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墨書 Inktalez
"I don't drive. We agreed that I would take a taxi to send her home."
Zhou Ziyan firmly wrapped his arm around Junxi's shoulder.
The two men stared at each other, the air thick with tension, neither willing to let go first.
"You don't need to send me. I can go back by myself." Junxi struggled, managing to free herself from both sides.
Zhou Ziyan watched her momentarily at a loss for words, but it was Zhou Xuanyu who seized the opportunity to pull Junxi into his embrace.
Zhou Xuanyu's car was not far away; he domineeringly hugged and pushed Junxi into the vehicle.
"Uncle, what are you doing!" Zhou Ziyan rushed over, banging on the car door in an attempt to open it, but Zhou Xuanyu had already locked the doors ahead of him.
"Zhou Ziyan, you should get in," Junxi said as she lowered the window. "We need to talk."
Her expression appeared serious in the dim light of the night. Seeing her like this, Zhou Ziyan had no words left. He released his grip on the car door and took a step back.
"Uncle, let me make this clear. No matter who it is, if anyone harms Junxi, I will not let them go!" Zhou Ziyan's piercing gaze fixed on Zhou Xuanyu inside the car. "Not even you."
Zhou Xuanyu ignored Zhou Ziyan and started the engine.
The car sped past Zhou Ziyan with a rush. He turned around on the spot, watching as the Cayenne disappeared from view, his expression finally softening.
Perhaps what he called fair competition was only just beginning.
Junxi watched the night scenery rush by outside the window while Zhou Xuanyu remained silent beside her, his fingers impatiently tapping on the steering wheel. The atmosphere in the car was quiet and eerie.
"Do you have nothing to say?"
While waiting for the red light, Junxi finally broke the silence.
Zhou Xuanyu remained silent. When the green light turned on, he pressed the accelerator hard, causing Junxi to slam back against her seat. She could feel the intense anger radiating from him.
"Zhou Xuanyu! What do you want?" She had initially intended to have a calm conversation with him, hoping that even if they couldn't resolve their issues, at least they wouldn't leave any misunderstandings between them.
But now she realized that in matters of the heart, calmness was impossible.
Zhou Xuanyu continued driving without a word.
"Pull over!" Junxi shouted. "Stop the car now!"
There was still some distance to her place, but Junxi insisted on getting out because she couldn't bear the suffocating atmosphere between them any longer. Even a second felt like an eternity.
With a sudden "screech," Zhou Xuanyu slammed down on the accelerator again.
The car came to an abrupt halt, catching the drivers behind them off guard. Fortunately, they weren't too close and managed to avoid a collision. The driver behind them was furious and yelled as he passed by, "You think you're so great just because you have a nice car? Crazy!"
Zhou Xuanyu's expression remained impassive.
He alternated between pressing the gas and slamming the brakes, demonstrating a level of driving skill that was perhaps the worst he had shown in years. But what could he do? When faced with Wen Junxi, his rationality seemed to vanish completely, leaving him unable to control himself.
Junxi felt dizzy from his erratic driving. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle, but it wouldn't budge.
"Let me out!" Junxi yelled.
Zhou Xuanyu remained unmoved.
Junxi leaned forward, searching for the unlock button on the dashboard.
Zhou Xuanyu saw this and forcefully pushed her back into the seat.
"Why are you wearing his clothes?" His tone was harsh.
"What do you think?"
"Answer me!" He tightened his grip on her shoulders.
Her slender shoulders seemed as if they could be crushed into a puddle by his palm.
"Why should I answer you?" Junxi pushed hard, breaking free from Zhou Xuanyu's hold. "Zhou Xuanyu, why have you never trusted me even a little?"
Zhou Xuanyu leaned back against the driver's seat and slammed his fist on the steering wheel.
"How many times do I have to say it for you to believe that my feelings for Zhou Ziyan are pure?"
"Pure?" Zhou Xuanyu smirked. "Are you sure it's pure?"
His retort carried a hint of mockery.
Junxi could have firmly told him, "Yes, my bond with Zhou Ziyan is because we grew up together. We are childhood friends, completely innocent friends; our relationship couldn't be more pure." However, a postcard she had seen in Zhou Ziyan's study suddenly flashed through her mind.
She hesitated for a moment.
Seeing her hesitation, the mocking smile at the corner of Zhou Xuanyu's lips faded almost entirely.
"Why aren't you speaking?"
"We have nothing more to say." Junxi felt somewhat defeated.
