The Silent World And Him - Chapter 32
The truth is a bit harsh. He Junshuo explained again: 【It’s not that I don’t have time to care about you. The kind of person you like, who you are with, and the life you live, Qin Yu, that’s your own life. You have to make your own decisions. Take Lu Baisheng, for example. He is a teacher in Sucheng. Everyone thinks it’s not worth it, but as long as he thinks it’s worth it, that’s all that matters. Others are just worrying unnecessarily.】
Qin also knows that this is his own life and will not give up his choices for anyone, but he still hopes that the person he likes is also liked and blessed by his parents.
Pu Chen was both insecure and sensitive. Her biggest worry was that he wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure from his family and would eventually break up with her. Even so, she still resolutely chose to be with him.
He wanted the people around him to gradually accept her and hoped to make her a little happier.
He Junshuo: « Are you afraid that one day I might be influenced by your mom and switch sides to her camp, breaking up you and Pu Chen? If that’s your concern, you can rest assured; your dad isn’t that bad of a person. »
He chatted a bit more with Qin Yu: « In the past two years, the law firm has taken on many projects, mostly involving pharmaceutical companies’ listings and mergers. Every time, I make sure to inquire about any breakthroughs or progress in treating deafness and muteness, and how much longer we have to wait. »
Qin Yu stared at the last few lines on the screen, as if something was stuck in his chest. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything sentimental, and a simple thank you was not enough to express how he felt right now.
Over there, He Junshuo put down his phone and this time seriously started looking at the materials in front of him.
From beginning to end, Pu Chen had no idea that Qin Yu was chatting with He Junshuo on his phone. She thought He Junshuo was communicating with a client, while Qin Yu was discussing the project with Peng Jingyang.
« What novel are you reading? » Qin Yu leaned over.
Pu Chen wanted to exit the current page, but it was already too late. She opened the novel’s homepage and pointed to the novel’s title to show him.
Qin Yu remembered this novel; she had started reading it since summer vacation. « You haven’t finished it yet? »
Pu Chen: [Finished it a long time ago, read it three times.]
Aren’t you tired of reading it so many times? » Qin Yu glanced at the author of this novel, named « Xiao Ximi, » and was surprised: « Isn’t this my little Duorou?
Pu Chen remained fairly calm: « Hmm, it’s just because the author has the same name as your little chubby one, which feels very familiar, so I’ve been reading her novels all along. »
Qin Yu didn’t doubt her explanation and suggested, « After reading so many novels, there’s not much novelty left. You could try looking at other novels by this author; works by the same person should be of a similar type. »
Pu Chen: « The author has only written this one. »
The author « Xiao Ximi » is actually herself. This name is derived from ‘su’ (millet); she is a grain of millet in the vast sea, and when you break down the character for millet, it becomes ‘Ximi’ (sago).
After the college entrance exam ended, she was idle at home in the evening. Reluctant to let go of her three years of high school life, she wrote this novel.
The male lead bears the resemblance of Qin Yu, while the female lead is eloquent and later became a well-known lawyer.
This novel is not long, only 110,000 words in total. She has read it more than five times, as if reliving the moments of her three years with Qin Yu.
The writing is quite ordinary, with some personal little thoughts inside. She didn’t want Qin Yu to know she was the author, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Qin Yu casually asked, « Is the author no longer writing? »
Pu Chen: [Hmm, probably very busy in the real world.]
« Are you still having dessert? » He Junshuo interrupted their conversation.
Qin Yu: « No, I’m not. »
He Junshuo called the waiter over, asked to pack the remaining desserts, and added, « Also, give me one more portion of your pre-packaged dessert to take away. »
Waiter: « Alright, please wait a moment. »
He Junshuo said to Qin Yu, « The packed desserts are for you to eat when you go home tonight, and the take-away portion is for Pu Chen to bring back to school. » He then began organizing the materials on the table.
Qin Yu knew that his mother and aunt had probably left the restaurant.
He gently patted Pu Chen, « Chenchen, get ready, we’re going to the law firm. »
Pu Chen nodded and exited the novel page.
Qin Yu carried the packed bag and walked out with Pu Chen. She had a full schedule on Monday, « Save the dessert to share with your classmates during the break. »
He asked her, « Your classroom hasn’t changed, right? »
Pu Chen shook his head, no change.
Qin Yu Neng memorized her class schedule; several classes tomorrow morning are all in the lecture hall.
They smoothly exited the restaurant parking lot without running into Qin Mingyi.
—
« Sis, don’t be angry, it’s not worth making yourself sick over it. » On the way back, Qin Minghan comforted Qin Mingyi.
Qin Mingyi took several deep breaths, but it was still no use; her lungs were on the verge of bursting with anger.
She had planned to wait at the table after eating, confident that He Junshuo couldn’t possibly escape with Qin Yu through the window. She had calculated everything except for her older brother calling her.
Her older brother was usually swamped with work, and it was hard to get a chance to see him.
