Chapter 43: He Doesn’t Love You, But I Do

After looking at the flowers, Ji Zhen Tang’s mood visibly improved. When she got out of the car and walked, her steps were full of joy.

There were more cherry blossoms this season, floating in the air. She walked in the sea of pink, agile and light. Looking up at the flowers, her beautiful smile blended into this mottled spring day.

Zhong Yu Bai, in this not-so-warm weather, he looked at her fair legs and couldn’t help but worry about her getting cold.

So, ten minutes later, the first thing he did when they sat down in the banquet hall of the tea house was to reach out and touch her knee.

It was an instinctive move, wanting to check her body temperature.

Ji Zhen Tang’s face suddenly turned red. “Here, it’s not, not appropriate.”

In the sunken Zen tea space, with the altitude lower than the ground, her lower body was hidden under the edge of the table, and a soft tablecloth fell on the edge of her tight skirt.

Furthermore, her knee and the hand holding her knee were even more discreet, hidden from view.

Next to them, Shen was busy instructing the waiter to pour tea and serve water.

She cautiously glanced at the few people coming and going in the room, and then met Zhong Yu Bai’s subtle smiling eyes.

He didn’t let go of her leg, whispering, teasing her, “Why are you getting more and more shy?”

“It’s not,” her face became even more flushed, puffing up her cheeks, “it’s you, doing this in broad daylight…”

Ji Zhen Tang grasped his wrist, as if trying to push it away, but without exerting force. He didn’t really struggle, appearing somewhat willing.

He shifted his hand slightly and asked her with an unchanged expression, “What’s wrong with being out in broad daylight?”

Ji Zhen Tang held her breath and frowned, “Don’t take advantage of the situation.”

This time, her grip on his wrist tightened slightly; she was genuinely afraid.

Zhong Yu Bai still smiled, saying softly, “Officials are allowed to set fires during the day, but commoners are not allowed to light lamps.”

Reminding her not to forget how she claimed territory on him during those nights.

After speaking, Ji Zhen Tang suddenly clamped her legs together, trapping his hand, and slyly smiled, revealing a triumphant expression as if to say, “You won’t win against me.”

“Eh,” Zhong Yu Bai reminded her.

Seeing Shen Shu approaching, she glanced at him and stopped playing around.

He withdrew his hand, reaching up to take the teacup handed to him.

Each person had a cup placed in front of them, emitting a warm steam. The fake fireplace nearby crackled with the sound of burning firewood, making the room cozy.

But Zhong Yu Bai was still concerned about her uncovered legs and had someone bring a blanket, saying, “Cover yourself to avoid getting cold.”

Ji Zhen Tang took the blanket and stubbornly replied, “No need, I’m already too hot.”

He sighed, saying, “At least cover your knees.”

“No,” she insisted, singing a different tune.

Shen Shu, sitting across from them, chuckled and said impartially, “A grown woman can make her own decisions; let her be.”

Ji Zhen Tang nodded in agreement.

Zhong Yu Bai chuckled upon hearing this and leisurely replied, “Well then, I’m your blanket keeper now.”

He let the matter rest for the time being, taking a sip from the cup of Biluochun tea.

His hand reached around her waist, lightly embracing her. A few fingers tickled her through the fabric, making her squirm. Ji Zhen Tang shrunk into his embrace.

Listening to their conversation, she learned a thing or two. Xishan was currently developing a tourist resort project, and this tea estate was one of the projects. Ji Zhen Tang never inquired about his business dealings, but when Shen Shu presented a contract for her to sign, she was stunned.

“I sign? Are you sure?” She pointed at herself, looking at Zhong Yu Bai.

He nodded towards the names of the parties on the document.

Ji Zhen Tang looked at the signature column on the paper and roughly understood, “So this tea estate is your investment, but in my name, it’s actually my shop?”

Zhong Yu Bai said, “I invest, and Shen takes care of things for you.”

Ji Zhen Tang glanced at Shen Shu, who was smiling, and nodded in agreement.

Zhong Yu Bai listened and chuckled, answering seriously, “Counting money, at least. It’s also a job.”

She was wary, pushing the contract away slowly, “You don’t want to tie me down like this, do you?”

He shrugged, looking at her indifferently, “Can such a trivial thing really tie you down?”

“…,” Ji Zhen Tang was stunned for a moment. He seemed very confident that her wings would remain strong. Then, feeling uneasy, she asked, “What if we lose money? Will I be burdened with debt?”

At this, Zhong Yu Bai and Shen Shu both laughed.

Zhong Yu Bai told her that once the resort was completed, with the municipality strengthening the development of nearby properties and commercial areas, Xishan would become a goldmine, and nearby tea merchants would supply goods here. This investment was long-term and secure.

“There won’t be any risk until you’ve lived out your life,” he gently reassured her, comforting her worries and telling her to relax.

Finally, he added, “Besides, even if that day comes, I’ll still be here to shoulder it for you.”