She had already spotted the unlock button on the dashboard. Taking advantage of Zhou Xuanyu's momentary distraction, she quickly pressed it and swiftly pushed open the car door to jump out.
Zhou Xuanyu watched helplessly as she completed a series of actions. He had the chance to stop her, but he didn’t.
Junxi, dressed in oversized sportswear, looked like an injured and clumsy rabbit as she jumped into the flow of traffic.
“Beep!!!”
“Beep…”
The cacophony of car horns sounded like cold mockery, shooting towards Junxi like a barrage of arrows. She pressed herself against Zhou Xuanyu's car, unable to take a single step forward.
Seeing this, Zhou Xuanyu got out of the car in frustration and walked around to her side.
“Get in the car. I’ll take you home first.” His tone was stiff, indicating that he was still angry.
“I won’t!”
Zhou Xuanyu had no patience for her refusal. He opened the car door again and shoved her back inside.
Junxi fought back tears, determined not to let them fall, but the pain and grievance in her heart were unbearable. The feeling of being distrusted was tearing her apart.
During the drive that followed, Zhou Xuanyu didn’t drive recklessly anymore. She remained silent.
Even so, Junxi could still feel the oppressive atmosphere.
They were no longer at odds; instead, they resembled two wounded beasts that had torn at each other before collapsing in exhaustion. The calmness on their faces was merely a facade hiding their mutual torment.
The journey felt particularly long. When they finally arrived at the building where Junxi lived, she didn’t get out immediately. Instead, she sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly at the scene before her.
The alley was filled with flickering lights, revealing a stark contrast to the city’s usual bustle.
“Zhou Xuanyu. Let's take a break and calm down,” Junxi suddenly said.
Zhou Xuanyu's eyes widened in surprise.
“What did you say?”
“We rushed into this too quickly. Maybe if we take a step back, you'll be clearer about whether you really love me and if we are truly meant to be together.”
“I disagree,” Zhou Xuanyu firmly rejected.
“Relationships involve two people; it’s not just about you,” Junxi replied, attempting to get out of the car.
Zhou Xuanyu grasped her arm, his furrowed brow revealing a mix of helplessness and reluctance.
“Junxi…”
Junxi pressed her lips together and gently pushed his hand away.
“For the past five years, I’ve been terrified of betrayal, afraid of the doubt and distrust in others’ eyes when they look at me. I’ve lived in fear for five years, and I don’t want to continue living like that.”
Turning away, Junxi wiped the tears from her face onto the fabric of her shoulder.
Zhou Xuanyu let out a soft sigh.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just don’t trust those five years without me.” He couldn’t believe in the exclusive bond that Wen Junxi and Zhou Ziyan had during that time.
“Regardless, let’s just take some time apart.”
After saying this, Junxi exited the car. As soon as she stepped into the hallway, tears began to fall uncontrollably.
There was no sound behind her; she didn’t know what Zhou Xuanyu was feeling at that moment. All she wanted was to escape as quickly as possible.
After returning upstairs, Junxi took a hot shower, gradually warming up her entire being.
The roses Zhou Xuanyu had given her had begun to wilt over the past few days. Perhaps their love, like the blooming period of these roses, was passionate at first but now only left with the sorrow of decay.
Junxi tossed the wilted roses into the trash can; without the roses, the vase became an unnecessary object. After cleaning the vase, she placed it in the cluttered storage room on the left.
The storage room was small and filled with boxes she had brought from school. As she casually glanced around, she spotted a box containing her diary.
She crouched down and took out the diary, flipping through its pages.
Due to the passage of time, the originally white pages had turned yellow. However, the youthful secrets she had written inside remained untouched by time, never fading or dulling.
There, Zhou Xuanyu's name was etched throughout. Her handwriting evolved from clumsy to elegant, as if only a few pages separated them. Yet only she knew how deep and long-lasting her unrequited love truly was.
Such love made it impossible for her to forget; what right did he have to doubt?
Junxi took out the diary and sat on the sofa, reading late into the night. She laughed and cried at times; every detail recorded within still managed to touch her heart.
By the time she lay down, it was already past two in the morning. After turning off the light, she vaguely heard a car starting and leaving downstairs, and only then did she realize that Zhou Xuanyu had not left.
Was he waiting for her to fall asleep?
The next day was Saturday, and Junxi had arranged to go shopping with Xue Waiwai.
The mall was crowded with people buying winter clothes; it was said that snow would soon fall.
It had been a while since she last saw Xue Waiwai. Contrary to her expectations of a blissful romance, Xue Waiwai appeared unexpectedly thinner.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Junxi asked as she linked arms with Xue Waiwai, strolling slowly through the mall. "You didn't have a fight with Gao Yuan, did you?"
