Blazing Sun~Chapter 26

 

Chapter 26

Because we rented a car, we had a lot of freedom and no plans while traveling in Chengdu. We basically only decided where to go the next day the night before. But this seemed to fit the city's atmosphere perfectly, allowing us to blend in seamlessly.

Xiao Xie flew back to Suzhou the next day, and Lin Yusen stayed in his room again, waking me up every morning with a different breakfast.

Traveling is truly an intimate experience.

If being with someone in daily life is enjoyable, then traveling together is an intense burst of happiness.

We didn't do anything particularly special. We just drove to Dujiangyan together, strolled through the city's famous streets and alleys, sat in teahouses drinking tea and enjoying the breeze, and shared every delicious dish…

But how can I describe this feeling?

The world seemed refreshed; even the most ordinary things became new and interesting. Every day I opened my eyes with anticipation, wanting to share and discuss everything I saw and heard with him.

We seemed to have more and more topics to talk about. We've already talked so much during the day, but back at the hotel at night, we still lean against each other on the sofa and talk.

I told him about my complicated feelings towards my father—not wanting to talk to him but not being able to bear ignoring him. He told me he used to feel the same way about his grandfather.

I told him about my childhood in the countryside with my grandparents, and he told me all sorts of stories about his childhood in the old-style apartment building. We then promised to go back and visit sometime.

I want to take him to eat the best sesame seed cakes in the countryside, and he wants to take me to see the jujube tree outside the old apartment building that bears so many dates every year.

Of course, we often have long silences…

Oh dear, I've realized that traveling all the way to Chengdu hasn't eliminated this inexplicable desire to be close; in fact, it's made it worse.

I seem to be increasingly reluctant to part with him, even if it's just for a few hours at night, knowing we'll see each other again the next morning.

Thankfully, he probably feels the same way.

In my room, on the sofa, after another long silence, he stopped what he was doing and sighed deeply. "When I come back tomorrow, I'll definitely go straight to my room without looking back. Otherwise, it'll be too much of a test for me."

"You said the same thing yesterday," I leaned against him, my voice soft, but that didn't stop me from pointing out his insincerity.

"Don't call me out on it," he chuckled, his warm breath brushing against my ear, then he gently kissed me again…

The day before leaving Chengdu, we received a call from President Qi.

We had just left the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Lin Yusen was driving, and I was in the passenger seat, passionately speaking out for the other provinces of China.

"Why aren't there giant pandas in other places? For example, in Wuxi, there's so much bamboo, but no giant pandas have grown there. Is that reasonable?"

"Don't be so jealous," Lin Yusen wisely comforted me. "Anyway, whether or not giant pandas grow in the ground, no one can touch them, so it's still fair."

Just then, President Qi called. Lin Yusen couldn't answer, so I picked up the phone and glanced at it, slightly excited. "It's President Qi calling, could it be..."

"Put it on speakerphone."

I did as he said, and President Qi's Sichuan accent immediately filled the small car.

"President Lin, have you left yet? Are you still in Chengdu?"

"Not yet, just got back from the giant panda base."

President Qi chuckled. "Pandas are great! Everyone wants to see them when they come to Chengdu. President Lin, your girlfriend is here, and I haven't treated you to dinner yet. How about this, I'll find a good restaurant tonight and treat you to a meal."

...This welcome dinner is really late; we're leaving tomorrow.

Lin Yusen smiled, "No need for Mr. Qi to trouble yourself. We're leaving Chengdu tomorrow, and we'd like to stroll around the city tonight. I've already made reservations at a restaurant."

"Leaving tomorrow?" Mr. Qi's voice instantly rose, no longer concealing his purpose. "Then I should definitely treat you. I also have something to discuss with Mr. Lin again."

"Really, there's no need." Lin Yusen's tone remained calm and unhurried. "We've discussed everything that needed to be discussed. Our company understands Mr. Qi's thoughts..."

"No, no, no." Mr. Qi hurriedly interrupted Lin Yusen, "Mr. Lin, you don't understand, you understand incorrectly. Let's meet again and talk properly."

Lin Yusen smiled slightly and quietly drove.

I peered over to study his expression. Hmm... Mr. Lin seemed to want to discuss the price further.

After a while, Mr. Qi cautiously called out from the other end of the phone, "Mr. Lin?"

"Okay," Mr. Lin finally relented. "My girlfriend can't handle spicy food very well, so I'll trouble Mr. Qi to arrange it."

