Young Prime Minister, a Hermit

Chapter 89

Xu Lie knew that it was inappropriate to recall certain past events at this time, but he just couldn't control his thoughts.

"I... just a few more days will be enough... Xu Lie, don't do this. If you really want it... then change to daytime... now... no..." The woman beneath him looked at him with a face full of panic and pain and said this.

*Slap*—Xu Lie abruptly pushed away Xue'er, who was holding him. He didn't even want to look at her pale face, trembling lips, or her snow-white features. He turned his head away and said coldly, "I'm tired. You can leave."

The rapid breathing and the low, suppressed sobs finally faded away. Xu Lie clenched his hands and sat stiffly in the chair. Suddenly, he punched the rectangular desk hard, making a dull "boom" sound.

He swung his hands out in a wide arc, and a series of crashing sounds, like something collapsing, echoed throughout the room. Moments later, everything on the table, including the laptop, was smashed to the ground, creating a chaotic mess.

Not now... What do you mean not now? And what do you mean a few more days will be enough? Can I deal with my lover in a few more days? Or can I get rid of him in a few more days?

Xu Lie gradually calmed down, lit a cigarette, and leaned against the windowsill, staring blankly at the messy room.

At first, he didn't like Galan. How could he possibly like a woman who was so stupid and silly, who would only cause him trouble?

But gradually, he didn't know what had gotten into him, or perhaps his guilt and desire to make amends had worked, but he found himself increasingly reluctant to let her go. Xu Lie was surrounded by scheming people; even those who approached him without ulterior motives were all equally intelligent, often only revealing half their thoughts and acting with a touch of mystery. Sometimes, even though they belonged to the same social class, it was undeniably tiring.

And what about Galan? Xu Lie stubbed out his cigarette, looking out at the dark window where his reflection was faintly visible on the glass. He let out a long sigh. What a silly and insecure girl! Galan wasn't actually bad-looking. She certainly didn't meet the standard of beauty, but she was pretty and had a clear and pure temperament. However, even though she was only twenty-one, she always looked childish for her age.

Being secretly and carefully admired by someone, who went to great lengths to please him, was initially met with impatience, but gradually, a sense of satisfaction began to creep in. Xu Lie chuckled softly. If he had to describe Jialan with an animal, he would definitely choose a puppy. It would constantly fawn over him, acting all cute and affectionate. A little coaxing would bring a happy smile and a wagging tail. And when it needed something, it would stare at him with its big, dark eyes, pleadingly…

Xu Lie suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, and his hands, hanging at his sides, slowly clenched. Had something gone wrong? Galan had been so devoted—her body, mind, eyes, and heart—clearly focused solely on him. Why had she changed so drastically in just one month? Could there really be some hidden story? Could it be that he had truly been wrong?

He walked slowly to his desk, took out his key, and opened the bottom drawer, where only a few sheets of paper lay quietly and forlornly. Xu Lie took out the crumpled divorce papers, some with water stains on them, and stroked them repeatedly.

Why hasn't he hired a lawyer to handle this yet? Why does he have the urge to tear these pieces of paper every time he sees them?

“Galan…should I give you another chance?…Is there any chance for us to be together? Is it even possible…” Xu Lie murmured softly, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with intense struggle.

He closed his eyes, and that delicate, slightly childish face was clearly displayed before him, with slightly hunched shoulders and bangs hanging down in front of his eyes, pitifully calling him: "Xu Lie..." This was what he would inevitably see before he fell asleep every day, no matter how hard he tried or how many sleeping pills he took, it was all in vain.

A normal 25-year-old man wouldn't be without desire, yet with a soft, warm body in his arms, he still longed for that slender, frail body that had become particularly thin after two years in a coma. He awoke in the middle of the night from a passionate dream, his body burning with desire, yet he clearly remembered that the person he had been holding in his sleep was still her.

He thought it was just a two-month relationship, coming and going quickly; he thought the fault was clearly hers, and he had a clear conscience, leaving with dignity. Even the slight resentment of a wounded pride would fade with time. But it turns out he underestimated his feelings for her. It turns out, only four months apart, and he already missed her so much. If that's the case, why was he still deceiving himself? Why didn't he go back…?

Suddenly, something clear and bright dawned on her. Perhaps Galan really did have many flaws; she had even…cheated. But, honestly, had he, as her husband, truly been perfect and considerate? He hadn't even known she had a fever, and had forced her to prove her love. Perhaps it was those childish and rude actions that had hurt Galan's heart, leading her to…

The weight that had been pressing on his chest for four months suddenly lifted, bringing a sense of relief. Xu Lie revealed a faint, relieved, yet slightly self-deprecating smile. In truth, his hurtful words and resolute actions, rather than being revenge or a blow to her, were more about protecting himself. He didn't want her to see how deeply he was entangled, didn't want her to discover his fear and anxiety, so he used that sharp sword to disguise himself. But he forgot that while hurting her, that sword also inflicted double the wounds on himself.

