Chapter Forty-Six: The Check and the Scarf

I sat down on the chair before the desk, looking calmly at this woman, renowned as the most beautiful in the East. Xu Shu was still smiling as she spoke, “Come to think of it, I haven’t properly thanked you yet. That day, you helped me buy a pancake. Why did you suddenly disappear and never return?”

I replied, “I saw your agent and bodyguard coming to pick you up. I felt there was nothing more for me to do, so I went home.”

Xu Shu smiled, “Really? I actually waited for you for a while. But in any case, if it weren’t for your help that night, things would have gone terribly for me. Ever since I got back, I’ve wanted to find an opportunity to thank you. But as you know, I’ve been very busy lately and simply couldn’t find the time.”

I couldn’t tell if she was being genuine or just politely insincere, so I said, “It’s nothing! It was just a simple favor. You don’t need to think about it.”

Xu Shu insisted, “That won’t do. I must thank you.” As she spoke, she picked up two checks from the desk, pulled one out, and said to me, “This is just a token of my appreciation. Please don’t mind if it’s not much, Mr. Tang.”

I didn’t take it, nor did I even glance at the amount written on it. In my heart, I felt utterly disappointed in Xu Shu. Perhaps this sort of gesture was normal for her, but I felt as if she was insulting me.

Suppressing my anger, I forced myself to appear calm and said, “Miss Xu, you’re being so polite—surely you have another motive?”

Xu Shu’s eyes lit up, “Mr. Tang, you’re very clever! Since we’re both sensible people, I won’t beat around the bush. May I ask, are you still working at Jingjing’s father’s company?”

I answered, “Yes.”

“Does Jingjing’s father know that you and Jingjing are together?”

I sneered, “What do you mean by that, Miss Xu? Do you think I’m the kind of man who lives by deceiving women?”

Xu Shu replied, “Please don’t misunderstand, Mr. Tang, I didn’t mean that. In fact, I’m saying this for your own good. I know Jingjing’s father very well. I’m guessing Jingjing wouldn’t dare to tell her father, would she? He’s an old stick-in-the-mud, and Jingjing is the apple of his eye. He’d never agree to let you be with his daughter. Take my advice and give up on Jingjing. Otherwise, her father will break every bone in your body.”

Looking at this self-assured star, I truly wanted to laugh. I said, “Why don’t you tell all this to Hua Jingjing?”

“Jingjing is my best friend. Once she sets her mind to something, not even ten oxen could pull her back. Talking to her is useless. I don’t want to see her get hurt, so I have to come to you. If you can let Jingjing go, there’s another check here with an amount I’m sure you’ll find satisfactory. Mr. Tang, would you consider it?”

She placed both checks on the desk in front of me.

So, after all this, she still believed I was only with Hua Jingjing for money. My heart turned cold, and I mocked myself, “Tang Qian, you really are a fool. Everyone else has seen right through you—they think you’re nothing but a petty, money-grubbing scoundrel. And to think I almost tried to explain myself to her just now. What’s the point? Would she believe me? It would only make things worse and deepen my humiliation.”

I masked my grief and anger with a smile. “Then, Miss Xu, what would you like me to do?”

Xu Shu thought I was tempted. She smiled with satisfaction, “It’s very simple. Resign from your job immediately and disappear from Jingjing’s life forever. Take this money—it’s enough to start a small business or open a shop. You’ll never have to worry about making a living. How about it?”

I burst out laughing. “Miss Xu, you really are generous! To spend so much money for a friend. But don’t you think you’re overstepping? Do you have to meddle in other people’s lives as well? Didn’t you say you were very busy? How do you have so much free time?”

I couldn’t tell if Xu Shu was incredibly composed or just deeply calculating. Despite my sarcasm, she showed no anger, her face expressionless. She looked at me calmly and said, “Please don’t get upset, Mr. Tang. As I said, I’m doing this for you. You helped me once and I owe you. That’s why I’m offering you a way out. If I didn’t care, you’d end up with nothing—possibly even some bodily harm. Now I’m giving you something; that’s already a good outcome. You should be grateful.”

I couldn’t help but laugh again. “So, Miss Xu, you really think highly of me, calculating benefits on my behalf. How rare! How rare indeed!”

Xu Shu remained unfazed. “Aren’t you going to look at the amount on the check? Maybe then you’ll thank me.”

I put away my laughter and answered seriously, “All right, since you think so highly of me, I’ll accept your conditions. I’ll go resign to Hua Jingjing right now and never appear before her again.”

