Shifting Tides

After sending me downstairs, Feng Suchuan put his hands in his pockets and smiled down at me, saying, "Thank you for tonight; I feel so much better now."

I smiled back and said sincerely, "Actually, it's no big deal; it's just a job."

"This time, it was Old Zhang and his company that let you down. With your abilities, you could easily change jobs or go independent. If all else fails, just walk away. Don't stress yourself too much; letting go of some responsibilities will make life easier!"

Feng Suchuan turned his head to glance into the distance, chuckled softly, and nodded lightly. "Yeah, you're right. I'll think seriously about it. Go on up, get some rest. Goodnight, little philosopher!"

I pouted and shot him a glare, waving my hand as I walked into the corridor.

Back in the apartment, the living room lights were on, while Liu Ni Yi's bedroom remained dark. Just as I was about to tiptoe to the bathroom, He Zifei walked out of his room. Upon seeing me, he rubbed his forehead and said tiredly, "Why are you back so late?"

I followed him to the sofa and sat down. "Were you waiting for me?"

He Zifei nodded, turning to look at me. In just a few days, he seemed to have lost a lot of vitality. After clearing his throat, he asked, "Is Ni Yi really going back to marry Huang Xiaoshuai?"

I paused for a moment and nodded gently. "She said Xiaoshuai's grandfather is ill with cancer, and they hope to get married soon."

"What about me?" He Zifei exclaimed, grasping my arm with agitation, his voice trembling. "How can she be so cruel? While I was happily planning our future, she is actually going to marry someone else. Xia Tian, I had everything planned—when to buy a house, when to propose. She was supposed to be in my life for the next several decades. How can you expect me to accept this?"

After saying that, He Zifei's eyes turned red as he leaned away to look out the window. I felt deeply sad; how could I not know how much pain he was in? But how could I comfort him? What could I say? The world of love never accommodates three people. Since Liu Ni Yi chose Huang Xiaoshuai, He Zifei, no matter how infatuated or deeply he loved her, would undoubtedly be hurt.

I simply watched over her quietly, hoping for a chance to be together when the time was right. But all along, the person beside her was not me. I was just a spectator of her life while she soared freely in her own world.

He paused for a moment, taking a drag from his cigarette, his eyes still fixed on the stars above. "Sometimes I think back to that day and wonder if I had been more assertive, would things have turned out differently? But what good would that do now? The heart does not always follow logic."

I glanced at him, my thoughts a jumble. "You can't keep holding onto what might have been. Life keeps moving forward, and so must you."

He turned to me, his expression a mixture of sorrow and determination. "You're right; I know that. But letting go is harder than it seems."

Memories cling like shadows, no matter how much I try to shake them off.

As the night deepened, we stood side by side under the stillness of the dark sky, each lost in our own thoughts. The weight of unfulfilled dreams lingered in the air, reminding us of life's fragility and how easily it could slip away.

"It wasn't that I didn't dare, but that I couldn't bear to, because I understand how important first love is to all of you. I was always waiting for her to find the courage to face her feelings, but clearly, she hasn't. She would rather deceive herself for a lifetime than confront the fact that her heart has long since changed. Xia Tian, she is even more foolish than you!"

Although I already knew that Liu Ni Yi had fallen for He Zifei, I never imagined it had happened four years ago. I looked at the lonely man before me, feeling a mix of emotions—moved, yet genuinely happy for my friend; she was fortunate to have met someone who truly cares for and loves her. I thought that even if this led to a falling out, I would never let her return to marry Huang Xiaoshuai!

"What do you plan to do then?" I asked.

He Zifei forced a bitter smile. "What can I do? If she insists on marrying someone else, I can only go and snatch the bride. I can't just wait for her to get divorced!"

I laughed through my tears and playfully punched him on the shoulder. "Are you going to step on a rainbow too?"

He Zifei swayed slightly, laughing as he gazed into the distance, choosing not to reply.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, and perhaps it heard this man's most heartfelt confession. If Chang'e was really up there, would she be moved to tears like I was? I think so; this kind of love is indeed enviable. Compared to them, my own situation feels tragically bleak, and the little warmth left in my heart has completely faded away!

The next day, the most talked-about topic on MSN was the comparison between the two newly appointed vice presidents. Overall, everyone favored Feng Suchuan; after all, his competence and decisiveness were evident to all. As for Wen Xicheng, while some dissenting voices suggested that he had leveraged women to rise to power, the majority were gossiping about his handsome looks and high-end fashion sense. It seemed that no one was paying attention to his work skills.

