The river flowing eastward divides the city in two, while Zeng Yu walks against the current, heading west through the streets.
Using the storefront windows as mirrors, Zeng Yu checks his appearance. His white shirt is a bit worn, and even though it’s been washed, the collar is slightly yellowed. After several sleepless nights, his complexion is pale, and dark circles shadow his eyes. His shoes, rarely worn, shine after a polish, but their style is a bit outdated.
Life is full of choices. Zeng Yu, a top graduate from a prestigious university, left his job at a trading company after a year to start his own business. At the company, Zeng Yu was a diligent worker, though his achievements were often credited to his supervisor. He didn’t complain much, knowing one’s place in life is important—a quality Zeng Yu possessed. He didn’t harbor any resentment toward his supervisor. In fact, the year of work not only brought him dissatisfaction but also valuable experience, helping him recognize his shortcomings and learn from his supervisor’s strengths, especially in dealing with people.
When Zeng Yu resigned, his supervisor tried to persuade him to stay, ultimately sighing, “To be ambitious while serving others and then leave to start your own business takes courage. You’re stronger than I am.” As a parting word, he added, “If you can’t change society, then change yourself. And always draw a line in your heart.”
Zeng Yu nodded. “Wise words. I’ll remember them.”
Zeng Yu glanced at his phone—it was still early. The scorching summer heat was unbearable, and the nearby cinema was tempting. He decided to catch a movie.
A horror film had just started. Zeng Yu hurried inside, and as he searched for his seat, he suddenly saw a ghastly white face with two hollow eyes staring straight at him. Immersed in the eerie atmosphere created by the sound effects, Zeng Yu couldn’t help but scream, “Ah!”
“What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” The pale face spoke, standing up and peeling off the “white skin” from her face.
Zeng Yu stumbled back, landing on the floor. The woman pointed at him, laughing crisply, “Hahaha!”
Covering his chest, Zeng Yu waited for his heartbeat to settle before standing up. Realizing it was a real person holding a white facial mask, he shouted, “Wearing a mask in the theater? You trying to scare someone to death?!”
No longer in the mood for a movie and not interested in confronting this strange woman, Zeng Yu angrily turned to leave. Behind him, he heard the woman’s voice, “Coward!”
Zeng Yu clenched his fists, thinking, “I’ll endure it. I’m not going to argue with a woman.”
The incident at the cinema wasn’t entirely bad; at least it made Zeng Yu break out in a cold sweat, easing the heat in his heart.
Two hours later, Zeng Yu stood up from a bench in the cinema’s lobby, crossed the road, and walked into the Seven Stars Building.
Hongda Trading Company was on the eighth floor. The receptionist, a tall and slender woman, stood up immediately when she saw someone enter, smiling politely. “Hello, sir. How may I assist you?”
Zeng Yu practiced his smile in front of the mirror and replied, “Hello, my name is Zeng Yu. I would like to see your General Manager, Mr. Han.”
The receptionist kept her smile. “Do you have an appointment?”
Having worked in a big company, Zeng Yu knew the rules and the struggles of receptionists. He smiled and said, “No, I don’t have an appointment. Can I make one now?”
As expected, Zeng Yu’s request was politely declined. However, the trip wasn’t entirely in vain; he left behind a proposal for self-recommendation.
Zeng Yu had his eye on a wine brand called “Sophie” that Hongda had recently introduced. It came from a relatively unknown winery in the Bordeaux region of France. The area had over eight thousand wineries, and while Sophie wasn’t famous, its wine quality was quite good. However, after Hongda introduced the brand, their marketing efforts were less than satisfactory.
Zeng Yu hoped to secure a regional distribution opportunity. He had spent a lot of time researching and prepared a marketing plan, hoping to impress Mr. Han of Hongda.
After being rejected, Zeng Yu didn’t persist with the receptionist. He left the marketing plan and politely took his leave.
Blue Charm Bar.
Zeng Yu and Xiao Xiao met here, and when they decided to break up, Xiao Xiao also chose this place to talk. Zeng Yu’s lateness provided her with a graceful exit. After checking her watch one more time, Xiao Xiao left the bar, pulled out her phone, and sent a text message: “I’m leaving first, don’t look for me!”
Zeng Yu’s resignation was the cause of their breakup. Two years ago, Xiao Xiao came to this city to work hard, selling beer in bars, and fell in love with Zeng Yu. Two years later, she bowed to the harsh realities of society, convincing herself that she had been with Zeng Yu because she feared loneliness and because he was handsome.
But good looks don’t put food on the table.
When Zeng Yu arrived, he saw Xiao Xiao getting into a small car. He jogged after her, sweating profusely, but in the end, he only caught a whiff of exhaust fumes.
Over the past six months, Zeng Yu and Xiao Xiao, though in the same city, had rarely seen each other. Their phone contact dwindled from daily calls to weekly, then monthly. Xiao Xiao’s excuse was being busy at work, while Zeng Yu was genuinely busy.
Zeng Yu decided to save his relationship and sent Xiao Xiao a text: “Sorry, I’m late.”
When Xiao Xiao read the message, there was a hand on her nylon-clad thigh. She gave the man in the driver’s seat a flirtatious smile, then skillfully typed: “Let’s break up, don’t blame me.”
