Chapter 55

The next morning, Xu Zhiyi woke up to a message from Xu Xiangyi.

[Dad is downstairs. I’ll drive you to school today.]

She realized she wouldn’t have another chance to be driven to school by him—kindergarten and elementary school were long gone. But college? This was a moment she couldn’t miss.

Xu Zhiyi rushed through her morning routine and hurried downstairs, practically sprinting to the car parked at the curb.

Xu Xiangyi had prepared breakfast: pineapple buns, coffee, and a plate of fresh fruit.

With only one class scheduled for the morning and plenty of time to spare, Xu Zhiyi slowly enjoyed her breakfast in the car. The atmosphere between her and her father was not as warm and familiar as it was with He Yi’an; there was an inherent distance in their conversation.

“Are you busy these days, Dad?” she asked.

“Your brother is helping out a bit, so it’s not too hectic,” he replied.

“Good to hear.” An awkward silence hung in the air, filled with unspoken thoughts.

Xu Xiangyi opened the coffee for her, handing over the cup while keeping the lid for himself.

“Your mom insisted I bring you more clothes. I bet your rental place is getting cramped, right?”

Xu Zhiyi chuckled. “Yeah, my closet is stuffed full.”

“I can take some back to the villa. If you need anything, just let the housekeeper know.”

“Sounds good.” She suddenly remembered, “Did you bring my turquoise dress?”

Xu Xiangyi smiled. “Of course! How could I forget that?”

He stepped out of the car, retrieving a shopping bag from the trunk. Her mother had set aside the turquoise dress for easy access.

“If you like this style and color, I can order a few more.”

Xu Zhiyi shook her head. “One is enough.”

After finishing breakfast, she planned to take the dress upstairs.

“I’ll be right back down,” she called out.

Just then, Xu Xiangyi’s phone rang—it was Xu Heng.

“Don’t worry, I just need to take this call,” he said to his daughter as she stepped out of the car.

Xu Heng, still on Hong Kong Island, informed his father, “I can’t find the documents you and Mom were looking for.” The hospital had undergone two ownership changes, and during renovations, many records had been lost or misplaced, including some from twenty years ago.

For months, they had been trying to sort through mountains of archived documents, but there was no sign of Xu Zhiyi’s file.

“The hospital clarified that it’s not just Zhiyi’s documents that are missing; it’s a whole batch.”

Xu Heng added, “Uncle Lu asked Jiang Sixun to let me know not to waste any more time. He seems to know there’s no hope of finding them.”

Xu Xiangyi sighed. “Just come back. You don’t need to go to the hospital anymore.”

Uncle Lu had provided some leads pointing to Shen Qingfeng, but without solid evidence, they were at a dead end. The Lu family had only recently taken over the hospital, and Uncle Lu had already managed to uncover this much, despite the missing records that left them powerless.

For the past few months, he hadn’t given up searching for documents and evidence related to something very important—the tiny footprint of his daughter taken at birth.

For twenty years, all he and his wife had were the footprints of their adopted daughter. There should have been a record for Zhiyi with Shang Tongxu, but when they moved from Hong Kong to Beijing, they had too much luggage to carry, and crucial documents got lost in transit.

He had heard that the missing package contained significant items from when Shang Tongxu and his wife were students, which led to a major argument between Xiao Mei and Shang Tongxu.

Ultimately, that package was never recovered.

He had given his adopted daughter’s footprint to Shang Tongxu, while he was left with nothing.

Was that tiny footprint truly important?

Aside from nostalgia, it seemed insignificant.

But the absence of a footprint from his own child left a gaping hole in his heart. The feelings of loss over two decades were overwhelming. A newborn’s footprint was undeniably precious, and he had clung to the hope of finding it.

Now, with no hope left, the regret only grew.

Upstairs in her shared apartment, Xu Zhiyi hung the turquoise dress in her closet.

Her roommate had also risen and, seeing Xu Zhiyi return, asked, “Why are you back already?” Her gaze fell on the dress. “I’ve never seen you wear that one.”

Xu Zhiyi smiled. “I wore it once.”

Back at home in Shanghai.

Later, she had worn that dress two more times.

Once during a winter vacation when Yuan Wei Capital had a team-building retreat in Hawaii.

On that day, Jiang Sixun had asked her to join him for lunch.

On the phone, he said, “Zhiyi, would you have lunch with me?”

“Sure, I’ll be right there.”

At that moment, she never imagined it would be their goodbye.

They ended up eating Spanish cuisine. Jiang Sixun carefully cut the grilled octopus into smaller pieces for her. While she could only manage a few bites of the grilled potatoes, he piled the leftovers onto his plate and then placed the cut octopus in front of her.

