From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

These words completely ignited Su Qing's anger.

Her once bright and gentle eyes instantly turned cold, her face filled with anger, and she gritted her teeth as she cursed:

"This guy is so sinister and disgusting! He's like a persistent ghost! I even suspect that he was behind the scenes orchestrating the takeover of the courier station by headquarters!"

I had actually suspected this for a long time, but I had no evidence. Everything was being done in the dark by the other party, and I couldn't find any evidence to hold against them.

Su Qing, however, was completely enraged. She grabbed my wrist and said, "Let's go! We'll go settle the score with him right now! We can't just let him bully us like this!"

Seeing her impulsive reaction, I helplessly asked, "Do you even know where he is now? How are you going to find him?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Su Qing, and she instantly calmed down.

I continued patiently, "Even if we get lucky and find him, so what? With his cunning and methods, everything he does is done in secret. Without evidence, do you think he'll confess?"

"So we can only suffer in silence and suffer in vain?" Su Qing asked, her face full of resentment and her tone aggrieved.

I shrugged slightly and sighed heavily: "For now, we have no choice but to accept it."

"Didn't you keep saying you were going to deal with him? Why haven't you made a move at all?" Su Qing looked up at me, her eyes full of confusion.

I lit another cigarette and took a deep drag.

Amidst the swirling smoke, I calmly said, "Haste won't help. He has family connections and influence; he only needs a phone call, or even just a word, to crush me. But I have neither background nor connections. If I want to bring him down, I can only bide my time, lie low, and proceed cautiously step by step."

After hearing what I said, Su Qing gradually calmed down.

She remained silent for a long time, then sighed softly, her tone filled with rare self-blame and guilt: "It's all my fault."

"If I hadn't insisted on asking you to help me by pretending to be my boyfriend to shield me from trouble, you wouldn't have offended him, wouldn't have encountered these unpleasant things one after another, and wouldn't have been targeted by him so relentlessly."

I was slightly taken aback.

I've known Su Qing for over a month, and I've seen her proud, lively, and willful side, but I've never seen her so self-reproachful and downcast.

Perhaps the series of changes during this period have worn down her spoiled nature, or perhaps she has truly seen the situation clearly and understood all the pressure I have been under.

Seeing her downcast and dejected expression, I forced a faint smile and comforted her, "I never thought that the fearless Miss Su would actually have a moment of self-reflection and take responsibility?"

She looked up, her eyes full of seriousness: "It was all my fault. If that incident hadn't happened, you wouldn't be being targeted like this, and your website wouldn't be gone."

I nodded and readily admitted it, then changed the subject: "That makes sense. But I've never blamed you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even have had the qualifications to enter the courier station, let alone have had the chance to turn my life around."

Su Qing bit her lip and whispered, "Maybe... I should stay away from you."

"Hmm?" I looked at her.

"My staying by your side will only bring you more trouble."

"Fang Heng is narrow-minded and vindictive. He will definitely intensify his attacks on you in the future. I'm afraid that if you keep being suppressed by him, he will eventually destroy you completely."

Seeing her so carefully considering my needs, most of the gloom in my heart dissipated, and I smiled faintly: "Are you scared?"

"I'm not afraid!" she said, straightening her back. "I'm afraid you can't handle it! He has power and influence; you'll be at a disadvantage fighting alone."

I stubbed out my cigarette and sneered, "It's not that exaggerated. He thinks he can control me? Not so easy. Let him try whatever dirty tricks he wants. I, Lin Ye, am never afraid of a head-on confrontation."

Su Qing stared at me intently and nodded emphatically: "That's the right mindset! So you really don't blame me?"

"Why should I blame you?" I chuckled and shook my head.

Su Qing let out a long sigh of relief, instantly regaining her energy, and looked up at me, asking, "So, where should we go now for a drink to clear our heads?"

I shook my head, looking at the endless stream of people in the distance, and said, "I'm not drinking anymore. Drowning my sorrows in alcohol only makes them worse; drinking won't solve anything. Come with me for a walk along the river."

"Okay, whatever you say."

The two took a taxi straight to the riverbank.

Night slowly falls, and a gentle breeze blows along the riverbank.

This is the peak time for leisurely strolls; the riverside is bustling with people, lively and full of life.

Su Qing and I walked side by side along the riverbank, frequently attracting the attention of passersby.

I'm used to other people's stares, but I still feel a little uncomfortable right now.

Su Qing is strikingly beautiful, has an outstanding temperament, and is radiant and dazzling.

I was dressed in ordinary clothes, covered in the weariness of fireworks, and unremarkable.

When the two stand together, the difference in their social class and temperament is immediately apparent.

I can't help but overthink, and I always feel that other people's gazes are full of gossip and scrutiny.

In contrast, Su Qing was open and natural, strolling around and looking at things, lively and relaxed.

When she saw the candied hawthorn stall by the roadside, she immediately dragged me to buy a skewer. The sweet taste was especially comforting.

Seeing the brightly colored cartoon helium balloons, she insisted on choosing one with Peppa Pig on it, holding it in her hand and letting it sway gently in the evening breeze.

Looking at her carefree, vibrant, and radiant appearance, most of the depression and resentment in my heart quietly dissipated.

This is the most touching aspect of youth: simple, pure, and growing towards the sun.

It can always easily heal all the gloom and unhappiness in life.

I walked slowly along the riverbank for a long time, my legs started to ache slightly, and the evening breeze became increasingly cool.

Su Qing pointed to the riverbank platform below and said enthusiastically, "Let's go down and sit for a while!"

Looking at the empty, flat stone platform by the river, I casually suggested, "Perfect, let's go buy some braised dishes and beer, and sit by the river to enjoy the evening breeze and have a bite to eat. It'll be a good way to relax."

"Okay, okay!" Su Qing immediately nodded in agreement.

We found a braised food shop nearby and bought half a pound of crisp pig ears, a pound of braised chicken feet, a few cans of ice-cold beer from the convenience store next door, and a bag of braised peanuts.

Carrying a bag full of food, we walked to a clean and spacious rocky beach by the river.

I found a flat, clean rock and sat down directly on it.

The river breeze caressed my face, dispelling the fatigue and frustration of the past few days.

Gazing at the dazzling city lights in the distance, my long-held tension finally began to ease.

Once all the food is opened, that feeling comes over you.

A gentle breeze blows from the river, carrying a touch of coolness and the unique scent of water vapor from the riverbank—it's incredibly pleasant.

The city's neon lights gradually lit up, and we sat by the river, watching the brilliant lights on both banks, drinking beer. It felt really great.

As we were drinking, Su Qing suddenly asked me a question out of the blue:

"Lin Ye, tell me the truth, do you regret ever meeting me?"