Chapter 32

The next day, they returned to Nan’an.

Everyone took the high-speed train together. Xiao Xu and the other colleagues traveling with them were still unaware of their relationship, so Song Wei and Chen Jubai sat separately. Song Wei was seated with Zhu Qingfei.

Before long, a shadow loomed over their seats. “Qingfei, go sit with Chu Qi. I have some work to discuss with Manager Song,” Chen Jubai said.

Song Wei: ???
Zhu Qingfei: ???

In the end, Zhu Qingfei, blushing furiously, moved to sit beside Chu Qi. Song Wei watched as Chen Jubai sat down beside her with a serious expression. In a voice loud enough for everyone around to hear, she asked, “President Chen, can’t we discuss work when we’re back at the office?”

Chen Jubai shot her a sidelong glance. “President Yu needs an urgent document.”

“How come I didn’t know about this?”

“President Yu told me directly.”

“Well, I feel bad for making President Chen act as a messenger.”

“No problem. It’s my duty.”

In the row behind them, Dong Ruicheng thought to himself: This isn’t work—this is dog food!

Song Wei smiled, deciding to drop the banter. She lowered her voice. “I’m exhausted. I want to sleep.”

“Go ahead.”

Song Wei adjusted her seat, put on her earphones, and glanced sideways before closing her eyes. The man beside her had already taken out his laptop and started working. She shook her head. What a workaholic.

In the front row, Zhu Qingfei nervously took her seat. Chu Qi chuckled. “That guy’s such a wife-lover. He can’t stand being apart for even a moment.”

“Uh-huh…” Zhu Qingfei sat upright, her mind circling the things she’d discussed with Song Wei the night before. She decided to speak up. “President Chu, are you doing okay now?”

Chu Qi understood her meaning and turned to look at her.

The young woman before him was clearly beautiful and confident in appearance, yet her demeanor was slightly timid, her voice soft. He smiled warmly at her. “I’m fine now. Thank you for asking.”

“Oh.” Summoning her courage, Zhu Qingfei added, “I’m glad to hear that. But if you ever feel upset, don’t keep it bottled up.”

Chu Qi fell silent, studying her.

Knowing he was watching, Zhu Qingfei met his gaze and forced a smile. “President Chu, if you ever need someone to talk to, you can treat me like a trash can—dump everything out, and I’ll help take care of it for you tomorrow.”

Chu Qi laughed again and straightened in his seat.

After about half a minute, he began to speak. “She and I are from the same hometown. She came here for university, and her relatives asked me to look after her. Over time, we got to know each other. We were together for almost three years, but we only spent about six months in the same place. The other two and a half years, she was abroad.”

“She’s about your age. Cheerful and talkative. Being with her meant constant chatter in my ears. Back then, the company was just getting started, and I was under a lot of pressure. Her presence was a huge comfort.”

“When she first went abroad, things were actually fine. Even though we couldn’t meet in person, we talked often. Hearing about her life overseas was a kind of relaxation for me.”

“I don’t know when it started, but our nightly calls became three times a week, then once a week, then three or four times a month. By the end of last year, I started sensing something was wrong. But I was too busy with work to pay much attention. Then things turned into what you’ve already heard.”

“The days after the breakup were tough. I couldn’t figure out why she gave up on us. I wondered if I hadn’t done enough. But thinking it over, I can only blame myself. I didn’t have the time or energy to invest in the relationship, so of course, she felt neglected. She’s found something better now, and that’s good.”

Chu Qi turned to her with a faint smile. “There. I’ve dumped everything out. Please keep it safe for one night and dispose of it tomorrow.”

Zhu Qingfei felt a pang of sadness and nodded. “Okay, I’ll take care of it tomorrow.” Then she added, “President Chu, don’t overthink it. I don’t think you’re at fault. Breakups are never caused by just one side.”

“I know.” Chu Qi smiled again. “And stop calling me ‘President Chu.’ It feels too distant.”

“…” Zhu Qingfei hesitated. “Then what should I call you?”

“Just call me by my name.”

Chu Qi. Zhu Qingfei repeated the name silently twice in her mind but still didn’t dare to say it aloud. “If you ever feel unhappy, you can always talk to me. I can be your trash filtration station.”

Chu Qi smirked. “Wouldn’t I be taking advantage of you then?”