Ji Zhen Tang leaned closer, cautiously asking, “Zhong Yu Bai, tell me the truth, did you spend a lot of money?”

Zhong Yu Bai replied honestly, “It’s a lot for you, but not much for me.”

“How much lot is ‘not much’?”

He held her hand, pinched her pinky finger, and lightly pressed on her nail bed. “Just this much.”

Ji Zhen Tang looked at her nail bed and heard him say, “So, there’s no need to consider these things from your perspective.”

Seeing she still felt uneasy.

He said, “Do you know the 80/20 rule? You’re the 80, I’m the 20.”

He politely reminded her not to worry about rich people’s affairs.

In the end, facing that contract, she didn’t sign it, only saying, “I need to think about it.”

Why did Zhong Yu Bai do this?

This time last year, she had a breakup spat with Zhong Heng, unintentionally picking up a call meant for someone else and unleashing a torrent of criticism on Zhong Yu Bai. She said all she wanted was love and respect.

Zhong Heng couldn’t give her that; he probably couldn’t even understand what she meant.

But Zhong Yu Bai remembered it. Ji Huan Heng couldn’t give her love, but he thought, at least she should have some respect.

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t intend to cultivate her ability to command winds and rains, but the existence of this tea estate could at least make her stand up straight in front of her father without always having to defer to others. In this business chain, she could stand in front of her father.

Of course, the choice still rested with her.

If she didn’t want any ties to Ji Huan, it wouldn’t be a pity for this contract to be null and void.

But Ji Zhen Tang saw through it all: “If the cooperation really happens, then the respect gained would be fake.”

Zhong Yu Bai said, “Being able to fake it for a lifetime is good enough.”

She looked at him in shock.

His gaze was indifferent, “Except in the most sincere emotional relationships, in most human interactions, people are mostly faking it, aiming for nothing more than stability and comfort.”

Once again, she was enlightened as if hearing a universal truth.

There was still some time before dinner, so Shen Shu set up a chessboard and played against him. Ji Zhen Tang watched from the side; she didn’t know how to play chess, only five-in-a-row, understanding only half of it. Her gaze focused on the chessboard, her thoughts fluttering. She rested her chin on Zhong Yu Bai’s shoulder, her voice extremely soft, serious and solemn as she asked, “Do you mind being used as a ladder by someone like me?”

She leaned close to his ear and whispered words that only he could hear.

“Who at 20 isn’t a bit greedy?” Zhong Yu Bai remarked.

It was a statement of understanding, of empathy.

She thought he would be surprised by her frank display of ambition, but Zhong Yu Bai remained calm.

Once he calmed down, she felt that a carefree demeanor suited him better.

No matter how much she revealed her inner thoughts, it didn’t shock him.

What was there that he couldn’t see through?

Even if he knew that part of her reason for being with him was simply pragmatic, he indulged her nonetheless. Perhaps what remained was simply willingness.

Ji Zhen Tang pressed her lips together, emotions swirling within her, then she smiled faintly and said somewhat bitterly, “Mr. Zhong is indeed generous.”

With that said, she daringly asked, “What if I use it up and then discard it?”

Zhong Yu Bai raised his gaze.

She recoiled slightly in fear, instinctively thinking he was about to become angry, hastily explaining, “Don’t get upset, I’m just saying ‘what if’!”

In fact, he simply looked out the window at the courtyard filled with autumn begonias and said calmly, “Instead of thinking about these things, why not go and look at the flowers?”

Ji Zhen Tang’s tense expression slowly relaxed, she took a sip of tea, got up from her seat, and said, “Alright then, I’ll go have some fun.”

Watching her leave, Shen Shu said to Zhong Yu Bai, “She seems quite afraid of you.”

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t deny it, “Blame it on my hypocritical image.”

Shen Shu laughed heartily, mimicking Ji Zhen Tang, “Mr. Zhong is indeed generous.”

Zhong Yu Bai heard the hint of sarcasm in his words, implying that he willingly became a stepping stone for others.

He had considered the possibility of being “used and then discarded”.

If love were a remedy for an ailment, once the illness was cured, the medicine would no longer be needed.

He explained simply, “Regardless, I won’t hold grudges against a young girl. Whether love is reciprocated or not, it shouldn’t cause harm.”

As he tightened his grip on the chess piece, Zhong Yu Bai said, “She has many roads to travel, many books to read; she shouldn’t be someone hindered by love. If such a day truly comes, I shouldn’t be the one obstructing her pursuit of self.”

Rather than explaining to Shen Shu, it was more like he was preemptively protecting himself.

Ji Zhen Tang took photos in front of the flowers.

The autumn begonias, her grandfather’s favorite, filled the flower beds in the quiet courtyard of the tea house.

Their bloom was calmer than the fallen petals outside, delicate and bright.

