Chapter 122 Every step taken...
Time flies. After the project was completed, Zheng Xiaotian's company specially invited representatives of the investors to attend its year-end summary meeting.
Zhou Yue attended as one of the representatives, and his father was also invited.
Xia Zhiyao wore a dark blue suit with a neat cut. Her long hair was tied up, and the light poured down from the ceiling, falling on her profile, which was soft yet powerful.
Holding the remote control pen, she spoke at a steady, unhurried pace. The data on the screen switched sequentially behind her: market trends, profit models, risk control strategies, from financial dimensions to execution paths, each slide of the PPT was logically clear.
After finishing the company's annual report, she paused briefly and turned to the last page. That page didn't have any complicated charts, only a few photos: smiling children, school buildings on a mountain road, and a simple banner with the company logo.
"Finally, I'd like to take a little more time to talk about another thing we've been doing for the past few years." Her voice softened. "We've sponsored more than 30 girls from remote areas to go to school. Some of them are now studying in county high schools, and some have already been admitted to universities. During the summer vacation, we also invited some of them to Beijing for internships and exchanges. It was their first time taking a high-speed train, their first time entering an office building, and their first time seeing the lights of the entire city from the rooftop."
She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping gently across the audience. "Perhaps these things are just a small step for us, but for them, they could be a window to the world."
At first, Mr. Zhou listened casually, but at some point, he stopped being so relaxed, straightened his posture, and gradually focused his gaze.
“This is what we have been doing for the past few years.” Xia Zhiyao smiled slightly, her voice low and steady, exuding a quiet strength. “Many people ask me what the relationship is between these public welfare projects and our main business. In fact, the relationship is very simple. It reminds us that the meaning of doing anything is never just about growth and numbers.”
Her gaze softened, as if she had remembered something. "Actually, from the very beginning, I believed that as long as what we do can resonate with people and make the world a little better, it is worth it. There have been too many uncertainties along the way, but I have always been certain of one thing: we are doing the right thing."
She paused for a moment, her gaze shifting from the screen to her colleagues and partners in the audience. Her tone became softer, yet more powerful, "I hope that in the new year, we can all maintain this belief, and even if we only take one more step forward, it will be enough to show that we have not let down the hearts we had when we came here."
She took a deep breath, smiled gently, and finally said sincerely, "Thank you all. Because of you, this journey has been more meaningful."
After she finished speaking, she bowed slightly to the audience, and the report page on the screen slowly froze under the lights: All the paths lead us back to our original direction.
Zheng Xiaotian was the first to clap, and the applause spread throughout the hall. Zhou Yue clapped with a smile, his eyes following the figure on the stage, his pride evident in his eyes. Zhou's father, however, remained motionless for a long time, simply gazing at the composed figure on the stage, his gaze gradually softening.
This is not a young person who depends on others, but a person who truly knows how to judge, dares to take responsibility, and can lead the team to the end. He already admired her composure and rationality, and now, that admiration has been enhanced by a greater sense of certainty.
A slight smile played on Zhou's father's lips. He suddenly felt that this scene should be shown to Zhou Yue's mother; he wanted her to see it.
This is Xia Zhiyao, a person who truly deserves to be seen, trusted, and respected.
After the meeting, the rest area was bustling with people, filled with the aroma of tea, snacks and coffee. Xia Zhiyao stood in a corner, holding a cup of hot coffee, and took a sip with her eyes lowered.
"Zhiyao." A familiar voice came from behind her. She looked up and saw Zhou's father standing not far away, his expression calm and exuding the usual authority of a superior.
She walked over and smiled slightly: "Uncle Zhou."
Mr. Zhou smiled gently: "You've worked hard."
Xia Zhiyao was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, "It's not hard work, it's my job."
Mr. Zhou nodded, his gaze shifting to Zhou Yue, who was exchanging pleasantries with someone in the distance. A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips. “That child, he seems gentle and refined, but I know his temper best. He’s very stubborn.” He paused, his voice lowering. “Sometimes, you have to be more tolerant of him.”
Xia Zhiyao's eyes widened slightly, her heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze and said earnestly and calmly, "He's quite good, although he can be a little stubborn at times." After a pause, she raised her head, her eyes brightening, "But I like him just the way he is."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she was stunned. This was the first time she had ever been so frank in front of Zhou's father about saying "I like you," without dodging, without strategy, and without testing.
Mr. Zhou was silent for a few seconds, his gaze shifting from her face to the crowd not far away, then slowly returning to her. The light in his eyes softened little by little. He raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder, his voice steady and gentle: "Whether it's work or life, you must do your best."
After saying that, he turned around and waved to the side. Several elders who looked quite distinguished walked over. "Your young lady's sponsorship project is quite good," he said with a smile. "We old men also want to do our part and participate."
She was slightly taken aback, not expecting the topic to turn there. Mr. Zhou's tone was not polite at all, as if he were talking about something truly worth getting involved in. She quickly realized what he meant and gave him a polite and sincere smile.
“That would be wonderful. The project originally aimed to attract more social participation. We are currently preparing the list of schools for the next phase, and we would appreciate your and the other teachers’ help in reviewing it.” She spoke calmly, but a hint of excitement could still be heard in her voice.
