Chapter 7, Bonds

The kitchen is quite rudimentary, but there are two cabinets. Jiang Zhengxuan rummaged through them and found nothing but instant noodles and some biscuits, not even the most basic cooking essentials like oil, salt, soy sauce, or vinegar. On second thought, even if there were some, it would be of no use, as he wouldn't know how to cook anyway

At that time, everything was brought to light, and all those who needed to know were aware. She could no longer marry Ye Yingzhang, yet she was pregnant with his child. Nie Chongzhi, in his one-sided affection, mistakenly believed that she would choose him.

Originally, if there was nothing, then there was nothing; he would just go on like this, muddling through. However, he could not bear the fact that she had once given him something, only to then cruelly withdraw it. If that were the case, he would rather have had nothing at all from the very beginning

Jiang Zhengxuan said in a calm voice: "I need three housekeepers right now, and they should come over immediately. The price can be according to your request. Do you want to take this business?" The person, seeing that she did not seem to be joking, haphazardly quoted a price: "The price will be ten times that of the daytime? If you agree, I will arrange for someone to come to you right away." Jiang Zhengxuan decisively replied: "Alright, it's a deal"

Due to the flight being scheduled for just after 9 AM and the heavy fog, Jiang Zhengxuan decided to take a taxi to the airport in advance to avoid spending time alone in a room filled with anxious thoughts

Nie Chongzhi is not merely looking to have a free meal; his true intentions are known only to Jiang Zhengxuan. However, while at the Jiang residence, Nie Chongzhi understands the importance of knowing when to stop and does not dare to be excessive. Nevertheless, he shamelessly suggests that she visit his apartment

The next day, Jiang Zhengxuan was in a daze, completely lacking any work efficiency. On the way back to the hotel in a taxi, she signaled the driver to stop when passing by the "Old Love" café

Jiang Zhengnan initially did not react, but soon he felt his heart racing, and a name was almost on the tip of his tongue: "Who? Who did you see? Hurry up and tell me!"

Jiang Zhengxuan suddenly understood that he was exchanging money using his watch. Jiang Zhengxuan squinted to examine the shop's sign and vaguely saw the five characters "Jinshi Pawnshop." It should be a type of pawnshop that is even less formal than a regular pawnshop, similar to an underground pawnshop

Jiang Zhengxuan was utterly at a loss. After a moment's thought, she took out her phone and dialed 114. A gentle female voice came through the line. Jiang Zhengxuan said, "Please connect me to a housekeeping service."

Still, no one wants him; the only person who cared for him and loved him, his mother, is no longer here. Therefore, in this world, there will be no one who will love him or care for him anymore, none at all

Hearing his "thud thud thud" footsteps gradually fade away, Jiang Zhengxuan ultimately felt uneasy, fearing that he might leave and not return. Thus, she got up and followed him. She wore comfortable flat shoes, making no sound as she walked on the road. Moreover, having distanced herself quite a bit from Nie Chongzhi, he was completely unaware that someone was following him.

Then there was a silence in the room

He would continue to live like this in the future, a life like a pile of mud... Just thinking about it made Jiang Zhengxuan shiver involuntarily

Nie Chongzhi stared at her without moving. At first, there seemed to be ripples in his eyes, as if something was about to overflow. But a few seconds later, he seemed to remember something, and his expression suddenly froze.

Jiang Zhengxuan selected items while tossing them into the cart. Occasionally, when she inadvertently looked up, she would always catch Nie Chongzhi's probing gaze. Whenever he noticed her looking over, he would immediately avert his eyes

Lu Geqing had a good upbringing, and Jiang Zhengxuan had never been spoiled since childhood. However, even clay figurines have their tempers, and after a few years of independent living, Jiang Zhengxuan was no longer the same person she used to be. At this moment, she was infuriated by him and could not help but coldly shout: "Nie Chongzhi, have you sobered up from your drunkenness? Are you going to open the door or not? If you don't open the door, I will leave immediately, and you can deal with it yourself"

Jiang Zhengxuan remained silent and did not refute, which indicated that his speculation was indeed true. This fool actually thought that she had really come back to see him. Nie Chongzhi laughed mockingly and said: "Are you leaving now or tomorrow"

He was once universally recognized as a prodigy and a talented young man, yet she looked down upon him. What merit or capability does he possess now that could possibly make her stay

In fact, at the beginning, she did not harbor any aversion towards him. For the incident that occurred for the first time, she bore half of the responsibility entirely. At that time, when she saw him, she only felt a mix of fear, panic, shyness, and embarrassment at having lost her virtue, which left her feeling strange inside. She prayed every day for this matter to pass quickly so that she could forget it as soon as possible

The pain pierced through him like a thousand arrows, causing his vision to blur! He pressed his hand against his chest, trying to hold back the agony, but he could not stop the surging, blood-soaked torment within.

Nie Chongzhi seemed to be taken aback by her words, halting all his movements, and then remained in that posture. After a while, he slowly lifted his dark eyes, gazing deeply at her. Nie Chongzhi gave a bitter smile, the faint smile resembling a midnight bloom, which vanished in an instant after just a few seconds

Jiang Zhengxuan bent over, climbing up to the top floor in a manner that was utterly devoid of grace, nearly reaching the point of breathlessness, with intermittent gasps for air. The door remained in the half-open, half-closed state it had been in since yesterday.

The two took a taxi directly to the largest supermarket nearby. Nie Chongzhi pushed the cart, following closely behind her. Jiang Zhengxuan selected items according to the prepared list: shower gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste for the bathroom; various tissues, pots, pans, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar for the kitchen; as well as various beverages and snacks.

