Chapter 10

And Ye Zhao Jue, what about your love?

Min Lang was determined to temporarily disregard her attitude. He remembered the purpose of this trip; he was not here to seek peace, nor was he going to humbly beg Qiao Chu to forgive him. Given his character, whether Qiao Chu could forgive him was not something he cared about that much

Then, my grandmother passed away. When it comes to this sentence, Min Lang's voice was particularly soft.

On sleepless nights, Ye Zhao Jue sometimes engages in activities that many girls have done or are about to do, such as opening certain social media apps, locating Jian Chen Ye's account, and following this lead to unravel the threads until finding the account of his current girlfriend, peering into the life of that stranger through the internet

The candid conversations in the deep of night... always emerge from memory when she drags her weary body home

I was raised by my grandmother, and there are many things the elderly wish to manage but are unable to, perhaps feeling powerless. When I was in my teens, I no longer wanted to stay in school; I wanted to earn money, play music, and do things I enjoyed. Sometimes I would skip class to play basketball, ride my bike, or learn the guitar. Xu Wanlai would ask the teacher for leave as well, and she would skip class to look for me everywhere

He gazed calmly at Qiao Chu, who finally no longer avoided his gaze

The young lady appeared quite youthful, as if she had just graduated from school, yet her demeanor was very sincere. She began by delivering a lengthy introduction about her company, listing various data points, and providing numerous examples, such as "After collaborating with us, the revenue of × × × increased several times in the first month, and for × × ×, the business was so good that they even hired several waitstaff"

Min Lang has sought her out several times; although she has consistently ignored him, she can probably guess what he wants to say. The back and forth is nothing more than the same few clichéd phrases: I am sorry, I love you too, but I have no way out.

It is a long story... Although Su Qin usually behaves as if she disregards social hierarchies, often mocking and "critiquing" Qi Tang, deep down, she actually admires her boss very much. "Moreover, he is not short of money; his family background is not to be mentioned, and the company he sold in his early years also brought in a substantial amount of assets, along with various investment projects..."

Thinking of this, Ye Zhao Jue took out his phone and dialed the number on the business card.

How can they be so confident? What if they do not win? What if they do not even place third?

That aunt endured for a long time, but ultimately she still left, because her husband, in order to pay off his gambling debts, actually went so far as to crazily steal the tuition money for their own child.

She does not quite remember how they reconciled later, only that Min Lang indeed said that he loved her, and then told her not to take it to heart

"Qiao Chu." A person stood leaning against the wall a few meters away; this voice was familiar to both Ye Zhao Jue and Qiao Chu

After closing the shop, the two of them decided to go watch a movie together

Ye Zhao Jue then realized that Qi Tang understood her life very thoroughly, while she knew very little about his world: "So he has so many other matters to attend to."

However, can we not do it this way

Qiao Chubai glanced at her and thought: I still do not understand what you mean

However, Min Lang was unaware of the myriad changes in Qiao Chu's heart in that fleeting moment, as the ice and snow melted away

Qiao Chu stood up, clearly adopting a posture of seeing off a guest

She began to think seriously about whether those beautiful women who liked Qi Tang were willing to accept the risk of possibly being broken up with at any time, and whether being with him might not solely be due to his appearance and wealth

Just as plants grow towards the light, people naturally gravitate towards those things and individuals they admire and long for

In the blink of an eye, he realized that it was a knife

Like a bar of handmade soap with a milky fragrance, used a little today, a little tomorrow, gradually diminishing bit by bit, not knowing which day it will be completely consumed

Her husband is addicted to gambling, and unfortunately, he loses every time he bets. Over the years, the already meager family finances have been completely depleted, making it difficult to even cover basic daily expenses

When she thought of this, a profound emptiness followed, and then the image of Qi Tang emerged in her mind

The force on the tip of the knife is gradually intensifying, carrying a lethal intensity that could directly sever life. Yet, he is not afraid; in fact, he even feels that if she truly has the resolve to act, it would be fair, and it would be his repayment to her.

