Chapter 57
When Chi Jun found Xu Qingzhou, Xu Qingzhou was in an open space north of a small shopping mall.
Because the mall is densely packed with restaurants, and there is a food street across the street, the area where electric bikes are parked on the north side of the mall is also the best place for delivery drivers to stop while waiting for orders.
At this moment, groups of two or three deliverymen were either riding on their electric bikes and scrolling through their phones, or squatting against the wall and chatting. Xu Qingzhou joined them, sitting sideways on the electric bike with a test paper fluttering in the wind on his lap.
In front of her was another electric scooter, with a young man in a yellow delivery uniform riding it. He was leisurely swaying the scooter back and forth, talking to Xu Qingzhou with a smile on his face.
As he laughed, a gust of wind blew by, and the young man reached out to brush away a stray strand of hair that had been blown across Xu Qingzhou's face.
At that moment, Chi Jun precisely intercepted the presumptuous hand—
The young man whose wrist was being grabbed paused for a moment, then turned to look at Chi Jun.
Xu Qingzhou was so startled that he immediately stood up from the electric scooter.
Chi Jun?
How did he suddenly appear?
Chi Jun did not look at her.
His eyes were fixed on the owner of the hand, his face clearly showing hostility, and his gaze unusually cold and hard.
"Will you die if you don't fight?"
Chi Jun shook off that hand, and his tone became even more arrogant.
Xu Qingzhou was taken aback by the aggressiveness in his words and quickly pulled him away, standing between him and the delivery guy. However, Chi Jun grabbed her hand and pulled her back, his voice low and deep:
"Get in the car."
The delivery guy then realized what was happening and instinctively grabbed Xu Qingzhou's other hand, looking warily at Chi Jun.
Chi Jun stared at him coldly:
"let go."
The boy didn't let go, glared at him, and asked Xu Qingzhou:
"Qingzhou, your boyfriend?"
Qingzhou...
Chi Jun snorted coldly, his brows furrowing even deeper. The next second, he saw Xu Qingzhou shake his head.
The boy suddenly seemed to gain confidence, and the displeasure on his face instantly intensified.
He glared at Chi Jun:
"Who are you? You—"
Chi Jun, however, was too lazy to argue with him. He turned around, got into the car first, and looked at Xu Qingzhou:
"Are you coming or not?"
Although Xu Qingzhou didn't know why Chi Jun was there, she knew for sure that Chi Jun was angry.
Xu Qingzhou glanced between the two men, hesitated for a moment, and finally gave the boy opposite her an apologetic look before turning around and straddling the electric scooter.
Chi Jun didn't even glance at the boy again. The moment Xu Qingzhou sat down, he turned the electric scooter around and drove off without saying a word.
After watching the two figures disappear, the boy took a half step back, sat back on the electric scooter, and frowned in annoyance.
*
Around 8 p.m., the streets were bustling with traffic, delivery drivers darted swiftly through intersections, and loudspeakers blared announcements of clearance sales from shops throughout the night.
As they passed through an alleyway, Xu Qingzhou tugged at Chi Jun's clothes for the third time.
A screech of brakes came from the electric vehicle, and the wheels finally stopped turning.
Chi Jun turned to look at Xu Qingzhou, a hint of displeasure still lingering in his tone.
"what?"
Since Chi Jun never explained why he came here, and just took her away without saying a word, Xu Qingzhou could only assume that it was because he didn't like her delivering food.
However, his phone automatically accepted another order while he was on the road. Xu Qingzhou paused for a moment, then got out of the car and said:
I still have takeout orders to deliver.
Under the dim streetlights, the young girl wore an oversized yellow delivery uniform, carrying a sense of hardship and melancholy rarely seen at her age.
Chi Jun could hardly imagine how such a slender and quiet girl could be surrounded by a group of rough men who smoked and cursed, listening to their swear words and dirty jokes, braving wind and rain to compete for orders with them, sometimes being scolded by merchants, and sometimes being urged and cursed by customers.
But she can't even open her mouth to speak, and many times, she may not even be able to deliver an apology, and can only swallow her grievances in her heart.
Thinking of this, Chi Jun felt a dull ache in his heart.
As Xu Qingzhou picked up the old yellow helmet from the front of the car and put it on his head, Chi Jun looked away, his heart filled with irritation. A few seconds later, he finally couldn't hold back and his voice became tinged with agitation.
"Xu Qingzhou, is it absolutely necessary to make this money?"
Xu Qingzhou paused slightly as he fastened his helmet.
She looked up at Chi Jun.
His eyes showed both heartache and obvious disdain for the profession.
Xu Qingzhou's heart trembled.
He must have found her embarrassing, which is why he came to her.
But she didn't want it to be like this.
She also wanted to stay comfortably in her little house in the cold winter, and to focus wholeheartedly on preparing for the college entrance examination as the countdown became increasingly urgent.
Feeling wronged and heartbroken, Xu Qingzhou's eyes welled up with tears.
