Chapter Sixty-Three: Emotions That Permeate Every Corner

"Shaoxing, I’m sorry. I think I forgot something. I have to go back. You all go ahead," Mai Xijun said, turning her head to leave. But Mo Shaoxing understood. He knew very well how crucial this opportunity was for Mai Xijun, and that chances like this waited for no one. He could not stand by and watch her bury her own promising future.

Because he was not certain: if Mai Xijun missed this chance for further study, how long would she have to wait for another? A year? Five years? Or perhaps ten…

"Did you forget your heart?" Mo Shaoxing’s voice was beautifully modulated, yet so loud it was almost a low roar, causing the atmosphere to drop suddenly. The colleagues behind them paused, uncertain.

Mai Xijun stood involuntarily where she was, but she refused to turn back. She didn’t want anyone to see her eyes already red with unshed tears. Her feet felt impossibly heavy, as if weighed down by water. He had struck right at the core of her feelings…

"You love him, but does he love you?" Shaoxing’s fists clenched, his knuckles stark and white, his molars grinding, veins popping on his forehead. "Girl, don’t open your heart to anyone unless he’s worthy of your trust and can be someone you rely on unconditionally. If he cannot promise to devote his life entirely to you, then don’t get any closer."

Mo Shaoxing’s voice was not loud, but it filled Mai Xijun’s ears. The airport was crowded, drowning out every small sound she might have made. The colleagues who had already passed security began urging them on.

"Assistant Mo, please hurry and board," someone finally called out. The manager named Zhang, impatient, stepped forward toward the pair. "It’s time for boarding."

Mo Shaoxing said nothing, waiting for Mai Xijun’s carefully considered answer. He hoped her response would satisfy him. Yet deep inside, another voice kept telling him she might not decide as he wished.

Mai Xijun slowly turned around, her smile tinged with indescribable sadness, yet strikingly beautiful. "Little Stone, I have to go back. You all go ahead," she said.

With an elegant turn, she sped out of the airport, not waiting for Mo Shaoxing to do anything more.

Manager Zhang was left speechless, wanting to say something, gesturing helplessly at Mai Xijun’s retreating figure, but unable to utter a word.

Mo Shaoxing stood unmoving for a long time. Though he had anticipated this outcome, hearing it still made his heart contract painfully. His little Pudding, after all, was someone who loved deeply. Yet the man she favored might not be worthy of such devotion. She would be hurt…

In the first-class cabin, everyone discussed the incident in hushed tones, none daring to speak openly with Mo Shaoxing present. He Jingjing occasionally curled her lips into a smile. Mai Xijun had lost, and lost to her. He Jingjing admitted her methods were not particularly clever, but regardless of whether her previous elimination was intentional or not, this time Mai Xijun was destined to lose.

The flight attendant’s pleasant voice filtered through the cabin. Mo Shaoxing’s mind was awash with thoughts, unable to find a starting point.

Someone whispered about Mai Xijun—her rumored affair with Luo Youcong, her ambiguous connection with Lu Chengfeng in front of everyone, and the rumors with Shen Yanlie. It was as if a whirlpool was dragging her step by step toward the abyss.

Now, no matter how difficult the road ahead, he could not bear the thought that the girl he had grown up with, his childhood companion, would suffer any harm.

Once, no matter how sad she was, she would face the world with a smile. But now, her face was rarely adorned with joy. He didn’t want her to lose even the little that remained. The thought that he might never see her again made him feel as if a heavy fist was pounding on his heart, leaving him breathless.

As these thoughts swirled, Mo Shaoxing no longer hesitated. He stood up, walked to another manager, who looked at him in surprise. "The plane is about to take off."

Still refined and composed, Mo Shaoxing placed his hand lightly on the man’s shoulder. "Old Zhang, you’re responsible for getting them safely to Paris. Call me when you arrive."

"Hey, Assistant Mo…" Old Zhang called out, trying to stand, but the seatbelt slowed him down and Mo Shaoxing had already strode out.

Everyone was baffled by the events of the day, except for He Jingjing, who smiled a sly, wicked smile.

﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡

At the entrance of LOVE Company, Mai Xijun had just stepped out of the taxi and rushed into the lobby. The wind scattered her hair across her forehead. Now, apart from anxiety, she felt nothing else. Her heart thumped wildly, threatening to leap from her throat.

She didn’t know whether her choice was right or wrong, or if she would regret it or not.

All she knew was, he needed her.

Her fingers tapped the elevator button with a relentless urgency. When the elevator finally arrived, she darted inside and pressed the button fast. Her actions betrayed her impatience, but that was truly how she felt. She wanted to stand by his side; even if the whole world betrayed him, she would remain steadfast.

Her attitude toward him now was much like how he had treated her before. He always stood behind her without complaint whenever she needed him. The feelings that had grown silently between them—she knew, even if he was cold to others, he remained gentle as spring before her, even when his words were occasionally harsh.

Just before the elevator doors opened, Mai Xijun took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. With determined steps and a slight turn, she raced directly toward Shen Yanlie’s office.

And in that instant, she and he crossed paths.

His face was expressionless, his hawk-like eyes glinting coldly. At his side was a beautiful woman, but his face showed no trace of joy, anger, or sorrow—he seemed utterly indifferent, to the point of disregard. He saw no one else, even though from the corner of his eye he caught the fleeting silhouette of someone familiar. But…

She wouldn’t come. Studying in France was her long-cherished dream. She wouldn’t come back for him…