Like Brocade - Novelbike

“Let’s break up.”

“Why? Why do you suddenly want to break up?”

“You cheated.”

I couldn’t be bothered with small talk, so I directly took out my phone and shoved the photo in front of him.

The man squinted his eyes, carefully examining the photo, and then slowly spoke, “Oh, that’s my childhood friend. I don’t see her as a woman.”

I let out a mocking laugh, “Oh, so?”

Oh right, I forgot to mention.

This scumbag is called Ye Shuo. No matter what, I still have to introduce his name.

Ye Shuo wasn’t flustered at all, a smirk playing on his lips, “You cheated too.”

???

He then took out his phone and showed me a photo of Ji Ming holding me in front of the company building.

I scrutinized the poorly taken candid photo and said calmly, “Oh, that’s my brother. I don’t see him as a man.”

“Oh, so?”

This guy is really good at learning and applying things on the spot!

“As far as I know, he’s not your biological brother, right?”

He added smugly.

Why does he look so punchable?

“Since we both cheated, let’s just break up. Is there anything else you want to say?”

I reached out, lit a cigarette, and assumed the demeanor of a rebellious young miss.

That’s right, the cigarette smell on the scarf that day wasn’t his, it was mine.

On a cold winter day in Beijing, under the wisteria trellis at school, the two of us stood side by side, our breath forming white mist in the air.

Except, one of us was puffing smoke, while the other was exhaling cold air.

Ye Shuo pondered for a moment, “Ji Shan, to be honest, I really do like you a bit. Can we not break up?”

I looked puzzled, “Don’t you change girlfriends every month? We’ve been together for over two months, and you’re not tired yet?”

“No, I find you very special. Every time I see you, it feels different, like now. I’ve never seen you this cold before.”

“I really want to know the real you.” He looked at me seriously.

“You’re sick.” I spat out.

“See, this is the first time I’ve heard you curse.”

“Crazy.”

“How about this, we remain boyfriend and girlfriend, don’t break up, and meet a few times a week.” He suddenly said seriously, “But, you can also go out and find other men, I won’t mind.”

I turned my head, puzzled, studying his delicate face.

How could he say such nonsensical, scandalous things with such a straight face?

I was stunned, not knowing what to say, so I added, “Madman.”

Damn it, why is breaking up so complicated?

Ye Shuo glanced at his phone, “I have to go to class, think about my proposal. You should go back too, it’s too cold outside.”

With that, he quickly pecked my cheek and got up to leave.

“Hey, I want to break up!” I quickly wiped my face and shouted at Ye Shuo as he walked away.

“No break up, no break up! Just no break up!”

“Then I’ll just dump you unilaterally!”

“No way–I don’t agree–”

“Ye Shuo–you idiot–”

“Love to hear it–say more–”

We shouted at each other in the snow, and if you watched on mute, you’d think we were acting out a scene from “Love Letter¹.”

I sat back on the bench, continuing to smoke, feeling a bit helpless inside.

“You have one at school and one at home, quite the skill you’ve got.”

A hoarse voice suddenly came from the fake mountain behind me.

“Too bad both are fake.” I didn’t turn around, just took out a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, “Care for one, Uncle?”

“Oh, Huanghelou², as expected of the young miss.”

Zhou Yuming walked over, put down his large broom, and unceremoniously took one, holding it in his mouth.

I shielded the wind and lit his cigarette.

“Really good smoke.”

He took a deep drag, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face.

“Then take the whole pack, Uncle.”

With that, I stuffed the entire pack into the pocket of his patched-up cotton coat.

“No, no need.” He hurriedly pushed my hand away, “I don’t usually smoke.”

“There are plenty more at home.”

“Really, no need. I don’t smoke the enemy’s cigarettes.” He said sternly.

He always used this excuse.

Whether it was cigarettes or anything else, he refused to take them.

That cotton coat of his, who knows how many winters it has accompanied him.

Beijing winters are harsh, and for a southerner like him, wearing such a simple coat must be cold.

I’ve said many times that I would buy him one, but he always says, “I don’t use the enemy’s money.”

Who knows where the two million from back then went, and now he has to rely on being a sanitation worker at the school to support himself.

“Then what are you smoking now?” I teased him on purpose.

“I’m smoking my dear niece’s filial piety.” He shamelessly laughed.

Humans are inherently double-standard.

“What are Ji Chaoyou and the others busy with lately?” Zhou Yuming changed the topic, getting straight to the point.

“They’re enjoying retirement in Hainan, occasionally meddling in company affairs.”

“Hahaha, they really know how to enjoy life.” Zhou Yuming exhaled a smoke full of resentment, “I heard you joined the company?”

“Yes, Ji Ming placed me in the Secretary Department, I follow him every day.”

“The Secretary Department, huh, he’s really keeping a close eye on you.” Zhou Yuming said, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

For some reason, that smile made me uneasy.

“Yes, I haven’t been able to access the Legal Department yet, give me some time, I’ll think of a way.”

There’s an old employee in the Legal Department, the lawyer who handled the chemical plant incident back then.

The Ji Family paid a hefty sum to keep her in the Ji Group for life, even if she doesn’t work, she still receives a generous salary.

And I need to get into the Legal Department, find her, and pry open her mouth to get the crucial evidence to bring down the Ji Family.

“What way? By seducing Ji Ming?” Zhou Yuming sneered, giving me a deep look, “Don’t get yourself caught up in it.”

“Not necessarily through him, Ji Chaoyou is also planning to expand into overseas markets and invest abroad, I can find an excuse–”

“They’re planning to expand overseas?” Zhou Yuming suddenly interrupted me, his whole body tensing up.

“Yes, why?” I was startled, feeling a bit uneasy.

“They’re preparing to emigrate abroad, take the money and run!”

“No way, Ji Ming didn’t tell me…”

“No, we must change the plan.” Zhou Yuming suddenly stood up, extremely agitated, “Ji Chaoyou must die!”

“Uncle, don’t be hasty! This isn’t confirmed yet, we have plenty of time,” I quickly stood up to calm him, “There’s no need to take such a big risk, using legal means to punish them is the safest.”

“Have you forgotten how your parents died!” Zhou Yuming turned abruptly, his gaze fierce.

“No, I haven’t forgotten! Every time I close my eyes, I see them, I wish I could kill Ji Chaoyou and his wife, those greedy, hypocritical scum!” I gritted my teeth, trying to control my trembling with anger, “But I don’t want to sacrifice your future for revenge, Uncle, you’re my only family left.”

Zhou Yuming breathed heavily, glaring at me, then his expression softened, and he sat back on the bench, “You’re right, I was too impatient.”

Zhou Yuming took one last drag, extinguished the cigarette, “Find a chance to get into the Legal Department. As always, any movements or plans of Mr. and Mrs. Ji must be reported to me immediately.”

“Okay, got it.”

Zhou Yuming picked up the broom, waved at me, and limped away into the white distance, eventually disappearing into the snow.

His coat pocket was bulging, filled with the cigarettes I had secretly stuffed in while we talked.

I extinguished the cigarette I had barely smoked.

In truth, I don’t really smoke.

It was just once, I saw Uncle pick up a discarded cigarette from the ground, and take a few drags.

I couldn’t bear it, but I knew if I gave him cigarettes directly, he wouldn’t take them.

So I started smoking in front of him, giving him a reason to share one.

Footnote:

1. Love Letter(情书):A popular 1995 Japanese romance film directed by Shunji Iwai, known for its snowy Hokkaido setting and poignant themes of love and memory.