I heard she returned to Beijing today. Big brother specially made time to come home to see her, saying that his upcoming schedule is packed, and he won’t be able to attend the family dinner after Qin returns.
Every time she goes back to Beijing, she tells big brother’s secretary, but nine times out of ten, big brother isn’t in Beijing. Today, since big brother finally has time, she can’t just leave him hanging because of a certain He Junshuo. Besides, big brother’s time at home is limited; he has official duties again in two hours.
Qin Mingyi rubbed her brow, feeling more and more heartbroken the more she thought about it.
Alright, it’s not a big deal. Look at you, so upset you didn’t even eat your lunch properly. » Qin Minghan twisted open the cup lid and handed her some warm water. « My fault, why did we have to go to that restaurant of all places?
Qin Mingyi took a few sips of water. She rarely confided in anyone, not even when she divorced He Junshuo; she never complained to anyone about her hardships.
Today, for some unknown reason, she opened her heart to her cousin: « Being deceived by the person you care about the most, being guarded against like a thief by them—Minghan, you don’t understand what that feels like. »
Qin Minghan smiled bitterly: « Who says I don’t understand? That time, in front of a restaurant in Manhattan, I saw Lu Baisheng. He was getting into a car, and I didn’t have time to call out to him. I called him to ask if he was on a business trip, but he said I was mistaken. »
But in fact, that silhouette was him.
Since the divorce, he still hasn’t been able to forget Pu Wenxin.
Qin Mingyi only recently found out that Qin Minghan likes Lu Bocheng. Over the past two years, she has been too busy with Qin and studying abroad to have time to care about anyone else’s feelings.
Minghan, listen to me, Lu Bocheng is not right for you. Even if your families force you two together, it will end in divorce sooner or later. Why bother? He deserves Pu Wenxin’s love, but he is not worth your feelings, understand?
Qin Minghan smiled, « I thought you would dislike Pu Wenxin because of Pu Chen. »
Qin Mingyi: « Those are two different things. Whatever happens between Pu Wenxin and Lu Bocheng in the future has nothing to do with me. Even if the Lu family eventually chooses a suitable marriage partner for Lu Bocheng, I don’t want that person to be you. I don’t want to see you jump into the fire pit. There’s no need to sacrifice your dignity for a man who doesn’t love you. »
Qin Minghan stroked his watch silently.
Qin Mingyi remained silent for a long time afterward, quietly drinking water.
Qin Minghan broke the silence: « When is Pu Wenxin returning to the country? »
I really don’t know that.
Qin Mingyi was just looking out the window, then turned around and said, « Our law firm hasn’t had any business dealings with Pu Wenxin’s company recently, so I can’t really inquire about it for you. »
Even if she could find out, she wouldn’t do something like that.
She promised Lu Baisheng not to disclose that he teaches in Sucheng, and she wouldn’t get involved in the relationship between the Lu family and Pu Wenxin.
Once she makes a promise, she has to keep it.
Qin Minghan chatted casually, « Is that girl Pu Chen very pretty? »
Qin Mingyi gave an objective evaluation: « The first time I saw that girl, I thought she was beautiful, like a little fairy. At that time, I didn’t know she couldn’t speak. »
Qin Minghan, who had never seen Pu Chen, said, « She should look like her aunt. »
For most of the journey afterward, the two were lost in their own thoughts and not in the mood to chat.
Just as they were about to reach home, Qin Minghan urged again, « Just pretend you don’t know that Qin Yu came back early. It’s not easy to come home once in a while, so don’t make things unhappy. »
Qin Mingyi said nothing.
This time, she was not going to let He Junshuo off.
—
The next morning, or more precisely at 4:30 a.m., Qin Mingyi drove to find He Junshuo. She had access to the gated villa community and drove straight to the door of He Junshuo’s villa.
Qin Mingyi’s resentment towards He Junshuo had been brewing for many years, accumulating over more than a decade. Yesterday, his secretly returning early with Qin Yu was just a fuse waiting to ignite.
She parked the car, turned off the engine, and dialed He Junshuo’s number.
He Junshuo’s voice was hoarse, as if he hadn’t fully woken up: « I know you’re coming to pick up Qin Yu today, no need to remind me. »
Qin Mingyi: « I’m outside your villa, going with you to pick up our son. »
Qin Mingyi, what are you doing? » He Junshuo, feeling guilty, held back from getting angry, his tone sounding no different from usual: « Qin Yu is not a three-year-old child. Can’t I pick him up by myself? Is it really necessary to have so many people attending to him?
Qin Mingyi thought to himself, no matter how much you pretend, it won’t work. Let’s see how long you can keep it up. « Don’t hang up the phone, come and open the door for me right now. »
He only has one mobile phone, and there is no landline installed at home. As long as he doesn’t hang up, he can’t notify Qin Yu. She wants to see what other tricks he can still use.
