Xinyu moved closer to Han Haoxuan, and the two stood side by side, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match. However, their expressions were quite different. Xinyu, surrounded by the compliments of others, did not notice the change in Han Haoxuan's expression.
Han Haoxuan concealed his expression, picked up a golf club, bent down, gripped it, and focused intently on the hole ahead, looking completely familiar with it. He then swung the club forcefully, and the ball spun around the hole a few times before finally falling in. He continued to swing, but the next few swings were unsuccessful. Perhaps due to a lack of concentration, he failed to sink any of his shots. Somewhat discouraged, he put down the club and sat on a bench watching others play.
He unscrewed a bottle of mineral water, took a few sips, grabbed a towel to wipe his sweat, and then Xinyu put down her golf club and sat down beside him.
"Why did you stop playing?" Xinyu asked. "You seemed distracted during the last few balls." The observant Xinyu noticed that something was off about Han Haoxuan.
Han Haoxuan frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I can't find the feeling I had when I first swung the club." Only he knew why he couldn't find it.
"You play golf by feel too?" Xinyu smiled and said, "The swing techniques you taught me are so effective, you won't forget to use them yourself, will you?"
"There's no secret to it, my skills are just average," Han Haoxuan said modestly. Normally he's considered a top player, but today his performance was truly unusual.
"Xinyu, you really have a strong ability to learn. After Haoxuan gave you some pointers just now, you've scored quite a few goals." Xu Ling had walked up to them at some point and was praising her daughter-in-law. Seeing others envying her for having such a good daughter-in-law, she naturally felt radiant and happy.
"Auntie, you flatter me." Xin Yu's eyes were full of smiles as she looked at Han Haoxuan beside her, clearly satisfied. Han Haoxuan was handsome and refined, with a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, revealing the unique charm of a man after exercise.
When they met for the second time, Xinyu was convinced that this was the man. Whether it was a coincidence or not, she always felt that everything was very dramatic. However, the male protagonist in the drama was the very prince charming she was looking for.
"Haoxuan, you should cherish such a good daughter-in-law." Xu Ling smiled at Xinyu, then looked at Han Haoxuan and said.
"..." Han Haoxuan forced a smile, remaining silent.
Choosing a person is like choosing clothes; after much deliberation, we finally find a good one, and we should cherish it. But what if the chosen person isn't the ideal size? Should we keep it or return it?
After finishing the game, everyone changed their clothes, exchanged a few polite goodbyes, and then left the stadium one after another to go eat.
The Han Jianrong couple naturally brought Xinyu along. Xu Ling, wanting her son to spend more time with Xinyu, had Han Haoxuan pick her up in the morning. At this moment, Xinyu was sitting in Han Haoxuan's car.
When they were alone, it was almost always Xinyu who initiated the conversation. They had met and chatted quite a few times, and Xinyu knew almost everything about Han Haoxuan's interests and hobbies, but she knew very little about his romantic relationships. Although Xinyu usually seemed carefree and outgoing, she mostly maintained a woman's usual reserve.
"Haoxuan, I have an idea." Xinyu's pleasant voice rang out in the car.
"What are your thoughts?" Han Haoxuan, who had been silent all along, finally asked.
"How about we go to Lushan together during the National Day holiday?" Xinyu first met Han Haoxuan at the foot of the mountain, so she really wanted to take advantage of the long holiday to climb the mountain with him. In addition, friends who had been to Lushan all said that the scenery there was very beautiful, and the once sensational movie "Romance on Lushan Mountain" was also filmed there, so she had the idea of going there.
Of course, Xinyu's suggestion was more about enhancing their relationship. Although they usually spent a lot of time alone, it was mostly just eating and chatting, without any romantic atmosphere. Xinyu wondered if they could change to a more romantic place with beautiful scenery so that Han Haoxuan would show some affection.
"Hmm?" Han Haoxuan was clearly taken aback for a moment, looked at Xinyu with a puzzled expression, and said with a smile, "We'll talk about it later. I don't know if I'll have time."
"Hmm..." Xinyu thought for a moment and said, "Okay." She pretended to be indifferent, but she felt a little disappointed inside.
After arriving at the restaurant, the four of them sat down. Han Jianrong and his wife chatted with Xinyu, while Han Haoxuan occasionally responded with a few words. He watched the three of them laughing and talking, feeling quite pleased. However, his expression became complicated, and his face turned somewhat gloomy.
After finishing their meal, Han Haoxuan drove Xinyu home and then went straight to his workplace.
Upon arriving at his office, Han Haoxuan slammed the door shut, then sank into his leather chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. His clear eyes were empty. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the table, pulled one out, lit it, and instantly, smoke filled the air, seemingly blurring his vision. He took a deep drag, then exhaled heavily, his brow furrowed.