Before the end of the workday, Song Ying messaged me on MSN, mentioning that Wen Xicheng was treating colleagues from the engineering department to dinner and inquired whether our department would be participating. I was taken aback for a moment before grasping the implication. It's common for new officials to seek to win people over, but I didn't expect Wen Xicheng to engage in this as well.

I went in to find Feng Suchuan; he was on the phone and gestured for me to sit down first.

After hanging up, he asked, "Do you need something?" 

I nodded and replied, "The design department and the engineering department are having a dinner tonight and wanted to know if we should join." 

Feng Suchuan paused for a moment, then smiled and looked at me, "Do you want to go?" 

I scratched my head, "I don't want to, but wouldn't it seem petty if we don't attend?" 

He took out a cigarette and lit it, chuckling softly, "Then just go; if there's food, drinks, and fun, why not?" 

I felt awkward and rubbed my nose. "Aren't you worried it might be embarrassing?" 

He raised an eyebrow at me, "What's embarrassing about it? In a few days, I'll be treating as well and will invite both the design and engineering departments together; it'll be lively." 

I stared at him for a moment, realizing that the naive Wen couldn't possibly compete with this scheming man, and nodded in agreement.

The dinner that evening was held at the most luxurious hotel in the city, with three tables set up.

I glanced at the menu and estimated that each table, excluding drinks, would cost at least ten thousand yuan. From the surprise and amazement on everyone's faces as they arrived, I realized that Wen Xicheng had made a grand entrance. Regardless of how the evening would unfold, the sheer scale of the gathering was impressive enough to capture everyone's attention.

As the seating began, drinkers and non-drinkers were separated. I was just about to head to the non-drinkers' table when the engineering manager called out, "Xia Tian, where are you going? This way, next to your boss. We're drinking baijiu tonight; you have to help him with the drinks!"

I turned to look at Feng Suchuan, who was holding a teacup and smiling slightly. Noticing my indecision, he lifted the corners of his lips and waved at me.

I shot him a secretly annoyed glance before resigning myself to the situation and walking over to sit beside him.

When Wen Xicheng walked in and scanned the entire room, he expressionlessly approached me. I looked up at him, confusion evident on my face.

"Is anyone sitting here?" he asked, standing beside me with his hands in his pockets, his tall frame slightly bent forward as he frowned.

I swallowed and shook my head.

Wen Xicheng nodded and calmly took a seat, removing his suit jacket and draping it over the chair. After loosening a couple of buttons at his collar, I couldn't help but notice his Adam's apple moving up and down, causing my heart to sink.

I glanced at Feng Suchuan; he was sipping his tea, looking completely unperturbed.

I sat up straight, quietly arranging my napkin, feeling as though I was attending a feast of embarrassment.

As the meal commenced, Wen Xicheng stood up with a wine glass in hand, wearing a warm smile. He lowered his head slightly and spoke slowly, "I'm very happy to be here with all of you today. Over the past six months at the company, I've truly enjoyed working with everyone and have received a lot of support."

"I hope to earn your recognition in my future work."

"I don't care about the title of vice president, but I'm grateful for this opportunity to prove my abilities." At this point, he casually glanced my way and gently tapped the glass on the table. "Cheers!"

Everyone stood up, holding their glasses and clinking them together on the table. Just as I raised my glass, Wen Xicheng turned to clink glasses with me, offered a slight smile, and downed the entire glass of baijiu in one go.

I lowered my head, taking a sip before placing my cup down, feeling a slight knot in my throat.

For the remainder of the event, I didn't look at Wen Xicheng again; soon, the male colleagues surrounded him, taking turns to toast. He accepted every toast and barely touched his food, quickly growing chummy with the engineering department staff.

I quietly ate while keeping my gaze downward, and Feng Suchuan also drank quite a bit. I occasionally added food to his plate, and he obediently ate it. Observing his unchanging expression, I couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Feng Suchuan couldn't drink baijiu; he simply doesn't usually drink. His tolerance for alcohol is indeed impressive; no matter how much he consumes, he remains unfazed.

I was starting to feel a bit full and was about to get up when I saw Feng Suchuan stand up with a wine glass. "Wen Zong, I toast to you!" he said, grinning as he looked over my head at Wen Xicheng.

I was taken aback and turned to look at Wen Xicheng, unsure of how much he had already drunk; his face looked awful, pale to the point of being unrecognizable.

