The next day, the presentation that Lin Chuyu and I made together received unanimous praise from the company's leaders, who entrusted us with the company's most important project of the year to follow up on the entire process.
The project went smoothly with the help of Lin Chuyu. We under Lin Chuyu worked hard in the company 24 hours a day. From creativity to post-production, and then to stage scheduling, we did not dare to take any link lightly. Especially since I was just an intern, it was a great learning opportunity to be able to follow up on such a core project shortly after entering the company, so I became more involved in it.
Yi Tian called me countless times to ask me to go shopping together, but I decisively and ruthlessly rejected them all. After she called me again to complain that I had forgotten her after getting a job, I called Li Qiuyang and half threatened and half begged him to spend more time with Yi Tian. After all, I didn't want me to always stand her up when she wanted me to accompany her.
When I called Li Qiuyang, Zhou Yao was beside me. She seemed to be joking but actually said seriously: "Li Ge, it seems that you and Yi Tian have a really good relationship, otherwise why would her boyfriend listen to you so much?"
Zhou Yao's words made me feel very uncomfortable. My face darkened a little, and I warned her in a restrained tone: "Don't make such jokes. I just want to remind Li Qiuyang that his girlfriend is boring. As for whether he cares about it, it depends on how much he loves Yi Tian. It has nothing to do with whether he listens to me."
My sudden drop in tone surprised Zhou Yao. She smiled awkwardly, then immediately put on a pitiful and aggrieved look and explained, "Li Ge, what I said just now was just a joke. I didn't mean anything else!"
Zhou Yao’s show of weakness made me feel embarrassed to keep a straight face, so I smiled awkwardly and reminded her to get back to work.
This was probably the first time Zhou Yao and I had an unpleasant experience since we met. I looked at her, who was concentrating on her work, unconsciously, and I felt that something was changing.
Because the Hongyuan Jewelry case I worked on received praise from Lin Chuyu, and coupled with the success of the company's major projects, Sister Linda, who had always been in charge of Zhou Yao and me, also allowed me to participate in the creative planning and execution of a new column in the department.
Although I had a little unpleasant experience with Zhou Yao before, I still hope that she can join me when there is a good job opportunity. So I begged Sister Linda several times, and she finally agreed to let Zhou Yao participate in the creative proposal of the new column. As for whether she will be allowed to participate in the later execution, it depends on the decision of the higher level.
Probably because Zhou Yao had previously studied broadcasting and hosting, and had insufficient knowledge of program planning, she wrote several proposals, but I rejected them before they were submitted.
I pointed out the shortcomings of her proposal directly, hoping that she could improve. Every time she took it back humbly, and every time I didn't see her turn around and want to crush the proposal in her hand. I always thought I was helping her, but I didn't expect that the repeated denials had already left an indelible scar in Zhou Yao's heart. Her self-esteem, which had been hidden for a long time, was growing rapidly under the watering of resentment and jealousy.
Before we realized what was happening, that jealous self-esteem had already grown long vines that tightly bound her, me, and us.
But before that, I was still naively using what I thought was the best way, wanting to grow with her into a better us.
When Zhou Yao's proposal was rejected again, I decided to complete the proposal with her. In this way, on the one hand, we can complement each other's strengths and weaknesses and make a more perfect creative proposal . On the other hand, we can advance and retreat together, so that work matters will not affect the relationship between her and me.
At the creative meeting, Zhou Yao and I's ideas were recognized by everyone. We suggested that we could use the method of college student debate to bring out the hottest and most fashionable topics and the hottest news.
I thought this idea would be rejected, but unexpectedly, after other colleagues contributed their ideas, they helped us turn this macro-creative idea into a program that can be put into practice.
"Li Ge, Li Ge, come here." I had just arrived at the company with Zhou Yao early in the morning with heavy dark circles under our eyes. Sister Linda was standing at the front desk and pulling me out, not caring at all about the questioning look on Zhou Yao's face.
"What happened?" Seeing Sister Linda's anxious look, my first reaction was that Lin Chuyu was angry again.
"Why are you so nervous? It's nothing serious. I'll take you to the scene." Sister Linda took me to the elevator.
Zhou Yao was very embarrassed, but still followed us out.
I calmed down and asked Sister Linda, "What scene?"
Sister Linda smiled mysteriously at me and said, "Why, don't you want to see what it would be like if the idea in your head was turned into a real show?"
The creativity in your head?
I thought about it for a while, and then I remembered the creative proposal for the college student debate program that I had worked on with Zhou Yao not long ago.