Rather than let the swords wound each other, let go of the sharp blades and embrace her. How could it have taken him four months to understand such a simple truth? Galan… Galan… just calling out that in his heart caused him excruciating pain. Xu Lie picked up the few thin sheets of paper, "snap," lit the lighter, and was about to burn them when he suddenly stopped.

The image of two naked bodies on the bed flashed through his mind. He shook his head, then shook it again, barely managing to dispel the image. A bitter smile appeared on Xu Lie's lips. He thought to himself, as if deceiving himself, that perhaps it would be better for her to see these few pieces of paper destroyed with her own eyes.

Life is like a play; one act ends, and another begins. We didn't cherish it then because there would always be another act; we regret it years later because no act can be replayed.

How could Xu Lie have known then that he would never live to see the day when Garan witnessed it with his own eyes?

It turns out that only when love turns into quicksand, slipping through your fingers, do you realize that the wasted time can never be recovered.

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Chapter Four: Returning Home

Chapter Four: Returning Home

It was just past midnight when Xu Lie got off the plane. His head was spinning, but when he first saw this familiar land, he felt a long-lost sense of warmth, mixed with a faint bittersweet feeling.

Xue'er's parents were already in Shanghuai City. Xu Lie was anxious to get home, so he ignored Xue'er's pitiful expression that seemed to be pleading and told the driver to take her home first. Before getting out of the car, Xue'er's hand was still on the door handle, and her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Just when Xu Lie thought she was about to turn around, she said in a very soft, almost inaudible voice, "Once a man stops loving someone, he becomes extremely ruthless. I didn't believe it before, but now... I finally believe it."

Xu Lie leaned back in his chair, silent, utterly exhausted. Xue'er finally gave a self-deprecating sigh and said, "There's a class reunion next week, hosted by Senior Ouyang. Everyone coming will be from the student council back then. Are you going?"

Xu Lie opened his eyes, intending to say no, but then he met Xue'er's bright, despairing eyes and swallowed the word "no," saying indifferently, "We'll see when the time comes."

The car slowly drove into the large, secluded mansion. The iron gate creaked open with a harsh groan, as if foreshadowing a long period of silence. Xu Lie had spoken to his father on the phone before entering, learning that they were still in Europe, and that his grandfather had gone to the countryside to recuperate four months earlier. They discussed some company matters. Xu Tian found Xu Lie's sudden trip to the American branch strange, but upon learning that the company was operating normally, he didn't say anything. Midway through the conversation, Xu's mother took the phone and immediately asked, "How is Jialan?"

Xu Lie gave a mumbled reply, his face flushed and his heart aching.

Mrs. Xu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. I noticed Lanlan looked really bad the day I left, and you even argued with her. You're such a grown-up, yet you acted like a child and argued with her."

Xu Lie grinned, then saw his own strange, bitter smile reflected in the glass door, and was speechless for a moment.

Mrs. Xu kept nagging, "Lanlan loves you too much, that's why you always bully her. It's clearly your fault, but she's in such poor health, yet she still insisted on making desserts to cheer you up..."

"Lanlan loves you so much..." Hearing this, Xu Lie felt a sharp pain in his chest. So much love... so much love... But who loves whom more? Xu's mother was still talking, her voice somewhat distant. Xu Lie's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he asked, "Mom, which day are you talking about?"

"Which day?" Mrs. Xu was completely confused. "What do you mean, which day?"

"You said Galan made me some snacks, when was that?"

Mrs. Xu suddenly realized: "Which other day! Of course, it's the day we take the plane to leave. How can we be in the mood for a trip if we don't see you two make up..."

The only sound on the phone was her son's breathing, sometimes shallow, sometimes heavy. After talking for a while, Xu's mother realized that her son wasn't responding at all. She became anxious and asked, "Lie'er, are you even listening to me?"

After a long pause, Xu Lie said in a deep voice, "Mom, I have to go now."

"Oh, okay, go ahead and do what you need to do. Oh, and take good care of Galan, remember..."

The dial tone came through, and Xu Lie realized he had unconsciously hung up the phone. Both his hand holding the phone and his hand in his pocket felt cold at the fingertips. He rubbed his temples, his mind still a blur.

Mom said that Galan specially made some snacks to coax him that day, so why did it turn into him hanging out with Shao Junyi? Could it be that those snacks weren't originally for him, but for Shao Junyi?

No! No way! Galan isn't that kind of person. Even if she would betray me, she has no reason to lie to Mom. But what about her previous coldness? And what about her secret rendezvous with Shao Junyi at the company?

Or perhaps she saw herself with Xue'er at the company, which made her feel disheartened and disappointed...

Vicious scenes and eerily strange clues tangled in his mind. He suddenly remembered Bingye's question to him when he was drinking alone that day: "Why don't you investigate?"