This point has been vividly demonstrated since her childhood. Every time she sees characters in comics or TV dramas solemnly declaring, "I will definitely defeat you" or "The championship will definitely be mine," Ye Zhao Jue feels a sense of embarrassment, a kind of unfounded anxiety.

The sound of knives and forks scraping against the plate, along with his serious expression, makes her feel as if those moments happened just yesterday whenever she recalls those scenes

The sorrow in her heart transformed into hatred, directed at herself

My mind is made up, and nothing will change after you have finished speaking

The passing of his grandmother facilitated his reconciliation with Xu Wankai

At this moment, Qiao Chu's mind is on other matters. She cheerfully stated, "It's fine, I still have money for meals, you can use it where it is needed first."

Between the two grand propositions of love and indifference, there exist numerous complex emotions, both profound and superficial, that are often overlooked. Qiao Chu understands that she is merely weary.

They fell in love, where did they go together, what did they buy, what movie did they watch, what information is she interested in, does she have any favorite stars

You misunderstood. Min Lang's tone was surprisingly gentle, a kind of gentleness that signified bidding farewell to certain aspects of life. I am not seeking anything; on the contrary, it is time to let go.

So what should we do this time? Should we reconcile again? Share a bed, make love, and erase the past with a single stroke?

"Since she is so important to you..." Qiao Chu steeled herself and spoke insincerely, "Then don't waste any more time, both yours and mine. Can you be a little more resolute? Go pursue what you truly desire"

Min Lang emerged from the darkness, looking somewhat haggard under the light: "It has been so long, and you still haven't calmed down?"

Rationality is in short supply, and the room seems to be filled with a ghostly aura that lures her in. Everywhere her gaze falls, there are deadly weapons.

Ye Zhaoju knew that Su Qin and Qi Tang were absolutely innocent, yet when Su Qin spoke of these matters, her eyes were also shining with light

Qiao Chu sat a bit far from him, and her voice seemed to come from a distant place to his ears

Every time she finds me, she neither rushes me nor scolds me; she just stands alone by the court or in front of someone else's shop, waiting for me like a mute. Whenever she appears, everyone starts to tease me, you know, boys are most afraid of losing face, so I often act fierce in front of everyone and tell her not to pay attention to me

She did not just meet the person in front of her today; she had already seen through his despicable, selfish, and evasive nature in matters of emotion long ago

His gaze fell into an endless past: "This is not a very complicated story. She has been an outstanding student since childhood, just like Jian Chenye. Among the three of us, only I did not enjoy studying. We all learned to paint together, and I was the only one who gave up halfway.

Qiao Chu was taken aback, what does this mean

The aunt cried and told others many times before moving out of the yard: "He always said it was the last time, that he would definitely change, and I believed him every time"

Later, she decided to study abroad; by that time, I had already decided not to continue my studies... He spoke these words with a self-deprecating tone. Although it was quite awkward, the reality was undeniable. Her family background was not particularly good; her parents worked hard to support her going abroad. Perhaps because of this, she felt a lot of psychological pressure and had always been particularly diligent, striving to be first in everything.

Is this repentance, or atonement, or perhaps neither? Is there even a one in ten thousand chance that this is the "love" you speak of?

In the past, she was not particularly fond of smiling, but it was certainly better than now. Currently, Ye Zhao Jue has noticed that there is often a heavy sadness on her face.

Min Lang has finished speaking

Thus, she only engages in what she is capable of, making her utmost effort to excel in those tasks, without proactively challenging all high difficulties. Breaking records and creating new historical records are left to the geniuses; she is merely an ordinary individual, so ordinary that she cannot be more so. The various challenges that fate throws at her, particularly the issue of 'poverty,' are already enough to give her a headache.

She drew a line in her heart, stipulating that she must not cross it

On New Year's Eve, in the white ash, Xu Wanlai made her first appearance. Min Lang said to her: "This is Qiao Chu, a friend of mine"

She maintained that polite smile, as if receiving an old friend or relative with whom she had not been in contact for many years, and she turned a deaf ear to the request made by Min Lang

But this is too unfair to you, another voice said to her, just as her will was beginning to soften.

