Ji Rongyu is a clever individual. From childhood to adulthood, he has never been tripped up by the same obstacle. His prominent family background and substantial wealth have often footed the bill for his mistakes.
Therefore, Ji Rongyu has never regretted any choices he’s made – at least not until a few months ago, when he began to feel remorse for the “minor mistakes” he had committed in his otherwise smooth sailing life.
It wasn’t until last week that his months-long web of lies was unraveled in front of Yu Bai.
Ji Rongyu realized.
Status and money can indeed make amends for faults, but they can’t mend all the errors he’s committed – especially the fractures in his relationships.
On the second day after his lies were exposed.
Ji Rongyu went to Yu Bai’s home and his snack shop. He prepared for everything and rehearsed his apology thoroughly.
Ji Rongyu didn’t expect Yu Bai to fully forgive him, but he was willing to do everything in his power to mend the shattered bond between them.
Ji Rongyu was prepared to reveal all his truths to Yu Bai, and he was even ready to swear on the spot, never deceiving Yu Bai again.
However, Ji Rongyu was a step too late.
He knocked on Yu Bai’s door until his hands were scraped and bleeding, but Yu Bai didn’t answer.
It was only after Ji Rongyu visited the “Galaxy Snack Shop” shop that he found out Yu Bai had bought an early train ticket and gone on a trip with Xing Xing.
Ji Rongyu didn’t know which city Yu Bai had gone to or when he would return. And to make matters worse, Yu Bai had blocked all his contact methods, cutting off all ties between them.
Yu Bai hadn’t even given him a chance to apologize, to make amends.
What does this mean?
It means that Yu Bai is angry, Yu Bai is upset, and Yu Bai… hates him.
Yu Bai has made up his mind to sever all ties, not giving him any chance to salvage their relationship.
Yu Bai, he no longer likes him.
Because of the lies.
Ji Rongyu personally pushed away the only person he had truly liked and fallen in love with in over twenty years.
Even the world’s most skilled restoration master cannot completely erase the emotional rift.
The crack still exists, still as glaring as ever, and still so painful.
The days without seeing Yu Bai felt like living in a zombie-like state for Ji Rongyu.
He set aside all work and wandered outside Yu Bai’s home every day, hoping to see the lights in Yu Bai’s house come back on after they had been extinguished.
Ji Rongyu didn’t mind the taste of street-side snacks anymore, even when he was hungry or thirsty. The instinct to survive drove him to devour the unappetizing food completely.
Day after day, Yu Bai’s home remained closed with the curtains drawn, not a glimmer of light seeping through.
Ji Rongyu had no idea how much longer he would have to wait downstairs to encounter Yu Bai.
Perhaps, even if he spent his whole life waiting, he would never again have a chance encounter with Yu Bai.
Every day, as night fell.
Ji Rongyu lay tiredly in his bed, scenes of the past with Yu Bai flashing before his eyes.
Yu Bai usually wore a gentle and warm smile on his face. This smile was like the clear moonlight, bright and beautiful.
Occasionally, when Ji Rongyu annoyed Yu Bai, he would slightly purse his lips and playfully punch Ji Rongyu – Yu Bai’s punches were never forceful, and they left Ji Rongyu’s shoulder feeling ticklish.
Ji Rongyu remembered. When Yu Bai blushed due to emotions, his face looked like a ripe, juicy peach.
That night, when Ji Rongyu bent down to bite into the juicy peach, the ripe fruit oozed out sweet juice.
Beautiful and delicious.
The fragrance of the night’s dream was sweet, but daybreak was inevitable.
As Ji Rongyu woke up, he would once again face the cruel reality of Yu Bai leaving him.
One day, two days, three days, four days… time passed like the blink of an eye.
A week went by, and Yu Bai still hadn’t returned.
“Boss, how about we buy the neighboring apartment next to Yu Bai’s? That way, you won’t have to wait downstairs every day…”
Seeing his once-spirited boss now reduced to a dispirited wanderer, Hang Yuanshu couldn’t bear it any longer. He would often find Ji Rongyu squatting outside the residential area.
He offered a suggestion.
Unfortunately, Hang Yuanshu’s suggestion came too late.
The long wait caused Ji Rongyu’s once fervent heart to grow colder.
Ji Rongyu began to doubt. Did Yu Bai, while traveling, discover that the city he was visiting was better than City J?
Would Yu Bai consider staying in another city to start a new life?