Yet deep down, she still did not believe that he had truly left. She repeatedly told herself, "Just wait a little longer, just wait a little longer. He will definitely come back, he will definitely come back." Thus, she continued to wait, minute after minute, for many minutes, until Jiang Zhengxuan was still sitting on her hard suitcase, waiting until the pitch-black night, and finally succumbed to despair

Remove all the dirt that can be reached in that corner

Jiang Zhengxuan waited alone on the rooftop from day until nightfall. Nie Chongzhi had not appeared, and it was evident that he had truly left. Jiang Zhengxuan began to feel despair; she told herself that she could leave now, that there was no need to wait any longer, for he had already departed

Such a restaurant, with Nie Chongzhi's current appearance, would definitely not allow him entry. Before Jiang Zhengxuan's thoughts could settle, she indeed saw Nie Chongzhi being stopped at the door by a waiter, and the two began to argue. Soon, a woman who appeared to be a manager came out to mediate. After a moment, Nie Chongzhi was led to a secluded corner of the hall where a sofa was located

However, no matter how much he pleaded, she still refused to keep the child

Jiang Zhengxuan said expressionlessly, "My stomach is uncomfortable." Having waited outside for an entire day, she was so hungry that her stomach was pressed against her back. Fearing that she would miss him if he returned, Jiang Zhengxuan did not dare to leave for a moment throughout the day, thus she had not taken a single drop of water.

For example, she nestled at home. He would take the initiative to visit, saying that he had bought an apartment on a nearby property and hoped to come over often for meals. Mother Lu Geqing, unaware of the situation and having always liked him, naturally responded joyfully, saying: "Silly child, if you come over, it’s just adding another pair of chopsticks. Aunt Qing would be delighted and wouldn’t mind your presence at all. If I were to dislike you, I would have done so long ago when you were at our home every day, and wouldn’t have waited until now." Naturally, she responded joyfully, saying: "Silly child, if you come over, it’s just adding another pair of chopsticks. Aunt Qing would be delighted and wouldn’t mind your presence at all. If I were to dislike you, I would have done so long ago when you were at our home every day, and wouldn’t have waited until now."

Jiang Zhengxuan sat down and looked down at the delicate and enticing bowl of congee in front of him. He knew that this was something he had worked hard to bring back. After drinking so much, in a state of half-drunkenness, he still remembered that she was so hungry that it had hurt her stomach and that she could not eat anything too greasy

Since then, his life seemed to have lost all its brightness and brilliance. He wandered through life like a living corpse, drowning his sorrows in alcohol every day, indifferent to everything around him

Jiang Zhengxuan set down her bag, took the trash can from the corner, squatted down, and carefully picked up the cans he had emptied. Like a thief, she had to observe his movements while collecting them.

As Jiang Zhengxuan told herself this, just as she was about to leave with her suitcase, the sound of unsteady footsteps echoed in the corridor. In the pitch-black night, when others had long fallen into slumber, such a sound was particularly jarring and abrupt. However, Jiang Zhengxuan stood up suddenly, like a shepherd who had finally spotted her lost lamb returning to the fold, and she cautiously descended the stairs, feeling her way along the wall. Then, in the thick darkness of the night, she saw Nie Chongzhi.

Thus, he shamelessly visits her every few days. He appears so courteous in front of others, but when he smiles and looks at her, the fleeting, ambiguous glimmers in his eyes always leave her in a cold sweat

In that moment, in the small space where one could hear a pin drop, only the sound of the phone ringing continued to echo in varying pitches. Eventually, the ringing abruptly ceased, and the entire room fell into a silence so profound that it felt as if one had gone deaf.

Nie Chongzhi tilted his head back and took a large gulp: "You should leave quickly! Stop worrying about me. I don't need your concern." Jiang Zhengxuan snatched the aluminum can from his hand and shouted angrily: "I said no more drinking."

Upon seeing Nie Chongzhi leaving, Jiang Zhengxuan called out to him and asked, "Everything has been moved out below." Nie Chongzhi glanced at her and replied, "I am going to buy food"

Nie Chongzhi, who slept with a furrowed brow, surprisingly had shaved and bathed, and his face appeared noticeably refreshed. His features remained as they were in memory, but perhaps due to his frequent frowning, there were faint lines etched between his brows. It seemed that he had not been living well in recent years

He actually understands. Rather than saying that she does not want that child, it is more accurate to say that she does not want him! She has always hated him, and therefore hates that child as well; hatred for the house will also extend to the crow.

Joy and fear, like two opposing currents of cold and warmth, continuously surged against him. Gradually, that sense of fear began to prevail.

Jiang Zhengxuan: "Elder brother, I do not know if he is still in that place. I am currently in a taxi and will contact you later." Jiang Zhengnan: "Alright, feel free to call me anytime to stay in touch. If you see him, just tell him that even if he is penniless, he still has me, Chu Suifeng, Zhu Anping, and Louis Zhou, this group of good brothers. Tell him that with us around, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome!"

Nie Chongzhi, not knowing why, surprisingly obeyed her command and went to open the door

He slowly lowered his eyes and, with a blank expression, coldly uttered a few words to her: "Leave, get out of here."

Elder brother Jiang Zhengnan patted her shoulder and gently said, "Let him go, today is the anniversary of his mother's passing"

Nie Chongzhi's hand was gripping tightly, not allowing her to evade. He lowered his head, his expression extremely focused, as if he were engaged in an exceptionally significant and meticulous scientific task. In that moment, Jiang Zhengxuan felt an inexplicable daze, as if treating her wound was the most important thing in his world

If he continues like this, his body will collapse. He used to love various fitness exercises, enjoying boxing and taekwondo without exception. Although his physique was not particularly robust, his muscles were as solid as stone, and every time he was hit, it only hurt the hand of the attacker. Jiang Zhengxuan suddenly paused, and when he came to his senses, he felt a warmth on his face, wondering how he could suddenly recall past events

Jiang Zhengxuan was momentarily taken aback. In the past, he had done so many excessive things to her, yet he had never uttered a single apology. Today, he actually said those three words to her over such a trivial matter

She will leave Ningcheng for Luohai tomorrow. This can be considered the last meeting between the two of them

Nie Chongzhi discovered that he was, in fact, a complete fool who deceived himself. He knew very well that she merely pitied him, yet he felt such joy. He was fully aware that her words "accompany him" were nothing but a lie to him, yet he was so willingly deceived by her. Even if it was a deception, at least she was still willing to deceive him

The distinguished scion of the Nie family from Luohai, once a prominent figure among the new elites in the IT industry, is now unexpectedly blocked at the entrance of a restaurant

She never understands that, given his wealth and status, any woman would be willing to risk everything for him if he so desired

Nie Chongzhi paused, tilting his head to quietly observe her, his gaze holding something she could not comprehend. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke in a peculiar manner: "Even if I do not drink today, I will still drink tomorrow. Can you control me today? Can you control me tomorrow? Even if you can control me tomorrow, can you control me afterwards? In this world, there is no one left to care whether I live or die. You may leave; after all, you will have to leave sooner or later."