He even offered her his fork, saying, “You’ve worked hard this past six months.”

Xu Zhiyi thanked him, feeling genuinely grateful. “I didn’t expect you to set up so many tasks for me.”

Jiang Sixun didn’t reply immediately; he wanted to teach her more, but time was running out. He clinked his wine glass against hers and looked into her eyes. “May your master’s journey be smooth.”

Xu Zhiyi raised her glass and returned the toast. “Thank you.”

After taking a sip of wine, Jiang Sixun finally spoke. “Your part-time job ends this week. You won’t need to come by after school starts.”

There was a brief silence before Xu Zhiyi replied, “Okay.” She felt a pang of reluctance. He had mentioned this before, but hearing it again made it feel real.

He continued, “From now on, my work focus will shift to Hong Kong and London.”

Xu Zhiyi, savoring the grilled octopus he had cut for her, thought about her upcoming studies in Boston. His shift in focus wouldn’t affect her, but she hadn’t anticipated that he would settle there for good.

After this, she wouldn’t see him waiting for her at the office entrance anymore.

Jiang Sixun had many words left unsaid, a blessing lingering on the tip of his tongue. But in that moment, he felt it was inappropriate and swallowed it down with his wine.

That afternoon, they played on the beach with colleagues for four or five hours. As Xu Zhiyi turned to find someone, she caught sight of Jiang Sixun taking pictures of them.

It wasn’t just her he was photographing, so she dismissed her momentary vanity.

A few minutes later, the work group chat lit up with photos of their beach antics, courtesy of their boss.

As evening fell, the sky was awash with vibrant hues.

“Time to head back,” Jiang Sixun called to her. Their colleagues were used to seeing them together, having long accepted her as the boss’s sister—even if not by blood, it felt just as close.

The sea breeze tugged at her dress, brushing against Jiang Sixun’s pants.

Xu Zhiyi didn’t make a conscious effort to maintain distance; they walked side by side back to the hotel.

“Are you hungry?” Jiang Sixun asked.

After a fun-filled afternoon, of course she was.

“I can hold on a bit longer,” she replied. The entire team was headed out for a buffet, and some colleagues still wanted to play, so dinner would likely take another hour or two.

“I’ll go get you something to eat,” he said.

Before long, he returned with a spicy beef taco for her.

As she walked back to the hotel, eating the taco, she thought this was a moment she’d cherish forever, believing he would always be by her side.

Little did she know, this would be the last time in years he would buy her food.

That evening in Hawaii was sealed deep within her heart, too painful to recall.

It wasn’t until five and a half years later, after a blind date with Shang Yun, that she had another spicy beef taco. He picked her up from the company, stopped by the roadside, and bought her garlic ciabatta and a spicy beef taco.

That turquoise halter dress? She kept it through her twenties and into her late twenties. From Manhattan to Beijing, she never expected she’d have a second chance to wear it.

That day, she overheard her parents discussing Uncle Lu’s plans to arrange a marriage for Jiang Sixun.

“Old Lu says this time, Jiang Sixun probably won’t refuse.”

He Yi’an asked, intrigued, “Which girl could make him change his mind about marriage?”

Xu Xiangyi replied, “Old Lu didn’t say, and he hasn’t approached the girl’s family yet.”

That night, sleep evaded her.

The next day, a weekend that could have been lazy, she woke up before six.

Sitting in front of her makeup mirror, Xu Zhiyi clutched her phone tightly, remaining there from six until eight.

Her palms grew damp from gripping the phone for so long, and she wiped them on a towel.

Six years had passed, and aside from work, she and Jiang Sixun had become strangers.

The world had changed.

[Mr. Jiang, are you free today?] she finally sent, knowing he had just arrived in Beijing and spent the afternoon at Yuan Wei Capital’s office.

A few minutes later, his call came through. “I’m free. What’s up?”

Xu Zhiyi found an excuse. “I need your help with something.”

“Go ahead.”

“It’s not a small favor; let’s discuss it in person.”

“Zhiyi, you don’t have to be formal with me.”

She stuck to her line. “Let’s meet and talk.”

“Okay.”

Xu Zhiyi made a reservation at a restaurant and sent him the address.

Once the phone was down, her heart raced with anxiety. She wasn’t mentally prepared for this meeting and had no idea what to say.

All she could think was that she needed to convey her feelings before he committed to someone else.

She retrieved that turquoise dress from her closet. Even if they had no future together, some moments would forever remain etched in her memory.

When she grew old, seeing that dress again would remind her of the passionate love she once felt for someone.

He had once said to her, while waiting for He Yi’an downstairs at Yuan Wei: “I’ll walk you to your car. Wait for me.”

