San Leng clenched his fists, filled with regret.
He had told Cheng You from the beginning that Brother Yan hated being schemed against.
"That's it, Sister Cheng You just asked me to find out when you were coming up the mountain and where you went, nothing more," San Leng said.
Qi Cheng Yan remained impassive and continued walking down the mountain.
San Leng couldn't help but call out, "Brother Yan, my sister did this because she likes you. You see, she doesn't pry into anyone else's whereabouts. At the very least, she hasn't done anything to hurt you, please forgive her."
Cheng You truly liked Qi Cheng Yan; he could see it.
This misunderstanding would surely break her heart.
Qi Cheng Yan turned his head, "Don't tell her."
San Leng slowly exhaled, nodding in agreement. Everything should be fine now, right?
Qi Cheng Yan didn't go down the mountain. He walked to the small hill where he and Cheng You had their date and sat for a while.
He hated schemes, even if they were directed at Cheng You.
That woman before had said the same thing.
"I'm doing this all because I like you."
Her single word of "like" had caused him to be cursed by everyone, had forced his own father to break his leg, and had made him leave the army burdened with infamy.
He couldn't bear this kind of "like."
But now, the person involved was Cheng You.
Qi Cheng Yan looked up at the sky, exhaling a breath of stale air.
She was Cheng You.
Every time he saw her smile, the scars deep within his heart seemed to heal.
Qi Cheng Yan didn't know how long he sat there. Only when his body became stiff from the cold did he get up and walk down the mountain.
Back at the educated youth point, Cheng You was lingering by the door.
Seeing him return, she quickly ran over.
"You're back!"
Qi Cheng Yan's eyes held a complex emotion as he nodded faintly.
Cheng You's peripheral vision caught sight of the bouquet of flowers in his hand, and her expression turned delighted.
"Is this for me?"
It was cold now, and finding flowers on the mountain was not easy.
Qi Cheng Yan stiffly looked down. Of course, it was for her.
He had been holding them for so long without realizing it, he had forgotten.
Cheng You happily took them. "They're beautiful. Thank you, Qi Cheng Yan."
Qi Cheng Yan was momentarily dazed. Every time he saw her smile, like a blooming flower, it seemed that no matter what she did, she deserved to be forgiven.
"It's nothing. I'm glad you like them."
Cheng You didn't notice his unusual mood. She thought about finding a small vase to put the flowers in.
This was the first time Qi Cheng Yan had given her flowers; she wanted them to last a few more days.
Qi Cheng Yan sat in the room for a while, then got up and went outside. He decided he still needed to talk things through with Cheng You.
Without honesty, some things could become lingering thorns in the heart.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Cheng You walking away, completely oblivious to him.
"Cheng You, you dared to hit my mother!"
It was Cheng Tao's voice, followed by the clear, sharp sound of a slap.
Qi Cheng Yan's eyes sharpened, and he strode out.
Before he had taken a few steps, he heard Cheng You say, "Now you know, right? I not only dared to hit your mother, but I dared to hit you too. If you provoke me again, you'll be sorry!"
Cheng Tao clutched her face, her expression contorted as she glared at Cheng You.
"Are you this vicious? Does Qi Cheng Yan know? If he knew your true colors, would he still be dating you?"
Cheng You found it amusing. "When it comes to viciousness, how can I compare to you?"
"My mother merely introduced you to a potential partner. If you didn't like him, you could have just refused. Why did you hit her! I think you're ungrateful and deserve to be alone and unloved!"
Cheng You couldn't be bothered to argue with her on this matter. Introducing a potential partner was true, but did she not know what kind of person this partner was?
They wanted benefits and a good reputation, did they really think they could have everything?
"If you have nothing else, get lost. Don't come here to disgust me."
Cheng Tao refused to leave. "Do you think I want to see you? If it weren't for your outrageous behavior and ungratefulness, I'd wish to never see you again! I'll give you a piece of advice: your parents' choice of a partner for you is excellent. You'd best marry obediently. That Qi Cheng Yan is from the city; he's just playing around with you!"
She could say anything, but she wasn't allowed to mention Qi Cheng Yan. Cheng You's expression turned cold.
She rolled up her sleeves, revealing a delicate watch.
"Playing around? Have you ever seen anyone play around with such an expensive watch? Zhao Yunlin has been married to you for so long, and you're pregnant, but did he ever give you a watch?"
Cheng Tao looked at Cheng You's smug expression, wishing she could tear her face apart.
She hadn't even seen a watch like that at the department store. It must have been sent from Yan Cheng.
Her heart burned with jealousy. Why should Cheng You have these things!
Cheng You smiled and snorted. "You don't have one, do you? Qi Cheng Yan gave this to me. He's even sending me flowers! Don't think I don't know what Cheng Tianhua and Song Yu Lian are up to. If they marry me off, they'll get quite a few benefits, right? Qi Cheng Yan is from Yan Cheng. If I marry him, won't the benefits be even greater?"
Cheng Tao gritted her teeth and sneered, mocking, "I thought you really liked Qi Cheng Yan, but it turns out it's just because of his status! Even if he's from the city, if he really returns, do you think he'll take you with him? Dream on!"
Cheng You shrugged. "Whether he takes me back to the city or not is my own skill! Anyway, just be jealous. When I go to Yan Cheng, you'll still be a village girl!"
Watching Cheng Tao's face turn pale with anger, Cheng You finally felt some of the pent-up frustration from the past few days dissipate.
Let them use the money from the deputy director to disgust her.
Cheng Tao had originally come to confront Cheng You, but instead, she left with a stomach full of anger.
She gritted her teeth fiercely and turned to leave.
"I'll wait and see how long you can be so smug!"
Cheng You watched her storm off, angering her, and clapped her hands with satisfaction.
Just as she was about to go inside, she turned and saw Qi Cheng Yan.
He stood motionless, his deep gaze flickering with a hint of mockery.
"Is this why you came to provoke me?"
He could find countless excuses for Cheng You in his heart, and he would believe anything she said.
But when he heard it with his own ears, he couldn't help but believe it.
He had become a pawn in her rivalry with Cheng Tao.
Cheng You bit her lip in distress, her eyes darting frantically at him.
"No, everything I said to her was fake. I was just trying to anger her."
Qi Cheng Yan lowered his gaze and let out a light, hoarse laugh. "Then what is true?"
"I love you. That's true!" Cheng You declared forcefully.
Qi Cheng Yan walked towards her, each step feeling like it was crushing her heart.
"Cheng You, tell me you've never schemed against me."
Cheng You's lips moved, her throat feeling choked, unable to speak.
Under his deep gaze, she couldn't lie. She couldn't even act coy with him like she used to.
"Qi Cheng Yan, I..." she began with difficulty.
"Forget it."
Cheng You's heart felt like it had been struck heavily, making her head spin.
"Forget what? Don't be like this. I can explain..."
"We're fundamentally different people. We're not suited for each other," Qi Cheng Yan interrupted coldly.