What happened to her? Is she ill?

Apart from the small amount of money he mortgaged at the pawnshop yesterday, he has no other funds. His various high-limit credit cards must have long been suspended. He has auctioned off all the real estate under his name, including houses, cars, and shops. Even if he had managed to keep a little money at that time, he has already spent it over the past six months, with no income coming in; even a mountain of gold can be exhausted one day, let alone his current situation

Nie Chongzhi slightly turned his face and said, "It is time to eat"

If she discovers him ... she will still leave! She merely pities him!

So be it, many things cannot be forced

He quickly finished a can, then turned to grab another can, opened it with a "pop," and poured it into his mouth again with his eyes closed

He is a person, not a glass bottle. If he continues to drink like this, it is only a matter of time before he drinks himself to death in this alcohol

However, even with such thoughts, my emotions still fluctuate, making it difficult to control myself

Nie Chongzhi went straight to the kitchen to wash his hands, then scooped half of the fried rice into his own bowl and sat down to eat

It turned out that she would return to Luohai tomorrow, and Nie Chongzhi was momentarily taken aback. Taking advantage of the situation, Jiang Zhengxuan withdrew her hand, did not look at him again, and rushed out the door

Jiang Zhengxuan was originally on the stairs, and just like that, she was violently thrown down a step by him, with a dull thud, she fell heavily onto the platform at the corner of the stairs

Jiang Zhengxuan's inner turmoil is unending; should he really intervene or not

Upon thinking that Nie Chongzhi might have disappeared once again, Jiang Zhengxuan could not help but feel anxious. She got out of the taxi and, disregarding the seven or eight-inch high heels she was wearing, ran all the way to the bottom of Nie Chongzhi's building

He lowered his eyelids, his expression stiff: "You do not need to pity me by using such words to coax or deceive me. You may leave; I will stay here to meet your elder brother. As for whether they will find me in the future, that can be discussed later"

Jiang Zhengxuan gasped heavily, feeling a burning pain in her buttocks, and her palms, which were in direct contact with the ground, felt even hotter.

Jiang Zhengxuan gasped in shock, wondering if she had arrived too late and that Nie Chongzhi had already moved away. The landlord had come to clean, which was why it was so tidy.

Jiang Zhengxuan picked up her small shoulder bag and turned to Nie Chongzhi, saying, "Accompany me to go shopping" Nie Chongzhi silently followed behind her

Faced with such an abrupt situation, Nie Chongzhi was clearly taken aback, coming to a halt and leaning awkwardly against the wall of the corridor

Due to a lack of careful consideration, Jiang Zhengxuan has yet to call and inform her elder brother, Jiang Zhengnan. Based on her past understanding of Nie Chongzhi, given his current state, he would not wish to meet anyone from his past life. Even if she were to inform her brother that Nie Chongzhi is in Ningcheng, it is likely that once they find him, he would disappear again. He left Luohai and vanished without a trace, seeking to avoid nothing more than them. Even if she were to inform her brother that Nie Chongzhi is in Ningcheng, it is likely that once they find him, he would disappear again. He left Luohai and vanished without a trace, seeking to avoid nothing more than them.

After all the turmoil had come to an end, Jiang Zhengxuan found herself wandering alone. Whenever she thought of that child, whenever she remembered Nie Chongzhi, an indescribable and unclear feeling would surge within her.

He stood in the hospital corridor, yet it felt as if he were standing in an endless wasteland at the end of the world, with the howling wind raging around him. No matter how much he shouted, yelled, or called out, it seemed that he was the only person left in this entire world.

In reality, who could know that this Nasdaq-listed figure, Nie Chongzhi, who exists like a myth in the eyes of the public, is actually a hollow orphan. Even after achieving success and fame upon returning to the country, the number of times he visited their home far exceeded n times that of his visits to the Nie family

Jiang Zhengxuan understood that this was the boss's polite remark, and in reality, it was a gesture of giving her a cake for free, so she smiled and expressed her gratitude

He is just a solitary person missing that child

At the checkout, the supermarket cashier announced a figure: "1385.8 yuan." Jiang Zhengxuan took out her cardholder, preparing to swipe her card. Nie Chongzhi stopped her, saying: "I'll do it."

Jiang Zhengxuan had just returned home when Nie Chong arrived shortly after. He brought back a portion of clay pot congee, a serving of rice, and two portions of stewed soup. Everything was arranged neatly on the square dining table

His death has nothing to do with her! From now on, she will no longer care about his life or death.

Jiang Zhengxuan unwrapped the soap, placed it in the soap dish, and then set it on the corner shelf of the shower room. He never uses shower gel when bathing; his body always carries the clean and refreshing scent of soap.

Nie Chongzhi gently gathered her delicate fingertips in the palm of his hand, carefully pouring the liquor onto her wound. It turned out to be for disinfecting her injury. The alcohol in the liquor caused a sharp pain and itching sensation at the wound, and Jiang Zhengxuan gasped, instinctively retracting her hand.

If she had not encountered him, what would he do in the future? Would he continue to drink aimlessly until one day he exchanged his life for a corner of a newspaper in a certain city?

It was only then that Jiang Zhengxuan recalled that since she had eaten half a portion of fried rice last night, she had not even had a sip of water until now

Nie Chongzhi quickly exited the pawnshop, briskly crossed a street, and headed towards a Cantonese restaurant that was elegantly and luxuriously decorated

Such a Nie Chongzhi, how could she just abandon him without care

Before getting into the car, Jiang Zhengxuan hesitated for a moment, glancing at the direction of Nie Chongzhi's house. The entire city was shrouded in thick fog, with visibility of less than two meters; she could only vaguely see the faint streetlights enveloped in mist.

