Another week passed. During this week, Lin Qinghe tried every method she could think of, but the unmoving progress bar remained completely unaffected.
As if that wasn't enough, it rained when the roof leaked. You Rong told her that the You Group had an important overseas project, and Grandpa You wanted him to go along to learn. It would likely take about half a month.
Lin Qinghe's brows furrowed immediately upon hearing this. "Do you have to go?"
You Rong lowered his eyes slightly. "Yes. My grandfather's health hasn't been good these past two years, and he's been forcing himself to manage the company. I also hope to understand the company's affairs as soon as possible so I can join after graduation and lighten his burden."
But if You Rong wasn't in the country, the progress bar would be completely hopeless.
Lin Qinghe had no good reason to make You Rong stay. After much deliberation, she said, "You Rong! I'll take a leave of absence. Can I go overseas with you?"
You Rong refused without a second thought. "No! Finals are next month, and you have exams soon. You need to stay at school and revise properly, or you'll fail."
"I don't care! I can't bear to be separated from you. Please take me with you, okay? I promise I'll be good and won't disturb your work!"
Usually, You Rong would compromise when Lin Qinghe acted cute, but this time he was unusually firm. "No! Qinghe, your studies are the priority. I... will call you every day and come back as soon as possible."
"Oh, You Rong... Please agree to it. After I go overseas with you and come back, I'll definitely study hard and won't fall behind. Is that not okay?"
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong with a pleading expression, hoping to soften his heart. You Rong's brows were tightly knit. He insisted, "No! Qinghe, be good. I'll be back soon! Trust me!"
No matter how much she pleaded, You Rong wouldn't budge. Lin Qinghe's temper flared up. She flung his hand away, angrily declared, "Whatever!" and left without looking back.
"Qinghe..."
You Rong's heart tensed, and he wanted to chase after her. But just then, students from two other classes came for their physical education class. The corridor was crowded, and he couldn't push through. He could only watch Lin Qinghe's figure disappear from his sight.
Lin Qinghe, huffing and puffing, went to an empty lecture hall and sat down. She took several deep breaths to calm her anger.
Actually, thinking about it, You Rong's decision wasn't wrong. It was her own problem. She was irritable because of the progress bar, so she lost her temper at You Rong.
Lin Qinghe patted her head, cursing herself for being increasingly wilful. She wasn't actually in a relationship, and her goal was to increase the progress bar. Why was she throwing a tantrum?
Perhaps a temporary separation from You Rong was also good. It would be convenient for her to find out the reason for the abnormal progress of the progress bar.
Having figured it out, Lin Qinghe decided to go back and find You Rong. The moment she stood up, You Rong appeared at the doorway, panting, clearly having run to find her.
You Rong strode over and grabbed Lin Qinghe's shoulders with considerable force, saying anxiously, "Qinghe! Listen, let me explain. It's not that I don't want to take you, I..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted him. "It's okay, I understand. I was too wilful just now. You have important things to do, so how could I pester you to go with you? Don't worry, I'll wait for you at school. But you promised, you have to call me every day..."
You Rong was clearly taken aback. When he came to his senses, he pulled Lin Qinghe into his arms and said in a deep voice, "...Okay, I promise."
Lin Qinghe: "Then when are you leaving?"
You Rong's eyes flickered. "Tomorrow morning."
"Ah?" Lin Qinghe exclaimed in surprise. "So soon?"
"Yes, because it's an important project and cannot be delayed. So I have to rush to go with Grandpa."
For some reason, Lin Qinghe felt truly a little disappointed. Her face pressed against You Rong's chest, she said in a muffled voice, "I understand... Then I wish you and Grandpa a safe journey. Come back soon."
You Rong stroked the back of Lin Qinghe's head. "I will. Take care of yourself at school and study hard. I'll bring you a gift when I return."
"The gift isn't important. Just come back soon."
You Rong: "...Okay."
They embraced in the empty lecture hall for an unknown amount of time. Suddenly, You Rong held Lin Qinghe tighter and asked in a deep voice, "Qinghe, would you really like the old me?"
Lin Qinghe felt something was wrong and tried to push You Rong away, but he held her tightly, not letting her leave his embrace.
"Qinghe, tell me, you said you liked me. You'd like anything as long as it's me, right?"
Lin Qinghe felt something was wrong, but when she thought about it carefully, she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
She decided not to think about it anymore and answered You Rong seriously, "Aren't you silly? How many times do I have to ask you this question? I truly like you. No matter what kind of you, as long as it's you, you are the person I like!"
You Rong remained silent, holding Lin Qinghe tightly as if afraid she would vanish if he let go.
That evening.
You Family Villa.
You Rong showered, his half-wet black hair clinging to his forehead, obscuring the emotions in his eyes. He stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection.
He asked himself over and over again in his heart.
Did Lin Qinghe not like him because of this face?
Otherwise, he had treated her so well in the past, why did she still choose Jiang Jingtian?
You Rong didn't want to think about it, but he couldn't control himself. He kept thinking that Lin Qinghe didn't truly like him; she only liked his now handsome face.
You Rong raised his eyes slightly, as if seeing the fat, simple-minded, and ugly self in the mirror again.
-----
Five days later.
Since You Rong went abroad, Lin Qinghe still hadn't figured out why the progress bar had stalled, and she felt even more dejected, moping around all day.
Even when Wen Qianyun tried to drag her out shopping, she had no interest.
Suddenly, someone patted their shoulders. "Two beautiful ladies out shopping? Do you need a male escort?"
Lin Qinghe looked up and saw Xiao Ziyi. She immediately averted her gaze, not wanting to deal with him.
Xiao Ziyi didn't care and continued with a smile, "Qinghe... It's the weekend, aren't you going on a date with You Rong? Why are you shopping with Miss Wen here? Won't he be jealous?"
Wen Qianyun chuckled. "Senior Xiao, you just returned from America after celebrating your mother's birthday, right? You don't know, Brother You Rong went overseas with Grandpa You because of an important You Group project. That's why I'm taking Sister Qinghe out shopping."
Xiao Ziyi was very surprised. "What did you say? You Rong went overseas with Grandpa You?"
Wen Qianyun said, "Yes, he's been gone for several days. Sister Qinghe has also been unhappy for days."
Xiao Ziyi's expression became very strange. He frowned and left, saying, "I have something to attend to. I'll be going now. See you another day!"
After he finished speaking, Xiao Ziyi left in a hurry. Lin Qinghe didn't care about him and therefore didn't notice his strangeness.
Wen Qianyun, however, muttered, "Why is Senior Xiao reacting so strangely upon hearing that Brother You Rong went overseas..."
Xiao Ziyi's strange reaction wasn't his fault at all. This morning, he had just met Grandpa You at the airport. Grandpa You said he was going to a different city, which didn't match You Rong's story about going overseas at all!