“Not at all. I’m just a middleman. The trash will be dealt with in the end. Besides, I’m the one benefiting—I’ll be counting on you for help at work in the future.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Their conversation ended, and Chu Qi closed his eyes to rest. Zhu Qingfei stole a glance at him.

He wasn’t any less handsome than President Chen. While Chen Jubai was cold and distant, Chu Qi had the warmth of a sunny, energetic young man—the kind you’d picture sweating it out on a college basketball court.

Today, Zhu Qingfei felt he deserved another attribute: deeply emotional.

Though he said he was fine, his eyes carried a lingering sadness. Despite the challenges of two and a half years of long-distance love, he had remained loyal and even considered marriage.

Zhu Qingfei smiled softly to herself. I wasn’t wrong about him.

Though his feelings weren’t for her, at least she could see the quality of his character.

She silently cheered herself on: Come on, Zhu Qingfei. Be brave. Don’t let yourself have regrets.

…

They arrived in Nan’an around five in the evening.

Dong Ruicheng, ever the considerate one, chimed in, “Weiwei, are you heading the same way as President Chen?” Before she could respond, he turned to Chen Jubai and added, “Then I’ll trouble President Chen to give her a ride.”

Xiao Xu, standing behind them, was stunned. Dong Ruicheng sure has guts. But a second later, he was even more shocked when Chen Jubai actually replied, “Sure, no problem.”

And just like that, the two of them got into the car together and drove off.

In the car, Chen Jubai remarked, “That little boy on your team is quite clever.”

Song Wei grinned. “Of course. He’s learned from the best.”

The man turned to look at her, his smile indulgent and full of affection.

After leaving the high-speed train station, Song Wei remembered something. “Let’s go to your aunt’s house first.”

Last night, with so many people around, there wasn’t a chance to buy gifts separately. This morning, he had gone out specifically to purchase several, big and small.

As the car headed toward Wutong Garden, Song Wei sent a message to Jiang Xiaoyu, who replied that she wasn’t home and was still at school attending classes.

When they arrived, Song Wei followed him upstairs, carrying the gift boxes.

Unexpectedly, they encountered someone they hadn’t anticipated: Chen Ming, accompanied by a well-dressed woman in her forties.

They hadn’t announced their visit beforehand, so Chen Yun was momentarily surprised. After a brief pause, she smiled and introduced them. “Jubai, Weiwei, you came at the perfect time. This is Aunt Liao.”

No further explanation was needed. From the proximity between Chen Ming and the woman, it was clear that she was likely Chen Ming’s girlfriend.

Jiang Xiaoyu occasionally chatted with Song Wei, mentioning this “Aunt Liao” in passing. She speculated that the Chen family might soon have some happy news.

The man beside her remained silent, making the atmosphere awkward. Song Wei took the initiative to greet the woman, “Hello, Aunt Liao.”

Liao Ping, in turn, had already sized up the young couple before her. Internally, she was a bit surprised. Chen Ming’s son was more handsome and imposing than she had expected, and his daughter-in-law was equally elegant and attractive, with a gentle and pleasant demeanor. Overall, they seemed out of sync with the rest of Chen Ming and Chen Yun’s family.

Meeting them for the first time, Liao Ping maintained a friendly attitude. “I’ve heard your father mention you before. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Hello to both of you.”

Song Wei handed over one of the small local specialty gifts meant for Chen Ming. “Aunt Liao, we just returned from Shenzhen. This is a well-known pastry from there. Please give it a try.”

Liao Ping accepted it warmly. “Oh, how thoughtful of you! Thank you, Xiao Wei.”

They exchanged a few polite words before saying their goodbyes. Song Wei turned to glance at the man who hadn’t spoken a word throughout. Chen Jubai’s expression was noticeably indifferent, his mood subdued. She sighed inwardly.

After the door closed, Chen Yun remarked, “Jubai, how could you not even say hello? That’s so rude.”

Chen Jubai ignored her and placed the local specialty on the coffee table.

Chen Yun pulled him aside to talk. “Do you know why they’re here?”

Still, he didn’t respond, so she continued, “Your father plans to marry her.”

This finally elicited a reaction. He raised his gaze slightly.

Chen Yun elaborated, “He seems genuinely happy about it and is planning a grand wedding, showing no intention of slighting her.”

