Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Zeng Yu stayed home, quietly going out for a stroll each day and returning before lunch.
After dinner one evening, Zeng Yu announced to his parents, “I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning.”
Though they were reluctant, Zhanhao kept a smile on his face. “Work comes first. Just give us a call whenever you have time.”
Fu Yu didn’t say anything. She simply turned and went to the kitchen to hide her tears.
The next morning, Fu Yu got up early and bought Zeng Yu’s favorite dumplings. She made a pot of porridge and stir-fried some pickled chives to go with it. Zeng Yu ate quietly, then grabbed his bag, ready to leave.
Fu Yu walked him downstairs, but Zeng Yu stopped her at the entrance. “It’s too hot out, Mom. No need to see me off.”
“Take care of yourself out there. Make sure you eat well and get enough rest,” Fu Yu reminded him.
Zeng Yu nodded. As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of the tears in his mother’s eyes.
Her gaze followed him from behind, and Zeng Yu couldn’t bring himself to turn back.
There is no love more selfless than a mother’s love. It is a love that seeks nothing in return, asking only for the well-being of her children.
As Zeng Yu passed through security at the station, Jiang Nan was doing the same thing at another station. They were starting from each other’s endpoints, unknowingly missing one another by mere hours. While Zeng Yu felt a weight on his heart, Jiang Nan was filled with determination.
Two hours later, Jiang Nan arrived at the high-speed rail station, dragging her suitcase behind her as she climbed into a taxi.
Standing at the entrance of Zeng Yu’s old neighborhood, Jiang Nan smirked to herself. “Zeng Yu, you won’t escape from me.” She had found out just yesterday that Zeng Yu had returned to his hometown, thanks to a tip-off from Ye Xiyan. That was when she remembered the ace up her sleeve—Zeng Yu’s parents. But she knew better than to play that card too early. With Zeng Yu’s personality, if she pushed too hard, he might really do something drastic.
One thing was clear to Jiang Nan—if she could find Zeng Yu while he was at home, she’d have a chance to explain everything. However, she also knew that simply laying out what had happened over the past few years wouldn’t necessarily win his forgiveness. Zeng Yu would undoubtedly ask, “If two people love each other, why couldn’t we face things together?”
As Zeng Yu walked out of the station, he spotted Wang Zheng and Annan waiting for him. The two of them approached, and Wang Zheng pulled Zeng Yu into a hug, silently conveying his support: No matter what, I’m on your side.
Annan quietly took Zeng Yu’s backpack. The three of them didn’t exchange many words and made their way to the parking lot together. As they reached the car, Annan smiled and said, “Zeng Yu, Wang Zheng wants to invest in the bar.”
Zeng Yu responded without hesitation, “Ignore him. Just treat him like he’s invisible.”
From the driver’s seat, Wang Zheng sighed. “You two are too much. I just want to find a decent investment project.”
Zeng Yu chuckled. “As one of the bar’s owners, I’ll be happy to welcome you as a customer. But no, you’re not getting both rent and a share of the bar’s profits.”
Wang Zheng grinned. “You’re basically forcing me into investing in a film company.”
Zeng Yu patted him on the shoulder. “You can do it! I believe in your judgment—you’ll definitely make money.”
Wang Zheng started the car with a grumble. “Just wait. I’ll make a killing.”
As Wang Zheng focused on driving, Annan pulled out a tablet and handed it to Zeng Yu. “Here’s the concept for the bar. Take a look.”
Zeng Yu barely glanced at it. “Just go with your plan. By the way, what about the rent… Wang Zheng didn’t gouge you, did he?”
Annan smiled. “Wang Zheng suggested using the property as equity. As long as the bar doesn’t close, he won’t charge rent. Aren’t you even a little tempted? It’s a great location—quiet but not far from the action. You know how my bar will be: a calm, quiet place where friends can gather, have a few drinks, smoke some cigars, and chat. That’s what will make it special.”
Zeng Yu glanced at Wang Zheng and said, “Alright. Let’s bring him on board. How about five percent of the shares?”
From the driver’s seat, Wang Zheng grinned. “Deal.”
Zeng Yu added, “Take it out of my shares.”
Annan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”
Wang Zheng chuckled smugly, glancing back. “By the way, I wasn’t joking earlier. I’m serious about investing in a film company. A friend of mine runs a cultural company and is involved in buying and selling film rights. You interested?”
Zeng Yu shook his head. “Not at the moment. You go ahead if you want.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Nan carefully made her way through the narrow, cluttered hallways of Zeng Yu’s old building.
