Chapter 4, Waiting Still

"Don't bother with her, it's time to move on from the pain of the past." An Yiruo stood on the same side as Cheng Mofei, and took the opportunity to educate Mi Yu a bit, "Feifei is right, you're not a child anymore, why are you wasting your time? Can't you seriously find a man?"

An Yiruo was taken aback, startled by his unusual enthusiasm, and when she came to her senses, she intended to push him away.

In matters of love, she has always held the most sincere heart and the most unique perspective. She does not consider the word 'love' to be the most fitting expression; rather, she believes that the affection buried deep within her heart is the most eternal sweetness

The carp exclaimed, "If I cannot meet such a man, I would rather remain unmarried for life"

For him, it seems she has never learned to refuse. After a week of deliberate avoidance, the outcome remains the same. But why does he only take a step forward when she is regressing? Otherwise, he just stays in place or simply retreats? Does one really have to lose something to realize its value?

"What is it that cannot be said outside?" She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with questions. She had returned to the country for three months and had only been here on the day he came back from his business trip. Why had he brought her here today? Unexplainably, she felt a sense of unease and apprehension in her heart

An Yiruo gave up struggling, lightly resting her slender arms around his waist, allowing him to kiss her.

During An Yiruo's time back in the country, Cheng Mofei was busy preparing for next month's performance, to the extent that she could not distinguish between day and night, and naturally had no time to mingle with her and Mi Yu

In the earnest words, there was a faint hint of helplessness, causing An Yiruo's heart to shudder, suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of tenderness. When had he ever shown even the slightest vulnerability, whether in front of others or alone? Even before her, no matter how challenging the problems he faced at work, he would never complain a word in her presence, driven by stubbornness and also by the pride of a man

I remember during the time at hetushu.com, they also enjoyed huddling in the dormitory discussing topics about love. Back then, we were filled with hope, but just a few years have passed, and it has all become so helpless.

Xi Shuo-liang extended his hand, gently brushing his fingertips across her cheek. He was so close to her that she could hear her strong heartbeat, thump after thump

It seems that there is a tacit understanding between hearts. Cheng Mofei was feeling so restless today that she could not fully engage in the rehearsal, so she went to the supermarket for a frenzied shopping spree to see them. Upon her return, she learned that An Yiruo had been injured. After hearing the account from Mi Yu, she was so shocked that she was stunned for a long time before regaining her composure. She pulled Mi Yu over and checked her from head to toe, seriously advising, "Mi Mi, you should also focus on your heart. If there is someone suitable around you, you should try dating. You can't always be single, can you?" With a steady boyfriend, of course, there would be no need for blind dates, and one would not encounter such dangerous situations. After all, she attributed that terrifying incident entirely to blind dating. With a sigh, she said, "Don't set your sights too high. I think Mr. Lin, who treated you to dinner last time, is quite good."

Despite being surrounded by a halo, Mi Yu always remains clear-headed. Her demands are not high; she simply desires a man who loves her wholeheartedly and a simple, pure relationship. Why is it so difficult?

Shuo Liang, if An Yiruo knew that his alcohol tolerance was always low, sensing that he was becoming tipsy and seemed to harbor a hint of anger, could not help but call out to him

As she checked the time, An Yiruo put on her coat and went downstairs. From a distance, she saw Xi Shuo Liang's car approaching. She rubbed her temples and waited for him to stop and open the car door for her

The two of them remained silent throughout the journey. An Yiruo held back and did not ask him where he was going. It was only when the car stopped that she realized they were at the bottom of his apartment building

A year ago, when she went abroad, Xi Shuo Liang went to see her off. Outside the security check, he held her hand, and the two remained silent until it was almost time for her to go in. An Yi Ruo finally couldn't hold back her tears, which flowed uncontrollably, crying like a child.

After graduation, An Yiruo went abroad to further her studies in design, while Mi Yu entered the modeling industry. Cheng Mofei chose to pursue her beloved career in dance, and together with her boyfriend and partner, established a studio where they teach and also perform publicly.

At that time, she was alone in a foreign land, feeling somewhat lonely, yet also experiencing happiness, simply because someone said they would wait for her. However, a year later when she returned to her home country, it was not until three days later that she saw him. Everything seemed to be the same as before, yet everything also appeared to have changed silently. It was just that they seemed not to have noticed.

Hmm? He paused, responding softly, as gentle as a whisper in one's ear

Cheng Mofei disagrees: "Mimi, living a lifetime alone is a terrifying thing."

Xi Shuo-liang seemed to have had a drink, his face slightly flushed. Silently, he unfastened her seatbelt, opened the car door, and got out, taking her hand as they headed towards the apartment

He kissed her with great urgency, almost monopolizing her breath, his tongue exploring every sweet spot in her mouth, leaving his mark on her lips. Seemingly dissatisfied with her indifference, he took her hand and wrapped it around his neck, then his thin lips slowly slid down, his large hand passionately caressing her back through the thin summer fabric.

The floor where Mi Yu lives is very high, and the orange glow of the setting sun shines through the window, casting a golden hue over the furniture in the room, creating a stark contrast with their particularly gloomy mood.

An Yiruo and Mi Yu grew up together, while Cheng Mofei became their close friend during university. The three of them lived in the same dormitory for four years, and their revolutionary friendship was cultivated during that time

She left for him, solely because m.hetushu.com said, France is the sanctuary of fashion, where one can absorb the best design knowledge. Thus, she fought for the opportunity to study in France, just to assist him in his career upon her return, not hesitating to cross the ocean, disregarding her family's opposition, and traveling alone to Paris, where she stayed for a whole year

Take good care of yourself, I will wait for your return. A warm breath brushed past her ear, he choked on his words as he urged her, then cupped her face and began to kiss her, so passionately, so tenderly, so helplessly, as if to sever the ties.