"It's not that we've had a fight; I just feel like he's been acting a bit strange lately." Xue Waiwai lowered her head, her furrowed brow making her look even worse.
"Why do you say that?"
"I can't shake the feeling that there might be another woman in his life."
Junxi was taken aback.
Xue Waiwai pouted, looking as if she were about to cry.
"Did you see something?" Junxi asked calmly. Such suspicions could be serious, and mishandling them could ruin a relationship.
"I didn't see anything; I just feel like he's becoming more distant."
"Waiwai," Junxi said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "the most important thing in a relationship is mutual trust. It's not good to have baseless suspicions about Gao Yuan."
"But I really feel like something's off."
Junxi nodded.
"I understand. Have you considered that he might be dealing with some issues? Is his work going well? Or is there something happening with his family?"
"Well... I haven't asked him about that yet."
"Right, so when you have the chance, you should talk to him. Don't hide in your own world and overthink things. Many cracks in a relationship are often just one person's imagination."
Hearing Junxi's words was like a wake-up call for Xue Waiwai.
"You're right; I've really overlooked a lot of things."
Junxi smiled.
The one who is involved is often confused, while the observer sees clearly; it is understandable.
"How come you suddenly understand emotions so well?" Xue Waiwai said with a mischievous smile as she leaned against Junxi's shoulder, winking at her.
"Not at all."
"Don't deny it. President Zhou's incident with the snake bite has spread all over our area. Everyone says you're like Cinderella about to turn her fate around."
"It's not as exaggerated as you think."
"Oh, so that means there really is something going on, right?" Xue Waiwai became more animated.
Junxi nodded, not hiding anything from her: "We tried being together, but now we're taking a break to cool off."
"Then why is that?"
"Like you guys, it's a trust issue." Junxi's gaze darkened, and the ease she had seemed to vanish.
"I say, you can give me advice so well, how come you fell into the pit yourself?"
Junxi remained silent. Isn't that just how life is? Everyone understands the big principles, yet it's hard to control small emotions. Many things can convince others but fail to persuade oneself.
Moreover, most of their issues stemmed from Zhou Xuanyu.
"Actually, I think suspicion and jealousy are both signs of care. The reason I doubt Gao Yuan is that I care about him; otherwise, I wouldn't bother whether he's flirting with other women," Xue Waiwai said while nudging Junxi with her elbow. "Don't you think so?"
Junxi nodded; the reasoning was sound.
Zhou Xuanyu cared about her too, but love? She began to doubt whether he ever loved her.
"Sister Junxi!" Suddenly, a sweet voice came from behind.
Junxi turned around and saw a small figure running towards her, who immediately wrapped her arms around her.
"Minya." Junxi smiled as she gently patted Minya's head. The child's hair was soft and pleasant to touch.
Minya had just gotten a new hairstyle, a bob cut that made her look even more spirited.
"Sister Junxi, how long has it been since you came to see me? Didn't Dad tell you that I miss you?" Minya looked up and asked, then answered herself, "He must not have told you because he’s too busy dating."
Junxi squatted down and pinched Minya's cheek. "Dad told me it was my fault for being too busy to come see you."
"Hmph! You adults always say you're busy; I don't believe it," Minya pouted.
"Alright, alright, I was wrong. So how do you want to punish me?"
"Um... then you have to take me shopping today."
Junxi glanced at Xue Waiwai.
Xue Waiwai smiled. "This child is so interesting; whose is she?"
"She’s the child I used to tutor."
Xue Waiwai nodded. "No wonder you always say you can't bear to part with her; she's so adorable."
When Minya heard Xue Waiwai complimenting her, she quietly said thank you. She liked to act mature in front of strangers, but when it came to Junxi, she was just a little kid.
"Did you come here by yourself?"
Just as Junxi finished speaking, a heavily made-up woman walked out of a dessert shop. Junxi recognized her as the woman who had been robbed of her shawl by Shen Yunchong last time.
That shawl with the price tag was still lying in her closet.
"My Little Baby, oh, you disappeared in the blink of an eye. Are you trying to scare me to death?" The woman walked towards them, her high heels clicking with each step.
"Aunt Lulu, I'm going shopping with Sister Junxi. You don't need to worry about me," Minya said, pointing at Junxi.
The woman referred to as Aunt Lulu glanced at Junxi. She clearly remembered her, but after a brief blink, she merely scoffed coldly.
