Chapter 37 Qinghe
Memories are a sharp knife, piercing through the long years, penetrating the heart, and still causing excruciating pain.
But now the situation has reversed, and the one wielding the knife is now Yu Bai.
Every move she made affected Jiang Jizhou's heartbeat.
"I will not accept this interview."
Yu Bai brushed past Jiang Jizhou, and a familiar scent of hair wafted by. Jiang Jizhou instinctively grabbed her and held her wrist.
Yu Bai glanced down at her hand, which was being held tightly. She struggled to break free but couldn't. Suppressing her anger, she said calmly, "I have a boyfriend. Please be mindful of your behavior, Mr. Jiang."
Overwhelmed by longing and intense love, Jiang Jizhou nearly lost his mind, but he couldn't. He kept telling himself that doing so would only push Yu Bai further away. Jiang Jizhou desperately restrained his emotions, trying not to do anything crazy.
But the word "boyfriend" completely drove Jiang Jizhou to lose his mind. He gripped Yu Bai's hand even tighter, his eyes shattering like a million pieces of glass. His eyes reddened and filled with a hint of malice. "You lied to me, didn't you? I know you don't have a boyfriend, bye-bye."
Yu Bai's hand was gripped so tightly it hurt. She snorted coldly and calmly retorted, "Isn't deception your forte?"
She was now sharp-tongued, her disgust undisguised, and her gaze towards him was icy cold. Jiang Jizhou was completely overwhelmed by that look. He suddenly felt as if his heart had shattered into pieces, no, it had long been shattered. After she left Nancheng many years ago, he had been like a walking corpse, with the unbearable longing following him like a shadow.
A hint of humility flashed in Jiang Jizhou's eyes. He looked down at Yu Bai, his voice broken and gentle, "Bai Bai, I'm sorry, let's start over, okay?"
Yu Bai glared at Jiang Jizhou, not bothering to answer the question at all. After a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled. Jiang Jizhou's eyes flickered, but Yu Bai's words cut into his flesh like a dull knife.
She said softly, "Jiang Jizhou, you are not worthy."
A dull pain swept through his entire body, and Jiang Jizhou felt unsteady on his feet. He swayed a couple of times, and Yu Bai took the opportunity to forcefully shake off his hand, slam the door, and leave, leaving Jiang Jizhou standing there dejectedly. He lowered his eyes and gave a bitter smile.
Jiang Jizhou sat down on the sofa, his head throbbing with pain.
The hand that Yu Bai had just pushed away still retained her warmth. Jiang Jizhou fondled that spot with lingering affection, his eyes filled with infatuation.
Gao Yuan walked in with the documents and saw this scene. The president, who was usually inscrutable, now had unspeakable pain overflowing in his eyes, as if he was immersed in some memory.
"President Jiang..."
Jiang Jizhou looked up and said, "Get lost."
Gao Yuan immediately and quickly left.
Before leaving, Gao Yuan peeked out and cautiously asked, "President Jiang, Miss Yu wants to change her, is that alright with you?"
Jiang Jizhou paused for a moment, then parted his thin lips slightly, "Only her."
Gao Yuan understood; the president was heartbroken. He quietly withdrew.
As night fell and the city lights began to illuminate the darkness, the office, unlit, felt all the more desolate and lonely.
Jiang Jizhou got up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Looking down from the 77th floor, the lights twinkled like stars. He lit a cigarette, and the nicotine numbed the pain in his heart, temporarily keeping him awake.
After that winter, Jiang Jizhou returned to school and completely changed his previous carefree and playful nature. He had broken the hearts of many girls, but he turned his back on them and stopped being hypocritical and ambiguous. He changed his major and began to work on the research and development of hearing aids. Over the years, he worked day and night and never dared to slack off. With the capital and connections left by his mother, he built Tingbai Technology from scratch.
Some say he is a prodigal son who has turned over a new leaf, cares for special groups, and has a broad vision for the world.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jizhou merely scoffed. He wasn't that great; he was only doing this because of the girl who suffered from an ear ailment, was sensitive and reserved yet gentle and resilient, who was clearly frail but stood in front of him, and who embraced him in the rain and promised to stay with him forever.
Doing scientific research is tough. He often thinks about Yu Bai so much that he goes crazy, and he can only numb himself by smoking.
Over the years, my smoking addiction has become as deeply ingrained as my love for her.
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As Yu Bai emerged from the Tingbai Technology headquarters building, her tears finally fell. She raised her wrist and saw that it was red and raw from his grip on it. The stinging sensation reminded her that this was not a dream, but reality.
Yu Bai walked down the street, letting her tears fall. She hated Jiang Jizhou. Why, after so many years, would he still not let her go?
His so-called compensation was nothing but a burden to her.
After leaving Nancheng that year, Yu Bai and Ms. Yu returned to their hometown of Lincheng. Yu Bai had only 100 days left until the college entrance examination. She was physically weak due to the blow she had suffered and had been taking medicine. However, she had to be on high alert in order to cope with the college entrance examination. Her already thin body became even thinner, and even Ms. Yu, who was usually strict with her, couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
But Yu Bai insisted on her own way, studying almost self-destructively. Only in this way could she forget those beautiful memories and the hurt that person had caused her. In the end, Yu Bai performed exceptionally well in the college entrance examination and became the top science student in Lincheng that year.
