The Long Road Ahead: C33
Unexpected Guest
This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
When Xiao Ning woke up the next morning, Shan Haiming hadn't gotten up yet. Opening the bedroom door as quietly as possible, he peeked inside to see Shan Haiming curled up into a cat-like mound under the covers while the other little sleeping mound, that was Xiaohei, had also curled up as it lay in the hollow formed by the blanket.
Xiao Ning sighed. The person before him really was no fool, but the words she used were honestly too much. Yet, despite this, he wasn't the least bit angry. "Maybe it's like apples and oranges? Everyone has their preference?"
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
While Xiao Ning hesitated on whether or not he should wake him, the head buried within those covers moved. Poking his head out, Shan Haiming stared at the door. In that instant, Xiao Ning didn't know if he should say "It's time to get up" or "Sorry for disturbing you." But this inner conflict of his didn't last for more than five seconds because Shan Haiming again pulled the blanket over his head and returned to sleep with no hesitation, making his sleeping posture quite apparent.
A large group of his team members walked over right then and asked, "Xiao-ge, do you want to come eat with us?
Therefore, it's not that he abandoned you out of concern, it was just that you weren't a goal of his to begin with.
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
Xiao Ning: "..."
"Don't act like you know everything." Ye Zixin took a large step towards Xiao Ning. Despite her height being much shorter than his, her imposing manner wasn't the least bit lessened. "You don't truly understand anything about Haiming at all, and you can't do anything to help him. A homosеxual? All you're going to do is hold him back."
"You don't need to tell such a shoddy lie." Ye Zixin revealed a smile dripping with disdain. "I've known that Shan Haiming owns both of these apartments for a long time now. You've already gone to see Uncle and Aunty yet you're still afraid to admit this?"
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
The was obvious hesitation on Wang Hua's end, then after a long time he asked promisingly, "Did he tell you?"
Xiao Ning didn't dare say he truly understood Shan Haiming, but that didn't seem true either. He and that person always had this slightly strange tiny bit of understanding between them. It hadn't been long since they had met one another, and their relationship couldn't be considered as anything more than friends. But, to Xiao Ning, Shan Haiming's existence had already taken up a place of great significance in his heart. Through Shan Haiming he got to understand some important matters, and ever since he had met him, he had gotten to see a lot of things from a different perspective and they were especially interesting. What's more, he had appeared at the exact time Xiao Ning's feelings had undergone a great change. So even if he was just an unwitting witness, his importance to Xiao Ning was incredibly special.
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
Xiao Ning rarely arrived to work late, the time he spent talking with Ye Zixin had gone a bit over what had been budgeted. It was his own fault, though. Because he moved so close to the company, he had gotten relaxed and left his window of time so tight it didn't allow for any mistakes.
There are times when Xiao Ning just couldn't understand how that guy's biological clock was even set. hen they had first met, Shan Haiming had drunk until he almost passed out, but when the next day came, he still woke up and went for a morning jog as if nothing had happened, yet at other times he'd usually have to be woken up.
While Xiao Ning hesitated on whether or not he should wake him, the head buried within those covers moved. Poking his head out, Shan Haiming stared at the door. In that instant, Xiao Ning didn't know if he should say "It's time to get up" or "Sorry for disturbing you." But this inner conflict of his didn't last for more than five seconds because Shan Haiming again pulled the blanket over his head and returned to sleep with no hesitation, making his sleeping posture quite apparent.
Xiao Ning: "..."
Therefore, it's not that he abandoned you out of concern, it was just that you weren't a goal of his to begin with.
And, to make themselves believe it, they would continually make excuses for the other person, then continually try to convince themselves.
Inside, Xiao Ning handed her a glass of water while saying politely, "I need to get to work so I'll be leaving first. There isn't anything to eat here either, so please accept my apologies, Miss Ye."
And, to make themselves believe it, they would continually make excuses for the other person, then continually try to convince themselves.
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
Alright then. Xiao Ning figured since Shan Haiming didn't need to punch in at work, it was fine to just let him sleep. But he still couldn't resist adding, "Haiming, there's still bread and milk in the fridge so you can warm them up yourself, okay? The take-out menus are on the shoe cabinet."
When all is said and done, the way a person lives their life can only be on account of their own choices.
Xiao Ning let out a sigh. Is this any of my business?
◈◇◈
Xiao Ning frowned, his hand moving to rub his forehead. Why does it feel as though this featureless cactus resembles Shan Haiming? What am I even thinking?
Such a thought made him feel depressed for some reason, and that made Xiao Ning experience a burst of vigilance which gave him a sense of an animal under threat. That prickly head of the cactus sitting on his desk then caught his eye.
From under the bundled blankets, a hand bore its way out, resembling a dog's paw as it waved.
Xiao Ning let out a sigh. Is this any of my business?
That move of his managed to wake the sleeping Xiaohei. So from the bed, after giving its body a good stretch, the little cat hopped down silently and made its way over to Xiao Ning to wind between his feet. Unable to help being touched by the gesture, Xiao Ning bent over to take the little one into his arms. Then after gently closing the bedroom door, he took the little guy to go get it something to eat.
I'm really not acting like myself, huh?
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
N/A
After getting Xiaohei and himself all settled, Xiao Ning walked out the door at the usual time, but as soon as he had walked out, he was met by the huddled form of someone sitting in front of Shan Haiming's apartment—a form that belonged to a young woman.
