Campus Ace Girl

Chu Yan didn’t want to say those things anymore and spoke softly, "Isn’t there a problem with the computer? I have other things to do later."

Chu Ci didn’t make things difficult for her again and pointed out the problem with the computer.

The issue was quite significant, a company-wide paralysis. Chu Yan opened the computer using another receiver, and as data flashed across the screen, she quietly said, "It’s been hacked."

Chu Ci stood beside her, "How long will it take?"

Chu Yan thought for a moment, "Two hours."

Then she added, "Two million as a reward."

Chu Ci smiled, took out a cigarette, and put it between his lips, then stood aside smoking.

Chu Yan knew he had agreed, so she continued working. Her fingers were long and beautiful, very fair, unlike before when her fingertips always had a baby-like roundness, which was now completely gone.

While Chu Ci smoked and watched her, he suddenly asked, "Do you really love him?"

Chu Yan didn’t stop what she was doing, just said quietly, "I’m here to work."

"But I want to reminisce with you." he whispered.

He had to admit she had become a mature woman, no longer the little girl from before, so he also treated her differently, as a woman.

Chu Yan paused for a moment, "Wait until I’m done."

She thought, she always had to make things clear to him.

Her skills were indeed excellent, she quickly finished her work, and the company returned to normal operation.

Secretary Yin came to confirm everything was okay and asked him to attend a meeting. Chu Ci sat at his desk writing a check, not looking up, "Postpone the meeting until tomorrow."

Secretary Yin paused for a moment, then realized something and smiled, agreeing before leaving.

Chu Ci continued to fill out the check, tore it off after the last stroke, and placed it in Chu Yan’s palm, "Is the company doing well?"

Chu Yan looked at the check, "It’s just starting. But there’s no rush."

He knew she was always making money, having quite a lot before, so she wouldn’t worry about livelihood, and starting a company was probably just a hobby.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked her, "The card I gave you before, why haven’t you used it?"

Chu Yan slowly put the check into her bag, smiling softly, "Couldn’t find a reason."

Even calling him brother was difficult, how could she use his money?

Chu Yan smiled bitterly, recalling the cup of tea at the Chu Family a few years ago...

Chu Ci looked deeply at her, guessing she wasn’t in a good mood and stood up, "Let’s have a meal together."

Although they would have dinner together tomorrow night, it was different.

Chu Yan hesitated for a moment.

Chu Ci quietly waited for her. After a long time, he asked, "Is Bai Xun not agreeing? Or are you afraid he won’t be happy?"

Chu Yan simply said, "Let’s go."

Chu Ci wanted to ask if she needed to explain, but felt the words were too sour and didn’t say it.

They silently went downstairs, and Chu Ci opened the car door, "Get in the car."

Chu Yan shook her head, "I drove myself here."

After saying that, she walked to his window, "At the same restaurant where you saw me last time, right?"

Chu Ci locked his gaze on her for a long time, then smiled.

He drove off first, and Chu Yan watched for a while before getting into her car.

Once in the car, she put her things down and dialed Bai Xun’s number.

He was finally resting, sleeping at home, and answered the phone with a bit of a temper.

Chu Yan spoke softly, "I’m having dinner outside, might come back a bit late."

Bai Xun’s temper immediately vanished, he sat up, scratching his head, "With whom?"

"Chu Ci," Chu Yan said calmly, "Your company’s computer malfunctioned, I took the job."

Her mention of "your company" indicated she knew a lot, and Bai Xun was left speechless.

Chu Yan softly asked, "Why aren’t you saying anything, not asking me anything?"

He replied sullenly, "What should I do about dinner?"

His words carried a slight tone of sulking.

Chu Yan laughed, willing to tease him at this moment, "I’ll eat a little less, come back and eat with you, okay?"

He finally seemed satisfied, "I’ll sleep a bit more, and then go pick you up, send me the address."

"No need, I drove."

Bai Xun thought for a moment, "Then I’ll take a taxi over."