Qiao Chu looked up at him; she now resembled an abandoned little animal, which made Min Lang feel somewhat sad

Qiao Chu lay limp in Min Lang's embrace, tightly closing her eyes

It is quite strange that whenever Qiao Chu recalls that night, what stands out the most is not how sad and upset she was, nor how impatient Min Lang was, but rather those stiletto heels and the gigantic burger that nearly made her throw up

In recent days, she has been holding onto this breath, and life has not been easy. With just a moment of distraction, Min Lang's image and smile would appear in her mind. Once, while she was collecting money in the store, she saw a boy's hand that resembled Min Lang's hand—slender, fair, and very attractive—and she was lost in thought for quite a while.

However, this small shop carries the significant meaning of her desire to improve her life, so she must seriously think of a way.

When she spoke to Qiao Chu about this matter, she felt a bit embarrassed: "I originally intended to return this little bit of money I earned to you first, but now the situation has changed a bit..."

Ye Zhao felt a bit worried as she looked at Qiao Chu, mouthing a few words: "Have a good talk." Qiao Chu responded with that familiar smile that conveyed "I know what I'm doing," and gestured to her: "You should head back now, dear."

She is as cold as iron, and as despondent as death, yet she is still a person with flesh, blood, and feelings. She simply cannot bear to see Min Lang deeply reminiscing about his youthful past in front of her, constantly recalling someone who is even more selfish than he is.

A girl who is both so intelligent and so worldly, the best and only way she could think of at that time

Yet each time, she skillfully evaded his gaze, either looking out the window, or at Ye Zhao Jue, or simply lowering her head; in short, she was unwilling to look at him.

She took out her phone from her bag and glanced at it, her expression showing a subtle change, but she did not answer. Instead, she switched it to silent mode and put the phone back in her bag

Her face was both sorrowful and fierce, and she clenched her teeth tightly to prevent herself from crying out

With that, he had nothing more to add. He embraced her, thinking that perhaps he would never have the chance to hold her like this again

When the women in the yard gathered together to discuss their family, they often said that the aunt was foolish, and that anyone else would have divorced long ago.

Compared to himself, a small-town citizen who is solely focused on his money jar, that girl is clearly much more suited for him, and Ye Zhao felt very convinced of this

Love will not make your shortcomings disappear, but love will enable me to accept the less bright parts of your life

It cannot be considered as such... The mountains appeared hazy in Qiao Chu's eyes, and she was unsure of the precise way to express it. After pondering for a moment, she shook her head and said, "Leave it to fate."

Absurd to the extreme, dark humor

Once, I was particularly despicable, speaking in a very harsh tone, telling her to get lost. She couldn't stand it and started arguing with me while crying in front of everyone. To this day, I still remember the words she said.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Chu unconsciously squinted his eyes, feeling a tinge of pity

The movie is definitely not going to happen, and Ye Zhaoju quickly expressed that he had something to attend to and needed to leave first. Qiao Chu appeared indifferent on the surface, yet she firmly held onto Ye Zhaoju's arm without the slightest intention of letting go: "What is it that you need to do? Am I not aware of you?"

Ye Zhao Jue turned on the faucet to rinse the lunchbox, quietly contemplating that this matter could not be altered by Min Lang's subjective will. If it were possible, he should wish to be liberated from this relationship more than anyone else.

However, Ye Zhaoju did not have much time to sort out her friend's emotional disputes, as she had more pressing matters at hand

However, the relationship among us has always been very good, and everyone knows that I like her

Several times along the way, Min Lang slightly turned his head, wanting to establish eye contact with Qiao Chu

The more Ye Zhao felt, the colder his heart became

What to drink?" Qiao Chu changed into her loungewear, tied up her hair, and without any makeup, she looked like a student in her early twenties. She opened the refrigerator, "There is no cola, and the alcohol is gone. Is canned juice okay?"