He had also reassured her when she lamented the lost twenty years with her parents: “Don’t rush. You’ll make it up. I’ll help you piece it back together.” During those six months as his assistant, he often took their family out.

But then, life took him in a different direction, and his concern for her faded.

After spending over half an hour calming her nerves, Xu Zhiyi steadied her hand as she reached for the eyeliner.

Today, she was doing her makeup more exquisitely than ever before.

Perhaps Jiang Sixun wouldn’t even notice the difference.

Once she was ready, she paired her outfit with a suitable bag and headed downstairs.

In the living room, He Yi’an had just returned from outside, and Xu Xiangyi had prepared a chilled juice for his wife. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, they both turned to look.

“Have you got lunch plans?” He Yi’an asked her daughter with a gentle smile, holding her juice cup but not taking a sip. “Want a taste?”

Xu Zhiyi, freshly applied lipstick on, replied playfully, “Not thirsty, Mom. You enjoy it.” Then she returned to her mother’s question. “I won’t be home for lunch; I have a meeting with Mr. Jiang.”

Xu Xiangyi’s concern for his daughter surfaced. “I’ll have to talk to Sixun next time he visits. He shouldn’t keep you working through the weekends.”

“It was my idea to meet him,” Xu Zhiyi clarified.

“But he could decline the invitation,” Xu Xiangyi countered.

“…”

After a few light-hearted exchanges, Xu Zhiyi stepped out.

Xu Xiangyi glanced at his daughter’s outfit and turned to He Yi’an. “Is that dress new, or is it from a few years ago? I remember bringing her one in that color six years ago.”

He Yi’an replied, “It’s the same one.”

They both found it surprising that a dress could hold such significance for six years.

Today, Xu Zhiyi didn’t drive; a driver took her to the restaurant. She worried that if she confessed to Jiang Sixun, a potential rejection might affect her driving. After all, she had once been distracted and crashed when she first learned the truth about her identity, leaving a lasting shadow.

She had made reservations at a Cantonese restaurant, feeling in her gut that this might be their last meal together. She wanted to share one last meal of his favorite dishes.

In the past, he always chose restaurants she loved.

“Miss Xu, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced.

“Miss Xu?” he called twice.

Xu Zhiyi shook off her thoughts. “You can go; you don’t need to wait for me.”

Upon entering the elegant private room, she found Jiang Sixun already waiting.

Xu Zhiyi set down her bag. “Have you been waiting long?”

“I just got here,” he replied, pouring her some water. “What’s so important that we had to meet in person? I’ve told you before, no need for formalities with me.”

“Let’s eat first; I’m hungry,” she said.

“Didn’t you have breakfast?”

“No.” After their call, she had been lost in her thoughts in her room. The maid had brought her food, but she had no appetite—only managed half a glass of milk before starting her makeup.

He handed her the menu. “You order.”

Xu Zhiyi took a moment to steady her breath before accepting the menu. As Jiang Sixun glanced at her dress, memories flooded back—of the Hawaiian team-building trip where she wore this very outfit.

Those photos still sat in his album, untouched for four or five years, forgotten in the chaos of life.

Aside from work, their conversation felt stilted.

“About Shen Qingfeng…” he began.

Xu Zhiyi interrupted, “Let’s not talk about her.”

Their meal was quiet, and it was Jiang Sixun who eventually broke the silence. “Why so quiet?” He looked directly into her eyes.

In that moment, she lowered her gaze and picked at her food. “There’s a reason they say silence is golden. You see, I’m not saying much, and my fortunes have changed.”

She picked up a piece of black bean ribs. “Once we finish eating, I might have more to say.”

Jiang Sixun, naturally not one for excessive chatter, continued eating, comfortable in the silence. Xu Zhiyi sensed that when she did speak, it would be about Shen Qingfeng, but she didn’t want to ruin the mood before they finished their meal.

Finally, they finished, and Xu Zhiyi put down her chopsticks. Her heart raced wildly as she prepared to speak.

Taking a large sip of water didn’t help calm her nerves.

Feeling his gaze fixed on her, she took another sip, meeting his steady gaze. He wore a deep blue striped shirt, sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms. He held a water glass similar to hers.

His features remained as striking as when she first saw him six years ago.

“What’s this important matter you wanted to discuss?” Jiang Sixun prompted.

Xu Zhiyi gazed at him, remembering everything that had transpired over the years—from their initial connection to the concert where she desperately searched for him but couldn’t find him, to that rainy night in London when he held an umbrella over her as they walked down a narrow alley.

Six years had passed in the blink of an eye.

He had no idea how much she had thought of him during that time.

