Chapter 66 Separation
◎Fulfilling our final promise, summer snow falls. Wishing you a bright future. —Anonymous◎
Chen Jingshu received Lin Yujing's call during a departmental meeting. As is his usual practice, he would hang up on all calls received during meetings.
But when she calls, it seems that even if he's lying on the emergency table, he'll ask the doctor to pause the surgery first so that he can answer her call.
So when she coldly said, "Otherwise, let's end it here,"
Chen Jingshu's vision suddenly went black, and then the world around him went quiet.
He leaned against the railing of the open-air corridor, large beads of sweat sliding down his forehead.
When I asked her anything else, she had already hung up.
Chen Jingshu looked at his hand holding the phone; it was trembling violently.
He took a deep breath, swallowed a nitroglycerin pill, and was just about to call back to demand an explanation.
Lin Yujing's phone rang again, and in that instant, a multitude of thoughts raced through his mind.
Perhaps she went to a card room with her friends while shopping, and it's possible they played Truth or Dare.
But once the call connected, the answer was obvious: it was all just wishful thinking on his part.
Chen Jingshu turned around, returned to the conference room, patted Ren Moyin on the shoulder and instructed, "You will chair the next meeting; I'm going out for a bit."
As they left, Chu Yan seemed to notice his unusual behavior and followed him out. "What's wrong? Do you want me to come with you?"
Chen Jingshu didn't want Chu Yan to know about this. Even if she was determined to break up, she didn't want any of her friends to complain about her. "It's okay, I'll go to Sister Jinyi's place. People from the wedding planning company will be coming this afternoon. You can sign the contract for me directly. I left my bank card in my office drawer."
Chu Yan didn't think much of it and even looked happy, "Then I wish Brother Jing and Jingjing a long and happy marriage and many children."
Chen Jingshu chuckled.
When he turned around again, his hands were clenched into fists, and the bulging, dark blue veins spread menacingly across his entire arm.
He scoffed inwardly: May they live a long and happy life together and have a son soon?
He's going to arrest that arrogant girl who's been trying to toy with his feelings time and time again.
Even if a forced relationship is never happy, he has the means and ability to make her and him live happily ever after and have children soon.
The journey from the Central Business District to Haidian District in the western suburbs can take almost an hour if there is a slight traffic jam.
He began to worry that Lin Yujing might have encountered other difficulties, such as her mother and brother harassing her, her art exhibition in the United States not going well, or she might have heard some media gossip.
Anyway, the breakup was definitely not her intention.
Especially when his car drove past the road in front of the Summer Palace, across another road, he immediately spotted the lonely and thin girl.
She stood under the shade of a tree, dressed in a plain-colored dress, looking dazed and lifeless.
It was the height of summer, and I wonder how long she stood there.
Chen Jingshu frowned, unable to help blaming himself: Why did he make her wait for him at the entrance of the Summer Palace? Couldn't he have just waited at a coffee shop?
Um!
It's no wonder Lin Yujing broke up with him; it's all his fault for not being attentive enough.
As she rounded the corner, the car stopped in front of her.
At the moment I hung up the phone, all my anger turned into reluctance and heartache.
-
After hanging up the phone, Lin Yujing left the teahouse. She stood under a tree next to the Summer Palace scenic area, not having many thoughts in her mind.
He just stared blankly at the bustling traffic in front of him, completely dazed.
From the past, love, hate, anger, and infatuation.
Everything felt like the sweat produced by the sweltering heat of summer—sticky and greasy, leaving one feeling weak and unable to exert oneself.
Lin Yujing only snapped out of her daze when Chen Jingshu's car stopped in front of her.
Before she could even move, Chen Jingshu had already opened the door and gotten out of the car. With a blank expression, he grabbed her wrist and pushed her into the passenger seat.
Chen Jingshu used to dislike driving, so his driver and Chu Yan usually drove.
As their relationship grew closer, he began to grope her in the car. Feeling uncomfortable in front of others, the young master finally condescended to become her personal driver.
The carriage was quiet. Chen Jingshu didn't say a word to her, and his expression was unreadable.
