Love For You - Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Truly Amazing, As Expected of Miao Jing
“You never told me you had a brother in Vine City.” Cen Ye exchanged pleasantries with Chen Yi, but his eyes were fixed on Miao Jing, a faint smile on his lips. “You and your brother don’t look or act like one another at all.”
Miao Jing smiled. “Of course, that wouldn’t be possible. We just lived in the same household with our parents; in reality, we have no connection.”
Cen Ye raised an eyebrow, his gaze meeting Chen Yi’s once more. Chen Yi was wearing a casual jacket, his hands tucked into his pockets. He stood straight but held himself with a lazy, carefree attitude. He didn’t seem interested in the social formalities, yet he wasn’t intimidated either; it was the demeanor of someone who simply didn't care who was watching.
The two men nodded politely, both offering a brief, practiced smile.
The three of them got into the car. Cen Ye and Miao Jing sat in the back, leaving Chen Yi to serve as their driver. Miao Jing had booked a high-end restaurant and they headed there to have lunch with Cen Ye first. As Chen Yi listened to the two of them chatting in the back, he noticed their voices and tones were that of a bluffing business elite—technical jargon peppered with fluent English every so often. They started by discussing the weather and the reason for the meeting: Cen Ye was on a business trip for a project in the Southwest and the high-speed rail happened to pass through Vine City. Miao Jing knew that business trips were routine for him, as he frequently dealt with government agencies; she maintained a humble, welcoming demeanor. When the conversation turned to Vine City, Cen Ye showed a surprising grasp of the local customs and economic climate. Coming from an intellectual family and having traveled all over the country, he also knew some details because his mother had a close friend from this very province.
Occasionally, Cen Ye made an effort to include the reticent Chen Yi. Upon learning that he was the owner of a billiards hall, Cen Ye became quite talkative, noting that billiards was a gentleman’s game and that anyone with good skill must have tempered their patience. He then picked up the scent of tobacco in the car and pivoted to a discussion about cigarettes and cigars. He spoke with such seamless social finesse that it made everyone feel perfectly at ease.
When the car pulled up in front of the restaurant, Miao Jing actually wanted to talk to Cen Ye alone, but Cen Ye had sincerely invited Chen Yi. Regardless of status, Cen Ye was thorough in his social interactions, treating no one with neglect; he possessed the kind of grace that made one feel like they were bathed in a gentle spring breeze.
Miao Jing spoke up, “Let’s all go together then.”
“Sure. I’ll tag along with you two to broaden my horizons.”
A half-smile hung on Chen Yi’s face. He wasn't fond of the slick, performative style of elites, maintaining a lazy, lethargic air as he tossed the car keys and followed them into the restaurant.
They ate local cuisine in a restaurant that blended Eastern and Western styles. The view of the garden downstairs was unobstructed, and the dishes were exceptionally refined and innovative. During the meal, Miao Jing and Cen Ye mainly talked about work. They had known each other for about three or four years, moving from strangers to very close acquaintances. Miao Jing had interned at the company during her junior and senior years, staying at the office throughout her breaks. After graduating, she was hired full-time, working from the procurement center during her internship to the R&D center after graduation. She had frequent dealings with Cen Ye’s legal department—sending documents for signature, urging approval processes—and Cen Ye’s secretary had lost track of how many cups of coffee she had made for him.
Eventually, when the secretary clocked out in the evenings, Cen Ye could still get the black coffee Miao Jing made. Perhaps it was because that cup of coffee was exactly to his liking, and since there were no late-night subways, he would bring both the person and the approval documents home with him.
“It’s truly a pity you left such a great platform like the R&D center.”
“I’m not suited for R&D. My basic educational background is just too low; everyone around me is an elite with a PhD or a master’s degree from overseas. There are so many talents there that I could only handle peripheral tasks. It’s better to be a down-to-earth technical engineer.”
“But I still miss the coffee you used to make.”
“Actually, it didn't taste like anything special.”
The two smiled at each other, leaving it at that. Beside them, the man sat with a face like dark, still water, chewing on a tough piece of steak. His handsome face appeared exceptionally steadfast and persistent. Miao Jing glanced at him gently, refilled the lemon water in his and Cen Ye’s glasses, and steered the conversation back to Vine City, chatting about city life, local attractions, national news, and places to eat and play.
The meal was enjoyable for both host and guest. By the time they left the restaurant, it was already afternoon. Miao Jing drove Cen Ye back to his hotel as he had a conference call to attend. Chen Yi made an excuse to run an errand and tossed the car keys to Miao Jing. Cen Ye reached over Miao Jing’s shoulder, caught the keys, and smiled brightly. “Thanks.”
The two watched as Chen Yi, with a cigarette dangling from his lips in a devil-may-care fashion, crossed the street and disappeared into the crowd. Miao Jing’s black eyes shimmered. Cen Ye, standing beside her, remarked, “He has a wildness about him.”