When she entered the restroom that year, she clearly saw the puddle of water on the tiles. She knew there was danger, yet she carelessly stepped on it... At that time, the doctor had already warned her that her fetus was showing unstable symptoms... If it were any other expectant mother, who would act like this

After returning to the hotel, Jiang Zhengxuan forced herself to stay busy. After taking a shower and drying her hair, she began to organize her luggage. Since she was only on a business trip for a little over a week, her clothing was not abundant. Coupled with her experience of living independently in the United States over the past few years, she was no longer the girl who, a few years ago, could not lift a finger to do anything. Thus, she quickly packed her luggage in no time.

By the early morning, the three housekeeping ladies finally completed this exhausting task. They cleaned the two-bedroom, one-living room, one-bathroom, and one-kitchen space thoroughly.

The car was crawling at a snail's pace. The driver, noticing her frequently glancing at her watch with a rather anxious expression, reassured her: "Don't worry, your flight is at 9:20, and it's only 5:00 now. It usually takes just a few dozen minutes to get to the airport from here. Even if it takes three hours today due to the heavy fog, you will still make it in time. Besides, with such thick fog, the planes won't be able to take off, so you would just be waiting at the airport anyway. You can rest assured!"

Jiang Zhengxuan could not stop him, so she had no choice but to stand still and watch as he rummaged through his crumpled pockets, feeling around here and there, and surprisingly managed to pull out quite a sum of money.

Jiang Zhengxuan smiled and said, "It's nothing, just keep it for now." Jiang Zhengxuan still chose the window seat from yesterday, burying herself deep in that soft pillow. She needed to take a moment to be quiet and think carefully.

That inexplicable heartache struck Jiang Zhengxuan's heart like a sharp arrow. She did not know what was wrong with her, and unexpectedly blurted out: "I won't leave, okay?"

Nie Chongzhi, reeking of strong liquor, was clearly quite inebriated.

Jiang Zhengxuan let out a deep sigh. In recent years, his company has frequently made significant decision-making errors. Even for an ordinary enterprise, it would be difficult to survive, let alone in the fiercely competitive environment of social networking sites, where constant updates and innovations are crucial. Of course, MySpace was acquired by the Murdoch Group for 580 million dollars at its peak, yet it took only a few years for it to be surpassed by Facebook.

Nie Chongzhi ... ... Nie Chongzhi ... ...

No, he does not want her

Why did she want to take care of him after they met again? ... It was not a moment of weakness; it was because ... It was because of that child, because of the guilt that had long existed in her heart yet she had always been unwilling to confront.

Jiang Zhengxuan began to organize the items, first placing frozen foods and similar items into the refrigerator, arranging pots, bowls, and utensils. She then moved the bathing supplies into the bathroom, setting the bottles and jars on the sink.

No! Her heart skipped a beat, and Jiang Zhengxuan covered her face with both hands, breathing rapidly. After burying her head for a long time, Jiang Zhengxuan finally made a decision. She slowly released her hands: "Master, I apologize, please help me find a place to turn around..."

The child is gone, she and his child are gone, never to return!

Nie Chongzhi stood quietly at the head of the bed, gazing silently at Jiang Zhengxuan's sleeping face like a cat. She is really here, she is truly here with him! The entire world seemed to be filled with an indescribable joy and exuberance, as if spring had arrived with blooming flowers and radiant sunshine. Yet, Nie Chongzhi was also plagued by anxiety, fearing that she would soon no longer want him, fearing that she might leave him at any moment.

At that time, he had plenty of money, so much that it became a series of Arabic numerals. But what did he need those numbers for? What he truly desired, he could not obtain

Jiang Zhengxuan did not know what was wrong with her. Why is it like this

Nie Chongzhi stumbled up the stairs, brushing past her, muttering: "Get lost, get away! Since you have left, why must you come back again"

Yet I still suffer from insomnia, inexplicably unable to sleep

Quickly, four empty cans piled up in front of him again

As usual, there was Hong Kong-style soup, along with several stir-fried dishes, and two servings of rice. Additionally... Jiang Zhengxuan's gaze paused, as there was unexpectedly a serving of durian pastry. Jiang Zhengxuan was truly hungry; she consumed half a bowl of rice, two durian pastries, and two bowls of soup. In the end, all the leftover dishes and rice were cleared by Nie Chongzhi.

Later, after leaving those people and those events, upon arriving in New York, she would often inadvertently think of that child, recalling many moments. She remembered him embracing her, whispering to her: "Xuanxuan, I beg you, do not abandon him. He is my only flesh and blood, my only family. If you give birth to him, I will treat you and the child well, for a lifetime."

Since encountering Nie Chong again, Jiang Zhengxuan has not had a proper rest. In fact, she is already extremely fatigued, but looking around, there is still a large pile of tasks to attend to, at the very least, she needs to buy bed sheets and blankets

That year, he was injected with a sedative by the doctor, and the first thing he did upon waking up was rush to find her attending physician. The doctor said she had accidentally slipped and consequently had a miscarriage. Upon hearing this, his first reaction was to laugh heartily, saying, "Hahaha, accidentally?" How much intention was behind that "accident"? Only he, Nie Chongzhi, could understand in this world.

Jiang Zhengxuan was thrown against the hard wall by him, hitting it heavily. Besides the pain, her elbow felt both sore and numb, clearly indicating that Nie Chongzhi had exerted force. Jiang Zhengxuan inexplicably recalled the past; in the past, he was quite restrained. Even though he trained every day and held a black belt of ninth dan, he had never truly exerted himself against her, except for that one time in the hospital.

So it was Nie Chongzhi! Not her! Jiang Zhengnan's heart sank suddenly, and he shook his head to dispel his wild thoughts. When he spoke again, he was already very clear-headed: "He is in Ningcheng! Nie Chongzhi is actually hiding in Ningcheng! Xuanxuan, do not let him leave, I will rush over immediately"

In the end, Jiang Zhengxuan ultimately softened her heart

But she does not want it, not even the baby

During this process, Nie Chongzhi leaned against the wall, thoughtfully observing Jiang Zhengxuan as she commanded the three individuals like a hostess.