Hmm," she replied softly, a thousand words stuck in her throat, momentarily at a loss for where to begin.

In their respective years, they were each preoccupied with their own pursuits. He was busy starting a business, establishing his own clothing empire, while she was focused on absorbing more knowledge within a limited timeframe. The two of them resembled spinning tops that could not stop, continuously revolving in their separate realms.

The tides of thought surged, and emotions were pushed to the brink of collapse. Reflecting on a year of separation, she cried even more sorrowfully. Xi Shuo-liang held her tightly, as if she were his only treasure. From the depths of her heart, a sense of dependence naturally flowed forth, yielding to him, holding him tightly, as if she had found the destination she had longed for.

In summary, three women each possess their own domain and are all striving diligently for it

An Yiruo exchanged a glance with Cheng Mofei, casting a look of disdain at her, and then a cushion was thrown onto Mi Yu's face

I will wait for your return," he said softly, his breath transmitted through the waves, carrying a familiar and reassuring scent

I miss you! Her cheeks flushed slightly, feeling a bit shy, yet unable to suppress the emotions and longing in her heart

As he closed the door with a backward motion, he lowered his head and, without giving her a chance to evade, kissed her lips, whispering softly between her lips and teeth, like a child wanting candy

An Yiruo shook her head, while Cheng Mofei waited for her to clarify. Mi Yu, with a playful smile, said: "Let me entertain you for free with a joke." Clearing her throat, she began: "One day, a man encountered a beggar who asked him for money. The man said, 'How about a cigarette?' The beggar shook his head and replied, 'I don’t smoke, give me some money.' The man then asked, 'Are you thirsty? Let me buy you a drink.' The beggar said, 'I don’t drink, give me some money.' The man suggested, 'I’ll take you to relax, let’s play the slot machines.' The beggar replied, 'I don’t gamble, give me some money.' The man repeated, 'Are you thirsty? Let me buy you a drink.' The beggar said, 'I don’t drink, give me some money.' The man again offered, 'I’ll take you to relax, let’s play the slot machines.' The beggar said, 'I don’t gamble, give me some money.' The man scratched his head, gritted his teeth, and resolutely said, 'Let’s go to a sauna, all-inclusive service, I’ll pay.' The beggar remained unfazed and replied, 'I don’t hire prostitutes, give me some money.' The man was infuriated and cursed, 'Damn it, so here’s a new good man who doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink, doesn’t gamble, and doesn’t hire prostitutes.' Mi Yu looked at the two of them, innocently blinking her eyes, 'After knowing each other for over ten years, you wouldn’t heartlessly marry me off to a good man like a beggar, would you?'

An Yiruo rebutted: "One should not marry just for the sake of marriage." Love is sacred, and marriage is even more so

"You did find someone, how does it feel?" Mi Yu said nonchalantly, "Besides, if you're going to find someone, at least find a new good man. You know very well that good men are in short supply these days." She tossed off her slippers and reclined on the sofa, asking, "Do you know what kind of people the new good men are these days?"

Whenever she received his call, she would smile, her heart overflowing with tenderness, and then quietly listen to his instructions: "Make sure to rest early tonight, close the doors and windows properly, remember to have breakfast before going to class, take extra care with your meals since your stomach isn't well." His attentiveness was so meticulous that she couldn't help but softly call his name: "Shuo Liang"

Then, they all fell silent

Mi Yu did not explicitly state it, but they all understood. She continuously went on blind dates, yet she could never settle down. It was not that she did not want to, nor was it that she genuinely wished to refuse; it was simply that she was surrounded by too many suitors, all of whom presented their best selves. With their status and position, they could provide her with everything she desired, yet they could not offer a complete heart. Such relationships, such men, Mi Yu does not want.

Xi Shuo-liang felt a surge of heat throughout his body, and with a swift motion, he pulled her tightly into his embrace, his handsome face buried in her hair, his voice hoarse: "Yi Ruo, can we stop the fuss? Let's make up."

After dinner, Cheng Mofei was picked up by someone, Mi Yu returned to her room to sleep, and just as An Yiruo finished a phone call at home and was preparing to go to bed, Xi Shuo Liang's call came in

"Where is it not good? I see nothing right about you at all." Mi Yu patiently listened to her ramble on, frowning as he looked at An Yiruo, "See, her boundless love really seems to be inexhaustible." Sighing, he patted Cheng Mofei's hand and reminded her, "Women who worry too much age easily, so stop talking, okay? I'm about to get otitis media from listening so much."

The kiss between lovers should be sweet and lingering, yet for some reason, in this moment of embrace, An Yiruo feels an overwhelming bitterness.

It is such a resolute disregard for everything.

In that kiss, An Yiruo felt as if the entire world was shaking and spinning, leaving her dizzy and entranced. She lost herself in the kiss, as if in that moment she would fall into the abyss with him. They held each other tightly, wishing they could embed one another into their very beings. The world suddenly fell silent in the bustling airport, where they kissed passionately until the announcements repeatedly urged passengers to board. She had to pull away from his embrace, her eyes misty with tears as she hoarsely said, "Wait for me!" and then walked away without looking back. The world suddenly fell silent in the bustling airport, where they kissed passionately until the announcements repeatedly urged passengers to board. She had to pull away from his embrace, her eyes misty with tears as she hoarsely said, "Wait for me!" and then walked away without looking back.

I will arrive in half an hour, wait for me downstairs. " As soon as the call connected, Xi Shuo Liang said only this sentence before hanging up