It seems that something is amiss, yet she does not dare to, nor is she willing to think further about it

No need, plain water will suffice. Min Lang felt his throat tighten

Thus, love, at times, truly seems to be devoid of meaning

"Qiao Chu, please do not act this way." Min Lang felt very awkward and uncomfortable because of her. He knew that everything was a result of his own actions, but the disparity was too great, and he could not adapt to it in an instant

"Alright, please wait a moment." Qiao Chu smiled, took a disposable cup from the storage cabinet, filled it with drinking water, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Min Lang. "If you have something to say, go ahead, I'm quite tired."

No one is perfect; I have known these four characters since childhood, but it was only when I fell in love with you that I truly accepted this reality in its genuine sense

However, I cannot make a sound; I fear that if I open my mouth, I will burst into tears.

There is a business card in the drawer of the office, which was left by a salesperson from a group buying website last week

She originally did not want to listen to Min Lang's meaningless nonsense, but since he was here and said he had something to say, let him speak

One should be open and unashamed even in being despicable; this is his principle

At that moment, Qiao Chu's phone rang

As for me, I am completely the opposite of her: unambitious, lacking goals, drifting along with the current; even a fool knows that the two of us will not have much intersection in the future

Is it that we only complicate simple matters, or is it that human nature is inherently complex

Love is truly incredible

After all these years, the lonely youth still has a part of himself lingering in the darkness. Regarding the most painful chapter of his life, he is unwilling to touch it lightly, let alone reveal the slightest hint of vulnerability because of it

However, there is an old saying that she reminds herself of ten times every night before falling asleep: it is better to endure short pain than long pain

She pessimistically believes that if Qiao Chu continues to yield and show weakness, it does not necessarily mean that she will ultimately achieve a satisfactory outcome

Her competitive nature, at such a critical moment, made her set aside her studies and professional courses, wholeheartedly prioritizing him instead

Run the store well, sell a few more rice balls every day, and pay back the money owed to Qiao Chu as soon as possible. This is all that her not-so-smart mind has calculated. As for love, I have also had love with Jian Chenye, but so what

Looking back, I cannot even respect myself

Before meeting her, he thought for a long time, his thoughts were clear and well-organized, but upon seeing her so indifferent, he suddenly did not know where to start the conversation

Min Lang clearly sensed the atmosphere deliberately created by Qiao Chu. She had never spoken to him this way before; it appeared to be polite, but in reality, it was a way to keep him at a distance.

Strangeness, alienation, sense of distance

"Min Lang." Qiao Chu's voice seemed to emanate from his chest, "What do you say, should I just kill you?"

Su Qin is truly uncalculating: "Yes, I have been with him for many years." Oh, it sounds somewhat ambiguous; Ye Zhao's thoughts are really unhealthy. Su Qin continued, "He studied finance and communication, and in the early days, he mainly worked in finance-related fields. Initially, I worked as an HR at the investment company where he held shares, and later, when this company was short-staffed, he transferred me over.

Qiao Chu pretended not to have heard.

She checked the ingredients in the refrigerator, turned off the lights, locked the store door, slung her eco-friendly bag over her shoulder, and leisurely walked towards the bus station to catch the last bus home

A person who comes from a wealthy family yet does not rely on their family background, a person who could indulge in pleasures yet remains diligent and down-to-earth, such a person is indeed quite ... ... annoying

"You should go out and have fun more often when you have the time," Ye Zhao Jue said in a deliberately casual tone as they walked home hand in hand that evening. "Are you worried that I won't pay you back for always doing free work for me?"

Coming from a well-off family, possessing a refined appearance, and having some literary cultivation, she is truly the ideal romantic partner that fate has tailored for Jian Chenye

At that time, Ye Zhao Jue was busy making rice balls and did not concentrate on listening carefully, merely accepting the other party's business card

Emotions have reached a critical juncture of life and death

On weekdays, there are not many customers in the store

At times, the surrender of the body is merely to soothe a lonely soul

I miss him, but I can no longer turn back

The clear and pure days of youth, the fleeting years of adolescence that will never return, love was experienced, of course, deeply and profoundly, irreplaceably loved, but how did those times specifically fade away from life day by day

Ye Zhao Jue packed the rice balls that Su Qin wanted and looked up to ask: "Hmm?"