Zhou Yue watched them talk and walked over, standing a few steps away next to Xia Zhiyao.
When Zhou's father saw him coming, a long-lost smile appeared on his face. He turned to the several senior industry professionals around him and said in a relaxed and teasing tone, "This girl will soon be one of our own. We'll have to invite you all to the wedding then."
The elders paused for a moment, then laughed knowingly, saying repeatedly, "Okay, okay," and "Don't forget to let us know when the time comes." The atmosphere instantly became relaxed and warm.
Even after the meeting ended, the venue was not completely empty. Some people were exchanging business cards, while others were talking in hushed tones. The sounds of voices and footsteps mingled and gradually faded into the corners of the space.
Zhou Yue's voice was low, tinged with a hint of concern: "What did he say to you?"
Xia Zhiyao glanced at him, a slight smile playing on her lips: "He said you have a dog's temper."
Zhou Yue paused for a moment, then chuckled, "He has the nerve to talk about me like that? When he was young, his temper was a hundred times worse than mine." His words were teasing, but his eyes softened unconsciously.
In that instant, she could see the relaxation overflowing in his eyes, the way he finally let down his guard, a look she had never seen in Zhou Yue's interactions with his father.
She suddenly realized that she wasn't the only one being "seen"; he was being understood and accepted as well, in a way that was unspoken.
That subtle emotion flowed silently between them. She didn't speak, but simply looked at him and nodded slightly. Zhou Yue looked back at her with a secret and confident smile, as if to say, "We've finally arrived here."
Zhou Yue and Xia Zhiyao had just arrived home when their phones vibrated almost simultaneously. A WeChat message from Zheng Xiaotian popped up on the screen: 【Come to my house, it's urgent.】
Zhou Yue frowned, his expression instantly turning cold. Without asking any questions, he grabbed the car keys and pulled Xia Zhiyao out the door. The night was deep, and the city lights flickered outside the car window. No one spoke along the way, only the deep roar of the engine could be heard.
When they arrived, Zheng Xiaotian's door was ajar. Normally as tidy as a showroom, it was shockingly messy at this moment. Documents, takeout bags, and clothes were scattered on the floor, and wine bottles were rolled haphazardly on the carpet.
The room was dimly lit, with only a floor lamp in the corner of the living room illuminating the light. Zheng Xiaotian sat on the sofa, wearing wrinkled pajama pants, barefoot, with his elbows resting on his knees, saying nothing. His hands were empty, yet trembling slightly, as if he had just released something heavy.
Xia Zhiyao walked over and was about to speak when she suddenly noticed an exquisite invitation card on the coffee table. She subconsciously reached out to pick it up. The red cover with gold foil reflected a dazzling light under the dim yellow light. [Lin Zhiyi & Su Zheng Wedding Invitation]
Xia Zhiyao's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head to look at Zhou Yue, and their eyes met without a word being spoken.
Zhou Yue looked at the wedding invitation, walked over, and stopped in front of Zheng Xiaotian. "What's going on?"
Zheng Xiaotian didn't answer. He just looked up at them, his gaze empty. After several seconds, he forced a smile and squeezed out, "You're here." It looked worse than crying.
He reached for the wine bottle on the table, but Zhou Yue snatched it away, saying, "That's enough."
Zheng Xiaotian lowered his head, his voice hoarse: "If you want her to get married, then get married. Why did you have to send me an invitation?"
His gaze suddenly became somewhat unfocused: "I thought I had let go, but when I saw this wedding invitation, I realized... I can't fool myself."
He looked up at them, his eyes red: "More than ten years, and this is what I got in return."
Zhou Yue looked at him silently, her expression complicated. After a long while, she said in a low voice, "She wants to go her own way, and you should go yours too."
Zheng Xiaotian seemed to want to refute, but he couldn't say anything. He could only let out a muffled laugh, which was mixed with the smell of alcohol, bitterness, and a bit of utter despair.
He suddenly stood up abruptly, his steps faltering, almost knocking over the coffee table. "I have to go find her." His voice trembled, yet carried an almost obsessive stubbornness.
"If I don't make things clear soon, she'll really get married..." He went to the entryway to grab his coat, frantically searching for his car keys.
Xia Zhiyao was startled and quickly stood up to block the doorway: "Where are you going in the state you are in?"
"I can't just let this go!" he almost shouted, his eyes red-rimmed. "I just want to ask her one question... even just one question!"
Xia Zhiyao subconsciously turned to look at Zhou Yue. Zhou Yue stepped forward, grabbed Zheng Xiaotian's wrist, and said coldly, "Calm down. Going now will only make things more embarrassing for you." "Embarrassing?" Zheng Xiaotian smiled bitterly, tears streaming down his face. "I'm already embarrassed enough. Can it get any worse?"
He abruptly shook off Zhou Yue's hand, his voice trembling: "This is my last chance..."
Xia Zhiyao could almost hear her own heartbeat. It was the first time she had ever seen Zheng Xiaotian so out of control. Zhou Yue was silent for a few seconds, then said in a low voice, "Then I'll go with you."
