Zhuang Xiaoyue's expression was awkward.
However, she still managed a smile, "Brother Chen, you won't need to see me anymore in the future, you should be happy about that."
Chen Jinzhao's expression softened slightly.
After all, Zhuang Xiaoyue hadn't caused him any losses. Moreover, her decision to leave the group after the incident showed she still had some pride.
And she was right about one thing: he wouldn't be seeing Zhuang Xiaoyue anymore.
Chen Jinzhao poured himself a drink. After taking a gulp, he frowned and said, "Speak, what do you want from me? It can't be just a simple goodbye, can it?"
"Whatever you want, just say it."
He suddenly recalled something. When he had spoken to Yu Mengzhi about Zhuang Xiaoyue, Yu Mengzhi had a good impression of her, seeing her as someone who dared to fight, took responsibility, and couldn't imagine her doing so many underhanded deeds behind the scenes.
Zhuang Xiaoyue forced a smile, "Brother Chen, I really have no demands. I just wanted to formally say goodbye. As for Manager Yu, she probably looks down on people like me..."
Chen Jinzhao fell silent.
The words were harsh, but they were true.
"Actually, with your qualifications, you wouldn't need to do these things. I really can't fathom your reasons for doing them." Chen Jinzhao had no ulterior motives towards Zhuang Xiaoyue; he just felt she was in the wrong.
Zhuang Xiaoyue chuckled, "Brother Chen, are you trying to save a prostitute?"
Her laughter held a hint of sorrow.
"Yes and no," Chen Jinzhao replied.
He felt that Zhuang Xiaoyue, like him, came from humble beginnings. At their core, they were alike. Seeing Zhuang Xiaoyue go astray, Chen Jinzhao felt an indescribable emotion.
Zhuang Xiaoyue stared into Chen Jinzhao's eyes. When he looked back, she averted her gaze. "Brother Chen, let me tell you a story."
"I was born in the impoverished mountains of the southwest. My father died of an overdose of illicit drugs when I was born. My mother raised me through hardship. But you must know what a widow in a poor mountain village goes through. When I was seven, my mother died of AIDS. Before she died, she clutched my hand and cried out in pain."
Chen Jinzhao's heart ached.
These sinful past experiences must have left a deep, painful mark on Zhuang Xiaoyue, etched into her very being.
He remained silent and took another drink.
Zhuang Xiaoyue continued, "From then on, I was often bullied by the old men in the village."
Chen Jinzhao understood perfectly what kind of bullying she meant.
"I didn't understand what it meant back then. I only realized it when I grew up. I thought I'd never leave that mountain. Until I was twelve, when a village elder took me to the city to earn money. At fifteen, I met my master. He took me away from those places and showed me another world."
"He also treated me poorly, like other men. But he hired tutors for me, paid for my schooling, and pulled strings to get me into university."
"I'm very grateful to him."
This was the account of a poor mountain girl, devoid of any falsehood or exaggeration.
In fact—
It was told quite mildly.
Her actual experiences were a hundred times more tragic than this description.
Chen Jinzhao looked at Zhuang Xiaoyue again, beginning to understand why she always wore a sweet smile. She didn't blame the cruel, materialistic world; instead, she was grateful for everything she had now.
For Zhuang Xiaoyue, this was indeed the case.
She believed that her current life was entirely thanks to her master, so it didn't matter if she did dirty or difficult work.
After all, she considered herself a low and base person.
Zhuang Xiaoyue raised her glass and toasted Chen Jinzhao, "Brother Chen, the reason I wanted to bid you farewell is because you are different from others. Those men looked at me with a certain lewdness in their eyes. But for these three years, you never looked at me that way. Even when I approached you on my master's orders, you never showed any greedy eyes like others did."
"I toast you with this."
Zhuang Xiaoyue drank it down in one go.
Chen Jinzhao also silently drank a glass of wine.
Seeming to sense Chen Jinzhao's somber mood, Zhuang Xiaoyue smiled sweetly, "Brother Chen, you don't need to be like this. Compared to other girls in our mountain village, I'm actually one of the luckiest."
"At least..."
"I can see this bustling world every day when I wake up, instead of an endless mountain range."
"That would truly be despair."
She walked to the window and opened it a crack. A warm breeze ruffled her hair, and the bright sunlight shone on Zhuang Xiaoyue's skin, as fair and smooth as sheep fat jade. "Brother Chen, look, the cold wind of the mountains never reaches Ninghai, but I am now basking in Ninghai's warm sun."
"That's enough, isn't it?"
Chen Jinzhao's heart stirred. He was deeply touched by the words of this young woman.
Her optimism made him feel inadequate.
He turned his gaze to the towering buildings outside. Behind the prosperity of the city, how many impoverished children like Zhuang Xiaoyue were struggling in the mountains? For them, the big city was as distant as paradise, and what was the difference between where they lived and hell?
"Old Xu, I finally understand why you are so lonely," Chen Jinzhao mused inwardly.
Xu Hanchen was a maverick.
He was not only fighting against enemy nations but also against aristocratic families and powerful clans, and even against himself and human nature.
Before, Chen Jinzhao didn't understand why Xu Hanchen didn't let his son and granddaughter join the army. Now, he vaguely understood. He was an idealist in the truest sense of the word.
Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but wonder if he was qualified to take his place.
The pressure was immense!
Zhuang Xiaoyue's words pulled Chen Jinzhao back to reality. They talked from their first meeting to their futures. Zhuang Xiaoyue laughed heartily, "Perhaps, I'll be sent to those places by my master again in the future, and I won't have the chance to see Brother Chen again. However, I will never forget you, Brother Chen."
"This drink is for you, Brother Chen, and for our respective futures. I wish you success and unwavering progress on your future path!"
More than an hour passed.
They stood at the bus stop in front of the hotel, one heading east, the other west.
Chen Jinzhao hailed a ride-sharing car for Zhuang Xiaoyue. As they were about to part, Zhuang Xiaoyue's face flushed, and she waved enthusiastically at Chen Jinzhao, "Goodbye, Brother Chen."
"There's one more thing I forgot to tell you."
"Actually..."
"I like you!"
Before Chen Jinzhao could react, Zhuang Xiaoyue had already gotten into the car and disappeared down the road to the west as Chen Jinzhao watched.
After a long while.
Chen Jinzhao shook his head and walked east alone.
As the poem "Que Qiao Xian · Qixi" says—
"A drunken encounter, a fate foretold; scattered by wind and rain, where do we flee?"