Chapter 367 - 366: Feng Yujie Leaves

Xue Yue and He Lang exchanged a look, both of them a little surprised.

"If she’s not interested, then she’s not interested," Xue Yue said.

Daya frowned. "What do you mean? Didn’t you just ask me to show Brother Gu around Beijing City? Was there some other reason?"

Xue Yue rubbed the tip of her nose and gave an awkward smile. "Daya, please don’t be mad. We just thought that Gu Kai Zhi is a great catch and you’re old enough, so we were hoping you two might try getting to know each other."

Xue Yue quickly added, "But we’re not trying to force you at all. If you don’t like him, then that’s that."

Daya didn’t say anything, just looked a bit dazed. Thinking Daya was upset, Xue Yue comforted her, "You’re already nineteen this year. I was eighteen when I married your uncle. I’m not saying this to pressure you, I just want you to know that you’re grown up now. It’s okay to like someone, to start dating."

Daya mumbled, "I don’t dislike Brother Gu."

Xue Yue’s eyes lit up. "So you like him?"

Daya shook her head. "I don’t know. I don’t hate him, anyway."

Xue Yue understood. ’She probably just hasn’t had her romantic awakening yet.’ She gently stroked the hair at Daya’s temple and said, "That’s okay. Just follow your heart. Even if you like someone, you have to be comfortable with it. We won’t interfere."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Xue Yue looked at Daya and sighed. "Time flies. Our little Daya has grown into a beautiful young woman. She’s so pretty and capable. I wonder who will be lucky enough to have you in the future."

Daya blushed shyly.

That evening, Xue Yue and He Lang were discussing whether they should invite Gu Kai Zhi over before he returned to his military base.

But the very next day, Xue Xingzhou told them that Gu Kai Zhi and his fellow soldier had been picked up early that morning by a vehicle from the base.

Gu Kai Zhi had left in such a hurry that he didn’t have time to say goodbye to them. Xue Xingzhou had only heard about it from people at his work unit.

So, they had no choice but to drop the matter. When Daya heard that Gu Kai Zhi had returned to his base and she might never see him again, she felt a strange sense of disappointment.

At the end of October, He Lang’s application to get land for building a hotel was approved. Qi Guokang called him specifically to tell him to bring the money and complete the paperwork.

The day after finishing the paperwork, He Lang found a construction crew and prepared to break ground.

This was the first the rest of the family had heard of it.

Mr. He asked He Lang, puzzled, "The supermarkets are doing so well. Why do you want to open a hotel now?"

He Lang smiled and said, "Dad, the supermarkets doing well doesn’t stop me from opening a hotel. Of course I’m opening a hotel to make money."

Mr. He didn’t quite understand. He believed in the principle of not biting off more than you can chew; doing one thing well was already impressive enough. He Lang already had two successful stores with good income. Now he wanted to open a hotel, and Mr. He was worried his son would lose the money he’d worked so hard to earn.

But he knew He Lang always had his own ideas, and that his words wouldn’t change anything. He could only advise him, "Since you’ve made up your mind, go ahead. Just be sure to think things through carefully before you act."

He Lang chuckled. "Don’t worry, Dad. This is a sure-fire investment. When our family’s hotel opens, I’ll have you be the very first guest to stay."

Mr. He smiled. "Alright."

No one was more excited about this than Little Chen. He had finally seen the hotel construction begin.

He had been keeping this matter close to his heart all this time. He worked during the day, attended night school after work, and studied late every evening. But he was full of energy, and his studies were going well. It wasn’t as difficult as before, when he couldn’t even understand what the teacher was saying.

He Lang got busy again, running to the building materials market every day. Xue Yue sometimes found herself admiring him; his energy seemed boundless.

When Xue Yue arrived at her work unit today, she heard from others that Feng Yujie was transferring.

Xue Yue was quite surprised to hear this news.

"Sister Feng, everyone’s saying you’re transferring. Is it true?"

Feng Yujie nodded and smiled at Xue Yue. "You heard about it too?"

Xue Yue frowned. "Sister Feng, why?"

Xue Yue had heard that Feng Yujie was transferring to Shanghai. Beijing City was the Capital, and while it might not matter for other industries, for a work unit like theirs, staying in Beijing City was definitely the best option. What’s more, she heard it was a lateral transfer, which was essentially a demotion.

Feng Yujie looked at Xue Yue calmly. "Sit down. Let’s talk."

Xue Yue sat down across from Feng Yujie.

"I’ve been in this position for over twenty years. I’m tired of it and want to get away for a bit. I’m not young anymore. For all these years, I’ve been stuck in the past, unable to move on. My life, my work... nothing has been going smoothly. You said I don’t smile much, and that’s because I can’t think of many things that make me happy. I want to change, so I think I need to leave."

Xue Yue pressed her lips together. "I thought it was because of Uncle Zheng..."

Feng Yujie managed a smile, but Xue Yue could still see the bitterness in it.

"That’s part of the reason, I suppose. Seeing him every day, honestly, is torture. It always reminds me of what was between us, even if it was just one-sided on my part. You know a little about my past. For me, the past isn’t over. It stays in my heart, tormenting me. I blame myself so much, and because of that, I can’t find any peace."

"Xue Yue, we’re both women. I long for some warmth, too. I don’t want my life to be just a pile of work and criticism from my parents. That’s why I want to go somewhere new, change my environment, and start over."

Xue Yue tried to persuade her, "Sister Feng, you could try making more friends! Go shopping with them, see a movie, buy some clothes. If you go to Shanghai, it’ll be another unfamiliar place. You’ll still be lonely."

Feng Yujie sighed. "Maybe. But I don’t regret it. At least I know this current life isn’t what I want. Xue Yue, I’m actually very envious of you. I understand what you’re saying, but it’s like I’ve locked myself in a box. I don’t have any friends."

With things said to this point, Xue Yue knew she couldn’t change her mind.

"Since you’ve already made your decision, then I wish you all the best, Sister Feng. Open your heart, and you’ll find there are other things in this world worth holding onto besides love."

Feng Yujie nodded. "Thank you, Xue Yue. I’m so glad I met you. I’ve felt a special kind of warmth from you. I’m leaving this place in your hands."

Xue Yue stood up. "Okay. I wish you a safe journey, Sister Feng."

Zheng Guofeng had only found out about Feng Yujie’s transfer a little earlier than Xue Yue. She had applied for it herself.

Jin Shaoming said to Zheng Guofeng, "Feng Yujie was your student. Aren’t you going to try and talk her out of it?"

Zheng Guofeng remained completely unmoved. "We’re not children anymore," he said flatly. "As long as she doesn’t regret her decision, that’s all that matters."

Jin Shaoming glanced at Zheng Guofeng. "You still can’t let go of the past?"

After a few seconds of silence, Zheng Guofeng looked at Jin Shaoming. "I’m no saint. Why should I let it go? That’s my past. No one else has lived through what I have, so no one has the right to judge. I don’t hate her, and I don’t resent her, but I don’t want to forgive her either."

Hearing this, Jin Shaoming could only sigh.