Chapter 1 After a Month

A month later, Pei Shi Yu left the country in a hurry. She left in such haste, only calling me without saying anything else.

I figured it must be work-related.

I assumed she went alone, but the next day, Wang Rui told me that she had actually gone with Shen Yi.

And Wang Rui didn't go along as expected.

Today was the day I arranged to visit Lin Hai's stone company with him. Because of taking care of Pei Shi Yu recently,

I'd gotten used to sleeping in. I didn't get up early today either, and it was almost ten o'clock when I came downstairs.

I got in the car but didn't drive off immediately. I planned to call Wang Rui first. As I was dialing, Pei Xiang Long called.

As soon as I answered, he said, "Lin Che, come to work at the company tomorrow."

This was prearranged, so I quickly agreed, "Okay."

"Come find me at the company first."

"I know."

Pei Xiang Long hung up after a few words. I knew I had to find him first anyway, since Pei Shi Yu wasn't at the company.

Then I dialed Wang Rui's number again, while my eyes glanced at the entrance to the residential area. A car identical to Pei Shi Yu's just

drove past my car, giving me the illusion that I intentionally glanced at the license plate. It was just the same model.

Just then, Wang Rui shouted loudly from the other end of the phone, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

I didn't answer, but instead asked her directly, "Why didn't you go abroad with Shen Yi?"

"Why would I go?"

I was surprised, because Shen Yi had said in front of us at the hospital that he would take her with him...

"You're not collaborating?"

"It's not that fast. The company isn't mine."

"That's a bit strange."

"What's so strange about it? Pei Shi Yu and Shen Yi are collaborating on a big project. You know the recent situation. If you don't want to sit around

waiting to die, you have to go out and find a way."

"I'm not too familiar with that area of business, but I'm a little concerned about them going abroad together."

"Don't be petty. Although I don't know Pei Shi Yu very well, after meeting her a few times, I think you can completely trust her."

"Are you and Shen Yi a thing?" I asked curiously.

"What do you think?"

"Have you forgotten what Shen Yi said in the hospital?"

"I haven't forgotten. The starting point of those words was just to comfort you."

If I hadn't asked her, I would have only been a little worried. After asking her, I became even more confused. On one hand, she told me I could trust Pei Shi

Yu, and on the other hand, she said Shen Yi's words were just to comfort me. Wang Rui's words didn't seem to follow a logical order.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Wang Rui took the opportunity to change the subject, "How's it going with your dad?"

"I'm going to his company today to check it out."

"Company?" Wang Rui asked with a surprised tone.

"Yeah, he's in the stone business. It's currently shut down."

"I think you're pretty lucky." Wang Rui rarely envied me.

I smiled and replied, "Probably in debt."

"Don't worry about the past. Lin Yang is gone, and you can't bring him back, but you can salvage your relationship with your dad.

He looked pretty pitiful in the hospital that day. His starting point must have been to please you."

"Yeah, he came to me with the property certificate the day before the accident. There must have been misunderstandings in between, but I already have a

fixed impression of him as a person. I'll improve things slowly."

"You're reaping the benefits. Regardless of whether he's in debt or not, it's still his intention."

Wang Rui's tone suddenly became a little sour. There was some truth to her words. My relationship with Lin Hai wasn't valued until after Lin Yang's death,

and now he wanted to give me everything. If I accepted it, I would have to take responsibility and a certain attitude.

"I'm not interested in that right now. I'm most worried about Pei Shi Yu. She didn't tell me the details when she left, and I don't even know where she went."

Wang Rui paused for a moment and said, "Actually, Shen Yi asked me to go with him, but I refused because there are a lot of things going on at the company recently."

"Isn't You Xiang back?"

"The more he comes back, the busier I get. Now my dad is letting him follow me to slowly learn about the company's business."

"Oh." I just gave a brief response.

"When are you coming to my house?"

We hadn't seen each other in a month. We hadn't gotten together since the accident at the hospital that day, including with You Xiang and the others.

I immediately replied, "I'll see tonight. I'll call you when I'm on my way."

"Just come over. There are people at home every day now."

"Got it. Is that all?"

Just as I was about to end the call, Wang Rui suddenly said anxiously, "Wait."

"What else is there?"

"Do you think Pei Shi Yu loves you?"

I didn't know the point of asking this question, so after thinking about it, I asked Wang Rui cautiously, "Why are you asking this?"

"Just answer."

"Yes!" I replied firmly.

"That's good."

Wang Rui hung up immediately, leaving me bewildered. My already uneasy mood was now even more melancholic. My eyes

stared ahead, and I casually lit a cigarette. Pei Shi Yu left yesterday, so she shouldn't be on the plane now. I really wanted to give her

a call, but I was afraid of disturbing her rest because of the time difference.

Just then, Lin Hai called and asked, "Why haven't you arrived yet? I've added you on WeChat. Click on it so I can send you

the address."

I just hummed in response.

I couldn't be very close to Lin Hai yet, and I didn't want to deliberately force myself to close the distance against my will. Changing my harsh attitude

was already the first step.

...

When I arrived, I didn't go in immediately. I observed the so-called company from the outside. It was actually very simple, with only a few

office buildings of less than a few stories. The main door was tightly closed, but there was a crack left in the small door next to it, probably intentionally opened by Lin Hai.

A company only makes money when it's operating. Once it shuts down, it has a desolate feeling, even if it's not in a remote place.

Looking at the closed door gave me that feeling.

I parked the car in the very center of the location. After getting out of the car, I went inside by myself. The site was quite large, perhaps

because I was comparing it to Pei Shi Yu's family's company, so the contrast was very large, but the overall layout was still good after coming in.

Just as I was about to walk further in, Lin Hai was already walking towards me. He stood next to me silently and lit a cigarette. After taking a few puffs, he

said, "This company's performance used to be very glorious. After the competition got tougher, it's been relying on its past achievements, especially in recent years."

I asked lightly, "How many years has it been open?"

Lin Hai thought for a moment, not answering immediately, as if he was recalling the past...

"It was opened after I divorced your mother. Lin Yang's mother put a lot of effort into it."

"Was the land bought?"

"Of course."

"Sell it. She'll be furious if she finds out. I don't have the energy to manage it now, so it's a burden to me."

Lin Hai immediately looked at me with disappointment, but my attitude was very firm, because I didn't want to interfere in their family.

Even if I hated his wife, the effort she put in was undeniable.