He pleaded with her, he pleaded with her countless times. He even considered that if she would just give birth to the child, he would be willing to disappear with the child from that moment on, never to appear by her side again for the rest of his life

Jiang Zhengxuan looked around; although it was old, it was still livable

After finishing the meal, Nie Chongzhi spoke first: "When are you leaving?" Jiang Zhengxuan looked at him in astonishment. Does he really want her to leave like this?

Nie Chongzhi is such a scoundrel

Nie Chongzhi stared deeply at her face, and the next moment, he stood up, grabbed the coat resting on the back of the sofa, and walked out. He paused at the door, then turned back into the inner room, and soon came out again: "I will be back shortly"

The beautiful proprietress still rose with a gentle smile to greet, and upon seeing her, his eyes brightened: "You left in such a hurry yesterday that I didn't even have time to give you your change"

The room was clearly empty, and Nie Chongzhi had truly left. Jiang Zhengxuan, with her palm stinging from the impact, reluctantly admitted this fact. She sat down despondently on her suitcase, her heart feeling as if it had plunged into an endless abyss.

Over the years, on countless sleepless nights, whenever he closed his eyes, he would secretly miss her, secretly long for everything about her. Then, in the daylight after each dream, he would deceive himself by telling himself that he simply could not forget that child

Nie Chongzhi stood dazed at the door, listening intently to Jiang Zhengxuan's footsteps as they gradually faded away, until there was no sound left

He indeed prepared to disappear once again. After a long while, Jiang Zhengxuan finally made a decision. She squatted down in front of him, gazing quietly into his eyes, and said earnestly: "I am not lying to you. Is it alright if I stay here to accompany you?"

He once longed for nothing more than to open his eyes each day and see her by his side

In the silent air, Nie Chongzhi's voice gradually emerged, with a rather strange tone: "Since you have left, why must you return? You yourself have said that you pity me, so how long do you intend to pity me this time upon your return?"

After making numerous phone calls, I finally managed to get through to someone. The person, awakened from a deep sleep, was furious: "What is wrong with you? Is your brain damaged or something? Who looks for housekeeping services at dawn?"

The thoughts are so profound that this scene, for him, is as beautiful as a bubble illusion. He can only believe that she is truly here if he sees her for real

Later on, he constantly threatened her regarding the bar incident, never letting her off the hook with various demands. Their relationship became strained. Yet, she found herself helpless against him, and from that point on, she began to feel a mix of hatred, anger, and disgust towards him. Every time she thought of him, she wished he could just disappear from the Earth.

In this world, he has no relatives! His mother, suffering from a terminal illness, had no choice but to send him to the Nie family. Who truly hoped to care for him and love him? His father, Nie Gengli, with his stubborn nature, would absolutely not approach him. His stepmother, Wan Shuping, must have long harbored deep resentment, as her own son, Nie Kaizhi, was inferior to this illegitimate child in every way. However, she had to maintain appearances in front of others, and behind closed doors, even a single word would likely be laced with thorns. Although his half-brother, Nie Kaizhi, grew up alongside him, the closeness was evident to any discerning observer.

Under the light, there was a transparent, glistening liquid on his face. It was probably from the bar! This is what Jiang Zhengxuan thought.

However, individuals like Nie Chongzhi and her elder brother Jiang Zhengnan are the most hospitable and concerned about their reputation. The luxurious club that he owned back then was renowned in Luohai for offering complimentary hospitality to friends. At that time, all the scions of prominent families took pride in being hosted by him

What has happened to him? What kind of situation has he encountered that has led him to such a state now

Faced with such Nie Chongzhi, she surprisingly felt a deep sense of heartache. In the past, she had maliciously wished for him to be hit by a car, to choke on water; in short, she had thought, prayed, and cursed for everything, hoping that he would never appear in her life again. However, now, if he were to disappear once more and continue to do so indefinitely, just the thought of it would make her heart ache unbearably.

After the meal, as if by tacit understanding, Nie Chongzhi cleared the dining table while she went into the bedroom to start tidying the quilt and mattress

That is a living child, her flesh and blood. In just a few months, when born, she will be alive, able to cry, laugh, and make noise.

She has never loved him; the only person she loves is Ye Yingzhang. What she has been thinking about is nothing more than marrying Ye Yingzhang and becoming his wife. Even after having a child, she resolutely refuses to keep it.

He was beaten black and blue by Jiang Zhengnan, lying on the ground unable to get up. He said to Jiang Zhengnan: "Jiang, whether you believe it or not, I truly love Xuanxuan, not a bit less than you do." Jiang Zhengnan's response was to give him a few more heavy punches.

Nie Chongzhi finally said softly: "Jiang, I am not you"

Later, Nie Chongzhi seemed to be in despair as he sat down on the sofa, covering his face. It is unclear how long he had been huddled on the sofa, but eventually, Nie Chongzhi got up, took out a few bottles of liquor from the cabinet, and began to drink excessively, just as he had done the day before.

The two individuals ate in silence. For a moment, the room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop

That year, outside the emergency room, when he learned that she was carrying his child. There was his baby in her belly, their baby! Nie Chongzhi was stunned, he was so happy that he became foolish!

With a "pop," the light turned on, and Jiang Zhengxuan saw that a large piece of skin on her hand had been scraped off, with blood already seeping out. Looking up, she noticed Nie Chongzhi's gaze fixed intently on her hand

Suddenly, a familiar ringtone abruptly rang out in the quiet room. This is bad, I forgot to turn off my phone. Jiang Zhengxuan was so startled that she almost jumped up. Such a clear and loud soprano voice could wake even the gods, let alone a human.

He did such things to her again, and she ought to hate him and loathe him

Jiang Zhengxuan paused for a moment and said: "Elder brother, I saw Nie... Nie elder brother."

Nie Chongzhi released her hand and turned to leave. He paused at the bathroom door, facing away from her, and softly said, "I'm sorry"

She sleeps soundly, her long eyelashes curled and lifted, just as they were in the past

As soon as this thought sprang to her mind, Jiang Zhengxuan could no longer sit still. She grabbed her bag and, without even bothering to withdraw money this time, dashed out of the "Old Love" café, saying, "Boss lady, I will come to pay tomorrow."

Jiang Zhengxuan took a breath of cold air, stepped forward, softened her voice, and gently said: "Please don't drink anymore, okay?"

