One

 This weather is scorching no matter where you go. Su Hao pushed her suitcase out of the platform, greeted by the baking ground mixed with hot wind. She took out a tissue to wipe her cheeks, then continued forward. The phone in her hand hadn't rung once, and she hesitated, unsure whether to make a call.

Passing through the cooler high-speed rail lobby, she arrived at the entrance. The breeze mixed with heat blew all over her body, and she wiped her cheeks again, gazing at the entrance.

The shiny floor stretched endlessly, surrounded by towering skyscrapers.

Here, it's definitely different from returning to Jiang City.

A black Hummer arrived at the exit, parked quite a distance away. A man in the car rolled down the window, holding a cigarette between his fingertips, looking over here.

Su Hao covered her forehead and looked back.

That handsome face and slender eyes met hers.

Su Hao was stunned for a few seconds and subconsciously gripped her phone tightly.

With a click, the car door opened, and the man got out, walking around the front of the car. Su Hao felt a bit nervous and quickly pulled her suitcase over.

Approaching, Zhou Yang put the cigarette to his lips and smiled, "Why didn't you call?"

Su Hao turned her head and murmured, "I was just about to."

"Is that so? Get in the car." Zhou Yang took her suitcase and turned towards the black car. Su Hao looked at his tall figure, hesitated for a moment, then hurried to catch up.

Before handling the luggage, Zhou Yang opened the rear door for her.

Su Hao grabbed the armrest and got into the car, settling down.

The car's air conditioning was strong, cooling her down considerably. She glanced at the steering wheel and then outside again. Zhou Yang came over but didn't rush to get in. He leisurely finished his cigarette, extinguished it, and then opened the door to get in.

The door slammed shut, and Zhou Yang glanced back at her, his narrow eyes carrying a smile. "Shall we stop by home for a meal first?"

Su Hao adjusted her skirt and nodded. "Okay."

Zhou Yang's gaze turned away, he gripped the steering wheel and started the car.

The car entered the main road.

Inside, soft music played.

Su Hao glanced at the rearview mirror but couldn't see anything. She leaned against the car door, reducing her presence. For her, as long as she could live well now, that was enough.

The person in the driver's seat was not someone she could imagine.

The high-speed rail station was quite a distance from the Zhou family's main residence, and the two in the car had nothing to say. If it weren't for their mothers' acquaintance, Su Hao and Zhou Yang would never have crossed paths.

There wouldn't have been the childhood acquaintance, her youthful crush, or her accompanying his mother back to Jiang City a few years ago, pursuing him, and being infatuated with him.

Su Hao sighed softly.

Very softly.

During a pause in the music, it reached Zhou Yang's ears.

Zhou Yang's slender fingers rested on the steering wheel as he tilted his head slightly, glanced at the road outside, and then back at the rearview mirror.

He didn't see her, just a glimpse of her skirt.

He smiled, indifferent, and withdrew his gaze.

Su Hao avoided seeing this smile of his.

If she had seen it, she would have remembered how he used to laugh when she pursued him, a laugh that concealed coldness.

With nonchalance and detachment.

The car was nearing the main residence, and Su Hao was starting to feel a bit sleepy. She looked at the villa area and understood even more the gap between them.

Ahead, the man's voice came, deep and pleasant.

"Su Hao, how have you been all these years?" It was almost time, and Zhou Yang finally asked.

Su Hao sobered up a bit, sat up straight, looked at her hands resting on her knees, and said, "Not bad."

"That's good. I heard you finished your degree in financial management?" His voice was always pleasant, with more than a hint of a smile, very attractive.

Su Hao replied softly, "Yes, I finished."

Zhou Yang nodded. "That's good."

They were almost at the Zhou family's main residence now, a European-style villa with a garden. The black Hummer was parked in the driveway, and Su Hao opened the car door, adjusted her skirt, and got out. She wore small white shoes with this skirt, neat and simple, with a natural look. Compared to the girls around Zhou Yang, she was a world apart.

Zhou Yang picked up the suitcase, and Su Hao instinctively stepped forward to take it. Zhou Yang glanced at her with a playful look. "What? I can't even carry one suitcase."