"You don't need to tell such a shoddy lie." Ye Zixin revealed a smile dripping with disdain. "I've known that Shan Haiming owns both of these apartments for a long time now. You've already gone to see Uncle and Aunty yet you're still afraid to admit this?"
Urged on by a strange feeling, Xiao Ning neared the person by a few steps to get a closer look. Hearing him approach, that person lifted their head, and when the two's eyes met, both were left stunned.
Unexpected Guest
Ye Zixin saw no point to it and gave him no answer.
After much difficulty, he managed to seriously focus on work. Just before it was lunch, Xiao Ning's mind suddenly wandered to Shan Himing. He should be up by now, right? Has he met with Ye Zixin? What are the two of them going to talk about?
"Miss Ye, what are you doing here?" Xiao Ning couldn't help asking in disbelief.
Ye Zixin saw no point to it and gave him no answer.
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
Ye Zixin wasn't in the mood to pay him any mind.
Ye Zixin used the wall for support as she stood herself up. She must've been sitting there for quite some time because her legs gave a slight tremble, but Ye Zixin still maintained an elegant posture as she stood. She didn't reply to Xiao Ning's question, however, and instead knitted those delicate brows of hers as she asked, "What are you doing here?"
Xiao Ning didn't dare say he truly understood Shan Haiming, but that didn't seem true either. He and that person always had this slightly strange tiny bit of understanding between them. It hadn't been long since they had met one another, and their relationship couldn't be considered as anything more than friends. But, to Xiao Ning, Shan Haiming's existence had already taken up a place of great significance in his heart. Through Shan Haiming he got to understand some important matters, and ever since he had met him, he had gotten to see a lot of things from a different perspective and they were especially interesting. What's more, he had appeared at the exact time Xiao Ning's feelings had undergone a great change. So even if he was just an unwitting witness, his importance to Xiao Ning was incredibly special.
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
Xiao Ning: "..."
Ye Zixin's looks really were the sweet type, but the expression she wore as she looked at Xiao Ning truly made him nervous, and he couldn't help but recall Xia Li for some reason. This girl couldn't want to slap me to feel satisfied, too, right?
Ye Zixin's looks really were the sweet type, but the expression she wore as she looked at Xiao Ning truly made him nervous, and he couldn't help but recall Xia Li for some reason. This girl couldn't want to slap me to feel satisfied, too, right?
"Nope, I'm not." Wang Hua then wore a wide grin as he added, "Oh yeah, did you happen to see Director Shan before you came out this morning? I can't find him anywhere, and his phone might be off."
How on earth could I be so open-minded as to leave two people at my apartment to have some kind of showdown... Xiao Ning really had no idea what kind of situation the friendship between Ye Zixin and Shan Haiming was, but since they were childhood friends, the relationship between them must still be pretty good.
When all is said and done, the way a person lives their life can only be on account of their own choices.
Ye Zixin used the wall for support as she stood herself up. She must've been sitting there for quite some time because her legs gave a slight tremble, but Ye Zixin still maintained an elegant posture as she stood. She didn't reply to Xiao Ning's question, however, and instead knitted those delicate brows of hers as she asked, "What are you doing here?"
It was a strange question, quite strange in fact, but Xiao Ning went on to explain, "No, that's my apartment that I'm renting from a friend. I only found out Haiming was saying in the opposite apartment after I moved in."
"Don't act like you know everything." Ye Zixin took a large step towards Xiao Ning. Despite her height being much shorter than his, her imposing manner wasn't the least bit lessened. "You don't truly understand anything about Haiming at all, and you can't do anything to help him. A homosеxual? All you're going to do is hold him back."
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
When Xiao Ning woke up the next morning, Shan Haiming hadn't gotten up yet. Opening the bedroom door as quietly as possible, he peeked inside to see Shan Haiming curled up into a cat-like mound under the covers while the other little sleeping mound, that was Xiaohei, had also curled up as it lay in the hollow formed by the blanket.
Such a thought made him feel depressed for some reason, and that made Xiao Ning experience a burst of vigilance which gave him a sense of an animal under threat. That prickly head of the cactus sitting on his desk then caught his eye.
A large group of his team members walked over right then and asked, "Xiao-ge, do you want to come eat with us?
Fortunately, Ye Zixin displayed a lot more maturity than Xia Li in this respect, and at the very least, seemed like she hadn't lost control of her temper when she lifted her chin and asked, "You're living here with Shan Haiming?"
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
And, to make themselves believe it, they would continually make excuses for the other person, then continually try to convince themselves.
It was a strange question, quite strange in fact, but Xiao Ning went on to explain, "No, that's my apartment that I'm renting from a friend. I only found out Haiming was saying in the opposite apartment after I moved in."
Xiao Ning felt regretful. "I'm sorry, but are you busy right now?"
◈◇◈
From under the bundled blankets, a hand bore its way out, resembling a dog's paw as it waved.
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
Xiao Ning let out a sigh. Is this any of my business?
As soon as he finished speaking he felt he had done something bad. Did explaining all that too clearly violate the mission?
Ye Zixin wasn't in the mood to pay him any mind.
Even she knew it clearly.
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
Xiao Ning then recalled the words Ye Zixin said to him and a twinge of uncertainty pricked at him. Could Shan Haiming really be involved in some cliched, melodramatic dog-blood-like romance with Ye Zixin and he only stepped aside because of his relationship with Shan Haihong?
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
N/A
As soon as he finished speaking he felt he had done something bad. Did explaining all that too clearly violate the mission?