Afterwards, Yu Bai once again disregarded Ms. Yu's objections and studied journalism. This was the best way to gain a voice and contribute to the beautiful world she envisioned. This was Yu Bai's original intention in studying journalism. Her university life was very fulfilling, with various competitions and activities keeping her so busy that she almost forgot about Jiang Jizhou.
After graduation, Yu Bai was recommended for postgraduate studies at the same university. She was so focused on her studies that even her advisor couldn't stand it anymore and introduced her to Chi Qinghe, a very outstanding young man who had returned from studying abroad. Yu Bai politely declined, and the two became friends who were not too close but kept in touch occasionally.
Upon hearing that Yu Bai had returned to work in Nancheng, Chi Qinghe jokingly said he would come visit her when he had time, to which Yu Bai responded with great welcome.
After worrying about Yu Bai's studies and working hard for most of her life, Ms. Yu is now in a semi-retired state and has begun to worry about Yu Bai's marriage. Yu Bai and Chi Qinghe's relationship was originally just a pretense to avoid blind dates. However, Chi Qinghe is gentle and refined, and Yu Bai is kind and intelligent. Their friends all say that they are a good match, so they often tease them with the intention of bringing them together. Chi Qinghe wants to make the relationship real, but Yu Bai always politely pushes him away.
Just then, the phone rang by sheer coincidence. Yu Bai looked at it and saw that it was Ms. Yu calling.
Yu Bai took a deep breath and answered the phone.
Ms. Yu's strong and clear voice was so penetrating that it could be heard clearly even without speakerphone: "I like Qinghe more and more the more I look at him. Let me tell you, he came to see me again a couple of days ago, bringing a lot of things. I really think Qinghe is good enough for you. When can you two be together?"
To avoid being introduced to other potential partners, Yu Bai dodged the question, saying, "I'm still getting to know them, we'll see."
"Even with frequent contact, there needs to be some progress," Ms. Yu said with some dissatisfaction.
"I know, I have to get back to work." As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Bai hung up the phone, finally getting some peace and quiet.
Why did Chi Qinghe go to see Ms. Yu? Yu Bai felt that Chi Qinghe was being a bit inconsiderate. She opened WeChat and saw that her conversation with Chi Qinghe had stopped a month ago.
Yu Bai thought about it and decided it would be better to remind him.
Don't go see my mom anymore.
Chi Qinghe replied instantly.
"Since you're out of town and can't take care of your aunt, it's only right that I go check on her. It's alright."
Yu Bai's mood was already terrible because of the interview with Jiang Jizhou today, and she didn't want to continue arguing with him. Chi Qinghe's legs were his own, and she couldn't stop him, so she turned off her phone and stopped replying.
She continued strolling through the familiar streets, her heart filled with emotion. She had thought she would never return to this place, but after all the twists and turns, she had come back.
However, she is no longer the timid and submissive woman she once was. She is now more confident and outstanding, and has undergone a complete transformation.
In late autumn, a gust of wind blows, and the leaves of the ginkgo trees by the roadside flutter down like golden butterflies.
Yu Bai suddenly remembered that year when Jiang Jizhou had a ginkgo butterfly perched on his fingertip and said to her steadily, "Yu Bai, have you ever thought that you are actually a butterfly that has broken out of its cocoon?"
A ginkgo leaf fell into Yu Bai's palm. She imitated Jiang Jizhou's movements from her memory and folded a butterfly.
Everything has changed, and time has passed.
But the memories he left her were ingrained in her very being, flowing through her as long as she lived.
Yu Bai's fingertips trembled slightly as he threw the butterfly away.
Then Chi Qinghe called.
A gentle voice came through, and Yu Bai felt a sense of relief. "Bai Bai, how's work in Nancheng? Are you settling in well?"
Yu Bai neither liked nor disliked Chi Qinghe, but because he was her mentor's son and treated her very well, Yu Bai also had some goodwill towards him. Most importantly, he had absolutely no connection with Yu Bai's memories and was just a character in her new life, which made her feel at ease.
"I'm fine. How have you been lately?"
"It's not bad, just a bit busy. I might have to go to the US on a business trip again next year."
"Then be careful."
“I know, Bai Bai… I want to visit you in Nancheng before I go to America.”
Yu Bai lowered her head, her long eyelashes drooping slightly. Many ginkgo leaves had fallen to the ground. She stared at the ginkgo leaves and said with a smile, "Okay, let's set a time then. I'll take a day off and show you around."
Chi Qinghe keenly sensed that Yu Bai felt a little different today. She was less distant and more vulnerable and affectionate. She was a strong-willed girl, and in front of him, she was also resilient, independent, distant and indifferent.
I don't know what she went through today, but Chi Qinghe likes Yu Bai like this.
He smiled and said, "Okay, it's a deal then."
After hanging up the phone, Yu Bai's mind, which had been occupied by Jiang Jizhou, suddenly turned to Chi Qinghe. Yu Bai suddenly realized that she had known Chi Qinghe for almost two years. He had always taken good care of her. Unlike Jiang Jizhou, who was as turbulent as a storm brewing, Chi Qinghe was like a gentle stream, calm and tender.
Perhaps she really should find a boyfriend.
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