He smiled slightly and stood up, raising his glass, "Thank you!"

The two men tipped their heads back and downed their drinks while I stood in between, overwhelmed by their spirited exchange!

After Wen Xicheng finished drinking and sat down, I could see a cold sweat trickling down his cheek. Just as I hesitated about whether to express concern, Feng Suchuan tugged at my arm.

I turned. "What's up?"

He rubbed his forehead and exhaled softly, "Get me a glass of hot water." 

I winked at him and laughed, "Have you been drinking too much?" 

Feng Suchuan nodded, loosening his tie and looking unwell as he held his forehead. I stood up and noticed that Wen Xicheng was already drinking heavily with the engineering colleagues again. The forced smile on his face looked particularly glaring, yet it felt so familiar. As I walked out of the private room, I realized that the familiarity stemmed from Feng Suchuan's most common expression—that soulless smile. 

Upon returning with two cups of hot water, I found Feng Suchuan drinking with Wen Xicheng again, and the smiles on both men's faces were strikingly similar. Yet, for some reason, I really disliked the way Wen Xicheng smiled—very much!

After dinner, everyone went to the largest nightclub in the city and ordered a luxurious private room. I watched as the waiter brought in the foreign liquor, unable to suppress my amazement. This aspect of Wen Xicheng had not changed at all; he spent money without a second thought. I pouted and found a corner to sit down, thinking to myself what can you do when someone is rich?

It seemed that Feng Suchuan really couldn't handle baijiu. Once in the private room, he slumped onto the sofa, appearing wilted. He wasn't drinking at all, just reclining against the cushion with his eyes closed, resting, while Wen Xicheng was pulled by several engineers to play dice, continuing to down glass after glass of foreign liquor. I began to wonder if he had developed some special ability during his years in America; could the liquor he consumed somehow be magically expelled from his body? Otherwise, aside from his pale complexion, how could he not show any signs of intoxication?

I went out to have the waiter heat up a few drinks, placed some on the table, then poured a cup and sat down next to Feng Suchuan. "Here, drink something warm, alright? Are you feeling dizzy?" I said, tugging at his sleeve.

Feng Suchuan opened his eyes and turned his head to face me, his gaze hazy and tinged with faint pain. He let out a soft breath, sat up, and took the cup from my hand. "Yeah, my head is really dizzy, and my heart is racing."

Noticing the way his fingers tightly gripped the cup, I grew worried as I checked his complexion, which appeared somewhat pale. "How about we leave early? I can take you home." He shook his head and slowly sipped the drink. After finishing nearly half a cup, he smiled and said, "It's fine, I just need to take a break."

I helped him refill the cup, frowning. "Do you have heart issues? Why didn't I know about this before?" He shrugged and replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing serious; I just occasionally get palpitations, and I'm especially sensitive to baijiu." 

"Then you should have let me help you avoid drinking! You know I'm good at handling baijiu." He scoffed lightly, looking at me with playful eyes, "Let you avoid drinking? I'm afraid our Vice President Wen would flip the table!" 

I lightly punched him and glared, "Don't make fun of me; I haven't fully recovered yet."

Feng Suchuan chuckled softly and didn't argue. Seeing him a bit listless, I took the cup from his hand and said gently, "Why don't you rest a bit longer? They still don't know how late they'll party." Feng Suchuan nodded and leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes again.

The dim lights in the private room cast a gentle glow on his face, creating a soft halo around him. Looking at his weary features, my heart ached with bitterness. This man truly devoted his most precious youth to the company, only to end up like this. I didn't want to label him as pathetic, yet I struggled to find the right words to articulate my sorrow and anger!

I set down the cup and unconsciously glanced across the room. A few engineers were still playing dice, but Wen Xicheng's figure had vanished. Gripping a Lulu in my hand, I hesitated for a moment before getting up and walking out.

I waited for a while in the hallway by the bathroom, but I didn't see him come out. After a moment of contemplation, I took out my phone and dialed Wen Xicheng's number, but it went unanswered, and I didn't hear any ringing from the bathroom either.

I pocketed my phone, scanned my surroundings, and walked toward the south balcony of the hall.

As soon as I stepped outside, a cold wind rushed at me. I tightened my coat and turned to see a figure disappearing into the shadows at the far end of the balcony. Taking a deep breath, I walked over.

