Chapter Fifty-Three: My Name is Yoo Hee-jin

Blind date?

There was indeed a similar scene in her memory, but at the time, both were distracted, and neither intended to get to know the other any better. That blind date ended almost as soon as it began—barely half an hour passed before it fizzled out.

Liu Xizhen looked up at the man across from her. He was dressed simply, casually, as if he’d just stepped out from home for a stroll and to pick up a few things. He was handsome, but there was a certain cuteness in his looks, and when he smiled, he radiated a gentle warmth, a unique affinity.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Su Yizheng tried to help her up, but Liu Xizhen waved him off, signaling she didn’t need it. Her stomach hurt so badly she couldn’t stand, nor could she muster the strength to respond.

Su Yizheng knew about her health problems; when they’d met for the blind date, his relatives in the United States had mentioned it. Yet his family hadn’t minded. Liu Xizhen’s health had gradually improved, and as long as she took care from now on, she’d be no different from anyone else. But neither of them had cared much about the blind date then, so their conversation was brief. He hadn’t expected, a year later, to see her on the verge of fainting.

Out of both duty and concern, he needed to look after her.

“I’ll take you to the hospital?”

Xizhen struggled to stand, and Su Yizheng quickly steadied her.

“It’s alright, it’ll pass soon.”

She forced a smile, and Su Yizheng handed her the phone. Supported by him, she took a few steps, not refusing his help.

Su Yizheng glanced at a nearby restaurant. “Let’s sit over there?”

Originally, Liu Xizhen had planned to return to Xuan Zhenxuan’s restaurant for something to eat. Now, with Su Yizheng’s suggestion, she nodded.

As soon as they entered, they saw Xuan Zhenxuan hurrying toward his office.

Liu Xizhen froze. She remembered Kim Sanshun saying Xuan Zhenxuan wouldn’t return from Jeju Island until tomorrow afternoon!

He hadn’t noticed Liu Xizhen; he was muddled with anger at Kim Sanshun. After all, their relationship was only a contract, meant to placate his mother. He hadn’t expected Kim Sanshun to ask about Liu Xizhen.

He entered the office, and Kim Sanshun followed, her tone sharp. “Isn’t it just fifty million? Did you really have to humiliate me?” Just for asking about Liu Xizhen, he’d flown into a rage, berating her in the cake shop.

“Shut up!” Xuan Zhenxuan stared coldly at Kim Sanshun. “I’ve told you—we’re only making a deal.”

Kim Sanshun was furious. “Yes, just a transaction. But at least respect me!”

Liu Xizhen heard it all, standing outside the door. She’d intended to enter, but the angry voices inside made her hesitate. She didn’t really understand what they were arguing about, only that now probably wasn’t the right moment to go in.

After the argument, Kim Sanshun slammed the door open to leave, only to freeze when she saw Liu Xizhen waiting outside. In that instant, she felt utterly foolish.

For some inexplicable feeling, she’d agreed to date Xuan Zhenxuan, fully aware he still loved someone else, yet clinging to a sliver of hope that those feelings were a thing of the past.

Xuan Zhenxuan never told her why his girlfriend left or how long ago it had been; she could only guess from bits and pieces that they’d been apart for a long time. Gradually, she’d developed feelings for his domineering, awkward, and sometimes gentle ways, only to end up in this awkward predicament.

She was overweight and unattractive, often mocked as looking like a raccoon with a burst tire for a face. Yet Liu Xizhen across from her was slender, tall, and beautiful—so dazzling that she felt blinded.

Liu Xizhen’s lips trembled, wanting to say something, but unsure where to begin. Five years of suppressed feelings, and now she didn’t know how to utter even the first word.

Whether it was “Are you alright?” or “I missed you,” it seemed hollow and powerless. Five years had passed with neither contacting the other; it was almost like a childish standoff.

The atmosphere among the three was stiff and strange.

Just then, Su Yizheng returned. Because of Liu Xizhen’s stomach pain, he had gone to the kitchen for some hot water. When he came back and couldn’t find her, he searched for a while before being led by a server to the president’s office. He couldn’t see what was happening inside, and as everyone was silent, he had no idea what had transpired. Still, he moved with his usual grace, smiling unhurriedly, “I got you some hot water from the kitchen. Would you like some?”

As he approached, he finally saw the situation inside and sensed the tension, feeling rather awkward himself.

Xuan Zhenxuan’s gaze swept over Su Yizheng, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “Didn’t you leave? If you’re gone, don’t come back.”

Su Yizheng was startled, looking at Liu Xizhen. He didn’t know what had happened, but the man’s words were clearly rude.

Xuan Zhenxuan’s tone was harsh, as though he were looking at something he utterly loathed. “Don’t you understand me? Get out!”