"Are you talking about the debate program?" I couldn't believe it. They had such strong execution ability. They just finalized the planning not long ago, and they can start recording today?
"Yes, today we are setting up the background, and then having the band sing the theme song live and make the opening credits. You can go over and help see where there are deficiencies and what needs to be improved. You will follow up on this program with me from now on. I have already asked Lin Chuyu to bring you over."
I was a little reluctant to be dragged out this early morning, but when I thought about participating in the program I came up with, I felt full of energy.
"What about Zhou Yao? She also had a part in this idea." I glanced at Zhou Yao, who was standing next to me with an expectant look on her face, and asked Sister Linda.
"Zhou Yao? Let's go to the office first. Manager Lin said that the last plan for Kia Construction was not good enough. You should go back and revise it first! I'll put it on your desk." Sister Linda pulled me into the elevator in a hurry, not giving Zhou Yao a chance to continue speaking.
The elevator door slowly closed, and I looked at Zhou Yao outside the door with concern. She stared at me with a hurt look on her face. I felt cold in my heart, and just when I wanted to say a few words of comfort to her, or to help her fight for it again, the elevator door suddenly closed.
After the elevator door closed, Sister Linda looked at me seriously and said, "Li Ge, I know you and Zhou Yao are friends, but friends can't help each other with everything. Don't think I don't know that you helped her with the Kia construction plan. Manager Lin and I are not fools."
"I'm sorry, Sister Linda. Zhou Yao and I are good friends. I really can't bear to see her being scolded by Manager Lin again." I lowered my head and admitted my mistake.
"She is just a little girl after all... Li Ge, human nature is not as simple as you think. Not everyone deserves to be helped, and not everyone will be grateful for your help. Do you understand?" Sister Linda said earnestly, "I will stop here. You can slowly experience the rest by yourself!"
Does Sister Linda mean that Zhou Yao is the one who doesn't deserve help?
I wanted to explain that although Zhou Yao was sensitive, she was actually a simple, cowardly person who needed protection. But when I saw Sister Linda's eyes that saw through the world, I gave up.
When we arrived at the recording site, the staff members coming and going were as friendly to Sister Linda as real brothers and sisters.
"Li Ge, let me tell you a trick. If you want your work to be 100% perfectly executed, you must build good relationships with the staff such as stage design, lighting, and props. Our group has launched many online variety shows in recent years, and the competition is very fierce. These staff members often follow and run several programs together, so you have to have a good relationship with them to present the best stage effects, do you understand?" Sister Linda imparted her experience to me as we walked.
I nodded humbly: "Got it, thank you Sister Linda."
"By the way, the main investor of our program will come over later to take a look at the program schedule and discuss sponsorship and advertising. But you don't have to worry about these for now, Lin Chuyu will come over in person to talk to the other party later. You just need to assist in recording the opening song." Sister Linda said and walked out.
I quickly immersed myself in the intense on-site work.
But not long after, Sister Linda called me loudly at the door of the recording site again.
I ran towards her puzzled and asked, "Sister Linda, what's wrong?"
She pulled me out and said that Lin Chuyu was here and asked me to accompany him to meet the investors to discuss advertising sponsorship and other matters. Sister Linda said in amazement: "You are quite capable, negotiating with investors is such an important matter, but no intern has ever been able to participate."
Soon after I walked out the door, I saw Lin Chuyu, and behind Lin Chuyu were two people whom I didn’t want to meet at all - Lin Chujian and Xu Yaxin.
Before I could lament how small the world is, Sister Linda enthusiastically greeted Xu Yaxin, Lin Chujian, and several staff members who were dressed in black suits, and then whispered in my ear some gossip that Lin Chuyu was Lin Chujian's brother.
Sure enough, Sister Linda’s words finally confirmed what I had always guessed.
Just looking at the brothers Lin Chujian and Lin Chuyu walking towards me without any communication, I always felt that something was wrong.
I didn't have time to gossip too much. As soon as Lin Chuyu walked up to me, he said to me directly: "I think you both know Xu Yaxin and Lin Chujian. This time, President Xu appointed his daughter and a capable person to come to discuss cooperation with our company. Miss Xu Yaxin learned that this project was planned by you, and specifically asked you to participate in the negotiations."
"Do you know each other?" Sister Linda, holding the information, looked at us with inquiring eyes.
This is a society that values ​​connections. She was probably thinking, if Xu Yaxin and her group are acquaintances of mine, the rest of the work will be smoother, right?
I really couldn't bear to tell her our true relationship and make her sad.
"Yes, we are not only alumni but also roommates!" Xu Ya said with a guilty smile.
