Chapter 58 I Miss You

As if infected by Ning Liang’an's smile, a subtle warmth also appeared in Chu Heting’s eyes.

“Yes, very much so.”

The two fell into silence for a moment. Ning Liang an rubbed his hands together, 

composed his emotions, and asked, 

“Young Master Chu, do you have something you want to say to me?”

“Liang an, tonight was actually a celebration banquet for a Chu Corporation project. This was the first project I was in charge of after joining Chu Corporation. From the initial preparations to the design and construction, to implementation and completion, I can’t even count how much time and effort I’ve put into it… but it was all worth it.”

“Young Master Chu, congratulations,” 

Ning Liang’an said sincerely, feeling genuinely happy for him.

“Liang’an, I wanted to share this joy with you.”

Ning Liang’an raised his eyes and clearly saw his reflection in Chu Heting’s deep pupils.

It seemed that Chu Heting really liked him…

This thought made Ning Liang’an’s breath hitch, 

and a flush of heat spread across his cheeks.

“Young Master Chu, you’ve always been an outstanding person. Today is just the beginning; you’ll achieve even greater things in the future.”

It was a heartfelt compliment, an earnest blessing.

“Thank you,” 

Chu He ting said softly, glancing at the time. 

“It’s getting late. I won’t keep you any longer. You should go inside now.”

Ning Liang an nodded, took out his key, and opened the door. 

“Young Master Chu, goodbye.”

“Oh, by the way, it’s getting colder these days. Be sure to dress warmly when you go out to avoid catching a cold. And… rest early. Good night.”

“Alright, good night.” Ning Liang’an took one last look at Chu Heting before entering and closing the door.

But just as the door was about to close, a deep voice, laden with emotion, reached his ears.

“I miss you, Liang’an.”

Ning Liang’an hesitated for just a moment but still closed the door.

“Ning Liang’an, you’re such a coward…”

Leaning against the door, his gaze trembling, Ning Liang’an muttered to himself.

You clearly like him too. No one is stopping you, so why can’t you take that step?

Ning Liang’an was like a resilient wildflower. He stood alone, studying diligently, working hard, and striving for the future every moment of his life.

But only he knew that after walking this solitary path for so long, he had only himself to rely on.

Of course, he longed for warmth, but he feared partings more. He feared abandonment, feared the desolation that followed fleeting warmth.

He was busy surviving, busy becoming stronger, and he simply didn’t have the time or energy to give to anyone else.

---

The Ye Household

"Ye Kang, my birthday is in a few days. I’ve already told my friends we’ll have dinner at the Imperial Tower in the same private room as before, right?" Ye Kang’s mother said while touching up her makeup in front of a small mirror.

Ye Kang nearly jumped out of his seat in anger. "Mom! Why didn’t you ask me about this first?"

"Why are you so agitated?" His mother glared at him. "Isn’t this me asking you now? Just make sure Young Master Nian doesn’t go to the Imperial Tower that day. Haven’t we always handled it this way?"

"It’s different now!" Ye Kang exclaimed urgently. "You’d better call your friends and change the venue immediately. Don’t embarrass yourself at the Imperial Tower."

"What’s so different about it?" Ye Kang’s mother asked, puzzled. "Then where do you suggest we go? Oh! That private club we went to last time? That place wasn’t bad. I have to admit, Young Master Nian does have good taste. The private rooms he chooses are always top-notch."

"No, not that either!" Ye Kang said, exasperated. "Just go anywhere that has nothing to do with Nian Jinsui!"

The more Ye Kang’s mother listened, the more confused she became. She set her makeup down and pressed further, "What do you mean, 'anywhere that has nothing to do with Young Master Nian'? If I do that, how am I supposed to put the bill under his name?"

"You’ll just have to pay for it yourself! Dad gives you a monthly allowance, doesn’t he? Can’t you use your own money?"

"What do you mean by that?" His mother’s expression darkened. "Ye Kang, didn’t you say you had a little argument with Young Master Nian? It’s been so long. Don’t tell me you two haven’t made up yet."

Ye Kang initially thought Nian Jinsui would cool down after a while, but to his surprise, it had been ages, and Nian Jinsui hadn’t even invited him out for a meal.

Still, Nian Jinsui’s attitude toward him wasn’t entirely cold. They were still seen entering and leaving the academy together, albeit less warmly than before.

Ye Kang couldn’t figure out what Nian Jinsui truly felt, so he kept acting as obsequiously as ever, hoping things would go back to the way they were and Nian Jinsui would let him charge expenses to his account again.

Frustrated by the questioning, Ye Kang snapped, "Can you stop nagging? Just spend your own money for now!"

"You ungrateful brat!" His mother stood up and jabbed a finger at him. "You know how stingy your dad is. He’s got several mistresses to support. Where would I get that kind of money? You should’ve told me earlier! I’ve already made plans. How am I supposed to cancel now without them gossiping behind my back?"

She grew more remorseful the more she thought about it. "If I’d known, I would’ve taken more advantage when Young Master Nian was still footing the bill!" She turned back to scolding Ye Kang. "What did you do to upset him so badly?"

Ye Kang swatted her hand away. "How should I know what’s wrong with him?"

"Ye Kang, listen to me. Your father’s got plenty of women and even more kids. You should know that if it weren’t for your connection to Young Master Nian, your father wouldn’t bother to give us the time of day. You’d better hurry up and make amends with him! Beg for his forgiveness!"

"You think I haven’t tried? How was I supposed to know he’d hold a grudge over something so trivial? Now that he’s got someone else sucking up to him, he probably doesn’t need me anymore."

Ye Kang had his suspicions. Qin Chengyu, being from the prominent Qin family, was a far more suitable lackey for Nian Jinsui. After all, having someone like Qin Chengyu as a follower would certainly boost Nian Jinsui’s vanity more than Ye Kang ever could.

Ye Kang’s mother suddenly remembered something. "That explains it! I heard that Young Master Nian didn’t take you to the Chu family’s celebration banquet the other day. Instead, he brought someone else."

Ye Kang was startled. "Impossible! The invitation to that banquet only allowed for one guest. Where did you hear that?"

---

Previous       Menu       Next