“What kind of wildness?”
“A sense of being both indifferent and completely at ease. Has he seen a lot of big scenes? He doesn't seem like an ordinary person.”
Miao Jing laughed. “He’s been like that since he was a kid.”
The driver’s seat of that Cadillac had plenty of legroom, and Cen Ye’s physique fit just right. The two drove to the hotel. Miao Jing had arranged the booking; there were two key cards, and Cen Ye kept one while holding the other between his slender fingertips, handing it to Miao Jing in a straightforward, open manner. “Want to go up and sit for a while?”
Miao Jing pressed her cherry-colored lips together, hesitated, then took the card and accompanied him upstairs. It was an executive suite with a very spacious office area. Cen Ye opened his computer to start his meeting, which was expected to take two or three hours. Miao Jing helped him make tea and prepare a fruit platter out of habit, calling housekeeping to take away his dirty clothes for cleaning.
After her campus romance ended with graduation, Miao Jing vaguely felt she needed a man like Cen Ye—dazzling, mature, charming, and capable of handling anything with ease. It was hard to imagine a young woman having such nerve and ability to stand out among Cen Ye’s many suitors; the traits mingled within her were too complex.
Although there was inevitably an element of calculation, Cen Ye felt it was within an acceptable range. However, Miao Jing seriously lacked a sense of security and trust. At her core, she was actually indifferent and disliked family atmospheres, so she wasn’t very well-liked by Cen Ye’s parents.
The meeting dragged on until 6:00 PM, just in time for dinner. Miao Jing was washing a coffee cup by the sink when the man, rolling up his white shirt sleeves, leaned against her side. “Do you remember how I sign my documents?”
“I remember.”
Cen Ye. C.Y.
He had known Miao Jing for several years but had only learned Chen Yi’s name and seen his face today. In the past, he knew Miao Jing liked men who smoked, and he had vaguely sensed traces of it in bed, though occasionally, if he put on a show and lit a cigar, Miao Jing would take the initiative to lean in and kiss his lips in the lingering notes of the smoke. In that faint haze, her body was graceful and seductive, entirely different from her cold and detached appearance.
Cen Ye laughed. “I suddenly realized that Chen Yi and I have the same initials.” He stared straight at her, his tone pausing for a beat. “Is he the man who smokes in bed?”
Miao Jing shook her head, denying it. “It’s just a coincidence.”
“You’ve been gone for so long. Did you reach out to me just because you wanted to see me?”
She looked up at him, her gaze clear and pure. “There is something I need your help with.”
“Help with what?”
“You know many people, have many lawyer friends, and possess a deep government background. It’s easy for you to investigate someone.”
Cen Ye raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like a pushover at my age?”
“Don’t you owe me a favor, Mr. Director?” Miao Jing smiled.
Cen Ye also smiled. “It seems I overthought things this evening.”
The hotel had a dinner buffet, and Miao Jing didn't leave until nine o'clock. She went to the parking lot to find her car and called Chen Yi to ask where he had parked—the billiards hall or home?
The music on Chen Yi’s end was deafening; he was likely at a KTV or a bar. He had probably been drinking, as his tone was impatient. He mumbled something, but Miao Jing didn't catch it. When she called back, he hung up directly.
Miao Jing asked Bo Zai, who made a string of calls to friends before finally giving her an address.
It was in the bar street not far from the hotel. Miao Jing searched through one bar after another until she finally found Chen Yi by the dance floor. He was clutching a beer bottle, his dark eyes deep and shimmering, chatting stickily with a woman dressed in revealing clothing.
Seeing her push through the crowd, Chen Yi draped an arm over the woman’s shoulder and stared at her indifferently. Miao Jing stood right in front of him. “It’s so late. Aren’t you going home?”
“The nightlife is just starting at this hour.” He raised his high-arched brows and smirked, his smile alluring. “Are you already finished?”
He had the car’s GPS tracking on his phone. For seven whole hours, the car hadn't moved from the hotel parking lot.
Miao Jing brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and replied calmly amidst the blaring music. “Just finished. How much have you had to drink? Shall I take you home?”
He watched with interest as she changed her appearance. Her long hair was tied loosely in a ponytail, her makeup half-faded, and her vibrant lip color had returned to a pale pink. Her bright eyes showed slight fatigue, yet she remained upright and self-contained. The neckline of her black knit sweater was pulled up to her chin, making her look aloof and clean.
“Let’s go.”
He downed the rest of his beer. Chen Yi had a hazy smell of smoke and alcohol on him. His steps were unsteady as he followed her out of the bar. He sat lazily in the passenger seat, crossing his long legs. Miao Jing’s phone rang—it was Lu Zhengsi, asking about a work process and then inquiring where she was. Miao Jing said softly that she was entertaining a friend and hung up after a few words.
“Don’t want Lu Zhengsi to know?”
“Right.”
