NOVEL NEXT Chapter 667-674
Chapter 667: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (7)
He Jichen… H-he actually signed it. This means that before Chen Bai asked to speak to me about this, he already agreed for me to sign with another company?
Didn’t we have an agreement? He wanted me to trust him and to fight side by side with me. He stayed with me every step of the way from my lowest point in showbiz as I walked towards infinitely bright heights. He said he wanted to help me get back what I lost, little by little.
He often told her two things. One was: “Without YC, you’ll still have me,” and the other was “…I won’t swarm to you when you’re famous and I won’t turn and leave you at your lowest point.”
But how could he sign me over to another company?
Did I misread something?
Ji Yi thought about it and reached her fingers out to touch the three words “He Jichen” on the document.
The ink was dry. Her fingers traced over the cursive handwriting which looked unsmudged.
Ji Yi couldn’t help but press her fingers over his name.
But no matter how she rubbed it, the handwriting remained. She tried rubbing harder. Sitting in front of Ji Yi, Chen Bai was afraid she was going to tear the paper, so he couldn’t help but say, “Miss Ji.”
Ji Yi stopped rubbing it for a moment as her finger stopped unflinchingly over the “J.”
Could this be a misunderstanding?
During Chinese New Year, she misunderstood him over the incident about copying Qian Ge. Later, she learned it was a setup he created to help her get Qian Ge back.
So, could it be just like last time? Is there a deeper meaning behind him doing this?
Moreover, when she apologized to him in the car, after she went to see him that night at C City during the Television Awards, she told herself she would never doubt He Jichen again…
That’s right. I can’t assume he really wants me to leave YC because of a mere signature. Something must’ve happened. That must be it…
With that thought, Ji Yi hurriedly raised her head and looked over at Chen Bai. “What about He Jichen?”
If I see He Jichen and speak to him in person… Ji Yi didn’t wait for Chen Bai to reply and added, “Call him over here. I want to speak to him in person.”
Chen Bai politely recited the script he prepared in advance. “Miss Ji, Mr. He’s not in the office. He’s in America on business…”
“The hell! Like I believe you!” Ji Yi shot a look at Chen Bai and stopped begging him to contact He Jichen. Instead, she pulled out her phone, found He Jichen’s number, and called him.
After the call went through, it went straight to his auto-reply: “Sorry, the number you have dialed has been switched off.”
Ji Yi furrowed her brows then called again. It was still switched off. After her third attempt, Chen Bai said while sitting in front of her, “Miss Ji, I didn’t lie to you. Mr. He really is in America on business. He’s on a plane right now. He’ll probably turn on his phone at two in the afternoon.”
“What’s more, Miss Ji, did you not wonder why I am asking you to sign today and not Mr. He?”
Hearing Chen Bai’s question in return, Ji Yi stopped calling.
As she slowly lowered her phone, Chen Bai continued to say, “Mr. He could’ve personally talked to you. The only reason why he isn’t here is because he has made his mind up and doesn’t want to say much more on the matter.”
Chapter 668: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (8)
“So there’s no real point in you going to see Mr. He. The results will be the same; you’ll still have to sign, you’ll still have to leave YC, and you’ll still have to go to Huan Ying Entertainment.”
Chen Bai’s three statements were like three sharp knives piercing through Ji Yi’s chest one after the other. It hurt so much that her eyes couldn’t help but turn red. Her fingers couldn’t help but clutch the document until the paper had creases in it. Ji Yi kept her head down and eyes lowered in fear that Chen Bai would see tears in her eyes. “Did something happen for He Jichen to do this?” she asked softly.
“Is this similar to what happened during the Chinese New Year scandal? Does He Jichen want to give me another surprise?”
There was a slight pleading tone in Ji Yi’s voice when she asked. “Chen Bai, it is, isn’t it? He Jichen doesn’t really want to send me to Huan Ying, right?”
Chen Bai really wanted to say “Yes.” If he could, he also wanted to tell her that he really cared about her and really liked her. He cared so much that he was willing to give up on himself.
But he promised He Jichen to keep it a secret.
He was meant to be the bad guy. He had to do it eventually, sooner or later. Rather than dragging things on, he might as well settle things nice and cleanly.
