Chapter 19

As the banquet was nearing its end, I stood by the window, letting the breeze sober me up.

Ji Yan knocked on the balcony door and entered after receiving my response.

I squinted at her, grinning foolishly.

Ji Yan smiled and placed a box on the table.

I blinked and asked her, “What’s this?”

“See for yourself.”

She refused to say, so I took a look myself.

On the red velvet base lay an antique watch I had admired for a long time.

The colors on the dial were still vibrant.

I was surprised, “Finding this must have taken quite some effort.”

Ji Yan chuckled, resting her chin on her hand:

“I have a friend whose younger brother likes someone.”

“Occasionally, I hear him talk about his younger brother’s recent happenings, like getting drunk at the wedding of the person he has a crush on.”

“Like how recently, the barren tree bloomed again, and he reunited with his first love, or how he rushed things and ruined his image in front of his first love.”

“Later, one day, my friend accompanied his younger brother for drinks, and both of them drank too much, so they called me and my husband to pick them up.”

“When I arrived, his younger brother was still talking, and I overheard bits and pieces, roughly meaning that the person he has a crush on had gone through some unpleasant things.”

“He cried as he spoke, and his brother asked him what was wrong, and he said it hurt to think about it.”

“Thinking about how strong she was, how painful and helpless she must have been, and how she managed to get through it all alone.”

“And he couldn’t do anything.”

“Then his brother said, just do what you can for her now, and as long as you don’t give up, there’s still a chance to win her over.”

“Guess what he said?”

I shook my head.

Ji Yan smiled, gazing at the distant twinkling lights.

Recalling that dimly lit bar.

The light cast into the clear liquid, reflecting onto the young man’s eyes.

He was crying, shaking his head.

He said, “I’m not chasing anymore.”

“Brother.”

“I used to think that if I tried a little harder, became a little better, I could stand by her side.”

“But now I realize…”

“I’m not worthy of her.”

“Later, I found out who ‘she’ was.”

“But he still couldn’t let go, so he secretly hired a team to strengthen the security around our company. He said he texted you that afternoon, and when you replied that everything was fine, he knew you were ready for everything. The day you went to the media company, he was there too, watched everything, and then quietly left.”

“Now that you’re doing well, he’s applied to go to the overseas branch for training.”

“His brother begged me, saying he wanted to give his younger brother one last chance.”

“The flight is at ten tonight; if you go now, you can still make it.”

Ji Yan looked at me, smiling gently, “But…”

“No matter what, I’m on your side.”

I took one last look at the antique watch, then closed the box.

I pushed it towards Ji Yan.

“Forget it.”

Ji Yan raised an eyebrow.

“Is it because of concerns, or have you become more cautious after your previous relationship?”

“No.”

I shook my head, smiling.

“I just didn’t feel moved.”

Life is long.

It might not be him, or it might be him.

Either way, I have my own confidence.

Because I will always love myself.