Aya finally left.

Together with the man who came to Haicheng with her.

*

The department completed another advertising deal these days.

Colleagues gathered for dinner in the evening, celebrating with a drink. I couldn't excuse myself, so I went along as well.

Standing in the living room now, looking at the neatly arranged surroundings and reading the text message Aya sent me on my phone.

I suddenly had a strange sense of absurdity.

She said she was going back to her hometown to get married, and the groom was that man.

She said her grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer, and the family needed someone to take care of them, so she couldn't work in Haicheng anymore.

As for the 200,000 yuan, she said she would transfer it to me when she had enough money in the future.

She also said... all of this was voluntary, and she felt very happy. She asked me to take care and not worry about her life in her hometown.

"Liars... all of you are big liars!" With moist eyes, I stared at the screen, my fingertips touching the screen, and then stumbled and fell to the ground.

She claimed she felt very happy, but am I really such a foolish person?

"Aya..."

Sitting on the ground, I cried for I don't know how long, and the alcohol in my stomach seemed to be rising.

Actually, I haven't rested well these days. I cried until my eyes were swollen and, unknowingly, drifted off to sleep at the corner of the couch.

The dim light flickered.

A few stars outside the window twinkled lonely.

Indistinctly, I seemed to hear a light footstep.

Weary and exhausted, I couldn't open my eyes, but I also didn't want to open them.

A pair of arms held me and lifted me up.

Vaguely, I smelled a fresh woody fragrance.

That smell was very charming; it must have been Aya who came back... only she loved buying perfumes...

"Aya!"

I nuzzled against her shoulder, burying my head into it and coquettishly said, "You're back, aren't you..."

She didn't respond, and instead tucked me into the soft bedding.

I opened my eyes dimly.

A slender hand turned off the lamp.

It seemed like I was dreaming again.

*

The sky was getting brighter.

I opened my eyes and lay in bed, gazing blankly at the ceiling.

Aya had also left.

Haicheng was now left with only me, Jiang Xuan.

Life continues, but I have no right or time to wallow in self-pity.

The sunlight entered the room, dispelling the vestiges of darkness. I struggled to adjust my horrible mood at the moment.

I rubbed my eyes, then opened my phone, and a series of messages popped up in the work group chat.

Everyone was enthusiastically discussing the latest gossip in the company.

[The new CEO is expected to arrive at the company this morning.]

Without any emotion, I scrolled through their conversations.

My eyes looked dull and numb.

It was mentioned that the new CEO who just returned from overseas was a top student from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S.

Some also said that he must have a big background, or else, why would he suddenly spend so much money to acquire their small advertising company...

No longer reading, I got up to shower, change clothes, and get ready for work.

I spent that day in peace.

The new boss seemed a bit cold.

Unlike other leaders, he didn't immediately come to the company to console and reassure everyone after taking office.

Two days later, a meeting was organized for all employees.

This was to assess the performance of all employees for the year.

The young new boss appeared in front of the crowd, and the lighting on stage shone onto his handsome face under the expensive and neat suit.

I suddenly understood why he acquired the small advertising company...

...

I looked up at a brand new Porsche that was parking in front and then slowly rolled down the car window.

The familiar and handsome face inside flashed before me; he seemed to have changed a lot over the years.

When Fang Haoyan saw me, his eyes were full of indifference.

I felt like laughing, not for any other reason, but because I suddenly felt nauseous.

Seeing the sarcasm in my eyes, Fang Haoyan lowered his gaze.

"Mr. Fang, is there something you need?" I smiled at him, glancing discreetly around.

For some reason, ever since that incident last time—

I always felt...

As if the world seemed to have an extra shadow that followed me...

Fang Haoyan opened the car door, got out, and walked up to me.

My attention was drawn back, I furrowed my brows and looked up at him.

My ex-boyfriend.

"After all these years... you're still the same," he said abruptly, but I could hear the mockery in his words.

"But you, on the other hand, have almost become unrecognizable," I retorted, mocking him.

"Why did you spend so much money acquiring this small company instead of managing the Fang Group?"

I taunted him, and saw the icy arrogance and anger in his eyes.

For some reason, I felt a bit tired.

Not just for me, but for the old me as well.

"Apologies, Mr. Fang," I insincerely apologized, "I have some family matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

"Stop!" He grabbed my arm, not noticing the red mark left by his grip.

"Aren't you feeling any guilt after all these years?" he looked at me fiercely and asked each word distinctly.

"When you have those midnight dreams, haven't you seen her coming back to find you...?"

Upon hearing this, I vigorously shook off Fang Haoyan's hand.

And I gave him a slap in the face.

"Get out!"

This is the pain and regret of my life. He knows this...

"Fang Haoyan, you're really stupid." I left him behind angrily, walking towards the subway without paying attention to the eyes of the onlookers on the street.

"You will regret this." Came Fang Haoyan's hoarse and desperate voice from behind.

Carrying hatred and madness.