Chapter 51 The phone call could not be connected.
Xu Jialan's words reached Chen Yao'an's ears without missing a single one.
It was as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over her head; all the ambiguity vanished in that instant, and she instantly sobered up.
So that's what he's always thought.
Chen Yaoan felt like she couldn't breathe properly, as if something was stealing the air from her surroundings.
Xu Yan's voice came through again, "You really think so?"
He paused for a moment and then said, "Don't regret it later. Chen Yao'an is not like the women you dated before."
Xu Jialan remained silent.
"Then I'll be going now."
Chen Yaoan tensed up, turned around and quickly pressed the elevator button. Fortunately, the elevator was still on this floor, and the elevator doors opened quickly.
She squeezed inside, heard footsteps approaching, quickly and hurriedly pressed the close button, and the elevator started to descend. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Her blurry shadow was reflected on the smooth elevator wall, and Xu Jialan's words kept swirling in her mind.
You know, I have absolutely no desire to get married.
I think things are fine as they are now.
Chen Yao'an's chest heaved violently, it was hard to tell whether it was anger, sadness, or grievance, or all of these emotions.
The elevator reached the first floor, and she mechanically stepped out. By the time she realized what was happening, she was already standing on a bustling street.
She didn't go back, but continued walking forward.
She walked until she reached a secluded park, shaded by green trees, where there were hardly any people. She sat down on a bench, her thoughts still lingering on that apartment building.
She recalled Shen Moke's words: Xu Jialan was unrestrained and capricious, like the wind, and none of them could hold onto her.
What do all her guesses, tests, and ups and downs over the past few days matter?
She was like his prey who had jumped into his love trap. Did he find it particularly ridiculous to watch her struggle inside?
Yes, Xu Jialan is a person who lacks love at heart, how could he possibly love someone else!
She raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corner of her eyes.
Looking at her damp fingertips, she was suddenly jolted.
When did she unknowingly fall so deeply in love?
A huge sense of panic welled up in Chen Yao'an's heart.
Her phone suddenly rang, interrupting her surging emotions.
It is Shi Xin's language.
She answered the phone, "Hello."
"Hey, Yao'an."
"Um."
"How have you been over there lately? Is Auntie feeling better?"
Hearing the incredibly warm voice from thousands of kilometers away, Chen Yao'an suddenly couldn't hold back her emotions and replied in a slightly trembling voice, "It's fine."
Shi Shiyu noticed the sob in her voice and immediately thought something had happened to Zhou Yao. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Auntie?"
"No, my mom's fine." Chen Yao'an could no longer hold back her sobs. "It's just, it's just..."
Chen Yao'an didn't hide it from her.
Shi Xinyu was furious after hearing this, and probably slammed her hand on the table, yelling, "Xu Jialan, that bastard!"
"There are plenty of men in the world, why would you hang yourself on one tree? When you come back, I'll introduce you to ten or eight handsome guys..."
Then he comforted her for a while, and finally asked her, "When can you come back?"
She paused for a moment.
No, I can't let these feelings grow wildly in her heart any longer.
Chen Yao'an made up her mind; she didn't need to ruin her life for a man.
"We'll go back in a few days."
"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yaoan tried to calm herself down.
Another call came in, this time from Xu Jialan. She didn't answer the first one.
Xu Jialan persisted, and finally she took a deep breath and answered the call.
"Why aren't you back yet, it's so late?" he asked in his usual lazy tone.
"I have some things to take care of outside," she said, her voice a little hoarse.
He paused for a moment and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," she said, pretending to be nonchalant.
"I was hoping to have dinner with you," he continued.
"I've already eaten."
"Okay, then come back soon."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yaoan composed herself before heading back.
Over the next few days, she deliberately avoided Xu Jialan and tried not to meet him. Sometimes when he contacted her, she would make excuses to avoid him.
On the weekend, Chen Yaoan went to the hospital to see Zhou Yao as usual.
Early in the morning, Xu Jialan appeared at her doorstep, and Chen Yaoan was unable to avoid him.
"Aren't you going to see your aunt today? I'll go with you."
Today she needs to discuss Zhou Yao's discharge from the hospital with the doctor. She plans to return to Dai County immediately after Zhou Yao's discharge.
She didn't intend for him to know about this.
"I won't go today, I'll go another day."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm a little tired today, I want to rest for a bit."
Xu Jialan inquired about her work, "Is work too tiring?"
"Hmm." I have a lot to do. "I want to sleep a little longer. You can go back now."
Xu Jialan glanced at her and saw that she didn't look too well. "Then you should get some rest."
She nodded and watched Xu Jialan turn and go back to her own home.
Half an hour later, Chen Yaoan packed her things and went to the hospital.
She first went to Dr. Zhao to ask if Zhou Yao could be discharged from the hospital, and received an affirmative answer.
"Very good."
"Congratulations, but you should still keep a close eye on your mother's condition when you get back."
"Okay, when can we be discharged?"
"Anytime in the next two days is fine."
After leaving Dr. Zhao's place, she went to see Zhou Yao and told her the good news. Zhou Yao seemed very happy to be able to leave this place.
Upon returning from the hospital, Chen Yaoan bumped into Xu Jialan at her doorstep.