But she could still sense the surging emotions he was suppressing within his rationality.
"Ah Shu..."
"..."
Chen Jingshu ignored her.
Lin Yujing sighed softly, lowered her head, and hooked her left thumb with her right thumb.
It felt like even the ebony and sandalwood scent on him had faded considerably in the carriage today.
She looked up again and realized that this was not the way back to Jingyuan, but she couldn't even bring herself to ask why.
Until the car drove into a flower-shaded path, it was the height of summer, and the vegetation was lush.
Beyond the central fountain, a gently flowing stream meanders into the traditional Chinese vermilion gate.
"Get out of the car," Chen Jingshu said.
Lin Yujing frowned as she looked at the courtyard house under construction, sighed, and followed Chen Jingshu out of the car.
"Jingjing, a courtyard house should be grounded in nature. This place is quiet amidst the hustle and bustle, with good air quality and proximity to your art museum, schools, and public facilities. It's livable and suitable for raising children. I'm sure you'll like it!"
Chen Jingshu didn't look at her at all, as if talking to himself, "Anyway, you're doing a PhD, it won't affect marriage. We can get our marriage certificate when we're ready. Whenever I'm not busy with work, I'll fly to Ohio to see you."
What do you think?
Lin Yujing lowered her head, her long hair covering half of her face, her fingers pinching the chain bag strap, her nail beds were bloodless, "I told you everything on the phone."
Chen Jingshu's gentle expression was instantly replaced by barely suppressed anger, his voice icy cold, "You still dare to mention it?"
Lin Yujing fell silent.
"What's it for this time?"
Lin Yujing bit her lip and thought for a long time, but couldn't find a suitable reason.
"We've broken up and gotten back together so many times, shouldn't we be used to separating without a reason by now?"
Are you used to your unpredictable moods, your dramatic outbursts, and your sensitive and awkward nature?
Lin Yujing curled her lips slightly, "Yes, I'm being sensitive and awkward again, so..."
"No. I don't care what's wrong with you now, I'm not separating from you." Chen Jingshu put one hand in his pocket, staring straight into her eyes, as if there was an invisible pressure, trying to force her to submit.
Lin Yujing brushed her wind-blown hair aside and replied calmly, "I'd forgotten. We've never officially defined our relationship. I was just letting you know."
It wasn't a plea to him, nor a discussion.
Instead, they simply informed them.
I'm tired of this, let's part ways amicably.
Chen Jingshu slowly took his hand out of his pants pocket, his clenched fist radiating anger. "If you have the guts, say it again."
"I said, let's all look forward and stop being so sentimental."
Chen Jingshu pressed his tongue against his cheek, his strides toward her filled with annoyance.
Then he simply hoisted her onto his shoulder and tossed her into the back seat of the SUV.
He ripped open the buttons on Lin Yujing's dress at the chest, and the cold diamond clasp bounced to her chin. Suddenly, she was jolted awake by the wet, stinging pain on her shoulder blade.
"You're insane!" she exclaimed.
But Chen Jingshu completely ignored her words, and simply unbuckled his belt and placed one leg between her legs.
He pressed her, saying, "Say it again, and you'll obediently go back to your old life."
Lin Yujing's hand was raised above her head by Chen Jingshu, and she suddenly realized how arduous the journey had been. The wind on the East Second Ring Road always made her eyes sting, and all her tenderness was so easily shattered.
She gritted her teeth and stubbornly persevered.
With red eyes, he shook his head.
A violent shoving ensued as she struggled to grab Chen Jingshu's wrist. "Are you crazy!"
He was tugging at the thin fabric between her legs, just like the fragile feelings between them at that moment.
He wanted to break through, to possess, and since the result was not satisfactory, he wanted to seize it by trickery and force.
Does Young Master Chen want to force a melon, yet he insists on cherishing the vine?
"Jingjing." He held her, and was about to reach for a condom in the glove box when he stopped. He looked down at her, his eyes bloodshot, as if his reason had been torn apart. "Let's have a baby."
Without any foreplay or lubrication, it's like being shot through the heart.
Lin Yujing grabbed his arm, her nails digging into his flesh.
