Chapter 33: The Invitation

After Sun Tao left, Liu Zhuyin dragged her exhausted body, preparing to wash up and go to sleep. However, her eyes fell upon the documents Madam Liu had given her.

Gently opening them, she found them filled with records of my sacrifices for her. With every page she turned, the sense of guilt in her heart deepened. She recalled those days, and only now did she realize, with the benefit of hindsight, just how tired I truly was. Many times, she had seen me nodding off on the sofa; many times, she had seen me burning the midnight oil in the study until dawn. But at the time, she had never taken it to heart.

Instead, whenever she made a request, my response was always the same three words: "No problem." That sense of security had never wavered for five years. Perhaps it was because that sense of security was so seamless and flawless that she slowly began to take it for granted.

"What have I done..."

Looking up at the empty house, Liu Zhuyin sighed deeply. She walked into the study, looking at the traces I had left behind and flipping through my belongings. But as she searched, her expression grew increasingly troubled. It was work, nothing but work! There was not a single trace of personal interest to be found. The entire wall of bookshelves was filled with project contracts and data. The tables were covered with various project proposals. She looked around; there wasn't even a superfluous ornament to be seen.

It was as if this were not the study of a living, breathing person, but the study of a robot. Devoid of emotion! Even someone as indifferent as she was had her own interests—collecting records or buying delicate hairpins. Yet, in the places where I had left my mark, she saw nothing related to personal passion.

She understood that in this world, no one could truly be without hobbies. If they were invisible, it meant other burdens were weighing them down, and they had no time to consider their own satisfaction while struggling under the load. Just like me—pouring all my time into the Liu Corporation and her.

With a heart full of pity, she opened my cabinet and discovered several journals. After flipping through them, her eyes welled up with redness. They were records of her habits; even the smallest, most trivial details were noted down. Between the documents from her mother and these records she had just discovered, Liu Zhuyin’s heart ached more and more.

Just then, she noticed a few photographs at the very bottom. They were from my sketching trips. I was beaming with a bright smile, and her eyes lit up as if she had found a breakthrough. Just as she was about to reach for her phone, a call came through.

"Is this Ms. Liu? Let’s meet to discuss the project."

Liu Zhuyin was stunned, then immediately overjoyed. Could it be that Ning Yuanzhou had solved it for her? Otherwise, why would there be news so quickly?

"Yes, Mr. Bai! I'll be right there."

Without time to think, Liu Zhuyin drove off. Meanwhile, I had already arrived at the private room.

"Xiaochen, it’s been a long time since you looked me up, kid." Bai Beichuan, the young master of the Bai family, spoke with a sarcastic edge as soon as he saw me.

"Spare me. With all the socialites you’re surrounded by all day, how could you possibly think of your brothers?" I retorted, sitting down in front of him. "Put other things aside for a moment. You know about that Liu Corporation project—give me a straight answer on how to handle it."

Bai Beichuan sighed. "It’s a bit tricky. But didn't you resign? And you’re divorced from Liu Zhuyin, so why are you still managing the Liu Corporation's affairs?"

I shot him a look. "Mind your own business. Just tell me if you can do it or not."

Bai Beichuan glared at me. "I can! Since when has your word not been law? I’ll take care of it later."

Hearing that it could be done, I felt relieved. "Don't tell her it was me."

Bai Beichuan paused, then a knowing look appeared on his face. "Oh, you romantic fool! What’s wrong? Can’t let go of Liu Zhuyin, yet you’re still acting tough? Playing the 'good deed without a name' act? When she finds out later, she’ll be moved to tears."

That guy couldn't say anything decent. I couldn't be bothered to explain.

"By the way, that Ning Yuanzhou is truly disgusting. How about I take care of him for you?"

I nearly spat out my drink. Why did that sound so familiar? Madam Liu said it, and now he was saying it too. If one could actually "take care of" everyone who stood in the way of one's perfection, there would be far too many people dying in this world.

"Enough, stay out of my business."

But he persisted. "Tell me then, what are you really thinking? If you don't want to get back together with her, why am I helping her? I’m not even close to her."

Judging by his tone, if I didn't make it clear, he wouldn't do the favor.

"It’s not helping her. It’s helping the Liu Corporation! It’s something I built up with my own hands; I don’t want to see it fail. Besides, the Liu family treated me well. When drinking water, one must think of its source. I have to help."

He didn't believe me, instead looking at me with that knowing gaze.

"Fine, just handle it. If I need help later, I'll let you know." I was speechless; this kind of thing couldn't be explained clearly, and I didn't want to say more. I stood up to leave.

Bai Beichuan blocked me. "Stay a while, will you? You come and leave right away—what’s the meaning of this? Treating me like an errand boy?"

"I'm busy. I'm working on a project. I'll treat you another time." I waved him off and left the room despite his protests.

Little did I expect that upon walking out of the hotel, I would run straight into Liu Zhuyin, who was approaching with an anxious expression.

Our eyes met. I was stunned, and she was too.

"Why are you here?"

It was a question I wanted to ask as well. But as I thought about it, I understood. Bai Beichuan must have called Liu Zhuyin over after my call to discuss the project. No wonder he insisted I stay! He had done it on purpose. He was a close friend of mine and knew everything about my relationship with Liu Zhuyin. He had clearly let her know on purpose to make her appreciate me, thinking I still couldn't let go and trying to play matchmaker.

This divorce... it really is proving difficult!

"Just passing by." I replied with two words and turned to leave.

"Wait... wait a moment." Liu Zhuyin called out to me and began to explain. "Mr. Bai called me here regarding the company's project."

I stared at her in confusion. Why was she explaining this to me?

"Right. You don't need to tell me about your business."

I tried to leave again, but she blocked me once more.

"Are... are you busy with that project lately? If there’s anything you need, just tell me. It’s not just me who wants to help you; Mom wants to help you too."

Madam Liu was keeping her word. She still didn't know that the project I was busy with was actually for the Liu Corporation. However, her attitude puzzled me. It was hard to imagine her saying such things to me.

"Thank you, but I don't need it."

She bit her lip, her expression pained by my rebuttal, but she didn't get angry. Instead, she seemed to summon all her courage and extended an invitation.

"Yichen... I remember you really liked sketching. If you’re free tomorrow, shall we go sketching together?"