He leaned against the wall of the corridor, a cigarette dangling from his mouth but not lit. The cigarette swayed up and down with the movement of his jaw, as if he were passing the time while waiting for someone.
He has a tall and slender figure, and simple clothes can perfectly outline his firm muscle lines. Coupled with his dashing and unrestrained personality, it's hard not to be attracted to him.
Was he waiting for her?
She had been avoiding him all this time. Even the slowest person would have noticed something was wrong, let alone someone as perceptive as him.
Xu Jialan had already seen her; there was nowhere to hide, so she could only go to meet her.
Upon seeing her, he straightened up and stared at her.
"Where did you go?"
"I went to the hospital," Chen Yaoan told the truth.
Xu Jialan frowned, looking somewhat displeased. "Didn't you say you weren't going to the hospital today? That you were tired?"
“I was indeed tired, but I wanted to go to the hospital, so I did.”
"Why didn't you ask me to go with you?" They always went together before.
"I don't know why, I just want to go by myself, is that not allowed? Xu Jialan, you're really annoying!" Chen Yaoan gradually became impatient.
Xu Jialan had never been spoken to like this before, and her face immediately darkened. "What exactly do you mean?"
“Xu Jialan, I don’t have to revolve around you. I have my own things to do. I want to go by myself today, is that not allowed?”
He was clearly angry, and nodded, "Okay, of course, there's nothing wrong with that."
Chen Yao'an left him behind, slamming the door shut in front of him with a loud bang.
Xu Jialan tugged at his collar in frustration. He didn't know what was wrong. Chen Yaoan's attitude towards him had changed in the past few days.
Inside the door, Chen Yao'an stood in the entryway listening to the sounds outside, tears still involuntarily falling down her cheeks.
—
On Monday, Chen Yaoan personally went to Xu Yan to resign from his internship.
Xu Yan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, "So soon? Are you going back to Dai County immediately?"
"Yes, my mom can be discharged from the hospital. We'll be going back in a few days."
"Will Xu Jialan go back with you too?"
Chen Yao paused for a moment, then lowered her eyelids. "No, he's not coming back with us."
Xu Yan nodded, then said with some regret, "You left in such a hurry. Why didn't you stay in Beijing for a few more days before leaving?"
"No, my grandma lives alone. She's old, and I'm worried about her."
"I see." Since that's the case, there's nothing he can do to stop you. "Then I wish you a safe journey."
"Thank you for taking care of me during this time, which gave me the opportunity to intern here."
"Don't be so polite. You're Xu Jialan's friend, so of course you're my friend too."
Chen Yao'an twitched the corners of her mouth. She was only benefiting from Xu Jialan's influence. "Then I'll be leaving now. I've already told Director Li about my departure."
She turned to leave, but Xu Yan called her back.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Why don't we invite Xu Jialan over for dinner tonight as a farewell dinner for you?"
"No need," Chen Yao'an refused decisively.
Xu Yan was taken aback. "You're so resistant to having dinner with me?"
Chen Yaoan realized what she meant and quickly said, "That's not what I meant. I just happen to have something to do tonight, so I'm afraid I won't be able to have dinner. Thank you for your kindness."
"Oh well."
Chen Yaoan nodded and left his office.
After their unpleasant encounter that day, Chen Yaoan never saw Xu Jialan again, and she didn't really care.
On Tuesday morning, Chen Yaoan went to the hospital early to complete Zhou Yao's discharge procedures. After that, the two did not return to the apartment.
She had already packed her luggage and left it at a nearby hotel. After picking up Zhou Yao, they would head straight to the airport; she had booked an afternoon flight to Nanlin.
She led Zhou Yao out of the hospital, and Zhou Yao seemed to be in a good mood.
"Mom, we'll be home tonight."
Zhou Yao smiled happily, "That's great!"
"Shall we go catch the plane now?" She was worried that Zhou Yao might not be used to traveling so soon after leaving the hospital, so she wanted to give her some mental preparation.
"good."
After arguing with Chen Yaoan that day, Xu Jialan was also angry and didn't go to see her for several days out of spite.
By Tuesday evening, Xu Jialan's anger had subsided considerably. After much thought, she decided to compromise and talk to her clearly, so she went to knock on her door.
Unfortunately, no one answered. He called her, but her phone was switched off. He guessed that she might be out and her phone was out of battery, so he gave up and went home.
The next day when he went out, he saw that the door next door was open. He thought Chen Yaoan was at home, so he turned around and went in. But he didn't expect to see the landlord instead.
"Auntie, what are you doing here?"
"I've come to inspect the house."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jialan was completely stunned. "Inspect the house? Why inspect the house?"
The landlady looked surprised, after all, the two had rented the house together. "You're moving out? You didn't know?"
"Checked out? She moved out? Moved somewhere else?"
"No, she said she's finished taking care of her business and is going back to her hometown."
Xu Jialan's mind went blank for a moment, and he didn't understand what she was saying for a while. After a few seconds, he took out his phone and dialed Chen Yaoan.
The phone number is temporarily unavailable.
I tried it twice and it was the same.
He paused to catch his breath and then dialed Dr. Zhao's number.
Dr. Zhao said that Zhou Yao was discharged from the hospital this morning.
After hanging up, he dialed Xu Yan's number again.
"Hello."
Where is Chen Yao'an?
"Chen Yao'an? Didn't she go back to Dai County?"
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