Chapter 4 — Turns Out You Were Always Waiting

Song Ngie Chu curled his lips in a sneer, then turned to complain to me directly.

Do you even remember? Back in high school, this guy was ridiculously unfashionable and had the worst taste imaginable. He seemed utterly terrified that people wouldn’t realize he was a top student, wearing those ridiculously thick glasses that looked like the bottoms of beer bottles.

Hearing this, the corners of my mouth twitched upward despite myself. Gu Shi Ye really had been a bit of a rustic anomaly back then. I had once overheard classmates whispering that his family circumstances were far from affluent. Apparently, he had no parents and was raised by his grandmother, who ran a modest neighborhood convenience store. Because of this, he never wasted a single penny on superficial vanities like fashionable clothing. Song Ngie Chu, however, was the exact opposite—a textbook wealthy young master. He paraded around every single day dressed like a strutting peacock, armed with a shameless thick skin. The only reason he had ever managed to befriend Gu Shi Ye in the first place was due to his own relentless, one-sided enthusiasm. At that moment, Song Ngie Chu was still droning on incessantly.

You have no idea. A few days ago, I got completely drunk and crashed at his place. When I left, I casually grabbed one of his t-shirts to wear, and I kid you not, I ran into someone wearing the exact same shirt on the subway! Oh god, you can’t imagine how utterly humiliating that was for me...

Hearing those words, I immediately clamped my mouth shut.

Was that you wearing it?

Huh?

That shirt.

Song Ngie Chu let out an understanding groan.

Yeah, that was me.

Gu Shi Ye’s expression turned frosty. Without a word, he pulled the car over sharply to the side of the road.

Get out. I am not driving you any further.

Song Ngie Chu froze in sheer disbelief, trying to reason with him.

Old Gu, isn't treating me like this a bit lacking in basic courtesy?

I am talking to you.

Song Ngie Chu blinked. Song Ngie Chu looked completely flabbergasted.

You are kicking me out of the car just because I borrowed one of your shirts? What is the matter with you, did that shirt save your life or something?

Gu Shi Ye tapped his fingers rhythmically against the steering wheel, refusing to spare him even a glance. Song Ngie Chu was choked with indignation.

Fine, just fine. You win.

He turned back to address me with a theatrical sigh.

This stingy bastard—you were entirely right to reject him back then.

With Song Ngie Chu’s constant nagging finally silenced, the interior of the car plunged into a profound, tranquil quiet.

Are you really going to be okay leaving him stranded out here like this?

His apartment is just in the residential complex right up ahead. It’s a ten-minute walk.

Well, that was acceptable, at least. For the rest of the journey, the two of us remained in silence. It wasn’t until the car finally came to a halt right outside the gates of my apartment building that I found my voice.

Thank you for helping me smooth things over today. If any explanation is ever needed, I am more than happy to cooperate at any time.

No explanation is necessary.

He paused for a brief moment.

I really did pursue you back then.

I lay awake for hours, turning it over in my mind until I finally drifted off to sleep, utterly unable to recall a single instance when he had ever pursued me. Since he hadn't specified, I felt too awkward to press him for details. Yet, the conversation inadvertently brought another memory rushing back. During the summer of our second year in high school, on my way to cram school, I had stumbled upon an elderly woman suffering from severe heatstroke. I helped her to the shaded roadside, cooled her down with rubbing alcohol, and gave her an electrolyte drink until she slowly regained consciousness. Sometime later, Gu Shi Ye had gone out of his way to thank me specifically for that incident. He brought me fruit and ice cream on several occasions, claiming his grandmother, who ran the convenience store, had sent them as a token of gratitude. If something like that could possibly count as pursuit... then the person who had been courting me was clearly his grandmother, not him.

First thing Monday morning, the moment I stepped into the office, Dam Vu hurried over, buzzing with excitement.

Gu Shi Ye sent me a message earlier this morning, asking our department to send someone over to discuss design styles and concepts. By the tone of it, this project actually has a real shot at succeeding.

Pack up your things and head over there right away.

I had initially assumed that upon arrival, I would simply be conferring with the project coordinator. To my surprise, the receptionist led me directly to the door of Gu Shi Ye’s private office.

General Manager Gu attaches a great deal of importance to this project and wishes to discuss it with you personally. I have already announced your arrival, so you may go right on in.

For reasons unknown, a sudden wave of nervous tension washed over me. Just as I raised my hand to knock, a sharp voice echoed from inside the room.

You want to collaborate on an IP project, and I am not fundamentally opposed to the idea. But why on earth would you seek out some obscure little brand that nobody has even heard of? Can you honestly call this a collaboration? It’s basically running a charity!

I recognized that voice instantly—it belonged to Song Ngie Chu. My raised hand froze mid-air. Through the slight crack in the door, I heard Gu Shi Ye’s measured reply.

Did you come all the way to my office just to argue about this? My decision is already made. If you have nothing else to discuss, please step outside. I have an appointment.

No, wait, Old Gu, are you actually being serious right now? What do you even know about that brand's clothing line? It doesn't even compare to the fashion label I proposed earlier, which at least falls into the luxury tier.

Right, and I distinctly remember that the brand you pushed just happens to be represented by your personal goddess. You know my working style by now; I have always kept my professional and personal lives strictly separate.

Song Ngie Chu’s intimidating momentum instantly deflated.

Oh, come on, don't be so cold and heartless. That whole thing was just a coincidence. Just take my advice for once and switch to a more famous, ultra-luxury brand. Who knows when a small-time workshop like that might suddenly go bankrupt?

My fingers tightened around the portfolio of prepared design sketches clutched in my hand. A profound sense of helplessness outweighed any anger I felt.