Chapter 5, Mutual Disdain

Hui An saw Yao Yu come out and reproached, "You didn't even call to say you were home. President Xu hasn't had dinner yet."

Yao Yu arrived in the city and got out of the car. She took a taxi back to the house she rented. A sense of security gradually returned to her. She felt particularly tired today, took a shower, got into bed, read for a while, and then fell asleep

After hanging up the phone, Yao Yu erupted: "Alright, it's none of your business now, open the car door!"

Yao Yu pondered in a daze, he indeed did not speak incorrectly. City A is increasingly focusing on the development of environmentally friendly high-tech industries, having built a large high-tech park in the south. It is time for him to go abroad, with such generous scholarships and excellent conditions for studying abroad. Given Tong Sicheng's family background, how could he let this opportunity slip away

Yao Yuhuo: "What does it matter to you if I hang up on my mom's call? Stop the car!"

A few people left the Qingde hotpot restaurant and headed straight to the house rented by Yao Yu. Xiao Yang and Qian Chen went up to knock on the door. Xu Yi Zhong stayed downstairs, smoking with Zhang Lin Shan.

Xiao Yang gently wrapped his arm around Qian Chen's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, she might have taken another ride home and turned off her phone"

Developers are creating hype and collaborating to drive prices up. Ordinary citizens are only concerned about rising housing prices, obediently taking out their hard-earned savings accumulated over the past decade. This includes purchases for their children, upgrading homes, and investments by newcomers to the city. It is indeed difficult for housing prices not to rise. In just the past two years, the average housing price in City A has increased by around 1,000 yuan. Properties that used to be priced over 2,000 yuan are now virtually nonexistent. In just the past two years, the average housing price in City A has increased by around 1,000 yuan. Properties that used to be priced over 2,000 yuan are now virtually nonexistent.

Xu Yizhong was sarcastically criticized by Yao Yu for half a day, but he calmed down when he walked back after slamming the car door. He is a person who is very good at remaining calm and engaging in self-reflection, especially when others are dissatisfied with him

He turned the car around and went back along the mountain road to search.

Xiao Yang squatted down and said to Qian Chen: "I am tired from going upstairs, I will carry you downstairs!"

Yao Yu calculated that the five of them would need to spend at least one or two thousand here, which would wipe out half a month's salary. She had only eaten here twice before, both times as a guest of others. Yao Yu couldn't help but lament that the gap between the rich and the poor is growing larger.

At this moment, she felt an overwhelming hatred for Tong Sicheng, crying as she walked back. Yes, she missed home, she missed her parents, but she did not want to go back

Upon reaching the second floor, Qianchen jumped down from Xiaoyang's back and took his hand. Yao Yu teased, "You two are about to become conjoined twins!"

The lights of the city shimmer brilliantly in the valley. City A, nestled between mountains and rivers, has seen rapid development across various industries in recent years, particularly in real estate. Several mountain peaks near the urban area have begun land reclamation activities, with real estate companies acquiring land to construct high-end residential communities, villas, and resort lodges. Living on the mountain provides a perfect view of the picturesque landscape and the two rivers that flow through the city. The journey to the city center takes no more than ten minutes. Properties that offer such convenient transportation, tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle, and knowledge of the government's future municipal facility plans are often sold out on the very day they are launched. It is not necessarily the case that there are no properties left, but the sales situation is at least above seventy percent.

Xu Yizhong felt somewhat awkward: "At first, she didn't want me to give her a ride and got out of the car. I thought to myself that this place is still far from the city center, so I hurried to catch up with her. In the end, I didn't see her. How could she possibly run faster than my car?"

She gazed out of the car window and began to lose her train of thought. Xu Yi's voice suddenly emerged: "You three seem to have a great relationship. What about Du Lei? Aren't you all classmates?"