With that thought, Chen Bai said, “Miss Ji, this time, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. This time, there’s no reason nor any surprise. Mr. He thinks it’ll be a triple win to sign you off to Huan Ying for you, for him, and for YC.”
“Miss Ji, you’re not stupid, so you must know that Mr. He is a businessman. Sometimes, businessmen talk profits. You have to know that the contract in front of you will bring Mr. He a nine-figure sum. If you were Mr. He, which would you think is more valuable? You or a nine-figure sum?”
Me or a nine-figure sum? A nine-figure sum or me?
If this was before, Ji Yi would still have some confidence that He Jichen didn’t really want to sell her off to another company. However, now that Ji Yi heard Chen Bai’s figure, she wasn’t so naive.
Chen Bai had been working in the business industry for many years, so he was an expert in reading body language. He could tell that Ji Yi was unsettled.
He gulped and hardened his state of mind then continued to feed her the same medicine. “Mr. He’s business matters in America weren’t urgent. The trip was originally scheduled for next week, but he set off early. Miss Ji, do you know what that means?”
Ji Yi didn’t need him to say it as she could guess the meaning behind his words. She didn’t want to listen or maybe she was afraid to listen. She instinctively shook her head and wanted Chen Bai to shut up, but Chen Bai acted like he didn’t see her reaction and continued in the same tone. “He Jichen did it on purpose.”
The moment Chen Bai’s voice fell, Ji Yi couldn’t hold it in any longer. A single tear fell from her eyes and crashed onto the document with a soft “Bam.”
Chen Bai stared at the water stain without a moment’s sympathy. “Mr. He went to America early to avoid you.”
“So, Miss Ji…”
Without even waiting for Chen Bai to finish what he was saying, Ji Yi spoke. “Can I take the document home with me first to think about it?”
He Jichen had orders for Ji Yi to sign it there and then…
Chapter 669: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (9)
Chen Bai stared at the woman with her eyes lowered. No matter how hard he tried, there was no way he could keep going.
Could I listen to her suggestion? Worst comes to worst, I’ll just get lectured by Mr. He…
Deep down, Chen Bai secretly struggled for a while before he finally came to terms with it. “You can.”
Ji Yi still didn’t look at him but softly said “Thanks” then closed the document. She hugged it to her chest and stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to the studio first. I still have to film in the afternoon.”
“Alright, Miss Ji.” Chen Bai got up and attempted to see Ji Yi out.
Ji Yi didn’t wait for him to step forward. She suddenly picked up her bag and walked out of the conference room without saying goodbye.
When Chen Bai chased after her from the conference room, Ji Yi was already in the elevator. In utter confusion, Zhuang Yi cried out “Xiao Yi” as she slipped into the elevator.
The red numbers jumped to “1” as the elevator descended. Chen Bai withdrew his gaze and stared at the tightly shut doors in the manager’s office for a while. Then he walked over.
Chen Bai stood in front of the doors to the CEO’s office, raised his hand, and knocked three times. He waited for half a minute before He Jichen softly said, “Come in.”
He opened the door and the office was unusually quiet. Chen Bai instinctively glanced over at the desk. He Jichen wasn’t in his seat and his silhouette wasn’t found in front of the tall windows.
Chen Bai shut the door and headed for the lounge.
The doors to the lounge were half open, so Chen Bai pushed the door open further. With just one glance, he saw He Jichen standing in front of the window.
After Chen Bai walked in, he cried, “Mr. He.”
He Jichen didn’t react.
Chen Bai continued by saying, “Miss Ji has already left.”
He Jichen remained in the same position as before and didn’t look back or say anything. However, Chen Bai clearly saw his back stiffen the very second he spoke.
Chen Bai knew He Jichen heard what he said. After a short pause, he continued to report what happened. “Miss Ji asked if she could take the document back and think about it. I…”
Chen Bai hesitated for a moment but eventually summoned the courage to speak the truth. “…agreed to let Miss Ji do so.”
He Jichen stood motionless with his back to Chen Bai. All of a sudden, he turned around the moment Chen Bai finished speaking.