No one knows what happened that afternoon in the attic, and many years later, when Min Lang confessed everything to Qiao Chu, he still held back some feelings deep within his heart

Since that night when Min Lang pushed her away in front of Xu Wan and she slapped him, she has been disheartened

A sound of a very light yet very heavy impact was made as the letter opener in her hand fell onto the wooden floor

Being lonely is not that frightening after all, she thought, as her gaze turned towards the direction from which the bus was about to arrive

That was their most innocent moment, with tender and soft emotions, and clumsy and awkward bodies

Min Langtai valued Xu Wan's arrival as if he owed her too much in a past life, valuing her in an unreasonable and selfless manner

Ye Zhao observed Qiao Chu from head to toe, unable to pinpoint exactly what had changed about her, yet it was evident that she was genuinely happy.

Ye Zhaoju thought for a moment and felt that Qiao Chu's current situation was somewhat reminiscent of an aunt from her childhood courtyard

The gossip-loving Su Qin was still saying: "This company originally belonged to a friend of his, but later that person fell seriously ill, so Qi Tang took over to run it. As for his character, since he wants to do it, he must do it well. Sometimes he works overtime with us, and we jokingly say: 'You're just playing around, why are you working so hard?' Do you know what he said in response?"

Ye Zhao Jue stood in the corridor for a while before entering the room, feeling somewhat worried; these two fellows are truly a cause for concern

He said, one must play seriously. Su Qin took over the pile of packed boxes, as she was about to exhaust her lifetime quota of rice balls, and said, Keep the money safe, I am leaving

"Min Lang, if you are willing to willingly fall from grace, it is beyond my control..." The teenager Xu Wanlai, with a still youthful face, sporting a student haircut and dressed in a blue and white school uniform, cried as she said, "In any case, how you live your life in the future has nothing to do with me."

It seemed like casual conversation, yet with a hint of curiosity; Ye Zhao felt that, well, she was a bit too scheming

I have known Xu Wanlai for nearly twenty years

Xu Wan clearly pointed out their respective futures, and from that moment on, his youth came to an end

Min Lang stood up; he had nearly finished what he wanted to say, with only the concluding remarks remaining

Min Lang felt a sinking sensation in his heart; it seemed that the situation was even worse than he had anticipated

For Min Lang, that day was of extraordinary significance

However, it was not until much later that Min Lang understood that the true significance of that afternoon was not that he had gained her; on the contrary, it was the beginning of his complete loss of her

The streetlight elongated her shadow, and when mixed with the chaotic shadows of the nearby tree branches, the patterns on the ground resembled extraterrestrial beings from a movie

Qi Tang has recently been rarely seen, but Su Qin, who comes on imperial orders, still appears very frequently. From her words, it can be inferred that Qi Tang has been extremely busy flying around and has many matters to attend to

Indeed, every time I think it is the last time, until I face the true final deadline

She turned to look at Min Lang, raised her eyebrows, and wore an expression of apology

Her expression is indifferent, neither sad nor pained, but rather a profound sense of confusion. What should I do? I love you so much, yet I have no control over this "love." What can I do?

Countless questions fell from the sky, striking down indiscriminately. Qiao Chu's lips moved slightly. Does that method really exist

Recently, Qiao Chu has been coming less often, probably because he has been going to the lime more frequently. Not long ago, we always returned home together, but now Ye Zhao Jue has returned to a solitary state once again.

