On My Way - Chapter 33

Chapter 33 - This Is the Victory You Won, a Piece of Trash

"Most men in this world are just rotting, maggot-ridden filth. You think you're holding onto the moon, but before you know it, your hands are covered in worms."

Before I returned, I had gone to see Yu Shixuan.

Chana had built a courier station specifically for her, but the county was, after all, too remote; she often took flights to Beijing to go shopping.

I took advantage of this timing to arrange a meeting.

It was at a café in Beijing’s SKP. She sat by the window, waiting for me while flipping through a notebook.

The fresh, delicate, jelly-like quality she once possessed had vanished entirely, replaced by an indescribable air of opulent luxury—even though she wore no jewelry and was dressed only in a simple knit dress.

"Sorry, have you been waiting long?" I smiled eagerly, sitting across from her, and asked, "What are you so engrossed in?"

"Design drafts." She let me take a glimpse at her screen. "I want to renovate the place where I'm currently living. It’ll count as my first independent design project."

Chana’s family owned quite a bit of property. There was a villa complex built halfway up the mountain that overlooked the entire grassland, and she likely lived there, enjoying the most expensive "all-natural" experience.

"Wow! That’s incredible. Both an owner and a beautiful designer. You’re enough to make the trending searches."

While I flattered her with exaggerated praise, I was frantically calculating in my heart what I should do—how could I inquire about information regarding Chana’s family without leaving any trace?

What exactly did their family do for a living?

Did the disappearance of the Weisheng manager have anything to do with them?

What were they planning to do next?

Before I could finish calculating, Yu Shixuan gave a faint smile and said, "Director Ren, let’s get this straight: Chana and I aren't married yet, and I know nothing about his family's affairs."

She was even smarter than I had imagined.

Amidst the tangled thoughts, I forced myself to show a sheepish expression and said, "I didn't intend to ask about that, it’s just... I get the feeling that you really don't like me."

She was taken aback.

Of course, she didn't like me, but that was just the subtle, unspoken tension between women.

I continued to put on a sycophantic face: "You know, we might end up collaborating with Beicang in the future... If your boyfriend has a prejudice against me, it will be very troublesome. So, I wanted to apologize to you first."

"Apologize for what?" She widened her eyes in disbelief.

I mumbled, "Because, I stole Cheng Xia from you, and you must hate me for it..."

She leaned back and sneered, "Stealing a man, you and me?"

She was pristine and exquisite, with even her strands of hair possessing a carefully designed languor, while I had rushed to this meeting immediately after getting off the train—my hair was messy, and there was still dried toothpaste in the corner of my mouth.

But I had succeeded in infuriating her.

"My father was forcing me to marry. I knew that all men are just as disgusting on the inside, so I decided to choose one who looked decent on the outside. That was Cheng Xia." She looked at me with a cold laugh. "What does he even have? He’s squeezed out by others in the research institute, used like an animal by my father, and doesn't even dare to let out a peep."

I froze.

"But getting him was meaningless. What I wanted was to completely conquer him, to make him worship me like a goddess." She continued, "It could have worked, too, but who would have thought his number-one lapdog would return to the country?"

"Do you think he likes you? It’s just that by being with you, he can keep feeling superior. No matter how much he mistreats you, you won't leave." She pulled a sneer. "This is the victory you won."

"If you hate men so much, why are you still with Chana?" I asked.

——

I stood before Cheng Xia’s door, staring at him for a long, lingering moment, thinking to myself that this time, I was truly going to leave.

Cheng Xia sighed and asked, "Why?"

"Why what?"

"You are the mistress of this home. Why should it be you who leaves?" Cheng Xia took my hand and whispered, "Instead of them."

Inside the door, there was a table full of ordinary, home-cooked dishes. Sitting in the seat of honor was Cheng Xia’s third uncle—I had driven him around years ago.

Beside him was An, a top executive from our company. Next to him were Director Wan from the engineering department and Director Li from the contract department, who had both been cursing me just this morning...

The warm lighting made their faces appear exceptionally gentle. Director An greeted me with a smile: "Little Ren is back? Why are you soaking wet from the rain?"

"I... I forgot to bring an umbrella..." My mind went blank. I didn't know whether to answer his question first or grab a glass and punish myself with three drinks.

"This child has been impatient since she was small," Third Uncle said with a laugh. "It’s hard to avoid oversights in work. I hope you leaders can be understanding."

"Young people need to have a bit of drive," Director An laughed. "Among this batch of young people, I am most optimistic about Little Ren. She’s someone who can handle the tough battles."

Director Wan, showing none of the irritability from the morning, nodded repeatedly. "That’s right. Every project Director Ren handles is done cleanly and efficiently. This time it was mostly Zhao Yu being too rash. From now on, I will guide her personally."

"That’s wonderful! Xiaxia, you and Little Ren should hurry and toast Uncle Wan." Third Uncle smiled.

I toasted them in a daze. They laughed at my silly expression, saying I must be exhausted, and urged me to go change my clothes.

I entered the bathroom and could still hear Third Uncle’s voice: "Young people do need to be tempered, but I might just be an old man worrying needlessly. Girls shouldn't really go to places that are too remote..."

"Understood, understood. Little Ren's next project will likely be that university renovation. There won't be any more incidents like this..."

What is going on? I wondered blankly in the bathroom. Why does everyone look so kind?

——

I sent the guests off in a daze, brewed tea for Third Uncle in a daze, and chatted for a while. He was here on a business trip and stopped by to see Cheng Xia. It just so happened that one of his army buddies knew Director An, so they arranged this gathering.

"Cheng Xia is a child who never asks the family for help. But he knows how to cherish his wife," he laughed.

"I learned that from you!" Cheng Xia laughed. In this moment, he looked like that sunny boy from our university days again.

"You little rascal."

Before Third Uncle left, I mumbled, "Thank you, Third Uncle."

"What are you thanking me for?" He patted my arm and said, "These are all small matters. You have a long road ahead of you, don't you? Get some good rest these next two days."

Small matters? I thought in my exhaustion. An hour ago, I had felt this was the biggest hurdle of my life, and I was terrified that I wouldn't make it through.

After sending Third Uncle off, Cheng Xia squatted down in front of me and whispered, "My treasure seems very tired."

"Yeah."

"Do you want me to help you bathe?"

"Okay."

Hot water, the scent of citrus, snow-white bubbles, wet skin, burning hot kisses.

My numb, frozen body finally began to slowly warm up once again.

"Do you miss me?" Cheng Xia’s hand, covered in foam, slid down from my spine.

Do I miss him? I trembled uncontrollably; my muddled brain was unable to think.

"I missed you so much... I missed you in my dreams..." He pressed his forehead against mine, his soft fingers, carrying a faint fragrance, continuing to explore further into more intimate territory. "Yes, that’s the expression. I’ve wanted to see you like this for a long time."

"Cheng Xia..." Something felt wrong, flashing across my mind like lightning. I asked, "Are you taking your medicine on time? What did the psychologist say?"

He didn't answer, but suddenly scooped me up and carried me to the bed.

He leaned over and looked into my eyes with an expression of strange cruelty, whispering, "You are finally mine.”