Chapter 17
1273 Words
Youyan clenched her teeth, fighting the clamor in her heart, forcing herself not to look at him.
"Okay," she finally said in a low voice.
"Then, goodbye." He said indifferently, taking Huaian's arm, ready to leave.
"Xiaobai—"
The sound of that nickname broke off on her lips, realizing it was inappropriate.
The two looked at her. Huaian's expression hadn't adjusted, showing a hint of coldness.
Youyan squeezed the coat again, intending to remove it, but her hands trembled slightly.
She walked up to him.
"Your coat."
"No need." His voice, low and languid, rolled over his Adam's apple. Gu Ye Bai's eyes were indifferent, with a faint trace of impatience.
Youyan froze, her hand suspended in mid-air, stiffening.
She nodded in a daze, then slowly turned around.
As she turned, tears fell.
Closing her eyes, she heard the fading footsteps of the two.
After all these years, no moment was clearer than now; he had finally walked out of her life.
Youyan, isn't this what you wanted? What are you hesitating for? Go. Let him fly free from here.
"Xiaobai!" she suddenly turned around, shouting at the retreating figure.
Youyan, in the end, you lost to Chi Pu.
Gu Ye Bai stopped in his tracks. Huaian's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him.
Still unable to read his emotions, Huaian gritted her teeth, but she heard his voice with a hint of amusement, "Huaian's expression is really tempting."
His grip on her waist tightened, Huaian felt her face flush, about to explain, when he turned around.
Under the deep night sky dotted with stars, Youyan's slender figure stood at the other end. One only needed to focus to see her. His deep eyes were filled with her image, her movements. Watching her run towards him with his large coat.
Huaian's heart sank, but she said, "Youyan, let us take you back after all."
Youyan looked at Huaian, her gaze intense and resolute. "Huaian, I want to ask you for something."
"What is it?"
"I want to talk to him alone. Can I?"
Huaian laughed, her smile hiding coldness.
"Youyan, that's not for me to decide. I'm not the one involved."
Youyan slowly turned to the man beside her.
"Huaian, wait for me in the car. I'll be there shortly." His voice was indifferent, yet it was his answer.
Huaian had thought he would refuse; she gritted her teeth, "Alright."
Not far away, people were coming in and out of the 7-11, and the street was bustling.
Under this sky, everyone was living out their own stories, being the protagonist of their own tale.
So, even if the silence between them was eerie, the young couples passing by only cast curious glances, not delving deeper.
Who knows how many years later, their story might repeat in someone else's life.
Gu Ye Bai looked at Youyan, not speaking, his gaze aloof.
Youyan tilted her head, thought for a moment, then carefully put on the coat she was holding in her arms. Her thin frame in his oversized coat made her look even more fragile.
He thought she had lost weight.
"Xiaobai, can I ask you for something?" After several attempts, she finally spoke.
He gave a cold, mocking smile.
"Yan, do you always like to ask for favors like this?"
Youyan shook, thinking he would never call her that again in this lifetime.
"Can I?" With his silence, she persisted.
"Many things are beyond human control. I only do what I can. Before you say what you want, sorry, I can't." His smile was tinged with mockery.
Her face paled, she bit her lip, walking closer until they were inches apart.
This time, she could clearly see his features, no longer just in her dreams.
His brows were sharp, his eyes deep and striking, his demeanor restrained, his lips curved beautifully but set in a cold line.
She looked up, dazed.
"Xiaobai, can I hug you?"
Gu Ye Bai raised an eyebrow, suddenly laughing out loud.
"Just one hug, just one." Youyan's features grew even paler.
"Yan, don't you find this familiar? Sadly, you didn't want to hear it back then, and now, I feel the same."
Time and scene seemed frozen, the only change between four years ago and now was the person involved.
"Miss Lu, unless you can give me an indispensable reason, I'm sorry. Please give my regards to Chi Pu."
When his low, suppressed laughter ceased, his tall, straight figure had walked out of her sight. Calm and measured, his departure was a composed finality.
In the dimming lights, someone was waiting for him.
As for her, he had truly let go. Youyan's mind was blank, repeating only this sentence.
She clutched his coat tightly around her, as if it could shield her from the heart-wrenching pain.
Watching him get into the car, watching the black sedan drive away, she stood there, turning towards the darkness.
She thought she was lost.
"Boss, look, what's that dark lump over there?!" Dian Xiaodi exclaimed, almost jumping onto Zhang Lei.
Zhang Lei frowned, expressionlessly swatting his hand away.
He regretted coming out for drinks with this troublemaker. In the middle of the night, instead of sleeping at home, why drink? Especially since this kid wasn't heartbroken for the first time; there are plenty of fish in the sea. He must be sick.
Leaving the apartment, they saw this lump huddled in a corner, probably just a drunk, so he didn't look and walked past.
But Xiaodi was always one to meddle, kicking the lump.
The thing cried out in pain, got up, and Xiaodi, startled, jumped onto Zhang Lei.
Zhang Lei resisted the urge to knock him out, his sharp eyes scanning the slight commotion ahead.
Under the dim streetlight, a delicate face was gradually revealed.
Zhang Lei felt a twinge in his heart as Xiaodi howled.
"Xiao San, how are you here? Did someone bully you?"
Her brows were crescent-shaped, her eyes red-rimmed, tears staining her small face; this was their newly hired server from the café a month ago, Youyan.
Youyan wiped her tears, angrily saying, "I'm not Xiao San."
Zhang Lei furrowed his brow, "Xiaodi, you go ahead, find us a seat. I'll bring Yan over."
Xiaodi chuckled slyly, "Benefits, benefits."
Zhang Lei raised an eyebrow, and Xiaodi stuck out his tongue, running off like the wind.
In the central park.
Youyan looked at her toes.
Zhang Lei bent down, looking at her, his voice gentle, "Yan, what happened?"
Youyan suddenly lifted her head, the movement so quick that Zhang Lei was caught off guard, his chin taking a hit.
Youyan let out an "Ah," her round eyes wide with an expression of "It wasn't me."
He couldn't help but laugh, "You'd have hit me anyway, now you can cheer up, can't you?"
Youyan tried to smile, but couldn't manage it, softly saying, "Boss, I'm sorry."
Except for knowing she often got into trouble, Zhang Lei didn't know much about this server. Her overly pale face now made his heart skip a beat. He cursed silently, this was ridiculous!
"He said, to give my regards to Big Brother Chi," Youyan stood up, looking into the distance.
She was always bad with directions; under the starlit sky, was that the direction of Luojia?
The wind gently lifted her long hair, strands brushing her face as she turned back, her voice full of sorrow, "Boss, how should I give this regard?"
Zhang Lei habitually frowned at her sudden, nonsensical question, but he replied, "It's just giving regards, how can it not be done?"
"Big Brother Chi, he's dead."
- Writer