"No problem, don't be so polite. I'll send you the restaurant reservation later." Mr. Qi hung up the phone happily.

"My tolerance for spicy food has improved these past few days, you know," I protested, putting my phone back down. "Are you trying to haggle a bit more?"

"Let's try. Mr. Qi needs the money urgently."

"Then..." My eyes darted around, "How about you introduce me as the daughter of the major shareholder during dinner? I'll be responsible for being unhappy the whole time."

Lin Yusen instantly understood, a smile spreading across his face. "Yes, ma'am, Miss."

So, during dinner with Mr. Qi that evening, Lin Yusen and I put on a pretty good performance?

I felt like I'd inherited a bit of Mr. Nie's acting skills, gradually performing a charade of impatience, displeasure, and not being short of money.

The dialogue was full of personality, for example—

“Why buy secondhand equipment? We're not short of money. Can't we afford brand new equipment? Who knows if there will be any problems?”

“My friends all know I'm going to work outside the company. Who would buy secondhand equipment? It's embarrassing to even talk about it. Besides, the equipment will be upgraded soon. Who will we sell it to then, as scrap?”

“If you're worried about the budget, I'll have my family transfer money to the company account.”

It's only because Mr. Qi is far away in Chengdu that I wouldn't dare to act this way if I were in the Yangtze River Delta region—I'm going to be working outside the company in the future, and I need to pay attention to my image.

As for Lin Yusen, he was meek and submissive the whole time, not daring to say a word under my intimidating presence.

Finally, Mr. Qi reluctantly lowered the price and covered the shipping costs, and only then did I stop objecting. Mr. Qi quickly grabbed Lin Yusen and finalized the deal.

We didn't push too hard on the price. With a series of favorable policies recently introduced, although many are still observing, those with the courage have already started making moves. Otherwise, why would other companies emerge to compete with us for equipment? It's only because Mr. Qi is urgently seeking funds to fill other financial holes today that we probably wouldn't have been able to negotiate down a single penny.

The next day we were returning to Shanghai. Mr. Qi, anxiously following the previous terms, revised the price and redrew the contract, stamped it, and had it delivered to us at the airport.

Because we had to wait for the person delivering the contract, and there wasn't much time left after security, we went straight to the departure lounge. Unexpectedly, the flight was delayed, and it was incredibly crowded. We barely managed to secure two seats.

In this noisy environment, Lin Yusen carefully reviewed the contract.

"No problems."

He put the contract away. Mr. Qi called again. Lin Yusen no longer hesitated and readily agreed to pay the full amount immediately upon the equipment's arrival at the factory.

As they were talking, Lin Yusen suddenly laughed, seemingly out of nowhere, after hearing something from President Qi. "Not at all, not at all. In this respect, we're still not as good as you Sichuan men, but we're still nationally renowned."

What do you mean, not as good as Sichuan men? My curiosity piqued, I waited until he hung up and then quickly asked, "What were you talking about? What's wrong with being less famous nationwide than others?"

Lin Yusen casually and proudly put his phone in his pocket. "Henpecked, afraid of his wife."

Me: "..."

I couldn't let the reputation of being a "tiger mom" go to waste. I ordered him, "Then go buy your...girlfriend some food."

Lin Yusen actually objected to my attitude. "Shouldn't you be gentler and say nicer things when you ask me to do chores? I'm only afraid of my wife in the future, not my girlfriend."

"...If you don't do chores now, you won't upgrade later."

Lin Yusen seriously considered for a few seconds, then compromised. "Effective threat."

He stretched his long legs and stood up deftly. "Alright, my darling girlfriend, what do you want to eat?"

Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at it; it was an unknown number. As I answered, I said to Lin Yusen, "You should definitely think of that yourself. Buy the right thing, and you'll upgrade to Girlfriend 2.0."

"It sounds like the road ahead is long and arduous." Lin Yusen shook his head and sighed as he went to buy things. I said "Hello" into the phone, but there was no response. I said "Hello" twice more, still no answer. Confused, I hung up.

I guess I dialed the wrong number.

After hanging up, I remembered the text message Jiang Rui sent me that morning that I hadn't replied to, so I called him.

The call connected quickly, and I said directly, "I haven't gone back yet, I'm at the airport in Chengdu. Why are you asking if I'm back? Want to treat me to dinner?"

Jiang Rui said, "Nothing, just asking."

Huh? I said he wanted to treat me to dinner, and he didn't jump up and protest loudly?

