Chapter 1978: Can You Give Me a Chance

Just as Zhang Zhiqiang was lost in thought, Zhao Jiamin came out after her shower. She sat on the edge of the bed in a bathrobe and, looking at Zhang Zhiqiang, said, "What's wrong? You look so serious."

Zhang Zhiqiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Liu Tao just called me and said some things about us."

Zhao Jiamin's face darkened as she asked, "What did he say?"

"He said we're a good match, and told me to be careful not to let you down," Zhang Zhiqiang replied. "He also said you're his colleague, and told me to take good care of you."

Zhao Jiamin listened and said unhappily, "That Liu Tao really has to stick his nose into everything. Our business doesn't need him worrying about it."

Zhang Zhiqiang nodded and said, "I know. I think so too. But our situation really isn't easy, and I'm afraid the gap between us will only grow wider."

Zhao Jiamin frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Zhiqiang took a deep breath and said, "What I mean is, our identities and backgrounds are different. I'm just an ordinary recruiter, while you're a TV station host. I don't know if we can really last together."

Zhao Jiamin's expression changed as she said, "Are you trying to break up with me?"

Zhang Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "That's not what I mean. I just think we should face reality and not let our feelings get trapped in difficulty."

Zhao Jiamin was silent for a moment, then said, "Have you fallen for someone else?"

Zhang Zhiqiang flatly denied it: "No! I absolutely have not fallen for anyone else."

"Then why would you have such thoughts?" Zhao Jiamin said, displeased. "We've been together so long, and you've never said anything like this to me. Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Zhang Zhiqiang looked at Zhao Jiamin in great difficulty, unsure whether he should tell her his true thoughts. He was torn inside — on one hand he didn't want to hurt her, on the other he felt he needed to face reality and think about their future together.

In the end, Zhang Zhiqiang still gathered his courage and said, "Actually, I've always felt our identities and backgrounds are different, and that might create distance between us. I don't want you to suffer any grievance because of me."

Zhao Jiamin gave a cold laugh after hearing this and said, "So you look down on me."

"It's not like that," Zhang Zhiqiang hurriedly explained. "I like you, and I love you. But I hope you can find someone better, instead of being with me and suffering any grievance."

"Suffering grievance?" Zhao Jiamin said angrily. "Do you think I'm that fragile? I can take care of myself. And our feelings are real — why give them up over some external factors?"

Zhang Zhiqiang had no words to respond. He knew well that Zhao Jiamin was a very strong and independent girl, but the conflict inside him left him unable to let go. He had no idea what to do. Zhao Jiamin watched Zhang Zhiqiang's conflicted expression, and anger and disappointment welled up in her heart like a tide. She had thought Zhang Zhiqiang was a man who took responsibility and was dependable, but she hadn't expected his behavior in this matter to disappoint her so greatly.

"If you want to break up, then break up; if you want to be together, then be together — what do you take me for?" Zhao Jiamin said angrily. "Your way of thinking is unfair to me. If you really feel there's a gap between us, then tell me sooner so I can give up sooner."

Zhang Zhiqiang looked at Zhao Jiamin in pain. He knew his words had hurt her, but the thoughts deep inside him wouldn't let him go. He was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm not trying to break up — I just think we should face reality and consider each other's future."

"The future?" Zhao Jiamin said disdainfully. "We've only just begun, and you're already thinking about some future. Is our relationship really that fragile? Or do you think we have no future at all?"

Zhang Zhiqiang lowered his head and said nothing, the conflict inside him impossible to escape. He didn't want his own thoughts to hurt Zhao Jiamin, but he also couldn't completely ignore reality. He knew he needed to think it over carefully before making the right decision.

Zhao Jiamin watched Zhang Zhiqiang's silence and helplessness, and the anger and disappointment in her heart grew stronger. She knew this man was not the kind she wanted — he was indecisive and selfish, only considering his own feelings while ignoring hers. She didn't want to continue being with a man like this.

"I understand," Zhao Jiamin took a deep breath and said. "Let's end things here between us." With that, she turned and left.

Zhang Zhiqiang watched Zhao Jiamin's departing back, his heart filled with pain and helplessness. He knew his thoughts had hurt Zhao Jiamin's heart, but he couldn't control the conflict and struggle inside him either. He needed to calm down and think about his future and where his feelings belonged. After Zhao Jiamin returned to the TV station dormitory, her mood sank to rock bottom. She felt deeply wronged, and at the same time was disappointed and angry at Zhang Zhiqiang's attitude. She didn't want to just give up on her and Zhang Zhiqiang's relationship, but she also couldn't accept his thoughts and attitude.

Amid the conflict and struggle, Zhao Jiamin spent a sleepless night. She thought about many things, recalling every little moment she and Zhang Zhiqiang had shared together — his tenderness, his care, his promises. She didn't know what to do, whether to give up on this relationship.

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhiqiang on the other side also spent a night in conflict. He knew well that his thoughts had hurt Zhao Jiamin's heart, but he felt he wasn't wrong. He wasn't trying to break up — he just wanted to consider their future. He had no idea what to do, whether he should go find Zhao Jiamin and explain his thoughts.

The next morning, Zhao Jiamin got up early, sorted out her feelings, and prepared to go to work at the TV station. She knew she needed work to distract herself, to keep from thinking about the relationship issues with Zhang Zhiqiang.

Just as she was about to head out, her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Zhang Zhiqiang.

Zhao Jiamin hesitated for a moment, then answered the phone.

"Jiamin, I'm sorry." Zhang Zhiqiang's voice came from the other end. "I know what I said last night hurt you, and I truly regret it."

Zhao Jiamin said nothing, quietly listening as Zhang Zhiqiang continued:

"I know my thoughts were selfish, only considering my own feelings while ignoring yours. I'm truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me and give me a chance to explain my thoughts."