A sharp, piercing pain shot through her. Her brows furrowed tightly, her narrowed eyes filled with tears, and she gasped, her sobs growing louder. "Chen Jingshu, you've gone mad!"
"Just consider me crazy." He said, his eyes reddening, veins bulging on his forehead from the pain. "I really don't know what to do with you!"
So much so that they try to use children and marriage to preserve a relationship.
"Lin Yujing, if I could, I would like to cut open my heart and show it to you, to see how it is filled with you. I would also like to cut open your heart and see why you can always say goodbye so casually."
Lin Yujing's lips trembled, and a tear slid down her cheek. "Your father came to see me today. I just realized how demanding your Beijing elite families are. You said you'd marry me, but can you even get your family's household registration certificate?"
"I reckon your security team will be able to stop your car before we even get to the Civil Affairs Bureau."
"Chen Jingshu, I also thought that as long as I had a degree and fame, I could dream of being worthy of you. But the truth is, you don't have the right to set the rules, so you can't do whatever you want."
Chen Jingshu slumped against her, looking at the naked, broken bond between them. "Couldn't you stay with me, stay by my side, and watch me fight them?"
“I can’t do it. Love, marriage, or children can’t fill my ambition.” Lin Yujing pushed him away, picked up her clothes and held them to her chest. “Just call me vain and selfish. In the end, I’ve always been the one who’s wronged you.”
Chen Jingshu sighed, "I won't be able to beat my dad forever, and you'd better never regret it."
Lin Yujing chuckled softly and said, "Your Huaren Group's shopping malls are towering into the clouds. From the cleaners and security guards to Sister Yi and your grandfather, who among them isn't bound by life and responsibilities? You have many duties to shoulder, but they are definitely not about personal feelings."
“Ah Shu, wait until you can defeat your father, then I’ll humbly beg for your love.” She wiped away the tears that were about to fall again. “But right now, we don’t have the right to decide our own lives.”
"..."
Chen Jingshu silently pushed open the car door, got out alone, and returned to the driver's seat.
Without saying a word, he started the car again and returned to the East Second Ring Road.
Lin Yujing sat in the back seat, dressed, and secretly glanced at him.
That noble and handsome face held only peace and indifference.
She wasn't sure if Chen Jingshu had listened to her, and thought that it didn't matter if things didn't end amicably this time.
Even if a lingering resentment remains, that anger will shatter his innocence and kindness completely.
Lin Yujing sniffed, opened her phone app, and started booking the nearest direct flight to the United States.
She also needed a place where she couldn't see Chen Jingshu, to heal her deep, unspeakable sorrow.
The silent carriage was broken by a cold laugh after Chen Jingshu glanced at the rearview mirror.
"You're leaving the day after tomorrow?"
"Um."
"Go to America?"
"Um."
"So, what I said to the security guard on New Year's Day was the truth." She's going to study in the United States; she has no relatives left in China and will never come back.
Lin Yujing didn't know how to answer him, so she simply remained silent.
Chen Jingshu, however, was making the most of their last moments together, continuing to say to her, "You can tell the truth to outsiders, but you lie to me time and time again without any mercy. You're really something."
Lin Yujing bit her lower lip and couldn't help but retort, "Who told you to be so stupid? You believe everything I say."
Chen Jingshu paused, then suddenly turned to look at her. "It's your own fault. You're too good-looking and your words are too sweet. It's easy for people to fall for you."
What were clearly sweet words of love, the speaker, harboring resentment, turned them into a sarcastic remark.
Lin Yujing's eyes stung with tears. She knew she didn't have that ability; it was only because he was willing to believe in her.
Back at Jingyuan, Lin Yujing quickly packed her luggage.
There were still only a few items, which filled one and a half suitcases.
Then she picked up her laptop, which was all her possessions.
"If the house needs to be transferred again, let's get it done in the next day or two. My flight is for the day after tomorrow."
Chen Jingshu followed her out, saying, "No need. I'm a man of my word. The house I promised you is yours."
"It's too valuable."
"I'm willing. It also lets you remember that you lied to me a lot and owe me a lot of debts."
