VOL.1

Like in the past when I had not yet smoked, I wonder how you have changed

It seems like I have waited for a hundred years, and suddenly I understand that even if we meet again, performing maturely is not as good as not seeing each other at all

Eason Chan's "Better Not to Meet"

His expression darkened, yet he was at a loss for words. What she said was indeed the truth. Wang Shuimo had been smiling all along: "I thought you had some conditions. You are merely afraid that your brother will find out about your past with me. Afraid that if I really end up with him..." After a brief pause, she provocatively continued, "Why should I agree to you, Yan Baiyao? I intend to date your brother, what can you do about it?"

As the door opened, Wang Shuimo's feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, unable to move. Inside was a lavish and exquisite room, and he stood far away by the window, so distant and unattainable. He could not possibly be unaware of her arrival, yet he did not turn around, leaving her only with his back.

During the process of searching for clothes, Wang Shuimo's lips unconsciously curled into a faint smile. Having slimmed down, she found that everything she wore felt loose and empty. After picking and choosing, she ultimately selected a white dress

But she does not, and she will never do so! She, like him, possesses the same pride and stubbornness!

He scrutinized her without moving, yet there was not a trace of anything she had once known in his gaze: "I can lend money to your father"

The manager stopped at the entrance of the two English-style carved doors, gently knocked on the door, and said: "Mr. Yan, Miss Wang has arrived"

Wang Shui Mo dazedly put down the phone, taking a long time to regain his senses. He called to invite her out; although his tone was as cold as broken jade, deep down, she still inexplicably harbored a faint sense of anticipation.

Yan Baiyao turned around and smiled ambiguously: "Even if you ask me for help, I may not assist you. However, today, for the sake of my cousin, I will help you this once. But there is a condition—" People often speak insincerely and act against their true feelings. Yan Baiyao did not understand why he was being so undignified; all he knew was that only by speaking harshly to her could the resentment in his heart be somewhat alleviated, allowing him to feel a bit more at ease.

Every time they argue, it is always tumultuous. He loves her, yet he is constantly provoked into anger by her. As for her, she is never willing to back down, and the two are at odds, resulting in mutual destruction. However, this time is peculiar; she seems to have been struck at a sensitive spot and is unable to retort. He should feel triumphant, should be happy, yet Yan Baiyao feels no sense of joy at all—he almost regrets saying it as soon as the words leave his mouth

Seeing him standing there in silence, Wang Shuimo turned and walked step by step towards the door. She had still miscalculated; he was here today to witness her embarrassment. Was he here to let her know how successful he had become today? Or was it to make her regret having easily broken up with him in her youth?

It felt as if a sharp knife had been plunged into her body, stirring incessantly, and Wang Shui Mo felt that every organ within her was crying out in pain. Yet she could still smile. With a smile, she gazed directly into his eyes: "Yan Bai Yao, so you still remember! I thought you had forgotten, the one who destroyed my innocence was you"

Wang Shuimo stepped out the door, this time without looking back. She was very clear, very aware, and even certain that there was no longer any need to look back.

Wang Shuimo only felt like she was a zombie, how she managed to walk out, how she hailed a taxi, how she got into the car, in her memory there was completely a blank.

That year, she went out with her bag, and at the moment she closed the door, she turned back to glance at him. He, too, was the same back then, leaving only a silhouette for her—without turning back, nor calling out to keep her, allowing her to leave. His silhouette became the final conclusion between the two, after which there was only a blank space, so much so that in her later memories, his silhouette seemed to be frozen in time, always appearing. The difference was that he used to always wear a T-shirt, allowing her to recklessly tug, pull, and bite, even wiping her tears and snot on it when she cried. His silhouette became the final conclusion between the two, after which there was only a blank space, so much so that in her later memories, his silhouette seemed to be frozen in time, always appearing. The difference was that he used to always wear a T-shirt, allowing her to recklessly tug, pull, and bite, even wiping her tears and snot on it when she cried. But the person before her was already a successful individual, dressed in a suit, sharp and capable. And she could only watch him from a distance, just like everyone else, far away, looking up.