Jiang Nan’s car pulled into the spot next to Zeng Yu’s. She looked up at the tall figure, hesitated for a moment, then decided not to approach him. Instead, she quietly watched him.
Zeng Yu pulled out his phone from his pocket, his face full of anxiety.
Jiang Nan recalled the scene at the cinema and couldn’t help but smile. After Zeng Yu left that day, Jiang Nan hadn’t stayed to watch the movie but had followed him out. She watched as Zeng Yu headed towards the Seven Stars Building and later waited outside for Mr. Han.
Sixteen months ago, also at this bar, Jiang Nan and her friends had been harassed by some drunken men. At that time, Zeng Yu, who was working there, stepped in to help, taking a beating from those men. Afterward, Jiang Nan tried to find Zeng Yu to thank him, only to discover that he had already resigned.
The next time Jiang Nan saw Zeng Yu was at the university graduation ceremony.
Zeng Yu was giving a speech as the outstanding student representative. After the ceremony, Jiang Nan went to find him, only to miss him again as he had already left. Jiang Nan had thought that she and Zeng Yu were not fated to meet again, but today, fate had other plans.
Zeng Yu sat by the street, looking at the bustling traffic, unsure of what to do.
Jiang Nan cautiously approached, seeing the sadness and heartache on his face.
Worried about disturbing him, Jiang Nan turned and quietly left, entering the bar.
At the bar counter, a plump woman with a frown turned around and, seeing Jiang Nan, sighed, “My period came early, and it’s killing me. I have to cancel our plans today.”
“Zeng Yu is outside. It seems something happened to him,” Jiang Nan casually mentioned.
Yuan Lei, holding her stomach, curled her lips disdainfully, “That Xiao Xiao woman waited here for less than five minutes before leaving. Wasn’t it only a matter of time before she dumped Zeng Yu?”
“Do you remember that time a drunk customer stopped me and started talking nonsense? Zeng Yu took the beating for me. I’ve always wanted to thank him. Unfortunately, he resigned that day and changed his phone number. I only found out at the graduation ceremony that he was my classmate. After the ceremony, I went to find him, but he had already left.” Jiang Nan’s face showed a hint of regret.
“Ah, forget about it. I’ll go get him.” Yuan Lei got up and went outside. In no time, a frowning Zeng Yu followed her in.
“This is what Xiao Xiao left behind for you.” Yuan Lei handed over an envelope. Zeng Yu took it, opened it, and out fell a key and a platinum chain.
The key was to Zeng Yu’s rental apartment, and the platinum chain was a birthday gift he had once given to Xiao Xiao.
Zeng Yu stared blankly at the items in his hand, slowly putting them back in the envelope.
Jiang Nan remained silent, sitting at the bar stool with her arms crossed, quietly observing Zeng Yu.
This man always left a different impression on Jiang Nan. The first time, he had stood up to those drunk customers, taking the hits without retaliating, all while protecting Jiang Nan and pushing her to safety. The second time, at the graduation ceremony, he had looked every bit the young and talented scholar. This was the third time—was this the man hurt by love?
“Yuan Lei, a glass of whiskey, no ice.” Zeng Yu’s voice was low and slightly hoarse. Jiang Nan heard him speak again, his voice was quite distinctive.
Zeng Yu had a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He didn’t need makeup to play the righteous hero in a drama. Just by looking at his face, it was easy for others to trust him, and his pleasant voice made an even better impression.
“Xiao Zeng, since you called me ‘sister,’ I have to remind you. Drinking won’t solve anything.”
“I know, but what else can I do right now?” Zeng Yu sat at the bar, casually placing the envelope on the counter.
Yuan Lei shook her head with a bitter smile and went behind the bar to pour him a drink.
Zeng Yu took the glass, swirled it slightly, then downed the drink in one go. He stood up to leave. Yuan Lei smiled without saying a word, but Jiang Nan had firmly remembered the deep sorrow on Zeng Yu’s face when he raised the glass, which tugged at the softest part of her heart, making her unconsciously feel pity for him.
“He’s a good guy. He worked here for three years, always doing his job diligently, treating everyone with courtesy. Many female customers liked him, but he ignored all their hints. I don’t know what spell Xiao Xiao cast to trap him.” Yuan Lei shook her head, “This is not something outsiders should meddle in.”
Jiang Nan lightly nudged Yuan Lei with her shoulder, “You were one of those female customers too, right?”
Yuan Lei rolled her eyes, “I thought only women like me who have been around for years would say something like that. I didn’t expect a graceful and elegant young lady like you to go down this path.”
“Don’t change the subject. Be honest.” Jiang Nan playfully pressed on.
Yuan Lei reached out to pinch her cheek, “You little rascal, I never go for the low-hanging fruit.”
The two women bantered, and the oppressive atmosphere brought by Zeng Yu’s presence dissipated completely.
“Hey, I think he left something behind.” Jiang Nan noticed the envelope and the document bag on the bar counter.
Yuan Lei quickly ran out, but Zeng Yu was already gone. She returned with a sigh, “I’ll keep it for him until he comes back to get it.”
“I forgot to thank him just now. Give it to me. I’ll ask him to call me when he comes to pick it up so we don’t lose track of him again.” Jiang Nan didn’t know why, but she felt she should do this.
Yuan Lei was a little surprised, glanced at Jiang Nan, and said nothing. In fact, she wanted to remind Jiang Nan that this man was hard to read.
Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