Su Hao's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. She smiled and withdrew her hand.

He was always like this.

Carefree, cynical, and romantic.

To the point where it was easy to be fooled into thinking she had a chance too.

The weather was still hot. Su Hao walked beside Zhou Yang, climbed the steps, just three steps, and felt the cool air inside the house.

Madam Zhou.

Su Xi wore a cheongsam and high heels as she greeted them from inside, her eyes lighting up when she saw Su Hao. "Su Hao! Auntie finally sees you again."

"Auntie, long time no see." Su Hao couldn't help but smile.

"These years, oh, you." Su Xi approached and hugged Su Hao warmly.

She smelled fragrant, hugging Su Hao without reservation, tightly. Su Hao smiled and hugged her back tightly.

She knew what Su Xi's unfinished words meant, and she smiled. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhou Yang put down the suitcase and take the towel handed by the maid, lazily leaning against the counter, playing with his phone.

Tall and full of charm.

Su Hao averted her gaze and didn't look anymore.

Su Xi released Su Hao, held her arm, and looked her up and down with pity. "Since you're here, live well from now on. Your mother entrusted you to me, and I'll take good care of you."

Su Hao gently smiled. "I can take care of myself."

"Alright, I know you're strong." Su Xi touched her face. The girl's face was still tender and fair, but more gentle.

She glanced at her son over there.

Sighing softly.

When dinner was ready, Su Xi thought Su Hao was too thin and kept serving her dishes. Su Hao accepted, eating what she was served. The two chatted and laughed.

In contrast, Zhou Yang barely participated in the conversation, occasionally looking at his phone as if waiting for a message.

After dinner.

Su Xi took Su Hao upstairs and arranged her in the guest room on the second floor, elegantly decorated. It was Su Hao's first time staying in such a room, feeling like she was in a hotel.

Su Xi showed her the wardrobe, the bathroom, the balcony, and the dressing table, then smiled and asked, "Do you like staying here in our home in the future?"

Su Hao shook her head. "No."

Why not?

Su Xi was about to ask, but seeing Su Hao's beautiful eyes, she paused and didn't bring up the topic again.

Su Hao had once liked Zhou Yang.

And now he let her stay in this house, which was indeed embarrassing for Su Hao.

Thinking of this, Su Xi really wished she could strangle Zhou Yang.

Forget it.

She took Su Hao's hand and led her to the bathroom, saying, "You freshen up first, and later I'll take you to the backyard."

"Okay." Su Hao nodded

Watching Su Xi leave, Su Hao finally opened her suitcase, then squatted down to pull out her pajamas. After hesitating for a moment, she chose a simple set of loungewear. She stood up and went into the bathroom to take a shower. The bathroom had both a bathtub and a shower, with dry and wet areas separated. She opted for the shower, setting the temperature very low.

After showering, she dried her hair and stood barefoot on the carpet, looking out the window.

Outside the window was a lake.

Beyond the lake, over the high walls, were the myriad lights of this city.

Developing in Licheng was not as good as returning to Jiang City.

Here, opportunities seemed abundant everywhere, but surely there were also abundant setbacks.

After drying her hair, Su Hao put on slippers, opened the door, and went downstairs to find Su Xi. Her hair was still slightly damp as she gripped the railing, playing with her hair.

The downstairs lights were bright.

As she approached, she overheard Su Xi speaking.

The words made her pause.

"In the end, Su Hao isn't the type you like, right?" Su Xi's voice.

"Yeah—" Zhou Yang's voice was lazy, his reply casual. "What else do you want to say?"

Su Xi snorted. "Aunt Ling has always been worried about Su Hao. Now it seems she doesn't intend to look anymore."

"Really? Should I introduce her to someone?" Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow.

Su Xi was taken aback.

Zhou Yang chuckled softly. "I promise to find her an extremely good man."

Su Xi: "Alright."

After a brief pause.

Su Xi still couldn't let go. "What about yourself?"

Zhou Yang: "I'll pass."

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