Nie Chongzhi glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, his tone heavy, as if he understood everything: "You came here today merely to keep me in check, to prevent me from leaving. If I am not mistaken, your elder brother and the others may already be on their way to Ningcheng."

Jiang Zhengxuan stood in the shadow at the door, watching helplessly as Nie Chongzhi drank can after can, until he finally slumped onto the sofa, motionless. After a long while, the bottle he was loosely holding slowly slipped from his palm, falling to the ground with a loud "clang," and the liquor inside the bottle quietly flowed across the tiles.

The sky was extremely dark, and even though Jiang Zhengxuan had grown accustomed to such pitch-black surroundings, his features were still faintly discernible, though not clearly. As Jiang Zhengxuan silently gazed at him, a wave of heartache, akin to ants gnawing away, surged within him. If he continued to self-destruct like this, it would only be a matter of time before it all came to an end

Yet he is always unwilling to let her go

Nie Chongzhi stepped forward and grabbed her arm: "Get out, roll out of my place." He saw Jiang Zhengxuan standing still, staring at her for a while, his eyes flashing with a different emotion. However, that emotion quickly faded away, and Nie Chongzhi revealed that mischievous smile again, leaning in playfully: "About last night, did you enjoy it? Would you like to do it again?"

Due to hunger, Jiang Zhengxuan finished two bowls of porridge before putting down her chopsticks. Nie Chongzhi had already finished his fried rice, and upon seeing this, he reached over to move her leftover porridge closer, along with the soup she had left, and quickly finished it all. This habit remained unchanged as always

Jiang Zhengxuan sighed, thinking that discussing these matters with him was simply a waste of time. Therefore, she no longer paid him any attention and entered his bedroom on her own. Although she had been here several times, it was her first time entering his bedroom. It was clearly tidied up, though still dirty; however, having seen a much dirtier place two days ago, she found it acceptable. With the reference of 'much dirtier,' she felt it was quite good, at least better than she had imagined.

However, she was still late. Nie Chongzhi had already sat up from the sofa, probably having heard her movements. He slowly turned his head, and their gazes met.

Jiang Zhengxuan looked around, clearly there could be no iodine tincture or adhesive bandages here. While she was still contemplating how to treat her wound, Nie Chongzhi took a bottle of white liquor, stepped forward, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her towards the bathroom. Jiang Zhengxuan: "What are you doing?" Without giving her a chance to argue, Nie Chongzhi dragged her into the cramped bathroom

Her delicate, translucent fingers were held by him in such a manner, so obediently, as never before. Nie Chongzhi's throat moved slightly

In reality, I am simply madly longing to see her again

The proprietress quickly brought over the coffee she had ordered, along with a serving of banana cake: "The cake is a new flavor I made fresh this afternoon. You can be my little guinea pig and help me try the taste, and give me some suggestions."

At the moment the person hung up the phone, still in disbelief, they threatened her with their catchphrase, saying: "I have your address. If you are playing tricks on me, I will make you pay for it"

Jiang Zhengxuan stepped forward slowly. Her feet paused for a moment at the doorway, and finally, taking a deep breath as if she had made up her mind, she lifted her foot and stepped inside

Nie Chongzhi, open the door for me

When Nie Chongzhi returned, he found Jiang Zhengxuan was neither in the living room nor in the kitchen, and his heart felt as if it had been suspended. Upon hearing a sound from the bathroom, he turned around and caught sight of her with her head lowered, carefully unwrapping a bar of soap. Does she still remember that he likes to use soap

Jiang Zhengxuan remained silent. Nie Chongzhi fell back into his former despondency, sitting down on the sofa, his feet resting on a makeshift wooden table, grabbing a jar of wine and pouring it into his mouth in large gulps: "Remember to close the door when you leave"

Later, she saw him drinking again. She saw Nie Chongzhi holding a bottle of wine, drinking cup after cup. She stood at a distance, unsure of what was happening, too afraid to approach.

Such a conversation left Jiang Zhengxuan in a daze for quite a while. In the past, their interactions were extremely awkward; he pursued her while she evaded him, yet she was like a mouse under a cat's paw, always unable to escape his grasp.

Nie Chongzhi sweetly said: "Thank you, Aunt Qing, I knew you wouldn't dislike me." Lu Geqing affectionately patted his hand: "Silly child, you can come over whenever you want. Not to mention anything else, Aunt Qing will take care of the small matter of meals for you."

Indeed, she is merely feeling pity for him at present; she could abandon him at any moment. If she were to discover his current situation, she would immediately cease to want him.

She really should not pity him. All of this is her own doing, having healed the scars but forgotten the pain

In addition to being young and accomplished, and possessing outstanding looks, Nie Chongzhi is also notably low-key, with a comprehensive approach to life. Regardless of whom he meets, he is always humble and courteous, exhibiting a measured demeanor. Whenever the elders of the prominent families mention Nie Gengli, this refined eldest son, they cannot help but praise him with a word or two.

After a moment of quiet observation, Nie Chongzhi in the room appeared extremely anxious, pacing back and forth while occasionally glancing towards the door. Jiang Zhengxuan, fearing being noticed by him, could only cautiously shrink to the side and secretly watch.

When dragging his luggage and crawling to the top floor like a snail, the door of the room where Nie Chongzhi was located was tightly closed, and Nie Chongzhi was already gone

That child, the one who had been in her womb for nearly three months. Because she had never thought of wanting him, she had never deliberately cared for him.

Last night's events surged before her eyes all at once; at least pigs are smarter than herself, as they would not willingly present themselves for humiliation. Jiang Zhengxuan, filled with anger and shame, took a step back and coldly said: "Rest assured, I will leave right now; I have a flight back to Luohai early tomorrow morning"

While in the hospital, he almost strangled her, it was truly just a hair's breadth away

From that time on, he lived with a heart as dead as ashes, like a lump of rotten mud

Jiang Zhengxuan opened the wardrobe, intending to find clean bedding, but there was none. Upon opening the wardrobe, in addition to his dirty clothes tumbling out in disarray, emitting a foul odor, there was nothing else to be found inside.