Zhao Jiamin was silent for a moment, then said, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

"Yes." Zhang Zhiqiang took a deep breath and said, "I know our identities and backgrounds are different, but that shouldn't be an obstacle between us. I cherish our relationship, and I believe we can overcome any difficulty. I hope you can trust me and give me a chance to prove myself."

Hearing this, the conflict and struggle began again in Zhao Jiamin's heart. She didn't know what to do, whether to forgive Zhang Zhiqiang. She knew his thoughts weren't about breaking up, but his words left her unable to let go. She needed time to think before making the right decision.

"I need time to think it over," Zhao Jiamin said. "I don't want to give up on our relationship lightly, but I also can't ignore your thoughts and attitude. I hope you can understand how I feel."

"I understand." Zhang Zhiqiang nodded and said, "I'll give you time to think. But please believe me — I truly cherish our relationship." After hanging up, Zhao Jiamin sat on the sofa in a daze for a long time. After quite a while, she finally stood up, gathered her things, and prepared to go to work at the TV station. When she walked to the stairway with her bag, she ran into Zhang Zhiqiang.

"Wait a moment." Seeing Zhao Jiamin about to leave, Zhang Zhiqiang hurriedly called out to her.

"What is it?" Zhao Jiamin frowned at Zhang Zhiqiang.

"It's Friday today," Zhang Zhiqiang said. "How about I drive you to work?"

"No need!" Zhao Jiamin shook her head and said.

"Don't get the wrong idea — I don't mean anything else. I just want to minimize the chances of us having a conflict. I really don't want to see us fall out. Don't worry, I'll work hard to change my way of thinking." Zhang Zhiqiang hurriedly explained.

Zhao Jiamin thought it over, and finally agreed to Zhang Zhiqiang's suggestion.

After Zhao Jiamin got into the car, she saw that Zhang Zhiqiang in the driver's seat had a pale face and swollen, red eyes, as if he hadn't slept all night. Although she knew he had been drinking the day before, she still couldn't help but scold him: "If you were going to get drunk, why did you drink so much?"

Zhang Zhiqiang sighed and said, "I had a nightmare last night. I was afraid I'd done something wrong, so…"

Zhao Jiamin stared at Zhang Zhiqiang in confusion.

"I had a bad dream — I dreamed I went to bed with some strange women," Zhang Zhiqiang said. "It scared me awake, and then I couldn't fall back asleep, so I went to an internet cafe to surf the web."

Zhao Jiamin suddenly understood. She hadn't expected Zhang Zhiqiang to have had such a bad dream, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Sorry, I scared you, didn't I," Zhang Zhiqiang said awkwardly. "I didn't expect myself to have such a bad dream. Jiamin, I really don't want to hurt you. But I really have no other choice — otherwise there's no way to escape this fate."

Zhao Jiamin smiled and comforted him: "It's fine, don't worry about it. Everyone has nightmares — it's nothing."

"Thank you for understanding me," Zhang Zhiqiang said sincerely. "Don't worry — as long as you're willing to give me another chance, I absolutely won't let you down. I promise to give you happiness."

Zhao Jiamin smiled slightly. "I won't abandon you easily either."

"Really? That's great! Thank you," Zhang Zhiqiang said excitedly.

Zhao Jiamin said, "Don't get excited yet — I still have conditions."

"What conditions?" Zhang Zhiqiang asked nervously. "As long as it's something I can do, I'll agree to it."

"I haven't decided yet — I'll tell you when I think of something later." Zhang Zhiqiang asked nervously, "Then what should I do to make you trust me again?"

Zhao Jiamin thought for a moment and said, "You need to prove to me that you're a man who takes responsibility. From now on, no matter what happens, you have to consider things from my perspective — you can't just focus on your own feelings. Also, you can't hide anything from me, not even the smallest thing — you have to tell me."

Zhang Zhiqiang nodded seriously. "I understand — I'll work hard to do all that. But could you give me some hints? Like telling me some of your preferences or habits — that way I can understand you better."

Zhao Jiamin said lightly, "My preferences and habits are not important; what matters is your attitude and behavior. If you truly wish to regain my trust, you must change from the depths of your heart, not merely go through the motions on the surface."

Hearing these words, Zhang Zhiqiang felt somewhat dissatisfied. He believed he had already made many changes and was putting his heart into nurturing this relationship. Yet Zhao Jiamin refused to give him even the slightest affirmation, leaving him deeply discouraged.

Nevertheless, he held back his emotions and said to Zhao Jiamin earnestly, "Very well, I will do as you ask. However, I hope you will give me a chance to prove my sincerity."

Zhao Jiamin said nothing, merely giving him a light glance. She knew that change could not be accomplished overnight. She needed time to observe Zhang Zhiqiang's conduct before deciding whether to trust him again.

The two remained silent all the way until they arrived at the television station. After Zhao Jiamin got out of the car, she said to Zhang Zhiqiang, "I'll go first; be careful on your way."

Zhang Zhiqiang nodded silently, watching her figure disappear into the crowd. He knew the road between him and Zhao Jiamin was still long and had to be walked step by step. Yet he was willing to give everything to nurture this relationship. Zhang Zhiqiang sat silently in the car, reflecting on his earlier conversation with Zhao Jiamin. He knew Zhao Jiamin's demands were not excessive, but he needed time to change himself gradually, so that his behavior would better meet her expectations.

Just then, his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up and saw it was a call from his friend Li Ming.

"Hey, Qiangzi, where are you now?" Li Ming's voice came from the other end of the line.

"I'm in the car; I just dropped Jiamin off at the television station," Zhang Zhiqiang replied.