Chapter 57: Confession

The girl before me had a mischievous expression, youthful and charming—another little beauty, delicate and lovely. Her features bore a faint resemblance to Xu Shu, yet carried a different allure. Xu Shu’s beauty was noble and pure with a hint of sensuality, while this young lady was as pristine as a mountain spring, untouched by artifice, her natural loveliness unadorned. One could not help but like her instantly, from the heart.

I answered her question first, “Yes, my name is Tang Qian. And you are…?”

She regarded me with curiosity and playfulness, circling around me as if to inspect from every angle, making me feel inexplicably awkward and uneasy.

I said, “What’s wrong? Is there something odd about me?”

She finished her examination, returned to stand before me, and asked in a voice as clear and sweet as silver bells, “So you’re the one who carried my sister through the snow for miles and took her to the hospital?”

I thought to myself, “So this lovely, adorable girl is Xu Shu’s sister—no wonder she’s so beautiful. The Xu family truly has Heaven’s favor: the men are handsome and forthright, the women beautiful and delightful. It’s enviable!”

I replied, “Yes. Are you Xu Shu’s younger sister?”

Before she could answer, Xu Shu’s mother emerged from the inner room, scolding, “Adults are talking here. Why are you interrupting, child? Go back inside now!”

The girl mischievously stuck out her tongue, winked at me, and darted into another room, leaving behind a trail of laughter like ringing bells.

Seeing me rise to leave, Xu Shu’s mother said, “Mr. Tang, are you heading out? Ah, I was hoping you might stay for lunch, but the meal is only just being prepared—it won’t be ready soon, I’m afraid it would delay you.”

I laughed and said, “You’re too kind, Auntie. But I really don’t have much time today. I must take my leave!” Xu Shu’s mother stood at the inner doorway, her expression unchanged, not moving at all. She merely said, “Take care, I won’t see you off.”

Without another word, I turned and strode away. Just as I stepped outside, someone called out from afar, “Brother Tang! Are you leaving already?”

I looked up and saw Xu Jian hurrying toward me. I said, “Brother Xu, I have urgent matters this afternoon and must return to City B. Time is tight, I need to set out quickly.”

Xu Jian came up to me and said, “No matter how urgent, you should eat lunch before leaving! Come, have a few drinks with me!”

I didn’t want to disturb their family, so I didn’t mention the subtle dismissal from Xu Shu’s mother, only saying, “Brother Xu, the greatest gain from this visit has been meeting you. You’ve shown me the virtues and fortitude a man ought to possess. I’m glad and admire you greatly. I truly wished we could drink together, but I have prior commitments—if I don’t go, it won’t do.”

Xu Jian grasped my hands tightly, moved, and said, “No need for thanks between brothers. Leave your phone number so we can keep in touch—come visit, drink, and chat with me whenever you’re free. I have a meeting this afternoon and can’t escort you back to City B. Let me arrange for a driver to take you.”

“No need, really, it’s too much trouble. I’ll just take the long-distance bus.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Wait a moment, I’ll make a call.” With that, Xu Jian went back into the yard, and I waited. A few minutes later, he returned and said, “It’s arranged, though the car isn’t fancy—it’s a jeep. Don’t mind, brother.”

I smiled, “Brother Xu, I’m already grateful to have a car. I’m not anyone important; good car or bad, it makes no difference to me.”

We exchanged phone numbers, and soon a jeep drove up and stopped beside us. Xu Jian addressed the driver, a sergeant, “Zhao, sorry to trouble you, but please drive my brother back to City B. When you return, I’ll treat you to drinks! Thank you!”

The sergeant replied, “A command from Staff Officer Xu—no problem, I’ll see him safely to his destination, rest assured!”

I got into the jeep and waved goodbye to Xu Jian. His tall, imposing figure receded into the distance, disappearing around a bend. The jeep soon left the military compound, speeding toward City B. Instinctively, I reached inside my coat and pulled out the scarf.

I stroked the wool scarf, recalling the warmth and gentle care Qiu Jieqin had shown when she wrapped it around me that night, filling my heart with warmth. I thought, once I finish the resignation procedures at the company, all troubles will be behind me. Free from Hua Jingjing’s entanglement, misunderstandings with Xu Shu cleared, I could quietly live a simple life with the scarf’s owner…

The journey passed in silence. Two hours later, we arrived in City B. I directed the sergeant to Green Lady Company, thanked him, and got out.

At that moment, hunger gnawed at me—checking the time, it was past one-thirty. I found a place nearby to grab a quick bread, then took the elevator to the company’s twelfth floor.

