Chapter 3, First Encounter

She nodded, realizing at that moment that her father had not told her the other person's name at all

After Liang Yuchen left, she stood alone by the window looking outside. She had always thought that being alone in the world was particularly comfortable, but now that she was truly alone, she did not feel at ease at all. Instead, she found herself engulfed in an unprecedented sense of profound loneliness.

Hello? The voice of Liang Yuchan came through the phone, consistently deep and cold, lacking a tone that could evoke warmth. Yet at that moment, tears began to flow uncontrollably again in response to that single reply

She suddenly broke down in the midst of the fine rain, and a kind passerby inquired about her situation, asking if she needed help or if they should contact her family or friends. She simply shook her head while crying and said, "No need, thank you, I am fine"

Although her father and Liu Xin said that they are now a "family of four", she knows that she is now an outsider

Her first encounter with Liang Yuchen was not a beautiful encounter of a love story, so even though he indeed looked quite good, she had no clear impression of his appearance that day. She could hardly remember what clothes he was wearing, what hairstyle he had, whether he smiled at her, or even what he looked like at that time; perhaps he was just a bit younger than many years later.

Liang Yuchen graduated from high school and came to the United Kingdom, where he completed his undergraduate studies. At that time, he was pursuing a master's degree and was an outstanding student with excellent academic performance and character. He had a very close first love named Zuo Xinyan.

The twelve-year-old Liang Qianya's evaluation of her is a single word: fierce, while the teenager Xiao Yiyi's evaluation of her is also a single word: enchanting

Liu Xin studied dance; although she stopped dancing a long time ago, her grace remains. In her twenties and thirties, she always wore long, wavy hair, and her makeup was exquisite, with her eyelashes and eyeliner meticulously applied. Her love for fiery red lips has continued from her twenties to the present day

However, her "aspirations" were shattered by Liu Xin. In her senior year, Liu Xin advised her father to send her abroad, stating that the era when "a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent" is long gone. Girls must continuously improve themselves; with bachelor's degrees being so common now, having only a second-tier diploma would make it difficult for her to establish herself in society in the future

Her first residence after arriving in the United Kingdom was also arranged with the help of Liang Yuchan. That day, he drove her there, left her with two bags of daily necessities and food that he had purchased in advance, and then departed, saying he would come back the next day

She only remembers feeling an intense desire while sitting in Liang Yuchen's car; she wanted to be his friend, sister, girlfriend, or lover—any kind of relationship would suffice, as long as it allowed her to depend on him

During her three years in high school, her academic performance was average, and she ultimately gained admission to an ordinary second-tier university

After her mother passed away, she stopped studying seriously. Her grades in middle school were barely average, and they plummeted in high school. If it weren't for her father spending money to arrange for her admission into a key high school, and the teachers pulling her along by the collar, she might not have even been able to gain admission to an undergraduate program

Oh, hello she said

Her father and Liang Yuchen's father, Liang Jianye, are so-called comrades, meaning both of them have served in the military. In reality, the units they served in were completely unrelated, being from different parts of the country. However, her father's assertion is that anyone who has served in the military is considered a comrade

When she was a freshman, Liu Xin gave birth to her younger brother

Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, she did not make the rapid progress in English that her father had anticipated in an all-English language environment. While she could manage her daily life, she found herself completely unable to understand the lessons in class. She could only record the teacher's lectures from beginning to end and listen to them repeatedly until the last remnants of her confidence vanished. She never communicated with foreign classmates due to her introverted nature and found it difficult to integrate into the circle of Chinese students. However, the loneliness of being in a foreign land compelled her to form a couple of decent friendships with classmates.

Her classmate informed her that she had one week to find a place to live, which made her somewhat anxious. She blamed her classmate for not telling her earlier, and the two had a brief argument, parting on unfriendly terms. It is unclear whether it was due to this quarrel or because the new tenant was eager to move in, but the next day, her classmate said she had only one day to move out, stating that she must leave by tomorrow

Xiao Yiyi's father, Xiao Guocheng, introduced her to the twenty-seven-year-old Liu Xin when she was fourteen years old. A year later, Liu Xin became her stepmother, during which time Xiao Yiyi was in her first year of high school.

She responded with a sound of acknowledgment, and he began to lift the boxes one by one into the trunk and back seat of his car. She held up an umbrella and hurried to help him shield against the rain, and he did not say much until all three boxes were placed properly, at which point he said to her, "Get in the car"

On that day, he did not prepare a welcome sign like someone meeting for the first time. It was when she stood there, confused and at a loss, that he came over and asked her: "Are you Xiao Yiyi?"

She does not know how to interact with others, especially when faced with strangers, and is even more unsure of how to break the awkward silence. Liang Yuchen is not particularly chatty either, so throughout the journey, the two of them exchanged only a few pleasantries and did not say much more.

However, there will be no apocalypse to save her; she still has to face the predicament of homelessness, confront the daily courses that are as incomprehensible as ancient texts, and endure a life that is endlessly repetitive. She wants to return to her country, wants to go home, but she cannot go back; her father does not allow her to return. In fact, that has long ceased to be her home; she has no home. Under the vast sky, there is simply no place for her to stand.

