Water and Fire~Chapter 114.3: Filled with Passion

 

Chapter 114.3: Filled with Passion

That night, Du Xiaofeng begged Chu Qianmiao to sit with him for a while.

Chu Qianmiao simply changed into a tracksuit that significantly diminished her femininity and went out for a few drinks with him. Before leaving, Chu Qianmiao wanted to ask Hou Lin to come along, to avoid suspicion.

But Du Xiaofeng pleaded, "Qianmiao, I have feelings for you, but I also see clearly that you don't. You probably have someone you love. So, I won't have any inappropriate thoughts or actions towards you." "Don't call anyone else. Just chat with me and listen to my ramblings, okay?"

Du Xiaofeng spoke frankly, and Chu Qianmiao followed suit.

They sat in a restaurant not far from Chu Qianmiao's hotel, and Du Xiaofeng recounted the story of how he and Liu Zheng met, became friends, and finally fell out.

"I know Old Liu's desire to make money has been even stronger these past two years, but I didn't take it too seriously. I just figured he wanted to live a better life, and there was nothing wrong with that." But I didn't expect him to value money so much."

"Did you hear him? The more he hated me, the better he treated me. Hearing that, I was really..."

Du Xiaofeng raised his hand to shield his eyes.

"After so many years, so many years, our friendship was overshadowed by money."

Chu Qianmiao felt pent up.

"Do you know what makes me sadder about this?" Du Xiaofeng lowered his hand, and Chu Qianmiao saw his eyes red.

She felt a pang of pain in her heart; even a tough guy could shed tears.

She softly asked Du Xiaofeng what made him sadder.

Du Xiaofeng said, "What makes me sadder is that Liu Zheng became like this not because he was upset about how close Lu Fenglin and I were. He wasn't upset about our relationship; he was upset about the money. He was upset about Lu Fenglin and I making extra money that he didn't. I'm so fucking heartbroken! I'd give him all my money, but our relationship can't go back to the way it was.

The conflict between Du Xiaofeng and Liu Zheng remained stalemated.

Two days later, Du Xiaofeng met up with Chu Qianmiao and apologized. "Qianmiao, I'm sorry, the project may have to be put on hold. Please also apologize to everyone on my behalf and explain that due to some internal conflicts within our company, the listing process can't proceed." "

Chu Qianmiao told Du Xiaofeng not to feel too bad, saying she would tell everyone. She asked Du Xiaofeng what his plans were, and he said he'd see if he could win Liu Zheng back. That was the best outcome. If not, Zhufeng Auto Parts' IPO plan would have to be suspended indefinitely.

His voice was heavy as he said this, and Chu Qianmiao's heart sank with it.

Back in the due diligence office, she first went to Tang Jie and told him the project was temporarily on hold and everyone could evacuate.

Tang Jie sighed, "This project was recommended to me by a former client. I always thought it would go smoothly, but now it's on hold. Life is so unpredictable."

Chu Qianmiao then went to Wang Jun and told him the project had to be put on hold. She told him, "Lawyer Wang, I've spoken to President Du about the payment. Although the project is suspended, President Du said the initial and mid-term compensation will still be paid. In the next two days, President Du will have the finance department transfer the legal fees to you." "

Wang Jun quickly thanked him.

Chu Qianmiao said, "I'm the one who should thank you. Thank you for your continued cooperation with our brokerage firm. Lawyer Wang, although we didn't complete this project, working with you was truly a joy and a tacit understanding."

Wang Jun smiled and said, "I look forward to our continued collaboration in the future." "

It was Friday, and Chu Qianmiao wrote a detailed work report on the Zhufeng Auto Parts project and sent it to Ren Yan. Ren Yan was busy on another project and didn't reply to her email. She thought he might see the weekly report later.

She then told the project team members to pack up and leave the site for Beijing.

Du Xiaofeng arranged a business car to take everyone to the airport.

Du Xiaofeng personally drove her there.

All the way, Chu Qianmiao felt a tightness in her chest as she listened to Du Xiaofeng's forced smiles and chatter. Someone like Du Xiaofeng wouldn't be too hurt if he cheated him out of his money, but betraying his feelings would hurt him deeply.

When they said goodbye at the airport, Du Xiaofeng said, "Qianmiao, whether Zhufeng goes public or not, you'll always be my good friend. When I get to Beijing, you have to treat me to dinner."

Chu Qianmiao smiled and said, "Brother, this is essential." She added, "Brother, cheer up. My childhood friend once told me a piece of advice. She said there's no obstacle in this world that's insurmountable. If you really can't get through it, just take a detour. Don't rush forward, and avoid getting stuck."

Du Xiaofeng waved at her, his smile a bit mellow. "Let's go. I've got that advice."

Chu Qianmiao felt listless all the way back to Beijing. The project was halted, halted by a falling out between two good brothers over money.

Could there be any more depressing reason than this? Chu Qianmiao thought.

She now felt that emotion was the most fragile thing. It couldn't withstand anything: money, profit, calculation, and deception. Did human feelings really matter? If they did, why were those with human feelings so often the most vulnerable?

She felt a sense of emptiness inside, a hollowness so profound she couldn't explain it. She desperately wanted to find something warm to fill it.

After landing in Beijing, Chu Qianmiao called Gu Miaoyu. Learning that she wasn't coming home tonight, she lost all motivation to go home. Tonight, Gu Miaoyu couldn't fill the emptiness in her heart.

She got into a taxi and blurted out the address: Ren Yan's apartment.

She bought some instant noodles at a convenience store and ate them back at the apartment. Then she showered and sat on the sofa.

The hollowness in her heart grew even more intense.

She stood up and opened the closet. Ren Yan's change of clothes, a white shirt, was hanging inside.

She took the shirt off, cradled it in her arms, and went to her room to lie on the bed.

The shirt smelled faintly of laundry detergent, and also faintly of him.

She took off her pajamas and put on his white shirt, feeling as if he were there with her. She felt the emptiness in her heart finally filled. She fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, moonlight streamed through the window, waking her. She moved.

She found herself wrapped in a hug.

A familiar embrace, a warm one.

She didn't turn around, her back pressed against his chest, and softly asked, "Why are you back?"

He kissed the back of her neck and whispered, "I came back to keep my sentimental little girl company."

The emptiness in her heart suddenly filled. Filled warmly.

The author has something to say. Wow, I'm kind of in love with Ren Yan today qaq