"You don't need to tell such a shoddy lie." Ye Zixin revealed a smile dripping with disdain. "I've known that Shan Haiming owns both of these apartments for a long time now. You've already gone to see Uncle and Aunty yet you're still afraid to admit this?"
"Miss Ye, what are you doing here?" Xiao Ning couldn't help asking in disbelief.
Fortunately, Ye Zixin displayed a lot more maturity than Xia Li in this respect, and at the very least, seemed like she hadn't lost control of her temper when she lifted her chin and asked, "You're living here with Shan Haiming?"
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
"Don't act like you know everything." Ye Zixin took a large step towards Xiao Ning. Despite her height being much shorter than his, her imposing manner wasn't the least bit lessened. "You don't truly understand anything about Haiming at all, and you can't do anything to help him. A homosеxual? All you're going to do is hold him back."
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
While Xiao Ning hesitated on whether or not he should wake him, the head buried within those covers moved. Poking his head out, Shan Haiming stared at the door. In that instant, Xiao Ning didn't know if he should say "It's time to get up" or "Sorry for disturbing you." But this inner conflict of his didn't last for more than five seconds because Shan Haiming again pulled the blanket over his head and returned to sleep with no hesitation, making his sleeping posture quite apparent.
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
Xiao Ning was taken aback for a moment before he asked doubtfully, "Are you... are you saying that both apartments belong to Shan Haiming?"
Perhaps this was the reason for the slight fluctuations in Xiao Ning's emotions.
"I've known Haiming for over twenty years, we were really close when we were little. We went to the same kindergarten, the same primary school, the same junior and senior high school." Ye Zixin's expression as she frowned contained arrogance as well as heartache. "We knew everything about one another. We understood one another without having to say anything. Even when he was at his worst, I never abandoned him, because I knew his reason for doing so. But this time he can't, he can't just hastily decide our future like this because of his brother."
How on earth could I be so open-minded as to leave two people at my apartment to have some kind of showdown... Xiao Ning really had no idea what kind of situation the friendship between Ye Zixin and Shan Haiming was, but since they were childhood friends, the relationship between them must still be pretty good.
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
"No, I'm fine. But you can bring me back some on your way back if it's not too much trouble. Thank you." After sending the team off, Xiao Ning sat at his desk in a daze. It took the sound of the air-conditioner switching out to wake him, after which, he took up his phone to give Wang Hua a call.
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
Ye Zixin saw no point to it and gave him no answer.
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
Ye Zixin wasn't in the mood to pay him any mind.
Xiao Ning felt regretful. "I'm sorry, but are you busy right now?"
"You don't need to tell such a shoddy lie." Ye Zixin revealed a smile dripping with disdain. "I've known that Shan Haiming owns both of these apartments for a long time now. You've already gone to see Uncle and Aunty yet you're still afraid to admit this?"
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
Xiao Ning then recalled the words Ye Zixin said to him and a twinge of uncertainty pricked at him. Could Shan Haiming really be involved in some cliched, melodramatic dog-blood-like romance with Ye Zixin and he only stepped aside because of his relationship with Shan Haihong?
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
For a while, neither of the two in that hallway spoke a word. Xiao Ning was still shocked from hearing about the apartments and was trying to avoid feeling embarrassed. So it was Ye Zixin who broke the silence in the end. "I just don't understand why?"
How on earth could I be so open-minded as to leave two people at my apartment to have some kind of showdown... Xiao Ning really had no idea what kind of situation the friendship between Ye Zixin and Shan Haiming was, but since they were childhood friends, the relationship between them must still be pretty good.
Shaking his head, he threw away his current train of confused thoughts and turned his mind to whether Shan Haiming really did want him to act as a hindrance. Looking at Ye Zixin's stiffened shoulders, he thought it best for him to not say much any longer. "Haiming is actually in this apartment, so would you like to go sit inside? Then after he wakes up, you can just speak with him directly."
There are times when Xiao Ning just couldn't understand how that guy's biological clock was even set. hen they had first met, Shan Haiming had drunk until he almost passed out, but when the next day came, he still woke up and went for a morning jog as if nothing had happened, yet at other times he'd usually have to be woken up.
◈◇◈
Such a thought made him feel depressed for some reason, and that made Xiao Ning experience a burst of vigilance which gave him a sense of an animal under threat. That prickly head of the cactus sitting on his desk then caught his eye.
No, there's no reason to think they'd wait until this time. Ye Zixin could've gone inside the bedroom to wake him up, so in that bedroom, was a single man and a single woman talking and...
Giving it some thought, Xiao Ning had somewhat forgotten whether he was also like this with Lu Yan. After that period where his feelings were akin to a long march through an endless mountain range, he found himself unable to remember the details of his endeavour clearly.
Her expression and demeanour were a perfect match to that of a princess, and the look in her eyes as she stared at Xiao Ning was no different than one being cast upon filth. "Even if he was worried about Haihong and wanted to push me away, he could've chosen someone better to be with."
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
The was obvious hesitation on Wang Hua's end, then after a long time he asked promisingly, "Did he tell you?"
N/A
"No, I'm fine. But you can bring me back some on your way back if it's not too much trouble. Thank you." After sending the team off, Xiao Ning sat at his desk in a daze. It took the sound of the air-conditioner switching out to wake him, after which, he took up his phone to give Wang Hua a call.
Alright then. Xiao Ning figured since Shan Haiming didn't need to punch in at work, it was fine to just let him sleep. But he still couldn't resist adding, "Haiming, there's still bread and milk in the fridge so you can warm them up yourself, okay? The take-out menus are on the shoe cabinet."
