Chapter 112

Chapter 112

When the phone rang, Ye Zhiqiu was carefully selecting fabric.

High-end cashmere fabrics, ranging from deep to light shades, thick to thin, with various patterns, yet all elegant and dignified.

This was something he had asked Zhang Lan to prepare earlier, but he only started choosing today.

After carefully examining each of dozens of fabrics and feeling them one by one, Ye Zhiqiu finally selected a light gray checkered piece. He unfolded it in the sunlight, scrutinized it, and a smile spread across his face: "This is it."

"This fabric is indeed excellent," Zhang Lan smiled. "The pattern is also dignified and noble."

However, though it was high-quality fabric, Ye Zhiqiu had seen countless noble materials before.

Zhang Lan couldn't quite understand why this time he was so focused that he didn't even notice the ringing phone for a long while.

"Teacher Xiao Ye," estimating that the call might soon disconnect automatically, Zhang Lan couldn't help but remind him, "Your phone is ringing."

Ye Zhiqiu glanced at the number on the screen with a smile. Although he couldn't remember the entire number, he recognized the last few digits very well.

It was Jiang Nan.

"No rush." He smiled, lowered his eyes, and draped the fabric over the mannequin.

Then, he took a few pins from the wrist pincushion and, based on Qin Jianhe's measurements, pinned the fabric into a rough shape.

The phone stopped ringing, then rang again, repeatedly, as if it wouldn't stop until Ye Zhiqiu answered.

Finally, after inserting the last pin, Ye Zhiqiu straightened up, picked up the phone, and answered it.

"Hello, who is this?" he asked, his voice clear and gentle, sounding particularly calm and pleasant through the receiver.

Tree shadows flickered across the car window, casting intermittent light and shadow on Jiang Nan's cheek, making him appear moody and unpredictable.

The anxiety in his eyes slowly turned into gloom as the call was answered.

In contrast, Ye Zhiqiu's calm and relaxed tone only made Jiang Nan seem more tense and agitated.

Silent for a moment, adjusting his voice distorted by jealousy and frustration, Jiang Nan slowly spoke: "Hello, Ye Zhiqiu, it's Jiang Nan. Do you remember me?"

"Of course, how could I forget Director Jiang," Ye Zhiqiu smiled, his tone neutral. "After all, we once worked together."

On the surface, he referred to their collaboration at VIA with the Jiang family's brand "Jin Qi."

But it also alluded to Jiang Nan's betrayal of VIA, an act of treachery that everyone despised.

He really knew how to hit where it hurt.

Jiang Nan had just left the Qin family, still regretting the huge price he paid for his previous actions.

Hearing Ye Zhiqiu's words now, they hit him right in the heart, causing him pain and leaving him speechless for a long time.

"Director Jiang, do you need something?" Ye Zhiqiu asked with a smile. "If it's about cooperation, you should contact Q.L's business department."

Again, "cooperation."

The word "cooperation" is usually positive, but whenever Ye Zhiqiu mentioned it, Jiang Nan felt uneasy.

Whether out of guilt or regret...

Undeniably, despite Ye Zhiqiu's consistently gentle tone, Jiang Nan couldn't help but feel several arrows piercing his heart, painful and suffocating.

Jiang Nan was so angry that his teeth itched, but he had no recourse.

After all, he was the one who betrayed VIA first.

And now, he was the one contacting Ye Zhiqiu first.

To anyone, his behavior seemed cheap and despicable.

"I was young and ignorant back then, and I did make mistakes," Jiang Nan pressed his chest, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "But Jin Qi has already issued a formal apology to VIA on behalf of the company. Shouldn't this matter be over by now?"

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu smiled and picked up a suitable pair of scissors.

The morning sunlight slanted through the window lattice, reflecting on his grayish eyes, like an icy lake in winter, sharp and cold.

Those who inflict harm always find it easy to move on.

After all, they are never the ones suffering.

But one wonders, if their positions were reversed, would they be able to move on so easily?

Forgive so easily?

"Leaving aside other things," his tone remained gentle. "Just the phrase 'young and ignorant'..."

As if unable to resist, he chuckled lightly and continued, "I seem to recall that Director Jiang is four or five years older than me."

Damn!

Jiang Nan's forehead veins bulged with anger, cursing inwardly.

How did he not realize before that Ye Zhiqiu was so sharp-tongued?

Every word felt like a heart attack!

The scar on his forehead twisted and protruded due to his rage, making him look especially grotesque and ugly.

Jiang Nan couldn't see it, but the driver could clearly see it in the rearview mirror.

