Beijing Colors Lingering

Shen Jinsui did not return to Yujingyuan, but drove directly to the Cheng family's old residence.

As she walked into the main building lobby, she happened to see Cheng Yu, who was about to leave, and called out, "Brother."

Cheng Yu looked at his younger sister and sensed that something was off about her expression today. He then asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Shen Jinsui pursed her lips and replied softly, "I'm fine."

Cheng Yu carefully observed her expression, which didn't seem like anything was wrong at all. He tentatively asked, "Did you and Zhou Yancong have a fight?"

Shen Jinsui gently shook her head and did not speak.

Cheng Yu frowned slightly. Judging from his sister's current appearance, it was probably related to Zhou Yancong. He then said, "Did he bully you? Then I'll go beat him up now."

"No, he didn't bully me." Shen Jinsui quickly denied it, then hesitated and explained, "I... I'm just in a bad mood. Brother, you can go out if you have something to do, don't worry about me."

Seeing that his sister was unwilling to tell the truth, Cheng Yu stopped pressing her for details. After considering it carefully, he said slowly, "Alright, if you have anything to say, just tell me."

Shen Jinsui smiled faintly and said softly, "Brother, I understand."

"Ah."

After Cheng Yu left, Shen Jinsui went straight back to her bedroom.

"boom!"

The moment the bedroom door closed, Shen Jinsui's expression darkened.

She slowly walked to the French windows, sat on the tatami mats, and looked out the window.

As the sun slowly sets, the evening glow paints the sky with magnificent colors.

Golden rays of sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows and fell upon Shen Jinsui, softening her beautiful and radiant face.

Shen Jinsui couldn't help but recall everything that happened this afternoon. She went to Zhou Yancong to explain what happened yesterday, but he asked her not to associate with Ji Yan anymore.

When asked why he suddenly arranged for bodyguards to protect him, the man hesitated but eventually revealed the real reason.

I really don't know what the point of him having a mouth is.

Given how things have developed between them, is this a case of him trying to win someone's heart only to be met with indifference?

Shen Jinsui sighed softly, shook her head, and forced herself not to think about the matter anymore.

By dinner time, Shen Jinsui's complexion had returned to normal, and her grandparents did not notice anything unusual. They simply happily served her food.

After dinner, Shen Jinsui took a walk and chatted with her grandparents in the garden outside the main building.

When she returned to her bedroom, she received a message from Zhou Yancong—

[Baby, can you tell me after you calm down?]

Shen Jinsui lowered her eyes and stared at the chat interface. After a few seconds of contemplation, she did not reply to him.

A while later, Zhou Yancong sent another message—

Baby, I miss you.

Are you busy right now?

【Baby, why aren't you replying to my messages?】

Shen Jinsui stared at the messages popping up one after another and pouted helplessly.

We agreed to cool off for a while before contacting each other again, but only a few hours later I started sending her messages.

A few seconds later, a new message popped up in the dialog box—

[Baby, I won't bother you anymore.]

I'm sorry, it was all my fault today. I promise I won't do it again.

After reading it, Shen Jinsui exited the chat interface, pondered for a few minutes, and then opened the WeChat account of the department editor-in-chief.

Her job allows her to work from home if possible, and she wants to stay at her old house for the next week, so she texted her editor to inquire.

"Ding!"

The editor-in-chief sent a message, which Shen Jin read and typed out in reply.

After finishing her chat with the editor-in-chief, Shen Jinsui put down her phone and went into the bathroom.

She received the last message from Zhou Yancong before going to sleep—

Goodnight, baby.

Shen Jinsui turned off her phone screen. After a while, the bright lights in the bedroom went out, and the warm yellow wall lamps turned on.

Shen Jinsui lay on the bed, tossing and turning for a long time.

She gazed at the ceiling, her eyes clear and bright, without the slightest hint of drowsiness.

Did she do something wrong today?

Was she too impulsive?

But she was indeed unhappy at the time.

Shen Jinsui sighed softly, sat up slightly irritated, and scratched her hair.

Why are there so many things going on in a relationship?

Meanwhile, under the same tranquil night sky, some people tossed and turned, unable to sleep, reflecting on their mistakes.

-

The following Monday, Beijing First People's Hospital.

After finishing his rounds, Ji Yan learned that his planned overseas study assignment, originally scheduled for next month, had been moved up to next Monday. He smiled bitterly to himself, knowing that the other party wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

When Ji Yan returned to his office, he encountered an uninvited guest, and his previously calm expression suddenly turned cold.

Ji Yan looked at her and asked expressionlessly, "Miss Gu, why are you here today?"

Gu Sihe crossed her arms and stared at Ji Yan, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes. She asked coldly, "Ji Yan, why didn't you take Shen Jinsui to that restaurant on Saturday?"

Ignoring her anger, Ji Yan explained calmly, "She didn't want to go, so I couldn't force her to have dinner with me at that restaurant."

Gu Sihe frowned slightly, not believing his explanation at all. After thinking for a moment, she suppressed her displeasure and said, "Then let's arrange it like this next time."

Ji Yan curled the corners of his lips and said calmly, "Miss Gu, no need, our cooperation ends here."

After she finished speaking, Gu Sihe paused for a moment, then asked, "Why? Don't you like Shen Jinsui?"

Ji Yan said in a deep voice, "This has nothing to do with you."

Gu Sihe pressed her lips together and asked, word by word, "Aren't you afraid I'll tell Shen Jinsui about this?"

"up to you."

After speaking calmly, Ji Yan took out his phone from his work uniform pocket and deleted Gu Sihe's contact information in front of her.

Seeing Ji Yan's actions, Gu Sihe frowned, stared at him in disbelief, and scolded, "Ji Yan, you...you'll regret this later!"

Ji Yan calmly gave the order to leave, his tone indifferent: "Miss Gu, please leave. I still have work to do, don't waste my time."

Gu Sihe didn't say anything more after hearing this. She glared at Ji Yan fiercely before turning and leaving.

Afterwards, Gu Sihe went to the hospital's parking garage, opened her car door, and sat in the driver's seat.

"boom!"

The car door was slammed shut. Gu Sihe cursed under her breath, feeling angry and resentful as she recalled what had happened the day before yesterday.

She rushed to Shanghai on Saturday, but before she could even get close to Zhou Yancong, she was stopped by his bodyguards and ended up not being able to say a word to him.

Even Zhou Yancong didn't notice her, and the bodyguards just treated her as an outsider.

The next day, she couldn't find the gossip news she wanted on any of the major online platforms, so she came to the hospital early this morning to question Ji Yan.

But to everyone's surprise, the other party chose to abandon the cooperation.

Gu Sihe slammed her fist on the steering wheel, venting her frustration.

On the other side, after Gu Sihe left, Ji Yan walked to the window and looked up at the blue sky and white clouds.

After a long silence, Ji Yan forced a smile, a sense of sorrow and bitterness welling up inside him.

Let's just stay friends with her; there will always be a chance to see her again in the future.

This feeling could only ever remain buried beneath the surface of friendship, never to see the light of day.

Unrequited love was always a chaotic battle fought by him alone.

Ultimately, loving someone you can't have leaves you with endless regrets—this is the norm in life.