Lin Yujing stepped out the door without saying anything more.
Chen Jingshu locked the door and handed her the key.
What are you doing?
“The homeowner has left, so it’s not appropriate for me to continue living here.”
"Ah Shu, there's no need for that."
“It’s necessary. I know what kind of person I am. I sleep in your bed day and night, and I can’t help but feel the urge to go to America and disrupt your life.”
The two stepped into the elevator and left their newly built love nest side by side for the last time.
As they faced each other from north to south, Chen Jingshu couldn't resist hugging her and asking, "Aren't you sure you won't regret it?"
Are you really not going to have any regrets, and have nothing else to do in the future?
Lin Yujing patted Chen Jingshu on the back, "No regrets."
She had already envisioned spending her entire life with him in her mind, so she had no regrets.
Lin Yujing broke free from Chen Jingshu's embrace, turned around, and her eyes were already blurred with tears.
But how could she not feel regret? She was almost dying of hatred and anger at the injustice of the world.
She had just figured out how to spend the rest of her life with him.
-
July 7th was the day Lin Yujing flew to New York.
After completing the shipping, she first called Professor Liang Huimin. "I confirmed my doctoral admission with OSU (Ohio State University) yesterday. My landlord in Ohio suggested that I sign the contract with her before the start of the semester to save three months' rent."
"It just so happens that during this period, I was able to focus on preparing for the National Art Exhibition at your place."
“I have two hours left before boarding. Could you please pick me up at JFK Airport at 3 p.m. New York time on July 7th?”
After hanging up the phone, it was Lin Yujing's turn to go through security.
She needed to take all the electronic devices out and put them in the basket for the staff to inspect.
"Madam, please keep your bank card safe." Airport security picked up the dark black card that had fallen out of her camera bag.
Lin Yujing was taken aback; it was the card Chen Jingshu had given her the day before yesterday.
She remembered returning it to him before she left, but when she saw the yellow sticky note on the back, her brow twitched.
Chen Jingshu's calligraphy is vigorous and elegant; he wrote: "Don't be too stingy with yourself when you're in a foreign land."
As if a fishbone was stuck in her throat, every step Lin Yujing took toward the terminal felt heavy and suffocating.
She wanted to leave quickly, but she felt a gaze behind her, eagerly hoping she would turn around.
Lin Yujing bit her lower lip, forcing herself to stay awake and move forward even as her flesh was torn and bloodied.
Suddenly, everyone walked towards the window.
The repeated exclamations of surprise also drew her attention.
"It's snowing!"
Wow! Snow in the middle of summer, July!
Snow falls in the height of summer.
Lin Yujing could no longer move forward.
How should I describe this moment?
surprise?
Surprised?
Confuse?
still...
move?
regret?
Still clinging to a sliver of hope, just in case... it's just a rare, unusual weather event...
It's impossible that Young Master Chen really has such great abilities.
In the height of summer, let her be romantically showered with a late winter snowfall.
The next moment, her phone screen lit up, and an unknown email popped up in her inbox.
[Fulfilling our final promise, summer snow falls. Wishing you a bright future. —Anonymous]
Lin Yujing was wearing headphones when her music app randomly played the next song for her.
The lyrics go: "July 7th, sunny / Suddenly it snowed heavily / I dared not open my eyes, hoping it was just my imagination / I stood on the edge of the earth, watching the snow / Cover the street you came from."
In the end, she couldn't resist the drive of her own heart.
Just as he turned around, that familiar figure also turned around.
And so, the two of them regretfully missed the chance to exchange a smile.
They only looked at each other's backs before disappearing into the bustling terminal hall without turning back.
It's like they always meet in autumn and say goodbye in summer.
Their time zone seems to never have a full summer.
The song was still playing in my headphones: "July 7th, sunny / Night suddenly turns into day / I lose consciousness and watch the limits of our love / I gaze at the horizon, the sky is boundless / I can't hear you say goodbye."
A note from the author:
Sunny on July 7th
-
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 17:43:13 on October 25, 2023 and 20:10:37 on October 26, 2023!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: 63931777 (1 landmine);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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