He insisted, not to spy on anything, just felt that after a busy day, she might be tired dealing with Chu Ci, simply wanting to be good to her when he had the time.

Chu Yan responded with an "Mm" and sent him the address.

Bai Xun looked at the location, laid back down...

But he couldn’t sleep again, just watched the time.

It was only five o’clock. Even with a casual meal, it would be around eight... The more he thought, the more he couldn’t sleep. He got up, took a shower, changed into clean, fresh clothes, put on sunglasses, and drove to that restaurant.

When he arrived, he didn’t get out of the car, just sat in it waiting.

Inside the restaurant, Chu Ci arrived first and ordered. Naturally, he knew what Chu Yan usually ate. When Chu Yan arrived, the dishes were already served.

The table was in a corner, quite private, their conversation wouldn’t be disturbed.

Chu Yan sat down, without avoiding him, slowly finished half a glass of water.

Chu Ci kept staring at her.

He noticed her behavior was very different from before, not just about growing up, her manner had become calm and steady.

The former Chu Yan was fiery, unmistakably a kid growing up in a honey jar. But the current her... completely unlike her past self, even her appearance had changed.

Yet, he still yearned for her.

Since she’s returned, they’ve met several times, but he never had the chance to even hold her hand.

Chu Ci exhaled a long breath, "Let’s eat first."

When he said eat, Chu Yan really just ate, as if it was just a typical reunion after a long time.

She ate, but Chu Ci barely moved his fork, spending the majority of the time watching her eat.

After a long time, he masochistically asked her again, "Do you love him, or did you just need a boyfriend to come back?"

Chu Yan served herself a bowl of soup, "Do you really want to know?"

Chu Ci didn’t respond. If possible, he would have liked to smoke a cigarette right then.

Chu Yan was quite honest, "I like him. As for love... who knows until the end?"

"Then what about him?" Chu Ci pressed on, "Are you two serious?"

Chu Yan gave a faint smile, "I think so."

"We," she said softly, "are living together to see if it works out, planning to marry if we get along."

Chu Ci’s fingers tightened, veins on his forehead almost bulging out, yet he had to suppress it because he didn’t want to scare her; she had barely agreed to have this meal peacefully with him.

He didn’t say much else, just served her more food, "Eat more, it’s been years since you ate Beicheng’s food."

Chu Yan ate quietly, and shortly after, they lazily exchanged a few words.

Eventually, when they had nothing much left to talk about, she quietly said, "I’m heading back."

Chu Ci sat there, "Stay a bit longer."

After this, who knew when they could dine together again... His feelings were mixed, wavering between letting go and holding on.

His father encouraged him to pursue his happiness, but how could he let go?

What he feared wasn’t hurting his mother, but if he were truly with Chu Yan one day and faced the same choice, would he abandon her once more?

Chu Ci really wasn’t sure.

It wasn’t that he didn’t love her, but there were many things beyond his control.

When he said to stay longer, Chu Yan refused this time. She stood up, "Bai Xun is waiting for me."

Though they hadn’t contacted by phone, she knew he must have arrived.

Chu Ci snapped out of it, stood up, and followed her outside, leaving a thousand yuan at the front desk.

In the parking lot, Bai Xun saw Chu Yan coming out and immediately jumped out of the car, "Finished eating?"

Chu Yan nodded, "I’m quite full. What now?"

Bai Xun pulled her over and pinched her face with both hands, then stretched it... Chu Yan cried out in pain, reaching up to swat his hands away, "So cruel!"

"I waited two hours for you." Bai Xun complained.

Chu Yan tossed her bag onto his car, then helplessly said, "Didn’t I say eight?"

"Couldn’t wait any longer." He stubbornly held her, "Afraid you’d run off with someone else."

Chu Yan sighed, "It’s just a meal." — I’ve said everything that needed to be said.

Bai Xun discontentedly said, "You’ll have to make me some egg noodles as compensation when we get back."

He touched his stomach and said pitifully, "I haven’t eaten all day."

