Chapter 100　 He’s still young. Keeping him for another year or two isn't exactly a crime.

  *

  On the train ride back, Su Xian was somewhat silent.

  Li Chengshi let out a "che" of derision. "Hearing that he’s getting married made you sentimental again, didn't it?"

  "It’s only natural. I liked him twice—once in my twenties and once in my thirties. How could I stay indifferent to the news of his marriage?"

  He let out a cold "Hmph," pouting and turning his face to look in the other direction.

  Su Xian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "If I heard news of you marrying someone else in a few years, I’d be sentimental too. Don't be angry."

  "I’m not angry; I just look down on you! 'Liked him twice'—that’s just you being stupid! Why don't you mention how he cheated on you twice? Still unable to let him go... you really are spineless!"

  "Scolding me again. Sigh, believe it or not, I’ve truly let it go. If you had listened there for forty minutes, you’d definitely be able to let go too."

  "I’m not a pervert like you, listening for forty minutes. I would have kicked the door down in the first second!"

  "Fine, fine, I’m a pervert."

  "From now on, you are not allowed to mention those forty minutes!"

  Su Xian burst out laughing. It seemed the "forty minutes" incident had caused him significant psychological pressure. To make amends, she added, "It’s normal to last forty minutes if you take performance enhancers."

  "You mean he took a pill?!"

  "Yeah." She nodded solemnly. "He used to take them. With his lifestyle, his body must be exhausted; it’s impossible without medicine."

  "No wonder." His expression softened instantly. "Um... what I said just now was too harsh. I’m sorry."

  "No, you were right. If I still couldn't let go now, I would indeed be spineless. But I’m not, because I really have moved on."

  "I believe you. So tell me, what does it feel like to truly let go?"

  "Before, I knew he was trash, but I’d still dwell on his good points. Now, I know he has his good points, but I just don't dwell on them anymore."

  "Really?"

  "Really."

  "Alright, I trust you. I’ll make you something delicious this weekend."

  "What 'delicious food'? Did you forget our high-intensity 10-hour study plan this weekend?"

  "That’s exactly why we need to eat well. Don’t worry, delicious food doesn't have to take a long time. Let me think."

  "Go ahead and think." She smiled, feeling a strange sensation; it seemed he still liked her.

  But his affection made her feel guilty. Currently, she viewed him more as a companion for healing rather than a man on equal footing—this kind of possession was incredibly selfish.

  However, he’s still young. Keeping him for another year or two isn't exactly a crime against humanity.

  Right, let’s just help him pass that architect license first.

  **

  In mid-March, Su Xian received a call from Liang Wenya. said she wanted to come to Japan during the cherry blossom season for stem cell injections, and that Old Zhang and Wang Jing were coming along too. They were staying near Shinjuku but hoped to spend Saturday at Su Xian’s place for a proper reunion and a home-cooked meal.

  Hanging up the phone, Su Xian joked, "Even General Manager Liang is starting to worry about aging now, haha."

  "Rich people are always keen on applying new technology to anti-aging and beauty," Li Chengshi said. He suddenly thought of something: "Did you tell them about our breakup?" To this day, Su Xian’s WeChat profile picture was still a photo of the two of them together.

  "Ah... not yet." Su Xian was stunned for a moment. "How are we going to handle the sleeping arrangements then?"

  Her house was quite large but only had three bedrooms. She lived in the master bedroom on the second floor; although there was a study, it was directly connected to the master bedroom, small, and had no bed, making it inconvenient for guests. The first floor had only one guest room where Li Chengshi currently lived, and only the Japanese-style room on the third floor was empty.

  "Let old Zhang and Sister Wang stay on the third floor. Have General Manager Liang sleep with you—just say you missed her and want to chat all night."

  "You're quite clever!" She patted his head in approval.

  "Hehe. But I don't quite understand. There's no shame in breaking up, so why hide it? Don't tell me you haven't told them about resigning from Towa Design either?"

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "Not yet." Su Xian sighed. "They sympathize with me for having no family, so they’ve always looked out for me, afraid I’d be taken advantage of. There’s nothing I can do for them, so I figured I should at least not give them anything to worry about. But the current situation is: I broke up with you, I quit my job with Zhao Nanfeng, and my new job isn't going well... How could I possibly say that out loud?"

  Li Chengshi smiled. "You're quite concerned about saving face."

  **

  That Saturday, Su Xian and Li Chengshi went out together to buy a lot of ingredients. Around 3:00 PM, they picked up Liang Wenya and the others from the station.

  After a long time apart, there was endless conversation. When Liang Wenya asked about their work at Zhao Nanfeng’s company, Su Xian glossed it over by talking about last year's projects, and Li Chengshi obediently played along with her performance.

  "General Manager Liang, how do the stem cell injections feel?" Su Xian took the initiative to steer the conversation back to them.

  "I haven't had them yet. I just finished the physical exam yesterday. The medical facility has to evaluate whether your constitution and health are suitable; it might not even be an option."

  "So complicated, haha."

  *

  Old Zhang, Wang Jing, and Li Chengshi were all-rounders in the kitchen, but Su Xian and Liang Wenya also came over to help out with small tasks like peeling garlic, just for the sake of the lively atmosphere.

  "Little Li, did your mother come to visit for the Spring Festival?"

  "No, I went back to see her for the New Year. I wanted her to come for the Spring Festival, but she said Uncle Huang invited her to Sanya for a trip and didn't want to come here."

  "It seems she’s getting along well with Huang Shan. That should give you some peace of mind over here."

  "It does."

  Liang Wenya turned to Su Xian. "Blood really is thicker than water. He knows to go home for the holidays, but you’re just 'busy'—even working overtime on New Year’s Day."

  Su Xian forced a few laughs. "I’ll definitely go back next New Year." By then, her work should have improved, and the failed relationship would be easier to talk about.

  *

  Around 10:00 PM, Liang Wenya suggested turning in early.

  "Sleeping at 10:00? You really are starting to act your age," Su Xian teased.

  Liang Wenya gave her a playful smack and scolded, "You're 36 too, not far from 40. Stop being confused about what’s important and what’s not all day long."

  "Then what is important? Teach me."

  "Figure it out yourself!"

  "Pfft."

  When Su Xian explained the room arrangements, Liang Wenya immediately refused. "I’m not sharing a room with you. My sleep has been terrible lately; I can't stand having someone next to me."

  "What’s not to stand? I don't snore."

  "No, even the sound of breathing would disturb me. I’m staying in the guest room."

  Su Xian was suddenly in a bind. If she stayed in the guest room, where would Li Chengshi sleep?

  Li Chengshi quickly shot her a look. "Then let General Manager Liang have the guest room. I’ll go tidy up. Su Xian, you take old Zhang and Sister Wang up to the third floor."

  "Okay." She didn't quite follow but trusted him.

  *

  Li Chengshi quickly stuffed his belongings into storage boxes to hide them temporarily, changed the bedsheets and pillowcases, and then helped Liang Wenya drag her suitcase in. He introduced the layout: "General Manager Liang, right across from the door is the restroom, on the left is the washroom, and inside that is the bathroom."

  Liang Wenya followed him to confirm, then looked up just as Su Xian was coming down from the third floor. She nudged Li Chengshi and said, "Little Li, you go up and sleep too." Then she looked up and warned Su Xian, "Su Xian, you two better not fight."

  "Haha, we wouldn't dream of fighting," she replied guiltily.

  Liang Wenya watched Li Chengshi go upstairs and saw the two of them enter the room and close the door together. Only then did she shake her head and sigh, "I told you two to quit faking!"

  **