Chen Bai didn’t wait for He Jichen to get angry as he swiftly added, “Miss Ji – she cried…”
Those four simple words instantly halted He Jichen.
Chen Bai didn’t dare look at He Jichen but slowly lifted his eyes to see that his hands were balled into fists.
Fortunately, Chen Bai was quick-witted… Chen Bai carefully said, “I really followed your instructions and said what needed to be said, but Miss Ji was so stunned that she didn’t sign it right there and then. I just couldn’t bear to force her…”
He Jichen still didn’t say anything.
Chen Bai’s head bolted up. He glanced at He Jichen. The anger in his brows had disappeared.
Chen Bai knew He Jichen wasn’t angry because he couldn’t get Ji Yi to sign, so he hurriedly promised him: “Mr. He, don’t worry. I’ll contact Miss Ji and get her to sign it as soon as possible.”
He Jichen waved his hand to signal for him to leave.
Chen Bai bowed his head at He Jichen. He turned around and headed out of the lounge.
Chapter 670: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (10)
The moment he left the lounge, Chen Bai stopped, turned around and glanced at He Jichen. With a moment’s hesitation, he said, “When Miss Ji saw your signature, her first reaction was to rub the letters…”
At the time, my own heart ached when I saw her do it. How must Mr. He feel?
Deep down, he understood that if Mr. He knew, he would definitely feel terrible. However, Chen Bai felt as though Mr. He should still know that the woman he loved and sacrificed everything for didn’t immediately misunderstand him after seeing his signature…
“…Miss Ji even asked to see you. I told her that there was no point in seeing you. She asked me if something happened for you to do such a thing.”
Chen Bai clearly saw He Jichen’s body sway for a second before his head quickly turned to the window.
“Miss Ji even asked if this was similar to the scandal during Chinese new year and if you were giving her some kind of surprise.”
“She even asked if you really wanted to send her to Huan…”
Chen Bai didn’t manage to say the final word “Ying” when He Jichen cried, “Get out!”
His voice was loud and his tone wavered as though he was afraid of something.
After saying everything he wanted to say, Chen Bai spoke no more and swiftly left He Jichen’s office.
After he heard the door close, He Jichen stared out the window as a tint of red slowly crept up around his eyes.
While the wetness blurred his vision, he suddenly remembered a song.
“Can’t speak about the sadness when breaking up. When friends ask you about me, I always play it down like I never loved you. I never told anyone that actually, I can’t live without you.”
“Actually, the love I gave you was more than you imagined. Actually, I love you more than you imagine.”
–
Eventually, Ji Yi decided to sign the document.
In actuality, she really didn’t want to sign it at all. She really wanted to stay at YC so she could keep seeing him. Even if she couldn’t see him, they were at least in the same place and they belonged in the same company: YC.
That way, she could at least imagine she was close to He Jichen.
If she signed it, she was afraid they’d be worlds apart. If neither of them took the initiative to call the other, it’d be really difficult to see each other again.
But despite how unwilling she was to sign, she waited for herself to calm down before seriously analyzing their situation. She realized that signing was the best ending for them both.
It wasn’t because Chen Bai’s words were hurtful, but it was mostly because they wouldn’t have a good ending.
He Jichen was already married. The person he married was the woman he loved deeply for many years – “Cola Girl.” He wouldn’t t divorce “Cola Girl.”
Even if he really got a divorce, she liked He Yuguang and she even got married to him! Even if she was now completely in love with He Jichen, she couldn’t hurt He Yuguang.
There was no way she could stop loving He Jichen. Every time she saw him, it was hard for her to control herself.
Since she could no longer bear the pain and torture of not being with him, she thought she might as well swiftly cut ties like she did with He Yuguang.
It’d definitely hurt, but the pain would only be temporary.
So, she might as well use this chance to swiftly break things off.
Ji Yi cried all night after she made the decision.
Fortunately, she didn’t have any scenes to shoot the next day, otherwise, she was afraid that even makeup wouldn’t be able to cover up her puffy eyes.
Since she made the decision, Ji Yi didn’t give herself any chance to back out. When she woke up the next morning, the first thing she did was flip through the document.
Chapter 671: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (11)
She didn’t read the contents of the document but flipped straight to the final page.