Chu Yan was utterly exasperated, pushing him into the car and taking the driver’s seat herself.

She turned her head, "Did you bring sugar?"

Bai Xun always had a bit of low blood sugar, so he obediently took out one from the console, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth, then shut his car door.

Actually, he caught sight of Chu Ci from the corner of his eye, but he pretended not to see.

Just kidding, if he acknowledges seeing him, they’ll probably have to spend another two hours having dinner...

Throughout the drive, Chu Yan didn’t say much, and Bai Xun couldn’t help but speak up, "You’re the one having dinner with someone else, and now you’re showing me attitude for some reason?"

Chu Yan focused on driving and after a while, she softly said, "You clearly can take good care of yourself, and even of me, but you’re deliberately making it seem like you’re not taking care just to stay on my mind, aren’t you?"

Bai Xun puffed up his chest proudly, "Young men are like that."

Chu Yan gave him a look and said nothing more.

When they got back, he was unsure whether she was angry or not, but she did make him egg noodles.

Bai Xun couldn’t help but come over to watch, and Chu Yan cracked an egg into the pot, saying softly, "Wait in the dining room, it’ll be ready soon. Have some fruit first."

Bai Xun didn’t leave, instead he hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, "Are you angry?"

"No." Chu Yan turned to look at him, "What about you, are you angry?"

"A little bit." He moved forward, held her face, and lowered his head to kiss her, "A bit sour."

Chu Yan held his waist, "Are you sure you want to do this? The noodles will be ready soon."

He gently pressed her against the counter, his voice hoarse beyond belief, "Actually, your cooking skills aren’t as good as mine."

After saying that, he lowered his head to kiss her.

He had never been this out of control before; their feelings were always subtly restrained, never intense, like they were probing each other’s boundaries so that either could retreat without hurting the other. But now he wasn’t sure if that should continue, only knowing that every time she met up with Chu Ci, he lost his composure.

This kiss lasted from the kitchen all the way to the living room sofa...

After a long, long time, he finally let her go.

Chu Yan rested her chin on his shoulder, "In a bit, make your own bowl of noodles, I won’t indulge you unconditionally."

Bai Xun gave her a light kiss, returning to his usual lively self, "Alright, I’ve already gotten the benefits anyway."

He got up and went to the bathroom.

Chu Yan adjusted her clothes, and when he came out, she went to the kitchen to turn off the stove.

The noodles were naturally burnt.

He threw them away and boiled another batch, also making her a beautiful fruit platter, which surprised Chu Yan.

His fruit platter was truly skillfully done.

Bai Xun was quite pleased with himself, eating noodles while saying, "I’m going to be a stay-at-home husband in the future."

Chu Yan just laughed.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t bad.

After he finished eating, she washed the dishes, and they sat together watching TV. Suddenly, Bai Xun pulled something out of his pocket, surprising Chu Yan, and she was even more surprised upon seeing it.

It was a savings account book.

Nowadays, hardly anyone uses these; Bai Xun was old-fashioned like an old man.

Bai Xun lounged lazily on the sofa, "Too lazy to manage it, I just save all the money."

He looked up at her and then said, "This is all my savings for you, keep it safe."

Chu Yan checked it, over 300 million; with his popularity, this was probably all he had.

All given to her.

"What, don’t dare to accept?" Bai Xun pinched her cheek, "Didn’t we agree to get married?"

He continued, "Anyway, I’m not planning on spending energy finding another woman to date, and it seems pretty difficult to find a girl willing to wash dishes."

Chu Yan snorted softly, "What’s wrong with you!"

Bai Xun hugged her legs, resting his head as he casually watched TV and said, "I don’t have many dreams; entering the entertainment industry was just because the girls liked me, and also to make money. Now that I’ve achieved both, I wouldn’t mind retiring."

His enthusiasm grew, his large hands not so properly placed on her waist, "Why don’t we make a baby, and I’ll just stay home on parental leave?"

Chu Yan:...