Even she knew it clearly.
Inside, Xiao Ning handed her a glass of water while saying politely, "I need to get to work so I'll be leaving first. There isn't anything to eat here either, so please accept my apologies, Miss Ye."
For a while, neither of the two in that hallway spoke a word. Xiao Ning was still shocked from hearing about the apartments and was trying to avoid feeling embarrassed. So it was Ye Zixin who broke the silence in the end. "I just don't understand why?"
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
Xiao Ning sighed. The person before him really was no fool, but the words she used were honestly too much. Yet, despite this, he wasn't the least bit angry. "Maybe it's like apples and oranges? Everyone has their preference?"
Xiao Ning frowned, his hand moving to rub his forehead. Why does it feel as though this featureless cactus resembles Shan Haiming? What am I even thinking?
Giving it some thought, Xiao Ning had somewhat forgotten whether he was also like this with Lu Yan. After that period where his feelings were akin to a long march through an endless mountain range, he found himself unable to remember the details of his endeavour clearly.
So after doing his best to show her some courtesy, and no longer wanting to have himself rebuked, Xiao Ning closed the door and made his way to work.
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
That move of his managed to wake the sleeping Xiaohei. So from the bed, after giving its body a good stretch, the little cat hopped down silently and made its way over to Xiao Ning to wind between his feet. Unable to help being touched by the gesture, Xiao Ning bent over to take the little one into his arms. Then after gently closing the bedroom door, he took the little guy to go get it something to eat.
When all is said and done, the way a person lives their life can only be on account of their own choices.
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
"I've known Haiming for over twenty years, we were really close when we were little. We went to the same kindergarten, the same primary school, the same junior and senior high school." Ye Zixin's expression as she frowned contained arrogance as well as heartache. "We knew everything about one another. We understood one another without having to say anything. Even when he was at his worst, I never abandoned him, because I knew his reason for doing so. But this time he can't, he can't just hastily decide our future like this because of his brother."
For a while, neither of the two in that hallway spoke a word. Xiao Ning was still shocked from hearing about the apartments and was trying to avoid feeling embarrassed. So it was Ye Zixin who broke the silence in the end. "I just don't understand why?"
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
Giving it some thought, Xiao Ning had somewhat forgotten whether he was also like this with Lu Yan. After that period where his feelings were akin to a long march through an endless mountain range, he found himself unable to remember the details of his endeavour clearly.
Ye Zixin saw no point to it and gave him no answer.
Ye Zixin used the wall for support as she stood herself up. She must've been sitting there for quite some time because her legs gave a slight tremble, but Ye Zixin still maintained an elegant posture as she stood. She didn't reply to Xiao Ning's question, however, and instead knitted those delicate brows of hers as she asked, "What are you doing here?"
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
From under the bundled blankets, a hand bore its way out, resembling a dog's paw as it waved.
That move of his managed to wake the sleeping Xiaohei. So from the bed, after giving its body a good stretch, the little cat hopped down silently and made its way over to Xiao Ning to wind between his feet. Unable to help being touched by the gesture, Xiao Ning bent over to take the little one into his arms. Then after gently closing the bedroom door, he took the little guy to go get it something to eat.
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
After getting Xiaohei and himself all settled, Xiao Ning walked out the door at the usual time, but as soon as he had walked out, he was met by the huddled form of someone sitting in front of Shan Haiming's apartment—a form that belonged to a young woman.
When Xiao Ning woke up the next morning, Shan Haiming hadn't gotten up yet. Opening the bedroom door as quietly as possible, he peeked inside to see Shan Haiming curled up into a cat-like mound under the covers while the other little sleeping mound, that was Xiaohei, had also curled up as it lay in the hollow formed by the blanket.
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
"Miss Ye, what are you doing here?" Xiao Ning couldn't help asking in disbelief.
I'm really not acting like myself, huh?
Such a thought made him feel depressed for some reason, and that made Xiao Ning experience a burst of vigilance which gave him a sense of an animal under threat. That prickly head of the cactus sitting on his desk then caught his eye.
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
From under the bundled blankets, a hand bore its way out, resembling a dog's paw as it waved.
"Why didn't you tell me?" His words almost sounded interrogative, but Xiao Ning's tone was always even and gentle, so it never made others feel unpleasant. "When I found out I was shocked."
Therefore, it's not that he abandoned you out of concern, it was just that you weren't a goal of his to begin with.
And, to make themselves believe it, they would continually make excuses for the other person, then continually try to convince themselves.
Xiao Ning frowned, his hand moving to rub his forehead. Why does it feel as though this featureless cactus resembles Shan Haiming? What am I even thinking?
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
Xiao Ning was taken aback for a moment before he asked doubtfully, "Are you... are you saying that both apartments belong to Shan Haiming?"
Xiao Ning didn't dare say he truly understood Shan Haiming, but that didn't seem true either. He and that person always had this slightly strange tiny bit of understanding between them. It hadn't been long since they had met one another, and their relationship couldn't be considered as anything more than friends. But, to Xiao Ning, Shan Haiming's existence had already taken up a place of great significance in his heart. Through Shan Haiming he got to understand some important matters, and ever since he had met him, he had gotten to see a lot of things from a different perspective and they were especially interesting. What's more, he had appeared at the exact time Xiao Ning's feelings had undergone a great change. So even if he was just an unwitting witness, his importance to Xiao Ning was incredibly special.
