C1 After Four Years of Bitter Cultivation, He Had Finally Broken Through the Barrier of Love.(1)

For over six months, he had scrimped and saved, subsisting nearly every day on plain white bread and tap water.

Tang Bing had grown noticeably thinner, but his sacrifices had paid off—he had finally saved enough money.

With a mix of nerves and excitement, he withdrew his entire savings from the bank and purchased the women's handbag priced at over 20,000 yuan.

He had been ardently pursuing a girl for four years, a fellow alum of Qinghua University in City A.

Her name was Qin Mengli. She had captivated him with a solo dance performance during their sophomore year's cultural evening.

Qin Mengli's dance was enchanting, and Tang Bing had been smitten from that moment on.

From then on, he had doggedly wooed her. Despite her indifference, he never wavered in his determination.

Persistence pays off, as they say.

During their three years at university, although Qin Mengli never consented to be his girlfriend, their relationship had evolved. Initially, she wouldn't even glance his way, but eventually, they started visiting the library together, strolling out of the campus, and she would occasionally ask him to fetch snacks and drinks or save her a seat.

Post-graduation, Qin Mengli landed a job at the renowned Bluestar Group's branch in City A, while Tang Bing struggled to find decent employment, resorting to manual labor at construction sites to earn his keep.

But six months ago, Qin Mengli finally yielded after four years of relentless pursuit.

She laid out a challenge: if he could afford the latest LV handbag within a year—using money he earned honestly, without theft, robbery, loans, or borrowing from family—she would agree to be his girlfriend. If he succeeded, they would be together; if not, it would be the end of their story.

Buoyed by hope, Tang Bing worked tirelessly, starting early and finishing late. He lived frugally, making do with white bread and boiled water for days on end. He budgeted his wages meticulously, saving every possible penny in the bank. To accumulate the funds faster, he even took on extra work after hours, sacrificing his precious leisure time.

When he finally acquired the coveted LV bag Qin Mengli had specified, all his hardships seemed worthwhile. His four-year-long dream of being her boyfriend was within reach.

Overwhelmed with joy, Tang Bing carefully concealed the treasured handbag and cycled to the Bluestar Group's A City branch.

The security guard, now familiar with Tang Bing, checked him in and allowed him entry.

"Mengli, after four years, we can finally be together!" he thought, his heart brimming with joy as he hummed a tune and entered the Bluestar Building.

He ascended to the third floor in the elevator.

Upon reaching Qin Mengli's office, he learned she had just stepped out to the data archive.

Tang Bing knew the place well, as Qin Mengli split her time between her office and the archive. Elated, he carried the bag back to the elevator and made his way to the fifth floor.

The archive was usually quiet, frequented only by Qin Mengli and her colleagues, lending it a serene atmosphere.

Tang Bing approached the door with a practiced ease.

He was about to knock and surprise his soon-to-be girlfriend when a faint laughter from within halted him in his tracks.

The voice belonged to Qin Mengli, a voice he knew all too well.

Driven by curiosity, he withdrew his hand. Perhaps she was gossiping with her close office friend—was she mentioning him, he wondered?

Tang Bing pressed himself against the door, his heart pounding with anticipation.

But to his surprise, another man's voice emerged alongside Qin Mengli's, "What's so funny?"

"It tickles~," Qin Mengli responded with a flirtatious lilt that Tang Bing had never heard from her before, "Stop playing with my hair!"

"Your hair is so silky," the man chuckled softly, "It's nice to touch."

"Are you always this pesky?" Qin Mengli whined playfully, "Knock it off! What if Dia walks in and sees us? That would be a mess!"

"We're both single; who do we have to fear?" the man replied nonchalantly.

"But we're at work right now~," Qin Mengli murmured gently, "Come on, be a good boy and head back to your office!"

"I don't want to," the man retorted with a grin, "First, let me have a kiss!"

"No, that's not happening~," Qin Mengli gasped softly.

