Fifty-One

 “Xiao Qi, you should go home first.” Su Hao released Zhou Yang's collar and turned to Xiao Qi, her eyes filled with guilt and her tone softening. Her naturally gentle voice, now tinged with a hint of playfulness, was different from any intentional coquettishness and had an endearing quality that made one's heart itch.

Zhou Yang stood beside her, tightly clenching his teeth, not daring to show any anger. Even when Xiao Qi blushed and glanced at him uneasily, Zhou Yang forced a semblance of a smile, though his eyes remained cold. He had to appear as if everything was fine.

“Okay, I’ll head out then. We actually take the same route; this is just my way home. I'll go first.” Xiao Qi quickly looked away from Zhou Yang, the embarrassment on his face dissolving under the imposing presence of the man. He hurriedly left, taking a couple of steps before breaking into a run.

After Xiao Qi left.

The small space was now occupied by just the two of them, standing at the edge of the sidewalk with the road bustling with traffic below.

Zhou Yang looked at Su Hao. In the morning, she had tied her hair up for work, but now, her hair fell over her shoulders, revealing a hint of her collarbone. When she held her small bag, her slender fingers clutched it tightly, showing faint veins. She was both delicate and confusingly vulnerable. He asked in a low voice, “Have you eaten? Shall we go for dinner?”

Su Hao was still pondering.

He blocked the edge of the road, his tall frame casting a shadow. She pressed her lips together and looked up at him.

Her slender chin lifted.

It looked like she was asking for a kiss.

Zhou Yang's Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes deepening, just as he was about to speak.

Su Hao said, “Can you disappear from my sight in the future?”

Zhou Yang paused, his hand slipping back into his pocket. He lowered his gaze, lifting his eyelids slightly. After a few seconds, he smirked, “No.”

His heart, however, thudded painfully.

Why should that Tang guy get to hang around all day, while he had to vanish?

His face was still bruised and hadn’t fully healed, making his smirk appear somewhat fierce and menacing.

Su Hao looked disappointed. She lowered her gaze, “Then don’t blame me for treating you like nothing.”

After saying that, Su Hao turned and walked away.

Zhou Yang gritted his teeth, watching her slender figure move ahead. After a few seconds, he caught up, rubbing the bruise on his lips, and said, “Why don’t you tell me what it would take for you to reconsider?”

Su Hao ignored him and walked straight into a supermarket.

This supermarket was small and not very well-kept. Zhou Yang had never been to such a place before, frowning slightly. When he had considered Su Hao’s economic situation, he had somewhat dismissively chosen this apartment. The transportation and amenities were convenient, but the area was rather mixed.

Only in such a mixed area could something like falling objects from a height happen.

He had no choice but to follow her inside. His earlier words now hung in the air.

She ignored him.

But she was busy selecting vegetables while checking her phone, probably replying to messages.

Zhou Yang never thought he would find himself in such a place, looking down at her. She was good at picking vegetables, her slender fingers placing items in bags with precision. She was selecting potatoes, her hair falling down as she looked closely. Zhou Yang couldn’t resist, his long fingers reaching out to brush a lock of her hair behind her ear.

Su Hao sharply pulled her hair back.

Zhou Yang's hand withdrew swiftly, returning to his pocket.

He truly didn’t fit in this place. People, old and young, male and female, glanced at him as they passed. This man, with his handsome features and strong presence, standing beside a delicate beauty, became a striking sight in the small space, despite the bruise on his neck.

Both rogue and stylish, yet undeniably distinguished.

“Are we making shredded potatoes tonight?” Zhou Yang tried to make conversation.

“I haven’t eaten yet, is Aunt Cheng at home waiting for you?”

Su Hao turned slightly to look at him.

Zhou Yang raised his eyebrows, just as someone pushed a cart towards them. He reached out, pulling Su Hao into his arms, making her stumble and hit his chest. Zhou Yang wanted to hold her tight but didn’t dare. Su Hao thought he did it on purpose and looked back.

Someone was passing by.

She took a breath, then angrily shrugged off his hand and walked away.