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
After getting Xiaohei and himself all settled, Xiao Ning walked out the door at the usual time, but as soon as he had walked out, he was met by the huddled form of someone sitting in front of Shan Haiming's apartment—a form that belonged to a young woman.
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
Xiao Ning let out a sigh. Is this any of my business?
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
After much difficulty, he managed to seriously focus on work. Just before it was lunch, Xiao Ning's mind suddenly wandered to Shan Himing. He should be up by now, right? Has he met with Ye Zixin? What are the two of them going to talk about?
Xiao Ning sighed. The person before him really was no fool, but the words she used were honestly too much. Yet, despite this, he wasn't the least bit angry. "Maybe it's like apples and oranges? Everyone has their preference?"
When all is said and done, the way a person lives their life can only be on account of their own choices.
And, to make themselves believe it, they would continually make excuses for the other person, then continually try to convince themselves.
Her expression and demeanour were a perfect match to that of a princess, and the look in her eyes as she stared at Xiao Ning was no different than one being cast upon filth. "Even if he was worried about Haihong and wanted to push me away, he could've chosen someone better to be with."
Her expression and demeanour were a perfect match to that of a princess, and the look in her eyes as she stared at Xiao Ning was no different than one being cast upon filth. "Even if he was worried about Haihong and wanted to push me away, he could've chosen someone better to be with."
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
Unexpected Guest
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
"Nope, I'm not." Wang Hua then wore a wide grin as he added, "Oh yeah, did you happen to see Director Shan before you came out this morning? I can't find him anywhere, and his phone might be off."
When all is said and done, the way a person lives their life can only be on account of their own choices.
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
A large group of his team members walked over right then and asked, "Xiao-ge, do you want to come eat with us?
Giving it some thought, Xiao Ning had somewhat forgotten whether he was also like this with Lu Yan. After that period where his feelings were akin to a long march through an endless mountain range, he found himself unable to remember the details of his endeavour clearly.
The was obvious hesitation on Wang Hua's end, then after a long time he asked promisingly, "Did he tell you?"
After getting Xiaohei and himself all settled, Xiao Ning walked out the door at the usual time, but as soon as he had walked out, he was met by the huddled form of someone sitting in front of Shan Haiming's apartment—a form that belonged to a young woman.
I'm really not acting like myself, huh?
Alright then. Xiao Ning figured since Shan Haiming didn't need to punch in at work, it was fine to just let him sleep. But he still couldn't resist adding, "Haiming, there's still bread and milk in the fridge so you can warm them up yourself, okay? The take-out menus are on the shoe cabinet."
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
How on earth could I be so open-minded as to leave two people at my apartment to have some kind of showdown... Xiao Ning really had no idea what kind of situation the friendship between Ye Zixin and Shan Haiming was, but since they were childhood friends, the relationship between them must still be pretty good.
Inside, Xiao Ning handed her a glass of water while saying politely, "I need to get to work so I'll be leaving first. There isn't anything to eat here either, so please accept my apologies, Miss Ye."
"Don't act like you know everything." Ye Zixin took a large step towards Xiao Ning. Despite her height being much shorter than his, her imposing manner wasn't the least bit lessened. "You don't truly understand anything about Haiming at all, and you can't do anything to help him. A homosеxual? All you're going to do is hold him back."
It was a strange question, quite strange in fact, but Xiao Ning went on to explain, "No, that's my apartment that I'm renting from a friend. I only found out Haiming was saying in the opposite apartment after I moved in."
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
Xiao Ning then recalled the words Ye Zixin said to him and a twinge of uncertainty pricked at him. Could Shan Haiming really be involved in some cliched, melodramatic dog-blood-like romance with Ye Zixin and he only stepped aside because of his relationship with Shan Haihong?
A large group of his team members walked over right then and asked, "Xiao-ge, do you want to come eat with us?
What even was this? How did I end up taking turns being someone else's love rival, huh?
Xiao Ning didn't dare say he truly understood Shan Haiming, but that didn't seem true either. He and that person always had this slightly strange tiny bit of understanding between them. It hadn't been long since they had met one another, and their relationship couldn't be considered as anything more than friends. But, to Xiao Ning, Shan Haiming's existence had already taken up a place of great significance in his heart. Through Shan Haiming he got to understand some important matters, and ever since he had met him, he had gotten to see a lot of things from a different perspective and they were especially interesting. What's more, he had appeared at the exact time Xiao Ning's feelings had undergone a great change. So even if he was just an unwitting witness, his importance to Xiao Ning was incredibly special.
So after doing his best to show her some courtesy, and no longer wanting to have himself rebuked, Xiao Ning closed the door and made his way to work.
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
N/A
Inside, Xiao Ning handed her a glass of water while saying politely, "I need to get to work so I'll be leaving first. There isn't anything to eat here either, so please accept my apologies, Miss Ye."
"Why didn't you tell me?" His words almost sounded interrogative, but Xiao Ning's tone was always even and gentle, so it never made others feel unpleasant. "When I found out I was shocked."
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
Perhaps this was the reason for the slight fluctuations in Xiao Ning's emotions.
"No, I'm fine. But you can bring me back some on your way back if it's not too much trouble. Thank you." After sending the team off, Xiao Ning sat at his desk in a daze. It took the sound of the air-conditioner switching out to wake him, after which, he took up his phone to give Wang Hua a call.
Her expression and demeanour were a perfect match to that of a princess, and the look in her eyes as she stared at Xiao Ning was no different than one being cast upon filth. "Even if he was worried about Haihong and wanted to push me away, he could've chosen someone better to be with."