She should actually hate Nie Chongzhi, but perhaps due to the influence of that feeling of guilt, she later realized that she seemed not to hate him after all

The second generation of aristocratic families generally relies on family trust funds and deep-rooted connections to make a living. Those with some ability can navigate the aristocratic circles with ease; individuals of exceptional capability, such as Jiang Zhengnan, Chu Suifeng, and Louis Zhou, soar like a roc, thriving in their endeavors, which is naturally beyond words. However, descendants like Nie Chongzhi, who have built their success from scratch and forged their own path, are the most sought after yet unattainable by these aristocratic families.

If it is charity, if she cannot offer it for a lifetime, he would rather she had never given it at all. Just like on a cold winter night, when there is no warmth from anyone, one can shiver alone, embracing oneself for warmth. However, once someone has given him a little warmth, he will begin to covet it, much like the little match girl... Coveting a little more, a little more, and then a little more warmth.

Nie Chongzhi raised his eyebrows, revealing a questioning look. Jiang Zhengxuan gently added, "I am hungry"

Jiang Zhengxuan silently stepped forward and grasped the beer in his hand. Nie Chongzhi maintained a strange posture and state; with a gentle pull, she effortlessly extracted the can of beer. Nie Chongzhi slowly raised her eyes to look at her, her gaze dazed and bewildered

Later, when she arrived in New York, she would occasionally sit quietly and reminisce about the past, always wondering why he treated her this way. Each time she pondered it in detail, she could never come to an understanding.

Jiang Zhengxuan, out of breath, looked up in surprise to find that the garbage had actually been cleaned up, and the floor had even been mopped. The color of the tiles in the small hall was a light beige, which, although it appeared somewhat aged, revealed its original hue.

A person sits quietly in a comfortable café, watching the flow of people and vehicles outside. Jiang Zhengxuan suddenly feels an unprecedented fatigue wash over her. What should she do? What should she do about that bastard Nie Chongzhi?

Put all of his dirty clothes into the washing machine to be cleaned

The sudden dull sound startled Nie Chongzhi, causing his intoxication to dissipate in an instant. He halted all movements, standing there in a daze, speechless for a long time.

Just as he was speculating, someone walked out from the inner room. The tall and familiar figure made Jiang Zhengxuan slowly exhale a breath from his lungs, thankfully, he has not moved away. At least, not yet!

She really does not know what is wrong with her? Why does she feel heartache for him?

In this small space, these everyday items suddenly seem to bring the essence of home

As Nie Chongzhi closed the door, he cast his gaze upon her once more, seemingly unable to shake off his concern as he gently reminded her, "I will be back soon"

Nie Chongzhi reminded himself once again

Even if the elder brother and the others find Nie Chongzhi, it is still too easy for an adult to disappear, just like someone who is determined to end their own life; no matter how much you guard against it, you will always be unable to prevent it. Perhaps, Nie Chongzhi has already left.

At that time, in the apartment, she and he also shared several moments of silent meals together face to face

Jiang Zhengxuan once heard her brother Jiang Zhengnan teasing Nie Chongzhi: "I heard that you are the number one son-in-law candidate in the eyes of the old men in Luohai City? It seems that those old men are indeed losing their eyesight! With your looks and character, how could you possibly be ranked first?"

The wine flowed gently through her palms, sliding into the basin, and eventually, there was no sensation of pain left. Nie Chongzhi asked absentmindedly, "Where else?" Jiang Zhengxuan took a second to realize he was inquiring about her injuries. Jiang Zhengxuan slowly shook her head.

Such a scene is rarely seen even in the past. At that time, whenever she saw him, she would hide with all her might, like a mouse avoiding a cat. However, he had that ability; no matter how she tried to evade him, if he wanted to find her, he could always succeed.

Such a simple six-character phrase, just six characters, yet Nie Chongzhi was taken aback. Soon, he turned his head, his face still devoid of any expression: "Let's go, don't worry about me." Jiang Zhengxuan's expression was serious: "Don't drink anymore. If you keep drinking like this, you'll ruin yourself completely."

Whenever she recalls the events of yesterday, Jiang Zhengxuan grits her teeth and thinks: Jiang Zhengxuan, you are truly foolish, why are you still concerned about that bastard! Yet, after taking just two steps, she closes her eyes in despair again

He has always been such a lonely person! Apart from his older brother and that group of friends, no one truly cares about his well-being.

It was her. She personally killed that child

Disinfect every corner of the room thoroughly

Now, given his current appearance and demeanor, it is likely that Wan Shuping is overjoyed, wishing for him to fall even further into disgrace, ideally to be buried in the dust, never to rise again

Jiang Zhengxuan gasped in pain, blew out a breath, and saw him standing there like a wooden statue. She had waited for a whole day, feeling both hungry and cold, and her tone was naturally not pleasant: "Aren't you going to bring my luggage in?" Nie Chongzhi slowly raised his head, glanced at her with an unclear expression, and complied by bringing the luggage from the doorway inside, placing it beside the sofa

She repeatedly told herself that it was merely because she did not want to feel guilty for a lifetime

On the way home, I specifically went to a home textile brand store to buy bedding supplies. I truly purchased a large number of items, and Nie Chongzhi made four trips up and down to move all the purchased items into the room on the top floor. Such a small space was instantly occupied by this pile of things

Will he continue to live in such a muddled and aimless manner in the future? ... Every day drowning his sorrows in alcohol, getting dead drunk, and perhaps one day he might even fall into the clutches of something he should not be involved with ... . ... Images of those filthy, depraved figures lurking in the dark alleys of New York flashed through Jiang Zhengxuan's mind, resembling rats that scurry out at night and hide during the day.

On that day, Nie Chongzhi had probably drunk too much. Listening to Jiang Zhengnan's teasing, he merely tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass, taking a long time before softly saying: "Do you think I enjoy this? I just don't want others to say: Look, this child from the Nie family has a life, but no one to teach him. After all, he is a bastard without a mother. Jiang, those people have only heard about my story with my mother, but they do not know what we have truly experienced." At that moment, his voice was filled with loneliness. Jiang, those people have only heard about my story with my mother, but they do not know what we have truly experienced." At that moment, his voice was filled with loneliness.