Though it happened over ten days ago, Ji Yi still felt a sharp knife piercing her heart when she saw He Jichen’s signature. It hurt so much that she couldn’t breathe.
After a good while, Ji Yi eventually recovered from the sharp pain. She found a pen and without a moment’s hesitation, she quickly wrote the two words “Ji Yi” on the signature line.
There were three copies of the document. When the time came to sign the final one, Ji Yi couldn’t hold back her emotions as a single tear crashed down on the “Ji” part of He Jichen’s name.
After she finished writing “Yi,” Ji Yi forcefully piled the papers together then collapsed to the table, sobbing.
In the past, she was devastated when she had to give up on He Yuguang, but compared to that, she now knew that wasn’t really devastation back then.
She realized that she merely liked He Yuguang, but regarding He Jichen, she had the temptation to love him for the rest of her life.
Say… When I was young, how was I so infatuated with He Yuguang?
Say… Why did He Yuguang and He Jichen have to be brothers?
Say… Why couldn’t Yuguang from “I only see you” be about He Jichen?
Say… After reuniting with him, how could I have married He Yuguang?
Say… If all I saw was He Jichen and “forever” also included He Jichen, how great would that be…?
Say, why are there so many “say”s… Nobody could’ve known that in the very end, she would fall in love with He Jichen who she used to hate so much.
A long while passed when Ji Yi finally stopped crying.
She sat up, raised her hand, and wiped the tears from her face. Then she reached for her phone and found Chen Bai’s number.
She was just about to call him but remembered how hoarse her voice would probably be from crying then decided to text him instead. “I signed it. Can I send them to you by express delivery?”
Soon enough, Ji Yi received a reply from Chen Bai. “Thank you, Miss Ji. Sorry to trouble you.”
Ji Yi wanted to reply with “You’re welcome,” but her hand was trembling so hard that she couldn’t text. In the end, she exited her chat with Chen Bai and called the front desk to ask them to request a delivery company.
Ji Yi put the phone down and stepped into the bathroom.
After she freshened up, the hotel phone happened to ring. It was the front desk calling to tell her that the delivery person had arrived for her.
With a word of “Thanks,” Ji Yi hung up, quickly got dressed and headed downstairs.
After she sent the document off, Ji Yi didn’t go back to the room but hailed a cab into the city.
She couldn’t let herself be depressed all alone in her room. She had to go out and do something…
En route, Ji Yi gave Tang Huahua a call.
Seeing as she had no classes that afternoon and Tang Huahua and Bo He were sleeping in the dorms, Ji Yi figured that she might as well ask them to go window shopping.
Ji Yi really never imagined that she would bump into He Jichen that evening at “The Golden Lounge.”
After she, Tang Huahua, and Bo He finished window shopping, they all went to eat hot pot. Seeing that it was still early, she didn’t want to go back to the hotel, so she figured she might as well treat Tang Huahua and Bo He out to sing at “The Golden Lounge.”
Because she had to shoot the next day, Ji Yi didn’t drink too much, but light-weight Tang Huahua drank just two glasses and was tipsy.
As she went to the restroom with Tang Huahua, Ji Yi bumped into He Jichen on her way back to the private room.
Chapter 672: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (12)
Rather than say “bumping into,” let’s just say that she was the one who saw He Jichen.
He was with a man she didn’t know, smoking and chatting in the smoking area at the end of the hallway. He didn’t even notice her, but as she emerged from the restroom, she caught sight of him with a glance.
She stared at him for a while. Before she could figure out if she wanted to say hello, she already cried his name: “He Jichen.”
She wasn’t loud, but the hallway was extremely quiet – quiet enough for him to hear.
He and the person next to him heard her voice. Practically at the same time, he looked over at her and Tang Huahua.
From the surprised expression on his face, He Jichen probably never imagined he would bump into her. It wasn’t until the stranger turned his head and said something to He Jichen that he had an apologetic look on his face. It wasn’t clear what he quietly said, but the man put out his cigarette and left first to enter a nearby private room.
He Jichen took a hard drag on his cigarette first. Then he put it out in a nearby ashtray before walking over to Ji Yi.