When she reached the door to the Zeng family’s apartment, she wiped the sweat from her brow with a tissue and knocked softly. Hearing footsteps from inside, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Through a neighbor, Jiang Nan had learned a lot about Zeng Yu’s life over the past few years. In all that time, the neighbor had only seen one woman enter Zeng Yu’s apartment—Xiao Xiao, who had come with her fiancé to deliver their wedding invitation.
Before returning to China, Jiang Nan had mentally prepared herself for the possibility that Zeng Yu might have moved on. But after hearing how he’d been living, her heart ached for him. If Zeng Yu wouldn’t forgive her, then she’d just have to chase after him until he did. Jiang Nan knew that if she let Zeng Yu slip away, she’d never find another man who would wait for her as long as he had. Not to mention, Zeng Yu had become a successful businessman in the past few years. A man like him, facing endless temptations, had resisted them all.
Jiang Nan was still lost in thought when the door opened.
Seeing her, Fu Yu’s face lit up with delight. “Oh my! Xiao Jiang! How wonderful to see you! How did you find your way here? Come in, come in. It’s so hot outside—you’re drenched in sweat.” Fu Yu quickly started bustling around. “Oh, I’m so excited I forgot to turn on the air conditioner!”
The standing air conditioner in the living room was something the Zengs rarely used. It was only turned on when guests came over or when Zeng Yu returned home. Fu Yu hurried to find the remote and switched it on, then began closing the windows. Only after everything was set did she realize Jiang Nan was still standing at the door.
“Look at me, getting all flustered! I didn’t even invite you in properly,” Fu Yu laughed at herself.
Jiang Nan smiled as she stepped inside and set down her luggage. “Auntie, please don’t fuss over me. I’ll make myself at home.”
“Yes, yes. This is your home too. But I have to ask, what’s going on with you two? Zeng Yu just left, and now you show up.”
Fu Yu’s words hit Jiang Nan like a punch to the gut. He’s already gone? Sigh, I should’ve called him first.
“Auntie, this isn’t Zeng Yu’s fault. It’s mine. I wanted to surprise him, but I guess I missed him.” Jiang Nan smiled as she opened her suitcase. “Auntie, I came in a rush and didn’t bring much. These are some skincare products I picked up at the airport. They’re perfect for your skin at this age.”
Fu Yu could sense that something was off, but after exchanging a few pleasantries, she took Jiang Nan’s hand and sat her down on the couch. “Xiao Jiang, it’s been years since I’ve seen you. Zeng Yu told me you were studying abroad and couldn’t come home, and you were busy with work on top of that. But I’m not senile—I know he wasn’t telling the whole truth. Why don’t you tell me? Have you two had a falling out? If Zeng Yu did something wrong, Auntie will give him a good talking to.”
The concern on Fu Yu’s face was clear as day. Jiang Nan silently apologized to her in her heart, but what she said aloud was entirely different. “Auntie, Zeng Yu and I have had some disagreements, but it’s mostly my fault. I was selfish, going abroad for so long without thinking about how he felt. I came back this time to make things right. Please don’t scold him. I don’t want him to feel any more awkward. When I find him, I’ll explain everything to him myself.”
Fu Yu was overjoyed. “Xiao Jiang, I understand. Everyone has their dreams when they’re young. There’s no right or wrong here. You two just need to talk it out and clear up any misunderstandings.”
The conversation between Fu Yu and Jiang Nan was warm and pleasant, and time flew by. Before they knew it, it was almost lunchtime. Zhanhao came home, and when he saw Jiang Nan, he was just as surprised and happy as Fu Yu had been. “I’ll cook lunch today! Xiao Jiang, you stay here and chat with your auntie.”
Jiang Nan stood up to help, but Fu Yu pulled her back down. “No need, Xiao Jiang. Your Uncle Zeng’s cooking is excellent. He doesn’t cook often—only on holidays and special occasions.”
Jiang Nan laughed. “Great! After all these years abroad, I’m sick of bread and milk. I can’t wait to try Uncle Zeng’s cooking.”
Fu Yu smiled but said nothing. In her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder: This girl is so thoughtful. How did she and Zeng Yu end up at odds?
After they finished viewing the property, signing the contract, and formalizing the partnership for the bar, Annan didn’t hesitate to kick them out. “You two should leave. I’ve got work to do.”
Zeng Yu snatched Wang Zheng’s car keys and tossed them to Annan. “Take it. But you’re paying for gas.”
Annan grinned. “Thanks.” Zeng Yu waved him off and left with Wang Zheng in tow.
