After several hours, we returned to the airport in Guilin. I asked Robben to stay with Leyao while I went to book the tickets. However, Leyao suddenly called me back and asked, “Zhaoyang, where are you booking the flight tickets to?”
“To Beijing, of course.”
Leyao replied coldly, “You only need to buy two tickets for Beijing.”
“What do you mean?”
“My meaning is that Robben and I will go back to Beijing, and you can go wherever you want.”
I stared at Leyao for a while before replying, “Maybe I could be of some help!”
“Since Robben is here, let’s make things clear in front of him today. Our agreement to part ways and never meet again still stands. From now on, wherever there’s Leyao, you Zhaoyang shouldn’t appear, and wherever you Zhaoyang are, I will stay away…”
Robben nudged Leyao and said, “Big shot, we’ve been friends for so many years, there’s no need for this, right? Zhaoyang is going to Beijing to help you out of goodwill. Why are you suddenly bringing up this ‘never meet again’ thing?”
“If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to go to Beijing either. Stay out of my business; I can handle it myself.”
By now, some passengers had started looking our way. Although Leyao was wearing sunglasses and her hair was down, her fashionable, celebrity-like outfit still drew attention. Robben was afraid her identity might be recognized, so he quickly pulled her into a corner shielded by a pillar and then turned to me, saying, “Zhaoyang, how about this? You go back to Suzhou first, and I’ll accompany Big shot to Beijing. If there’s anything you can help with, I’ll call you. You two shouldn’t argue here at the airport; it’ll be really troublesome if she gets recognized.”
I looked at Leyao, who completely ignored me, feeling bitter and helpless. After a while, I said, “Fine, you two go back to Beijing. If you need anything, give me a call.”
After Robben signaled that it was okay, he helped Leyao with her suitcase and headed toward the ticket counter. I stood there alone until they finished booking their tickets, then went to buy myself a ticket back to Shanghai.
Leyao and Robben’s flight departed before mine. I saw them off at the boarding gate. Robben patted my shoulder and then, in the simplest way possible, pulled Leyao away, ending our farewell. I didn’t even have time to say goodbye or wish them a safe trip. They disappeared into the crowd, and I could only silently wish them a smooth journey to Beijing.
…
In the evening, I finally returned to Suzhou and immediately called Mi Cai, who was still busy at the company. While waiting, I also made quick visits to both “The Fifth Season Bar” and “Empty City Music Restaurant.” The operations of these two stores had been going very well recently, which was great news for me. Then I drove through the city, looking for a suitable location to open an inn, thus completing my business layout in Suzhou.
After driving around the city for a while, I came to the square where I used to often play with Mi Cai and her race cars. I found an empty bench and sat down, watching a group of playing children absentmindedly until Xiaopangdun Wei Xiao suddenly appeared in front of me, bringing my attention back.
Looking at Wei Xiao, he seemed even fatter recently, so I teased him, “Have you been eating something nutritious lately? You’re almost catching up with the second master!”
“Hehe… Yesterday, Mi Cai sister took my grandpa and me out for a big meal, and I had so much fun. She even gave me an oil-powered racing car… Look!” As Wei Xiao spoke, he handed a brand new oil-powered racing car to me.
I examined it, then handed the racing car back to Wei Xiao and asked, “How have you and your grandpa been lately?”
“Great…” Wei Xiao said, suddenly pausing, and then he looked worriedly at me and said, “But Mi Cai sister seems unhappy… Last night, I sat here in the square with her for a very, very long time!”
“Did you talk with her?”
“Of course, she told me a lot of things!”
“What did she say?”
Wei Xiao thought for a moment and replied, “She said she envies me because I have a grandpa to rely on!”
I didn’t say anything, but I knew in my heart that Mi Cai was now full of disappointment toward Mi Zhongde, which is why she said those words envying Wei Xiao.
Wei Xiao patted my leg and asked again, “Brother Yang, doesn’t Mi Cai sister have a grandpa?”
I didn’t know how to answer. After a while, I told Wei Xiao, “Let’s not talk about such heavy topics. Let’s try out your new car…”
Wei Xiao nodded and immediately placed the car on the ground. He pulled the starter rope, and the car started roaring. Then, excitedly, he took out the remote control and began maneuvering the car in front of me. However, I didn’t join in his excitement; I was lost in my own thoughts: If Mi Zhongde could reconcile with Mi Cai at this moment and wholeheartedly help her run卓美 well, how great would that be! That way, she could not only keep the business left by Mi Zhongxin but also regain the lost family affection…
The more I thought about it, the more helpless I felt, because in this world, there are too many things that don’t go as planned. What you consider perfect might be a disaster in someone else’s eyes! That’s why Mi Zhongde is willing to disregard family bonds and morality to hold tightly onto Zhuomei.
The sky gradually darkened, and even Wei Xiao said goodbye and went home for dinner. However, more and more people gathered in the square, and the large fountain began to spray water. Occasionally, mist floated toward me with the breeze, but I remained detached from this world, trapped in the night, sinking into a struggle without wanting to go anywhere.
The phone rang again. I picked it up and saw it was a call from Fangyuan. I answered the call, and Fangyuan said to me, “Zhaoyang, are you in Suzhou?”
“Yeah, I just got back today.”
“Great, then come over to my place for dinner tonight. Yan Yan is cooking a lot of dishes herself.”
I looked at the time, already 7:30 PM, and I hadn’t eaten yet, so I agreed. I thought to myself that I hadn’t visited Fangyuan’s house in quite a while. In the past, I used to go there every few days to mooch off their meals. We had become estranged over time.
Fangyuan continued, “I just saw that Mi Cai had already left work. Why don’t you invite her along? She hasn’t been to my house before.”
I thought it made sense. As my girlfriend, Mi Cai had never formally visited Fangyuan’s house. That was indeed quite distant. So I agreed again.
…
After ending the call with Fangyuan, I immediately dialed Mi Cai. Sure enough, she answered quickly. I asked her, “Have you finished work yet?”
“Yeah, I’m about to attend a wine party and am going home to change clothes now.”
“Who’s hosting the wine party?”
Mi Cai hesitated slightly before answering, “Weiran.”
“Is it a private or business wine party?”
“Private.”
“Since it’s a private event, can’t you skip it?”
“Why?”
“Fangyuan just called me and said Yan Yan cooked a whole table of food. We’ve been together for so long, yet you’ve never visited his house. Don’t you think we should take this opportunity to go?”
Mi Cai fell silent, as if weighing her options…
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