"As expected," Qiao Liang said with a nod and a smile.
Watching her stretch her leg to get out of the car, her injured leg clearly a nuisance, she wore only socks on her feet, yet she stubbornly held her back straight, walking with remarkable steadiness.
Qiao Liang gripped the steering wheel and sighed, pursed his lips, suddenly reached to push open the car door, and chased after her.
She stopped and turned around.
His brows furrowing, he asked, "Is there really... no chance at all?"
She did not speak, only lifted the corners of her lips in a smile.
"Alright, I won’t ask anymore." Qiao Liang heaved a sigh and then took out a card from his pocket and handed it to her, "If we can’t be lovers, let’s be friends. If you need anything, you can call the number on this card anytime. If I don’t answer, just leave a message, and I’ll get back to you immediately. I was pretty lucky in life, and I do have some ability, so... don’t be polite. Consider it a little compensation for not being able to be my girlfriend."
The card in her hand was a pale blue, the paper smooth to the touch, much like the feelings this man in front of her evoked. Gan Yuan took the card from his hands with both of hers.
With the card pinched in one hand, she extended her right hand toward him.
"Qiao Liang, thank you!"
"I was hoping that you would at least give me a hug!"
Qiao Liang muttered self-deprecatingly, extending his hand to grasp her palm.
Having known her for over half a year, this was the first time he held her hand, and then it was time to let go forever.
His first heartbreak in life, though it was unrequited, was still a bit upsetting.
"Gan Yuan," he held her palm, "did you guess about my situation a long time ago?"
"A little," she replied honestly.
Qiao Liang squinted slightly, his eyes filled with compassion, "Behind you, there’s an untold story as well, isn’t there?"
"Doesn’t everyone have a story?" she countered.
"Remember that number."
Slowly releasing her palm, Qiao Liang’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he finally turned around, strode back to his car, pulled open the sliding door, and sat down in the driver’s seat.
He turned the car around, pulled up alongside her, and poked his face out from the window.
"Little Yuan, you know... sometimes you can afford to be a little weaker. Staying strong for too long can wear you out..."
"Lu Ziliang!" From not far away, a figure suddenly burst out of the bushes, jumping in front of his car and blocking him. Chu Xinqing raised her hands and forcefully slapped them on the hood of his car, "Now let’s see where you can run?"
Qiao Liang touched his forehead helplessly, "Chu Xinqing, can’t you disappear for a while?"
"Unless you agree to come back with me, don’t even think about it!"
Chu Xinqing’s lips curled up as she strode toward the passenger seat of his car.
Seizing the opportunity, Qiao Liang quickly engaged the reverse gear, and the car swiftly backed away.
"Little Yuan, until we meet again."
He waved at Gan Yuan from a distance, turned the car around, and drove off through another road.
"Lu Ziliang, you stop right there..." Chu Xinqing immediately moved towards her own car, "Bastard... just you wait..."
Moments later, the two cars dashed out of the neighborhood one after the other.
Gan Yuan withdrew her gaze and looked at the card in her hand.
"If I really do need help, it won’t be something you can assist with, Qiao Liang. I’m sorry, I wish you happiness!"
Extending her finger, she gently lifted her hand and tossed the card into the trash can.
For many years, she didn’t make friends or get too close to anyone... not because she was aloof, but because she didn’t want to trouble those who were kind to her.
I’m starving, off to find something to eat, and I’ll continue afterwards~!~