Wen Xicheng had one arm resting on the railing, bent over with his forehead pressed against it, while the other arm was wrapped tightly around his chest. He was wearing only a black turtleneck sweater, and in the moonlight, his hunched back appeared particularly thin. I wasn't sure if he was genuinely uncomfortable; even as I approached, he didn't notice me. I stood silently for a moment before gently speaking up, "What's wrong?"

The man's frail figure stiffened for an instant, and after a moment, he slowly turned to look at me, still hunched over. His arm, previously clutched against his chest, lifted slightly, fingers gripping the railing tightly. His face, illuminated by the cold moonlight, was cast in a gray hue, appearing frighteningly pale. Sweat beaded on his forehead, heavy and slowly dripping down his cheeks. His beautiful black eyes, rimmed with crimson, lacked the tenderness I was accustomed to; only sadness and pain lingered.

He remained silent, simply gazing at me. I struggled to find a suitable expression to meet the intensity of his gaze. Hurriedly, I extended the warm drink I was holding toward him, avoiding his eyes, and said, "It's still warm; you should drink a bit."

Wen Xicheng didn't take it, slowly turning his head away to look off into the distance.

In the still air, I could hear his heavy breathing, quietly pounding against my eardrum, causing a slight sting.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Did you come out specifically to find me?" 

I looked at him; his jaw was clenched tightly, and the contours of his face revealed a sense of loneliness. 

When he pressed his lips together and a hint of pain flickered across his face, I gently sighed and tugged at his arm, saying, "Don't stay out here getting blown by the wind. Let's go back." 

Wen Xicheng didn't respond and unexpectedly took my hand directly. I pulled back slightly, but his grip tightened. 

"Don't do this," I said, meeting his gaze. 

He turned his head, his eyes trembling slightly as he gritted his teeth. "Don't do what? Are you really concerned about me? You haven't looked at me properly all night. Do you truly care if I'm getting cold out here or if I'm feeling bad?" 

His voice was hoarse, filled with sadness and a sense of grievance. 

I gave up resisting, turned to gaze at the distant starry sky, and after a moment of silence, calmly said, "Then what do you want me to do? Is what I mentioned not clear enough? I don't love you anymore, and this time I won't deceive myself into thinking we can still be brothers. I know you can't do that, and it still makes me sad to see you like this, but that's all there is to it. If you think you'd rather I not pay any attention to you, I can do that!" 

The surrounding air was still, and I could barely hear any breathing sounds. I didn't turn my head until my hand was slowly released. 

"What could make you fall in love with me again? Do you like someone like Feng Suchuan? I have the skills for work; I can learn to be worldly and shrewd. I already know how to hide my true emotions; just tell me what I'm lacking, and I can definitely do it!" His voice was low and soft, calm without a hint of ripples, yet it stirred waves in my ears. 

I turned my head, but he wasn't looking at me.

His hands rested against the railing as he gazed up at the pitch-black night sky, his expression blank, and his trembling eyes mirrored the darkness above, overflowing with sorrow.

I looked at his profile and said sincerely, "Don't learn from him. I've never liked men who are enigmatic. You should know better than anyone what kind of person I like. Xi Cheng, can we accept reality? We really can't go back." After I spoke, Wen Xicheng's lips slowly curled into a sarcastic smile. He then turned to face me, his eyes sparkling with a veil of moisture. "If that's the case, then why did you treat me so well back then, giving me warmth I'll never forget? I've already explained what happened during those four years. I longed for your love so much; if there had been even the slightest chance, I would never have been gone for so long!"

I met his gaze, lowered my eyelids for a moment, and replied with a smile, "Because back then, the boy I loved only had eyes for me, would only smile gently at me, would only look at me with adoration, and when he was hurt, he would only seek my comfort, relying entirely on me, making me feel like I was his entire world." After hearing my words, Wen Xicheng was momentarily stunned. After swallowing a couple of times, he looked at me with deep affection and said, "It's still like that now!"

I took a deep breath, looking at him, shaking my head. The smile gradually deepened, yet my vision slowly blurred. "It's not like that anymore. The moment you began deceiving me and hiding things from me, it changed. I've never dared to imagine how you endured those four years. You were so sensitive and fragile. Your beloved grandfather was seriously ill; I can't begin to fathom the pain you were in, yet you kept it from me and allowed other women to share that burden with you. Xi Cheng, don't say you have never betrayed our love."

This is the deepest betrayal I've ever experienced.