"You can't just run off with a stranger like this. How can I feel at ease? If your father asks, I won't have any explanation, will I? So, Little Baby, you should stick with your aunt," Lulu said, taking Minya's small hand and holding her tightly by her side.
Minya struggled a bit.
"Can I borrow your phone for a moment?"
"Huh?" Lulu was taken aback. "What do you want it for?"
"I miss Dad. I want to call him."
"Your dad is busy with work today. He won't answer anyone's calls when he's occupied."
"Aren't you his girlfriend?"
"Being a girlfriend doesn't matter; that's your father's rule. He'll get angry." Lulu blinked, looking sincere.
After failing to get Lulu's phone, Minya turned to Junxi. "Sister Junxi, can I borrow your phone?"
Junxi nodded and handed her phone to Minya.
Lulu shot another glance at Junxi, followed by another cold scoff.
Minya quickly pressed a series of numbers on Junxi's phone—her father's number, Shen Yunchong, which she knew by heart.
The phone emitted a series of beeping sounds from the receiver, but no one answered for a long time.
Lulu smiled, "Little Baby, see? I told you your dad wouldn’t answer anyone’s call, right?"
"Teacher Wen?"
Just as Lulu finished speaking, a deep and magnetic male voice suddenly came through the receiver.
Minya smiled, but Lulu felt a bit awkward.
"Dad, it's me. I borrowed Sister Junxi's phone to call you."
Shen Yunchong responded with a brief "Hmm," then asked, "Did Teacher Wen come to see you?"
"No, I ran into her at the mall. Dad, can I hang out with Sister Junxi today? I want to play with her."
Shen Yunchong pondered for a moment.
"Give the phone to Teacher Wen."
Minya obediently handed the phone back to Junxi. She took it and turned off the speaker.
"Hello, Mr. Shen."
"Hello, Teacher Wen."
"I'm off today, so if Mr. Shen is okay with it, Minya can come with me."
On the other end, Shen Yunchong chuckled softly.
"When it comes to Minya, Teacher Wen is the one I trust the most."
"Thank you, Mr. Shen."
"No, I should be the one thanking you. Today, Minya is in your care."
Junxi hung up the phone, and Minya looked at her with eager anticipation.
"What did Dad say?"
"Dad agreed to let you come with me. However, he said you have to behave."
"Oh yeah! I'll be good." Minya hugged Junxi's leg and turned to Lulu. "Aunt Lulu, you can go do your own thing. I'll call you when I'm on my way home tonight."
Lulu was feeling quite frustrated, but she managed to pull a smile.
"Alright then, we'll go home together tonight."
After saying that, she waved at Minya and turned to leave.
Minya stood there making a face. "What do you mean 'together'? This is clearly my home."
"Minya, you can't say that. She's your dad's girlfriend," Junxi gently reprimanded.
"So what if she is? Today or tomorrow, who knows?"
"Minya..."
"Oh wait, I remember!" Xue Waiwai, who had been silent until now, suddenly exclaimed. "I remember! I've seen that woman at the company. She’s our... Oh my god, little sister, who is your dad?"
Minya pouted. "My dad is Shen Yunchong."
"Oh my god!" Xue Waiwai quickly placed a hand on Junxi's shoulder. "Goodness, Junxi, why didn't you tell me earlier that you know our boss?"
"Who?"
"The president of Zhongyuan Group, Shen Yunchong!"
"You mean the Zhongyuan across from Hengfu Group?"
"Of course, sister. I can't believe you didn't know. If I had known you knew President Shen, I wouldn't have gone through all that trouble for the interview!"
"But... but I never knew."
Minya pouted again. "Dad deliberately didn't let me tell you. He said that this way, Teacher Wen would be more genuine."
Junxi smiled wryly. So who isn't genuine? Was it Aunt Lulu just now?
"Sister Junxi, will you stop playing with me just because I'm Shen Yunchong's daughter?"
"Of course not." Junxi shook her head firmly. "You are Minya. Just Minya. Your dad is Shen Yunchong, but that doesn't change anything between us."
Minya smiled.
"That's good."
Junxi and Xue Waiwai spent the whole day playing with Minya. As dusk approached, they were surprised to see that the person coming to pick up Minya was not Lulu, but Shen Yunchong himself.
When Shen Yunchong climbed out of his Hummer, Xue Waiwai nearly fainted.
"Junxi, quick, support me! I've never had such a close encounter with our handsome President Shen before."
Junxi shot Xue Waiwai a glance just as Shen Yunchong stood in front of them.
"Dad." Minya opened her arms.
