Chapter 38: Some Things, Some People, He Can Never Understand

Ye Mo blocked Su Jiamu for Lin Jie, smiling faintly, "Oh, the person you once couldn't care less about, now you're getting so close? You should keep your distance, just like Lin Jie once kept his from you."

Just as Lin Jie had always watched her from afar.

When it came to the matter of traveling, Lin Jie didn't want to waste another word on Su Jiamu. Talking was pointless, for she never truly understood where the problem lay.

To put it bluntly, she had never once considered things from Lin Jie's perspective, nor did she care about his feelings.

The grievances that festered in Lin Jie's heart from that night? They likely never even crossed Su Jiamu's mind.

Men, after all, what's the harm in saying a few harsh words to them? Why be so sensitive and petty?

Is that what you think, Su Jiamu? Lin Jie wondered to himself.

What went on in Su Jiamu's mind, Lin Jie couldn't tell. He merely squatted by the gate of the neighborhood, absently pulling out his phone to escape the reality unfolding before him.

"I never ignored Lin Jie," Su Jiamu said, her eyes fixed on Ye Mo. She glanced at Lin Jie, hunched over his phone, and raised her voice, "Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to interfere in our business? Don't overestimate yourself. Whatever happens between him and me is none of your concern."

Ye Mo smiled serenely, "No need to rush, little sister..."

Su Jiamu interrupted, "Who's rushing?"

She truly was anxious, even if she refused to admit it. Even though Ye Mo hadn't explicitly taken a side, Su Jiamu felt utterly alone.

She cast a resentful glare at Lin Jie, unable to understand why he would stand against her, for a girl he'd barely known a short while, when he used to support her unconditionally.

When emotions spiral out of control, they reveal a heart very different from the one shown in calmer moments.

It's always someone else's fault. His fault, her fault, the world's fault... never mine.

Ye Mo caught the look in Su Jiamu's eyes, her lips curling into a mocking smile. How could Lin Jie fall for such a girl?

Unworthy. Completely unworthy.

"Whether you're anxious or not has nothing to do with me," Ye Mo said lightly. "You can see for yourself—Lin Jie has no interest in speaking to you. The wind is strong out here, why don't you go home?"

"What does it matter to you whether he talks to me or not?" Su Jiamu retorted, glaring at Ye Mo. "I live close by, just like Lin Jie. If you're done here, why don't you head home? The wind's no weaker on your side."

Ye Mo found it amusing. She strolled over to Lin Jie, still crouching by the gate, and rummaged through her pocket, eventually pulling out a pack of cigarettes and offering one to him.

Lin Jie looked momentarily surprised, then shook his head.

"I don't smoke."

"Oh, I rarely do either—just when I need one from time to time."

Ye Mo didn't mind the dirty pavement by the gate; she crouched beside Lin Jie, mimicking his posture. She placed a slim cigarette between her lips and lit it with a flick of her lighter, taking a slow, deliberate drag.

Lin Jie said nothing.

Just as with most things in life, Lin Jie never wrinkled his nose at things he disliked. He respected everyone—even when he didn't care for them.

He always claimed to be someone who saw things clearly.

But Lin Jie didn't realize that the clearest-sighted people often live the most absurd lives.

His mind drifted back to the vibrant bouquet of roses—those crimson flowers Mo Jiale and Zhao Yan had worked so hard to find for him.

He turned his head and saw Su Jiamu still standing there, her gaze lingering on the garbage bin where his roses had been discarded.

Eventually, roses became a dime a dozen, flooding the streets with cheap, empty gestures of love.

"Alright, it's getting late," Lin Jie said, dusting off his trousers as he stood. "You should go home and rest. I won't see you off."

Ye Mo rose slowly, her cigarette nearly burned down. She flicked it aside, her lips curling into a wry smile as she looked at him, "Not seeing me off, huh?"

"No," Lin Jie replied, without looking back. "She still has something to say to me."

Su Jiamu hadn't left. That meant she still had something on her mind. Otherwise, she would've walked away the moment her argument with Ye Mo began.

"What's there to talk about with her?" Ye Mo muttered softly. But then, as if a thought struck her, she broke into a mischievous grin, "Hey, Lin Jie."

"Hmm?"

"Lin Jie."

"What is it?"

"Take a picture with me?" Ye Mo tilted her head slightly, smiling as she asked, though her earlobes reddened for reasons she couldn't quite explain.

"I'm not photogenic. It won't turn out well—"

"Shut up. You're handsome, deal with it," Ye Mo interrupted.

Lin Jie chuckled and nodded.

See? The things you think are difficult aren't always so hard after all.

Ye Mo took out her phone and smiled, casting a glance at Su Jiamu, standing not far away.

Su Jiamu's face remained expressionless. She had always been beautiful, and even now, in her anger, there was a sweetness to her... except for that one night, when she had faced Lin Jie with an unfamiliar, terrifying look.

"Hey, little sister, would you mind taking a picture for us?" Ye Mo called out.

Su Jiamu stared coldly at them.

"Fine, no help then," Ye Mo shrugged. She wrapped an arm around Lin Jie's shoulders, pulling him into the frame as she clicked a quick photo, satisfied with the result.

"Alright, I'm heading home. You should get some rest too, and go to bed early," Ye Mo said, eager to admire the picture alone. She left swiftly, her heart racing, not even waiting for Lin Jie's reply.

Once Ye Mo was gone, only Lin Jie and Su Jiamu remained.

Lin Jie stepped closer to her, pausing for a moment before speaking. "It's time to go home."

"I know." Su Jiamu's voice was calmer now. She asked, "Who is she?"

"A friend I met."

"Just a friend?"

"Yes, just a friend." Lin Jie's voice was honest, for it was the truth.

But as the words left his mouth, a sense of déjà vu washed over him. Ah, yes, he had once had this exact conversation with Su Jiamu.

He had asked her who that boy was, and she had answered, "Just a friend."

"You seem to be quite good friends," Su Jiamu remarked.

"She's alright."

"You're happy, aren't you, Lin Jie?"

They walked in silence towards the building entrance, but just before reaching the stairwell, Su Jiamu suddenly chuckled and asked.

"Where do you see happiness in me?" Lin Jie replied.

"You've met such a beautiful girl—why wouldn't you be happy?"

Lin Jie turned and looked at her, "You really think I'm happy?"

"Yes, I do. You're so happy, you can be cold to me, refuse to speak up for me, not say a single word on my behalf," Su Jiamu's voice rose slightly, trembling with suppressed emotion.

Her head lowered, fists clenched, her body trembling.

Lin Jie took a few steps up the stairs, standing above her, gazing down. And in that moment, he realized something:

There are some people, some things... that he will never understand.