I know I can be selfish, and I cannot bear to see you relying on other women, smiling softly at them, gazing at them with such loving eyes. I simply cannot accept it. You once claimed that you could never forget the warmth I gave you, but if that warmth can also be shared with someone else, then I am no longer your one and only. I envy Amy; she matches you in status and can offer you so much more. At the same time, I am grateful to her for being by your side, caring for you through your most painful and desperate moments. Four years have passed, and I have become so worldly and jaded, yet you still hold onto that innocence. It's clear she truly cares for you. So, let it go. Use the heart that once embraced me to welcome her. She loves you deeply; I refuse to believe you are unaware of this. Since you have not rejected her for four years, you might as well accept it. I assure you, starting a new relationship is far simpler than trying to piece together a shattered mirror!

As I gazed at the bright moon, tears fell one by one. Finally expressing these words left me with a sense of relief. When a cool touch brushed against my cheek, I heard the incredibly gentle voice of the man beside me: "It's not like that. Amy has been kind to me; I am simply grateful to her and have never compared her to you. I haven't relied on her. The warmth that has sustained me over these four years comes solely from the memories you left behind, Xia Tian. Please give me another chance; no matter how long it takes, I will wait!"

I shook my head vigorously, tears streaming down my face. I grabbed his hand, moving it away from my cheek, and looked up at him, saying, "It's too late, Xi Cheng. Love has truly vanished. I no longer have the courage to touch that empty space in my heart. Whatever you say or do now is in vain. You once told me you didn't want me to wait for you a lifetime. Now, I return that sentiment to you."

"I just want to live a little more easily!"

The man in front of me instantly froze, remaining unresponsive for a long time. I kept my head down, not daring to look at his expression. Until a gentle breeze brushed by, causing me to shiver, and I finally heard a faint voice from above: "It's windy; let's go back." 

I looked up to see Wen Xicheng's face pale, though there was little pain in his expression, just his eyes were slightly reddened. I couldn't fathom what he was thinking, so I simply continued to gaze at him quietly. After a few seconds of locking eyes with me, he revealed a gentle smile, devoid of sadness — a pure smile reminiscent of the boy who had stood under the dormitory building, waving his arms at me, full of affection and attachment. He softly took my hand and led me toward the lobby. 

I stared blankly at our intertwined fingers, forgetting to resist. Before entering, he turned to me and softly said, "A few days ago, I came across a saying online that I thought was quite good." 

I looked up, a bit dazed, and asked, "What saying?" He smiled, warmth radiating from his eyes, "I love you; it has nothing to do with you!" 

The gentle and handsome prince has returned. Since that night, Wen Xicheng's face has regained the polite and gentle smile he had when he first joined the company, as if nothing had happened during those months. He is kind to everyone, and the gossiping female colleagues say he has become more charming since being promoted to vice president. 

Every afternoon, the pastries for afternoon tea sent from various hotels across the city leave me unsure of how to face Wen Xicheng. Before long, the company was abuzz with rumors about my mysterious boyfriend, rich and considerate, which left me speechless, opting not to respond at all. I distributed everything that was sent to others; once, Song Ying came to find me... I casually picked it up, and then she messaged me on MSN, "Our boss just stared at that blueberry cake for a long time." 

"Does he like to eat this?"

I smiled and didn't respond. "I love you; it has nothing to do with you." I remember hearing this phrase a long time ago; it was quite popular online back then. Yet, there was another phrase that accompanied it: "You love me; it has nothing to do with me!" My love for Wen Xicheng didn't fade away because of his abandonment in the past, and of course, it wouldn't reignite now simply because of his kindness.

Feng Suchuan had been feeling under the weather from the baijiu he had consumed, and he hosted our colleagues only two weeks later. When I went to inform the design department, Wen Xicheng was discussing the Shanghai project plan with an engineer. "Tomorrow night, our boss is treating, and I will email everyone the location before I leave work," I announced. Everyone nodded excitedly, and Wen Xicheng glanced my way before looking down and saying, "I'm not free tomorrow; please tell General Feng I'm sorry." Surprised, I looked over, but he simply smiled and elegantly turned back toward the office. 

Song Ying rushed over and pinched my arm, "What's wrong with him?" I pressed my lips together and shook my head, standing still for a moment before following him inside. 

"Why aren't you going tomorrow? He attended when you hosted," I said softly, gazing at his tall figure as he stood with his back to me in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. Wen Xicheng turned to face me, the afternoon sunlight creating a faint halo around his face, and combined with his gentle smile, he appeared almost dazzling. "I don't like seeing you sitting next to him, helping him select food," he said with an honest shrug. 