Arriving at the Planning Department, I went straight to my secretary’s desk, found paper and pen, and swiftly wrote my resignation letter, enclosing it in an envelope. Then I walked to Hua Jingjing’s office and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” came Hua Jingjing’s slightly hoarse voice. I entered, seeing her behind the desk, one hand pressed to her forehead, busy with paperwork.

I stepped forward and greeted, “Director Hua!”

She finally lifted her gaze to me; I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and a trace of weariness—clearly, she hadn’t slept well. She looked at me deeply, gestured to the chair in front of her, and said softly, “Sit.”

I carefully placed the resignation letter on her desk and said, “This is my resignation letter. Please take a look.” Then I sat down, waiting for her response.

Hua Jingjing didn’t even glance at the envelope. She just stared at me, her gaze direct and intense, making me so uncomfortable I could barely breathe. I had to cough to remind her, “Director Hua, my resignation letter—please take a look.”

She replied with a vague sound, but still didn’t look at it. Instead, she smiled faintly, somewhat helpless, and asked, “After you resign, what are you planning to do?”

I answered, “I haven’t decided yet. Once the paperwork is done, I’ll take some time to think about it.”

She sneered, “You haven’t even planned your next step, but you’re in such a hurry to resign? Is the company really so unbearable?”

My face flushed, and I lowered my head, at a loss for words.

She continued, “When I first joined the company, I truly treated you badly—you know why. But last night I made it clear to you: I need you! Yet you insist on leaving. I don’t believe your nonsense about wanting to strike out on your own. I want to hear the real reason. Why? Why are you determined to go? Is it just because of your girlfriend?”

I sighed, still unsure how to answer. Should I tell her about Xu Shu’s insult? But Xu Shu had already apologized, and it seemed unfair to use that as an excuse. Should I admit I’m leaving to avoid her? That seemed too cruel. Why was it so hard just to resign?

Helpless, I nodded, “Yes, I’m resigning because of my girlfriend.”

Hua Jingjing looked earnestly into my eyes. I met her gaze for only a second before glancing away, feeling guilty. She snapped, “Liar! Don’t you think I know what kind of person you are? You’re a man whose chauvinism borders on illness, arrogant to the point of extremity—would you really give up your job over a woman’s words? If you were going to resign, you’d have done it long ago, not waited until today!”

Her assessment made me want to laugh and cry—was I really so extreme?

Fuming, she stood up, strode to the door, slammed it shut, and locked it from inside. I was startled—what was this headstrong woman planning?

She returned, fixing her gaze on me, and said, “I know! You’re determined to leave because you want to avoid me, right? You… can’t stand my temper? I… I can change, isn’t that enough? Tang Qian, I… I… I really need you. You’re so smart, you must understand what I mean by now, I… I…”

Her words grew more heartfelt as she spoke, drawing closer with each step. I hurriedly stood up, calling, “Director Hua!”

She stopped, her face flushed. Suppressing her excitement, she looked at me hopefully. My own emotions surged—she’d made her feelings so clear, if I pretended not to understand, I’d only be deceiving myself.

I pulled my chair toward her and said, “Director Hua, don’t be impulsive. Sit and let me explain.”

She obediently sat down, now too embarrassed to meet my eyes, her head bowed. I pulled another chair over and sat facing her.

I knew what must be said, and avoidance was no answer. I paused to consider how to phrase everything gently. After a moment, I began, “Director Hua, I’m truly moved by how much you value me. Over this period, my impression of you has changed greatly. I now see you as an honest and sincere woman—sometimes a bit willful, but inherently kind. I no longer harbor any resentment I once felt toward you.”

I paused, then continued, “I don’t know what you see in me, but the gap between us is too wide—it’s simply not possible, you understand?”

Her face suddenly paled. She looked up, saying, “I don’t understand! Am I not beautiful? Am I not good enough for you?”

I shook my head, “No, on the contrary—you’re very beautiful, and your family is outstanding. It’s me who’s not good enough for you!”

“But I’ve never looked down on you! Why is it impossible? Just because you have a girlfriend?”

“Yes. But that’s only part of it. Think about it—if you really were with me, would your father approve? Would he accept a penniless nobody like me? In the end, we’d be forced apart anyway. Why suffer later, when we could simply never start? I know you’re acting on impulse, blindly so—so I’m resigning. Once we don’t see each other, you’ll soon realize how foolish this is and forget me. It’s better for us both.”

Hua Jingjing’s face was full of disappointment. She said, “So it really is to avoid me. Tang Qian, you’re so hypocritical. If you don’t like me, just say so. Why spout all these reasons and excuses to brush me off? Do you think that will make me feel any better?”