When Xiao Ning woke up the next morning, Shan Haiming hadn't gotten up yet. Opening the bedroom door as quietly as possible, he peeked inside to see Shan Haiming curled up into a cat-like mound under the covers while the other little sleeping mound, that was Xiaohei, had also curled up as it lay in the hollow formed by the blanket.
Therefore, it's not that he abandoned you out of concern, it was just that you weren't a goal of his to begin with.
Xiao Ning let out a sigh. Is this any of my business?
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
Shaking his head, he threw away his current train of confused thoughts and turned his mind to whether Shan Haiming really did want him to act as a hindrance. Looking at Ye Zixin's stiffened shoulders, he thought it best for him to not say much any longer. "Haiming is actually in this apartment, so would you like to go sit inside? Then after he wakes up, you can just speak with him directly."
Ye Zixin used the wall for support as she stood herself up. She must've been sitting there for quite some time because her legs gave a slight tremble, but Ye Zixin still maintained an elegant posture as she stood. She didn't reply to Xiao Ning's question, however, and instead knitted those delicate brows of hers as she asked, "What are you doing here?"
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
As soon as he finished speaking he felt he had done something bad. Did explaining all that too clearly violate the mission?
Inside, Xiao Ning handed her a glass of water while saying politely, "I need to get to work so I'll be leaving first. There isn't anything to eat here either, so please accept my apologies, Miss Ye."
"I've known Haiming for over twenty years, we were really close when we were little. We went to the same kindergarten, the same primary school, the same junior and senior high school." Ye Zixin's expression as she frowned contained arrogance as well as heartache. "We knew everything about one another. We understood one another without having to say anything. Even when he was at his worst, I never abandoned him, because I knew his reason for doing so. But this time he can't, he can't just hastily decide our future like this because of his brother."
The was obvious hesitation on Wang Hua's end, then after a long time he asked promisingly, "Did he tell you?"
"Nope, I'm not." Wang Hua then wore a wide grin as he added, "Oh yeah, did you happen to see Director Shan before you came out this morning? I can't find him anywhere, and his phone might be off."
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
Urged on by a strange feeling, Xiao Ning neared the person by a few steps to get a closer look. Hearing him approach, that person lifted their head, and when the two's eyes met, both were left stunned.
Ye Zixin wasn't in the mood to pay him any mind.
After getting Xiaohei and himself all settled, Xiao Ning walked out the door at the usual time, but as soon as he had walked out, he was met by the huddled form of someone sitting in front of Shan Haiming's apartment—a form that belonged to a young woman.
Fortunately, Ye Zixin displayed a lot more maturity than Xia Li in this respect, and at the very least, seemed like she hadn't lost control of her temper when she lifted her chin and asked, "You're living here with Shan Haiming?"
From under the bundled blankets, a hand bore its way out, resembling a dog's paw as it waved.
How on earth could I be so open-minded as to leave two people at my apartment to have some kind of showdown... Xiao Ning really had no idea what kind of situation the friendship between Ye Zixin and Shan Haiming was, but since they were childhood friends, the relationship between them must still be pretty good.
While Xiao Ning hesitated on whether or not he should wake him, the head buried within those covers moved. Poking his head out, Shan Haiming stared at the door. In that instant, Xiao Ning didn't know if he should say "It's time to get up" or "Sorry for disturbing you." But this inner conflict of his didn't last for more than five seconds because Shan Haiming again pulled the blanket over his head and returned to sleep with no hesitation, making his sleeping posture quite apparent.
So after doing his best to show her some courtesy, and no longer wanting to have himself rebuked, Xiao Ning closed the door and made his way to work.
Urged on by a strange feeling, Xiao Ning neared the person by a few steps to get a closer look. Hearing him approach, that person lifted their head, and when the two's eyes met, both were left stunned.
N/A
No, there's no reason to think they'd wait until this time. Ye Zixin could've gone inside the bedroom to wake him up, so in that bedroom, was a single man and a single woman talking and...
◈◇◈
Xiao Ning rarely arrived to work late, the time he spent talking with Ye Zixin had gone a bit over what had been budgeted. It was his own fault, though. Because he moved so close to the company, he had gotten relaxed and left his window of time so tight it didn't allow for any mistakes.
Even she knew it clearly.
I'm really not acting like myself, huh?
Alright then. Xiao Ning figured since Shan Haiming didn't need to punch in at work, it was fine to just let him sleep. But he still couldn't resist adding, "Haiming, there's still bread and milk in the fridge so you can warm them up yourself, okay? The take-out menus are on the shoe cabinet."
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
Xiao Ning didn't dare say he truly understood Shan Haiming, but that didn't seem true either. He and that person always had this slightly strange tiny bit of understanding between them. It hadn't been long since they had met one another, and their relationship couldn't be considered as anything more than friends. But, to Xiao Ning, Shan Haiming's existence had already taken up a place of great significance in his heart. Through Shan Haiming he got to understand some important matters, and ever since he had met him, he had gotten to see a lot of things from a different perspective and they were especially interesting. What's more, he had appeared at the exact time Xiao Ning's feelings had undergone a great change. So even if he was just an unwitting witness, his importance to Xiao Ning was incredibly special.
Fortunately, Ye Zixin displayed a lot more maturity than Xia Li in this respect, and at the very least, seemed like she hadn't lost control of her temper when she lifted her chin and asked, "You're living here with Shan Haiming?"