Is he looking for himself? Yao Yu thought irritably. She squatted for a while and saw another car coming from the front. Yao Yu glanced at the license plate; it was a government vehicle, so she jumped out and waved to stop it. The car came to a halt. With a forced smile, she said, "Could you give me a ride back to the city? Just to the city would be fine"

Xu Yizhong glanced at Yao Yu. She was wearing a large T-shirt and baggy pants, her hair cascading down, and her speech was quite polite, yet she exuded an air of carefree abandon. He frowned slightly and said, "As long as everything is fine, Miss Yao shouldn't be walking alone today; it's always unsafe at night. Alright, once you get home, everything will be fine, and I will head back too."

The other party took a glance, seeing a young girl with traces of tears on her face, and feeling a pang of compassion, allowed her to get into the car

Everyone has a period of sadness that they wish to hide, yet it is evident. The white moonlight illuminates both ends of the horizon. It resides in the heart, yet is not by one's side. Xu Yizhong was taken aback, using such a sorrowful song as a ringtone. He did not think it was suitable for a young girl like Yao Yu

This is not the behavior of a filial child towards their parents. Xu Yizhong spoke earnestly, as he found a topic to discuss with Xun Yao Yu.

Two years ago, Yao Yu had never walked alone on a night road. When she was not in college, her family protected her very well. Even when she played outside, there would be someone to escort her home, even if it was only five hundred meters away after dark. During her college years, she mostly stayed on campus, and when she went out, it was always with Tong Sicheng. In the two years since graduating from university, she has walked alone on roads that are far and dark.

Xu Yizhong immediately opened the car door. Yao Yu got out of the car and suddenly turned back to smile at him: "Let me tell you, whether I am filial or not is determined by my parents. And let me tell you, someone like you who likes to take things out of context and speaks without understanding the situation is not suitable for the position of vice president at Jialin Company! Hmph!" She slammed the car door shut and walked towards the city center.

Qian Chen anxiously picked up the phone to call Yao Yu, but all he heard was the sound of it being turned off. "Could something have happened?"

Upon seeing her, Qian Chen patted his chest and gasped: "I said, Xiaoyu, at least send a message or make a call when you get home. You scared me; I thought something had happened to you"

Qianchen and Huian recalled that this section of the road had just been completed not long ago, and that people who came here to dine usually drove their own cars, with relatively few taxis available, which left them feeling uneasy

I am fine. We will talk once the person is found. Let’s not let anything truly happen.

He actually accused me of being unfilial! Ha! Yao Yu raised his head and let out a cold laugh

Yao Yu suddenly felt like crying. From the moment she saw the look in Hui An's eyes, to when Xiao Yang rushed over and first took Qian Chen's hand, and then when her mother sobbed and pleaded for her to come home, and during the long solitary walk she had to take on such a dark night, she just wanted to cry. She did not know whether it was sadness over the breakup with Tong Sicheng, or if it was tears for choosing to walk such a long, pitch-black road alone

Yao Yu enjoys taking a car at night; she does not experience motion sickness in the evening, and she can see the picturesque night scenery of the city flashing by her eyes. Even with her eyes closed, she knows how beautiful the city outside is.

Yao Yu walked for a few minutes, growing increasingly fearful. It would take at least forty minutes to walk from here to the city center. She decided to crouch in the green belt and wait for a car to pass by. She knew that many people would go to Qingde Hotpot for dinner in the evening, and sooner or later, she would be able to flag down a car, so she hid in the shadows and waited. In less than two minutes, she saw Xu Yizhong's car speed past her.

Yao Yu pushed the car door but it did not open: "Open the door, I want to get out! There is nothing good about getting too close to you!"

Yao Yu and the other two were so familiar with each other that they were clearing the way ahead without paying attention. Qian Chen naturally jumped up and lay on Xiao Yang's back, speaking to Yao Yu: "Xiao Yu, did you get into an argument with General Xu over old grievances?"

Yao Yu smiled and said: "Is this really terrifying? Qian Chen, when are you going to work on that hot spring topic? I really need to create a scene that leaves everyone in awe!"

