Jiang Xiao gave Cheng Yuan a hard slap, then stomped on his foot before turning and leaving.
That evening, she received a call from a collaborator and flew to M City on a business trip. She stayed there for seven days before returning.
During those seven days, Cheng Yuan searched for her like a madman, nearly turning Jingbei upside down, but still couldn't find her. He even had Shen Yue brought over and 'entertained' her. Shen Yue refused to say a word about Jiang Xiao, claiming ignorance. Helpless, Cheng Yuan had to let her go. He then went to the Jiang family home.
The weather was fickle—windless and cloudless when he arrived, but soon it began to rain. Cheng Yuan stood in the rain, just like years ago, waiting bitterly.
The servant reported it. Seeing the rain outside, Jiang's mother said, 'Maybe we should let him in.'
Jiang's father refused sternly. 'He hurt Xiao Xiao so badly back then. Let him get a little wet—it's nothing. He's not allowed in.'
Cheng Yuan had expected this outcome. Instead of banging on the door like before, he stood upright in the rain, waiting for their forgiveness. He waited all night.
The next morning, the rain stopped, but the gate remained shut. Cheng Yuan knew he had failed again.
Staggering back to his car, Jiang Yu noticed his poor complexion and said worriedly, 'President Cheng, maybe you should go to the hospital first?'
Cheng Yuan said, 'To the company.'
He went to work without breakfast and didn't finish until the end of the day. Exhausted and disoriented, he collapsed onto the sofa.
Jiang Yu had been in touch with Shen Yue. Seeing his condition, he called Shen Yue and pressed for Jiang Xiao's address. Shen Yue still wouldn't say anything. When Jiang Yu grew insistent, she cursed him out—first cursing Cheng Yuan, then Jiang Yu himself. 'Following a boss like that, one day you'll become just as heartless. Tell Cheng Yuan that our Xiao Xiao is no longer the person she was five years ago. She feels nothing for him. Tell him to stop flattering himself.'
Jiang Yu didn't dare relay that. He kept pleading, 'Miss Shen, please help us. President Cheng is really not well.'
'Even as your grandmother, I won't help!' snapped Shen Yue.
'Grandmother!' said Jiang Yu.
Shen Yue snorted and hung up. She then called Jiang Xiao, gloating, 'Cheng Yuan is sick, pretty badly. I'm so happy.'
Jiang Xiao: 'How do you know he's sick?'
'Jiang Yu told me.'
'Mm, he deserves it.'
Jiang Xiao didn't want to talk about Cheng Yuan. She changed the subject. Shen Yue laughed and said, 'Oh, by the way, K Club has some really handsome male models. I'll take you to meet them when you come back.'
Jiang Xiao was single now and could do whatever she wanted. 'Sure.'
'They're super hot,' Shen Yue said.
Jiang Xiao chuckled. 'Got it.'
Seven days later, the deal was sealed, and Jiang Xiao took an afternoon flight back to Jingbei. It was raining there, a steady drizzle washing the city.
She didn't tell anyone she was coming back—not even her assistant Xiao Zhou.
Shen Yue asked if she needed a ride. Jiang Xiao replied, 'No, I'll take a cab.'
As she exited the airport, someone approached her. The man held a black umbrella, wore a brown trench coat over a white shirt, and had a tall, upright figure. It was Cheng Yuan.
Jiang Xiao ignored him and turned to walk the other way. Cheng Yuan caught up in long strides and grabbed her wrist. 'Xiao Xiao.'
Jiang Xiao looked back at him, her gaze falling on his hand. Coldly, she said, 'Let go.'
Cheng Yuan didn't dare force her like before and obediently released her. 'It's raining. Let me take you home.'
'No need,' Jiang Xiao said. 'I'll find my own way.'
'Xiao Xiao, do you have to reject me like this?' No one knew how he had survived these seven days; he had nearly gone mad. 'I just want to see you home. I won't do anything else.'
'We're not close,' Jiang Xiao scoffed. 'I wouldn't dare trouble you.'
As he moved to step forward, she said, 'President Cheng, please show some self-respect.'
Cheng Yuan didn't dare move another step. He just stared at her, pained. 'Xiao Xiao, I'm different now.' No more madness, no more bastardry.
'So what?' Jiang Xiao countered. 'Does that have anything to do with me?'
'I won't force you to do anything you don't want to,' Cheng Yuan said, settling for less. 'Can we at least be friends?' He wanted to start as friends and take it slowly.
'No.' Jiang Xiao was different too—no longer soft-hearted or sympathetic. 'We're from different worlds. We can never be friends.'
Cheng Yuan: '...'
The rain poured down, soaking one side of his body. Up close, one could see his face was unnaturally flushed. Cheng Yuan was sick—stomach pain and fever. The hospital wanted him admitted, but he refused. Zhang Rong called, but he hung up. The old man sent someone to check on him, but he drove them away. He said he'd stop being crazy, but he was still very crazy—madly self-destructive, punishing himself to the brink of death.
On the way here, Jiang Yu had tried to dissuade him. 'Since the missus is back, she won't leave again. You should get your health in order first.' Zhou Jin also called, saying the same thing. But Cheng Yuan wouldn't listen. All he wanted was to see Jiang Xiao, even if just from afar. But people are greedy. At first he only wanted a distant look, then a closer one, and now he wanted to hold her, kiss her. Even if she hit him for it, he still wanted to.
'Xiao Xiao,' he called out affectionately. If it had been the old days, Jiang Xiao would have been moved to tears. But not now.
'What?' she asked impatiently.
'Xiao Xiao.'
'Xiao Xiao.'
'Xiao Xiao.'
Cheng Yuan called three times in a row. Jiang Xiao didn't even acknowledge it; she turned and walked away.
Cheng Yuan caught up. 'The rain's getting heavier. Let me take you home.'
'Cheng Yuan, if you don't leave, I'll call the police.' Jiang Xiao stopped. She wasn't just talking—she would actually do it.
For the CEO of the Cheng Group to go to the police station repeatedly was bad for the company. Jiang Yu tried to persuade him. 'President Cheng, let's go back for now.'