C16 Accept

When Meng Jingxian saw the remorse written all over Chu Yang's face, her resolve melted away. Her affection for Chu Yang was genuine; even when he upset her, she couldn't stay mad at him.

Perhaps Chu Yang had chosen Gu Panpan because she was more impressive, or maybe he had always harbored feelings for her. Either way, Chu Yang had said yes to Gu Panpan and no to her.

Meng Jingxian understood that her grandfather must have had important matters to discuss with Chu Yang. After finishing her meal, she didn't linger at the dining table but retreated to her room to contemplate her next steps.

They had arrived at the Meng residence just after ten in the morning. Chu Yang and Meng Jingzhong had been ensconced in the office for several hours, yet they hadn't emerged. Now, with the afternoon waning past four, the content of their lengthy discussion remained a mystery, as they hadn't stepped out even once.

At last, as the clock neared five, the study door swung open, and Chu Yang and Meng Jingzhong appeared in succession. Meng Jingzhong glanced at the wall clock, realizing just how long their conversation had stretched.

He held Chu Yang in high esteem, marveling at the young man's wealth of ideas. He wondered if he should regret appointing him solely as headmaster of St. Peter Academy. Clearly, he had chosen well; Chu Yang was not only highly skilled but also exceptionally clever.

The word was out that he had a knack for business, and he felt it was true. Since starting from scratch, he had rarely faced defeat, enjoying a smooth journey. But in Chu Yang's presence, he was reminded that there's always someone better out there.

At his age, his capabilities hadn't come close to a tenth of Chu Yang's.

"It's getting late; how about we have dinner before you head back?" It was indeed getting on for dinner time.

"That works for me." Chu Yang accepted, which meant Meng Jingxian would also stay for dinner before they both left.

Meng Jingzhong gave instructions to the housekeeper, then ushered them to the sofa to watch TV, engaging in light conversation now and then.

"My girl hasn't been any trouble for you, has she?" Meng Jingzhong was still adjusting to Meng Jingxian living away from home. She had never spent a night out or moved out before, despite her many years of schooling.

"No, that's not it. We're of a similar age, so there's plenty to discuss." Indeed, Meng Jingxian had been staying at his place for quite some time without any issues. He was genuinely pleased to have her there. He couldn't quite put his finger on why, but waking up to see Meng Jingxian always put him in a great mood.

Meng Jingxian perked up a bit when she overheard them mentioning her, though she remained silent, content to just observe their animated conversation.

By the time they finished dinner, it was already eight o'clock. Meng Jingxian was somewhat baffled. Chu Yang had been out for a good while, and yet, not a single call from Gu Panpan. She knew she couldn't stand that. Could this really be the secret to a perfect relationship?

Was she too needy, while Gu Panpan was the epitome of decisiveness and efficiency? Could it be that Chu Yang disliked her clinginess, preferring Gu Panpan's approach instead?

The same driver, the same car, but the mood of the two passengers had shifted dramatically since their arrival.

Chu Yang was beaming, having gained a wealth of knowledge from his conversation with Meng Jingzhong. Meanwhile, Meng Jingxian had come to a realization: some things can't be forced. Yet, she wouldn't give up on Chu Yang until he was married.

"What's the matter with you today? You seem down," Chu Yang inquired, eager to understand what was troubling Meng Jingxian.

"Have you ever seen anyone happy while sporting a frown?" Meng Jingxian retorted with an eye roll. Wasn't it obvious enough? How could Chu Yang still ask such a foolish question?

Seeing Meng Jingxian revert to her playful self, Chu Yang breathed a sigh of relief. Things were back to normal, and the tense atmosphere had lifted. "So, why the long face? Is it something I did?"

"Oh, look at you, all self-aware. But do you actually know why I'm upset with you?" Meng Jingxian challenged, curious about what Chu Yang might say.

Chu Yang paused before finally voicing his question, "Is it because I didn't return your call or message last night that you're upset?" He couldn't think of any other reason.

Meng Jingxian's emotions were a tangled mess. Was she not supposed to know about Gu Panpan being his girlfriend? Why did she have to be kept in the dark? "Do you really not understand why I'm angry?"

Chu Yang was taken aback. Was it not about the missed call? What had he done to offend her?

