Part Three, Chapter Fifteen: Facing Reality

ed seriously at Teacher Qin.“Ms. Qin, could you explain”The fact that he called her Ms. Qin shows that he's angry."What's there to explain, Tang Su and Zhang Cheng are here. It's broad daylight, I can...Her voice, both gentle and powerful, resonated throughout the room. After her speech, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Sincerity and authenticity always move people the most.

After her speech, it was time for the guest donation drive, the highlight that media were most focused on. The atmosphere at the scene reached its peak.

She listened to the host's energetic voice behind the scenes. In the end, Lu YaoYao won first place due to her joining Gu Shi Group's temporary donation, with a donation amount that dominated all others.

As the event drew to a close, most guests had finished their donations and left. Chen Ling was tidying up materials backstage when there were two knocks on the door. She saw Xu Shao and Lu Yaoyao standing at the entrance, smiling at her before walking over.

This was the first time she had been so close to a celebrity, especially since they were both dazzlingly beautiful. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Lu Yaoyao briefly explained her intention: "I think your foundation is very meaningful. Can I participate in your activities in the future"

She usually donates a lot to various charities, but the one she really wants to be involved in is this one. The main reason is that the girl's speech touched her deeply.

Chen Ning recalled what the president had said, about finding an image ambassador for the foundation, and she almost immediately confirmed that she could invite Lu Yaoyao to be the image ambassador.

She is decisive in her actions. Even though there are some negative online comments about Lu Yaoyao, she trusts her own judgment more because a person's eyes won't deceive you. This was the first time she had seen an adult's eyes so clear and unpolluted by worldly affairs. They held light and warmth.

So, without any hesitation, she happily replied: "Sure, our chairman is asking me to find an image ambassador for the foundation."

After finishing his sentence, he felt that it was a bit abrupt, so he added: "If you have time."

Lu YaoYao readily agreed: "Of course."

Afterward, the three took a photo backstage.

Chen Ling's first time interacting with celebrities was much more pleasant than she expected. In the photo, Xu Shao and Lu Yaoyao were both wearing evening gowns, while she was in a simple T-shirt and jeans. Perhaps because it was a private photo shoot, the two stars smiled warmly and the scene felt harmonious without any awkwardness.

She posted the photos to her social media after getting permission.

After sending it, I got busy with other things and didn't look at WeChat Moments until I returned to the dormitory in the evening. When I opened it, I saw a bunch of likes on my post, and among them was a familiar avatar.

She couldn't believe it, she clicked on it, and it was really from Song Jingye. Her nose suddenly ached, he finally agreed to take the initiative to contact her.

He clicked on the chat box countless times, his last reply still lingered from their sophomore year of university. For the next three years, she was the only one sending messages, always met with silence. These past two years, she rarely messaged him anymore, only occasionally updating him on her academic progress. This was her way of making her stance clear – she wouldn't harbor any further romantic feelings for him; she was dedicated to focusing on herself and her own pursuits.

Recalling what Zheng Ke had told her about his impending transfer back to Beijing, she mustered her courage and sent him a message: Uncle, when are you returning to work in Beijing

I thought he would continue to ignore me, but just as I was about to go to sleep, my phone suddenly lit up: "Hold on."

Chen Ning replied: Are you still in the northwest

"Hmm"

"We're going to the northwest next month too, to film a public service announcement."

After sending it, the other party stopped replying.

But this short conversation was enough for Chen Ling, even luxurious. He finally spoke to her and no longer disgusted her.

Over the next few days, she proactively invited Yao Yao to meet and signed the image ambassador contract. Then they started preparing for the public service film shoot in the northwest.

There's a bit of wishful thinking in my heart. I was hoping to find a reason to visit the base during work, even if it's just like before, watching him from the window of the family building, looking out at the training ground.

She kept silently posting on her WeChat Moments throughout her trip to the northwest, of course, only visible to him. Her purpose was to make it seem natural when she finished work and returned to the military base.

That night, just after posting on my Moments, he suddenly called: “Are you guys going to xx Township”

"Yes."

Song Jingye fell silent for a moment, then his steady voice came: "Wait for me at the hotel tomorrow morning, I'll take you there."

xx village was very remote, and as it was a covert investigation, there was a certain degree of danger. That night, Chen Ling tossed and turned because of his sudden concern. Her heart was full of emotion. She thought, he must be accompanying her to that poor and remote village because of her past experiences. He always cared about her.

She hadn't slept much all night and was waiting at the hotel entrance very early. When she saw him driving a black Jeep from afar, getting out in black clothes from head to toe, she knew it wasn't a dream.

She ran up to him happily: "Uncle."

"Hmm." He only gave her a cursory glance, then his eyes fell on YaoYao behind her. Though his gaze was fleeting and he didn't even greet the girl, Chen Ning felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her; she understood everything in an instant.

The like in my friend circle and today's accompaniment are all because of someone else.

A girl's heart is the most sensitive and transparent.

He felt neither sadness nor joy, because he never truly belonged to her;

It's bittersweet. I wasn't expecting him to like this type of girl, and it makes me realize how thoughtful and gentle he can be when he's alone.

His eyes on YaoYao were restrained, but unbeknownst to her, his gaze followed her every move.

At a roadside eatery, he quietly went to the kitchen and instructed that the dishes should be clean and light.

At the nearby convenience store, I quietly bought the most expensive water and snacks;

Although he kept his eyes on the road while driving, every time Yaoyao spoke, the corners of his mouth would unconsciously turn up.

When danger came, he held Yaoyao tightly in his arms.

When Yaoyao cried because her hair was pulled, he comforted her by blowing gently and awkwardly.

How could someone like him, who is so open, possibly hide a love

So when YaoYao's husband arrived, and he dejectedly retreated to the other side of the car, Chen Ling could only feel a sharp pang in her heart. She felt empathetic pain for him.

She longed for him to have a normal relationship, where all his efforts would be reciprocated.

She hopes he is happy.

After returning from the northwest, Chen Ling's heart was unusually calm. She buried this feeling deep in her heart and never touched it again.

After returning to Beijing, her graduate school exam results came out quickly. As expected, her score far exceeded the admission line, and she didn't need to worry about the later interview because the professor she wanted to apply to had already extended an olive branch to her beforehand.

When I went to report to the advisor's office, I saw Xu Haichen inside. Four years of university life hadn't made him fat; he was still thin, but his temperament had already shown a hint of elegance.

He was a graduate student who shared the same advisor as her. When she walked in, he was the first to speak: "Little junior sister, I've been waiting for you."

from the same year.

"You were taken under Master Zhao's wing a day earlier than me, so you're my senior."rip betrayed his inner turmoil. Lu Yao's nose felt sour, forcing herself to be strong and not cry, people would return.She said, "Let's go home.""Okay, I'm going home."One is rarely expressive of his...