Two

 The living room lights were quite bright, with the stair lights in orange, a small lamp hanging on the wall. Su Hao stood under this lamp silently for a few seconds, then turned and went back upstairs. At the stair landing, she paused for a moment before heading towards the elevator.

The residential elevator wasn't large. After stepping inside, the doors closed, and she pressed the button for the third floor.

As the elevator ascended, she thought back to that year with Zhou Yang, the Zhou Yang who she pursued. She was naturally introverted and obedient, but she had never liked someone enough to pursue them so directly, doing many things that didn't quite fit her character, and becoming the subject of much ridicule. Yet, she never thought she would fail.

But she did.

Back then, she couldn't quite see Zhou Yang's true feelings.

Tonight, however, she saw clearly.

Indeed, forced love doesn't taste sweet.

That was the reason.

He... just didn't like her type.

Besides, aside from the gap in status, they had experienced different scenes in life.

Her hair still damp, the elevator reached the third floor. The doors opened, then closed again. Su Hao pressed the button for the first floor, and soon the elevator descended.

Arriving at the first floor, the elevator doors opened.

They should have finished their conversation by now, right?

Su Hao took a deep breath and walked out.

In the living room, Su Su and Zhou Yang were standing by the wine cabinet. Zhou Yang had his coat draped over his arm, leaning against the cabinet and talking with Su Su. Upon noticing Su Hao coming down, Zhou Yang glanced over, smiled faintly, paused their conversation, and Su Su turned around, immediately walking over, "You washed your hair but didn't blow-dry it? Come here, Auntie will help you."

Su Hao touched her hair, saying, "I couldn't find the hairdryer."

"You silly girl, it's right there on the bedside table, second drawer. Didn't you even look?" Su Su pulled Su Hao towards the French windows, ignoring her son.

Su Hao hesitated but let Su Su help her dry her hair, taking the dryer herself and gently drying her hair.

The tall man beside the wine cabinet took a cigarette, lit it, walked to the entrance to change his shoes, grabbed the car keys, opened the door, and left.

The door closed softly.

Now, only Su Hao and Su Su were left in the house, the sound of the hairdryer humming loudly. Su Hao began to dry her hair, with Su Su standing by, smiling and giving instructions, "There's still some at the back. Don't blow too close; it's not good for your scalp."

Su Hao obediently moved a bit further away.

That night, Su Su took Su Hao to walk around the backyard, then went to see the swimming pool and the rose garden she had planted. In the backyard, there was also a separate building, its first-floor door tightly closed. Su Su, feeling talkative, said, "This house is filled with Zhou Yang's things, all sorts of airplane models and such."

Su Hao glanced at the building and simply nodded.

Realizing she was being too talkative, Su Su looked at Su Hao, who seemed natural, and relaxed a bit.

After touring the backyard, they returned to the main building. Shortly after, Zhou Yang's father, Zhou Qinkai, returned. Seeing Su Hao, he smiled, "Long time no see, Su Hao."

"Hello, Uncle Zhou."

He hung his coat and smiled, "But it looks like you've lost some weight."

"Indeed, I've been telling her."

Not only had she lost weight, but Su Hao also exuded a quieter air, devoid of the innocence from a few years ago, with a hint of subtle femininity that hinted at life's trials.

With Zhou Qinkai back, Su Su displayed a slightly girlish side, but Su Hao didn't want to disturb them. Using sleep as an excuse, she left the first floor and returned to her room on the second floor.

The curtains were open. She walked over to pull them shut, then lay back on the bed and opened WeChat. She chatted with her mother for a while, then messaged her best friend.

Liao Liao: How's Li City?

Su Hao: Haven't toured yet, but there are many tall buildings.

Liao Liao: First-tier cities are definitely different.

Su Hao: You should come over during National Day.

Liao Liao: I'd only come after you're settled. Will you be staying at their place?

Su Hao: No.

Liao Liao: That's good. That Zhou Yang, is he still as handsome? Married yet?

Su Hao: I don't know, I didn't ask.

Liao Liao: I guess there's no need to ask.

Liao Liao wanted to ask if Su Hao still liked that person, but in the end, she didn't ask. After so many years, any feelings would have surely faded.

Besides, Su Hao had gone through another relationship.

She slept until dawn and woke up holding her phone. She had forgotten to put it away while chatting with Liao Liao last night. The bedside phone rang, and Su Su's voice came through. "Hey there, are you awake?"

"Just woke up."

"Good, get ready and come down for breakfast."

"Okay."

She hung up and got out of bed, first opening the curtains to let the sunlight in. Then she went to the bathroom to wash up. After coming out, she changed into a floral skirt and slippers and went downstairs. In the dining room, only Su Su was sitting there, eating fruits boredly. Seeing Su Hao coming down, she immediately waved, "Come."