Shen Yunchong picked her up and asked, "Have you gotten into any trouble?"
"How could that be? I always listen to Sister Junxi," Minya said, winking at Junxi. "Right, Sister Junxi?"
Junxi nodded in agreement. "Yes, Minya is the best."
Shen Yunchong laughed. "She only acts like a sheep in front of you."
"Exactly! I don't like other women, so I naturally turn into a tiger," Minya said, playfully clawing the air with her hands.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Let's have dinner together as a thank you for spending the whole day with Minya," Shen Yunchong said while glancing at Xue Waiwai.
Despite Xue Waiwai being infatuated with their president, it seemed Shen Yunchong didn't recognize her as the new colleague from Zhongyuan Group.
"This..."
Junxi hesitated, and Xue Waiwai discreetly pinched her.
Well, in order to help Xue Waiwai get familiar faces, she shouldn't refuse.
Shen Yunchong decided on a restaurant across from the mall for dinner.
It was the most upscale Western restaurant in the area. Junxi and Xue Waiwai, being semi-students, couldn't afford such luxury. They had only heard about the delicious pasta and steak here but had never stepped inside.
In contrast to their awkwardness, Minya was happily running ahead, appearing completely at ease.
"Be careful." Junxi followed closely behind her, worried she might bump into the waiter carrying a tray.
She was so focused on looking at Minya that she ended up hitting the corner of a table, and Shen Yunchong reached out to steady her.
"Watch yourself too."
His palm was cool, devoid of warmth.
Junxi awkwardly pulled her hand away from his. "Thank you."
The table was chosen by Minya, positioned by the floor-to-ceiling window, facing the amusement park in the square. Junxi teased her for being typical—eating from one bowl while eyeing another.
Minya rested her chin on her hands, ignoring Junxi's banter, and said sweetly, "Today is truly the happiest day for me."
Shen Yunchong ordered according to their wishes and smiled upon hearing his daughter say such a thing.
"Minya starts her winter break today. It's a pity Teacher Wen no longer has time to tutor her."
"Finding a tutor for me is the most troublesome thing for Dad," Minya interjected.
Junxi playfully poked Minya's nose. "Then why don’t you behave a little better?"
"Because those teachers aren't as pretty as you," Minya replied seriously, then turned to look at Shen Yunchong sitting beside her. "And none of the girlfriends Dad finds are as pretty as you."
"You little rascal," Junxi laughed.
Shen Yunchong, sipping water, nodded noncommittally at Minya's words. "Minya's taste in beauty comes from me."
Junxi's face instantly turned red.
Fortunately, the waiter arrived with their dishes, interrupting this exchange. The pasta that Minya had ordered was served.
Shen Yunchong patiently fed Minya noodles, his hands looking elegant as one pressed on the child's shoulder while the other held the spoon, creating a charming sight.
Xue Waiwai kept pinching Junxi, her eyes sparkling with hearts almost overflowing.
This person... dared to doubt Gao Yuan's intentions? The one with ulterior motives was clearly her.
Just then, Xue Waiwai's phone rang—it was indeed a call from Gao Yuan. She glanced at the caller ID and hurriedly dashed outside to answer.
"Xue Waiwai, you're so cute too," Minya looked up, her mouth smeared with ketchup. "Sister Junxi's friends are all like her, and I like them."
Shen Yunchong glanced at Junxi, his eyes filled with deep emotions.
Junxi felt embarrassed under his gaze and quickly reached for a tissue to wipe Minya's mouth. As she did so, she realized their scene was too warm and affectionate, prompting her to retract her hand hastily.
"Dad, do you think Sister Junxi looks like my mom? Don't we look like a family of three?" Minya suddenly asked Shen Yunchong with a serious expression.
Shen Yunchong was taken aback.
"President Shen."
Before Shen Yunchong could respond, footsteps approached from behind.
Junxi felt a chill run down her spine.
"Mr. Zhou. What a coincidence."
Junxi looked up to see Zhou Xuanyu standing at their table, observing the three of them in their "harmonious" moment.
"It is quite a coincidence," Zhou Xuanyu smirked, but his eyes were icy.
"Are you alone, Mr. Zhou?"
" The client just left."
"Mr. Zhou is really busy."
"Indeed, the big fish I finally hooked, President Shen, got away. If I don't put in more effort, what will happen?"
Junxi glanced at Zhou Xuanyu.
He wore a blank expression and was looking at her as well.
Junxi realized that the client who had been driven away by Zhou Ziyan had fallen into the hands of Zhongyuan Group.
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