Fang Yi simply smiled and asked, "Are you full?"
Chu Yang glanced awkwardly at Fang's mother and nodded.
Fang Yi ignored his mother, took Chu Yang's hand, stood up and walked out, saying in a low voice, "Let's go, I'll take you home. If you get home late, your mother will scold you again."
Chu Yang felt this was impolite, so he turned to Fang's mother and called out, "Auntie, I—"
Fang's mother had already brought up the issue of the child's intelligence, "...But people say that children born in winter are smarter, but that means I'll have to wait until next winter to hold my grandson. Why don't you two try harder now and see if you can still have one this winter? It's okay, we'll get married in the spring, then your belly won't be noticeable! Hey? You brat, where did you take Chu Yang?"
Chu Yang fled the Fang family home as if he were escaping a disaster, and even sitting in the car, he was still shaken.
"Your mom is terrifying, even more so than my mom!"
Fang Yi chuckled and ruffled Chu Yang's hair, saying, "Silly girl, now you know why I've always been afraid to come back, right?"
Chu Yang nodded, expressing his deep sympathy.
Xiao Xiao
On Friday, Xiao Xiao buried herself in work all afternoon and finally finished her tasks. She looked up and rubbed her sore neck when Polly knocked on the door and came in. "Hey beautiful, getting off work? Want a ride?"
Xiao Xiao glanced at her watch; it was time to leave work. She piled up her things to the side, let out a long sigh, and said, "Anyway, the boss isn't here. Time to go!"
Polly waited with a grin for her to pack her things, making conversation: "Hey beautiful, why haven't I seen that police officer picking you up lately?"
Xiao Xiao glanced at her and laughed, "He's busy."
Actually, it's not that Jiang Sicheng is busy, it's that she's "busy".
Xiao Xiao kept saying she was busy and had been ignoring Jiang Sicheng for several days. She wanted to confront him, but she couldn't find a good opportunity or a good excuse. Sigh, Xiao Xiao thought to herself that it was better not to hang out with such innocent guys in the future. Breaking up with them was such a hassle. Unlike her previous boyfriends, who would just say, "I'm very busy lately, let's not contact each other too much!" and the other person would be smart enough to understand what she meant.
The two came downstairs and before they even stepped out the door, they saw a silver BMW parked in front of the building. The door opened, and to their surprise, Jiang Sicheng got out. He had only taken a couple of steps when the girl driving called him back. The girl leaned out of the car window, giggling and saying a few words to him. Jiang Sicheng seemed to smile, then pretended to pat the girl's head, but his hand came down lightly, gently pressing her forehead and shoving her head back into the car. Only after watching the car drive away did he turn and walk towards the door.
Xiao Xiao looked at the scene before her with a half-smile on her face. In fact, she had long had doubts in her heart, but this scene made her more certain of her guess. Perhaps, it also gave her a better reason.
Seeing that things weren't going well, Polly didn't dare to say anything more. She quickly gave a dry laugh and said, "Oh dear, I've got something else on my mind. I won't take your ride. I'll be going now!"
She hurriedly ran out the side door, leaving Xiao Xiao standing there.
Jiang Sicheng had obviously not seen Xiao Xiao yet. He took out his phone and dialed her number, but as soon as he dialed, he heard the phone ringing not far behind him.
He turned around and saw Xiao Xiao holding her phone and smiling at him.
Jiang Si looked somewhat awkward and asked, "Are you off work?"
Xiao Xiao nodded.
He came over and put his arm around Xiao Xiao's waist. "Let's go eat together first."
Xiao Xiao subtly avoided his hand and gave Jiang Sicheng a faint smile.
Jiang Sicheng's hand froze in mid-air for a moment, staring blankly at Xiao Xiao with a look of confusion in his eyes.
Xiao Xiao said calmly, "I'll go get the car first. Wait for me." Without waiting for Jiang Sicheng's reaction, she turned and walked away.
When Xiao Xiao drove the car over again, Jiang Sicheng already had a big smile on his face. He opened the car door and got in without Xiao Xiao having to ask him to.
As the car merged into the traffic, Xiao Xiao stared intently ahead, remaining silent. Jiang Sicheng, however, would occasionally turn to look at her, his lips always curving into a slight smile.
Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he asked Xiao Xiao, "Did you see something just now?"
Xiao Xiao glanced at him indifferently and asked, "What did you see?"
Jiang Sicheng smiled, turned around and leaned closer to Xiao Xiao, his eyes full of laughter, revealing a childlike mischief. "Xiao Xiao, are you jealous?"
Xiao Xiao sighed, wondering how there could still be men like him these days; they must be even rarer than pandas!
Seeing that Xiao Xiao remained silent, Jiang Sicheng assumed he had guessed correctly. A smug look flashed across his face as he explained with a smile, "I just hitched a ride with Sitian. She is—"
"Let's break up." Xiao Xiao suddenly interrupted him, speaking in a flat voice, without a trace of emotion.