When he stopped in front of Ji Yi and Tang Huahua, tipsy Tang Huahua realized it was He Jichen. She smiled and greeted him: “He Xuezhang.”
He Jichen nodded at Tang Huahua in a polite yet conceited manner. Then he looked over at Ji Yi. “Out to have fun?”
“Mhm,” responded Ji Yi. But before she could speak, Tang Huahua added, “He Xuezhang, did you know that Xiao Yi took the microphone and sang eight hundred times just now…”
Before Tang Huahua could finish, Ji Yi reached her hand out and smacked her, preventing her from revealing her song choice – “Within Your Radius.” “Huahua, didn’t you need to go to the restroom? Hurry and go.”
As she said this, Ji Yi didn’t give Tang Huahua a chance to react and pushed her back into the restroom again.
Ji Yi slammed the door, took two steps towards He Jichen and explained, “Huahua drank too much…”
He Jichen nodded slightly and let out a quiet “Mhm.”
Ji Yi: “Are you here with friends tonight or for business?”
He Jichen: “Business.”
“You’re still so busy these days?”
“Mhm.”
She always had a lot to say whenever she saw him and today was no exception. However, as the words entered her head, Ji Yi swallowed her feminine little complaints.
She looked at him for some time then resorted to talking business. “I signed the contract Chen Bai gave me.”
“Mhm,” responded He Jichen. After a long time, he added, “Chen Bai told me.”
“I sent it to Chen Bai this afternoon. You should receive it in a day since we’re in the same city. Chen Bai’s probably already received it.”
He Jichen kept his head down and gently nodded without making a sound.
He Jichen’s reaction left Ji Yi at a loss for words. She stood in front of him for a while but seeing how motionless he was, her eyes started to feel sore. She was scared of crying in front of him, so she pointed to the restroom beside her. “I’ll go and check on Huahua.”
Without waiting for He Jichen to respond, Ji Yi turned around and bolted into the restroom.
As the doors shut with a “Bam,” He Jichen’s body trembled for a moment. He quickly lifted his head and glanced over in the direction of the restroom. Then he turned away and looked out of the window at the end of the hallway.
Chapter 673: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (13)
Out the window, bunches of Chinese roses were in bloom in the back garden of The Golden Lounge.
The window was open, so the evening breeze carried a faint scent of flowers in.
He Jichen started at the yellow roses without blinking for a long time until his eyes felt sore. Then he fluttered his eyelashes softly and withdrew his gaze. He shot a glance towards the restroom then turned and walked away.
After just two steps, He Jichen stopped. He wanted to turn back, but in the end, he didn’t. A moment later, he raised his feet again.
He Jichen didn’t head back to the private room but took the elevator down to the first floor of The Golden Lounge.
As he emerged from the elevator, the lobby manager of The Golden Lounge saw him and made his way over to him. “Mr. He, you’re leaving?”
He Jichen glanced at the lobby manager but didn’t reply. He walked out the front entrance with a sullen look on his face.
The lobby manager followed He Jichen with a polite and respectful smile. “Mr. He, you’re leaving after Mr. Chen dropped you off? Will Mr. Chen pick you up or shall I arrange for someone to drive you?”
Stepping out from the revolving doors of The Golden Lounge, He Jichen was met with the cold evening breeze which scattered the dullness in his heart. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, but just as he was about to light it up, the lobby manager already reached over to him with his own lighter in hand.
He Jichen glanced at it and drew in closer with the cigarette between his lips. He held it in his lips for a while then blew out a cloud of smoke. After the smoke completely dissipated, He Jichen then replied, “Get Chen Bai to drive me back.”
“I’ll call Mr. Chen now,” replied the manager in the lobby.
He Jichen nodded and silently brought the cigarette to the corner of his lips.
After the lobby manager hung up the phone, he reported, “Mr. Chen said he’s nearby. He’ll be arriving in ten minutes or so.”
With the cigarette in He Jichen’s mouth, he mumbled “Mhm.”
“Mr. He, do you want to come inside and sit for a while first? I’ll get you a cup of tea or maybe coffee?”
After a long time passed, He Jichen finally waved his hands. “No thanks.”
After a pause, he glanced over at the lobby manager standing at the entrance beside him then added, “Go do your work.”