Xu Shu finally smiled, “It’s wonderful that you’re so reasonable, Mr. Tang. Please take these two checks.”

I shook my head, “I don’t want your money. I only want one thing from you—just one.”

“Oh? And what might that be? If I have it, I’ll give it to you.”

I reached out my hand, “The scarf you borrowed that night—please return it to me. It was a gift from my girlfriend and it’s very important to me.”

Even as someone who rarely showed emotion, Xu Shu was visibly surprised. “The scarf? You only want the scarf?”

I nodded, “Yes. You haven’t lost it, have you? It may not be worth much money, and perhaps it’s beneath your notice, but to me, it’s priceless. If you return it, I’ll keep my promise and stay away from her.”

Xu Shu clearly didn’t understand. She said again, “This is two hundred thousand yuan! You don’t want it? That scarf is already yours—it can’t count as compensation. Are you sure you’re not making a mistake, Mr. Tang?”

I smiled, “I never wanted anything from you. Everything you’ve said was your own idea. I may be poor, but I have my pride. Do you really think I’m pursuing Hua Jingjing? It’s laughable how you’re meddling without even understanding the situation. Why don’t you ask Hua Jingjing herself?”

Xu Shu’s breathing quickened. “So you’re saying it’s Jingjing who’s pursuing you? Either way, it’s not acceptable—it’s the same thing.” I kept smiling, “How could someone like me, poor with neither talent nor looks, ever attract Hua Jingjing? If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself. Now, please return the scarf. I’ll keep my word and stay away from her.”

Perhaps my words confused Xu Shu, and she was momentarily at a loss. Seeing me hold out my hand for the scarf, she said, “I’m sorry, the scarf isn’t here. This house is just one of my villas. I didn’t know you would come, so I didn’t bring it. I’ll have someone return it to you tomorrow. But you’ve really confused me. When Jingjing introduced you earlier, her expression clearly suggested you two were a couple! Could I have misunderstood?”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Wang Bingzhang came in, “Miss, the cake-cutting ceremony is about to begin. The guests are all waiting for you.”

Xu Shu nodded, “All right, I’ll be right down.” She looked at me, “Could you leave your phone number? I’ll have someone return your item tomorrow.”

I thought for a moment, “Fine. Please give me some paper and a pen.”

There was paper and a pen right on the desk. I wrote my cellphone number on a sheet of white paper and said, “Please return it as soon as possible. It’s very important to me.”

Turning around, I followed Wang Bingzhang the bodyguard back downstairs the way I came.

I reentered the hall through the main doors, and saw that the ball had paused. At some point, a gigantic cake, taller than a person, had been placed in the center of the hall, covered with slender candles. The host was speaking into a microphone, “The cake-cutting ceremony is about to begin. Please welcome our birthday girl, Miss Xu Shu!”

Applause erupted at once. Amid the cheers, Xu Shu descended the staircase, smiling radiantly. From where I stood at the doorway, I saw Hua Jingjing and Zhang Yalun flanking Xu Shu, happily preparing to blow out the candles with her. The hall lights went out, leaving only the candles glowing.

Zhang Yalun started singing, “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you…” and soon, many joined in. Xu Shu wore a look of pure happiness, her eyes closed, her fingers interlaced as she made a wish. When the song ended, she opened her eyes. Zhang Yalun called out, “Have you made your wish?” Xu Shu nodded with a smile. “Then let’s—blow!” Zhang Yalun shouted. Dozens of people blew out the candles together. Though the cake was massive and the candles widely spread, the combined effort snuffed them all out at once. The hall was plunged into deep darkness.

Moments later, the lights came back on and the hall was brightly lit once more. Guided by the host, Xu Shu took up the knife and sliced into the center of the cake.

As they laughed and distributed pieces of birthday cake, I stood off to the side, watching coldly. In front of the crowd, Xu Shu appeared so innocent and lovely, just like a pure, naïve girl. Yet just moments ago, I had encountered another side of her—cold, ruthless, self-important, and arrogant. How different she was from the person I thought I knew, from the idol adored by so many fans!

I deeply regretted coming to this gathering tonight. Had I not come, I would not have encountered Xu Shu again, would not have suffered her insult, and, perhaps most painfully, would not have discovered that the woman who once stirred my heart—the supposedly flawless ideal—was, in fact, that kind of person. The very type of woman I despised most.

The shock of this revelation struck me hard, leaving me utterly dispirited. I leaned against the wall by the hall entrance, overwhelmed not only by anger, but by something even stronger than my fury.

It was sorrow.

A deep, all-encompassing sorrow that filled my entire being.