For a moment, I was taken aback; my expression darkened, and I turned to leave. "Hey!" He called out before I could step out. I turned back to face him, my expression blank. "What?" The man by the window approached, enveloped in a layer of golden light, hands in his pants pockets. He pursed his lips and said, "If you want me to go, I'll go!"

I glared at him fiercely. "Boring!" I exclaimed before opening the door to leave.

As I stepped out of the design department's office, I glanced back. Across the bright glass partition, the man stood tall, a faint smile playing on his lips as he gazed at me with unmasked affection. I quickly lowered my head and exited, feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

Though Wen Xicheng remained gentle, his demeanor weighed heavily on me. He no longer hid his feelings; that profoundly loving look almost made me wish to vanish. I realized that no matter how I acted, he remained unfazed. Just as he had said, he had truly reached the point of "He loves me, and it has nothing to do with me," but I couldn't conjure the sentiment of "You love me, and it has nothing to do with me!" Thus, in every encounter, I inevitably fled in embarrassment.

Back in the office, I reflected on when I lost control of my relationship with Wen Xicheng. When did that boy, who once became sad from a mere glance from my father, become so powerful? 

Friday unfolded like any other, filled with eating, drinking, and playing. By the time it ended, it was already past eleven. After leaving the KTV, Feng Suchuan wanted to walk off the alcohol, so I accompanied him as we strolled slowly down the street.

I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but I sensed that his mood was low, almost as if he bore a heavy heart.

"Are you unhappy?" I turned to ask him.

As expected, he shook his head and offered a smile.

I sighed. "If you don't feel like smiling, then don't. You don't have to pretend in front of me. Even if you give me a cold stare, I'll still follow you wholeheartedly."

Feng Suchuan paused for a moment, glanced at me, and then smiled again, this time with an air of fatigue. Then he said, "Have you heard that the Shanghai branch is establishing a contract department?"

I was taken aback and widened my eyes. "Is that true?"

Feng Suchuan stared into the distance, his expression inscrutable, the depths of his dark eyes filled with emotions I couldn't decipher.

He nodded slightly. "They have been planning for some time."

I frowned tightly. "How could Old Zhang possibly agree? Fifty percent of the company's projects are managed by the Shanghai branch. If they establish a contract department, won't we just become ornaments?"

Feng Suchuan remained silent, his eyes flickering slightly.

Suddenly, a thought struck me and I paused to look at him. "So, the new project they're taking on, do they plan to handle it themselves?"

Feng Suchuan smiled with pursed lips, a hint of bitterness evident, and nodded gently. "They're using this project to negotiate with Old Zhang."

"What will you do? Even though they took the project, you were responsible for all the bids. Now that they have won, do they want to pull the rug out from under you? That's too unfair!" I said, somewhat angrily and in a low voice.

Feng Suchuan remained silent. He reached up to rub my head, then turned to hold my shoulder, half-embracing me as we walked forward. It was a long time before he spoke slowly. "There's really nothing completely fair in this society. I'm used to it; just a bit disappointed in Old Zhang, that's all."

I turned to look at him. The man in front of me still wore a faint smile, but I could see endless pain in his eyes. I didn't know what to say to comfort him, feeling that anything I said would be superfluous at that moment. I had never guessed his thoughts but could always sense his inner pain. I glanced at his hand resting on my shoulder, thought for a moment, then placed my hand on top of it, giving it a gentle squeeze and saying, "Don't be sad."

Feng Suchuan looked down at me, smiled as if he sighed, then grasped my hand back, softly saying, "You're such a kind, silly girl."

I didn't speak, but as I lowered my head, my eyes turned red.

I didn't pull my hand away from his grip because I believed he would understand my thoughts.

A deep sadness welled up within me for him, a desire to offer comfort and to let him know that even if the entire world conspired against him, I wouldn't.

When he dropped me off at the entrance of the apartment building, Feng Suchuan finally released my hand. There was no trace of awkwardness on his face, only a calm demeanor as he smiled and ruffled my hair, wishing me goodnight before turning to leave. I watched him gradually fade into the night.

The phrase "free lunch" echoed several times, attempting to convey the underlying message. However, the mood remained somber.

"Why should we work for them? Why not push for a budget?" a young girl exclaimed with excitement. 

"I think we can report this issue to our superiors," another person added. 

"I understand your feelings, but the current situation doesn't allow us to be overly assertive," I said. 

Everyone fell silent. In that dismal atmosphere, I realized this was a matter that needed to be addressed.