translated_Chapter 78

78: Saying Goodbye

78: Saying Goodbye

But the winner’s reward is to grow old alone.

“If I hadn’t left back then, if I had given birth to the child you all expected, would we not have ended up like this? Why did your changes become so great later…”

That year, Qiu Ci’s thoughts drifted back: “Don’t look back, don’t regret it. There are no other possibilities. A problem that is temporarily covered up will only grow bigger and bigger in the shadows. Now is the best outcome.”

Tsukimi Rin cried for a long time, finally choking as she asked him, “I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to… I…” I want Qiu Shi, I want Qiu Shi.

“Even if that child had been born, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Qiu Shi was just that kind of person, and so am I.” Qiu Ci continued to advise her, “Don’t make things hard for yourself.”

…

After leaving the hospital, Qiu Ci finally picked up his phone.

Three missed calls and a message from Jing Yueming.

Qiu Ci called him back: “Hello?”

The other end answered quickly, clearly waiting by the phone.

“Where are you? Are you coming back?”

“Not coming back.” Qiu Ci said with a smile.

There was a long, long silence on the other end.

Qiu Ci couldn’t hold back his laughter: “Just kidding, I’ll go to the company and then go home. You don’t have to leave there.”

Jing Yueming’s side hadn’t been resolved yet.

As long as he made a phone call, it meant it hadn’t been resolved.

The final result would definitely be that Jing Yueming would willingly break off contact with Qiu Ci.

CW Enterprise Building, the largest conference room, with only four people.

Three elegant women sat in a row.

The one in the middle, in a wheelchair, was the Second Miss Qin.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Qiu Ci slightly bowed in apology, for making the ladies wait so long. Moreover, Qiu Ci wasn’t even wearing formal attire.

The three sisters didn’t take offense.

“It’s alright, have you been optimistic lately?” Eldest Miss Qin’s eyes were the most gloomy, with fine lines at the corners.

Qiu Ci relaxed and smiled, trying to ease the atmosphere: “Everything is over, of course I’m optimistic.”

He took a USB drive out of his briefcase: “From his amending the major clauses in those contracts, to later coercing and luring other shareholders… etcetera, it’s all in here.”

Second Miss laughed most happily: “Great, thank you for your cooperation. Although you’re not as efficient as your sister.”

“It’s all the same with anyone.” Qiu Ci wasn’t angry: “Is the acquisition agreement ready?”

Eldest Miss Qin nodded.

The always quiet Third Miss took out a thick stack of contracts from her bag.

“Are you really going to give us control of CW?” Eldest Miss Qin still couldn’t believe it.

Qiu Ci was already looking at the contract: “Yes, I still hold the shares, but I don’t participate in management. You can split most of my profits, just leave me some retirement money.”

Second Miss brightly replied: “Ah, you were born into the wrong family. If you were our younger brother, you wouldn’t have to bother for so many years. We’re in the same boat, Qin Yishan that bastard…”

“Let’s not talk about that.” Qiu Ci interrupted her: “It’s my honor to cooperate with the Misses. I’ll continue to review the contract when I get back, and I’ll give it to you after I sign it if there are no problems.”

“Okay.” Eldest Miss Qin nodded: “Later we’ll consider merging the Qin family’s industries together.”

“I believe you can lead Global Wealth to a better future. CW’s original intention was to invest in more aspiring young people.” Qiu Ci shook hands with Eldest Miss Qin in agreement.

Jing Yueming really was waiting in the villa.

Just a little bored, he didn’t have the patience to play games either.

Wandering around the entire villa.

Inside, he found an exhibition room, and in the backyard, a small tombstone.

It said, “Grave of Beloved Pet. Piano.” There was even a photo attached.

Jing Yueming intuitively felt that Qiu Ci hadn’t put it there.

Back in the living room.

He found a tub of ice cream in the refrigerator.

Untouched.

Jing Yueming found a spoon and started eating the ice cream on the sofa.

Mainly because he was too bored.

After he finished eating, Qiu Ci still hadn’t returned.

There was nothing else in the refrigerator.

This villa didn’t even have all the seasonings.

Qiu Ci probably didn’t live here permanently.

The “click” of the door lock being turned reminded Jing Yueming.

He pounced over like a puppy greeting its owner.

Qiu Ci didn’t even have time to react.

When he was pounced on, he even thought of Piano.

Jing Yueming hugged him for a long time, until Qiu Ci, who was cold all over, was covered in his own scent and warmth.

He had a feeling that Qiu Ci was about to leave him.

This feeling was very strong.

“Okay, I’ll go in first.” Qiu Ci comforted Jing Yueming.

After closing the door, Jing Yueming helped him take off his coat.

“Where have you been? It’s been a whole day.” Jing Yueming complained.

“Sorry, the housekeeper will bring food over soon.” It was his oversight that Jing Yueming hadn’t eaten anything from the time he woke up until now.

Jing Yueming didn’t feel very hungry: “I mainly miss you, you…”

“I’m leaving, Little Jing.” Qiu Ci said.

As expected, Jing Yueming disagreed: “Where are you going? I…”

“Would you like to go to Milan? Italy?” Qiu Ci asked him, he needed to arrange his studies before he left: “Studying fashion design, the other majors at the schools there are very good.”

“I’ll go anywhere with you, I don’t care where.” Jing Yueming was like a puppy about to be abandoned: “You like me, right, Qiu Ci? You said those letters were written by you, in the letters you said you like me…”

Qiu Ci patted his head: “You’re so young, I’ll just take it as you’re being silly.”

He was only twenty years old.

“I’m not worth you liking me, it’s just that you haven’t met anyone more suitable. A few months ago, you were still mourning Ai La to the point of death.”

“It’s not the same, Qiu Ci, you’re different, I…” Jing Yueming was at a loss for words, struggling for a long time: “You’re not a substitute… You’re Mr. Maple Leaf…”

“Then say goodbye to Mr. Maple Leaf.” Qiu Ci joked.

“Don’t ever separate, okay?” Jing Yueming pleaded.

“You’re still young, you can’t shoulder this vow. You’ll understand when you’re older. Besides, liking has an expiration date.”

Jing Yueming wanted to argue again, but the doorbell rang.

It was the housekeeper coming to cook.

She nodded to Qiu Ci to indicate her presence, then took the ingredients to the kitchen.

“Mr. Qiu, two people today?”

“Yes.” Qiu Ci replied.

The housekeeper smiled mysteriously, her gaze towards Jing Yueming holding a hint of unclear meaning.

With a third person in the house, Jing Yueming became a little bashful.

He moved closer to Qiu Ci’s arms: “Teacher Qiu, hold me.”

“Teacher Qiu?” It had been many years since anyone had called him that, and he was momentarily dazed.

“I saw that group photo in the exhibition hall. Did you used to run art classes?”

“Many years ago…”

“I went there.” Jing Yueming said, this matter had happened so long ago that it was blurry.

To this day, Qiu Ci had long since become unfamiliar with that time.

“I didn’t see you back then, what a pity.”

“Actually, we met even earlier.” Jing Yueming said: “A long, long time ago, when I was only in second grade, I went to an art training class in the mall to freeload, but the teacher kicked me out, and you encouraged me… I saw a painting I drew when I was eight years old in the exhibition hall.” Jing Yueming’s eyes became a little moist as he spoke.