"Oh my god!" I shook my head: "Don't let Qiaoqiao know what you said. Otherwise, next year on this day will be your death anniversary, and Qiaoqiao will definitely chop you up."
"Haha, don't worry, I won't tell." Aze laughed: "However, besides the majority I mentioned, there are of course outstanding women, but they are just hard to come by."
“Yes. Since you admit there are wonderful women out there, why don’t you find one?” I looked at Aze: “Have you never fallen in love with any woman?”
Aze's expression changed slightly. He stared at me for several seconds, then suddenly raised his face and gulped down a mouthful of wine: "Damn! How did you become so gossipy! Yes, of course I've had my share of love! I just didn't want to tell you!"
Seeing his strange expression, I suddenly blurted out, "Damn it! Why are you glaring at me like that? Could it be... damn it, you haven't fallen in love with Qiao Qiao, so you hate me?"
"Pfft!!" Aze spat out a mouthful of wine, then pointed at me and yelled, "Damn it, do you think everyone likes high-difficulty stuff like you? You can keep Qiao Qiao, that kind of top-quality stuff, for yourself! Hmph!"
"Then, have I ever met the women you've loved?" I frowned.
To my surprise, Aze suddenly whispered, "You...have met me before, right? Yes, I have."
"Oh? Who is it?" I was genuinely curious and kept pressing him for answers. I really wondered... Of all the girls I'd ever met, who could make a womanizer like A-Ze fall in love?
I guessed several people, but he rejected them all.
"You...sigh, you still enjoy listening to stories so much?" Aze seemed to be giving a wry smile, then he pondered for a moment. His tone was calm: "You know my relationship with my father has never been good, right?"
"Yes, I know a little." I nodded. It seemed that Aze was almost completely avoiding and indifferent to his father. He was so cold that he wouldn't even meet with his father.
“That was several years ago, before we even knew each other,” Aze said calmly. “That year, my parents divorced, and my mother passed away soon after. I always thought it was because she was angry with my father! So I hated him terribly. During that time, I was still in college, and I refused all the living expenses my father gave me! I didn’t want a single penny from him! I had a very hard time, and back then, I was completely different from now… You understand? Hmph, back then I was as innocent as a silly angel. Until I fell in love with a girl. That girl was a senior in my school, and I met her at a painting competition. She was… well, a very beautiful woman, radiant. I was still a virgin at the time, and I was completely captivated by her. I almost desperately used every method I could think of, and in the end, even though she was three years older than me, I still managed to win her over.”
I believe that. Although he said he was still very innocent back then, that is, before he officially transformed into "Love Saint Aze", I have no doubt that his talent for picking up girls is innate!
"But gradually, I discovered that although this girl was beautiful and very attractive to me... she possessed most of the flaws I mentioned earlier. Being shallow was one thing, but her vanity was incredibly strong! It's laughable that I was just a naive young man back then, blinded by love, making me almost ignore all her weaknesses. I remember she was very vain, liking beautiful, expensive clothes and cosmetics, envying the wealthy lives of girls who were kept by rich men and drove luxury cars..." Aze smiled and said softly, "Unfortunately, my source of income dried up at the time, and I couldn't support her. I could only let her suffer poverty with me... And, as time went on, she changed her mind. What I found even more intolerable was that she was a very calculating girl. While she was with me, she didn't reject other wealthy men who pursued her, always observing, hesitating, and choosing. Although I was certain she had some feelings for me, overall, she was still very pragmatic. At first, I didn't know, but later, I sensed her restlessness. Back then, how could I understand so much? I panicked, terrified of losing her."
I frowned: "Did she find another rich guy and dump you? No way! Isn't she just after money? You have such a wealthy father! You could have told her that your father is extremely rich!! Didn't you say that?"
Aze suddenly gave a bitter smile, then looked at me and said calmly, "Oh, I told you."
"Oh? And what was the result?"
"The result..." Aze's tone was so calm it was almost inhuman:
"...As a result, she is now my stepmother."
Aze's answer almost choked me so much that I couldn't utter a single word for five minutes!