When Sister Linda heard this, she immediately became excited and followed Xu Yaxin's words: "Really? Since we are all friends, then we can say that we are working together as family."
“This cooperation has nothing to do with the fact that we are classmates. We simply believe that your program will attract a lot of young people and the number of clicks will be good, so we agreed to sponsor your new program. But you have to know that there are endless online variety shows nowadays, and yours is just an unknown new program. I think we still need to have a good talk and discuss about our advertising fees.” Lin Chujian said very officially. He looks completely different now than when he was in school. He has a bit of Lin Chuyu’s flavor.
"That's right, I have printed out the specific information. Let's go to the conference room over there and have a good talk." Sister Linda seemed to have the same idea as me, and she wiped a cold sweat when she faced Lin Chujian.
"Yes, Brother Chu Jian is right. He is now the head of the second advertising department of our group. If you have any matters in the future, he will be the main person in charge." Xu Yaxin added, giving me a proud and provocative look.
Sometimes I am also puzzled. This Xu Yaxin obviously hates me, but she doesn't try to hide from me. She actually likes to seize every opportunity to hang around in front of me. Is this a proud show-off of a winner?
I was too lazy to pay attention to her and followed Sister Linda to the meeting room.
In the conference room, our two teams sat on both sides of the conference table. Sister Linda started the meeting agenda, starting with a brief introduction of both companies.
I have always known that Xu Yaxin's family is rich, but it was not until this time that I clearly understood that Xu Yaxin's father was the chairman of the largest investment group in the city. I think this is why she is so arrogant and looks down on the poor.
But what I never expected was that Lin Chujian actually went to her family's company.
It is obvious that Lin Chujian's family also has a company. I am really puzzled. Why does he leave his own company and choose to work at Xu Yaxin's house? I can't help but think too much.
At this time, Lin Chujian was sitting less than two meters away from me. He looked at everything around him, but his eyes never stayed on me.
During these days, I have had countless auditory hallucinations thinking that my phone received a call from him. Every sleepless night, I stared at his WeChat avatar in a daze.
But he seemed to have cut me off from his life, no phone calls, no text messages, no contact at all.
Is this the reaction after falling out of love?
So... he no longer loves me?
During this time, I tried to keep Lin Chujian in the deepest part of my heart, along with the beautiful memories of my parents, hoping that it would not surface. But after meeting, I found that some love can never sink.
When I first met Lin Chujian, I was like a poet, always having thousands of sentimental words to tell him.
When I first met Lin Chujian, I was like a humble clown. Because of my deep love for him, I behaved in a comical way in front of him. Also because of my deep love for him, I longed for him to look back in my humble manner.
This could be a definite end.
Just when I was feeling depressed, the two brothers Lin Chuyu and Lin Chujian had already walked out of the conference room, and something that I could never imagine was happening in another space.
In the smoking area, two brothers who looked very similar stood facing each other, one was calm and unhurried, while the other was very indifferent.
"Today I discovered for the first time that my good brother has good acting skills!" Lin Chuyu elegantly took out a lighter and lit a cigarette for himself . The thin cigarette burned at his fingertips and was never put into his mouth.
He hates smoking, but he really likes the smell that can calm him down.
"I'm not interested in beating around the bush with you. Just say what you want to say." Lin Chujian wrinkled his nose and took two steps back, trying to stay away from the cigarette.
"I don't have much to say, I just want to tell you that Li Ge is a good girl, pretty and capable, and I will take good care of her." Lin Chuyu narrowed his eyes and looked at Lin Chujian as if he was looking at prey, as cunning as a fox.
"She and I are over. There's no need for you to say these things in front of me to provoke me. I don't care." Lin Chujian's eyebrows moved, but the expression on his face did not change.
He knew that Lin Chuyu had always hated him, hated his mother for taking his father away, and hated his mother for forcing his mother to death.
When he was a child, in a corner where his father could see him, his brother was always very kind to him, caring about him, giving him his toys to play with, and buying him lots of delicious food.
But in corners that dad can't see, there are needles in the food and strong glue on the surface of the toys.
After suffering too many injuries, Lin Chujian finally realized that they could only be enemies in this life.
"Lin Chujian, you can fool dad like this, but you can't fool me." Lin Chuyu pierced through his disguise with one word, "Do you think that if you listen to dad and date Xu Yaxin, your mom's life in the Lin family will be better? Do you think that if you give up Li Ge, I will do nothing and let her go? Tsk tsk, how can my brother be so naive? Have you forgotten my hobby? My greatest hobby is to see you in pain. How could I miss this good opportunity?"
