As soon as the words fell, both of them fell silent.
Jiang Li had inadvertently said something hurtful again, even though their relationship had clearly started to improve.
But she still couldn't control herself.
Every time she felt happy and content, a sudden emotion would well up inside her, warning her not to be too happy too soon.
She had suffered so much that she had developed a stress disorder.
Whenever she felt happy about something, the hidden wounds in her heart would also surface. These two completely opposite emotions would arise simultaneously, constantly tugging at her heart.
It was like ice and fire, repeatedly torturing her soul.
This was an ailment that had long eluded a cure.
"I'm sorry. I ruined the mood," she said, her eyelashes drooping as regret and guilt welled up inside her.
Xiao Yanzhi stared at her silently, then wrapped his arms around her. "Lili, you don't need to say sorry. It's my fault for hurting you so deeply."
This was the sin he had committed with his own hands, and the scar he had left on her.
"I'm the one in the wrong for making you hold back your emotions for so long," he sighed, pressing his nose against the crook of her neck as he spoke softly. "It won't happen again. You don't need to apologize. These are natural emotions for you to have."
She should be like a normal person, able to cry, laugh, and throw tantrums. She should be able to feel happy about the little moments in life, and also show her breakdowns and vulnerability when under pressure.
That was what it meant to be a living, healthy person.
Jiang Li was ill now, and it might take a long time to heal and recover.
But thankfully, he had all the time in the world to accompany her.
He would accompany her through the darkness, through the long years. If possible, he even wanted to accompany her for the rest of her life.
This was his punishment, but also his honor.
He was willing.
The announcement on the radio informed passengers that it was time to board the flight.
Jiang Li was about to wave goodbye to him when he suddenly pulled her into his arms. His actions were so natural. "I've booked you a flight the day after tomorrow afternoon. I'll pick you up when you land in the evening. Don't dawdle, okay?"
Jiang Li laughed and tried to break free from his embrace. "It's just one day later. It's not like we'll never see each other again. Why are you so anxious?"
"Even for just one day, I miss you terribly," he whispered in her ear. His deep breath tickled her.
"Lili, come back soon. Don't make me miss you too much."
His eyes were deep as he said these words, which carried a double meaning.
It not only meant that he wanted her to return to Beicheng soon, but also had another implication.
A tingle ran through her heart, and she simply hugged him back. "Take care of yourself."
As soon as she said this, her face began to flush uncontrollably.
This was the only appropriate thing she could think of to say to express her true feelings.
She thought she had been discreet, but Xiao Yanzhi still understood.
Xiao Yanzhi raised his eyebrows and let out a soft laugh. "I can tell that you'll miss me too."
---
Every Saturday, Jiang Li would visit Cheng Yingchun without fail.
After seeing Xiao Yanzhi off, she packed her luggage. That evening, she informed Sister Chen, Xiao Ye, and Jing Yi in advance that she would go straight to the airport after returning from Cheng Yingchun's place the next day. She told Xiao Ye to take the luggage and wait for her at the airport.
Early the next morning, Jiang Li took a taxi to Cheng Yingchun's house.
She first learned embroidery and then sat with her to chat.
"Are you catching a flight this afternoon?" Cheng Yingchun held her hand and glanced at the clock. "Will you make it in time? Where are you going?"
Jiang Li replied, "I'm going to Beicheng for the movie promotion."
During their previous conversations, Cheng Yingchun had also learned about the twists and turns of the movie Embroidery Lady. She was also happy for Jiang Li that the movie would finally be released.
Cheng Yingchun also knew that if it weren't for this movie, she and Jiang Li would never have met.
"Alright, alright. Then Granny won't hold you up. If you're done, you can go now. Don't miss your flight," Cheng Yingchun took off her reading glasses and squinted with a smile. "You might not be able to come back next week, right? Granny will allow you to take a week off."
Jiang Li's eyes curved into a smile. "Thank you, Granny."
When she was leaving, Cheng Yingchun seriously reminded her to call and report her safety after landing.
Jiang Li laughed and said that the plane was very safe and there was nothing to worry about. She told the old lady not to worry.
Sitting in the taxi on the way to the airport, Jiang Li felt an indescribable sense of comfort.
It wasn't just because of the conversation with Cheng Yingchun, but more because of the reminder to report her safety before she left.
A person without a home didn't need to report their safety no matter where they went because there was no one to report to.
But Cheng Yingchun's words made her suddenly feel like she had a home.
She was a traveler on a long journey, originally adrift and without a sense of belonging. But now, she actually had a family who cared about her safety.
Jiang Li sat in the car and looked out of the window. The airport in Huacheng was located on the outer ring of the highway. They had just entered the highway, and it would take another half an hour to reach the airport.
She withdrew her gaze and took out her phone to send a message to Xiao Yanzhi.
[I've set off.]
...
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Xiao Yanzhi had just come out of the meeting room. He rubbed his temples tiredly.
Sitting in the large office chair, he habitually took out his cigarette case. Just as he was about to light a cigarette, he remembered that Jiang Li would arrive in Beicheng in two hours. He hesitated for a moment and then put it down.
She hated the smell of cigarettes. She might resist his embrace if she smelled it.
This was more painful than quitting smoking.
In a way, Jiang Li was more addictive and irresistible to him than cigarettes.
He put the cigarette case back in his pocket and glanced at the time. He estimated that she should be boarding the plane by now.
He took out his phone and saw the message Jiang Li had sent him an hour ago, saying that she had set off for the airport.
Not bad. Compared to the last time in Vienna when she left him without a word, this time she at least knew to send a message in advance. She had made progress.
Jiang Li's flight would arrive at six o'clock. He had originally planned to finish his work at five o'clock and then go to the airport to pick her up. He had even specifically told Xue An to buy some snow mountain roses in advance to welcome Jiang Li.
But half an hour later, the office door was suddenly pushed open.
Xiao Yanzhi was still looking at the documents and didn't even raise his head. "Have you bought the snow mountain roses?"
"Ayan."
When he heard the woman's voice, he frowned first, and then slowly shifted his gaze from the documents to the woman's face. "What do you want?"
Yu Wan stood in front of him. Today, she was wearing a very gentle long sweater dress. Her hair was not loose on her back as usual, but neatly tied up. She looked a bit like Jiang Li.
"Ayan, I'm here to talk to you about terminating the contract."
Xiao Yanzhi looked at her calmly without much surprise. He bent his knuckles and tapped on the table a few times, as if thinking about something.
"Have you talked to Bai He about it?"
His voice was cold, and he didn't even ask for a reason.
He didn't care.