Would Yu Bai encounter someone else who captured his heart during his travels?
Yu Bai was handsome and had a great personality. Who wouldn’t be attracted to the perfect Yu Bai?
However, no matter how many people were attracted to Yu Bai, they wouldn’t be like him, someone who had lied to Yu Bai.
As long as someone genuinely liked Yu Bai, Yu Bai should… be easily moved by their sincerity.
Just the thought of Yu Bai being affectionate with someone else made Ji Rongyu’s heart feel like it was being twisted by a knife, and his breath became unusually labored.
As a bastard who didn’t even have the right to be forgiven, what reason did he have to stand beside Yu Bai, to be Yu Bai’s support?
Wouldn’t it be better if he let go of Yu Bai in time, no longer appeared in Yu Bai’s life, became a bystander to Yu Bai’s life, watched Yu Bai build a new family with someone else, and live a happy and fulfilling life?
Because Yu Bai didn’t like him, Yu Bai hated him, Yu Bai resented him.
Yu Bai didn’t want to see him.
Why should he appear before Yu Bai and further provoke his anger, ruining the bright and beautiful life that Yu Bai should have had?
Perhaps he wasn’t the one who could truly make Yu Bai happy.
For the first time in his life, Ji Rongyu felt a profound lack of confidence in himself.
Ji Rongyu declined Hang Yuanshu’s suggestion.
He thought that instead of living next door to Yu Bai, being discovered by the returning Yu Bai, and letting Yu Bai recall those unpleasant memories because of him, it would be better for him to proactively leave Yu Bai’s life.
But before leaving, he wanted to take one last look at Yu Bai.
The day he saw Yu Bai again came quickly.
Ji Rongyu didn’t know where Hang Yuanshu got the news that Yu Bai was returning to City J tonight.
Better to believe it than to doubt it.
Before leaving, Ji Rongyu deliberately cleaned himself up and then stepped out of the door.
Sure enough, as Hang Yuanshu had said, Yu Bai appeared in the community.
Upon seeing Yu Bai again, Ji Rongyu’s heart, which had been silent for a whole week, began to beat again.
He could hear his own rapid heartbeat, the heavy sound of his breathing, and his lips involuntarily curled upward.
However, Ji Rongyu quickly realized that Yu Bai wasn’t alone.
Apart from Xing Xing, who had been by Yu Bai’s side almost twenty-four hours a day, there was another man beside Yu Bai.
Due to the distance between Ji Rongyu and them, he couldn’t see the other man’s face clearly.
Then, Ji Rongyu watched helplessly as the man followed Yu Bai upstairs.
One minute, two minutes… each second felt like an eternity of agony for Ji Rongyu.
Half an hour passed, and the man didn’t come downstairs.
Ji Rongyu knew that Yu Bai must have invited the man into his home as a guest.
Tonight, the moon was full, and the stars adorned the night sky, sparkling beautifully.
Once upon a time, he had shared countless nights like this with Yu Bai.
Ji Rongyu closed his eyes.
At this late hour, what would Yu Bai and that man be doing at home?
Chatting? Having dinner? Did Yu Bai cook for that man?
He wasn’t the only one who had tasted the dinners Yu Bai made anymore.
What would they do after dinner? Would that man spend the night at Yu Bai’s place, just like him?
Would they have drinks together, and then… do that thing?
Even though it was early summer, the weather was hot. Yet, Ji Rongyu’s heart felt like it had fallen into an icehouse, cold to the bone. His flowing blood seemed to freeze again.
Several hours passed, and just when Ji Rongyu thought he might have to wait downstairs all night to see the man come out of Yu Bai’s home, he saw Yu Bai and the man’s figures again.
Yu Bai and the man walked side by side, seemingly engaged in some interesting conversation, both of them wearing smiles on their faces.
Ji Rongyu recognized the man standing beside Yu Bai – he was none other than Yun He, the chef Yu Bai had brought to the shop.
Ji Rongyu had heard about it before. During the time when “Galaxy Snack Shop” was in business, Yun He didn’t seem close to the other staff members but was particularly intimate with Yu Bai.
Whenever Ji Rongyu went to the “Galaxy Snack Shop,” he often saw Yu Bai and Yun He acting affectionately.
Ji Rongyu thought to himself.
Perhaps, Yu Bai and Yun He had feelings for each other for a long time, even from the very beginning.