She heard Zhong Yu Bai’s footsteps and spoke slowly, “I’ve heard a lot about permanence, but I’m not someone who yearns for eternity. I saw a phrase online once, ‘A few moments between people are enough.’ It’s the best remark I’ve ever read.”

Pointing to the flowers, she continued, “The symbolism of autumn begonias isn’t great, it signifies the sadness after love fades, one of life’s three regrets, regretting that the begonias have no fragrance. But that doesn’t stop me from liking them. Since we must face it eventually, we might as well be carefree.”

Now that things had come to this, she realized that maintaining harmony meant seizing the moment, not worrying about the outcome, and certainly not fantasizing endlessly.

“What do you think?” she asked.

Zhong Yu Bai simply replied, “There’s plenty of time ahead.”

Plenty of time, all filled with hope.

That night, with Shen Shu playing host, Ji Zhen Tang had some cake and a bit of wine.

They say poetry and wine are best enjoyed in one’s youth, but getting drunk didn’t seem quite so elegant anymore.

Not wanting to be too much of a guardian, Zhong Yu Bai, guided by the thought of letting her do as she pleased, didn’t pay much attention to her glass. So he watched as she, with a lively spirit, downed several shots of vodka and grew flushed with excitement.

“She’s actually drunk.”

Seeing her babbling and showing signs of being tipsy, Zhong Yu Bai quickly called off the dinner.

Ji Zhen Tang was as agile as a fish, insisting on having more drinks. He couldn’t hold her in his arms or carry her on his back, so he bent her at the waist and slung her over his shoulder.

Despite her long limbs and not being particularly petite, she seemed weak in front of him, her limbs hanging limp, allowing him to manipulate her as he pleased.

Zhong Yu Bai carried her out, giving a polite farewell wave to Shen Shuzhao as he left. “Goodbye.”

She was dumped into the passenger seat, collapsing into it. Her hair, once firmly held by hairpins, now looked disheveled from the struggle on his shoulder, but she paid it no mind, letting strands fall across her face.

Zhong Yu Bai removed her hairpins.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ji Zhen Tang wrapped her arms around one of his. “Am I drunk?”

Zhong Yu Bai lightly tapped her forehead with a hairpin, teasing, “Who was just claiming they could handle their liquor?”

Ji Zhen Tang giggled, “I lied to you, but you still try to control me. If you don’t let me do something, I’ll just want to do it even more!”

He chuckled, at a loss for words.

Leaning in, Zhong Yu Bai fastened her seatbelt and then adjusted her face.

Ji Zhen Tang’s face flushed, her cheeks redder than ever. Her eyes widened, already blurry.

He got to the point, “Don’t worry too much about the investment. Consider it my gift to you. I’ve prepared contingencies for any unexpected situations. You don’t need to worry.”

Ji Zhen Tang was deeply moved, hugging his arm tightly. “Why are you so good to me?”

He replied, “There are always things that need to be provided for you. If one day, your father neglects you, and you no longer need me either, what you have in your hands is real and no one can take it away. Even if you don’t need to strive to be a ‘big boss,’ it ensures your livelihood until old age.”

Ji Zhen Tang picked up on his choice of words, “Why wouldn’t I need you?”

“That’s not for me to decide.” In the chilly night breeze, he was more sober than her. “You should realize by now that your father can only offer you so much. He doesn’t plan for your future, but I do. He doesn’t worry about your prospects, but I do.”

“He does not love you, but I do.”

Zhong Yu Bai looked into her barely conscious eyes and said those eight words.

Ji Zhen Tang, seeming less intoxicated, narrowed her eyes slightly.

Then, she rolled up her sleeves and took off the watch Ji Huan had given her, forcefully handing it to him, saying, “I don’t have anything valuable, but this is the most precious thing I have. Take it.

“The gift you gave me is small to you, but the gift I give you is big to me. This is also a kind of sincerity.”

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t take it, so she stuffed it into his hand: “Take it, yes, you take it, don’t give it back to me. I don’t want it anymore!”

She was angry at her father while expressing her gratitude to him.

Giving away the watch while emboldened by being drunk was killing two birds with one stone.

He smiled helplessly, took the watch, and satisfied her: “I’ll keep it for you.”

Ji Zhen Tang smiled happily and nodded continuously. She poked the watch, which wasn’t fully stuffed into his pocket, to make sure it couldn’t be seen at all, and patted his bulging pocket.

“Zhong Yu Bai, do you still have the strength at your age?”

He looked at her puzzled.

She suddenly leaned closer, resting on his shoulder, and said mysteriously, “You… you… when the time comes, you have to exert more force. Remember what I told you last time? I want to feel intense. I want intense everything—warmth, care, and love.”

Zhong Yu Bai drove, glanced at her, and asked in a deep voice, “Exert force in what way?”

Ji Zhen Tang nodded and babbled, “Um, yes, exert force.”

He caught the harsh words again and furrowed his brows slightly, “At this age?”

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