“Alright, Mr. He. If there’s anything you need, call me at any time.”
He Jichen didn’t reply.
After the lobby manager headed back to the main hall of The Golden Lounge, He Jichen stood at the main doors for a while then walked over to the sidewalk.
He found a random lamppost, leaned against it and reached for another cigarette.
Just as this cigarette burned till the tip, Chen Bai arrived.
He Jichen didn’t wait for Chen Bai to help him open the door but pulled it open himself and stepped in.
After driving about a hundred meters down the empty road, He Jichen said, “Have you received the contract she mailed back?”
Chen Bai was stunned for a moment before he realized that the “she” He Jichen was referring to was Ji Yi, and the contract was the one signing Ji Yi over to Huan Ying Entertainment. Then he hurriedly replied, “I received it before I left the office in the evening.”
The car fell silent again.
Chen Bai drove some distance ahead. When he reached a red light, he glanced back at He Jichen through the rearview mirror. He hesitated for a moment and asked, “Mr. He, would you like to read the contract over one more time?”
Chapter 674: You’re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (14)
He Jichen didn’t say a word, but Chen Bai saw a hint of his brow loosening up.
Chen Bai knew it meant He Jichen wanted to read the contract…
He didn’t say anything more but grabbed the document from his briefcase in the front passenger seat. He opened it and gave it a quick read over. Once he was sure he hadn’t made a mistake, he turned around and handed it to He Jichen sitting behind him.
The corners of He Jichen’s lips twitched as he silently reached over to take the document.
When the red light turned green, Chen Bai held onto the steering wheel and stepped on the gas again.
While the car drove down the road, the reading light in the back seat was turned on and the crisp sound of paper turning could be heard.
The car was very silent. Chen Bai, who was staring at the road ahead, was a little curious about He Jichen reading the document so every now and then, he peered into the rearview mirror.
He Jichen flipped through the document rigorously. Chen Bai wasn’t sure which page he was reading, but it looked like his pressure points had been hit as he didn’t flinch at all.
When they reached the underground parking lot of He Jichen’s apartment, Chen Bai glanced over at He Jichen again and saw that he was still staring at the document in silence. Chen Bai couldn’t help but prompt him, “Mr. He, we’re here.”
He was met with a wall of silence.
Chen Bai waited for a while. Seeing as He Jichen didn’t react, he was about to call his name again. All of a sudden, He Jichen softly said a few words.
Because he spoke very quietly, Chen Bai simply couldn’t hear him.
The silent atmosphere continued to envelop the car for a while before a faint word escaped He Jichen’s lips, “…cry…”
He said a couple of words, but Chen Bai only heard the single word “cry.”
Chen Bai was just about to ask He Jichen why he was crying…
When in the end, before the words could reach his lips, he looked at He Jichen’s fingers gently placed on top of the document.
He Jichen’s fingers trembled like crazy as Chen Bai’s heart shook. He instinctively raised his chin and caught sight of a teardrop beneath He Jichen’s fingers.
So Mr. He meant to say that… Miss Ji cried when she signed it?
The thought just flashed across Chen Bai’s mind when he heard a faint mumble from within the car. Chen Bai probably guessed right as he picked up He Jichen’s slurred words. “…I made her cry again…”
–
Ji Yi’s mood took a dive again because she accidentally bumped into He Jichen.
After returning to the private room, not only was she not in the mood to sing, but she wasn’t even in the mood to talk.
Bo He could tell she was in a terrible mood, so not long after, she suggested that they leave.
They paid the bill before Bo He and Ji Yi called their respective taxis.
Just as the three of them reached the lobby of The Golden Lounge, Bo He’s taxi back to B-Film arrived.
Ji Yi said her goodbyes to Bo He and Tang Huahua then the two entered the taxi. After they left, Ji Yi walked over to the sidewalk.
Before she could take two steps, she saw He Jichen in the distance leaning against a lamppost, smoking with his head down.
Ji Yi’s footsteps involuntarily came to a stop.
She didn’t call him like she did at the restroom door. Instead, she just stared at him silently.
Chen Bai’s car appeared. He Jichen got in and left with Ji Yi still staring in a daze at the spot where he was standing.