Yao Yu picked up the phone to call: "Qian Chen, please let Hui An know that I won't be going to dinner, I have an urgent matter at home... Yes, it's Hui An. I apologize, I received an urgent call from home. You all go ahead and eat, we can gather another day. Qian Chen has my number... Yes, yes, alright, let's meet again!"

The government has constructed countless landscapes along the riverbank. As night falls, the lights illuminate, and the Qingjiang and Baijiang rivers resemble two jade ribbons, making the city appear like a fairy tale world

The phone rang for a while, and Yao Yu seemed to hesitate before finally answering. "Mom, what is it?" Yao Yu's tone began to turn sour as she listened to the call while looking at Xu Yi Zhong.

In the past, Yao Yu and Tong Sicheng often rode their mountain bikes up to high places in the evening to enjoy the river view. Tong Sicheng exhibited a commanding presence as if he were pointing out the landscape and making grand declarations. He excitedly said: "Yao Yao, I see the geographical position of City A and its status as a provincial capital; its development in the field of high technology in computing will surely be rapid in the future"

Hui An and Zhang Linshan are both dressed in designer brands today, and through Yao Yu's discerning eye, they are certainly not counterfeit goods. However, the car that Hui An and Zhang Linshan drive is an ordinary Santana 3000. This is likely related to their desire not to draw attention while working in government departments. She glanced at Xu Yizhong and felt a sense of understanding.

There is still a long stretch of road from here to the city center. The streetlights cast a pale white light, and in the distance, the lights are dim and scattered. Yet, no matter how much one twists their neck, they cannot see Tong Sicheng standing in the glow of the lights. The highway is quiet, with not even the lights of approaching vehicles ahead. It feels like a scene from a nightmare, one person, all alone.

Yao Yu looked at Xu Yizhong with a slight smile and said, "I apologize for the trouble, Mr. Xu. I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic."

Xu Yizhong thought to himself that it was impossible to walk so quickly. There was only one road from the city center to Xishan. It took less than five minutes from thinking about it to making a call and driving out, and at that time, no cars had passed by him. He felt a bit anxious; if Yao Yu encountered any trouble on the way, he would be in big trouble, especially since he had just told Shanzi that he would take her there.

Xu Yizhong slammed the brakes: "I said, how can you be such a person? You speak hurtful words behind others' backs and do not apologize, and you are so disrespectful to your own mother. I cannot stand unfilial children!"

"What are you doing? You haven't been home for several years and still don't know what happened to your parents? If it were my parents..." Qian Chen fell silent, not wanting to bring up the topic of parental opposition in front of Xiao Yang. The three of them descended the stairs in silence.

What is the planning bureau? If there is advance information, it would be an opportunity for many real estate companies. If Zhang Linshan is in a good position at the planning bureau, just a few vague words from him could be enough. If he could also facilitate some internal communication... Yao Yu turned her head towards the car window; these were not things she cared about or was interested in understanding.

"How can that be! You left, and your classmates still have no idea what I've done to you!" Xu Yizhong remained motionless

Xiao Yang held Qian Chen in his arms, feeling sorry for her as she struggled to catch her breath after climbing seven flights of stairs. He looked at Yao Yu with helplessness: "Miss, do you have any idea how much chaos you have caused? President Xu drove to pick you up but couldn't find anyone on the mountain road after searching for a long time! It was terrifying."

Upon hearing her mother say just a few words, Yao Yu couldn't help but shed tears. It was inappropriate to say much in front of outsiders. After hanging up the phone, she felt a tightness in her chest. She could no longer bear to listen to Xu Yi's reprimands and coldly retorted, "This is my family matter; isn't Manager Xu being a bit too nosy?"

As they approached the city center, Xu Yizhong happened to turn the car around and head up. He glanced at the black car that passed by him and then drove on.

Xu Yizhong was blocked from returning, and his tone became stiff: "As children, we must be filial; filial piety is to be obedient! Your mother is in a bad mood, how could you just hang up the phone? How upset would the elderly feel?"

