
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