She sat at the bus stop, silently weeping for over an hour. There was a small hotel nearby where she could find shelter, but she still took out her phone and, with a bold face, dialed the long-uncontacted Liang Yuchan's number

Her father said that the schools in the UK have all been arranged. She will first study for a year in a preparatory course to pass the language requirement. Upon her arrival, someone will be there to pick her up, the son of her father's comrade, who has been living there for several years. If she has any questions, she can reach out to him.

When she finally called her father, she asked him for his name again, Liang Yuchen

The next day, she left alone under the cold gaze of her classmates, dragging her suitcase behind her. As she walked away, there was still a hint of pride in her demeanor, as if she could not bow her head in front of others. However, when she found herself alone, struggling to pull and push her luggage on the street, the feelings of exile, loneliness, and helplessness once again engulfed her, and the road beneath her feet seemed to stretch on endlessly

In order to have someone to look after her in life and studies, she vacated the apartment that Liang Yuchan had helped her rent and moved in with a classmate. After living together for less than six months, the classmate started dating and decided to move in with her boyfriend, returning the apartment without notifying her and, as agreed, helped the landlord find a new tenant.

On weekends, she goes to the library, but not to study; most of the time, she sits there for a whole day with a novel or a few magazines. She might also go shopping by herself, watch a movie, or get a beauty treatment. She has started to take skincare seriously and learn makeup. On one hand, it is certainly a girl's desire to be beautiful; on the other hand, both skincare and makeup are time-consuming activities, making them well-suited for her, who is often alone, to pass the time.

After her father retired from the military, he started working with her uncle as a contractor, initially building houses in rural areas, and gradually developing into undertaking large projects worth billions. Liang Jianye, who came from a catering background, founded the Hongye Catering Group, which encompasses several dining brands across various market segments. A few years ago, when the real estate market was particularly booming, Liang Jianye, encouraged by friends, finally ventured into the real estate industry, partnering with friends to bid on a piece of land for residential development, with her father as the contractor.

Her father said that she could just call him "brother". She asked if she could call him "Brother Liang". Her father replied that she should call him "Brother Yuchen" instead, as it is more intimate

The next day, Liang Yuchen took her to the bank, the supermarket, and showed her around her school. He left his phone number, saying that she could contact him if needed

What was his name again? I can't remember

Her roommate, who shared the same sleeping quarters, also attempted to extend the olive branch of friendship by inviting her to the cafeteria for meals. She always found excuses to decline, and as the invitations became more frequent, it became increasingly awkward to continue making excuses. Whenever it was time to eat, she would go to great lengths to disappear, such as skipping the last class in the morning or sneaking out alone in the evening to miss her roommates' meal times. Over time, no one bothered to invite her anymore.

That day, Liang Yuchen drove her back to his home, and not a word was spoken along the way, or perhaps some words were exchanged, but she could not remember.

Her father had a son in middle age and constantly spoke the words "eldest son" throughout the day, unabashedly expressing the sentiment of "finally having a successor" both in public and private, even in her presence. In her father's view, the notion that "having a son means having descendants, while a daughter is ultimately an outsider" is as universally accepted as the fact that the Earth is round.

In order to express her own words, she deliberately went against Liu Xin, not only refraining from makeup and skincare, but sometimes even going out without combing her hair. Liu Xin did not dare to say much, and her father also did not dare to advise her, for any advice would lead to the response, "I cannot compare to your daughter-in-law; your daughter-in-law is so beautiful!"

She has become more understanding, no longer causing a fuss with her father over Liu Xin's matters, and her relationship with Liu Xin is no longer as tense as before. When she returns home, the two can exchange a few indifferent words, maintaining a facade of calmness.

Most of them come from a military background, and there is indeed a sense of camaraderie among comrades. After that, we collaborated on several projects in succession, building mutual trust and appreciation, and gradually became good friends

She suddenly felt a bit regretful for not having spoken more with the young man who had brought her here; perhaps he would not have left so hurriedly and could have stayed with her a little longer

With such limited time, she had nowhere to go and only thought about finding a hotel to settle in first, and then slowly look for a house. She spent an entire day packing her luggage, filling three large suitcases, and in reality, it was more than that, but she simply couldn't carry any more, so she directly threw away some unimportant items.

This comrade's son is Liang Yuchen

Her father was right beside her at the time, saying if you don't like it, just say you don't like it, and don't say strange things. She immediately got angry and asked, "What strange things did I say? Am I not allowed to speak in this house?" As it seemed like a confrontation was about to ensue, Liu Xin hurriedly suggested that she would take her along next time to choose, as lipstick is indeed something that needs to be tried on in person. She replied that it was unnecessary! "I hate makeup the most! Only those who are ugly need to rely on makeup to attract others!" As it seemed like a confrontation was about to ensue, Liu Xin hurriedly suggested that she would take her along next time to choose, as lipstick is indeed something that needs to be tried on in person. She replied that it was unnecessary! "I hate makeup the most! Only those who are ugly need to rely on makeup to attract others!"