She chuckled softly, with a hint of self-mockery; regardless, everything that Qi Tang possesses has nothing to do with me

Qiao Chu, I ... ... '' Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a sharp weapon pressed against his back

After some fragmented inquiries, Ye Zhao realized that, as the salesperson had mentioned, many of the stores collaborating with them had decided to continue their long-term partnership due to a significant increase in profits

But what about me? A voice deep within her softly asks, what about my feelings and dignity

The rarer the thing, the more one should only take a taste, lest getting too close leads one to reach out and take more than is appropriate

Business fluctuates between good and bad, and there is still a significant gap from her preset goals. If she wishes to pay off the debts within the planned timeframe and subsequently turn a profit, given the current profit margins, it seems that this will still be quite challenging

"No matter what, just ask..." She listened to the "beep beep" sound on the other end, as if encouraging and comforting herself, "Asking doesn't cost anything."

Then, let's give it a try

They gazed at each other, sorrow permeating every corner of the room like evaporating alcohol, present in the stillness and movement of their breaths

It was only today that she understood he had merely fallen into the abyss between the past and reality, bearing his own grievances and innocence

If it was reasonable for Qiao Chu to spend most of his time here helping out in the early stages of opening the store, then after nearly a quarter has passed, with Ye Zhao already adept at managing things, Qiao Chu's continued presence almost every day becomes quite evident in its intention

Ye Zhao Jue could clearly feel that compared to the Qiao Chu he initially knew, she had changed significantly now

After the first quarter, she conducted a financial review, and the results were not very satisfactory

Qiao Chu, he could not predict what would happen next, but at this moment he expressed his truest thoughts, "Qiao Chu, we will definitely find a way to ensure that neither of us loses the other"

How she and Jian Chenye arrived at this point is something she herself can hardly recall

In retrospect, if what that girl said is true, it would indeed be a form of collaboration worth serious consideration

After Su Qin had left for a long time, Ye Zhao Jue was still lost in a daze, unable to regain his senses

She glared at him, her intensity seemingly capable of boring a hole through his face.

Upon returning to the apartment, as Qiao Chu opened the door, Min Lang rushed in ahead.

Qiao Chu is still very beautiful when she smiles, but what she says makes one feel a bit heartbroken: "I don't know where to go for fun."

In the taxi on the way back, Min Lang sat in the front seat, while Ye Zhao Jue and Qiao Chu sat together in the back seat. The atmosphere in the small cabin was tense, with no one speaking, only the radio broadcasting a continuous cacophony of noise.

Min Lang also said: "I would like to have a good talk with you"

Qiao Chu listened quietly, without interrupting at all

In a time and space unknown to Gu Jialuo, Ye Zhao Jue completed all reconnaissance within his capabilities

Ah, is this company making more money now? From Ye Zhaoju's perspective, isn't this a case of losing big for the sake of small gains?

He is aware that he is not a person of emotional responsibility, but there are some matters that must be explained, and some words that must be made clear

She learned the name of the girl in the photo, a freelancer who occasionally helps others with photography, sometimes creates small illustrations, or makes some handcrafted art pieces

Inquire whether it is indeed free of charge, but once the collaboration is confirmed, financial investment will be required

Min Lang held her, remaining completely still

Min Lang looked at Qiao Chu's profile, remaining silent

"Qiao Chu, you probably won't forgive me again; I understand what 'spilled water cannot be retrieved' means." Min Lang extended his hand, gently caressing her smooth face, his voice growing softer, "I love you, but it seems that I love you a bit too shamelessly."

Ye Zhao Jue was wolfing down his food while taking a moment to inquire about Qiao Chu's romantic progress: "So, you and Min Lang are back together now?"

What exactly is similar between these two matters, Ye Zhao Jue could not articulate at the moment; perhaps it is that they both evade the inertia inherent in human nature

"My stomach hurts, and I want to go home to rest," Ye Zhao said, telling a small lie. "Then you two accompany me back home."

The most important thing is, why do I love you so much

She does not even look at Min Lang when she speaks

She vaguely understood that Min Lang's intention in mentioning these past events was merely to make her comprehend the nature of his connection with Xu Wanlai, hoping that she could forgive him for repeatedly neglecting, belittling, and hurting her because of Xu Wanlai.

Tired of this back-and-forth torment between us

She believes that her greatest strength is her exceptional self-awareness and her ability to avoid daydreaming

This is not the first time she has shed tears in front of him