He Junshuo reminded her, « Ming Yi, I am just your ex-husband. It’s still dark outside. Do you think it’s appropriate to come in so rashly? »
It was like a basin of cold water poured over her head, completely waking Qin Mingyi up.
Since divorcing He Junshuo, she has always been measured. Every time she contacts him, if she can make her point in one sentence, she absolutely won’t waste time with a second.
For the past two years, He Junshuo has been single. For some reason, he hasn’t been dating one girl after another, so she assumed he was still single now.
Regardless of the reason, showing up at the front door of her ex-husband’s house at this time and boldly asking him to open the door was indeed very inappropriate.
« Sorry, if you have a girlfriend now and I disturbed you and her, I apologize. I didn’t mean to bother you both. I was so angry yesterday that I lost my mind and didn’t sleep all night. » She didn’t explain why she was angry.
There was a few seconds of silence on the phone.
I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes.
He Junshuo turned on the speakerphone.
Qin Mingyi heard rustling sounds on the phone, along with the sound of water running from a faucet; it seemed that He Junshuo was washing up.
Qin Mingyi proactively ended the call and stared blankly at the lit room on the second floor.
What exactly has she been angry about since yesterday?
Is she angry because Qin Yu doesn’t regard her as a mother and doesn’t show her any respect, or is it because He Junshuo simply doesn’t take her seriously and never considers her feelings?
There is an indescribable emotion stuck in her chest, hard to explain or articulate.
Qin Mingyi came to see He Junshuo so early not because she really wanted to go to the airport with him—her son had already returned, so where was there to pick him up? She just wanted to catch him off guard and force him to apologize, otherwise, the bitterness in her heart couldn’t be released.
However, at this moment, she suddenly felt it was unnecessary and meaningless.
Qin Mingyi left him a message: [You go pick up our son. I have an appointment this morning, and if there’s traffic returning from the airport, I might not make it.]
She tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and started the engine.
At this time, there were few cars on the road. Passing through a residential area, only a few scattered lights were on. The white sports car sped through the dense night.
In the villa, He Junshuo finished dressing. He hadn’t had time to put on his watch yet; he first picked up his phone. The call had ended at some unknown time. He opened the message Qin Mingyi sent him, and after reading it, he couldn’t help but frown. He only replied with three words: [Got it.]
It was now 4:45. He took the car keys and went downstairs.
He Junshuo was used to getting up early to go to the law firm. Whether in winter or summer, he would arrive at the office no later than six o’clock. This habit had been formed fourteen years ago when he had just divorced Qin Mingyi. Waking up to an empty, cold home was very unsettling, and the law firm became the perfect place to dispel the loneliness.
The car turned from the main road toward the law firm building. He Junshuo saw the familiar license plate parked downstairs, along with a figure leaning against the car door. He slowly pressed the brake.
On an early winter morning, the air was filled with a biting chill. Qin Mingyi got out of the car without wearing a coat, continuously rubbing her arms. She didn’t know why, but she drove all the way to the law firm.
Since the divorce, she rarely came to Shuo Yu headquarters, unless there was an important meeting.
The cold wind made her shiver, and Qin Mingyi opened the door and sat back in the car.
Through the car window, He Junshuo watched the taillights of the white sports car disappear from view.
He looked thoughtfully in the direction Qin Mingyi had left, wondering if she was planning to take it out on the law firm because she had no other outlet for her anger.
—
At dawn, Qin Yu received news from his father, saying that the incident at the restaurant yesterday should be temporarily put behind with his mother. As for whether his mother would settle the score later, that was hard to say.
His father also briefly told him about his mother going to the villa this morning.
Qin Yu was on his way to Pu Chen’s school at the time, driving and had no time to check messages. When he arrived at the school, he opened his phone and replied: [My mom is currently busy with work, and all her remaining energy is focused on me and Chen Chen.]
He Junshuo: [Try to be a little more understanding of your mother. She just doesn’t yet know how to be a mother who can appropriately let go.]
Qin Yu and Hui: [I don’t blame her. Dad, you go ahead and be busy. I won’t say more, I’ll head into the classroom right away.]
He Junshuo: [Arrived at Pu Chen’s school this early?]
[Yeah, came to accompany her to class.] As the class bell rang, he pushed open the back door of the stepped classroom. The classroom was almost full, with only a few empty seats in the last two rows.
Qin Yu sat down next to a boy and opened the notebook in his hand.
The boy saw that he hadn’t brought a book, so he opened a book to the page he was going to talk about, placed it in the middle of the desk, and put his phone face down on top to hold the corner of the book, preventing the pages from turning on their own.
Qin Yu thanked the boy.
The girls in the back row had never seen him before and were sure there was no such handsome boy in the department. They whispered among themselves, their eyes never leaving him.
Qin Yu sat up straight, scanning the front row for someone. From his seat, he could just see Pu Chen’s profile.
He rested his chin on his hand, watching Pu Chen throughout the class. She slightly tilted her head up to look at the projection screen, occasionally taking notes, and sometimes licking her lips, just like in high school.
