Chapter 12: Cheap or Not?

Gu Yunting has a "white moonlight" girlfriend; because she wanted to go abroad for further studies a few years ago, they broke up. Later, Gu Yunting remained entangled with Bai Shunan, and the two have both a superior-subordinate relationship and a romantic one.

It's just that every time Gu Yunting finishes having his way, he leaves behind a sentence: "I don't love you, and don't you love me either; there is no future for us."

This makes Bai Shunan have to drink to numb herself every time.

Bai Shuruo looked blankly at her sister in her arms. Her sister was such a beautiful and proud woman, yet she tortured herself time and again because she fell in love with a man.

"Sister, why don't... why don't you stop seeing Gu Yunting? He isn't worth it," Bai Shuruo said.

Bai Shunan grabbed Bai Shuruo's clothes, wiping her tears and snot onto them: "But I really love him; you don't understand this feeling."

"..." Bai Shuruo didn't know what else to say. She could only hold her sister tightly, feeling heartbroken—so heartbroken that she thoroughly detested that guy named Gu Yunting.

While holding her sister, Bai Shuruo saw Han Yangting leaning against the doorway. He had his hands in his pockets, looking at the pair of sisters indifferently.

Bai Shuruo knew it wasn't Han Yangting's business; he was only responsible for bringing her up.

So she said to Han Yangting: "Brother Han, why don't... you go back first? I'll just stay here and keep my sister company."

It was only at this moment that Bai Shunan realized there was an outsider present. She hadn't been very drunk to begin with, and now she was a bit more sober.

She pushed Bai Shuruo away and looked at Han Yangting.

Realizing her lack of composure, she wiped her tears with her hand: "Mr. Han, please excuse my behavior. I didn't know you would come over with my sister."

Han Yangting walked closer to them, then looked at Bai Shunan and asked coldly: "Without a man, will you die?"

Bai Shunan was stunned.

Bai Shuruo subconsciously tugged at Han Yangting's sleeve, signaling him not to speak so harshly.

But Han Yangting continued: "You know full well that man only treats you as a tool to vent his desires, yet you hide behind the name of love, willingly acting as that tool time and again. Even those who visit prostitutes know to pay, but you are free of charge—isn't that cheap?"

"Brother Han, please stop," Bai Shuruo couldn't bear it and tugged at his sleeve again.

And Bai Shunan's tears came out again, while she lowered her head.

Han Yangting was right; she was even worse than a prostitute.

Han Yangting added: "What men cherish the least are women who come when called and leave when dismissed. You don't have to make him love you, but you cannot let him look down on you. Once you are nothing more than an optional tool in his eyes, he will forever be above you, trampling on you."

Bai Shuruo was also stunned.

Although Han Yangting spoke too directly, she had to admit that he was very right. He was practically her mouthpiece; she wouldn't have dared to say such things.

Her sister really should make a clean break with Gu Yunting.

Han Yangting took Bai Shuruo's hand and said to her: "Let's go, let's go eat."

"But my sister..."

"She is an adult and must know how to be responsible for her own actions. You cannot come over to comfort her every single time; you are already married."

Bai Shuruo: "..."

On the sofa, Bai Shunan laughed at herself: "Ruoruo, you go ahead. Sister is fine."

"Sister, I want to stay with you," Bai Shuruo still felt heartbroken for her sister.

"Sister wants to be quiet by herself for a while." Bai Shunan stroked Bai Shuruo's long hair and added: "Be good, you go back first. Sister will be fine after calming down. Your Mr. Han is right; Sister really should reflect on herself."

Since Bai Shunan had said as much, Bai Shuruo had nothing left to say. If her sister could grasp what Han Yangting said and figure things out sooner, that would naturally be for the best.

The night grew heavy.

Bai Shuruo was sitting back in the passenger seat of Han Yangting's car.

After fastening her seatbelt, she looked up at the window of Bai Shunan's home.

The window was half-open, and the white gauze curtains fluttered in the night.

"Still worried about your sister?" Han Yangting asked.

Bai Shuruo nodded and added: "Sister really likes Gu Yunting; she must be very sad right now."

Han Yangting said: "Love is like sand in one's hand; the tighter you grip it, the easier it is to lose. Loosening your hold is actually better. Your sister should learn to let go. There are many examples of unrequited love in this world; not everyone can obtain the person they like."

Bai Shuruo couldn't help but muster the courage to ask: "Then Brother Han... have you had such experiences?"

"I am different. I give the sand freedom, letting the sand return to my hand of its own accord," he said confidently.

Bai Shuruo nodded, looking as if she had suddenly realized something.

Han Yangting liked his brothers, so he let his brothers leave, but sooner or later, he would be together with his brothers.

Han Yangting started the car and drove to a street food stall halfway there for a late-night snack.

Bai Shuruo asked in confusion: "Brother Han, why stop here? Didn't we agree to go to that private kitchen restaurant from last time?"

"That private kitchen restaurant is closed today, so let's just eat here," Han Yangting said while unbuckling his seatbelt to get out of the car.

Bai Shuruo felt that Han Yangting was afraid of her spending money, which was why he came to the street food stall.

But she had to admit, coming to a street food stall to eat made her feel more relaxed. A pot of porridge, a plate of stir-fried noodles, and a plate of stir-fried greens—the total cost was less than 150 yuan.

She ate until she was stuffed.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Bai Shuruo to report to CG.

CG was located on East Ring Road. The office building had 30 floors, with a forest park behind it, looking very quiet and impressive. Bai Shuruo liked it the moment she saw it.

Of course, she was also very nervous.

She first went to the front desk to report and quickly finished the procedures. When signing the contract, she glanced at the salary and benefits listed above; it turned out the internship salary was 6,000 yuan a month, which definitely wouldn't be the case at an ordinary company.

After signing the labor contract, a female colleague from the Human Resources Department gave her an ID badge and a bag of office supplies, then led her to the Design Department.

She had studied industrial design, and upon arriving, she was assigned to the Design Department—a treatment many university graduates dreamed of.

CG was a mobile phone company. From R&D to production to marketing, it was a premier domestic brand. Because of its low price and fashionable appearance, it was deeply loved by young people.

From the Human Resources Department to the Design Department, the way was lined with various mobile phone posters, company milestones, and slogans representing corporate culture, such as "Build a World-Class Mobile Phone Brand," "Promote CG to the Whole World," and so on.

It was inspiring just to look at.

Arriving at the Design Department, a colleague from the Human Resources Department led her to the supervisor's office and knocked on the door; from inside came a feminine "come in!"