Chapter 5: She’s Back

As night fell, the city lights flickered on, and the brilliant neon glow gathered into a long river, casting a mesmerizing, intoxicating effect.

In front of the large floor-to-ceiling window stood a man who had no idea how long he had been there, holding a phone in his hand. Before the screen dimmed, he had received a message.

“Ji Xueli is back.”

How ironic. He hadn’t known when she left, and now that she was back, it was still the same.

Ji Yanzhou clenched his fist, his dark eyes fixed on the bustling city outside. It felt as though he was surrounded by darkness, like a cold statue, indifferent to the noise and glamour of the world.

Three years… she had been gone for exactly three years.

To say he didn’t resent her would be a lie. To say he had let go would also be a lie.

Rather, he had been holding onto a sense of anger, unable to understand how she could leave after everything, abandoning their three years together to run off abroad.

“Click.”

The lights were turned on suddenly, and for a moment, the brightness stung his eyes, amplifying his already bad mood.

“Mr. Ji, it’s after work hours.” A clear female voice spoke.

Ji Yanzhou turned around, and the sight of the familiar face made him feel even more irritated. His voice was cold as he said, “Who allowed you to come in?”

Xie Yujun froze for a moment, noticing his displeased expression. After a brief pause, she said, “Sorry, Mr. Ji. Then I’ll leave for the night.”

Ji Yanzhou’s mood was terrible, and he didn’t respond. Instead, he took out a cigarette pack and lit one, hoping it would numb his mind.

The smoke filled the air, blurring his handsome face, while Xie Yujun, unsure of the reason behind his sudden change in mood, took the hint and closed the door before leaving.

She had never seen Ji Yanzhou like this—depressed and irritable. Could it be because the negotiations had fallen through?

As she thought about it, her foot hesitated to step into the elevator, only to retract it.

Meanwhile, in the office, Ji Yanzhou stood in the same spot, staring at another message from Cheng Du. It was a string of phone numbers. He didn’t need to be told who it was; he already knew.

The cigarette still burned in his fingers, much like the turmoil inside his heart.

Time ticked by. He extinguished the cigarette, and his long fingers were about to touch the screen when the door opened again.

Ji Yanzhou looked up just as he accidentally tapped the number and dialed it. The person outside walked in.

“Ji Yanzhou, do you want a drink?” Xie Yujun asked.

At the same time, the call went through, and a familiar, cold voice that he had longed for came through the line.

“Hello? Is this you?”

The voice was clear and pleasant, and though it was only one word, it struck Ji Yanzhou’s heart. For a moment, he didn’t hear what Xie Yujun was saying.

He stood frozen, not speaking.

The girl’s confused voice came again, “Hmm? No response? Should I hang up?”

She seemed like she wanted to say more, but he had already hung up the phone.

Xie Yujun watched him silently. He looked a little disheveled, but more than anything, there was a sense of self-mockery.

Ji Yanzhou’s expression turned cold and mocking. Ever since Ji Xueli left for abroad, she had changed all her contact details…

After a moment, his gaze shifted to her. “What do you want?”

“I came to ask you for a drink.” Xie Yujun replied.

For some reason, she felt that the phone call he just ended had been important to him.

“Not in the mood.” Ji Yanzhou picked up his coat and started walking toward the door.

“Don’t forget, you still owe me one.”

Ji Yanzhou didn’t stop his stride. “Then follow me.”

Meanwhile, Ji Xueli, who had been abruptly hung up on, cursed at her phone.

“What’s wrong with him…” She was worried that it might be someone she knew, so she cautiously didn’t say anything else, only to realize it had been a spam call.

She tossed the phone aside, preparing to go back to sleep.