From his perspective, he could clearly see her long and thick eyelashes fluttering like two delicate little fans. Yan Baiyao's heart suddenly trembled, as memories from the past rushed in. When he helped her put on the ring back then, she was just the same, her eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a dancing butterfly. The words he had intended to say next inexplicably lodged in his throat, and he could no longer continue speaking fluently.

After a long while, Yan Baiyao slowly turned around. He pointed to the European-style sofa beside him and said, "Please have a seat!" His tone was polite yet distant, reflecting the etiquette of a scion from a prestigious family

Yan Baiyao stared intently at her face. He found that time had left no trace upon it; it remained as delicate and smooth as he remembered. His hands and lips faintly recalled that soft and smooth sensation. It was astonishing that someone who had given birth could still appear so young, with not a hint of age visible. Perhaps it was precisely for this reason that Yu Baitian felt a stirring desire.

Wang Shuimo's heart had long since turned to ice. He said that even if she begged him, he might not help her. He did not need to say it; she already knew. But when he spoke those words, they were a hundred times more hurtful than she had anticipated. Just when she thought she would no longer be hurt, she still felt the pain as if her heart were being cut by a knife

Wang Shuimo finally looked up and met his gaze: "Mr. Yan, do you mean to say—"

The two remained silent, just like the soundless air in this space. Since he had called her here, he must have something to say. However, this tranquility involuntarily reminded Wang Shuimo of the day they broke up, which was also like this, so quiet that it made one uneasy

The driver asked several times, "Where are you going?" but no one answered. ... When the driver turned around, he saw the passenger in the back, tears streaming down their face, unable to speak: "Anywhere!" As long as it is away from this place, away from him, as far away as possible

Wang Shui Mo's heart trembled; she knew he had this capability. His family, the Cheng Group, has a vast range of interests, and the financial industry is just one of them. Moreover, he is fully responsible for the banking and finance sector. However, he would not help her, nor did he have any reason to do so. Since their reunion, he has completely ignored her, treating her with cold words and indifference, not even offering the most basic greeting, "How have you been lately?" He has long regarded her as a stranger, even more so than a stranger. Perhaps over the years, he has had too many girlfriends, and for someone like her, who lacks both beauty and figure, and who did not leave him with many fond memories during their time together, it is already a blessing that he can still remember her.

His voice echoed from within, soft and distant: "Please let her in!" The duty manager immediately and respectfully opened the door for her.

Wang Shui Mo stood quietly, listening intently as he finished expressing his thoughts. Since he understood the situation so thoroughly and had specifically called her over, it was likely that he had a particular purpose in mind, rather than simply wanting to see her reaction to the matter. After several years apart, he had indeed become a person who spoke in business terms, a true new elite in the marketplace. Indeed, very impressive; she should applaud him for this!

She also knows that he can help her. However, knowing is one thing, and asking him for help is another. She has no capital, no reason to ask him for assistance. She would never open her mouth to request his help, not now, nor ever.

The two remained silent, as if even the air had ceased to flow. Wang Shuimo exerted all her strength to pinch the palm of her hand, feeling a slight sting, as if this was the only way to regain a semblance of control over herself. After a while, she finally found the strength to speak: "Alright, Yan Baiyao, I agree to your terms!"

Wang Shuimo did not want to show weakness, nor could she afford to show weakness, as she stubbornly lifted her head and said: "I have no interest in your conditions, please let me go!"

Wang Shuimo said softly: "Mr. Yan, I have never thought of asking you for help!" If in this lifetime it is destined that he owes her, then she will make him owe her for a lifetime, forever indebted to her

Yan Baiyao's gaze remained fixed on his empty palm, and only when her hand touched the doorknob did he seem to awaken from a dream, saying: "Do not provoke my cousin! From now on, do not meet him alone, and absolutely do not develop any relationship. This is the only condition!" At the doorway, Wang Shuimo halted her steps.