Meng Jingxian waited for Chu Yang to clear things up, but to her dismay, she was met with his silence. "Are you still trying to keep secrets from me?"

"What exactly is the problem? I'm totally lost here," Chu Yang admitted, worried that any further words might just make things worse.

"Is Gu Panpan your girlfriend? Did you go out with her last night because you accepted her advances?" Meng Jingxian's voice was raised, her hurt and anger palpable.

At first, Chu Yang was slow to grasp the situation. He was about to deny it, but then he remembered something he had agreed to with Gu Panpan the previous night. Yes, that was it; he had agreed to be her pretend boyfriend.

But how did Meng Jingxian find out? He hadn't told her. Had she followed them to the Western restaurant last night?

"How did you come by this information? Who told you? Or did you..." Chu Yang's voice was heavy with accusation. He detested being spied upon, being followed was out of the question.

"Your 'wonderful' girlfriend was the one who told me. You don't think I was the one following you, do you? Is that the kind of person you see me as?" Meng Jingxian's voice was thick with emotion, her feelings indescribable. She had cared for him deeply, yet in his eyes, she was reduced to this.

"I... I did think that for a moment. I'm sorry." Chu Yang offered a heartfelt apology to Meng Jingxian. He realized he had been too quick to suspect her without good reason.

"You didn't see how your girlfriend flaunted herself to me this morning. Do I mean so little to you, Chu Yang? Is my affection that worthless?" Meng Jingxian's voice trembled as she teetered on the edge of despair, seeking answers from Chu Yang.

Upon hearing this, Chu Yang immediately grasped what had transpired. He hadn't anticipated that Gu Panpan would be the one to break the news to Meng Jingxian; he had thought he'd be the one to tell her eventually, to spare her the pain of wasting time on him.

Seeing Meng Jingxian's tears, Chu Yang felt a pang in his own heart. How deeply must she care for him? And why had he ever agreed to Gu Panpan's request? Gu Panpan's jealousy was so intense that she couldn't even wait a single day before spilling everything to Meng Jingxian. Now, how was he supposed to face her?

"I know you have feelings for me, but my love for you is purely fraternal, not romantic," Chu Yang said as he wrapped his arms around Meng Jingxian's shoulders, drawing her head to his chest in a comforting embrace.

Clutching Chu Yang's shirt, Meng Jingxian held him close, her thoughts racing: Just this once, and never again. This man isn't yours, and you mustn't cross any lines.

The driver seemed to catch on to the delicate situation, stretching what should have been a ten-minute drive into an hour. The car crept through the lively city and across the bustling streets. Silence filled the vehicle, yet the tension had eased somewhat.

In Chu Yang's embrace, Meng Jingxian's turmoil slowly subsided. "Is Gu Panpan really that wonderful? Do you truly like her that much?" she asked in a raspy voice. Even though she knew it was too late, she yearned for his response.

Meng Jingxian braced herself for the possibility of Chu Yang praising another woman in her presence, but she was desperate to understand what Gu Panpan meant to him, and where she herself stood in his heart. Despite the ache, she needed the truth; she refused to lose without understanding why.

Chu Yang remained silent, simply holding her tighter. The sight of this woman in tears was overwhelmingly affecting, reminiscent of the times his sister would come to him, heartbroken over some schoolyard sorrow, and cry. That feeling, akin to a knife twisting in his heart, was unforgettable.

Her tears were a testament to how much she mattered to him, just as his sister's had been. Clearly, Meng Jingxian held a significant place in his life.

Meng Jingxian could acutely sense Chu Yang's evasion. He was unwilling to speak, to share with her, perhaps because she simply couldn't measure up to Gu Panpan. In his eyes, she must have seemed utterly inadequate. Meng Jingxian, oh Meng Jingxian, you've lived all these years, yet how futilely you've lived.

No matter how much the driver might delay the journey home, the destination was inevitable, much like a train that, despite its ceaseless journey, must one day arrive at its station. Maybe, eventually, she would stop pining for Chu Yang. Over time, she might forget his quirks, his preferences, even the way he walked. The heartache she felt today would one day be wiped clean.

There's no hurdle too high to clear, no burden too heavy to release. With enough will, the deeply cherished memories of a loved one will fade, until even their name escapes your memory. Meng Jingxian believed that such a day would come for her, when she would be smitten with someone new and Chu Yang would become a distant memory.