Su Hao smiled and walked over, taking a seat.

On the table was a Chinese-style breakfast. She had congee and asked Su Su, "Where's Uncle?"

"He's gone to the company, left early this morning." Su Su peeled an egg for Su Hao and said, "After breakfast, Auntie will take you to see some houses."

Su Hao took the egg and said, "I think I'll find one myself."

Su Su looked up at Su Hao.

Su Hao smiled slightly.

She knew Su Su had probably arranged a good house for her, but it wasn't appropriate. She wasn't here to enjoy life but to work. Su Su stared at her, "Okay, I got it. I'll listen to you. I haven't rented a house myself yet. I'll try today."

Before she could finish speaking, a tall man walked in from the door. The two turned to look. Zhou Yang unbuttoned his shirt collar and happened to enter. His narrow eyes swept over, "Finished breakfast? I'll take you to see some houses."

"Do you have a good place?" Su Su's eyes lit up.

Zhou Yang changed his shoes, stood straight, and lazily smiled, "She's going to work at my company next. Naturally, we'll find something close by. I found a place nearby recently."

"Great." Su Su looked at Su Hao, who wiped her lips with her fingers and said to Zhou Yang, "Thank you."

Her tone was gentle, wearing a floral skirt, sitting there, looking quite fair. Zhou Yang nodded, unbuttoned his cuff buttons, walked towards the stairs, Su Su stared at him for a few seconds before asking, "Where did you stay last night? Didn't go to the bay?"

Zhou Yang casually glanced over and smiled mischievously, "Why? Mom, you checking on me?"

Su Su glared at him.

He smiled again, turned around, and went upstairs.

In a short while, Zhou Yang came down again, dressed in a black shirt and trousers, rolled up his sleeves, and sat down to have breakfast. Su Hao and Su Su had already finished eating, quietly chatting. He had a faint scent of shower gel on him, seemingly the same brand as the one Su Hao used. Perhaps this house was stocked with that brand.

Su Hao got up and said, "Auntie, I'll go get my suitcase."

Su Su paused, wanting to keep her, but hesitated, "So soon?"

Su Hao pulled out a chair and smiled, "It makes packing easier."

"Okay."

Su Hao walked towards the stairs. The breeze blew her skirt past Zhou Yang's pants. She turned upstairs. She hadn't taken out all her clothes, just tidied up a bit, pushed them in and closed the suitcase. She could lift it up, take the elevator down, and Zhou Yang had already finished eating here. He took a bite of the apple, stood up, turned towards the door, and left.

The door closed lightly.

The car door closed, and she waved goodbye to Su Su.

Zhou Yang wasn't interested in clingy relationships with women. He started the car directly and drove out. Leaving the villa area, they entered the main road, shaded by large trees on both sides. Inside the car, there wasn't much sunlight. Su Hao looked at this unfamiliar city as a resume was handed to her.

She paused, then took it.

Zhou Yang lit a cigarette at the front and said, "I had my assistant prepare this resume for you. Take a look."

"You don't have work experience, so you can only start as a financial assistant."

Su Hao opened it and glanced through it briefly.

It was a very formal resume. She wouldn't have been able to create something like this herself. She nodded and said, "Thank you. This resume looks great."

"Report directly to the company tomorrow," the man said, his voice slightly muffled, deep, and rather pleasant, with a lazy tone throughout.

"Okay," Su Hao replied.

Before long, the car reached the city center. Su Hao turned her head and saw the CBD building, where a flying logo could be seen among the tall buildings.

Zhou Yang tapped the car window and said, "That red flying logo is Feijie, a subsidiary of the Zhou Group."

"Where you'll be working."

Su Hao leaned forward, staring at it, and nodded.

After that, the car turned into a smaller road and entered a slightly older residential area among the skyscrapers. It wasn't very old, but compared to the surrounding buildings, it looked a bit aged. The car stopped at the entrance. Zhou Yang got out, opened the trunk, and took out the suitcase.

Su Hao hurriedly got out of the car and walked over.

Zhou Yang carried the suitcase to the stairs, put it down, and said, "I can't park here. Go straight up to 301 on the third floor. The key is in the door, and I've already paid. You can stay here first."

Su Hao nodded, took the suitcase handle, and started walking up. After a few steps, the deep voice of the man sounded behind her, "Wait a moment."

Su Hao turned around.

Zhou Yang's long legs were on the first step, holding a phone in his hand. He smiled and asked, "What type of man do you like?"

"I'll keep an eye out for you."

He smiled as if he wasn't afraid of her answer leaning toward him. Even if she said him, he could find someone like himself for her. After all, it wouldn't be him.

At that moment, Su Hao seemed to see through him. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Any type is fine."

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