The breakup between Xu Qingqing and Zhang Shiyi caused quite a stir, and within their social circle, everyone knew about it. It was said that Zhang Shiyi had been taught a lesson by people Xu Qingqing hired, and he was still stranded abroad, unable to return home.
After getting her revenge, Xu Qingqing only felt happy for a short while. She complained to her childhood friend, "Zhang Shiyi said everyone only hangs out with me because I'm useful to them."
Zhou Chenyu had also learned the whole story. Hearing this, he was left speechless for a moment. "You're overthinking it, young lady. You never really had many friends to begin with."
He was actually sparing her some face by saying that. He didn't point out bluntly that apart from himself and Le Jiaojiao, she didn't really have any other friends left.
Hearing Zhou Chenyu mercilessly expose the truth, Xu Qingqing had a sudden realization. "You're right!"
She didn't have friends, let alone people to hang out with. How could it be, as Zhang Shiyi claimed, that people approached her for personal gain?
After learning the truth, Xu Qingqing felt a sense of completion and was no longer upset.
Xie Lianqing, who had been observing, was dumbfounded. Once again, he gained a profound understanding of the unique way Miss Xu Qingqing's mind worked.
With her mind at ease, Xu Qingqing was naturally free to go out and have fun. The purpose of her trip across the ocean was for a vacation. Although she had parted ways with the boyfriend who accompanied her midway, this minor episode certainly couldn't change her plans.
She knew Xie Lianqing was busy and didn't expect him to accompany her on her outings, as she wasn't exactly his close friend.
So the next day, after researching her travel plans, she was about to head out when she tactfully asked Xie Lianqing if she could borrow his driver or assistant for a few days.
To her surprise, Xie Lianqing elegantly stood up and offered to accompany her himself.
With Xie Lianqing as her guide, Xu Qingqing thoroughly enjoyed herself. She even changed her plans midway to stay at his luxury home in another city for a few days.
During this time, Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing visited many places together. Strangely enough, although they had only known each other for a few days, they found they shared remarkably similar interests.
Xu Qingqing discovered that he could quickly pick up on many things she mentioned. Sometimes, when she said something naive or childish, Xie Lianqing wouldn't mock her ignorance.
Who was Xie Lianqing? A favored son of heaven praised by even her own grandparents for his remarkable achievements at a young age. And what was she? Just an idle, second-generation rich kid drifting along, whose only ambition was to be a couch potato. Their values and life pursuits were probably a whole galaxy apart.
From any angle, they shouldn't have had so many common topics of conversation, nor should their discussions on certain viewpoints have been so harmonious... unless Xie Lianqing was intentionally accommodating her.
Xu Qingqing soon realized that something had happened between them. She felt a bit smug, and a bit happy.
This change manifested in subtle details. For instance, she used to be more distant and polite toward Xie Lianqing, but now she would, as a matter of course, instruct him to do things and even unconsciously whine or complain to him.
Although Xu Qingqing didn't voice it out loud, Xie Lianqing quickly noticed that she had become aware of the subtle change between them.
In response, he simply smiled and treated Xu Qingqing with even more tolerance, because that had been his intention all along.
For the remainder of the vacation, their itinerary wasn't packed. Often, they would simply stroll along the streets. If they passed by an interesting-looking shop or a basement bar, they would go in and browse or linger for a while.
A few days later, it was finally time for Xu Qingqing to leave. Throughout this period, they had never discussed their feelings or the ambiguity in their relationship.
Xie Lianqing personally saw her off at the airport. While waiting, he suddenly asked, "Are you still sad over him now?"
Xu Qingqing was taken aback for a moment before realizing he meant Zhang Shiyi. She immediately laughed, saying with surprise, "How could I be!"
She had long forgotten someone like Zhang Shiyi.
Xu Qingqing had a very good impression of Xie Lianqing. If it weren't for him, this trip would have been much more troublesome for her. So, now that she was about to part with him, she jokingly asked, "Do you think there's any reason for me to miss him?"
Xie Lianqing looked at her and said, "Then what about me?"
Xu Qingqing froze.
Xie Lianqing's gaze rested on her, tender and lingering, and he said softly, "Would you give me this chance?"
Xu Qingqing looked at Xie Lianqing and deliberately asked, "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Xie Lianqing's eyes held a smile as he said, "When it comes to matters of the heart, I should be more responsible."
She had just gone through a breakup not long ago, and he didn't want to bring it up so quickly. But with her leaving now, who knew when they would meet again? Perhaps by the time they reunited, there might already be someone else by her side...
That's why Xie Lianqing couldn't help but speak up at this moment.
Xu Qingqing stared at him blankly and suddenly said, "I really want some milk tea."
Ever since arriving in this country, her thoughts had been constantly jumping around. It was like this when drinking, when sightseeing with Xie Lianqing, and now, after being suddenly confessed to, she blurted out this seemingly unromantic line.
Xie Lianqing raised an eyebrow and said, "Alright, wait for me here."
Then he took his car keys and walked towards the airport exit. His pace grew faster and faster, looking spirited and triumphant. Even uninformed passersby could see his delight.
Xu Qingqing watched his retreating figure and murmured, "I need to go to the counter first."
She hurried off, walking swiftly ahead. She said to the service staff, "Quickly, quickly, I need to cancel my flight for today!"
Over ten minutes later, Xu Qingqing stood outside the airport with her arms crossed, in a very good mood, wearing headphones and chatting with someone.
A light rain began to fall outside, just like on the night she first arrived. She suddenly thought of her first glimpse of Xie Lianqing and couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile.
The person on the other end of the phone was chattering away, "Xu Qingqing, you just decide not to come back like that? We already made plans... what are you up to now?"
Xu Qingqing listened to her rival's incessant complaints without getting angry, because she wasn't really paying much attention.
A few minutes later, when she saw the person walking towards her, she immediately announced in a light, cheerful tone, "I'm going to fall in love!"
A long, long time after Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing got together, she suddenly thought of the past and asked her newly-appointed fiancé, "So when exactly did you start liking me?"
Xie Lianqing was reading a book and hadn't intended to answer the question. But with Xu Qingqing clinging to his neck and pestering him relentlessly, he had no choice but to close the book because of her persistence.
He looked up, pretending to reminisce, then said with a smile, "This might be a bit presumptuous, but I think it was probably love at first sight?"
He looked at Xu Qingqing and said, "The moment I saw you, I felt I ought to like you."