N/A
Giving it some thought, Xiao Ning had somewhat forgotten whether he was also like this with Lu Yan. After that period where his feelings were akin to a long march through an endless mountain range, he found himself unable to remember the details of his endeavour clearly.
N/A
How on earth could I be so open-minded as to leave two people at my apartment to have some kind of showdown... Xiao Ning really had no idea what kind of situation the friendship between Ye Zixin and Shan Haiming was, but since they were childhood friends, the relationship between them must still be pretty good.
N/A
Fortunately, Ye Zixin displayed a lot more maturity than Xia Li in this respect, and at the very least, seemed like she hadn't lost control of her temper when she lifted her chin and asked, "You're living here with Shan Haiming?"
After getting Xiaohei and himself all settled, Xiao Ning walked out the door at the usual time, but as soon as he had walked out, he was met by the huddled form of someone sitting in front of Shan Haiming's apartment—a form that belonged to a young woman.
"You don't need to tell such a shoddy lie." Ye Zixin revealed a smile dripping with disdain. "I've known that Shan Haiming owns both of these apartments for a long time now. You've already gone to see Uncle and Aunty yet you're still afraid to admit this?"
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
Xiao Ning then recalled the words Ye Zixin said to him and a twinge of uncertainty pricked at him. Could Shan Haiming really be involved in some cliched, melodramatic dog-blood-like romance with Ye Zixin and he only stepped aside because of his relationship with Shan Haihong?
Shaking his head, he threw away his current train of confused thoughts and turned his mind to whether Shan Haiming really did want him to act as a hindrance. Looking at Ye Zixin's stiffened shoulders, he thought it best for him to not say much any longer. "Haiming is actually in this apartment, so would you like to go sit inside? Then after he wakes up, you can just speak with him directly."
Such a thought made him feel depressed for some reason, and that made Xiao Ning experience a burst of vigilance which gave him a sense of an animal under threat. That prickly head of the cactus sitting on his desk then caught his eye.
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
Xiao Ning frowned, his hand moving to rub his forehead. Why does it feel as though this featureless cactus resembles Shan Haiming? What am I even thinking?
There are times when Xiao Ning just couldn't understand how that guy's biological clock was even set. hen they had first met, Shan Haiming had drunk until he almost passed out, but when the next day came, he still woke up and went for a morning jog as if nothing had happened, yet at other times he'd usually have to be woken up.
After much difficulty, he managed to seriously focus on work. Just before it was lunch, Xiao Ning's mind suddenly wandered to Shan Himing. He should be up by now, right? Has he met with Ye Zixin? What are the two of them going to talk about?
Therefore, it's not that he abandoned you out of concern, it was just that you weren't a goal of his to begin with.
Xiao Ning rarely arrived to work late, the time he spent talking with Ye Zixin had gone a bit over what had been budgeted. It was his own fault, though. Because he moved so close to the company, he had gotten relaxed and left his window of time so tight it didn't allow for any mistakes.
Unexpected Guest
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
When all is said and done, the way a person lives their life can only be on account of their own choices.
No, there's no reason to think they'd wait until this time. Ye Zixin could've gone inside the bedroom to wake him up, so in that bedroom, was a single man and a single woman talking and...
"Why didn't you tell me?" His words almost sounded interrogative, but Xiao Ning's tone was always even and gentle, so it never made others feel unpleasant. "When I found out I was shocked."
It was a strange question, quite strange in fact, but Xiao Ning went on to explain, "No, that's my apartment that I'm renting from a friend. I only found out Haiming was saying in the opposite apartment after I moved in."
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
Xiao Ning let out a sigh. Is this any of my business?
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
A large group of his team members walked over right then and asked, "Xiao-ge, do you want to come eat with us?
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
Xiao Ning rarely arrived to work late, the time he spent talking with Ye Zixin had gone a bit over what had been budgeted. It was his own fault, though. Because he moved so close to the company, he had gotten relaxed and left his window of time so tight it didn't allow for any mistakes.
As soon as he finished speaking he felt he had done something bad. Did explaining all that too clearly violate the mission?
As soon as he finished speaking he felt he had done something bad. Did explaining all that too clearly violate the mission?
Unexpected Guest
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
Even she knew it clearly.
"No, I'm fine. But you can bring me back some on your way back if it's not too much trouble. Thank you." After sending the team off, Xiao Ning sat at his desk in a daze. It took the sound of the air-conditioner switching out to wake him, after which, he took up his phone to give Wang Hua a call.
Fortunately, Ye Zixin displayed a lot more maturity than Xia Li in this respect, and at the very least, seemed like she hadn't lost control of her temper when she lifted her chin and asked, "You're living here with Shan Haiming?"
N/A
Therefore, it's not that he abandoned you out of concern, it was just that you weren't a goal of his to begin with.
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
No, there's no reason to think they'd wait until this time. Ye Zixin could've gone inside the bedroom to wake him up, so in that bedroom, was a single man and a single woman talking and...
◈◇◈
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
"Hey, Xiao Ning, what's up?" Wang Hua sounded like he was in a crowded place, and upon answering the call had made his way to a place with fewer people.
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
N/A
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
For a while, neither of the two in that hallway spoke a word. Xiao Ning was still shocked from hearing about the apartments and was trying to avoid feeling embarrassed. So it was Ye Zixin who broke the silence in the end. "I just don't understand why?"
Xiao Ning felt regretful. "I'm sorry, but are you busy right now?"
