When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 35.1

Before she even got close, Yan Jiang saw Yuzhi Xia wearing a red coat.

Her face was still so pure and beautiful, only her eyes were no longer as clear as they were back then, containing more unreadable things.

Yuzhi seemed a little hesitant to recognize her, and only confirmed it when Yan walked up to her, “Yan Yan?”

Yan smiled faintly, “What, you don’t recognize me after three years?”

A complex emotion flashed across Yuzhi’s eyes, then she smiled, “With the short hair, you look even better.”

Yan remained silent, as she didn’t know how to respond to such a blatant, false compliment.

Before, perhaps she would have laughed it off or returned a couple of insincere compliments, but now she didn’t want to live so tiresomely.

What’s the point of such trivialities at a time like this?

“Yan Yan, I heard about your illness, you…” Yuzhi stopped mid-sentence.

Because she knew she couldn’t talk Yan out of it.

Yan appeared smiling and cheerful to everyone, but she was actually quite cold-blooded. Besides Qinghan Chu, everyone else’s words were probably meaningless nonsense to her.

“You wanted to see me. Now you’ve seen me, you should head back.”

Yuzhi stepped forward and tugged at her sleeve, “Yan Yan, let’s sit at a milk tea shop.”

She remembered that Yan loved strawberry-flavored milk tea.

Someone who was utterly heroic and had a powerful aura yet preferred sweets, sitting with a cup of milk tea, expressionlessly biting the straw—it made her seem incredibly cute.

“I don’t like milk tea anymore,” Yan replied flatly, her expression unchanged.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like it; it was that she couldn’t drink it.

She had been feeling increasingly unwell these days and couldn’t afford to be reckless anymore.

She wanted to at least see the New Year through with Qinghan; it would be the fulfillment of a long-held wish.

Yuzhi suddenly realized she had said the wrong thing, her toes curling up in embarrassment.

After three years apart, and with what had happened back then, it was hard to find common ground, yet her admiration for Yan hadn’t ceased.

The liking was real, but the sense of unfamiliarity was also very real.

After all, the time they spent together was too short to even have many memories.

“Yan Yan, let’s sit down for a bit. After today, I won’t come to bother you anymore.”

And there won’t be a chance to.

Yuzhi’s heart ached, but she maintained a carefully measured smile on her face. She was secretly hopeful yet afraid of being rejected, clenching her hands tightly inside her sleeves.

“Then let’s go sit. Standing at the entrance, we look like two mascots.”

People were constantly coming and going at the complex entrance, making it inconvenient. Plus, it was already getting late. If Qinghan came back and saw her with Yuzhi, she would definitely be jealous.

Qinghan was very reserved; she would never admit to being jealous, just sullenly internalizing her anger, capable of nothing more than a couple of sarcastic remarks.

The two entered a coffee shop near the complex. Yuzhi ordered a latte, and Yan ordered a cappuccino, but she didn’t touch it, drinking only plain white water the whole time.

“You heard about it from Jing Fu, didn’t you?”

Yuzhi looked up, realized what she meant, and nodded, “You know your brother and she have a good relationship.”

Yan “hmm”-ed and took a sip of the plain water.

Yao probably couldn’t find her, so he asked Jing for help. After all, Jing was resourceful; as long as the person hadn’t disappeared from the world, she could always be found.

“Yan Yan, is Qinghan Chu… good to you?”

Yan was startled. She looked up and smiled, “Don’t call her Qinghan Chu, call her Senior Cousin.”

The love-hate relationship between those two was also profound, but Yan was too lazy to manage it. She figured the sisters should resolve their own issues, as long as it didn’t involve her, everything was fine.

Yuzhi’s grip on her cup tightened slightly, her fingertips turning white.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have approached you with those intentions back then.”

If she had approached her sincerely from the beginning, would the outcome have been different? At least not this current silence.

Yan was righteous and wouldn’t be this cold to a friend. In her heart, Yuzhi probably didn’t even count as a casual friend.

“That’s all in the past.”

Although she wasn’t completely indifferent in her heart, there was nothing to dwell on.

No matter Yuzhi’s motive for approaching her, Yan wouldn’t have liked her, so she felt less guilt this way.

If a truly innocent and kind girl had liked her, willing to give up everything for her, Yan would have felt very apologetic.

Because she couldn’t reciprocate or offer any promises.

From the first moment she saw Qinghan Chu, she was no longer able to accept anyone else’s affection.

Yuzhi was silent for a long while, then asked, “Have you truly forgiven me? Or are you just too lazy to hold a grudge against me, feeling I’m not worth your expression?”

“Truly,” Yan replied calmly, “Even if we had some unpleasantness, we are classmates and roommates, so the friendship is there.”

Yuzhi’s grip on the cup slowly relaxed. Then she showed a relieved smile. “Thank you. Thank you for still being willing to forgive me. This is the best news I’ve heard this year.”