From that calm, completely undisturbed gaze, I instead saw a deep, penetrating hurt!
Extreme calmness is a form of madness!
Watching Aze reveal his deepest secret, and then finish the rest of the bottle of wine in one gulp...
I suddenly felt a pang of regret, regretting that I shouldn't have asked him to tell me about this painful past.
I can easily imagine the extent of damage such a thing would inflict on a young man just experiencing love! And afterwards, Aze treated all the girls around him with almost a manipulative attitude. It was probably due to the profound hurt he suffered in his youth!
And I did indeed meet his... stepmother. Only in photos, though. My impression of her was that she was a very alluring and glamorous woman.
Aze is a strange person... and every strange person probably has a story of their own.
"I'm sorry," I sighed. "I shouldn't have let you tell me about this."
"It's okay, I've already stopped caring about this." Aze said calmly, "Actually, we all probably have our own worries. For example, why did you, with all your skills, choose to hang out in a nightclub? And how could a top-tier hottie like Qiaoqiao only like women! Plus that guy Mu Tou, he's like someone cut off his tongue all day long, he's practically an autistic patient! Damn! None of the four of us are normal people."
At this point, Aze suddenly lowered his voice on purpose. Then he winked at me and said, "Let me tell you a secret. Hmm, you should remember that receptionist at Fang Nan's Deep Blue Entertainment Company. She's super hot! A busty babe, right?"
I thought for a moment and smiled wryly, "I seem to remember that on my first day working at Fang Nan's company, she was the one who greeted me at the front desk."
“Let me tell you,” Aze chuckled, his face utterly unrestrained. “Back then, we all thought she was a slut, but I later found out… she was still a virgin.”
How did you know?
"I verified it myself. Of course, so she's not anymore. Hahahaha..." Aze laughed with a hint of suppressed arrogance, then suddenly he collapsed onto the table with a thud, finally falling into a deep sleep.
I sighed, looked at Aze slumped on the table, then picked up the bottle and, facing him who was already fast asleep, silently said, "To you, brother. Cheers to all the pain in your heart."
I took a big gulp, and the spicy liquor rolled down my esophagus, making me feel uncomfortably hot.
Then I took out my money to pay the owner, and was about to go over and carry Aze back... Just then, the shop door was pushed open, and I heard someone walk in, followed by a soft, slightly husky, magnetic female voice: "Boss, the usual, one serving."
Hearing that sound, I was startled!
Even faster, the person behind me seemed... probably... to have seen me too! I heard a gasp, followed by a thud. Although I hadn't turned around yet, I could tell from the sound that someone had probably knocked the chopstick holder off the table behind me in a panic!
"You...you...you..." The voice stammered and trembled.
I sighed, put Aze down, and then turned around to face the person who had come.
Hmm, her face was so bright and alluring that it was almost too seductive, the kind of face often referred to as a "mistress's face," as alluring as a fox spirit, yet her eyes were very innocent!
Time seemed to have left no trace on her, as if even the heavens were favoring her, though the weariness and melancholy between her brows were undeniable...
Seeing that she seemed unsteady on her feet and had to hold onto the wall for support, staring straight at me, I finally sighed, smiled, and said, "Fang Nan... hello, long time no see."
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 128: A Sudden Turn Back
I'm not stupid. I've already realized that although Aze is still lying there pretending to be drunk, he's actually already awake.
Damn, I fell for this guy's trick again. He clearly arrived in Lijiang many days before me, and when I suggested we find a place to drink, he brought me straight to this tavern. It seems he planned this all along. He probably knows Fang Nan frequents this place.
I looked at Fang Nan; her eyes were incredibly bright, and everything about her seemed just like the face of that woman who had always been so affectionate towards me. But at this moment, she was clearly in a state of extreme shock. Perhaps she hadn't expected to see me here, in such an unexpected situation… This sudden surprise almost overwhelmed her! I watched as Fang Nan helplessly covered her mouth, one hand gripping the wall tightly, then her arm trembled, gradually weakening until she could barely stand by supporting herself on the table beside her.
