Li Yu pressed his lips tightly together, his face a terrifying pallor.
Otherwise, how could he be groveling like this, begging a man to change his mind, acting like a damn jealous wife fighting over a man he looked down on?
Jian Suiying had no intention of turning back. If he let go now, their lives would remain forever frozen in this moment. He couldn't accept that
. He truly couldn't bear it.
Jian Suiying glanced at the dazed Li Yu before turning away. But Li Yu didn't flinch; he stared back at Jian Suiying, his eyes
deep as an abyss.
He gave Li Yu a shove and said in a low voice, "Let's go." Li Yu didn't move.
"Come on." Li Xuan gave him another firm shove. "Li Yu!"
Li Yu clenched his fists, gave Jian Suiying one last lingering look, then turned toward the door. Li Xuan exchanged a wordless glance with Jian Suiying before following his brother out.
Jian Suying watched the empty corridor before stepping forward to close the door.
He slowly shuffled back to the sofa, lit a cigarette, and called out, "Xiao Zhu, come out."
Xiao Zhu opened the door and stepped out, his expression betraying neither joy nor sorrow, as if weighed down by countless frustrations.
Jian Suiying rested his elbows on his knees, fingers interlaced against his forehead as he gently massaged his temples. Xiao Zhu whispered, "They're gone."
"Gone."
Xiao Zhu stood awkwardly, watching him. After a long moment, he managed to ask, "Do you want to eat?"
"I don't want to eat." Jian Suiying felt an inexplicable wave of irritation wash over him. His voice grew coarse. "I don't fucking want to eat!"
Xiao Zhu flinched and dared not speak.
"
Xiao Zhu opened his mouth, his eyes reddening.
Jian Suiying lifted her head. Seeing Xiao Zhu's hurt expression, a pang of pity stirred in her heart.
"Come, sit down. Don't stand there."
Xiao Zhu sat beside him, staring intently. "You're leaving."
He was finally leaving. Though he knew this day would come, it arrived much sooner than he'd imagined. How he wished these days could last just one more day—even one day more.
Jian Suiying flicked his cigarette into the ashtray and murmured softly, "Xiao Zhu, that girl today... she really liked you, didn't she?" Xiao Zhu blinked and nodded gently.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn't feel a thing. The world was full of people who couldn't have what they wanted, and plenty who liked him. He couldn't be bothered to spare them even a shred of pity.
. His mind was a tangled mess, and he couldn't continue. He stared blankly at his own palm, murmuring, "Who knows about the future..."
Jian Suiying stroked his head gently. "If you do get married, I'll give you a huge red envelope." Xiao Zhu fought back the rising wave of bitterness, forcing his tears back.
His apartment in the city held most of his everyday belongings, so he had them all moved back.
After settling things here, Jian Suiying gazed out the window at the rare warm sunshine and decided to visit his mother.
He usually visited three or four times a year—birthdays and anniversaries were mandatory, sometimes Qingming too. When he missed her, he'd go.
. Today, for instance, was no special occasion—he simply felt like visiting. He changed into all black and drove to the cemetery.
The city's pace of development was relentless. Wherever people lived, land prices soared to gold-like levels. Jian Suiying genuinely feared the day urban planning might encroach upon this cemetery.
Regardless, it remained peaceful for now.
He brought a bottle of his mother's favorite liquor, sat before her grave, and shared a drink with her.
The plot next to his mother's had been purchased by his father back then. Perhaps out of guilt toward his wife, his father had intended to be laid to rest here with her in their old age.
, it's all because you didn't look after me..."
Jian Suiying couldn't hold back the tears streaming down his face. All these years, through every misfortune, he'd never cried
, but this time, he didn't know why.
Truthfully, he didn't miss his mother that much. Over a decade had passed, and even the most intense emotions had faded. He felt embarrassed for anyone to
. The fact that he had no mother made him, a grown man, feel unfairly treated.
Jian Suiying wiped his face clean with his sleeve, no longer mentioning his own affairs. Instead, he chatted about family matters, especially Bai
Xinyu's recent success, recounting it in great detail.
Only when dusk fell and the bottle was nearly empty did he drive away. In the car, he called Li Wenxun.
After days of contemplation, he had formed a rough plan.
"Hey, Suiying!" Li Wenxun's voice brimmed with surprise. "Where the hell have you been hiding? We've all been looking for you. Why the hell did you have to do this? Who hasn't stumbled in life?"
Li Wenxun replied, "Of course. Ever since my old man joined the Ministry of Commerce, I've been mulling this idea over for ages. I just never found
the right partner. This time I want to go big. So you're finally ready to do something serious?"
"Yeah, I've rested enough. I need to make money—otherwise, who's gonna support me and my people? Let's grab a bite somewhere and talk it over."
"Sounds good."