She bit her lip hard, and when she looked up at Chi Jun again, a smile appeared in her eyes, but the smile was too forced and disappeared without a trace in an instant, leaving only sadness.
【Chi Jun, I'm different from you】
Someone like me has no one to back me up, nor do I have a prestigious status.
If I don't strive to live, all that awaits me is the abyss.
"So," Chi Jun stared straight at her, "you're just like him?"
Xu Qingzhou was stunned for a moment before realizing who Chi Jun was talking about.
Perhaps it was the intense gaze in Chi Jun's eyes that was too intimidating, or perhaps it was because the boy had helped him analyze various universities and majors these past few days, only to be inexplicably scolded by Chi Jun, that made Xu Qingzhou unconsciously feel a layer of guilt.
She looked at Chi Jun for a long time before speaking in a gentle but firm voice:
He came from a poor family and had no distinguished background.
[University student delivers takeout for his father during winter break to support his family]
[Chi Jun, compared to you, I'm definitely more like him.]
We are just as pitiful as you are, engaged in professions that you also deem pitiful.
I'm sorry I embarrassed you.
She was so gentle that even when she lost her temper, there were no sharp words or edges in her speech.
Yet, even so, each word falling into my heart felt like a series of heavy blows.
Chi Jun watched as Xu Qingzhou finished writing the last sentence, then put away his pen and paper without looking up at him again. His face was indifferent, a look he hadn't seen in a long time. He took the handlebars from Xu Qingzhou's hand and rode away.
The yellow figure grew farther and farther away under the streetlights, quickly shrinking into a dot before disappearing completely into the night.
Chi Jun stared blankly for a long time, then sighed in frustration and sat down by the roadside.
*
As the Spring Festival approaches, streets and alleys are adorned with all sorts of red and festive couplets and Chinese knots. The familiar song "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Wishing You Prosperity) can be heard everywhere. People who have worked hard all year are happily shopping for New Year's goods in the streets and alleys, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
The small rental room at the south end of the second floor of the rental compound was now filled with an even more desolate atmosphere.
Because Chi Jun and Xu Qingzhou are in a cold war.
This cold war is not like the usual kind, where I give you the cold shoulder and you give me the cold shoulder, and we don't say a word to each other.
Chi Jun and Xu Qingzhou still had necessary daily interactions, and their tone was normal. There was no intention to give each other a hard time. However, there was always a lukewarm atmosphere between them, as if some unresolved issue was blocking their way, and there was nowhere to resolve it.
This unusual occurrence was soon noticed even by the rabbit and the male ghost.
That day, while Xu Qingzhou had finished breakfast and went out to deliver takeout, the male ghost immediately grabbed Chi Jun and asked:
"What's going on? I keep feeling something's off between you and Xiaozhouzhou..."
Chi Junzheng leaned against the railing, looking bored, and played a mobile game.
Upon hearing this, he glanced at the male ghost and said in a sarcastic tone:
"I sensed it was right, it's all thanks to you..."
Male ghost: "?"
What does it have to do with me if you two have a fight?
But after listening to Chi Jun recount the events of that day from beginning to end, the male ghost fell silent.
Hmm... it seems that when he told Xiaozhou about Chi Jun's true identity on the paper, it really did plant a seed of "inferiority complex" in Xiaozhou's heart...
So it's true that he's involved.
Male ghost: "Didn't you make it clear to her afterwards? That you didn't look down on her profession, and that you went to see her purely because that guy was a scumbag and you were afraid she would be deceived."
“I did,” Chi Jun said lazily, “but do you think that’s the point?”
Male ghost: "..."
Too.
Those words I said back then have probably become a thorn deeply embedded in Xiao Zhouzhou's heart.
Any other misunderstanding can be cleared up, but what good will clearing up do?
Because Chi Jun's identity will not change, and Xiao Zhouzhou's poverty and predicament will not change, this thorn called "inferiority complex" will remain firmly rooted in her heart no matter what, and she will never be able to pull it out.
Even a careless remark from the other party can be twisted by this thorn.
This is what Xiao Zhouzhou cares about most, and what she feels most helpless about.
From Xiaozhouzhou's perspective, it must feel terrible to work hard to earn money to satisfy her partner, only to find that they look down on her profession...
*
Before they knew it, it was the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, the day Amay invited Chi Jun to the annual party.
Chi Jun didn't want to go, but his relationship with Xu Qingzhou had been complicated lately, and he couldn't help but feel irritable whenever he had free time. In order to distract himself, he decided to go anyway.
Since everyone was young, the party was held in a private room at a bar, which had everything from food and drinks to entertainment and karaoke.
When Chi Jun arrived, the people inside were already having fun.
The colorful lights flickered and dazzled people. There were empty bottles on the table and the floor. Groups of people were gathered in twos and threes, some playing cards, some singing karaoke, and others playing Monopoly.
