Chapter 3

He looked at the title on Han Ce's business card and nodded earnestly.

Ms. Zhao's phone call came at a very timely moment. Just as Qiao Nuan bid farewell to He Jue and stepped into the elevator, the call came in, leaving her no time to feel any sadness or nostalgia.

From the moment she saw that red and wrinkled baby in the hospital at the age of six, her life trajectory was marked with the name of He Jue. At first, he was a sticky rice ball who liked to follow her around and ask for candy and hugs. Then, without realizing it, the two of them became like real siblings, distant and close to each other. After that, the solitary child suddenly grew up overnight, like a tree, into a tall and straight teenager, and his gaze towards her began to carry more meaning. From then on, there was a constant cycle of chasing and escaping, struggling and sinking, and role reversal, and he gradually became her protector. However, stories often do not develop as people expect, reality is a cold and hard wall, and she is not selfish or strong enough yet. The solitary child suddenly grew up overnight, like a tree, into a tall and straight teenager, and his gaze towards her began to carry more meaning. From then on, there was a constant cycle of chasing and escaping, struggling and sinking, and role reversal, and he gradually became her protector. However, stories often do not develop as people expect, reality is a cold and hard wall, and she is not selfish or strong enough yet.

When they returned, the two big men were already engrossed in a heated discussion about technical issues, filled with a bunch of professional terms that Qiao Nuan did not understand. She thought this was fine, so she changed the topic with Xie Qingyan.

Today the snow has stopped, but the temperature is lower than yesterday. After walking for a short while, Qiao Nuan's nose turned red from the cold

No problem.

Rest assured, Sister Xie

At this moment, Qiao Nuan is convinced that her relationship with He Jue is indeed not over, but it is a doomed entanglement that is difficult to bear fruit.

The year before last

Han Ce nodded and said, "We are currently expanding our business and are in need of technical backbones." As he spoke, he took out a business card and handed it to He Jue, "If you are interested, please contact me, and we can discuss the details."

Faced with such an unreasonable accusation, He Jue remained silent, simply reaching out to pull Qiao Nuan into his embrace without a word. Qiao Nuan wrapped her arms around his waist, crying with a mix of restraint and abandon. Years of grievances had brewed into a strong liquor, pouring onto the wound that had been exposed for so long and had yet to scab over, causing pain that reached deep into the bones and flesh.

Qiao Nuan stopped and looked at him innocently, "How?"

She remembered saying to Qing Yan: I can face any bizarre difficulties from the client without changing my expression, and I can complete tasks in seemingly impossible situations. In my personal life, no matter how much my relatives gossip behind my back, I can go on blind dates while toughening my skin to be as thick as a city wall, resolutely resisting and never yielding. But when it comes to He Jue, only him, I do not know what to do. I cannot marry him, nor can I marry anyone else besides him. In my personal life, no matter how much my relatives gossip behind my back, I can go on blind dates while toughening my skin to be as thick as a city wall, resolutely resisting and never yielding. But when it comes to He Jue, only him, I do not know what to do. I cannot marry him, nor can I marry anyone else besides him. What do you think I should do?

In the shared apartment, there is a Chinese international student, also from W City, and I often go to her place to have a meal.

At that time, Xie Qingyan carried the sleeping Nan Nan on her back and followed her. The two of them slowly walked along the long street covered with plane tree leaves. Xie Qingyan replied, "Qiao Nuan, I used to think that Han Ce and I had reached the end of the road, but now we are married and have Nan Nan. Nothing is absolute. I just believe that you and He Jue still have unfinished fate."

Xie Qingyan subtly tugged at Han Ce's sleeve and said with a smile, "Then it's up to you all, He Jue, make sure to protect Qiao Nuan's safety"

Xie Qingyan hurriedly interjected, "Nannan, stop talking nonsense!" Turning to He Jue, he forced a smile and said, "Children speak without restraint, please don't take it to heart."

Upon seeing this, Qiao Nuan felt a surge of mischief and asked Nan Nan: "Nan Nan, tell me, who is more handsome, Dad or Uncle He?"

So that situation yesterday is called "not only happy but also joyful"? You really are becoming more and more successful in your endeavors

Even yesterday, you were not like this

The girl, Xie Qingyan, with her keen observation and understanding, seemed to grasp Qiao Nuan's thoughts. Since He Jue's return, she has continuously taken on the role of a gossipmonger for Qiao Nuan.

Didn’t you say you would never drive yourself

Qiao Nuan shook her head and said, "It's not cold. My car is being sent for maintenance, so I can only inconvenience you to take the subway."

How about this, if I say are you planning to catch someone in the act here with me

You and he ... ...

The elevator had unknowingly passed the twelfth floor and continued upward. Qiao Nuan felt as if her entire being had been drained, leaving only an empty shell.

She gradually stopped crying, broke free from He Jue, and took a step back, her voice hoarse as she said: "I apologize. You should go to sleep first, I will take a shower." Saying this, she paid no attention to He Jue's suddenly gloomy expression and got up to head to the bathroom. No matter how tired she was, the tasks that needed to be done had to be completed without fail; otherwise, seeing her haggard face tomorrow would only bring endless regret, self-loathing, and self-blame.

Nannan, who was happily munching on chicken wings, suddenly looked up, blinked at He Jue, and asked in a tender voice, "Is she Uncle He's girlfriend?"

Well. This time I also returned with her

Xie Qingyan smiled slightly upon seeing this and took over the conversation: "If I remember correctly, He Jue, you studied information technology, right? What kind of work do you plan to do when you return?"

Nannan is very intelligent. Although she is only about 2 years old, her speech is very clear, and her memory is particularly good. Han Ce, who has always been referred to as having a deadpan expression by Xie Qingyan, seems like a different person when facing his daughter, utterly doting on her.