Jiang Sicheng was stunned by those words, frozen for a moment, then laughed again and said softly, "Silly girl! It's rare to see you so childish, hehe. You didn't even ask me what happened before you started to sulk. That was Sitian at the door just now, she's my sister. You're even jealous of her. If Sitian knew, I don't know how long she would laugh at me!"
Xiao Xiao's expression remained indifferent as she repeated the same words: "Let's break up!"
Jiang Sicheng's smile gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression as he quietly looked at Xiao Xiao.
The traffic light turned red and then green, and the car slowly moved forward with the flow of traffic.
The car was silent. Both of them remained silent. Jiang Sicheng's heart sank. He turned his head and stared blankly out the window for a long time before slowly asking, "Why?"
Xiao Xiao smiled mockingly, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Sicheng's face. "A mere traffic cop, he was transferred up after only a couple of days on duty, and then he got promoted. It was so fast, faster than taking an elevator. If I hadn't asked, would you have kept it from me all this time?"
Hearing her say this, Jiang Sicheng's face lit up again, and he quickly asked, "Just because of this?"
"Your family must have some connections, right? Someone who can still be called 'Old Chief' these days must have quite a background, right?" Xiao Xiao sneered. "Your sister drives a BMW worth over a million, while your brother has to hitch a ride with me every day. Officer Jiang, how's the life of an ordinary citizen like you?"
"Xiao Xiao, I didn't mean to hide it from you!" Jiang Sicheng hurriedly protested.
"Officer Jiang, what kind of car did your family provide you with?" Xiao Xiao asked with a half-smile. "I'm still a little confused. People like you, who are like princelings, usually go into politics or do business under a different name, right? How did you end up in the ranks of the people's police?"
Hearing Xiao Xiao's sarcastic remarks, Jiang Sicheng's expression changed slightly. He pursed his lips, his facial features stiffened, and his voice turned cold. "Find a place to park."
Xiao Xiao sneered, "What? The young master's true colors are showing?"
Jiang Sicheng sighed and said gently, "Don't drive when you're emotionally unstable."
Xiao Xiao scoffed, "Should I act like a Cinderella chosen by a prince? Hmm? How should I do that? So excited I can't speak? How ridiculous! I spent ages choosing a place to eat with you, worrying about your finances and making you lose face. Turns out I was the one worrying for nothing!"
"Xiao Xiao!" Jiang Sicheng couldn't help but interrupt her. "Don't just condemn me outright. Let me say a few words first, okay? I don't intend to hide anything from you, and I don't think this will be an obstacle between us. I didn't grow up with my father, so I haven't experienced the kind of life you're talking about, and it's quite unfamiliar to me. I'm not pretending! My father did want to arrange my life, but I didn't want him to arrange my destiny. So I've been trying to break free from his control. But after years of struggling, from joining the army to being recommended for school, and finally becoming a traffic policeman inexplicably, I finally realized that I can't escape his control. Some things he doesn't even need to do, or even say, will be done for him. My path has already been paved by them. No matter how hard I try to change course, I can't escape the road he's set up!"
As he spoke, Jiang Sicheng's voice became hoarse. He had kept these words in his heart for too long, but he could never find a way to express them. Perhaps if he did, people would think that he was ungrateful for his good fortune. But who could understand that he didn't want any of this at all?
Xiao Xiao
The car finally came to a slow stop at the side of the street, and he looked at her with eager eyes.
Xiao Xiao's mind was in turmoil, extremely turmoil.
She knew he wasn't a spoiled brat; she knew it from the beginning. But what did that have to do with her breaking up with him? His family background and his secrets were just providing her with a convenient excuse. Wasn't that exactly the excuse she needed? Perhaps, if he really were one of those playboy playboys, she would be in a better position. But he wasn't; he never was.
But when he had so sincerely opened his heart to her, she hesitated. Would she regret missing out? It wasn't because of his family background, but simply because, would she ever find another man as sincere as him again?
Zhang Jingzhi's words seemed to have just echoed in my ears: "Xiao Xiao, can you play around forever? Don't you really want to find a good man and settle down? Many people, once missed, will never come back, you know that?"
She laughed at the time, saying that Zhang Jingzhi always pretended to be profound, lecturing her before even understanding her own situation. She wouldn't grow old alone; once she had her fill of fun, she would naturally get married, marry a suitable person, someone she could live with, and have children, living a simple and peaceful life. The only condition was that she couldn't love the other person too much.
It is only when you love too much that you become insecure, petty, hurt, vulnerable, and lose yourself in the so-called love.
Therefore, she will never love someone wholeheartedly again, and she will never give her heart to another person!
Seeing that Xiao Xiao didn't speak, Jiang Sicheng felt a little wronged. "I told you a long time ago that I would take you to meet my father, but you kept saying you were too busy to go. I never intended to hide anything from you from the beginning."
Xiao Xiao looked up and quietly gazed at Jiang Sicheng. Her deep eyes seemed bottomless, flashing with a thousand complex emotions. Finally, a layer of indifference settled over them, and she coldly said, "Not everyone likes to be Cinderella. Crystal shoes aren't always comfortable. Let's break up. I'm exhausted being with you; I can't feel any joy."