“Is that guy your ex-boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
He clapped his hands lightly, his tone sounding quite impressed. “Miao Jing, you’re really something. Playing so many men in the palm of your hand, handling them with such ease. You’re truly amazing.”
Miao Jing focused on driving, navigating the old car steadily without sparing any energy to mind him. After half an hour of silence, she pulled up at the building and replied calmly.
“Thanks for the compliment! The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree; it’s your excellent guidance.”
Chen Yi’s mouth twitched, his face darkening unpleasantly.
She got out of the driver’s seat, tossed the keys to him, bowed her head to pull her coat tight, and turned to leave. She was stopped by Chen Yi, who was leaning against the car door. “Miao Jing, come up and cook me a bowl of hangover soup.”
His handsome eyes were half-closed, his fingers rubbing his brow. His tall frame seemed slightly despondent and withered. Miao Jing turned to look at him, pausing silently, lost in thought. The night wind blew her messy, loose hair against her cheeks. Miao Jing brushed her hair away with a hint of fatigue, her enchanting allure suddenly surfacing. She turned toward the stairwell, her voice gentle. “Is there milk at home? What food is left?”
“I don’t know.”
His voice was also slightly raspy, with a nasal tone.
Miao Jing had been living in the company dormitory for a while. Because she had stopped caring, Chen Yi was too lazy to tidy up, and the two had returned to that desolate, cold home. Miao Jing took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and went to the kitchen to wash her hands and prepare soup. Using the remaining ingredients that hadn't expired, she brought out a bowl of egg and red date soup and handed it to Chen Yi, who was sprawled on the sofa.
Her phone rang again; it was Cen Ye. Miao Jing went to the balcony to take the call, her tone gentle and steady. She chatted for a few moments before returning to the room.
Chen Yi was curled up on the sofa smoking, the smoke billowing out into a haze.
She frowned, moving her bag and coat from the edge of the sofa to avoid the second-hand smoke, and heard Chen Yi ask in a hollow voice.
“With such a high-class boyfriend, why were you willing to break up?”
“You want to know?”
“Shouldn’t you talk to me about it?”
His slender fingers flicked the ash, and he took a deep drag from the filter before exhaling a thin ring of smoke.
She crossed her arms and thought for a moment before speaking slowly. “The external reason was that his parents felt my background wasn’t a match. The internal reason… before he became a director, there were several legal managers in the legal department, each with their own background and power, and the infighting was fierce. I was in the R&D center back then, mainly assisting with project management. For the sake of work convenience, some internal permissions were opened for employee accounts. Because I had previously worked in the procurement center, I knew a lot of people. Cen Ye had a competitor in a business department; I inadvertently discovered a flaw in one of the person’s projects through some clues and reported it to Cen Ye in private. He took that person down. Some people knew about our private relationship, and to avoid compliance issues, I ended it with him and resigned from the company… He promised me that he would give me a very good career reward.”
He filled in the gaps with a dramatic mental scene. “So, you returned to Vine City…”
“Do you think I came back because of you?” Miao Jing was very composed. “Actually, no. This project involved very complex components, and things got very ugly internally. I was afraid of getting involved, so I just found a place to avoid the storm. I’ve always told people I’m from Z Province; almost no one knows I’m from Vine City.”
Chen Yi held the cigarette, his figure seemingly frozen.
Miao Jing blinked slowly. “Didn't you always tell me to get out? I actually never planned to stay in Vine City for long. Once the storm passes and I’ve rested enough, I’ll leave again. My abilities and career path aren't meant for a small city… Chen Yi, I said it before, I will never return to Vine City.”
He bared a hollow, pale smile. “That’s great… You really are, damn it…”
Truly amazing, as expected of Miao Jing.
She smiled softly and gently, her eyes suddenly lighting up, watching him with great delight. “I still have to thank you. I had a very good time during those college years. Thank you for the money you gave me; it let me stand in a strange, big city with a lot of confidence. I didn't worry about life much, but I did try a lot of things. I tried dating, tried putting on makeup and dressing up, tried making friends, tried connecting with people from higher circles. In etiquette settings and high-end cocktail parties… it seems no one knew that I was once a tagalong who couldn't even afford to eat.”
Chen Yi stared at her fixedly.
Miao Jing’s eyes were filled with gentle starlight. She extended a fair, slender finger and carefully touched his handsome brow and eyes, whispering in a murmur, “Chen Yi, to me, you were my first benefactor. I think that’s the result you wanted, right? Letting me walk to a higher, farther place.”
“Very good.” He closed his eyes, his dark lashes fluttering slightly. He tilted his head back, choking back a sob as his Adam’s apple bobbed. “You did very well.”
She carefully pressed a light kiss between his brows, her fragrant hair drifting across his cheek, asking silently, “Do you want to do it with me? It’s been six years, and I still often think of those days.”
“Why wouldn't I?” A cruel smile played on his lips. “That summer vacation, wasn’t it also you who offered yourself up?”