Though he did not speak, the other party subconsciously tightened their grip on the steering wheel.

Jiang Nan took another deep breath and decided to stop beating around the bush with Ye Zhiqiu. He got straight to the point.

"Can we meet up?" he asked.

"Jiang Director, I don't think we have any personal relationship, nor any reason for a private meeting," Ye Zhiqiu replied in his usual tone, smiling as he refused. "They say once bitten by a snake, one fears even a rope for ten years. I must admit I'm a bit scared with your sudden invitation."

Damn! Jiang Nan couldn't help cursing again in frustration over being manipulated.

"What if I say it's about Brother Yu?" he adjusted his breathing and asked.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu put down the scissors and walked to a seat by the window.

Coincidentally, Gao Yang brought him a cup of coffee and placed it on the small table in front of him.

"Teacher Xiao Ye," he said, "I added two extra sugar cubes for you."

"Mm." Ye Zhiqiu nodded with a smile, gently stirring the coffee with a spoon before adding, "Thank you."

Compared to other teachers, Ye Zhiqiu was always polite and courteous. Hearing this, Gao Yang scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.

As the weather grew warmer, the occasional sound of cicadas could be heard outside the window. The skin on Ye Zhiqiu's exposed arms, illuminated by the sunlight, appeared almost translucent.

He held the phone and looked out the window for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

To be honest, he knew exactly what Jiang Nan wanted to say.

And there was no need for a face-to-face meeting since everything could be discussed over the phone.

However, Ye Zhiqiu was unwilling to engage in a deep conversation even over the phone, let alone meet in person.

He despised Jiang Nan, despised someone who could harm the innocent without any scruples just for their petty vanity.

Thinking back to his previous life, how Qi Xin's sense of superiority led him to hurt him for nearly a decade, Ye Zhiqiu found it incomprehensible and unforgivable.

He had a physiological aversion to Jiang Nan.

Therefore, even now, every word he spoke could cut like a knife, but he didn't bother engaging with him at all.

While deep in thought, Ye Zhiqiu lifted the cup and slowly finished his coffee.

As he drank, he recalled the news report from his past life where Qin Jianhe pierced his palm with broken glass.

At that time, he only felt that this person was truly ruthless to himself.

And yet, he also marveled at the astonishing self-control displayed.

Looking at the blood-soaked carpet in the news photo, he couldn't help but wonder how painful it must have been.

But now, thinking back, he only felt heartache, a pain that made his heart tremble slightly.

Involuntarily, Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips, and an image of Qin Jianhe's slender hands floated before his eyes.

With distinct knuckles, they were elegant and beautiful, like bamboo—both noble and lovely...

Such beautiful hands should never have suffered such harm or been left with such terrifying scars.

His expression grew more determined. If possible, he would shield him from all dangers.

Perhaps sensing the delay, Jiang Nan's voice came through the phone: "Hello?"

Ye Zhiqiu looked up and saw Zhang Lan and Gao Yang busily working in the office.

Recalling Gao Yang's reaction to his earlier thanks, he slowly stood up.

The following conversation involved Qin Jianhe and might not be civilized; he didn't want them to hear it.

"There's no need to meet," his voice turned cold when Qin Jianhe was mentioned. "Whatever you want to discuss, let's do it over the phone."

As he spoke, he opened the door and stepped out.

The corridor was quiet. Ye Zhiqiu glanced around and then pulled open the heavy iron door leading to the stairwell, stepping inside.

Even though it was morning and the sun was bright outside, the stairwell remained dim.

Ye Zhiqiu climbed the stairs and stood on the small platform where Qin Jianhe usually smoked.

Light filtered through the window behind him, creating a soft, hazy halo.

Like Qin Jianhe usually did, Ye Zhiqiu leaned against the windowsill.

"Speak," he said in a very faint tone. "Go ahead."

Just mentioning "Brother Yu" made Ye Zhiqiu agree to talk, indicating that he knew Qin Jianhe's nickname.

For a moment, Jiang Nan felt a bit defeated.

But it didn't matter.

"Do you know the origin of Qin Yu's name?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" Ye Zhiqiu laughed, asking instead of answering.

Finally gaining an upper hand, Jiang Nan's tone became slightly smug.

"I'll tell you..."

"You're really amusing," Ye Zhiqiu interrupted. "You know how terrible his experiences were later, how he went through hell-like living conditions and emotional trauma at such a young age, and yet you still dare to brag about this name..."

Ye Zhiqiu paused, each word sharp as a blade, piercing straight into Jiang Nan's heart without mercy.