In a flash, as our eyes met, Fang Nan's captivating eyes quickly filled with tears. In that instant, I believed it—Aze wasn't joking…
The woman in front of me still has feelings for me.
I forced a smile and looked at her: "Are you... alright?"
Fang Nan finally snapped out of her daze. Her eyes shone, her gaze fixed on me, and then she suddenly strode over… She seemed to open her arms to hug me, but she froze halfway through the movement. After all, she was a mature woman. Although the initial surprise quickly subsided, she regained some composure and didn't express her emotions impulsively like a typical young girl.
Her hand was almost touching my face, her fingertips just centimeters away. But she pulled back. At that moment, I saw something in Fang Nan's eyes that made my heart ache... It was something familiar. I remembered it; back in Fang Nan's house, this lonely, pitiful woman had looked at me with something similar that had touched me.
Seeing her hesitate, wanting to hug me but not daring to... my heart softened. I took the initiative and opened my arms to hug her.
I clearly heard Fang Nan give a soft "hmm," a sound that was both plaintive and plaintive, carrying an infinite sense of melancholy. The sound came from her nose and reached my ears, stirring a deep emotion within me…
The soft body in my arms was still so full and alluring. Because of my initiative, Fang Nan finally dispelled her reservations. She opened her arms completely and hugged me tightly. Her arms tightened around me, and the embrace lasted unexpectedly long!
After a long while, Fang Nan, nestled in my arms, suddenly raised her head, her face filled with boundless affection. She looked at me without saying a word, her eyes, as cold as stars, so close to mine than ever before…
In that instant, facing the woman in my arms, I suddenly felt an urge to kiss her... I think the change in my facial expression betrayed my intentions to some extent, but unfortunately, I quickly calmed down...
She watched as the flame in my eyes died out. All these changes were within the woman's observation. She shuddered, and a forced, bitter smile appeared on her face.
I had already let go of her, and then we each took a half step back. I deliberately acted very relaxed: "Fang Nan, how are you?"
Fang Nan nodded, just looking at me, then suddenly whispered, "Chen Yang. Long time no see." She looked at me and gently shook her head, "You haven't changed much."
"Um?"
"Your heart is still so hard," Fang Nan said softly, as if with a hint of resentment.
I couldn't remain indifferent, so I could only respond with a smile.
Fang Nan glanced at Aze, who was slumped over the table, before asking, "Have you already met Aze?"
"Yeah, I ran into him a while ago, and I didn't expect to see him here." As soon as I said it, I immediately regretted it.
Fang Nan looked at me and said quietly, "You've seen him, so you should know I'm here too, right? Hmm... you probably never expected to see me."
I quickly covered it up, saying, "No... actually, I only met him recently, we haven't had a chance yet..."
Fang Nan didn't speak; she simply glanced thoughtfully at the two empty wine bottles and the leftover food on the table. Clearly, this had silently exposed my lie about "not long ago."
I felt a little guilty and couldn't help but glance at Fang Nan. Fortunately, Fang Nan didn't blame me. She just looked at me and sighed softly.
After we sat down, I casually started a conversation: "Well, how long has it been since we last met? Almost two years, right?"
“It’s 579 days.” Fang Nan’s words almost made my heart jump. She was such a mature and beautiful woman, yet she spoke with the resentful tone of a young girl: “And you, you’ve probably already forgotten me.”
No, no.
"Hmm, Chen Yang, are you still the same? Always avoiding me?" Fang Nan said, seemingly on the verge of tears again. She stared at me for a moment, then took a deep breath and smiled. "Alright, maybe I was too greedy. I used to pray to God every day that I could see you again. But now that I have, I'm already indulging in wishful thinking about other things."
She tried her best to smile brightly, but the hint of heartache in her eyes was something she couldn't hide.
"Fang Nan." I sighed, gazed at her, and whispered, "Whether you believe it or not, I have not forgotten you."
"...Really?" Instantly, a hint of joy flashed in her dim eyes. Fang Nan looked at me and said, "But, Aze and I have known each other for a long time. It seems that all your friends are in contact with you, but you haven't said a word to me, not even a phone call or a message."
