Chapter 089　 I'm going to place obstacles in the way.

  *

  The next morning, Su Xian was working out in the living room when her phone on the sofa suddenly emitted a series of notification sounds. Li Chengshi was nearby cleaning, so Su Xian called him over to help see who it was.

  "Zhao Nanfeng sent you a lot of photos."

  Thinking it was work-related, she had to stop midway, wipe her sweat, and walk over. However, when she took the phone, she saw that he had run off to some ceramic town during a break in his conference. He said he wanted to buy her a water cup and had taken many photos for her to choose from.

  "What kind of cup costs 120,000 yen!" Su Xian was shocked. Wouldn't one be terrified just drinking from a cup like that? She quickly replied: "I’ve already bought a cup, don't waste your money." Putting down the phone, she asked Li Chengshi, "Are there any spare cups at home? I’ll take one to work tomorrow."

  "Yes." He opened the kitchen wall cabinet and took out a set of unopened matching couple's cups.

  "I don't even remember when we bought these."

  "When we went to Jiyugaoka to eat cheesecake."

  "Oh, I remember now. That shop was fantastic!"

  Yes, but they both realized that they could no longer make plans to go there again. Things they had promised to do in the past could only be written off.

  This winter, Furano would have to wait for them once again—in vain.

  **

  On Monday morning, Zhao Nanfeng placed a paper bag on Su Xian’s desk. "The cup I bought for you."

  "You didn't actually buy that 120,000 yen cup, did you!" Su Xian didn't even dare to touch it. "Didn't I tell you not to buy it? Do you not understand human language?"

  "Don't worry, this one was only about three thousand yen. I’ve figured it out—most of the time when I spend money on women, it’s because I don't want to spend the mental energy to maintain the relationship. Spending a bit within my means is actually the easiest way. But for you, I don't even need to spend money, because you’ve admired me from the very beginning."

  Su Xian couldn't help but laugh; men are truly confident. She nodded. "Yes, I totally admire you. Since it’s not expensive, I’ll take it. Thanks."

  Zhao Nanfeng casually grabbed the new cup she had brought. "This one belongs to me now."

  "That’s part of a pair with Li Chengshi’s. If you don't mind..."

  Zhao Nanfeng's brow furrowed. "Aren't you two not speaking anymore? Why are you still using matching cups?"

  "We made up."

  "What!!"

  "Keep your voice down. It’s not that kind of making up. Actually, we formally broke up the day before yesterday, and then we had a calm talk and decided to get along properly, at least until he moves out."

  Zhao Nanfeng wanted to say more, but seeing Shirakawa returning from the pantry with coffee, he turned away without a word and walked to Li Chengshi’s desk. "Come with me for a moment."

  *

  In the meeting room.

  Zhao Nanfeng placed the cup in his hand on the table. "Are you adjusting to the new work?"

  "It’s okay. Tamazawa-san is very patient, and I’ll speed up my learning."

  "Good." He changed the subject abruptly. "When do you plan on moving out of Su Xian’s house?"

  "I’ll move as soon as I find a suitable place."

  "Name your conditions. I can find one for you today."

  Li Chengshi said flatly, "Don't bother."

  "Li Chengshi, didn't you two officially break up? What’s your purpose for staying there?"

  "I didn't break up because I stopped loving her. It was because she and you..." He paused for a few seconds. "I was very angry a few days ago and said some nasty things, which made the relationship very tense. But she told me some things about the past, and I think I understand why she’s so attached to you. I have to admit, in her heart, you might be the legendary hero who comes on seven-colored clouds to save her."

  These words were music to Zhao Nanfeng’s ears, and his expression softened. "You Gen-Z kids watch A Chinese Odyssey too?"

  "Some do."

  "So, what do you mean by telling me this?"

  "My moral compass won't let me accept her immoral behavior, but I can't bear to leave abruptly. Give me some time to fade out slowly. You don't have to worry about anything; I couldn't win her from you even if I tried seriously, let alone now when I have no intention of competing with you."