Her father was persuaded and contacted a school in the United Kingdom, asking her to continue her studies there

Light rain began to fall from the sky, and she struggled to drag her luggage to the shelter of the bus stop. Watching the bustling crowd on the street, she suddenly wished that the next moment would be the end of the world

She does not understand why Liu Xin always has to "oppose" her. She merely wants a few properties; her father's assets are all given to them, mother and son. Why does she have to "exterminate" her and drive her out of the country! What will be the next step? Surely, she will tell her father that the child has grown up and needs to be independent, that properties cannot be given, and that she should fend for herself. This must be her plan!

"Brother Yuchen, it's me..." she said through her tears on the phone, describing her situation, and by the end, it seemed more like she was lamenting.

After more than twenty minutes, Liang Yuchen drove to the bus station. He quickly walked towards her while holding an umbrella and handed it to her, saying: "You get in the car first. Are these three suitcases all yours?"

Liu Xin has been trying to improve her relationship with her, but all her gestures of goodwill are perceived by the adolescent Xiao Yiyi as the poisoned apple offered by a wicked stepmother

The vixen, the white bone spirit, the femme fatale; these are names that can be spoken aloud. In her mind, however, Xiao Yiyi has even more malicious titles for her.

That time she slammed the door and left, the housekeeper Aunt Chen said that Liu Xin cried later. She told Aunt Chen that she did it on purpose! Acting like a good person in front of my dad! Letting my dad see how unreasonable I am, how much of a jerk I am, and how much she has suffered! She is just calculating and scheming!

The reason she has dared to act arrogantly at home in recent years is merely because she relied on her father's love for her, which gave her a sense of invulnerability. Now that her brother has taken her place, she no longer has that support.

At that time, my father was very busy with work and rarely managed to squeeze out some time. Liu Xin would sometimes take the initiative to plan a "family day" for the three of us, hoping to strengthen her bond with us. However, she never appreciated it, always claiming to have a headache, a stomachache, being too lazy to go, or not having time; she always had various excuses to brush it off.

Her and her father's protests were all dismissed, and ultimately she was put on a plane to the United Kingdom, feeling as though she had been exiled

During those years, she lived like a hedgehog, pricking anyone who came near her. Not only did her family dare not provoke her, but her disheveled and gloomy demeanor also made her a marginalized figure at school, avoided by her classmates. There was no bullying; she simply had no friends and preferred to be alone. She was aware that some girls in the class felt sympathy for her solitude, but she did not consider herself pitiful; she quite enjoyed that state.

On that day, she was unable to muster the courage to ask him his name; after all, he had only told her yesterday, and she had already forgotten it, which was indeed somewhat unreasonable

During her four years at university, she barely managed to get by, not even passing the CET-4 exam, and only obtained her degree certificate after barely passing an internal CET-4. What is she going to do in the UK? She can't even understand English

Upon seeing her purchase a fashion magazine and noticing the makeup advertisements on television, Liu Xin gifted her a Dior 999 lipstick, stating that her first lipstick in life was also Dior 999. She jokingly remarked that every woman's first lipstick should be a true red. At that moment, she retorted that this was true for Liu Xin, but she herself did not like it, asserting that she was not a woman.

Of course, she only learned later that Liang Yuchen had a girlfriend. Although they were in the same city, she rarely contacted him except when she needed to ask for his help. It can be said that they were not very familiar with each other, to the extent that she did not inquire about his private life.

The clothes or skincare products that Liu Xin bought for her are never worn or used; she hasn't even opened the packaging, leaving everything to gather dust in the corner. When her father expresses his discontent and scolds her a bit, Liu Xin responds by saying that there is a generation gap between herself and her child, and that the items purchased do not align with the aesthetic preferences of young people

In the eyes of the ten-year-old Xiao Yiyi, love should be everlasting and unwavering until death. Her mother had only passed away two years ago, and the affection between her parents was still vivid in her memory. It felt too soon for a new generation to replace the old. She was angry with her father, yet she found it impossible to hate or blame him, so she directed all her resentment towards Liu Xin

Her father and Liang Jianye first met at the card table, and later they worked on projects together

Noticing her confusion and unease, he took the initiative to introduce himself: "I am Liang Yuchen"

Her life lacks any clear goals; she drifts along, as her father is wealthy and she does not need to struggle for a living. Her plan for herself is particularly simple: after graduating from university, she will have her father provide her with two or three properties. She will live in one and rent out the others. If she feels like working, she will work; if not, she will live off the rental income until she dies. She has no intention of dating or getting married, preferring to live freely and independently.

The university she attends is located in the city, but she often does not return home on weekends, claiming to have plans with friends. In reality, throughout her four years in college, she has not made any friends. Having gone through such a high school experience, she simply does not know how to interact with others or make friends, and she also feels that she does not need friends

Xiao Yiyi had heard her father mention "Uncle Liang," but she never attended her father's various banquets, so she did not know Liang Yuchen and had never even heard of him

The first time she met Liang Yuchen was when he came to pick her up at the airport