Chapter 73: Love Too Fierce

Mai Xijun received Nian Yuchen’s call at noon the next day. He told her over the phone that he would be waiting at the entrance of the rehab center. Without wasting a moment, Mai Xijun hurried to the HR department to ask for leave and rushed out.

As she exited the company’s lobby, she failed to notice Shen Yanlie’s car, which had just come to a stop. Shen Yanlie, however, raised his hand, signaling Yu Wensi not to get out of the car or draw attention.

Watching Mai Xijun’s retreating figure, Yu Wensi frowned. “I thought Mai Xijun’s lifelong dream was to study in France and become a true designer. Why would she make such a hasty decision? Is there something she’s hiding from us?”

Yu Wensi was naturally suspicious; that was one thing. Moreover, seeing Mai Xijun leave in such a hurry naturally made him think of other factors.

Since Shen Yanlie said nothing, Yu Wensi took out his phone, opened the photo album, and handed it to him. “This was discovered when I had someone tail Luo Youcong. Do you think she’s following his instructions, or is it...?” He left the rest unsaid. With no evidence, anything he said would only reveal his own innate distrust. After all, as Luo Youcong’s former subordinate, it wasn’t unreasonable for Mai Xijun to meet with him. But what puzzled Yu Wensi was that this happened right before Mai Xijun was to leave for France. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t persuade her then, and yet she changed her mind later. That was a mystery.

Besides, Mai Xijun had just suffered heartbreak, her best friend had stolen her love, and her passion for Shen Yanlie seemed a bit too intense.

Shen Yanlie lifted his hand slightly, his calm expression betraying nothing. “Back to the company.”

He had only intended to pass by today, perhaps to pick her up on the way. But she left LOVE ahead of him. He had come to tell her that her mother had been found and was undergoing compulsory detoxification; it would be some time before she could see her. But evidently, she already knew.

Shen Yanlie was a shrewd man; he seldom had to overthink things. Luo Youcong, though outwardly composed, was actually crafty and calculating. If he had approached Mai Xijun, that meant she already knew where her mother was.

Furthermore, Luo Youcong was not one for idle chatter. He wouldn’t seek out Mai Xijun simply to reminisce or discuss trivial matters.

The world is like a chessboard, and we are all merely pieces.

While Luo Youcong was making use of Mai Xijun, she too was getting what she wanted. But what most deeply furrowed Shen Yanlie’s brow was the fact that Mai Xijun never truly trusted him. If only she would ask, he would give her everything—not just do his best, but give his all.

For the simple reason that Mai Xijun had saved his life once, he would do much for her; and she had saved him twice. Yet she herself couldn’t discern what place she held by his side and repeatedly provoked him, even though he had made her a promise.

Just before compulsory detox, Mai Xijun didn’t even have time to speak to Nian Yuchen when her phone began to ring. She hesitated, glanced at her phone, but put it away again.

This scoundrel—if she answered, who knew what tricks he’d pull next? She’d rather offend him than pick up. She was still counting on Nian Yuchen’s help to see her mother; she didn’t want to lose her composure or her sense of proportion.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting so long,” Mai Xijun said first, apologizing to Nian Yuchen for her earlier unkind thoughts. In truth, Nian Yuchen was a decent person—at least he kept his word.

“It’s really I who should apologize. I should’ve brought you over this morning, but something came up and I couldn’t get away. That’s why it’s been delayed until now.”

Indeed, that morning Uncle and Aunt Cheng, together with his fiancée Cheng Manli, had come to the company, claiming it had been too long since they’d seen him and that they wanted to spend some time together. So Nian Yuchen called his parents, and the two families gathered for a meal.

At the table, the main topic of conversation was how well-matched he and Cheng Manli were, and how to arrange an elegant and dignified engagement party. Nian Yuchen simply ate, saying little. When he spoke, it was only to comment formally on work difficulties and to defer entirely to the elders’ arrangements and suggestions.

Cheng Manli was delighted and nestled close to him; to her, this polite and gentlemanly Nian Yuchen was exactly the kind of man she wanted. Although he truly was that sort of person, a wedding without his own wishes left him with little concept or expectation.

The two families were well matched, and after marriage the couple would likely be mutually respectful and supportive. Yet Nian Yuchen kept asking himself: Is this the life he wants?

He didn’t know...

He only knew that he yearned for something beyond career, marriage, and love—a different feeling, one that could transcend romance, perhaps friendship. Two people able to chat as confidants, to speak freely, to shed all burdens. Just as he was now, after the family meal, craving some space just for himself. Perhaps he had carved out this time, but he wanted to give it to this person.

Looking at Mai Xijun, Nian Yuchen realized that the more he understood her, the more he felt his life had been numb and indifferent, devoid of ambition, focused solely on boosting the company’s performance, with nothing else—life as stagnant as still water.

Yet in her, he saw youth and vitality, striving for her dreams and ideas.

How long had it been since he felt that way? With a life and path arranged by others, he had never tried to change anything. Compared to her, his life, which to outsiders seemed orderly and privileged, was actually empty and aimless.

Nian Yuchen accompanied Mai Xijun into the rehab center, but she waited in vain for the person she wanted to see. Anxiously, she looked around, waiting in the visiting room.

Minute by minute, time slipped through her fingers. Mai Xijun sat with her hands tightly clasped, fingers interlaced. Nian Yuchen frowned, and seeing her unease, wanted to offer words of comfort.

But in the end, he said nothing—he merely stepped forward and gently patted her on the shoulder.