A sudden and intense jealousy surged, like a spilled bottle of aged vinegar, making Ji Rongyu’s heart feel as sour as if he had eaten ten thousand lemons.
The night he shared with Yu Bai might have been nothing more than a mistake.
If he hadn’t entered Yu Bai’s world, Yu Bai might have lived a sweet and loving life with Yun He, free from any setbacks or storms in their relationship…
Maybe he really shouldn’t have appeared in Yu Bai’s life, right?
Beside the station, Yu Bai playfully tapped Yun He’s shoulder.
Ji Rongyu felt like he was looking at his past self.
In the past, Yu Bai would tap him lightly in the same way and then show an affectionate smile.
In just a few short months, everything had changed.
Why was there someone else by Yu Bai’s side now, while he was trapped by painful memories, unable to move forward?
A bitter smile formed on Ji Rongyu’s lips.
Because Yu Bai didn’t love him.
Because of that lack of love, Yu Bai could easily cast aside their shared past.
But he still deeply loved Yu Bai, finding it hard to let go of this hard-earned affection.
Ji Rongyu clenched his right hand into a fist and slammed the wall behind him.
On the first day he met Yu Bai, he had lied.
And that lie had eventually turned into sharp blades pointing back at Ji Rongyu, leaving his heart shattered into pieces.
All of this was of his own making.
In the dark, ignored alley, Ji Rongyu’s voice sounded hoarse and choked.
“Ji Rongyu, it’s time to wake up.”
“Yu Bai, I don’t need you anymore.”
—
After returning from H City to J City, Yu Bai thought that given Ji Rongyu’s thick-skinned nature, he would quickly show up.
Yu Bai had prepared himself for the moment he would see Ji Rongyu again, but things took an unexpected turn.
Two whole months passed, and with the arrival of midsummer, Yu Bai had not seen Ji Rongyu once.
He should have realized it earlier.
Ji Rongyu was the owner of G Group, while he was just the owner of a snack shop. He was merely a passing “toy” for Ji Rongyu, so why would Ji Rongyu bother about him?
Perhaps, after Ji Rongyu saw his lies exposed, he found this “toy” of his boring, and thus left J City to seek the next one?
“Boss, give us two portions of Jasmine Wine Sweet Rice Balls. One for dining in, and one for takeaway.”
“We’ll have two portions of the Wine Sweet Rice Balls here too!”
“Alright!”
Yu Bai turned around and prepared three portions of Wine Sweet Rice Balls, with one of them packed for takeaway.
“Grandpa Tan, these Wine Sweet Rice Balls were just made, so they might be a bit hot. Please be careful when eating.”
Grandpa Tan smiled and said, “Got it, got it!”
He scooped up a spoonful of the Jasmine Wine Sweet Rice Ball, which carried a fresh fragrance, and cautiously took a bite, his wrinkles smoothing out.
Yu Bai’s culinary skills were excellent! Whether it was Peach Blossom Wine Sweet Rice Balls or Jasmine Wine Sweet Rice Balls, the taste was top-notch.
In the span of two months, “Galaxy Snack Shop” had become an ultra-popular online celebrity snack shop in J City, thanks to its outstanding flavors and incredibly high value for money.
Meanwhile, the online sales of “Galaxy Snack Shop” were also impressive.
Xiang Yu, a super beauty and makeup influencer in China, had been live-streaming various snacks she purchased from the “Galaxy Snack Shop” online store for the past two months. She even flew to J City on some days to conduct live tastings in the shop itself, earning a wave of attention for the “Galaxy Snack Shop” and effectively introducing it to many other parts of China.
Xiang Yu’s promotion caught the attention of many, sparking interest in the “Galaxy Snack Shop.” After trying the snacks from the online store, without exception, they became repeat customers, recommending the shop to their friends and family, acting as a word-of-mouth promotional channel for the “Galaxy Snack Shop.”
No matter what kind of shop it was, as long as one dedicated themselves and diligently produced quality products, a bright future would inevitably follow.
Now, Yu Bai’s second “Galaxy Snack Shop” was flourishing.
Chen Jing, the project manager who collaborated with G Group, often visited Yu Bai’s snack shop to discuss new store content.
The past between Yu Bai and Ji Rongyu, as well as the relationship between Chen Jing and Ji Rongyu, became a topic they avoided discussing.
Since Yu Bai returned to “Galaxy Snack Shop,” his relationship with Chen Jing had transformed into a purely business interaction.