Looking at the pile of unfinished documents on the table, he lost all interest. His expression was melancholy, his heart heavy, and even his handsome eyebrows furrowed together.
Han Haoxuan took the cigarette away, twirled it in his hand a few times, and then forcefully stubbed it out in the ashtray. The tiny flame flickered a few times in the ashtray before finally going out, just like his dim and lifeless eyes at that moment.
He turned on his computer, opened the website he had created, and then browsed other websites aimlessly. A shadow kept lingering in his mind, vividly leaping before his eyes. He tried to grasp it, but it would disappear again in a moment. He felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if he had lost something most precious.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
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Since Mu Jingyan and Ruolin started living in the same neighborhood, her life has become much more convenient. For example, he can easily fix things like clogged drains or broken light bulbs.
To express her gratitude, Ruolin treated Mu Jingyan to a meal. Despite Mu Jingyan's repeated refusals, saying it was nothing to him, Ruolin persisted. Reluctantly, Mu Jingyan agreed, but on the condition that Ruolin cook the meal herself; he would only eat it. Actually, he did this simply to save Ruolin some money. The cost of living in D City is always high; even dining at an ordinary restaurant is a considerable expense. Ruolin's relentless work ethic was already enough to make him worry. He had advised her several times not to work so hard, that he didn't need to rush to pay her back, but Ruolin would often agree at the time and then disappear without a trace, even working part-time on weekends. How could he let Ruolin treat him to a meal?
Of course, Ruolin had no idea what Mu Jingyan was really thinking. She just smiled and said, "So that's why you don't appreciate being treated. You're so demanding! Are you worried about hygiene when eating out?"
“Yes.” Mu Jingyan smiled as well.
"Okay, if I can get off work early tonight, I'll cook for you myself. But please don't complain about my cooking skills."
"No way. I'm already being generous by being treated; I wouldn't be so ungrateful."
"Tsk tsk, so you've learned to joke around too. I never expected that!" Ruolin laughed after hearing this.
“Chen Ruolin, don’t be so old-fashioned. People can change. Don’t still think of me as a bookworm who only knows how to bury himself in books.”
Yes, sometimes, one really has to marvel at the power of time. Many things change with the passage of time, including everyone's personality.
The Mu Jingyan before her had truly changed; he had become even more handsome and mature, and he smiled more often than before. However, every time she saw him smile, she couldn't help but recall the time when she had a crush on him.
Time may change a person's personality, but it cannot change their defining characteristics. His adorable dimples will always remain, as long as he gently curls the corners of his mouth.
If she really had a time machine, right now, Ruolin would love to go back to her high school days and relive those feelings. And even back then, with the pressure of college entrance exams, she didn't have nearly as many worries as she does now.
As people grow older and become more sensible, pressure will follow one after another.
If only people never grew up!
However, this is an expectation that can never be realized.
When Ruolin called the restaurant owner to ask for leave, his tone was clearly not very happy. Evenings are usually peak dining hours for the restaurant, with many customers, which is when help is needed. But since Ruolin asked for leave because she wasn't feeling well, he didn't say much and reluctantly agreed.
So, as soon as Ruolin finished work, she hurriedly clocked out and took the elevator downstairs. She needed to rush back to buy groceries and then cook.
In his haste, he bumped into someone in the lobby on the first floor.
She was expecting a scolding when a familiar and gentle voice came from behind her: "Did you hurt yourself?"
The person who was hit did not blame her; instead, he asked her with great concern if she was hurt.
"It's nothing, thank you." When Ruolin looked up, she saw Han Haoxuan's handsome face.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Han Haoxuan asked.
“Uh… I’m having dinner with a very, very good friend.” Ruolin deliberately emphasized “very good.”
"Oh? What kind of friends? Male friends?" Han Haoxuan was clearly very interested.
"Yes, he's a very good male friend," Ruolin said, feigning nonchalance.
"Oh," Han Haoxuan said calmly, then added, "Is your editor-in-chief here? I need to talk to him, so I'll have to talk to you later."
"He's here," Ruolin replied politely.
"Thank you." Han Haoxuan said this short sentence stiffly, then turned and walked towards the elevator, his back straight, without looking back.
For some reason, watching Han Haoxuan's retreating figure, Ruolin felt a little disappointed. She had thought he was coming to see her, but it turned out he was looking for the editor-in-chief, and it had nothing to do with her at all!
It seems she really was just being delusional.
His kiss with her might have been just a momentary impulse, or perhaps it was just a pastime.
It's so silly of her to occasionally recall that kissing experience!
Losing your first kiss is okay, but never lose your dignity!
Who does Han Haoxuan think he is! There are plenty of men in the world who are better than him.