“Hey, aren’t you being a bit too hands-off? I don’t have anything else going on right now. I can help out,” Wang Zheng offered.
Zeng Yu shook his head with a smile. “What could you help with? Annan’s got his own vision. You’d only get in the way.”
“Fine. Since you’re here, come with me to meet a friend and help me gauge the situation,” Wang Zheng said, pulling out his phone to call for a car.
Zeng Yu raised an eyebrow. “It’s your friend. What’s there for me to gauge?”
Wang Zheng replied, “You have a better eye for people than I do. Just tell me if you’re coming or not.”
Zeng Yu smiled. “No, thanks. I’m not interested. And your eyes are telling me you’re lying.”
Wang Zheng scowled. “Can we have a normal conversation?”
Zeng Yu laughed. “See? You’re already getting defensive. Let me guess: if I go with you, we’ll just ‘happen’ to bump into some women. And they’ll be pretty, too. This whole routine is getting old. Every time Jiang Nan has been gone, you’ve pulled this same stunt—finding an excuse to drag me out, only for some woman to come up and strike up a conversation.”
Wang Zheng sighed. “You can’t live like a monk forever. There are monks out there who are living better than you.”
Zeng Yu shook his head. “I don’t care what others do. I have my own principles.”
Wang Zheng pressed on. “Jiang Nan is amazing, sure, but you can’t spend your whole life hanging from one tree.”
Zeng Yu’s expression hardened. “I know you mean well, but until I’ve moved on from Jiang Nan, I won’t give my heart to anyone else.”
Wang Zheng muttered, “Who said anything about your heart? Maybe all she’s after is your wallet.”
The car arrived just then. Zeng Yu chuckled. “Don’t impose your way of thinking on me. Let’s go. I’ll tag along.”
Wang Zheng brightened up. “Now that’s more like it! Listen, if you’re interested in any of the women we meet, just say the word. I’ll handle the rest.”
Zeng Yu’s smile turned slightly bitter as he changed the subject. “You’re paying for lunch, by the way. I’m broke lately.”
Wang Zheng was surprised. “How’s that possible? Your company’s been making solid profits. How are you broke?”
Zeng Yu explained, “I paid myself a salary—ten percent of the company’s profits from the past few years. I invested in Annan’s bar, and I’m planning to take a trip abroad. I need to be careful with my spending. When I get back, I’m thinking of starting something new. I need to hold onto some capital.”
Hearing this, Wang Zheng turned to stare out the window. If Zeng Yu needed money for something, all he had to do was ask, and Wang Zheng could easily help out. But Zeng Yu rarely did—except for one time, for Jiang Nan’s birthday.
Zeng Yu smiled quietly to himself, also turning to look out the window. Sometimes, the best response is silence.
“By the way, aren’t you turning thirty soon?” Wang Zheng asked suddenly.
Zeng Yu didn’t turn back. “Yeah, I almost forgot. It’ll be the twenty-second of the twelfth month. I usually celebrate my lunar birthday, as you know.”
“Are you really not going to give Jiang Nan a chance to explain?” Wang Zheng asked out of the blue.
Zeng Yu slowly turned, his eyes cold. “Do you really think it’s necessary? Even if she had her reasons, does that excuse the fact that she disappeared without a word for years? She asked me to wait, and I did. But what did she do? She didn’t keep her promise! Now, after all this time, she suddenly comes back. What am I supposed to think? Even if her family was against us, why didn’t she tell me? We could’ve faced it together. Why couldn’t she let me stand by her side, holding her hand, and fight together?”
Wang Zheng was dumbfounded. “So it’s not about the explanation?”
Zeng Yu nodded. “Exactly. I don’t need an explanation. The reason doesn’t matter.”
Wang Zheng scratched his head. “What if she was sick, like terminally ill? Maybe she didn’t want you to suffer with her.”
Zeng Yu paused, then shook his head. “Even if your assumption is right, she should have told me. If two people are in love, they should face everything together. Disappearing isn’t the answer.”
Wang Zheng wanted to tell him, “You’ve trapped yourself in a dead end.”
But he didn’t say it. Zeng Yu was too stubborn, and this was something he’d have to work through on his own. All Wang Zheng could do was keep introducing him to new women. Even if they didn’t end up together, it wouldn’t hurt for Zeng Yu to make some more female friends.
Jiang Nan knows that despite her explanation, he’ll ask why they couldn’t face things together. Well I want to know that also 🙁
Despite my complaints about her, I still like her character alot. What was the promise Zeng Yu mentioned, I dont remember.
Thanks for the chapter, keep up the good work!