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
After much difficulty, he managed to seriously focus on work. Just before it was lunch, Xiao Ning's mind suddenly wandered to Shan Himing. He should be up by now, right? Has he met with Ye Zixin? What are the two of them going to talk about?
Giving it some thought, Xiao Ning had somewhat forgotten whether he was also like this with Lu Yan. After that period where his feelings were akin to a long march through an endless mountain range, he found himself unable to remember the details of his endeavour clearly.
"I've known Haiming for over twenty years, we were really close when we were little. We went to the same kindergarten, the same primary school, the same junior and senior high school." Ye Zixin's expression as she frowned contained arrogance as well as heartache. "We knew everything about one another. We understood one another without having to say anything. Even when he was at his worst, I never abandoned him, because I knew his reason for doing so. But this time he can't, he can't just hastily decide our future like this because of his brother."
"I live here." Xiao Ning leaned his body slightly to let Ye Zixin see the apartment number on the door before hesitantly asking, "Are you looking for Shan Haiming? Why don't you give him a call?"
As soon as he finished speaking he felt he had done something bad. Did explaining all that too clearly violate the mission?
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
"Nope, I'm not." Wang Hua then wore a wide grin as he added, "Oh yeah, did you happen to see Director Shan before you came out this morning? I can't find him anywhere, and his phone might be off."
Xiao Ning rarely arrived to work late, the time he spent talking with Ye Zixin had gone a bit over what had been budgeted. It was his own fault, though. Because he moved so close to the company, he had gotten relaxed and left his window of time so tight it didn't allow for any mistakes.
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
Wearing a scowl, Ye Zixin gave a hum in reply, then followed him into the apartment.
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
"After I left there was someone who came looking for him so... he probably has something important to take care of." Xiao Ning pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wang-ge, does the apartment I'm renting from you below to Haiming?"
◈◇◈
The was obvious hesitation on Wang Hua's end, then after a long time he asked promisingly, "Did he tell you?"
No, there's no reason to think they'd wait until this time. Ye Zixin could've gone inside the bedroom to wake him up, so in that bedroom, was a single man and a single woman talking and...
"Why didn't you tell me?" His words almost sounded interrogative, but Xiao Ning's tone was always even and gentle, so it never made others feel unpleasant. "When I found out I was shocked."
Xiao Ning sighed greatly in his heart. When looking at Ye Zixin, he always sees a bit of himself. Liking someone one-sidedly for so many years was indeed no small feat, and only those who have also liked someone for so long would be able to understand how great a task doing so had been.
Hearing him say this, Wang Hua chuckled and replied, "It was Director Shan's idea. He said you'd think that the two of you weren't that familiar with one another, that you're always overthinking things, and have a fondness for worrying about things. So with the rent that low, he didn't know if you would feel burdened in some way. He's got a pretty accurate read on you in my opinion. In fact, it seems as though you two are actually quite close."
"Nope, I'm not." Wang Hua then wore a wide grin as he added, "Oh yeah, did you happen to see Director Shan before you came out this morning? I can't find him anywhere, and his phone might be off."
These words were also something Xiao Ning had thought, and he had the feeling it was something Ye Zixin more or less understood to some degree. She was no fool. It was just that her being on that mountain of shattered feelings and unwillingness to let go had left her blind to it. But, then again, won't people believe whatever they want to believe?
Xiao Ning frowned, his hand moving to rub his forehead. Why does it feel as though this featureless cactus resembles Shan Haiming? What am I even thinking?
Thinking this, Xiao Ning then added dryly, "It must've been fate."
After much difficulty, he managed to seriously focus on work. Just before it was lunch, Xiao Ning's mind suddenly wandered to Shan Himing. He should be up by now, right? Has he met with Ye Zixin? What are the two of them going to talk about?
"Nope, I'm not." Wang Hua then wore a wide grin as he added, "Oh yeah, did you happen to see Director Shan before you came out this morning? I can't find him anywhere, and his phone might be off."
Unexpected Guest
After ending the call with Wang Hua, Xiao Ning again found his gaze falling on that cactus. It really wasn't on purpose, but he couldn't shake the thought. That cool, cheeky, and easygoing look of that cactus in front of him seriously did remind him of its giver.
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
Ye Zixin's looks really were the sweet type, but the expression she wore as she looked at Xiao Ning truly made him nervous, and he couldn't help but recall Xia Li for some reason. This girl couldn't want to slap me to feel satisfied, too, right?
So to Ye Zixin, he could never speak any harsh words. The thought of breaking any little princess' glass slippers was too much to bear. "Miss Ye, maybe to you all I'm nothing but an outsider, but since you do understand Haiming so well, you must also know that despite his concern for certain people and issues, he would never go against his own interests. He is a man with his own opinions and his own plans, who will use the best method to achieve his goals."
Ye Zixin's looks really were the sweet type, but the expression she wore as she looked at Xiao Ning truly made him nervous, and he couldn't help but recall Xia Li for some reason. This girl couldn't want to slap me to feel satisfied, too, right?
Truthfully, you can't even regard such a thing as 'abandonment' either. You can't fault a person, who never chose you, for abandoning you.
Urged on by a strange feeling, Xiao Ning neared the person by a few steps to get a closer look. Hearing him approach, that person lifted their head, and when the two's eyes met, both were left stunned.
After much difficulty, he managed to seriously focus on work. Just before it was lunch, Xiao Ning's mind suddenly wandered to Shan Himing. He should be up by now, right? Has he met with Ye Zixin? What are the two of them going to talk about?
No comments:
:|