Take, for example, Han Haoxuan's actions were enough to disappoint Ruolin: he kissed her but continued dating Xinyu. He kept saying he'd break off contact with Xinyu, but he couldn't keep his word. Men are truly all talk and no action.
Ruolin learned from Xinyu that the two of them and his parents often got together, either playing golf or soaking in hot springs at a resort, and they were planning to travel to Lushan during the National Day holiday. They were clearly enjoying a happy family reunion, living a life of bliss. Xinyu even said that the place she was being taken to was "paradise on earth," with a river and stars at night—what else was there?
Ruolin felt increasingly sad as she thought about it.
In the end, I could only console myself with this sentence: There are few good men out there; they are all sophisticated animals full of lies. Rather than expecting a man to give his true feelings, I'd rather be good to myself.
As Ruolin walked towards the bus stop, she unexpectedly ran into Mu Jingyan.
"What are you doing here?" Ruolin was surprised to see him.
"I was afraid you'd run away and not treat me to dinner," Mu Jingyan joked. "Just kidding, haha. Actually, I came here on business. What? Do you work around here?"
"Yes, yes. We always run into each other on the bus. Is it just fate that we're on the same bus?"
“If you want to delve deeper into our connection, I don’t mind,” Mu Jingyan said half-jokingly.
"I knew it! No man is any good!" Ruolin said through gritted teeth, though she was mostly angry because of Han Haoxuan.
"Did some man offend you? You look like you're about to devour someone," Mu Jingyan said, scrutinizing Ruolin. As clever as he was, he could immediately tell why Ruolin looked like this. It must have been the man who took her home that night who angered her, right? Just like that day, the young couple must have had a fight.
"Wrong! It's precisely because I've seen through the illusions of the world and know that no man is any good that I don't have any men at all. Aren't I clever, Amu?" Ruolin laughed deliberately, so exaggeratedly that it seemed as if she was about to laugh until tears streamed down her face.
Seeing that smile, Mu Jingyan felt a pang of heartache. He pulled Ruolin into his arms and said generously, "You can lean on my chest."
"Damn it, I don't want to lean on you!" Ruolin broke free from him.
"Girls, why are you using such foul language?" Mu Jingyan gently scolded, her tone so soft.
Ruolin could only manage a wry smile. The reason she was behaving so strangely today was because she had just met Han Haoxuan.
Chapter Forty
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However, what she didn't know was that Han Haoxuan had been watching her ever since she stepped out of the office building.
Looking at the small figure downstairs through the floor-to-ceiling window, Han Haoxuan couldn't help but laugh at himself: What's so good about her? Why can't he forget her?
Fang Qiang, the editor-in-chief of the magazine where Ruolin works, has always had a good relationship with Qin Tianyi, a friend of Han Haoxuan. The reason why Ruolin was able to become one of the columnists for "Fangling's Appointment" magazine is, of course, inseparable from Qin Tianyi and Han Haoxuan.
Han Haoxuan naturally wouldn't tell Ruolin any of this. He knew her personality; if she knew her current job was somehow related to him, she'd probably quit. Han Haoxuan believed she would. So, he simply kept quiet and forbade others to say anything, quietly helping her from behind the scenes.
He didn't actually come here to see Fang Qiang, but to see Ruolin. It turned out that the reason she left in such a hurry was to have dinner with a good male friend, which really angered him.
He also had the inherent pride of a man. Although falling in love with someone could make him feel utterly inferior, his pride had been hurt by Ruolin so many times. This time, Han Haoxuan tried hard to convince himself to ignore her, to pretend he didn't care about her at all, to pretend he wasn't there to see her, and then resolutely walked towards the elevator.
But as soon as he arrived at Fang Qiang's office, he couldn't help but peek downstairs, looking for Ruolin.
As that small figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Han Haoxuan suddenly felt a void in his heart and hurriedly went downstairs to chase after her.
But what was she doing when he finally saw her?
She was being embraced by another man, and they were flirting with each other!
Could that be the "very, very good male friend" she was talking about?
Han Haoxuan strode forward, trying to pull Ruolin away from the man, when the bus arrived and they both boarded.
Han Haoxuan wanted to get on the bus too, but he was a few seconds too late; the huge bus had already driven away. Han Haoxuan ran and shouted, "Stop!", but his efforts were in vain. In the end, he could only watch helplessly as the bus's shadow grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from sight.
Frustrated, Han Haoxuan punched the air hard.
After Ruolin and Mu Jingyan boarded the bus, they were completely unaware that someone was chasing the bus they were on.
The bus was crowded, with no empty seats and many people standing. They found a relatively empty spot to stand. At the next few stops, not many people got off, but waves of people got on, making the space inside the bus increasingly smaller.