Liu Xizhen was stunned, unable to believe he’d say such a thing.

In her memory, he was awkward, hard to get along with, but always gentle with her.

That word “get out” was like a sharp blade, stabbing into her heart.

It was an excruciatingly awkward meeting. Liu Xizhen’s tears nearly flowed, but she turned and hurried away. Su Yizheng gently set the cup of water on the windowsill outside the office, where it gradually cooled.

After Liu Xizhen left, Xuan Zhenxuan suddenly became violently angry. He kicked over the trash can, punched the cabinet, venting his rage in a self-destructive frenzy.

Kim Sanshun watched silently from the doorway.

She simply couldn’t understand why someone who cared so much would hurt like this.

—

Su Yizheng had intended to leave, but seeing Liu Xizhen, he couldn’t help but feel concerned. Their families knew each other, so he hurried to catch up with her.

Liu Xizhen’s face was pale, yet she managed a slight smile when she saw him. “Sorry to let you witness such a scene.”

“It’s alright.”

Night was falling, and the summer evening began to wear away the day’s heat. People strolled in groups along the street. Su Yizheng and Liu Xizhen walked slowly, their moods gradually settling. Following the lively street, they wandered, watching the passersby, and found the experience anything but dull.

Su Yizheng didn’t ask about Liu Xizhen’s situation, nor did she ask about his; they chatted aimlessly, drifting from topic to topic, yet somehow found joy in the conversation.

Because Liu Xizhen hadn’t eaten, she soon dragged Su Yizheng to a random barbecue stall—a small street-side stand, not especially clean. They grilled some meat, drank some beer. Su Yizheng rarely came to such places, but after dating Qiu Jiayi, he’d been a few times; after that… never again.

Liu Xizhen ordered a few skewers of vegetables, asking the owner not to add too much seasoning. Su Yizheng studied the menu for ages, finally settling cautiously on a skewer of grilled chicken wings.

Liu Xizhen found his careful manner adorable and teased him thoroughly.

After eating, they sat at the stall chatting. In truth, they were strangers to each other, and perhaps it was precisely because of this that they could share their own stories so openly.

Like travelers on a journey, they hadn’t met at the start, but at a brief stopover, they got to know each other for a moment. Perhaps they would head toward the same destination, or perhaps drift apart, but it didn’t matter. The unpredictability was what made it worth anticipating.

“...We broke up afterwards.” Su Yizheng was somewhat melancholy, his features bathed in the gentle light. “I don’t know where she went, so I’ve always waited for her here.”

Liu Xizhen was dazed. So many people struggled and drifted in love, yet embraced it willingly.

“Five years later, I came back to find him. I have confidence in our feelings, but I don’t know why—seeing him today, I was disappointed.”

A twenty-seven-year-old man, still raging, still shouting when things didn’t go his way, still disregarding others.

She sighed softly, asking, “Will you keep waiting?”

Su Yizheng looked at her. She was so slight, as if a gust of wind could knock her down. The question carried a hint of hope, as if she wanted him to give her the answer she sought, something to help her persist.

Su Yizheng smiled gently, “I don’t know.”

Sure enough, disappointment flashed across her face.

“Maybe the answer’s already there. We’ve fought for it; now all that’s left is to await the verdict.”

He finished, gazing quietly past her. Liu Xizhen seemed to sense something, and turned to look.

She saw Kim Sanshun, drunk, while Xuan Zhenxuan had just gotten out of the car and was running over. Though he cursed and looked annoyed, he still lifted her up and stuffed her into the car.

Liu Xizhen stared, unable to believe what was happening. They’d just had a fierce argument that afternoon.

So there was something special between them after all.

“I...” Liu Xizhen felt embarrassed, as if she were a joke for others. She lowered her head, finally sighing, “I think... I overestimated myself.”

As a man, Su Yizheng had always been sensitive to other men’s feelings. Although Xuan Zhenxuan was picky with Kim Sanshun, it was clear he cared more for her.

He didn’t say it aloud, knowing this smart woman had already figured it out.

“I’ll take you home.” Su Yizheng settled the bill and hailed a cab for Liu Xizhen.

That night, Yaliying and Liu Xizhen slept together. Liu Xizhen was troubled, tossing and turning, finally chatting with Yaliying for a long while, and woke before five in the morning.

Summer dawn comes quickly. She got up early, tidied herself, and went out.

She still decided to go find Xuan Zhenxuan.

He started work at eight, so she wanted to clear things up.

But when she knocked on the door, she saw Kim Sanshun just out of the shower.

In that instant, all her hopes were extinguished.

Author’s note: It feels like Su Yizheng and Liu Xizhen are more like best friends...