Regarding Ji Rongyu’s identity, Yu Bai knew that Chen Jing was hiding something from him, but he didn’t vent his anger on Chen Jing.
After all, Chen Jing was just an ordinary person. He was an employee under Ji Rongyu and was coerced by the boss to keep certain things secret, which was understandable.
In these two months, the Rong couple, who had agreed to come, arrived in J City. It took them three or four days to barely sample all the snacks in Yu Bai’s shop.
Yu Bai spent three to five days touring J City with the Rong couple.
Upon their second meeting, the relationship between the Rong couple and Yu Bai grew closer, and they gained a deeper understanding of each other’s situations.
Learning that the Rong couple had an extraordinary background and held shares in several major corporations didn’t surprise Yu Bai.
Since he first met the Rong couple, he could tell that they had exceptional bearing and manners, setting them apart from ordinary people.
Yet, Yu Bai’s attitude towards the Rong couple hadn’t significantly changed due to their background. He continued to interact with them as he always had, like a junior or a friendly companion, showing them around J City and ensuring they had a wonderful time.
Before the Rong couple left, they handed a small envelope to Yu Bai.
“Yu Bai, what’s inside this envelope is a small gift to thank you for showing us a good time these days,” Rong An said, “Whether you choose to accept what’s inside this envelope when you open it or simply discard it is entirely up to you.”
The Rong couple had a sense of propriety in their actions, and they genuinely treated Yu Bai as a friend. Hence, the “gift” they gave him was well thought out.
So, Yu Bai accepted the envelope.
When Yu Bai opened the envelope at home, he found an exquisitely designed invitation letter inside.
In August, under the leadership of several well-known domestic and international culinary investment groups, there would be a large-scale culinary summit in the capital city.
During the event, not only would major domestic and international culinary investment groups participate, but also renowned chefs from around the world. They would showcase their skills at the exhibition.
In his previous life, Yu Bai had participated in many similar culinary summits with his boss.
At such culinary summits, Yu Bai’s previous boss was responsible for the cutthroat business aspects, while Yu Bai would shine in the spotlight, engaging in culinary “exchanges” with domestic and international chefs.
In his previous life, Yu Bai rather enjoyed these exchanges with the chefs.
Training in the kitchen was akin to training in martial arts. Chefs had to consistently practice their craft over the years, and through these exchanges, they could learn new techniques from others and make progress.
However, now Yu Bai was busy managing his snack shop and had deviated from the traditional path of a chef he pursued in his past life.
Without the connections of top-notch establishments or long-standing restaurants, Yu Bai, now just the owner of a popular online snack shop, had no chance of engaging in “exchanges” with top-level chefs.
Yet, now, the Rong couple had handed him this opportunity.
How could Yu Bai not be tempted?
In early August, the day before the culinary summit began.
Yu Bai, accompanied by Xing Xing, arrived in the capital city.
Upon learning that Yu Bai and his son had arrived in the capital city, the Rong couple, who lived there, almost immediately went to the airport to welcome them.
“Xiao Yu, don’t be overly polite with us! When we went to J City earlier, you helped us with all the arrangements for accommodation and travel. Being polite goes both ways,” Rong An said with a smile to Yu Bai, “This time, we’ve also arranged a hotel for you. Don’t refuse our goodwill!”
With Rong An’s words, Yu Bai naturally couldn’t refuse.
The venue for the culinary summit was located at the most luxurious and largest hotel in the capital city, also the largest in China – the RJ Hotel.
And what Rong An had arranged for Yu Bai and his son was the most luxurious family suite in the entire hotel, starting at a five-digit price per night.
The facilities within the RJ Hotel were comprehensive. There was a gym, a swimming pool, various dining options, an indoor playground – almost everything one could imagine.
Rong An and his wife took Yu Bai and Xing Xing on a tour around the hotel. Xing Xing, who was captivated by the luxurious facilities and the entertaining activities in the indoor playground, was hardly able to move forward!
Moreover, the food and snacks in the RJ Hotel were all prepared by top domestic chefs. The taste was exceptional, and Yu Bai couldn’t find a single fault in these dishes.
During lunchtime, Rong An asked with a smile, “How is it? Does Xing Xing like staying here?”
With such delicious food and fun activities, of course, he loved staying here!
But… This place is so nice, the rooms must be very expensive, right?
Xing Xing, while eating a smooth and rich chocolate cake, looked at Yu Bai and blinked his watery round eyes.