"We've been together for half a month now. Is a kiss really too much to ask?"

"I'm not mentally ready yet..."

"What's there to prepare for? You're my girlfriend! Come on, just one kiss!"

"Stop it..."

Tang Bing's smile had long since solidified, his entire being shell-shocked as if struck by lightning. He couldn't believe his ears and kept denying the reality before him.

With a thunderous "Bang!" he kicked the door open with all his might.

There she was, Qin Mengli, the woman he had ardently pursued for four years and was on the verge of winning over.

Qin Mengli stood with her back against the wall, her cheeks flushed with a charming red. Before her stood Zhang Tao, the heir to the Bluestar Group, pinning her with his body, their faces inches apart, on the brink of a kiss.

The violent noise of the door flying open startled them both, halting their actions as they turned in surprise.

"Tang Bing?" Qin Mengli blinked in confusion, "What... what are you doing here?"

"Zhang Tao, I swear I'll kill you!" Tang Bing shook with rage, his mind consumed by fury. He hurled his briefcase aside and lunged at Zhang Tao, seizing him by the collar.

Zhang Tao scowled and shoved him off, "Try laying a finger on me, I dare you."

"Tang Bing!" Qin Mengli dashed forward, shielding Zhang Tao with her arms, "You wouldn't dare!"

"Mengli, you..." Tang Bing was dumbfounded; he hadn't expected Qin Mengli to defend Zhang Tao.

"Get out!" Qin Mengli was visibly furious, "Who behaves like this? You've broken the office door!"

"Is the door really the issue here?" Tang Bing quivered with anger, pointing at Qin Mengli and Zhang Tao, "You two..."

"Tao, just hold on a second! I'll handle this," Qin Mengli spoke softly to Zhang Tao before turning to Tang Bing, her finger directing him, "You, get out. We'll talk at the stairwell!"

"Talk my ass! I'm going to kill him!" Tang Bing bellowed, ready to charge at Zhang Tao again.

"Then kill me first!" Qin Mengli shot back furiously.

"Mengli, you..." Tang Bing's rage fizzled out, leaving him at a loss for words.

"Either head to the stairwell now, and I'll follow immediately, or let's have it out right here!" Qin Mengli pointed at her own head.

Tang Bing stood there, stunned, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. After several seconds, under Qin Mengli's fiery stare, he finally turned and walked away.

After walking a few steps, he paused, turned back, and stooped to retrieve his handbag. Casting a glance at Qin Mengli, he departed the information room, his movements akin to those of a zombie.

Several minutes later, Qin Mengli straightened her attire and approached. She found Tang Bing sitting silently in the corner, his head buried in his hands, and let out a soft sigh. "You saw everything, didn't you? Maybe it's for the best."

"What's 'best' about it?" Tang Bing looked up, his eyes red and strained. "What the hell were you two doing?!"

"Wasn't it obvious to you?" Qin Mengli responded coolly.

"You..." Tang Bing was on the verge of hurling insults at her, maybe even lashing out physically. But the sight of her impassive gaze sapped his strength, and he spoke with a quivering voice, "Four years! I've been chasing after you since sophomore year, four long years! Throughout that time, I've barely managed to hold your hand on occasion. And Zhang Tao? How long have you even known him? If I hadn't walked in on you, you would have been kissing!"

"Can't you figure out why?" Qin Mengli asked, her tone still detached. "We've known each other for four years. Why haven't I ever accepted you? I've only been acquainted with Zhang Tao for a month, so why am I with him?"

"I'm the one asking you!" Tang Bing shouted, his anger palpable.

"The answer is something you already know, you just refuse to accept the truth," Qin Mengli said, her eyes cold. "Ever since our second year, you've been hounding me. I've always tried to avoid you, but you wouldn't let up. I've never wanted to be your girlfriend. How can you not see that?"

"Four years, and this is the first time you're telling me this!" Tang Bing felt as though his hands were clenched so tightly they might split open.