Her expression was hard to describe.

They hadn’t reached that point, where would a baby come from?

But seeing his earnest expression of wanting to try, she thought she might as well not provoke him...

That night passed safely, as if neither had the impulse to break through the final layer.

Or maybe, she was waiting for him, and he for her decision.

*

Meanwhile, Chu Ci stood at the restaurant entrance, watching Chu Yan drive away.

He saw Bai Xun.

Chu Ci knew Bai Xun wasn’t in good health, but he didn’t expect Bai Xun to pick up Chu Yan, nor that Chu Yan would be the one driving, yet it seemed they were used to it.

Chu Ci frowned, sensing things weren’t simple.

He quietly watched and after a while took out his phone to make a call, "Find out what happened during Bai Xun’s treatment in England a few years ago, whose bone marrow was donated! And why did he enter the entertainment industry."

After finishing the call, he hung up and sat alone in the car for a long time, smoking nearly a pack. Finally, the call came.

Chu Ci picked it up.

The voice on the other end was emotionless, "Bai Xun went to England for a bone marrow transplant, the donor was Chu Yan, Chinese."

Chu Ci closed his eyes, clenching his hands.

It was exactly as he guessed.

After a while, the person on the other end hesitated before saying, "Four years ago, Bai Xun entered the entertainment industry aiming to date girls."

Chu Ci cursed, then asked, "Did he have girlfriends?"

The person replied, "No. Chu Yan is his first love."

"Got it." Chu Ci hung up, exhaling deeply.

He had pretty much figured it out.

Bai Xun entered the industry for Chu Yan, he got ill and matched with Chu Yan... was it really a match?

Did Bai Xun use tactics?

Chu Ci’s heart was filled with anger, he smoked a few more cigarettes to calm down before driving back, not to the mansion but to the apartment he once shared with Chu Yan.

The place was still there, cleaned by someone all these years.

It had been sold by his mother, but after considerable effort, he bought it back.

Returning to the apartment, he lay on the sofa after taking off his jacket, wanting only to quietly lay there...

He didn’t know how much time had passed when Mrs. Chu called, her voice gentle, "Chu Ci, weren’t you supposed to come home tonight?"

Not in a good mood, Chu Ci replied flatly, "Working late."

Mrs. Chu was very considerate, "Don’t work too hard."

She added, "Tomorrow night, don’t be late. It’s your father’s once-in-a-decade birthday, and Yan Yan is coming back, so let’s have a family gathering."

Her gentle demeanor was unbelievable to Chu Ci, accustomed to her hysteria and resentment towards Chu Yan all these years, he was indeed surprised...

Chu Ci murmured, "Mom, she has a boyfriend, don’t bring up certain things anymore, for both our sakes."

His voice was almost pleading, and Mrs. Chu lightly chuckled, "Chu Ci, do you think I want to do anything to her? I don’t, she has a boyfriend now; as her mother, I should at least inquire, like preparing a dowry... We raised her after all; she can’t marry in silence, that would be laughable."

Chu Ci’s heart suddenly felt pierced.

He finally understood, it wasn’t a whim or an episode for his mother; she, being clever, wanted to swiftly marry off Chu Yan to Bai Xun... to snuff out his hopes.

He felt chilled.

Wanting to say something, Mrs. Chu laughed again, "You’re in your small apartment now, aren’t you? I know you bought it back; you’ve never forgotten your sister. Now that she’s back, we can do something for her, right?"

Chu Ci closed his eyes.

His hair stood on end.

After a moment, his voice was hoarse, low and steady, "Mom, when will you let me go, let Chu Yan go?"

Mrs. Chu was surprised, "Chu Ci, all I’m doing is for you two. I used to dislike Yan Yan, now I’ve come around and want to be good to her, why aren’t you happy? You want me to revert to treating her like before? You want her to go back to England before you’re satisfied?"

Chu Ci was ice-cold.

He sat there for a long time before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Alright. Tomorrow, I’ll ask her if she’s ready to get married."