If Dad agreed to stay here, then he would stay here too! If Dad didn’t want to stay here, then he wouldn’t stay!
Yu Bai gently touched Xing Xing’s chubby cheek.
As Xing Xing grew older, he became quite clever and perceptive. If Xing Xing didn’t want to stay at the RJ Hotel, he would definitely tell Rong An directly. Right now, Xing Xing didn’t give a direct answer to Rong An’s question; instead, he stared at Yu Bai, waiting for his decision.
Of course, if Yu Bai chose to stay in a different hotel, Xing Xing wouldn’t have any objections.
Clever little devil.
Yu Bai said, “Then let’s stay here.”
“That’s settled then. I’ll have someone assist you with the check-in process. Don’t worry about the hotel expenses. Staying at the RJ Hotel is not cheap for a night, but my husband and I have shares in this hotel. We get discounts here that make it more affordable than the prices of other luxury hotels outside.”
Rong An said this in an attempt to ease Yu Bai’s concerns about the hotel expenses.
Yu Bai smiled and didn’t say much.
After a dusty journey from J City to the capital, he and Xing Xing were exhausted.
Rong An and her husband didn’t disturb them much.
After having lunch, Yu Bai took Xing Xing back to their hotel suite.
As Yu Bai closed the door, there were two soft “beep beep” sounds from the suite opposite his – someone had opened their suite door.
“Boss, we’ve almost finished compiling the list of all the guests participating in this culinary summit. Do you need to go through the list of important guests who need to attend?”
A man dressed in a well-tailored black suit, with neatly combed black hair, stepped out of the suite without expression.
“No need…”
The deep voice came to a halt as the man saw the list his assistant handed him. The first name on the list was prominently printed – “Yu Bai.”
The next moment, a stack of papers was placed on top of that list.
“Oh, Boss, I’m sorry! This is the list for regular guests. This one is the list for important guests…”
As he spoke, Hang Yuanshu handed the list of important guests attending the culinary summit to Ji Rongyu.
Ji Rongyu’s gaze lowered slightly, a fleeting touch of gentleness hidden within his eyes.
He once again put on his icy mask.
“No need to look, I understand.”
With those words, Ji Rongyu turned around and headed toward the direction of the elevator.
The long corridor, Ji Rongyu’s tall and imposing figure, seemed lonely and desolate.
Hang Yuanshu watched Ji Rongyu’s departing back and shrugged his shoulders.
Two months ago, on that night, he didn’t follow Ji Rongyu.
Hang Yuanshu didn’t know what Ji Rongyu had seen which made him leave J City and immerse himself in a busy work life, leaving behind the life he had before meeting Yu Bai.
Ji Rongyu appeared as usual, often wearing a cold expression, rarely smiling or showing any emotion.
But Hang Yuanshu, who had followed Ji Rongyu for many years, how could he not notice the change in Ji Rongyu?
Before he knew Yu Bai, although Ji Rongyu also maintained a cold demeanor, he would occasionally smile, get angry, or show other emotions.
However, now it had been two months, and Hang Yuanshu hadn’t seen even a hint of Ji Rongyu’s personal emotions.
Ji Rongyu was like a puppet with a cold mask, his once fiery heart is now completely silent.
Nothing is sadder than a dead heart.
The reasons behind Ji Rongyu’s dead heart, and his past with Yu Bai, Hang Yuanshu knew them all.
Hang Yuanshu glanced briefly at the suite opposite, its door tightly closed.
As an assistant, there was only so much he could do. He had done his best.
Hang Yuanshu hoped his efforts would yield results – to make his boss appear somewhat alive, rather than like a walking corpse.
He withdrew his gaze, let out a soft sigh, and followed Ji Rongyu’s steps.
Author’s Note:
PS: When I write, I like to listen to instrumental music. It shields out the noise and helps me immerse myself emotionally.
Coincidentally, while writing this psychological description and reminiscence of Ji Rongyu, I came across an instrumental piece that matched the mood perfectly – it’s really beautiful!
The title of this instrumental piece is in Korean, and when translated to Chinese, it’s “星光闪耀时间停止” (Starlight Shines, Time Stops). It fits this segment quite well~
For those interested in this instrumental piece, you can find it on my social media account (Weibo).
I’ve shared this song in my latest post.
You can try listening to this instrumental piece while reading this segment; it will enhance the mood.
