Chapter 267: A Poised and Generous Pursuit
Chapter 267: Chapter 267: A Poised and Generous Pursuit
Xie Huaizhen was startled by Shu Xue’s words.
He never expected that Shu Xue would so bluntly point out the secret thought he’d kept hidden deep inside.
"That’s not true," Xie Huaizhen denied.
But to his surprise, Shu Xue leaned right over beside his seat, staring at him with a grin. "Don’t deny it. The way you looked at her just now was strange. I can tell you have feelings for her."
Shu Xue might not be perceptive about other things, but she was quite sharp when it came to figuring out if someone liked someone else.
"It’s just like with me. When I first saw Xie Huaizheng, I was totally starstruck. I felt like I’d never seen a guy that handsome in my entire life, so I always wanted to be with him. Oh well, even though he didn’t choose me in the end, I’m glad he and Zhaozhao are happy together. That puts my mind at ease."
Shu Xue’s rambling made Xie Huaizhen frown. "If you don’t talk, no one will think you’re mute."
"No can do. It’s such a long drive to West State; it would be so boring if we didn’t talk. Hey, Xie Huaizhen, don’t you think we’re fated to be together? Your fiancée ran off, and my fiancé ran off, and they ended up as a couple. So, what do you say? Should we give it a shot, too?"
Shu Xue’s blunt proposition left Xie Huaizhen speechless.
She pressed on, "I’m at university in Yun City, but I’m from Jiang City. I heard you’re from Beijing? That’s perfect! I can work in Beijing after I graduate; my university is really close to the city. My family is pretty well-off, and I have a younger brother. My parents don’t favor sons over daughters—they dote on me. So, why don’t you give me a try?"
"Are you crazy?" Hearing her words, Xie Huaizhen thought she was being utterly ridiculous.
’Did she really just lay out her entire family background for him, just like that?’
It was the first time Xie Huaizhen had ever met a girl this candid.
But in this respect, she was completely different from Gu Qingran.
"I’m not crazy," she insisted. "Xie Huaizhen, I just want to get to know you. How about we become friends? Can I write you letters in the future?"
’She knew that a soldier like Xie Huaizhen couldn’t be contacted casually, but that was fine. She could write to him! Besides, her handwriting was quite nice.’
As Xie Huaizhen drove, he thought, ’Girls these days are surprisingly forward.’
But for some reason, the impression Shu Xue gave him was completely different from the one Gu Qingran had.
But he was in no mood for romance right now.
He didn’t answer, but Shu Xue kept chattering anyway. "I don’t care! Since you didn’t say no, I’m going to write to you from now on. I’ll mail the letters here. Hmm, let’s start with one a month. Just remember to go pick them up."
Shu Xue leaned over the front seat, gazing at Xie Huaizhen’s profile as he drove.
’His full face was stunning, but his profile was even more so. That high-bridged nose, those thin lips, and his deep-set eyes... it was as if they had been meticulously carved by the Creator.’
"Had your fill?" Xie Huaizhen shot her a sideways glance.
Shu Xue smiled and pulled back. "Okay, then... it’s a deal. I know you like Zhaozhao. She’s such a sweet girl, I like her too. But I can wait for you. You should give me some consideration, too, you know?"
When they arrived in West State, Shu Xue got out to get her suitcase, and Xie Huaizhen got out as well to help her with it.
He glanced at the bustling West State Railway Station. Seeing how crowded it was, Xie Huaizhen thought for a moment and decided to walk her all the way into the station.
"It’s alright, I don’t want to trouble you. Don’t you have other things to take care of? My bags aren’t that heavy. I can manage on my own."
"I’ll walk you to the platform," Xie Huaizhen said.
’After all, it was so crowded, and Shu Xue looked so small and frail. If anything happened to her, it would be his responsibility.’
"Then I’ll have to trouble you! You’re so nice!" Shu Xue said, smiling at Xie Huaizhen.
Her sincere and generous praise made Xie Huaizhen a little uncomfortable.
After seeing her to the platform, just as he was about to leave, Shu Xue told him with a beaming smile, "Give me some thought, really. I don’t care about your family background. I can even support you."
’Her family was well-off, after all. Supporting Xie Huaizhen would be no problem at all.’
Hearing this, Xie Huaizhen couldn’t help but frown. "Stop being ridiculous."
With that, Xie Huaizhen turned and walked away.
Shu Xue stared at his retreating back and sighed. ’No, I can’t give up. I have to win him over!’
’The man might seem cold and distant, but Shu Xue knew he was a good person at heart.’
’Otherwise, he could have just left earlier instead of helping her with her bags.’
’That just proves what a good person he is.’
’Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Whatever, he’s single, and they’re clearly fated to be. She would definitely keep writing to him and eventually win his heart.’
At this thought, Shu Xue felt a surge of determination.
After leaving the station, Xie Huaizhen got in his car and went to take care of his business.
As he drove, he replayed the recent events in his mind. ’It all felt so absurd.’
’In all my years in the military, I’d never encountered such an aggressive suitor.’
’But now, in such a short span of time, I’d had to deal with Gu Qingran, and now Shu Xue.’
’But Shu Xue felt different from Gu Qingran.’
’Gu Qingran acted as if it were a foregone conclusion that they’d end up together. There was no reason they should have ever even met, yet she behaved as if she knew me intimately.’
’That feeling had creeped me out and made me instinctively recoil.’
’But Shu Xue was different.’
’She was supposed to be Xie Huaizheng’s fiancée. Her fiancé had been "stolen," yet she didn’t resent Su Zhaozhao. Instead, they’d become friends. It was remarkable.’
’Furthermore, her words just now, and the sparkle in her eyes, had been so open and natural. It didn’t make me uncomfortable.’
’Thinking of this, Xie Huaizhen couldn’t help but frown. Even so, he truly had no desire whatsoever to be in a relationship right now.’
’His family situation was a mess. If he got into a relationship now, wouldn’t that be unfair to the girl?’
’He needed to work harder, to rise further up the ranks.’
After seeing Shu Xue off, Su Zhaozhao went to buy groceries before heading home to cook.
On her way home, however, she ran into Lin Shumo.
She hadn’t seen him in a while, and Su Zhaozhao thought Lin Shumo looked a bit thinner. His expression seemed weary, too.
’Did something bad happen to him?’
When Su Zhaozhao saw Lin Shumo, she simply nodded at him by way of greeting.
Lin Shumo, upon seeing her, looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.
His expression was complicated.
’Ever since the last incident, he knew the relationship between them could never go back to what it once was.’
’A wave of sadness and loss washed over him at the thought.’
’Gu Qingran on one side, Su Zhaozhao on the other... he was torn between them.’
’But in the end, he had still chosen Gu Qingran.’
"Zhaozhao."
Just as they were about to brush past each other, Lin Shumo couldn’t stop himself from calling out to her.