Calming herself down, Jiang Zhengxuan took out her phone from her bag. Despite it being just past 5 a.m., she dialed her elder brother Jiang Zhengnan's number. Jiang Zhengnan's voice was thick with sleep, clearly awakened by her call: "Xuanxuan, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?" Jiang Zhengxuan bit her lip: "Elder brother, I saw him in Ningcheng..."

Standing by the window and looking out, the night was dim and hazy, with streetlights obscured by thick fog. Jiang Zhengxuan thought resentfully: Whatever happens to Nie Chongzhi in the future, whether he lives or dies, has nothing to do with her, not a bit of connection at all

Everything in the kitchen cabinet? Thrown away.

Jiang Zhengxuan was afraid that he would fall and wanted to help him. Nie Chongzhi, seemingly in a drunken frenzy, shook off her hand once again

Indeed, it is she, Jiang Zhengxuan, who has gone mad; it is only in her madness that she feels pity for him, and it is only in her madness that she feels heartache for him

In this encounter, apart from shock, she could no longer find any trace of the past feelings of annoyance or hatred towards him. Even his disheveled and indulgent appearance, and even his fierce demeanor, only made her feel an inexplicable sense of heartache.

Nie Chongzhi entered a dimly lit alley in a winding manner and stepped into a brightly lit small shop. Jiang Zhengxuan, hidden behind a tree, saw him remove something from his wrist, which appeared to be a watch, and handed it to a person at the counter. The person took a magnifying glass and examined the watch back and forth for a while. The two conversed for a moment and reached some sort of agreement. The person then took the money and counted it out to Nie Chongzhi, one bill at a time. The person took a magnifying glass and examined the watch back and forth for a while. The two conversed for a moment and reached some sort of agreement. The person then took the money and counted it out to Nie Chongzhi, one bill at a time.

Jiang Zhengxuan looked up and saw Nie Chongzhi's eyes, which were as bright as stars. She was momentarily taken aback; yesterday, those eyes had been murky and drowsy, but today they were clearly much more spirited, as if light had been infused into them, sparkling to the point that one could hardly look away.

Throw away the bedding and sheets

If it were more than four years ago, she would probably have only been focused on these matters. After four years of living in New York, she has also been trained. Making the bed and laying out the sheets, while she cannot say she is completely adept, she is no longer in a fluster. By the time everything was settled, it was already around two or three in the afternoon. Jiang Zhengxuan could no longer pay attention to Nie Chongzhi; she was so exhausted that she could only lie on the bed, gasping for breath. Truly fatigued, after a moment, Jiang Zhengxuan closed her heavy eyelids and fell into a deep sleep. Jiang Zhengxuan could no longer pay attention to Nie Chongzhi; she was so exhausted that she could only lie on the bed, gasping for breath. Truly fatigued, after a moment, Jiang Zhengxuan closed her heavy eyelids and fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Zhengxuan suddenly thought of something: now that she knows his whereabouts, has Nie Chongzhi already moved away

His right hand began to tremble uncontrollably again. Nie Chongzhi exerted all his strength to clench it into a fist, trying not to let her notice anything unusual. He subtly averted his gaze and said with a hint of self-mockery, "Enough, stop trying to deceive me. Just go, please leave quickly."

She did not dare to take even a moment's rest, fearing that if she did, he would disappear without a trace.

What has happened to him? He had promised to hate her for a lifetime and never see her again. Yet from last night until today, he has been secretly hoping. So he tidies up the house and cleans. He tells himself it is just too dirty, but what is the reality?

At the empty doorway, in the solitary room, Nie Chongzhi sat alone, quietly shedding tears.

The soft slippers and bedding in the room, emphasizing comfort and quality as well as being overly private, were all custom-made from abroad by Jiang's mother in the past. Naturally, Jiang Zhengxuan could not purchase such items, so she could only consider buying relatively comfortable ones. She made a special note of some roadside home textile brand specialty stores while passing by in a taxi.

Nie Chongzhi gazed intently at Jiang Zhengxuan, who was within arm's reach, several times wanting to reach out and touch her delicate face. However, he did not dare to do so; he feared disturbing her, feared shattering this dreamlike scene, and even breathed cautiously.

After their reunion, he often resembled a hedgehog, making it impossible for others to approach him

The return journey took more than two hours due to heavy fog. Perhaps it was due to the anxiety in his heart, but Jiang Zhengxuan felt as if this journey was so long that it had lasted half a lifetime.

Jiang Zhengxuan hurriedly took three steps and then two steps to the small hall, intending to take out her phone from her bag to silence the ringing.

At the request of Jiang Zhengxuan, the housekeeping company sent three housekeepers one hour later. They worked from inside to outside and top to bottom until the following morning, finally managing to clean the house thoroughly.

Jiang Zhengxuan smiled politely, feeling a heavy weight in her heart, a tangle of confusion. However, she was well aware that her concern was not about the airplane. She was merely thinking of Nie Chongzhi, wondering if he would disappear once again

I will no longer care!

Jiang Zhengxuan silently stepped forward a few paces, intending to support him. As soon as she touched his hand, Nie Chongzhi seemed to be jolted as if by an electric shock. In the next moment, Nie Chongzhi appeared to have reacted, forcefully shaking her off and shouting: "Get away, don't touch me. Aren't you supposed to be going back to Luohai today? Why are you still bothering with me?"

She is bound to leave sooner or later. Since this is the case, why give him any hope

But now, she has returned! She said she wants to stay and accompany him

During this process, Nie Chongzhi did not wake up, nor did he move at all. It seems he has passed out drunk again

Many times, with just a turn, people miss each other. After that, it is not impossible for them to never meet again in a lifetime

When Jiang Zhengxuan came out, he saw Nie Chongzhi deeply sunk into the sofa, with two empty cans already placed by his feet. It seemed that there was nothing else left for him to do in the remainder of his life except for drinking.

Although Nie Chongzhi's parents are both alive and he has a half-brother, the family of four occasionally attends banquets and weddings together. Many who are unaware of the circumstances often perceive the Nie family as a model of filial piety and benevolence, seemingly a paragon of high society. At a young age, Nie Chongzhi has made a name for himself, and the fact that he has achieved this without relying on his family, starting his own business and getting it listed in the United States, is truly astonishing