Zhou Yang pursed his lips, following. After a while, he saw her pick out a towel and a toothbrush. “Can you pay attention to me, Su Hao?”

His voice softened.

Su Hao almost relented.

She bit her lip hard, walked forward, and went straight to the checkout. Zhou Yang still followed. Su Hao placed her items on the counter, took out her phone, and opened her payment code.

As she handed it over, a wrist with a watch reached out as if to pay too. Su Hao glanced at him with her beautiful eyes. Zhou Yang licked his lips and slowly retracted his hand.

Su Hao completed her payment.

She picked up her things and left.

Zhou Yang walked beside her, his voice hoarse, “Can I carry these for you?”

They turned into the stairwell, Zhou Yang still following. As they reached the third floor, Su Hao suddenly turned around, and Zhou Yang stopped, lazily standing on the next step.

She was stunning, the orange light casting on her flawless skin.

“Get lost.”

Zhou Yang: “”

“I won’t give up until I win you over.” Zhou Yang took a step closer, closing in on Su Hao. She backed away, but he leaned forward, staring her down. “I’m serious, one hundred percent. I’ve already thought about how many kids we’ll have.”

His breath was close and intimidating.

Su Hao looked at his stunningly handsome face, momentarily speechless.

“If you want to marry, I have to agree? Zhou Yang, you’re dreaming.” She turned and walked away, her steps quick and resolute.

Zhou Yang didn’t follow immediately, smiling behind her, “Take it slow. If you fall, I’ll catch you. I’d be happy to, but you probably wouldn’t like it.”

Bang—

The sound of a door slamming shut echoed.

Zhou Yang stood there, the wind blowing in, brushing against the cut on his lip. He rubbed it, leaning lazily against the railing.

His words just now.

He hadn’t thought them through, they just came out.

Even after saying them, he didn’t regret it.

Did that mean he was sincere?

After a while, he laughed.

Damn.

How did he start thinking about marriage?

Inside, Su Hao put down the groceries. Cheng Ling came out of the bathroom, taking the shopping bags. “Why are the potatoes so big here? Good thing you only bought one.”

Su Hao hummed, picking out the towel and toothbrush. “Mom, don’t use the old towel and toothbrush anymore. I bought these new ones, the same brand as yours.”

Cheng Ling glanced at Su Hao, “You’re spending money recklessly.”

But she happily took them to replace the old ones.

Su Hao stretched, sitting on the sofa and pouring herself a glass of water.

Her phone rang from inside her bag.

She reached out and took it out to see.

It was Tang Rui.

Tang Rui had been working overtime a lot recently and was quite busy.

Tang Rui: "Su Hao, I really regret it, deeply regret it. I think about you often while I’m in America. I keep that necklace and look at it hundreds of times. Seeing it is like seeing you."

She still had patience for now, but she didn’t know about the future. If Tang Rui continued to pester her, once her patience ran out, she might cut him off completely.

However, Tang Rui seemed to know her limits. He always backed off just at the edge, unlike Zhou Yang who was more domineering, like a frog being slowly boiled in warm water.

Even if Su Hao wanted to be harsher, it felt like hitting a pillow.

She always remembered the year he went abroad, her father was critically ill and admitted to the ICU. Tang Rui had hurriedly sent a large sum of money from overseas, helping her through a tough time.

That year was very difficult.

Su Hao only found out later that Su Qi directly brought a team of specialists to perform surgery on her father, extending his life by two years.

Debts of gratitude were hard to repay fully.

In the years that followed, Su Hao not only repaid the money but also the favor. She had to take care of her parents, cook, and learn various recipes. Every time Su Qi came back to Jiangshi, she praised Su Hao's improving cooking skills. Each compliment made Su Hao feel better. Fortunately, within two years, the house was demolished, and although the demolition compensation in a small city wasn't much, it was enough to pay off debts and sustain their lives.

These days, Gao Lin was indeed busy. With some people on business trips and others staying behind, Tang Rui had taken on several commissions. He was highly skilled, and upon returning to the country, many sought after him. Some commissions were unavoidable, and numerous companies sent representatives to him, stirring envy among others. The company had assigned him an assistant and a team.