Yan smirked, “Don’t say that. I’m a thing of the past. You should seize your current happiness. I heard Jing Fu is pursuing you. I think she’s a very good person.”

All the color drained from Yuzhi’s face. Her voice was unstable as she said, “You know I don’t like her.”

I only like you. That feeling has never changed, either then or now.

Yan had wanted to lighten the mood, but she ended up making things awkward for herself.

Yuzhi and Qinghan were truly worthy of being senior cousins; their stubbornness and single-mindedness were identical.

“In my current condition, I can’t accept anyone’s love. People need to move forward and not be confined by the past.”

“You talk as if you ever accepted my love! Didn’t you repeatedly reject me, completely infatuated with Qinghan Chu?”

Yuzhi couldn’t help but use her old, petulant tone. Both of them were stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing simultaneously.

There was nothing to dwell on. Let the past grievances and passions dissipate with the wind.

In the conference room of the Chu Tian Group headquarters.

Twenty attending executives sat rigidly, heads bowed, engaging in a spiritual exchange with the patterns on the table, not daring to look up.

Qinghan’s face was frosty. She heavily tossed the project plan onto the table, her voice laced with anger, “So, you can’t handle this project? You absolutely need me to preside over it?”

The executives didn’t dare to breathe, their heads lowered even further, almost burrowing into the table.

Qinghan grew angrier, tapping the tabletop with her finger, “Speak up. You all usually have so many ideas. Are you mute now?”

The executives pushed the responsibility to one another, no one willing to be the one to speak up, until an experienced manager in his forties finally spoke.

“Vice President Chu, this project was originally assigned to Director Jiang of the Country D branch, but he took a leave of absence a week ago. We are not familiar with the operations there, so…”

“Exactly, exactly. Director Jiang has always been responsible for the operations there. We have not been involved and lack experience. It’s almost the agreed-upon deadline, and we are helpless, which is why we called you back to discuss countermeasures.”

If they had any other choice, they wouldn’t have bothered Qinghan.

“What is so important that he takes leave at this critical moment? Couldn’t he have taken his vacation after this busy period?”

Qinghan had never met this Director Jiang. She only knew that he had been handling the Chu Tian Group’s operations in Country D for years. He was very capable and a complete workaholic.

“It seems his daughter had some trouble. We don’t know the specifics.”

Qinghan remained expressionless, feeling little emotional impact.

She rarely cared about her employees’ private lives and hadn’t known Jiang He had a daughter.

She could understand his heart as a father, but he was clearly neglecting his duty at work. His entire year-end bonus should be withheld.

“You figure out this project yourselves. If you can’t secure it, then let it go.”

The executives: “…”

Were they hearing things, or had the sun risen from the west today? Qinghan was actually going to abandon this kind of international deal? That would have been absolutely impossible before.

Who didn’t know how ruthless she was? She had to fight for whatever she set her eyes on. Yet, she was willing to surrender this juicy piece of meat.

Before the executives could react, Qinghan had already left the conference room.

It was just a transnational project. Whether they secured it or not would not result in any significant loss for Chu Tian.

But she had to keep the promise she made to Yan. It was almost noon; she had to go home and have lunch with her.

Yan had drunk two more glasses of water, staring at the cappuccino in front of her, really wanting a taste.

“Don’t look at it. You’re not allowed to drink this. I’ll taste it for you.”

Yuzhi moved the cappuccino in front of herself and poured it into her latte.

“Will that taste good?”

“It definitely won’t, but I have to try.”

Even if we can’t be together, our favorite things should be together.

Yuzhi thought stubbornly, then took a large gulp, puffing out her cheeks. She couldn’t swallow it for a long time.

“It tastes terrible, doesn’t it? You should just spit it out.” Yan pushed the trash can toward her.

Yuzhi swallowed it all and laughed, “It’s not bad. It tastes quite good.”

It’s very sweet, so sweet it’s bitter.

Yan didn’t say anything. After sitting for a bit longer, she said goodbye to Yuzhi.

Checking the time, Qinghan should be back. She shouldn’t keep her waiting too long.

As she reached the complex entrance, Qinghan suddenly appeared in front of her, her eyes red. She immediately pulled Yan into a hug, clutching her tightly.

“Where did you go?”

“Nowhere. I just sat at the coffee shop nearby. Have you been back for long?”

Qinghan released her, staring into her eyes, and said word for word, “Tell me where you go from now on, or I’ll worry.”

Heaven knew how scared she was when she got home and saw the empty room.

Yan had arrived with nothing but the clothes on her back, not even an extra change of clothes. Her presence left no trace in the house.

The panic in that moment made her think of many terrible things. Fortunately, she saw Yan walking towards her as she came out.

