Chapter 3 Reunion
Jiang Jizhou's words, "There's plenty of time in the future," made Yu Bai's heart pound whenever he thought about them, worrying that Jiang might pull some kind of trick again.
But the ensuing workload overwhelmed her thoughts, and even Jiang Jizhou was forgotten.
At Uncle Jiang's house, Jiang Jizhou asked for Yu Bai's WeChat. In front of Uncle Jiang, Yu Bai was too embarrassed to refuse, but she immediately blocked and deleted him. She thought Jiang Jizhou would go crazy, but to her surprise, he was as quiet as a chicken and didn't bother her anymore, which made Yu Bai feel much better.
After get off work, Nan Kui dragged Yu Bai to the newly opened folk music bar "Ideal Thirty" for drinks.
Yu Bai doesn't like drinking, but because he was in a good mood today, he accompanied Nan Kui to Ideal 30.
The bar's decor is fresh and clean, making it perfect for taking photos. A female folk singer was performing on stage, wearing a white shirt and light blue jeans, playing and singing Cheer Chen's "Fish" on her guitar.
A gentle, melancholic voice flowed through the bar, adding a touch of romance to the atmosphere.
Yu Bai ordered a special cocktail called "See You Tomorrow," while Nan Kui ordered a "Long Island Iced Tea." She's an Aquarius and always orders this when drinking. As she drank, she hummed the line from "Unfortunately, I'm an Aquarius": "Give me a Long Island Iced Tea in exchange for half a night's sleep."
After downing half a glass of wine, Yu Bai's eyes were already showing signs of intoxication. She wore a white dress, looking gentle and elegant, and her slightly flushed face added a touch of charm.
This attracted the attention of a male college student at the next table who came over to chat her up.
Nan Kui secretly sized up the male college student who had come over; he had delicate features and a puppy-like appearance.
She whispered, "Bai Bai, it's a boy's age, why not give it a try?"
Yu Bai hadn't been close to men for years, but with the alcohol taking effect, she smiled and looked at the young man. The young man blushed at her gaze; he was still an innocent boy, and Yu Bai became interested.
Just then, her phone vibrated. She saw it was an unfamiliar number, but it looked familiar. Suddenly, she remembered that it was the same number she used to add Jiang Jizhou on WeChat.
I forgot to block his number. What does he want when he calls? He must be up to no good. Yu Bai hung up the phone and immediately blacklisted Jiang Jizhou's number.
Afterwards, Yu Bai and the puppy started drinking, completely forgetting about Jiang Jizhou.
At 11 p.m., Yu Bai was drunk and her face was as red as a boiled shrimp. She hadn't been this drunk in a long time. Although she appeared calm and clear-headed on the surface, her mind had already fallen into a state of unconscious chaos.
"Bai Bai, you're drunk."
Nan Kui's voice seemed to come from a very far place, and it was indistinct and unclear.
Yu Bai squinted, her eyes reddening, looking very charming, and continued to stubbornly insist, "No, I can still drink."
Nan Kui sighed, clearly drunk.
The little puppy volunteered, "Sister, let me take you home."
As he spoke, he helped Yu Bai up. The drunken Yu Bai had lost his sense of reason and obediently stood up.
Nan Kui thought it was a good idea to take a taxi to her home. It wasn't very safe for two girls to take a taxi late at night, and the little puppy would be there to keep an eye on them.
Nan Kui also got up and supported Yu Bai on the other side. Yu Bai had no strength left and leaned on Nan Kui's shoulder. Nan Kui gritted her teeth and held on.
Suddenly, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Jiang Jizhou standing there with a deep expression, wearing a suit, looking like he had just finished a meeting and rushed over.
"Give it to me."
Jiang Jizhou lazily picked up Yu Bai, and Yu Bai fell into a familiar embrace. Instinctively, like a fledgling bird hatching from its shell, she snuggled into his warm body, rubbing her head against Jiang Jizhou's suit jacket.
Jiang Jizhou's heart stirred. He lowered his eyes and stared at Yu Bai's peaceful sleeping face, his expression inscrutable.
The puppy couldn't help but ask, "Who are you?"
Jiang Jizhou looked up, his eyes like cold stars, as if a sharp knife had sliced through the hand he had just touched Yu Bai, and said in a cold voice, "Her boyfriend."
Upon hearing this, the puppy was startled, as was Nan Kui. When did he become Yu Bai's boyfriend?
"I'll take Yu Bai home first. You can take a taxi yourself," Jiang Jizhou said to Nan Kui, then turned and left.
Nan Kui was left standing there, disheveled in the wind, and the bewildered puppy stared at each other.
Jiang Jizhou placed Yu Bai in the back seat, and she obediently lay down without struggling.
"It would be good if you always stayed this obedient." Jiang Jizhou gently tucked the stray hairs from Yu Bai's eyes behind her ear.
Yu Bai suddenly grasped his hand and murmured softly, "Jiang Jizhou."
Hearing Yu Bai call his name, Jiang Jizhou was startled, like a young boy with a budding romance, a strange joy and anticipation welling up in his heart, and he leaned closer to listen to what she was going to say next.
But then, Yu Bai muttered, "I hate you."
It was like a bucket of ice water being poured over Jiang Jizhou, chilling him to the bone, and the smile that was about to curl at the corners of his lips also stopped.
As expected, she hated herself to the core.
Afterwards, Jiang Jizhou took Yu Bai to her home and stayed there for a long time. He sat by the bed, quietly watching her peaceful sleeping face and listening to her soft breathing. He felt at ease but also afraid that this was a dream that would shatter at the slightest touch.
