The two wore matching black trench coats, white shoes, and black baseball caps, walking hand in hand, side by side, at a slow but warm pace.
Chu Xi was looking at their backs.
But she was too familiar with Zhan Jingrui's back, the back of his head, even the angle of his shoulders and his gait.
In an instant, it was as if a lightning bolt had struck her head. She stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do.
There were many people in the elevator. Some got on, some got off. Chu Xi remained frozen and didn't exit. The doors quickly closed and continued to ascend.
By the time she came to her senses and took the elevator back down, the people were long gone.
Chu Xi closed her eyes and leaned against the wall on the surgery floor, regretting not having chased after them, while also feeling relieved that she hadn't.
How could she not trust Zhan Jingrui? They had been together for seven years!
During these seven years, Zhan Jingrui had never been out of her sight.
Except for not living together at night, they attended the same university, used the same classrooms, went out together every day, ate together, and were almost inseparable.
Although Zhan Jingrui wasn't as physically affectionate with Chu Xi as other men were with their girlfriends, nor did he demand to live together, he treated Chu Xi exceptionally well.
Whether they went out or ate, Chu Xi never had to pay a cent.
On holidays and festivals, all the proper rituals and gifts were never lacking.
He even brought her home and introduced her to all his family members, leading to many business collaborations between their families.
His phone and computer were never password-protected; she could use them whenever she wanted.
Even the passwords for his email and some private accounts were a combination of his name and birthday for ease of remembering, showing he had nothing to hide.
If such a man, who was so open with her, was to be doubted, would there be any trust left in the world?
After some self-consolation, Chu Xi thought of Liang Bo.
Liang Bo had such a good physique, and he was pursuing He Yao. She must have mistaken him just now; it was Liang Bo's back.
Moreover, it was during work hours, and Zhan Jingrui should be at the company.
The company?
Yes, he must be at the company.
After working for so long, she hadn't visited him at the company yet. Chu Xi, with mixed emotions, decided to go and see him at his office.
Naturally, Zhan Jingrui wasn't at the company, and Chu Xi's visit was in vain.
The assistant, seeing his girlfriend looking for him and feigning ignorance of his departure from the company, thought that Mr. Zhan's whereabouts had been unusual these past couple of days. Perhaps they had a spat, or...
Understanding the subtle thoughts of men, the assistant, to avoid deepening any misunderstanding, very tactfully made up an excuse for Zhan Jingrui.
He said he had gone to a certain company to attend a technical conference.
Chu Xi thanked the assistant and returned to her car.
Everything seemed fine, yet she felt inexplicably uneasy.
When it was time to get off work, she called Zhan Jingrui.
She had been playing too much lately, and Zhan Jingrui was busy with work. They had become somewhat distant, so she wanted to ask him out for dinner to maintain their relationship.
Zhan Jingrui, who was busy picking vegetables with He Yao, saw Chu Xi's name flashing on his phone screen.
They both looked at it. Zhan Jingrui reached out to lock the screen, but He Yao stopped him.
"I'm going to the restroom. You take it."
He Yao closed the bathroom door, not intending to listen to whatever Zhan Jingrui had to say. However, he had no intention of hiding anything from her. His voice was normal, making it difficult not to hear.
"What is it?"
"Jingrui, where are you? I came to the company to find you. The assistant said you went to a meeting. When will it end?"
She had gone to the company to find him? And the assistant said he went to a meeting?
Thinking about his behavior over the past two days, Zhan Jingrui felt a pang of guilt.
However, he hadn't yet managed to appease He Yao, nor had he figured out how to explain things to Chu Xi. He couldn't tell her the truth yet.
"It'll end soon, but I have other things afterward. Is there something?"
Chu Xi asked considerately, "Do you have a dinner engagement? I was thinking since we haven't spent much time together recently, I wanted to have dinner with you."
"I'm sorry. I have a lot on my plate lately. Let's do it another time. Let's find an opportunity another day, and we can have a good talk."
Perhaps due to the seed of doubt in her heart, she felt his suggestion of a "good talk" had a hidden meaning.
Chu Xi still managed a stiff smile and agreed, "Then I won't bother you any longer. You carry on with your work."
After hanging up, Zhan Jingrui knocked on the bathroom door.
He Yao pretended to flush the toilet, opened the door, and Zhan Jingrui swept her into his arms.
He held her very, very tightly.
"You despise me, you even hate me like this, don't you?"
He Yao feigned ignorance, "What are you talking about?"
"I lie, I've been a hypocrite. I've deceived Chu Xi, and I've also wronged you. I hate myself like this."
Hearing him say this, He Yao also felt uncomfortable.
She hugged him back, gently patting his back to comfort him.
"Why don't you go back to her? I'm fine. I can..."
Zhan Jingrui's chest heaved violently, and a surge of anger shot up to his forehead.
He released He Yao and looked at her angrily, "Can you stop talking to me like that?"
He Yao didn't understand why he was so angry, "How did I talk to you?"
"You don't value yourself! You degrade yourself! I hate it when you talk to me like that!"
Zhan Jingrui's face was grim. Although he was angry with her, he kept his voice well-controlled.
"It's my incompetence that I can't handle our relationship properly. It has nothing to do with you. If you ever degrade yourself in front of me again, I'll slap myself twice!"
He Yao was startled by his furious demeanor.
Not because she was afraid he would hurt her, but because she was afraid he would hurt himself.
"I didn't mean it that way. Don't overthink it..."
Zhan Jingrui interrupted her, "I don't care what you mean. In my eyes, you subconsciously feel inferior and look down on yourself. I won't allow you to be like this!"
"Just because Chu Xi's parents are more capable than your parents, and her family is richer than yours, do you think your life is less precious than hers?"
He Yao did indeed think that way in her heart.
It was as if the young masters and ladies from wealthy families had more valuable lives.
Seeing her not refute, Zhan Jingrui became even angrier.
"I warn you, you are not allowed to think this way anymore, nor are you allowed to pass this idea on to our children!"
He Yao sensed a hint of danger and wanted to escape.
"What do you mean? Why are you suddenly bringing up children?"
Zhan Jingrui held her tightly, "I suddenly realized that if I don't stabilize our relationship, you'll leave me sooner or later."
"I can't try to hold onto both. I need to secure you first."
"He Yao, I truly like you, from the past until now. Although we haven't been in contact for so many years, there hasn't been a single moment I've forgotten you."
"Do you know what it feels like to love someone to the extreme? It's feeling lonely the moment she leaves your sight."
"Whether you are in a bustling metropolis, a picturesque landscape, or surrounded by countless people. If you can't share the joy with her, those things become dull and meaningless."