"You knew very well that this name was born out of love, and you also knew that because of that initial affection, everything that followed became even more cruel for him. Yet now, you ignore his pain and use this name as your leverage?"

The air fell silent for a moment, and Jiang Nan's face instantly turned pale, his entire body feeling as cold as ice.

He hadn't thought about it, he hadn't thought so much.

He just wanted to use this name to provoke Ye Zhiqiu, hoping to make Ye Zhiqiu back off.

"Do you have a grudge against Qin Jianhe?" The voice continued through the phone, like a demon's whisper in his ear, "Are you maliciously hurting him?"

"I didn't," Jiang Nan screamed suddenly, startling the driver so much that the car nearly swerved.

When he regained his composure, the driver was drenched in cold sweat.

He quickly pulled over, turned around worriedly, and was startled again by Jiang Nan's expression.

After a while, he hesitantly spoke, "Young Master?"

"Get out," Jiang Nan glared at him, his eyes fierce.

The driver wiped the sweat from his forehead, remembering Jiang Baichuan's warning, but ultimately opened the door under Jiang Nan's menacing stare.

However, he didn't dare to go far, standing helplessly in front of the car.

"You didn't?" Ye Zhiqiu's voice seemed indifferent, as if he hadn't noticed Jiang Nan's breakdown, "Then what did you mean by gloating to me?"

Without pausing, his words entered Jiang Nan's ears slowly but surely, each one piercing his heart.

"I had no idea Qin Jianhe's name could be used for such manipulation. Perhaps I should tell him later."

"Don't act like you really care about him," Jiang Nan shouted back, "You know what's going on between you and Qi Xin. Afraid I'll tell him?"

"You can tell him," Ye Zhiqiu smiled, "I have nothing to hide. What am I afraid of?"

"You're shameless," Jiang Nan's hands trembled with anger, his voice shaking.

"I can be shameless," Ye Zhiqiu said calmly, reaching into his pocket and realizing he hadn't brought any cigarettes.

He was tired of this childish bickering with Jiang Nan, but his words were relentless.

"But I still have some dignity, unlike you, who flaunt ugliness even after losing all respect. Jiang Nan, stay away from Qin Jianhe. You wouldn't want him to see you like this, would you?"

There was a thud on the other end; Jiang Nan's phone must have fallen to the ground.

So quick to hurt others without limits, yet so fragile when faced with your own pain...

Ye Zhiqiu sneered, slightly lowering his gaze.

If this didn't make Jiang Nan give up, then perhaps there was no way to make him back off.

Ye Zhiqiu frowned, looking at the phone screen.

The phone lay in the car, and Jiang Nan took a long time to retrieve it with trembling hands.

In just a few minutes, his heart had been ruthlessly shattered by Ye Zhiqiu, now reduced to a mess.

Stay away from Qin Jianhe, stay away from Qin Jianhe, stay away from Qin Jianhe...

Ye Zhiqiu's words echoed in his ears, making his head spin and tears roll down his cheeks.

After a while, he finally remembered the purpose of his call.

Yes, he wanted Ye Zhiqiu to stay away from Qin Jianhe.

The Ye family had already fallen, what right did Ye Zhiqiu have to demand he stay away from Qin Jianhe?

Or steal his lines?

Jiang Nan picked up the phone and started ranting.

But Ye Zhiqiu wasn't listening.

It was quiet in the stairwell, and he held the phone in his hand.

Though he could hear Jiang Nan's muffled voice, he couldn't make out the words clearly.

Since it wasn't effective,

And since he didn't want to continue using Qin Jianhe's photos to provoke him,

This would serve as a small lesson for Jiang Nan.

Just as he was about to hang up, the door at the top of the stairs creaked open.

Ye Zhiqiu looked up, surprised to see Qin Jianhe's tall and imposing figure.

He was walking down the stairs, emerging from the darkness step by step.

As he approached, the light grew brighter, illuminating his handsome features.

Instinctively, Ye Zhiqiu's hand dropped.

"Qin Jianhe," he called softly, the gray in his eyes fading, replaced by a warm smile.

"Hmm," Qin Jianhe responded, his deep voice tinged with a hint of amusement.

"How did you..."

"I missed you," Qin Jianhe said.

He came up to him and naturally placed his hand on the window frame behind him, trapping him between himself and the wall. "They told me on the phone that you went out. I guessed you'd be here."

Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips, the smile in his eyes deepening.

"Qin Jianhe," he said, "I want to kiss you."