Thank goodness she didn’t leave without a word like she did three years ago.

“I know. I probably won’t be coming out again, anyway. Today was a special circumstance.”

Before Qinghan could ask about the special circumstance, a clear voice called out, “Yan Yan.”

Looking up, she saw Yuzhi in the red coat. She slowly walked toward Yan and said, “I forgot to give you this.”

It was a small, handmade doll from the coffee shop, wearing a pink dress, very cute.

“Mine is purple, and yours is pink.”

Yuzhi held an identical doll in her hand, dressed in a purple dress.

“Yan Yan, goodbye.” She gave Yan a quick hug, tears welling up in her eyes.

Not ‘see you again,’ but ‘farewell.’

They wouldn’t see each other again in this life. She could only pray that in the next life, she could meet Yan earlier than Qinghan. She would definitely meet her in the best possible state.

Yan was momentarily stunned. She hugged Yuzhi back, her voice calm, “Goodbye.”

Yuzhi released her, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and smiled, “I’m leaving. I’m going abroad for a vacation tomorrow. You two should be well.”

Yan nodded, watching her gradually walk away.

“She’s out of sight, and you’re still watching. You might as well have invited her for lunch.”

Qinghan’s sour tone reached her, and Yan immediately laughed.

“Are you jealous?” She hugged Qinghan’s arm, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Qinghan watched Yuzhi, who was now just a dot in the distance, and scoffed, “I won’t fall for her trick. Hasn’t she done this enough? Every time, she acts physically intimate with you in front of me, deliberately trying to make me angry. It’s childish behavior.”

Yan: “Since you’re not angry, then let’s go home.”

Qinghan didn’t move. She hugged Yan tightly, “No, I have to hug you longer than she did.”

Yan: Who’s more childish?

After about two minutes of hugging, Qinghan finally released Yan contentedly and held her hand as they walked home together.

Because she had more important matters, she ordered takeout. After they finished eating, Qinghan pulled Yan into the bedroom.

Yan was tired and lay on Qinghan’s chest, her eyes half-closed, “Is this the important business you mentioned?”

Qinghan flipped over, pinning her beneath her, and smiled with ill intent, “This is the most important business.”

Yan let her have her way, her eyelids feeling glued together from exhaustion.

“Senior, do you regret saying back then that even if only the two of us were left in the world, you still wouldn’t be with me?”

Qinghan lovingly pulled her into her arms, her voice filled with apology, “I’m sorry, Yan Yan. I temporarily lost my mind then, which is why I spoke so rashly. I truly apologize.”

If she had known she would suffer three years of agonizing longing, she would have killed the person who said those words back then.

Yan’s consciousness was already fading, but she didn’t forget to say, “It’s okay.”

It’s okay. Even if you said that in front of everyone, I still like you.

However, people must take responsibility for the words they speak.

Speaking so rashly then, who knows if it won’t become true in the future?

Yan woke up in Qinghan’s bed. The space beside her was empty. A note was left on the table, telling her to leave on her own when she woke up.

“How heartless.”

She sighed, then rolled around in the spot where Qinghan had slept. Poking her head out from under the covers, she saw Jing Fu standing at the doorway with an inscrutable expression.

“Um, Senior, when did you get back?”

“When you just buried yourself in the quilt.”

She couldn’t continue this conversation. Couldn’t Jing just pretend she hadn’t seen it!

Jing walked in, casually closing the door, and stopped in front of Yan. She bent down and asked, “Junior, you like Qinghan, right?”

Yan didn’t know how to answer and remained silent.

Jing “sighed” and then sat at her own desk to remove her makeup.

“If you like her, you like her. I won’t laugh at you for admitting it. But out of all the people who like Qinghan, you are the first one to get into her bed. You have a chance. But she’s a little difficult to deal with. I hope you can persevere.”

Yan automatically ignored the second half of her sentence. She quickly got out of bed, grabbed her clothes and toiletries, and headed back.

Yan was in a good mood all day. Fanyi Meng felt something was off and asked her after school in the afternoon if she had won the lottery.

Yan lightly tapped her on the forehead and said, “All your little brain contains is food and money. Can’t you fit anything else in there?”

Fanyi pouted, “Like what? Is your brain filled with something noble?”

Yan just smiled, not answering. She lengthened her stride, forcing Fanyi to jog to keep up.

Her head was filled with Qinghan Chu. Whether that was noble or not, she didn’t know, but she liked it.

Yan’s inner joy lasted less than two days before reality brutally crushed her.

Qinghan seemed to be deliberately avoiding her since that day. No matter where Yan went to find her, the answer was always, “Qinghan is not here.”

At first, she thought Qinghan was genuinely busy. It was only after a reminder that she realized Qinghan was doing it on purpose.

Yuzhi sat on the bed holding the doll, chatting on her phone, occasionally glancing at Yan.