"I don't allow you to do anything to Li Ge!" Lin Chujian's defense was broken. No matter how hard he tried, he was still not strong enough in front of Lin Chuyu now, and he still couldn't protect the person he loved.
"The more you forbid me, the more I want to do it! But..." Lin Chuyu changed the subject, "That little girl Li Ge is too young and doesn't have the ability to judge people. Maybe I don't even need to do anything, she will be bullied to the point of crying for her parents. Do you think I should help her when the time comes?"
"Lin Chuyu! You pervert!" Lin Chujian couldn't help but yell.
"Am I a pervert?" The cigarette in his hand was almost finished, Lin Chuyu crushed it in the ashtray, stood up, patted his expensive suit, and returned to his devilish appearance, "My perversion is all caused by you and your mistress mother. If you want to hate her, just hate her."
Lin Chuyu turned around and left resolutely. Lin Chujian leaned against the wall dejectedly, not moving for a long time.
Dad said, if you don’t break up with Li Ge, I will send you abroad and you will never see her again.
Mom said, you should break up with that girl and stop making things difficult for her.
So he let go of Li Ge's hand, and when he met her and Li Qiuyang in the supermarket, he left indifferently and gave her a resolute back.
He thought that if he worked hard and became strong, he would be able to provide a support for Li Ge.
But Lin Chuyu slapped him again, telling him that reality was not that simple.
He began to wonder what kind of decision it was that he gave up on Li Ge.
right or wrong?
But all his pain and entanglement turned into indifference when facing Li Ge.
As I watched the two brothers coming back, the sadness in my heart subsided a little, and I planned to devote myself seriously to the next negotiation.
Who would have known that Xu Yaxin would make things difficult for me everywhere, making me say that everything I said was wrong, while Lin Chujian said nothing and just let Xu Yaxin make things difficult for me.
Looking at the extremely indifferent Lin Chujian in front of me, I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer. I said "sorry" to Lin Chuyu and rushed out.
As soon as Lin Chuyu returned to the company, I handed in my resignation letter.
Who knew that Lin Chuyu threw the resignation letter into the shredder without even reading it, and said angrily: "What? You want to escape after encountering such a small difficulty? I thought you were such an excellent employee, it seems that I was wrong."
"Manager Lin, I'm sorry, I can't work with Lin Chujian and Xu Yaxin. You can either agree to my resignation or arrange other work for me." Since I have decided to resign, I am no longer afraid of Lin Chuyu and I said it boldly.
“Heh.” Lin Chuyu was not angry at all. Instead, he laughed. “Isn’t this your true character, Li Ge? How hard must you have pretended to be when you were the hardworking and uncomplaining person you used to be!”
"Manager Lin, what you said is too much . Please don't deny my efforts at work." When I heard Lin Chuyu say that I was pretending to be diligent, I suddenly became angry.
Lin Chuyu sneered after hearing what I said: "Are you anxious after just a few words? Aren't you planning to quit and become a deserter? Why can't you stand my denial of your work attitude?"
"I..." Lin Chuyu's words left me speechless for a moment.
Lin Chuyu had no intention of letting me go, and continued to sneer: "I know the relationship between you, Lin Chujian, and Xu Yaxin. In fact, it was not only Xu Yaxin's idea to let you participate in the negotiation, but also my idea. I wanted to see how professional you are at work. It seems that I still overestimated you! I thought you must be able to win this cooperation negotiation. I didn't expect you to just evade everything like an ostrich."
If I could, I really wanted to be like an ostrich, burying my head deep in the sand, not looking at or thinking about everything around me. I didn't even need to face Lin Chujian who had left me.
Too many people have told me that some feelings are over, so just let them go, just like words written on the beach, which will disappear without a trace when the waves come, and when you pick up a branch again, there will be another piece of words.
At this time I can only smile. Matters of the heart are like drinking the water, only you know whether it is hot or cold.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you." My attitude softened a little, but I still did not change my decision to resign.
What I didn’t know was that in Xu Yaxin’s company, Lin Chujian, like me, insisted on refusing to follow up on this work.
But Xu Yaxin seemed to be on good terms with Lin Chuyu, insisting that Lin Chujian continue to follow up, and using the bait that if this project was successfully negotiated, Lin Chujian's strength would be greatly enhanced, tempting Lin Chujian to continue to face the cooperation with me.
Lin Chujian thought about it again and again, thinking that he could accumulate his own resources as soon as possible and get rid of his father's control, he finally agreed to follow up.