  "If you say so."

  "Also, have you ever thought about it? If you hadn't cheated back then and you were still together, what a happy life she would be living." His eyes reddened as he stood up and walked out of the meeting room.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Zhao Nanfeng fell into deep thought, ruminating over those words.

  **

  Commuting home after work, Li Chengshi was driving. Su Xian held her phone the whole way, chatting with a smile on her face. He cautioned her, "The light is so dim, be careful of eye strain."

  "Almost done." She typed the last sentence and put down her phone.

  "You're together all day and still can't finish talking. Continuing after work—how passionate," he teased sarcastically.

  "What are you talking about? I was just chatting with Old Zhang."

  "Oh, I thought it was the Boss. What were you chatting with Mr. Zhang about?"

  "A new energy vehicle caught fire in his apartment’s underground garage and burned his car along with it. The insurance payout just came through, and he bought a new car and is showing it off to me."

  "Oh, haha. Um, regarding our breakup... did you tell Mr. Zhang and the others?"

  "No. They didn't ask, and I don't think it's necessary to bring it up. I haven't even changed my WeChat profile picture yet. Do you mind?" Previously, their WeChat avatars were a photo of the two of them together. After Li Chengshi left the breakup card and went back to China, he had changed his to a photo of the sky.

  "It’s fine." He actually felt a bit of a secret thrill. Even though she had such beautiful photos with Zhao Nanfeng, she hadn't used them for any social media profile pictures. From this, he could infer that Su Xian might have just slept with Zhao in a moment of passion—a physical reflex—but there probably wasn't that much love involved. Hadn't she said it? It didn't need to be repaid with feelings.

  Hmph. Even if we're broken up, I won't let things go so smoothly for You and Zhao Nanfeng. I'm going to place obstacles in the way.

  *

  "Li Chengshi, what did you tell Sister Li (your mother)?"

  "I said you got tired of me and dumped me."

  "That’s so unfair."

  "Should I tell her I saw you and Zhao Nanfeng kissing with my own eyes?"

  Su Xian had no rebuttal. After all, it happened before their closure; she would feel indebted no matter what. "How about this: I’ll still cover the cost of your prep classes for the Architect Exam next year. Think of it as a bit of compensation. This was something we agreed on anyway."

  "We agreed on many things. Can you fulfill all of them?"

  "What else?"

  "Check my bag yourself."

  Su Xian reached her arm to the back seat and pulled his bag forward. She found a stack of small cards inside. Upon closer inspection, she immediately became embarrassed—there wasn't a single "innocent" word on them. "You found these a bit late. I’ll take them back."

  "No! They were given to me, so they're mine. I'll keep them if I want to."

  "Don't. If you leave them in some corner and forget to throw them away, it’ll be a huge mess if a new girlfriend finds them." She started trying to tear the cards.

  He warned loudly, "Su Xian, put my things down!"

  She continued tearing.

  Li Chengshi reached out to grab them. As a result, his body leaned over, he lost his steady grip on the steering wheel with one hand, and the car veered left toward the median strip. He slammed on the brakes, and the front of the car brushed past some unknown plants before finally stopping just in time, narrowly avoiding an accident.

  Su Xian’s body flew forward, and her head hit the dashboard with a thud. The cards scattered onto the floor mat at her feet.

  Li Chengshi was terrified. "Are you okay?!"

  "My head is ringing. Are you crazy, Li Chengshi? What is there to fight over with these stupid things!"

  "I'm sorry."

  Cars were already lining up behind them. He quickly turned the wheel and got back on the road.

  Su Xian bent over, picked up the cards, and silently put them in her own bag.

  He saw this out of the corner of his eye and whispered, "It was my fault for making you hit your head, but I never said I’d give them back to you."

  "Ow, my head hurts." She clutched her forehead, acting like a spoiled brat to avoid the topic; there was no way she was giving those things back to him.

  *