Chapter 7: The Cooperation Ends
1412 Words
A month ago, university freshmen welcomed their registration day.
The sun in September was blazing and bright as An Lan pulled her suitcase, step by step towards the campus.
Along the way, her mother Bai Wei's voice echoed through her phone, relentlessly reminding her of various precautions.
Originally, Bai Wei intended to accompany her for registration, but An Lan insisted on doing it herself.
She believed she had grown up and should learn to handle things independently.
Moreover, Grandma Ling required her mother's undivided attention, and Bai Wei couldn't leave her side.
"Alright, alright, I got it. If I don't understand something, I'll ask the senior students. Don't worry," An Lan replied with a smile.
"That's good. Mom is just worried about you since this is your first time being so far away from home," Bai Wei's voice was filled with reluctance and care.
An Lan gently lowered her eyelids, feeling a warm current surge through her heart.
After her father's passing, Bai Wei had taken on the sole responsibility of raising her, the hardships of which were unimaginable.
To provide her with a better education, Bai Wei resolutely decided to move from Jiangcheng to Yunjing City with her and leveraged the connections of the Ling family to enroll her in the best local high school.
Ultimately, An Lan lived up to expectations and successfully entered Yunjing University, one of the top universities in the country.
For the mother-daughter duo, the Ling family had not only provided them with tangible help but also planted seeds of gratitude and warmth in their hearts.
Therefore, whether out of gratitude to the Ling family or in consideration of Aunt Wan's feelings, they would do their utmost to take care of Grandma Ling, as a way of repaying the Ling family's kindness.
"Yes, I understand," An Lan whispered softly.
After adding a few more words, Bai Wei suddenly changed the topic and said, "Oh, right, Xiao Yu is also at Yunjing University. Your Uncle Ling has already told him to pick you up today. I've given him your phone number through Uncle Ling. I'm not sure when he'll arrive, but he'll contact you when he gets here."
Upon hearing this, An Lan's heart skipped a beat, as if something had gently brushed against it.
"Ling... Ling Yu is coming to pick me up?" she repeated in surprise, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible quiver.
Bai Wei chuckled and gently scolded, "You should call him your brother, dear."
An Lan lightly nodded, and Ling Yu's sharply defined face involuntarily surfaced in her mind. Since starting university, he had rarely come home, except during holidays, for Grandma Ling's birthday, or Aunt Wan's memorial day.
Their last meeting was during the Spring Festival, half a year ago.
After Bai Wei's final admonitions, An Lan listened half-heartedly, nodding in response with perfunctory agreement.
After hanging up, An Lan dragged her suitcase through the bustling crowd and finally arrived at the entrance of Yunjing University.
A sea of freshmen were gathered here for registration, with senior students bustling about, offering guidance and assistance. Standing aside, An Lan gazed at the lively scene with a touch of confusion in her heart.
The sun blazed fiercely, and she raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glare, deciding to find a shady spot to wait for Ling Yu's arrival.
As she waited, several enthusiastic senior students approached her, offering help, but An Lan politely declined them all.
She was afraid that if she left her spot, Ling Yu wouldn't be able to find her.
As time ticked by, An Lan stood there quietly, her gaze occasionally sweeping towards the entrance of the university.
As people gradually completed their registration and approached noon, Anlan's thoughts were suddenly pulled back to reality by a familiar voice.
Slightly weary from waiting, she crouched down, picked up a nearby dead branch, and unconsciously drew circles on the ground. The voice flowed down like a clear spring, carrying a hint of imperceptible coolness – "Why aren't you going inside?"
Anlan's hand trembled slightly, and she abruptly looked up towards the source of the voice. There stood Lingyu, dressed in loose casual clothes, one hand stuffed in his pocket, his side-parted bangs lightly falling, partially concealing his profound eyes and brows. An aura of inviolability emanated from him.
Anlan's heart seemed to skip a beat, and she stood up in a daze, about to speak when a gentle and sweet voice suddenly interrupted between them.
"You must be Anlan, right?"
Anlan's attention was drawn, and she turned to face the owner of the voice.
A tall and slender girl stood beside Lingyu, her curly hair casually cascading over her shoulders, her fair complexion adorned with exquisite makeup. A pure white dress made her resemble a blooming jasmine in summer, fresh and elegant.
A complex glimmer flashed across Anlan's eyes, and she unconsciously tightened her fingers that hung down.
The girl appeared exceptionally warm, proactively extending her hand for a handshake, "Hello, I'm Lin Xi, Lingyu's..." Here, she smiled at Lingyu beside her and continued, "I'm your brother's girlfriend, and I also study at Yunjing University."
"I heard Lingyu mention you and knew you were coming for registration today, so I came with him." Lin Xi's smile was gracious and appropriate, "From now on, we're fellow students. If you encounter any issues in your studies or life, feel free to come to me. Don't hesitate."
An Lan's lips trembled slightly as she struggled to muster a faint smile, extending her hand for a gentle handshake. "Thank you, big sister."
After withdrawing her hand, her gaze involuntarily darted towards Ling Yu.
Ling Yu, however, did not meet her eyes, instead turning his head with tenderness directed solely at Lin Xi.
A sliver of ice seemed to melt from his expression, and his tightly pressed lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
This subtle change, fleeting and delicate, was nonetheless keenly observed by An Lan.
It was unmistakably an admiring gaze, an intimate exchange exclusive to lovers.
Lin Xi, with her porcelain skin, striking beauty, and warm, outgoing personality, left no doubt in An Lan's mind.
She, An Lan, would never be the type of woman Ling Yu desired.
Their conversation lingered for quite some time, until a hint of impatience gradually crept across Ling Yu's face.
A fleeting glance from the corner of his eye caught An Lan's attention, jolting her back to reality. She hurriedly averted her gaze, turning away and hurrying into the bathroom.
The cigarette between her fingers had burned down to the filter. Ling Yu retracted his gaze, stubbing out the butt in the water-filled sink.
Once the flame was extinguished, only a charred stub remained.
He casually discarded it into a nearby trash bin before turning his attention back to Lin Xi, a sarcastic smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Lin Xi, our collaboration ends here."
"No—Ling Yu, it's not over between us." Lin Xi reached out eagerly, trying to hold him back, tears already welling up in her eyes. "You promised you'd wait for my father's company to overcome this financial crisis. Why…?"
"But you violated our agreement."
"I…" Lin Xi hesitated, her heart filled with grievances.
"I made it clear," Ling Yu firmly withdrew his arm, "in front of everyone, you could pretend to be my girlfriend, but you mustn't cross the line and use the Ling family's name to secure investments and partnerships for your father."
"Is the Lin family trying to drag our Ling family into the quagmire as well?" He sneered, his eyes filled with sarcasm. "Do I look that foolish?"
Lin Xi's face turned as white as paper in an instant.
"Let's part on good terms. This is the last favor I'll do the Lin family. Don't push your luck." Ling Yu's words were like icicles, piercing Lin Xi's heart.
Unable to hold back any longer, tears streamed down her face. Lin Xi clenched her fists, her voice trembling. "Ling Yu, I just want to ask, did you…ever have the slightest bit of sincerity towards me?"
"No." His answer was short and decisive.
Lin Xi froze, tears rolling down her cheeks like strings of pearls.
Without her noticing, Ling Yu had already quietly left, leaving behind only a gust of cold wind that enveloped her misery.
She was unwilling, but she had no choice.
- Writer