They hadn't seen each other for seven years. Jiang Jizhou missed Yu Bai madly day and night, and even fell ill from missing her so much that he was hospitalized. He could only sneak away like a thief to visit the city where she was studying to catch a glimpse of her.
Jiang Jizhou didn't leave until four or five in the morning, when the sky was just beginning to lighten.
When Yu Bai woke up, it was seven in the morning, an hour before she had to go to work. She was still a little dizzy. There was a hangover soup in the thermos on the table, still warm. It must have been cooked for her by Nan Kui. Yu Bai felt a warmth in her heart. She finished the hangover soup, lay down for a while, and felt her energy restored.
Yu Bai was going to the headquarters of Tingbai Technology in the morning. Before leaving, she was still reviewing the interview transcript and making minor revisions.
After finishing her work, she hurried off and saw a text message from an unknown number on her phone.
[Bye, please remove my contact information from your blacklist.]
It was a text message from Jiang Jizhou.
Yu Bai ignored her. They were just two lines that briefly intersected. It was he who trampled on her sincerity, causing them to drift further and further apart in different directions. Now they should be doing well on their own, but he is pretending to get closer.
Who could have known this wasn't a trap? She should have known he was heartless.
Yu Bai ignored the message and drove to Tingbai Technology's headquarters, where he was successfully led to Gao Yuan's office by his secretary.
Upon seeing Yu Bai, Gao Yuan immediately stood up and shook hands with her, saying, "Hello, Miss Yu."
Yu Bai smiled and said, "Hello."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yu Bai explained the purpose of their visit: "Mr. Gao, our magazine sincerely wishes to interview your company's president to let the public understand your company's research and development in the field of hearing aids."
Gao Yuan smiled and said, "I can handle this interview."
How did your interview cause such a sensation in the industry? Yu Bai maintained a smile and spoke earnestly, "I am also a hearing-impaired person. I am very moved by your company president's dedication to the research and development of hearing aids. Out of personal consideration, I would also like to hear your company president's views on behalf of many people like me who suffer from hearing impairment. I believe this will also bring positive public opinion to your company."
Upon hearing this, Gao Yuan seemed to fall into deep thought, while Yu Bai's hands, resting on her knees, gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her heart pounding with tension.
"Ms. Yu, are you really going to interview our CEO?"
Yu Bai nodded immediately, "Yes."
"Okay, please wait a moment, I'll go and fetch the president."
Gao Yuan's words exploded in Yu Bai's mind like a giant firework. Her eyes widened with excitement, a deep look of disbelief flashing across them. She quickly composed herself and said, "Okay, thank you."
Gao Yuan nodded slightly, then got up and left, leaving Yu Bai alone.
The large office was quiet and empty. Yu Bai waited anxiously. She couldn't believe how she had managed to invite the president of Tingbai Technology to be interviewed so easily. Things went so smoothly that it was almost unbelievable. But Yu Bai stopped thinking about it and focused on reading the interview transcript. She absolutely couldn't afford to make any mistakes later.
After a long while, Yu Bai lowered his head until his neck ached. Suddenly, he felt someone behind him, whose shadow fell on the interview transcript, turning it into a dark patch.
Yu Bai turned his head to look, his smile froze, and he stared blankly at the person who had just arrived.
Jiang Jizhou was dressed in a suit. Tall and upright, the gold-rimmed glasses on his high nose bridge added a touch of refinement to his casual demeanor.
He looked at Yu Bai calmly and without any surprise.
Yu Bai recalled his words—Bai Bai, we have a long future ahead of us.
Jiang Jizhou knew everything and was just waiting for her to jump into the pit on her own.
Yu Bai felt annoyed at being played and manipulated, just like when he had toyed with her true feelings years ago. She stood up, her blood rushing to her head, and she almost fainted. Jiang Jizhou panicked and went to help her, but Yu Bai pushed him away fiercely and shouted at him, "Don't touch me."
Caught off guard, Jiang Jizhou staggered back a few steps.
Yu Bai stopped, his face calm, looked at him for a long time, and slowly said, "Is it fun? Jiang Jizhou?"
Jiang Jizhou lowered his eyes, avoiding direct eye contact with Yu Bai. "If you had known it was me, you definitely wouldn't have accepted the interview."
"What exactly do you want to do? Are you going to hurt me again?" Yu Bai was almost hysterical. "Haven't you retaliated enough?"
The two stood facing each other, one with swords drawn, the other at a loss.
Jiang Jizhou thought he was invulnerable, cold-hearted, and without any sincerity, so he recklessly hurt Yu Bai. Unexpectedly, he turned into a sharp sword, piercing Yu Bai's heart and becoming an old wound that has lasted for many years. Even today, he still suffers unbearable pain, as if his heart is being ripped out, every day and night.
Jiang Jizhou's eyes were red, like a wounded stray dog. He was no longer the aloof CEO, but only a helpless and embarrassed man. He had a lot to say, but the hurt he had caused her made him hesitate. In the end, he could only weakly say to Yu Bai, "Bai Bai, I'm sorry."
Yu Bai's eyes also reddened.
"If we can't blush when we meet again, can we at least have tears in our eyes...?"
The song we sang together that year has now become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Yu Bai said softly but firmly, "It's too late, Jiang Jizhou."
As their eyes met, long-forgotten memories flashed through their minds like a revolving lantern.
A note from the author:
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