I remained silent because I truly didn't know what to say. To try and explain or cover it up with words would only make things more futile.
Seeing my silence, Fang Nan smiled and cried at the same time: "Perhaps, in your heart, I have never had a place. Chen Yang, you are still so cold to me. Perhaps in your heart, I am just a dispensable woman who throws herself at you."
"No..." I was about to deny it when Fang Nan gently wiped away her tears, then smiled and said self-deprecatingly, "Look, I can't control my emotions again. I'm sorry, I didn't want to say these things... We haven't seen each other for so long, it seems we should talk about something happy now."
To be honest, my eyes widened in surprise... After all, the person in front of me was Fang Nan!
It's Fang Nan, the one who once captivated my heart and with whom I had a complicated relationship!
"Tell me about yourself. What are you doing here?" Fang Nan looked at me. "How are you doing in Vancouver?"
"You...you knew about my time in Vancouver?" I was somewhat surprised.
"Well, basically, I'll ask Aze about anything he knows about you. Your friend, Miss Qiaoqiao, didn't she live in Vancouver for a while? After she came back, she told Aze about your situation, and then Aze told me... I'll keep it all in mind very carefully." She spoke softly, her tone very serious.
I sighed inwardly, but forced a calm expression: "I'm here on business... well, I'll probably be going back tomorrow after today."
"Then... is it possible for you to return to China in the near future? Back to Nanjing?" Fang Nan's eyes were full of hope.
"I'm afraid... no." Looking at her expression, I couldn't bear to extinguish her hope, but I still chose to tell the truth.
"Oh..." Fang Nan responded softly. She suddenly whispered, "Perhaps I should wish I hadn't run into you today."
Seeing my speechless expression, Fang Nan suddenly became agitated. She shouted at me, "How long am I going to be tortured like this?! You're the only one who gave me a glimmer of hope! You're the only man who gave me a sense of security! I made such a huge decision, I even decided that even if everyone looked at me with prejudice, even if I had to compromise myself, I wanted to keep you by my side! How much did I ask for? How much did I crave? Chen Yang! Tell me! Tell me!! I just wanted to see you every day, to smell your scent, to feel a little more at ease!! But what about you? Just after I got a glimmer of hope from you... you... you left! You left my side, and you've been gone for so long!! For so long!"
She suddenly became agitated, which surprised me. However, seeing her clenched fists and trembling body, I felt a little guilty and couldn't help but gently support her, whispering, "I'm sorry, Fang Nan... but you know, under those circumstances, I had to leave."
"I know... I know... I know everything." Fang Nan started to sob softly again. She lowered her head and covered her face, but tears still flowed through her fingers. "I know, you left because there was no other way... I only hate! I hate that I didn't have the ability to help you, that I didn't have the ability to make you stay."
She suddenly looked up and grabbed my hand desperately. Her beautiful face was now filled with heartbreak, and her voice sounded like the struggle of a dying person…
"Why did I have to see you today... Why... If I hadn't seen you, I could still hold onto a sliver of illusion, a sliver of hope! But now? I've seen you, and you... you're so cold to me!! Hundreds of days and nights of longing... During the time you were gone, I cried every night and couldn't sleep... I finally got news that you were safe, but you've already forgotten about me... When you were living in Vancouver, every single day and night you were there, did you ever think that back home, there was a woman like me, still thinking of you every day?"
"I..." I was truly shocked! I could barely utter a word. Looking at Fang Nan, who was sobbing uncontrollably in my arms, I suddenly realized that I probably owed this woman a very, very large debt...
"But today, I saw you... Perhaps I should be happy? Satisfied? Content? But with just a few words, you extinguished all my hope..." Fang Nan looked at me, a hint of resentment in her eyes: "Chen Yang, why are you so heartless? Why can you be so kind to others, but so cruel to me?"
“Fang… Fang Nan.” I finally changed color. At this moment, I couldn’t care about anything else. I put my hands on her shoulders and said seriously, “It’s not that I’m heartless, and it’s not that I’m cold-hearted to you! Fang Nan, you may have misunderstood what I mean.”