Upon seeing Chi Jun, familiar people greeted him.
"Hey! Jun-ge's here!"
"Rare visitors, rare visitors."
"Amay was just talking about you," one of them said, turning to the person singing karaoke and yelling, "Amay, your darling is here!"
"Go to hell!"
Amay, who was singing karaoke, made a joking remark through the microphone.
She then saw Chi Jun, handed the microphone to someone nearby, and walked over.
"I thought you weren't coming."
She reached out and put her arm around Chi Jun's shoulder, subtly gesturing with her chin towards the sofa inside under the glaring light: "Chen Mi and her agent are over there, shall we go take a look?"
Chi Jun glanced in that direction briefly.
"Not interested."
But he wasn't interested, yet some people came specifically for him.
While Chi Jun was being pulled away by a group of people to play a mobile game, a shadow soon fell over him, and a unique perfume scent wafted over.
Chi Jun paused, glancing sideways at the screen.
The girl bent slightly at his side, her long, wavy hair cascading down her side. When she saw him glance at her, she smiled at him generously, but wisely remained silent.
Only after Chi Jun finished a game did he raise his hand and wave, giving a charming greeting:
"Hi, Xu Jun, long time no see."
"hello."
Chi Jun, with a lollipop in his mouth, gave a brief response.
Chen Mi raised her hand to indicate to the slightly older woman beside her: "This is my manager, Sister Rolly."
Chi Jun: "Hello, Rolly."
The woman called Rolly smiled and shook hands with Chi Jun. Behind her black-rimmed glasses, her shrewd eyes stared at Chi Jun, scrutinizing him as if she had discovered a treasure: "I've heard of you before, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."
Chi Jun smiled and said, "Rolly, you're joking."
Actually, today's gathering was mainly for the staff, models, photographers, and some friends from the clothing store to have some fun. It was a kind of relaxing year-end party, coming just in time for the end of the year.
Chen Mi, a female model who had already peacefully parted ways with her former employer, successfully transitioned from an internet celebrity to a star in the entertainment industry, having acted in over a dozen movies and TV series. Everyone knew that she had turned down a gig for Xu Jun.
After all, everyone knows that since Xu Jun appeared, this popular young actress has visited the film studio several times under the guise of visiting the set.
Bringing his agent along this time is likely for two reasons. First, it's probably to help the agent find suitable new talent to sign. Second... it's also probably for personal reasons, to take advantage of being close to the right person.
Sure enough, during the various activities that followed, Chen Mi and her manager, Rolly, kept bringing up Chi Jun, intentionally or unintentionally. Needless to say, Chen Mi's eyes were practically glued to the screen, and the manager's gaze towards Chi Jun clearly showed satisfaction.
Everyone knew perfectly well that Xu Jun was about to become famous throughout the country because of his face.
Everyone knows that Rolly is a marketing genius. Even the most ordinary artists can be transformed into sexy, high-class figures in her hands.
In the world of online celebrities and models, this kind of person is undoubtedly the one who is highly regarded.
During the meal, everyone raised their glasses to toast, and all sorts of jokes and flattery came out one after another. Sister Rolly was very accommodating, gentle yet charismatic, and her social skills were superb and adept.
"I heard it's Rolly's birthday today, what a coincidence."
"That's right, that's what fate is all about."
"Hey, I've already ordered a birthday cake for Rolly. Judging by the time, it should be arriving soon."
"You little rascal, you're quick!"
Everyone laughed and joked, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere in the private room.
Only Chi Jun sat at the table, but he seemed somewhat absent-minded.
He took out his phone and looked at his chat with Xu Qingzhou with a bored expression.
There has been no news for several days.
My finger unconsciously pressed on the profile picture, but I accidentally "patted" the other person.
Chi Jun: "..."
Just then, Amay spoke:
"Why don't we let Xu Jun cut this cake today? Eating cake cut by a handsome guy will make us feel like we're sharing in the joy."
What kind of completely unrelated talk is this? It's just that Amay wants Xu Jun to make a good impression on his manager, Rolly.
Everyone knew the truth and naturally chimed in to agree.
Chi Jun calmly put away his phone, and when he looked up, he forced a slightly perfunctory smile, but in his heart he was still thinking: I wonder what Xu Qingzhou will think when he sees this "tap".
*
However, Chi Jun was overthinking things—
As the one who was "tapped," Xu Qingzhou didn't really think much of it when he saw the notification.
Because there were a lot of red lights on the road, this delivery took a bit longer than usual. Fortunately, birthday cakes are usually delivered by the vendors, so they allowed plenty of time.
However, the shop owner was a very kind woman and specially assigned the order to her for delivery. Xu Qingzhou didn't want to cause the shop to receive a bad review because of the delay.
So when she heard the phone notification sound, she opened it and found it was just a "tap" button, so she figured it must have been a mistake by Chi Jun.
So I just glanced at it briefly, put my phone away, and carried the cake into the bar.
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