“This matter… it’s not a small one,” she finally said.

“Go ahead, it’s okay,” he urged.

As she struggled internally, she realized that once she said it, things would likely change between them, perhaps irrevocably—just like with her second brother.

Xu Zhiyi took a few deep breaths, the carefully rehearsed lines slipping from her mind. Her voice wavered, sounding foreign to her own ears. “I’ve fallen for a man. He’s exceptional in every way—his family background is impressive, he’s capable, good-looking, and has a broad perspective… essentially, he’s quite hard to pursue. I’d like your help to introduce us.”

Jiang Sixun looked at her intently. “Is it that guy you’ve liked for many years?”

Xu Zhiyi nodded. “Yes. I mentioned I’d tell you who it was on the day I confessed.”

Jiang Sixun tightened his grip on his water glass. She had told Ning Yinqi years ago that she had someone she liked, and he had thought it was Qi Zhengchen—he was wrong. She had her own circle of friends, including a group passionate about equestrianism and a network of outstanding alumni; it was no surprise that this guy overlapped with his social circle.

After a moment, he asked, “Who is it? I can bring him to you.”

Xu Zhiyi locked eyes with him. “No need to bring him. He’s right in front of me.”

The man stared at her, seemingly lost in thought.

“Zhiyi.”

“Zhiyi, what would you like to drink?” Qi Zhengchen’s voice pulled her back to the present.

Xu Zhiyi blinked, finding herself on the sandy beach of Buchun, sitting at a seafood restaurant with Jiang Sixun right beside her.

“I don’t want a drink; just water is fine,” she replied to Qi Zhengchen.

He ordered a beer for himself and turned to Jiang Sixun. “Want a pint?”

Jiang Sixun shook his head. “How are you going to drive back if you drink?”

“I’m staying here tonight; I’ll head back in the morning.” He ordered two pints of beer. “If we don’t finish them, I’ll take care of it.” After placing the order, he handed the menu to the waiter.

It had been ages since the three of them had shared a meal together.

“Zhiyi.”

“Hmm?” She looked up at Qi Zhengchen.

“Don’t give up badminton. You’ve played since you were ten; don’t let anyone, including me or Jiang Sixun, change that.”

Xu Zhiyi sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to play; I just can’t find the interest anymore.”

When they arrived at the court, she felt as if her energy had been drained, her racket feeling heavier than usual.

“Maybe one day, when the interest returns, I’ll play again,” she added.

Qi Zhengchen glanced at her for a moment before looking away, torn between wanting to see her and knowing he shouldn’t linger.

As the beer arrived, he poured three glasses and set one in front of Xu Zhiyi. “Their beer is good; give it a try.”

“Have you been here before?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yeah, I come often. My record is five times in one month.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Sixun picked up one of the glasses and drank quietly, not engaging in their conversation.

Qi Zhengchen didn’t chat much with Xu Zhiyi either. He clinked glasses with Jiang Sixun. “No matter what, I’m grateful. You make me feel worthy, at least not a failure in life, with friends who care. The past few years have been tough for you; I’ve only struggled for two. It’s been six years for you, Zhiyi, six years for both of us.”

He downed his drink in one go.

Jiang Sixun replied, “I’m not as good as you think.”

Qi Zhengchen poured himself another drink. “It’s not about appearances; it’s about the heart. For me, it’s good enough.”

Jiang Sixun finished his drink, and Xu Zhiyi lifted her frosted beer glass, taking one sip after another.

As they reminisced, silence enveloped them.

“Do you still see your therapist every day?” Jiang Sixun broke the quiet.

Qi Zhengchen shot him a warning glance, as if to say, “Don’t go there.”

“Since we’re here, why not lay everything out? Maybe it’ll help,” Jiang Sixun pressed on.

Xu Zhiyi stared at Qi Zhengchen, lost for words.

The person who had always treated her well was now hurting, and she felt the weight of that loss.

Qi Zhengchen handed her a tissue. “Don’t cry. Your brother is right; I’m married now, yet I still want you to forgive me and treat me like before.”

“Zhiyi, I’ve never regretted the first twenty-four years of my life. Even knowing this is where we end up, I’d still treat you the same way if I could go back. My feelings for you are more than just romantic. Now that I’ve calmed down, I realize if anything happens to me, you’d worry just like my family would. When I’m old and gone, you’ll be one of the saddest people left, maybe even more so than them. I just asked myself, what am I even asking for?”

“This isn’t really a heartache for me; it’s not as severe as Jiang Sixun thinks. I’m doing much better, see? I’m even trying to mend things with my mom. If you’re doing well, I’ll manage my life just fine too.”