I avoided Jane Wei’s gaze, but she kept staring at me, waiting for an ambitious answer. However, after everything we had been through, I no longer felt much desire for the commercial blueprint she had painted. I just wanted life to return to its authenticity and to quietly walk my own “artsy path.”
Finally, I said to her, “Perhaps I really don’t have much business sense in me. I can’t imagine influencing an entire county’s economy through my own operations. This is where we differ—you’re destined to become a successful woman, while all I seek is a sense of fulfillment after having enough to eat and wear, then doing things I truly enjoy.”
Jane Wei stared at me for a long time, her expression pained as she said, “Zhaoyang, do you really not care what others think of you? Have you forgotten how my father looked down on you back then?… I truly hope you become a man who can command the world, instead of being like this now… Don’t you understand at all?”
“What’s the point of commanding the world when all along it was you pulling the strings behind me? What meaning would easily obtained success have for me?”
“I was pushing you forward, and I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
We locked eyes, and I asked, “But why push me forward? Because we dated for four years? Because I was humiliated by your father?”
At this moment, Jane finally avoided my questioning gaze and remained silent. Her silence frustrated me, so I lit a cigarette and pressed, “Then say something! If you don’t speak, I don’t have the courage to confirm certain things!”
“I just hate seeing you drifting aimlessly and half-heartedly, okay?”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit forced? We’ve been broken up for so long now; what does my life have to do with you?”
“Forced? I don’t think so. I’m just a capricious woman, thinking however I like and acting accordingly. How you see me is your business, nothing to do with me.”
“What about Xiang Chen then? What do you mean by dragging things out with him?”
Jane’s expression finally changed slightly. She was silent for a long time before replying, “It’s him who wants to drag things out now, not me.”
“Do you want to break up with him?”
Jane still didn’t answer directly but said, “Can we not talk about this?”
“I can’t. Some issues between us must be clarified.”
“Our relationship is clear—it’s purely a business partnership… Please don’t ask me any more questions. I’m very tired, so tired…”
This strong woman once again made me feel helpless. I finally gave up the idea of continuing to press her, but since she wouldn’t talk, I could always find out from others, like Yang Congrong. I decided I would chat with him soon to ask why he had invested in my company, what Jane had done, and whether she had been the ultimate reason for his investment.
It was already noon, and autumn winds blew with a hint of warmth. I gazed absentmindedly at the shimmering lake when suddenly Jane leaned her head on my shoulder, whispering softly, “Zhaoyang, let me rest here a while. I’m so tired…”
When her hair brushed against my face, I once again felt that familiar scent. In an instant, I became dazed. My body resisted, but my mind failed to issue commands to keep a proper distance from her. Thus, I let her rest on my shoulder until I became numb, indulging in that familiar scent and feeling.
After a long while, she had already fallen asleep on my shoulder. At this moment, I could no longer see her usual decisiveness and efficiency. Instead, she looked peaceful and serene. I couldn’t help but recall her from our university days. Back then, she wasn’t at all like this; she was even somewhat delicate and feminine, always hoping I could give her a cozy family where she could be a devoted wife and mother.
But what had changed her? Was it the independent and free culture of America? Not entirely… I really began to suspect that she hadn’t completely forgotten our unforgettable love… she just wouldn’t admit it.
This thought suddenly emerging in my mind sent a tremor through my heart. Countless questions swirled in my mind, disrupting my ability to think clearly. I sat there, staring at her face, reminiscing about those gentle and familiar moments. My eyes welled up with warmth again, and the image of her in a wedding dress appeared once more… I felt my heart breaking.
My fingers trembled as I touched her face, gradually losing control, because the long-buried torrent erupted in an instant, releasing my longing for the past and my lingering feelings for her…
I wanted to pull her tightly into my arms, but suddenly Mi Cai’s face appeared in my mind, instantly shattering my impulse. My almost embracing hands stopped mid-air, sweat breaking out on my forehead, representing my inner struggle and pain…
Perhaps my heavy breathing woke Jane up, or maybe she hadn’t really fallen asleep. She tidied her slightly disheveled hair and calmly moved away from my shoulder, as if her previous fatigue had already dissipated.
My agitated heart finally calmed down with her awakening, and those feelings just now seemed as if I had stolen them from a few years back through a time machine. I understood: the one I truly loved was Mi Cai, and I had never had the ability to love two women at the same time.
Jane’s expression once again regained its professional coldness. She glanced at her watch and said to me, “Let’s find a place to eat. After dinner, we’ll go back—Mi Cai is waiting to have dinner with you.”
I nodded. As I was about to stand up, Jane said to me, “You’ve seen the scenic area, and you know my and Uncle Yang’s ideas. Please give us your opinion—can you accept that we, under the name of Luku Company, start this major strategic era?”
I couldn’t make a decision immediately and replied, “Let me think about it some more… I will talk with Uncle Yang in these few days and then definitely give him my most honest thoughts.”
“That’s fine, but please decide quickly.”
I nodded again, but in my heart, I was thinking about Yang Congrong’s original motivation for investing in Luku. I must clarify this in my upcoming meeting with him… because it concerned how I should view Luku Company and who ultimately created its true value.
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