He is very good, really very good, but precisely because he is so good, she can't have him.
Like being struck by lightning, Jiang Sicheng stared at Xiao Xiao in disbelief. He had already gone to such lengths, so why did she still insist on breaking up? Was it because of his unintentional concealment? Was it because he hadn't told her about his family history from the beginning? She hadn't told him about her family either!
Just because of these baseless accusations, she wants to fire him? She won't even accept his explanation? They were so sweet together just a few days ago, why has everything suddenly changed?
What are women thinking? How can they be so capricious? It's utterly incomprehensible!
Anger gradually welled up in Jiang Sicheng's eyes. He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said in a muffled voice, "Can't you be reasonable? My love for you has nothing to do with my family."
Xiao Xiao sneered a few times, "Officer Jiang, you can be naive, but I don't have time to play along with your naivety. Please get out of the car. I have other things to do and don't have time to play along with you."
Jiang Sicheng's face was ashen, his teeth clenched, too angry to speak. For a moment, Xiao Xiao wondered if he would get so angry that he would beat her. But she straightened her back and said coldly, "Get out of the car!"
Jiang Sicheng gritted his teeth, got out of the car, and moved as stiffly as a robot. Just from his back, you could tell that he was furious with Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao suddenly stepped on the gas, and the car grazed past Jiang Sicheng's body. In the rearview mirror, Jiang Sicheng's stiff figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely.
Some people, once missed, are gone forever.
In an instant, Xiao Xiao's vision blurred. She stubbornly wiped away her tears, opened her eyes wide, and focused on driving. Yes, she knew, she knew that some people, once missed, are gone forever, but it was still better than losing her heart. How long could a man's love last? What vows of eternal love, what promises of forever and everlasting devotion? They were nothing but lies that men told women, or women told themselves.
In the end, all it takes is a simple "I'm sorry" to resolve the issue!
Chu Yang finally got his wish and moved out of his home. The house wasn't big, but because it was close to the school, the rent was really expensive.
Her mother was unwilling from the bottom of her heart, especially when she saw He Yiyang go over to help Chu Yang move things. Her mother's eyes were like small knives, constantly slashing at He Yiyang. And the knives were Zhang Xiaoquan brand, very sharp.
He Yiyang carried a box of books for Chu Yang. Not only were his legs a little weak, but he also felt a little guilty. He quietly asked Chu Yang, "Why did Auntie look at me like that? I didn't offend her!"
Chu Yang glanced at his mother on the balcony, mustered all his strength, slung the large leather bag containing clothes over his shoulder, and said, "I guess she's afraid I'll go out and live with you."
He Yiyang blushed slightly, smiled, and carried the box of books to the roadside to hail a taxi.
To save money, Chu Yang rented a rather dilapidated apartment in a small building without an elevator. It was on the fifth floor, the top floor. He Yiyang struggled to carry a box of books up the stairs, threw the box on the ground after entering the room, and then braced himself on his knees to catch his breath, panting like an ox.
Chu Yang also threw his large bag on the ground, clapped his hands and said, "Leave it for now. I'll get Fan Xiaojuan to come over tomorrow to help me pack. Thanks for your hard work today. I'll treat you to dinner tonight."
He Yiyang laughed, "No need, you should save your money for rent! Have you found a part-time job yet?"
Chu Yang shook his head, "It's alright, I still have some savings, I can afford it. Besides, I have something to ask you tonight, so I have to treat you to a nice meal."
He Yiyang looked at Chu Yang and thought to himself, "When did you become so polite to me? You used to treat me like free labor all the time, but I never saw you invite me to dinner."
Chu Yang saw through He Yiyang's thoughts, "There is indeed something, and it's quite troublesome," he said, then nodded, "It is indeed quite troublesome, and only you can help me."
He Yiyang felt a chill run down his spine, vaguely guessing what had happened. He straightened up and looked at Chu Yang, "He contacted you, didn't he?"
Chu Yang remained silent, sitting on the ground and rummaging through the books in the cardboard box.
"That bastard! I'm going to find him!" He Yiyang said angrily, turning to walk towards the door. Chu Yang grabbed his sleeve and looked up at him quietly.
He Yiyang's eyes seemed to spit fire as he clenched his fists and said fiercely, "I knew his return wouldn't bring anything good!"
"How much do you know?" Chu Yang suddenly asked.
"Huh?" He Yiyang was taken aback.
Chu Yang calmly asked, "How much do you know?"
He Yiyang looked at Chu Yang, his eyes reddening. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and slammed his fist against the wall. He was no longer the gentle boy he once was.
He said in a hoarse voice, "I know everything."
Chu Yang stood up, took out a tissue from her pocket and put it on He Yiyang's hand. "Actually, you don't know anything," she said. "Go apply the medicine yourself, and don't forget to look for me tonight. I need your help with something. Also, don't go looking for anyone to settle scores with. That's unwise, and it's not for my own good."