Before coming, Xu Ze Yuan had heard from his manager that A He had an extremely bad temper.
Industry insiders said that due to an accidental injury, his personality had changed dramatically. To put it nicely, his legs weren’t functioning well, but in reality, he might be a cripple for life.
Pitiful yet detestable.
His manager had repeatedly emphasized various matters to him.
Although Xu Ze Yuan had listened to his manager’s words, he hadn’t taken them too seriously, nor had he felt nervous or flustered about the upcoming visit.
Xu Ze Yuan thought that as long as he maintained a good attitude, Teacher A He wouldn’t slap a smiling face.
The result was beyond Xu Ze Yuan’s expectations.
He had originally thought that someone with such fame in the public eye would at least be somewhat concerned about their image. Even if they didn’t care much, Xu Ze Yuan felt that he now had some fame too, so, at the very least, the other party would save some face for themselves.
However, A He did not.
Xu Ze Yuan didn’t know what had provoked him. It was their first meeting, yet he inexplicably harbored hostility towards him. And he trampled on his dignity without any mercy.
Xu Ze Yuan had no intention of continuing to please him. He let out a cold laugh, his expression turning ugly.
The manager tried to smooth things over from the side.
Xie Ru He didn’t look at them, but turned towards the security guard, his expression calm and cold: “Is the property management fee paid for nothing?”
“…”
Subsequently, Xu Ze Yuan and his manager were escorted out of the residential complex by the security guard.
Xu Ze Yuan put on his baseball cap, lowered the brim, and followed his manager toward the car. Because it was so inexplicable, he was genuinely angry and looked back in Xie Ru He’s direction.
Xu Ze Yuan’s attention had been focused on Xie Ru He just now, but looking again, he suddenly realized that Shu Nian was behind Xie Ru He, pushing his wheelchair.
She had her head down, a dimple showing on her profile as if she was saying something to him.
Her small frame looked like that of a student who hadn’t yet entered society. She wore a dark red turtleneck sweater, a black pleated skirt, and stockings that made her legs look thin and straight.
The man who had been full of hostility just moments ago was now as docile as a tamed wolf in front of her.
Xu Ze Yuan suddenly realized the relationship between them.
And he understood why Xie Ru He had behaved that way towards him earlier.
Xu Ze Yuan became somewhat lost in thought, recalling past events.
In college, he and Shu Nian had been classmates. From the first time he saw Shu Nian, Xu Ze Yuan had liked her very much. He had always been the type who would strive to get whatever he wanted.
Afterward, he launched an all-out offensive to pursue her.
Shu Nian was completely oblivious to these matters and initially had no idea he was pursuing her. Her attitude towards him wasn’t particularly warm, no different from how she treated other classmates.
Xu Ze Yuan bribed her roommates with snacks, deliberately sat next to her in class, and even joined the same student club she was in, trying every possible way to get close to her.
He pursued her from freshman year to the second semester of sophomore year.
During this time, he confessed countless times, and Shu Nian also solemnly rejected him countless times.
At the New Year’s party in sophomore year, Xu Ze Yuan sang a love song on stage, then confessed to her once again in front of all the teachers and students.
But the effect was counterproductive.
Shu Nian felt confused by his behavior, and even a bit angry: “Didn’t I reject you? My answer wasn’t ambiguous at all, I said I don’t like you. Why do you keep doing these things?”
Xu Ze Yuan had grown up being somewhat pampered and had always been overly confident.
At that moment, because of Shu Nian’s words, he felt his pride was hurt, felt that all his efforts over the past two years had been for nothing, and were just a joke in the eyes of the person involved.
Xu Ze Yuan quieted down for a period after that.
Later, on a rainy evening, Xu Ze Yuan saw Shu Nian again.
He hadn’t brought an umbrella at the time and was running to the nearest library to seek shelter from the rain, completely soaked. Then Shu Nian happened to come out of the library, carrying books.
Whether she didn’t see him or not, Shu Nian simply opened her umbrella and walked into the rain.
Xu Ze Yuan hurriedly called out to her: “Shu Nian!”
Shu Nian turned around.
Xu Ze Yuan didn’t know what to say, the bangs on his forehead dripping water, falling into his eyes, making it hard for him to see clearly: “…I didn’t bring an umbrella.”
Shu Nian stood there for a while but finally walked over.
There was a twenty-centimeter height difference between them, making it difficult for Shu Nian to hold the umbrella, so Xu Ze Yuan took it from her.
Then, Shu Nian said: “Where are you going? I’ll walk you there.”
Xu Ze Yuan didn’t speak.
He could roughly understand her meaning.
If he escorted her back first and then took her umbrella, they would have a reason to meet again.
Otherwise, not.
Shu Nian thought he hadn’t heard and asked once more.
Xu Ze Yuan still didn’t make a sound.