"When I get to Shanghai, I'm going to visit Grandpa Sheng with Lin Yusen, and then I'll go back to Suzhou. I probably won't have time to see you this time."

"Oh, sis... did you have fun in Chengdu?"

"Yes, I sent you photos."

He said "Oh" again, looking hesitant.

I couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

He was silent for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind, "Sis, there are some things I feel I should tell you."

"Then tell me." Why was he so hesitant? Was it something to do with his love life? I inexplicably thought of the girl I'd met at Xinjiekou before, "Did you and that girl develop something?"

"What? What are you talking about?" Jiang Rui exclaimed, "It's Brother Zhuang!"

I frowned abruptly.

After calling out, Jiang Rui's speech became fluent. "Yesterday on the train back to Shanghai, I ran into Zhuang Fei. After getting off the train, Brother Zhuang picked him up and invited us to dinner. I couldn't refuse, so I went along. We ate for quite a while. Brother Zhuang asked about my study abroad trip, but didn't mention you. Later, Zhuang Fei asked me what my sister was doing now. I said she was working in Suzhou. Being a bit childish, I deliberately showed off, saying you're so happy with your boyfriend now, you hardly pay attention to me anymore. Zhuang Fei was shocked and immediately asked, 'Your sister has a boyfriend?' I said yes, she quickly started dating someone a few days before the Lunar New Year. Brother Zhuang hadn't said anything until I said that, and his expression changed drastically. Later, after he took us to school, he came back and asked me, 'When did your sister get together with Lin Yusen, a few days before the Lunar New Year?' I figured there was nothing wrong with saying it, so I said yes. He seemed even more upset. Sister, is it okay to say this? Is there something important I don't know about?"

Jiang Rui asked very perceptively.

I was silent for a moment. "It's nothing important, it's okay."

"That's good." Jiang Rui breathed a sigh of relief. "There's one more thing, I'll tell you now."

"I was really torn about telling you during the New Year. Before you came to Nanjing for the holiday, Aunt Zhang suddenly mentioned to me that Brother Zhuang had come to my house to see you. Aunt Zhang told him that you and I went to study abroad together. Aunt Zhang said 'study abroad,' I confirmed with her several times. Actually, she's still confused, and even asked me, 'Didn't you go to study abroad? I didn't say it wrong, did I?' She said Brother Zhuang stayed at the door for a long time before leaving, even forgetting his umbrella. It was raining heavily outside, and she chased after him to the door calling him, but he was nowhere to be seen."

“Sister, do you remember? When we went abroad, we left in such a rush that your phone didn't have international roaming enabled. Even if you called me, I might not have been able to answer because of the time difference or my phone being off. He… he might not have been able to find us. So during the New Year, I dragged you around Xinjiekou every day, hoping to run into him, leaving everything to fate. If I hadn't gone abroad to study, Zhuang would have found you, and you two would be… Sister, I can't help but think, if it weren't for me, maybe you…”

“Jiang Rui,” I interrupted him.

Jiang Rui stopped.

“Thank you for dragging me along on this study trip,” I said. “I feel happier now.”

“Really?” Jiang Rui actually pressed.

I knew why he was so uncertain, even though he had seen me with Lin Yusen.

Because he had also seen me pursue someone else recklessly, loving him with all my might.

He was afraid I would have regrets.

My brother wouldn't take sides with anyone; he only wanted me to be with the person I loved most. But how can I tell him that my feelings for him back then were real, and that they've all vanished now?

Sometimes I wonder to myself, can I really change my mind so quickly? I was only with Lin Yusen for a few months, not even as long as I'd liked Zhuang Xu. Can I really let go of the past completely and accept someone entirely different filling my thoughts and life?

I looked into the distance, sensing something.

Just then, a tall, handsome man emerged from around the corner. He carried two drinks and a large bag, walking calmly towards me, the bright sunlight streaming through the airport's floor-to-ceiling windows behind him.

The light, along with my mood, felt warm and gentle at that moment.

This man walking towards me was intelligent, resolute, tolerant, open-minded, exceptionally talented, and effortlessly charming.

He seemed to possess all the virtues in the world for me.

I never needed to be cautious with him, never needed to guess or speculate; I could take freely and give without reservation.

Perhaps I really changed my mind too quickly, but if I had ever received love as fiery and open as the blazing sun, who would care about fleeting, flickering fireworks?

"Of course it's true."

I said earnestly to Jiang Rui on the other end of the phone, "Love that doesn't receive an equal response is utterly insignificant compared to mutual affection."