The city was eerily empty late at night, with only streetlights lit one by one, casting dappled shadows on the car window. Zheng Xiaotian sat in the passenger seat, silent, staring intently ahead.
Xia Zhiyao sat in the back seat, watching the two figures in profile. A bitter feeling welled up in his heart. This night trip didn't seem like he was chasing after something. It was more like a farewell to the past.
The car slowly stopped in front of Lin Zhiyi's house. It was an apartment building in Wangjing. Some windows were still lit, while others were already off. Zhou Yue took out his phone, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally sent the WeChat message.
Xiaotian is with me, and he's not in a good mood. We're downstairs.
Less than half a minute after sending the message, Lin Zhiyi replied: 【It's okay, you guys bring him up.】
They entered the elevator in silence. The elevator numbers gradually increased, and the only sound in the enclosed space was the hum of metal.
Zheng Xiaotian lowered his head, his fingertips trembling, and he murmured almost silently, "I just want to ask one question: what is it about me that I'm not good enough?"
The door clicked open, and Lin Zhiyi stood in the doorway, still dressed, clearly having just returned from outside. Her gaze lingered on Zheng Xiaotian's face before she let out a soft sigh: "You're here."
Zhou Yue spoke first, his tone restrained and polite: "Why don't you two talk? We'll wait in the car downstairs." He knew that it was not appropriate for others to linger in this situation.
Lin Zhiyi shook her head, her tone calm but not cold: "It's okay, we're all family. Since we're here, it's better to make things clear."
At that moment, Xia Zhiyao was slightly stunned. She looked at Lin Zhiyi, and the calmness she saw was not feigned, but rather a calmness of complete letting go, a calmness that left no trace of anger. It was more unsettling than sadness.
Zhou Yue and Xia Zhiyao sat down in a corner of the sofa, deliberately not disturbing each other. Zheng Xiaotian stood opposite her, and after a long silence, he finally spoke with difficulty: "I saw the wedding invitation."
Lin Zhiyi gave a soft "Mmm," her gaze neither darting away nor showing surprise. "I know." She paused, her tone almost cruelly gentle: "Actually, I always thought you had already let go."
Zheng Xiaotian was stunned for a moment, his throat dry and parched: "I...I just...want to see you."
She laughed, her eyes reddening, her laughter filled with hatred. "See me? What gives you the right?" She took a step forward, her gaze sharp. "Do you remember how we broke up?"
"The year you told me you missed me so much, I flew from New York to London during spring break, an eight-hour flight, and what happened?"
“I stood at your door and called you, but you didn’t answer. I knocked on the door for ages. What were you doing? Were you messing around with a strange couple? Do I need to tell you the details?” Her voice exploded in the night.
Zheng Xiaotian's face turned deathly pale, his body swayed, and even his breathing became disordered. Lin Zhiyi's tears fell, and her smile grew even colder, "You're not pitiful, you're rotten."
She turned around, then looked back. "Do you know how stupid I was that day? I didn't sleep well on the plane. I washed my face and put on makeup in the bathroom just to give you the best look. I thought I was your lifeline."
“Actually, I am nothing.” She stared at him, her voice hoarse and trembling. “I am just an object you use to flaunt your own worth.”
You didn't even say 'I'm sorry.'
She wiped away her tears and suddenly fell silent. "You said you loved me. But your love was too cheap. Anyone can replace me."
"So please don't show up again. I don't want to relive that memory. Every time it happens, it makes me feel nauseous."
“You always say I’m some kind of white moonlight, but you know best in your heart that you’re just using me as a cover. Your indulgence, promiscuity, and nightly revelry are not because of me, but because that’s just who you are. You say ‘I can’t let her go,’ how affectionate you are, but it’s just an excuse for yourself.”
“You’re not infatuated, you’re cowardly and weak. There’s no such thing as a white moonlight in your heart, only yourself.” She looked at him, her gaze cold and pale.
“I must give you that wedding invitation. My future husband is a normal person. He won’t call me crying in the middle of the night, nor will he say he loves me and then go to sleep with other people.” She whispered, “You must come, sit in the front row, and watch me marry someone else.”
Her tone was calm to the point of cruelty, “I want you to remember what you missed.”
At that moment, no one spoke. Zhou Yue's fingers tightened slightly, and Xia Zhiyao lowered her eyes. It was not an argument, but a judgment that had been delayed.
Zheng Xiaotian was completely speechless. He stood there, as if his soul had been ripped out, his lips moving as if he wanted to speak several times.
His gaze fell blankly on her, as if trying to grasp something, but he had long since exhausted all his strength.
In that instant, Xia Zhiyao's heart skipped a beat. She had seen him in his prime, and she had also seen him arrogant and indifferent.
I've never seen him like this before; it's as if his whole being has been crushed and then put back together.
He didn't speak again, nor did he look at her again. He simply turned around and walked step by step toward the door, each step as if he were saying goodbye to his self from ten years ago.
He walked to the door, paused for a moment as if he wanted to turn back, but in the end, before leaving, he simply uttered, "I wish you happiness."
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