When busy, it was non-stop. Tang Rui had his own office, a large one at that. At this moment, he was the only one inside, the occasional sound of keyboard clicks breaking the silence. His fingers flew over the keyboard when the door behind him opened.

“Tang, what's wrong? You don’t seem to be in a good mood.” The only female colleague in the team brought in a coffee, looked down at him, and asked.

Tang Rui stared at the stock chart, took the coffee, but his mind was on the message Su Hao had sent him: “Work hard.”

He felt there was a hidden meaning in those words.

Thinking deeper, his chest ached.

He shook his head and rubbed his forehead, “Nothing.”

“I think you’re troubled by love.” The female colleague pulled up a chair and sat down, her business attire sharp and capable, her words equally so.

Tang Rui turned to look at her.

Tang Rui put down the coffee, leaned back, and loosened his collar slightly.

The bruises on his face were still there. For someone with pale skin, they looked quite frightening. The female colleague noticed the bruises and recalled the video she had seen.

He had fought with the young master of the Zhou family from Licheng, who was no easy target. Everyone secretly worried for him. It was said he did it for a woman. Otherwise, why provoke Zhou Yang? The young masters of Licheng were notorious. Tang Rui, now famous, was both a dashing playboy and a formidable character.

“But the marriage was indeed a blessing. My sister got better the next year. Quite miraculous, right?” he said, glancing at his colleague.

The female colleague propped her chin and nodded, “It sure is.”

“With the bad luck driven away and the marriage in place, we became very reserved. We didn't talk much at home, but at night we had to share a bed. She was busy taking care of her father, who, contrary to expectations, didn’t get better after our marriage but had to go to the hospital frequently.”

“And I was in college, attending classes, rarely going home. The outside world was exciting. After a while, bearing the married status felt frustrating. I wanted to give up, but studies and work kept me busy, and we were often apart. The matter was postponed. Sometimes, I felt I shouldn’t hold her back. I didn’t think much then. In the third year, I graduated, found a job, and came home more often. We started talking more. She took care of everything at home. I didn’t even know where my clothes were, but she always found them and left them for me. That’s when I decided I wanted to try with her.”

“I approached her intentionally, and she, probably because of her family background, was particularly gentle. She guessed my intentions and didn’t avoid me. Naturally, we started developing feelings. We were inexperienced, a bit awkward, but she never resisted, even covering for my embarrassing moments. We grew closer.”

“Later, we became intimate, still awkward and inexperienced. Just then, I received an invitation from Wall Street. I struggled with this decision for a long time. She probably saw my dilemma and remained silent, without any dissatisfaction.”

“At that time, getting an invitation from Wall Street was incredibly exciting. I had studied for so many years for that moment.”

Tang Rui rubbed his face, sighed, “Yes, indeed.”

The female colleague tutted, “I think your biggest mistake was leaving her.”

“You’re right.” Tang Rui leaned forward, took a sip of coffee, “Now, she’s very indifferent to me. Her indifference is subtle, pervasive. She doesn’t respond to anything I do. It’s very frustrating.”

Female colleague: “Maybe, she’s encountered more than just you acting this way towards her.”

The female colleague smiled.

“Having experienced a lot, she’s become indifferent.”

“Now, whoever can stir her emotions a bit might still have a chance. Can Zhou Yang make her feel anything?”

This question was asked quite late.

Behind them.

A tall man, holding his suit jacket, silently handed it to Lu Qi. He then walked to the smoking area, a cigarette between his fingers, leaning against the window railing, methodically crushing the cigarette. Zhou Yang’s jawline was sharp, his narrow eyes fixed on the ashtray.

He never thought about these things for any woman because it felt meaningless and he was too lazy to bother. But now, Tang Rui’s words filled his mind.

Assistant Lu stood quietly by.

After a while, Zhou Yang said, “They’re all jerks. What about me?”

Lu Qi blurted out, “You’re no exception.”

..................................................................................................................

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