As they chatted, dishes were served one after another. Xie Qingyan moved the three-cup chicken in front of He Jue and said, "This restaurant just opened last year and is doing very well. You must try this signature dish." Then she asked, "Are you used to eating abroad?"

Do not concern yourself with whom I heard it from, where is he now

Qiao Nuan! Is this how you speak to your mother?

The atmosphere remained lively until the end of the event. Han Ce paid the bill and said he would take He Jue and Qiao Nuan back.

Qiao Nuan gently broke free, "He Jue, speaking like that lowers your status."

"It is certainly better than someone who has never understood humility since childhood..." She wanted to continue the argument, but upon seeing Xie Qingyan looking at the two of them with an amused expression, she swallowed the rest of her words and took a sip of lemon water.

No, it's warm. I actually want to ask you, how does he feel about you... In fact, your father and I have thought about it for a long time. What happened back then was indeed our fault towards you.

Qiao Nuan let out a sound, "I have seen him, but I didn't think he was that handsome."

Qiao Nuan could not help but glance at He Jue upon hearing those words

Qiao Nuan felt a wave of nausea in her heart, "Mom! Back then, you were so eager to push me to my death! Now that you think I can't get married, you plan to let He Jue take me, this 'unsold item'? Are all the words and actions from the past just nonsense? Not to mention whether you care about my feelings, do you think this is fair to He Jue? Let me tell you, I will never marry He Jue in this lifetime, and I will never go on a blind date again!" After saying this, she decisively hung up the phone.

Ms. Zhao spoke very directly: "I heard that He Jue has returned?"

At this moment, Nan Nan is sitting on Xie Qingyan's lap, occasionally raising her head to glance at Han Ce and then turning to look at He Jue, her innocent gaze filled with curiosity, though it is unclear what exactly she is observing

Qiao Nuan shrugged and said, "There is no way around it; once a woman turns thirty, she is like a discounted item on sale, bleeding and being sold off at a bargain. The one from yesterday was still somewhat reliable."

Come on, he is a young man in his prime, what kind of intentions could he possibly have towards an older woman in your family

At that moment, Qiao Nuan's phone rang. She picked it up to check the caller ID, put down her chopsticks, and stood up, saying, "I apologize, it's a call from Ms. Zhao, you understand."

When did you obtain your driver's license

Qiao Nuan pressed her aching forehead, suppressing her impatience, "He stayed at my place last night and has now gone to the hotel"

Qiao Nuan. He Jue suddenly grabbed her arm

Is it necessary to go on a blind date

Who did you hear that from? Is it really true that information has become this advanced these days

Is it cold?

Otherwise, am I still hoping to encounter a true love on the main road and reenact the entire romance from beginning to end? Just thinking about it is exhausting. Qiao Nuan chuckled self-deprecatingly

He Hejue took a sip of water, and his expression immediately became serious: "Specifically, I am studying augmented reality technology, but I have not yet decided whether to return to work, as this technology is still developing best abroad. My advisor hopes that I will continue to pursue a PhD, so my direction has not yet been determined." When he spoke about work-related matters, his voice slightly lowered, revealing a sense of confidence. Qiao Nuan also believed that no matter which path he chose, Hejue would be able to respond calmly.

Qiao Nuan turned around and saw He Jue standing in place, his gaze seemingly containing the endless wind and snow of yesterday, cold and boundless. Time seemed to come to a standstill, and through the shimmering lights of the city and the crowd, she had never felt that the two of them were so distant.

Qiao Nuan's action of picking up food suddenly paused, and she felt a lump in her heart

Well, I understand, self-deception has always been your style

In fact, it was not a call from her mother, but a promotional telemarketing call—Qiao Nuan had never been so grateful for a telemarketing call in her life. She washed her face in the bathroom, touched up her makeup, and after some thought, made a call to He Jue to book a hotel.

Twenty-four years, how has time intricately intertwined and grown to become such an unending tangle, obscuring the origins and making it impossible to trace the connections

Everyone present couldn't help but chuckle, and Qiao Nuan laughed heartily, patting He Jue on the shoulder, "Did you hear that? Nan Nan is already complaining about you."

The little one answered without hesitation: "Dad is white!"

He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "That is because she has never seen what my brother looked like when he was young"

Why is Dad handsome

Not knowing how long I had stood like this, I finally made my way forward slowly and said in a hushed voice: "Let's go, I will get the luggage"

No need, we can just take the subway," Qiao Nuan said

You were not like this before... I feel that I can no longer understand you now

Nan Nan carefully scrutinized the two individuals several times before finally responding loudly: "Father!"

"Please don't mention it!" Qiao Nuan quickly covered her ears, "That was definitely the biggest stain on my life, without exception. Please forget about it! Oh, by the way, I booked a hotel for you, but due to high demand, I could only get a king-size room..." As Qiao Nuan spoke, she walked forward, and after taking a few steps, she realized that He Jue had not followed her.

"Indeed, Han Ce's company is engaged in information technology business. If you are considering returning to work in the country, you might want to take a look." said Qiao Nuan

The welcome dinner was scheduled at a Cantonese restaurant, with Han Ce personally reserving the seats and selecting the dishes, which made Qiao Nuan feel very reassured. By the time she and He Jue arrived, Han Ce and his family of three were already there. After taking their seats and exchanging a few pleasantries, the conversation quickly turned to Nan Nan.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward, and Han Ce asked a technical question to shift the topic, allowing Xie Qingyan to finally breathe a sigh of relief

Qiao Nuan smiled and said, "I once vowed never to go on blind dates, yet here I am, enjoying one every week."