As for me, after Lin Chuyu's repeated provocations, I also retracted my decision to resign and said to Lin Chuyu: "Manager Lin, thank you for your trust. I will try to put aside my personal feelings and cooperate with you in handling this negotiation."
Lin Chuyu rarely showed an approving smile, nodded at me and motioned for me to go out.
I quickly walked out of Lin Chuyu's office without hearing his soft whisper behind me -
Li Ge, seeing you so unwilling to admit defeat, I think the game becomes more fun!
Some people wake up from their dreams after suffering pain, but now I am still living in the past, and I don’t know if I can swim out of the ocean of memory.
But no matter what, I will try to take the first step to break free from the emotional dilemma.
Perhaps it was because Lin Chujian and I had both adjusted our mindsets that the rest of the process went surprisingly smoothly. It was as if we had returned to the state of perfect coordination we had in the debate arena.
Although Xu Yaxin likes to make trouble unreasonably , she still knows her limits when it comes to serious matters. After torturing me for a few rounds and finding that I didn't react, she calmed down and stopped making things difficult for me.
In this way, time passed day by day, and the program was officially launched with my efforts.
Looking at this program that was created from scratch in my hands, my heart was filled with emotion, and Lin Chujian, who was standing next to me, also had a face full of relief.
We looked at each other and seemed to have returned to the past.
But in the past, I could always see Lin Chujian's love for me from the look in his eyes.
Now, I don’t know what I look like in his eyes.
"What do you want to tell me?" Lin Chujian asked softly, as if they were back to the time when we were still very sweet.
I felt my throat was a little blocked and I couldn't speak.
After a long time, I finally managed to say, "Lin Chujian, you seem to owe me something. Since you don't want to say it, let me say it! Your hot and cold behavior and the unclear relationship between you and Xu Yaxin have made me too tired. Let's break up!"
Lin Chujian's eyes were filled with intense pain. He looked at me for a long time, his face expressionless. He nodded and said with difficulty, "Okay."
Although I was the one who said the word "break up", Lin Chujian's simple "OK" still evoked extreme pain from my chest to every part of my body. It hurt so much that I clenched my fists and my nails pierced into my flesh, but I didn't feel anything.
This isn't the first time we've broken up, but I've never felt so far away from him.
We seem to be really...over...
We are finished...
"Then I'm leaving. " I couldn't stay in the same space with him any longer and just wanted to escape as soon as possible.
"Okay, goodbye." Lin Chujian did not try to keep him.
After taking a few steps, I heard him say "I'm sorry" softly.
What are you sorry about?
Do you say sorry because you don't love me anymore? Or do you say sorry because we are really over?
For a moment, I really wanted to rush back, grab him, and say, "Lin Chujian, I won't argue with you anymore, I won't make a fuss, I won't lose my temper anymore, let's make peace!"
But I know we can't go back.
There are so many people in this world who try hard to love each other, but their fate is to go their separate ways.
Just like fireworks, they will shine brightly but will eventually disappear.
Later I thought that during the years I was with Lin Chujian, I must have been really bad to him.
When we first got together, I relied on my spoiled brag temper to often make things difficult for him and bully him.
In the middle of winter, I asked him to buy a drink, but it was cold. I asked him to warm it up before giving it to me. Without saying anything, he stuffed the drink directly into his clothes and kept it warm for more than half an hour before giving it to me.
Another time, I was singing with Yi Tian outside. When we were going back home, it was raining heavily. I called him and within ten minutes, he rushed out of the house to pick me up without even changing his pajamas. The next day, he caught a bad cold, but he was still worried that I was also caught in the rain, so he asked me to take medicine quickly.
He said that among all the people in this world, he only wanted to be nice to me. He wanted to spoil me so that no one could stand my temper and everyone would have to stay by his side.
In the past, I would deliberately do the opposite of what . But now, as he gradually distanced himself from me, I seemed to have changed.
He used to dislike me being too intimate with other boys, but now I always remind myself to keep my distance when I see a boy. I used to not turn off my phone before going to bed, and he always scolded me for this, but now the first thing I do when I go to bed is to turn off my phone.
He likes sweets, so I have tried all , hoping to take him to the best one someday.
I can finally call out the names of all the members of his favorite team.
He doesn't like what I do, and I'm slowly correcting it, but I've always been a stubborn person since I was young.
Yi Tian couldn't help scolding me when she saw me now! She said that when I encountered something I really liked, I always pretended that I didn't like it that much, making myself look very cool and awesome, but in the end I could only cry alone.
Actually, no, I’m just afraid of being seen through by others.