I know that Qianchen and I have a good relationship with Huian, and Huian does not have the habit of whispering sweet nothings. Yao Yu's tone remained calm.

Xu Yizhong believes in a saying: there are no fish without thorns, just as there are no people without flaws. Reflecting on this can lead to wisdom. He thought about Yao Yu's words and found some truth in them. Firstly, there must be something between Yao Yu and Du Lei, which is why she spoke about her behind her back. As for involving himself, he indeed had the intention of inviting her to drink at that time. Secondly, he vaguely heard the sound of Yao Yu's mother sobbing from the phone; she certainly did not want an outsider like him to know about her family's affairs when she hung up on her mother. His spontaneous remark was indeed a bit intrusive, and to say that she was unfilial was also somewhat excessive.

Qian Chen let out a sigh of relief, noticing that Xu Yi and Zhong Yao Yu's expressions soured at the mention of Xu Yi. He quickly replied, "Alright, we will do it as soon as possible. You should get some rest. Hui An is also anxious; she is downstairs with her husband. We will take our leave now"

Xu Yizhong called Zhang Lingshan: "Shanzi, you all sit tight, I will see Miss Yao off, she has an urgent matter at home. Well, I will come over early! Alright, I will hang up now"

At this moment, Xu Yizhong was extremely anxious. He ran along the mountain road again, feeling completely disheartened, and then went to Qingde Hotpot. Zhang Lingshan and the other three were enjoying their meal. Seeing his poor complexion as he walked in, they asked, "What happened at Xiaoyu's house? Did her parents come from City B?"

"Wait a moment, I will change my clothes and greet Hui'an. It's not easy to meet today." Yao Yu quickly went back to change her clothes. When she stepped out, she couldn't help but laugh upon seeing Qian Chen and Xiao Yang.

Hui An said: "In this way, we have also eaten quite a bit, it is just that General Xu..."

Xu Yizhong did not believe it at all. If they were just ordinary classmates, he would not have overheard Yao Yu mocking Du Lei and himself that night at the hot spring resort. "Is that so? I thought you two had some deep-seated grudge against each other. Miss Yao, I arrived earlier than you and Miss Tao that day, and I accidentally overheard your private conversation. I truly apologize, but I must say that what you said made me quite uncomfortable, which is why I left.

Xu Yi felt a surge of anger within him. How could this girl speak ill of others behind their backs and still feel justified? It was as if she was apologizing only because of this connection. She was truly ungrateful! Just as he was about to reprimand her, Yao Yu's phone rang.

Xiao Yang, with a good-natured smile, led Qian Chen out.

After knocking on the door for a long time, Qianchen and Xiaoyang finally caught the attention of Yao Yu, who was still in a daze. Wearing slippers and with sleepy eyes, she opened the door and looked in surprise at Qianchen, who was on the verge of tears, and asked, "What is it? Qianchen?"

The car was very quiet, and Xu Yizhong faintly heard the sound of sobbing from the other end of the phone. Yao Yu knew he had heard it and directly hung up the phone.

Two cars headed straight for Qingde Hotpot at Xishan. It is an authentic Chongqing hotpot restaurant that has been in operation for many years, growing larger over time. Eventually, it secured a piece of land at the foot of Xishan and transformed it into a garden-style environment. It is one of the top high-end hotpot restaurants in City A

Yao Yu suddenly perked up. After getting into the car, she had not spoken to Xu Yizhong. Hearing him ask Du Lei as soon as he opened his mouth, alarm bells rang in her mind, and she replied calmly, "We don't quite get along in terms of personality; we are just ordinary classmates."

He turned the car around to chase after Yao Yu, glanced at the quiet, deserted highway beside him, and felt a bit regretful for letting a young girl walk back to the city alone. He stepped hard on the accelerator to speed up, and before 10 o'clock, he had completed this stretch of road. However, he did not see any sign of Yao Yu on the way.