It seems she is moved. Yan Baiyao smiled coldly, stepping closer to her: "This condition should not be difficult for you at all. Without Yu Bai Tian, you can find any other man. Moreover, I can responsibly tell you that even if you develop anything with my cousin, it would be impossible for you to enter my uncle's house. Not to mention the high standards my uncle's family has for the woman, but just the fact that you lack a clean family background makes you unqualified. In other words, even if you are with my cousin, there would be no benefits; it would be better to let go! Not to mention the high standards my uncle's family has for the woman, but just the fact that you lack a clean family background makes you unqualified. In other words, even if you are with my cousin, there would be no benefits; it would be better to let go! Agree to my conditions, I believe you are a smart person!"

Wang Shuimo lowered her eyelids and asked: "What conditions?"

Yan Baiyao suddenly took a few steps forward and grabbed her. Her frail arms seemed to have nothing but bones: "Are you leaving without hearing my conditions to the end?"

He was once again provoked by her, just like in the past. Yan Baiyao's face turned ashen, and he coldly and ruthlessly retorted: "In this world, paper can never fully contain fire. Do you think that no one in our country knows about your having given birth abroad? You can't possibly think that our family would be generous enough to take on someone else's unwanted burden! I advise you to open your eyes wide."

The door slowly closed in front of Yan Baiyao, and he angrily struck the sofa with his fist. Why was it that every time he encountered her, he felt as if he had returned to the past, acting impulsively and uncontrollably? Wasn't he supposed to communicate with her properly today, to let go of their misunderstandings, and part ways amicably?

So many years have passed, yet she still clearly remembers the first time he asked her out, as they walked along the street. That stretch of road was originally quite long, but on that day, she felt it was too short. However, in the blink of an eye, so many years have gone by, with so many events in between. Looking back now, it seems as if all the happiness of a lifetime was exhausted at that moment

The feeling of irritation surged once again, and Yan Baiyao's hand clenched into a fist unconsciously. He turned around, not wanting her to interfere with his emotions any longer. Once he had calmed down slightly, he finally spoke: "The main reason I called you here today is for one matter..." At this point, he deliberately paused for a few seconds and continued, "Regarding your father's loan. I believe that even without my explanation, you should have some understanding of your father's current situation. Given the scale of his company and the guarantees in place, it is simply impossible for him to raise such a large sum of money from the bank. Even if he stays in Luohai and continues to cultivate relationships with various banks, the responses he receives will still be the same. For a businessman, conducting business is not as simple as just building relationships!"

In the past, she had a round face with round eyes. However, he possessed a unique aesthetic, appreciating her chubby figure and affectionately calling her "little pig." In fact, there were times when she felt that she resembled a little pig, being so fond of sleeping and being a super foodie. What she disliked the most was that every time she exclaimed about wanting to lose weight, he would buy enticing snacks in large and small packages to tempt her

Upon arriving at the agreed location, a person who appeared to be a manager was already waiting at the door. Upon hearing her name, he politely said, "Miss Wang, this way please!" Wang Shuimo tightened her grip on her handbag.

Wang Shuimo did not move; she opened her mouth to inquire, "May I ask what Mr. Yan wants to see me about?"

In these past few days, Yan Baiyao had thought countless times about what he would do if she came to him and asked for help. However, in the end, he could not reach any concrete conclusion. He vaguely knew that deep down, he could not resist her request—no matter how much she had wronged him, he still could not bear to refuse her.

Wang Shuimo seemed to be pierced by a sharp blade, her face instantly turning a deathly pale, and her whole body swayed as if about to collapse. She staggered backward several steps, retreating continuously until she bumped into the sofa, leaning against its back, which provided her with a semblance of support. She also smiled, her voice hoarse and barely audible, like a wisp of smoke carried away by the wind: "dragging a burden... dragging a burden..."