Chen Jubai lowered his eyes again, while Song Wei stepped in to ask on his behalf, “Aunt, what’s Aunt Liao’s background? How did she meet Dad?”

Chen Yun explained, “She’s a resident of the community where your dad works. They got to know each other through casual encounters, and, well, they hit it off.”

“What about her family?”

“She has two sons, both around Jubai’s age, and neither of them is married yet.”

“Really?” Song Wei pressed further, “What do her sons do?”

“That, I didn’t delve into. But she said they have stable jobs.”

Song Wei nodded thoughtfully. “Dad is getting on in years. If he truly likes her, and Aunt Liao treats him well, marriage could be a good thing.”

“I think so too. He can’t stay single forever, right?” Chen Yun nudged Chen Jubai. “You’ve met her now, so what’s your opinion? Your dad even pulled me aside earlier to ask what you thought. I get the sense that if you’re strongly opposed, he’s willing to reconsider.”

Chen Jubai remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking in a low tone, “I have no objections.”

“Alright, I’ll let your dad know.” Chen Yun then asked, “What about you two? When are you planning to have your wedding? Don’t let it clash with theirs.”

Song Wei answered, “We don’t have plans to hold a wedding for now, but if we do, we’ll let you know in advance.”

“Fair enough.”

As they left Chen Yun’s house and returned to the parking lot of their building, Chen Jubai remained visibly detached. Song Wei understood the strained relationship between him and his father and didn’t want to meddle too much. Still, she felt for him and spoke gently, “Do you want to talk to your dad about this?”

The man behind the wheel shook his head. He looked over at her and reassured her in a warm tone, “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

How could she not worry? Song Wei reached over and held his hand, which was resting on the armrest. “There’s no one else here now. Tell me how you really feel.”

He gazed at her for a moment before speaking, his voice slow and deliberate. “It’s just that time seems to have passed so quickly. Seeing them today brought back memories of the days after my mom passed. He stayed by her side without leaving, and after she was gone, he drowned himself in alcohol, living like a shadow of a man. I felt powerless watching him, but there was some comfort in knowing he loved her—deeply and unconditionally.”

“Maybe it’s just been too long. The man who was once devastated enough to lose everything is now composed enough to be with another woman, to completely move on from my mom.” Chen Jubai’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “I’m okay, really. I just feel sad for my mom.”

Song Wei felt her own heart ache. She unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over, and hugged him gently, patting his shoulder to comfort him. “I understand. I really do.”

There was no need to say much more; she couldn’t pass judgment on the situation either.

For adults, sometimes a hug is more effective than a dozen words of advice.

After sitting in the car for a while, Chen Jubai composed himself and released her. “Alright, let’s go back.”

“Okay.”

He brought gifts for Chen Yun’s family, as well as for Yang Yingqiu and Song Gaoyi.

The last time he returned, he brought pastries and tea leaves, which they had liked very much. Song Gaoyi had immediately boiled water to brew the tea and then praised him with a look of delight, marveling at his good taste in tea—not just opting for the expensive kinds.

Song Wei suspected he was indirectly criticizing her because every time she traveled to the capital or other cities, she would bring back only the most luxurious gifts.

Yang Yingqiu had interjected, “Careful, or your daughter might stop bringing you gifts altogether.”

Song Gaoyi had quickly backtracked, saying, “Weiwei’s gifts are always the best. That set of scholarly tools she brought back from Huizhou? I couldn’t bear to use them.”

Yang Yingqiu had chuckled, “If I recall correctly, you were planning to give them away as a gift.”

Caught off guard, Song Gaoyi had awkwardly laughed and denied it. “Don’t listen to your mom. That never happened.”

Song Wei, playing along, pretended to be upset. “Oh, so you were going to regift them? Fine, from now on, you’ll have to rely on your son-in-law for gifts.”

Next came a wave of coaxing from Song Gaoyi.

Standing at her own front door, Song Wei thought that today would probably be another good day for Song Gaoyi—after all, the gifts this time were all picked by him.

But as the door opened, both of them were stunned.

In the center of the living room were several large boxes, with two already sealed shut.

Song Wei set her suitcase aside and walked over. Peering into the open box, she saw her father’s clothes, books, and office supplies—things that weren’t meant for a business trip or vacation.

A sudden wave of panic gripped her chest. Turning to the man who had followed her in, her eyes filled with tears in just a few seconds.