Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 1795 The Sun Shines Like Me 24

Zhuang Xu wanted to see Nie Xiguang, and he finally found an opportunity. On a clear autumn day, a colleague in Zhuang Xu's team had a birthday party, and naturally, they suggested that everyone have dinner and sing karaoke together. In particular, Zhuang Xu's boss knew about the relationship between Zhuang Xu and Ye Rong, the assistant next to Sheng Xingjie, so he encouraged Zhuang Xu to invite Ye Rong out as well. Zhuang Xu's roommate also invited his girlfriend, Si Liang, who was also Nie Xiguang's and Ye Rong's college roommate.

Siliang simply contacted Nie Xiguang, who was nearby in Suzhou, to ask if she was in Shanghai. If so, she hoped that everyone could take the opportunity to get together.

Nie Xiguang was initially hesitant, but Si Liang was quick-witted and persuaded her in just a few words. Besides, it was also Si Liang's birthday that day, and she had previously mentioned that she was in Shanghai and could only accept the invitation to sing.

After learning about this, Jiang Yun did not suggest that Nie Xiguang cut off contact with her former classmates, but only reminded her to pay attention to her safety.

When the depressed Nie Xiguang thought of her college classmate Si Liang, she inevitably thought of Ye Rong, and of course, she couldn't help but think of Zhuang Xu. Then she realized that she hadn't thought of Zhuang Xu for a long time. She recalled that before the Lunar New Year, she had taken the opportunity of a holiday trip to Shanghai with two colleagues from the company and went to the vicinity of Huaya Bank, hoping to bump into Zhuang Xu there.

But when she met Zhuang Xu, who was just across the slide from her in Changbai Mountain, she no longer had the same impulse and longing as before. Now, when she recalls those events, even though it has only been half a year, she feels as if it were a lifetime ago.

Before meeting Zhuang Xu, Si Liang came out for some fresh air after getting drunk and happened to run into Nie Xiguang, who was coming to meet everyone. Swaying and fueled by alcohol, she finally confessed her little thoughts to Nie Xiguang, "Do you know what you were thinking when you were preparing to confess to Zhuang Xu and specifically asked me, Rongrong's best friend, whether they were a couple or not? When I said they were just childhood sweethearts and there was no romantic relationship between them?"

Nie Xiguang smiled casually: "I didn't pay attention to why I suddenly became a third party in someone else's relationship at school, but after thinking about it carefully, it seems that nothing about this rumor is true except for my feelings for Zhuang Xu."

Siliang's expression was tinged with sadness and resentment: "I also like Zhuang Xu, just like Rongrong!"

"But like Rongrong, I didn't dare to express my feelings because of Zhuang Xu's poor family background at that time. I even had to keep my distance from him—"

Nie Xiguang's smile vanished completely. Recalling the strange things that happened during her university years, she finally realized that she had been set up by Si Liang and Ye Rong.

But what's the point of saying all this now? Nie Xiguang couldn't understand why Siliang had suddenly brought everything up with him today, so he asked her, "Aren't you dating Zhuang Xu's roommate, Zhuo Hui? Does Zhuo Hui know that you like Zhuang Xu?"

When Siliang mentioned Zhuo Hui, her expression changed again, and she said frankly, "My choice of Zhuo Hui is the same reason why Rongrong would not choose Zhuang Xu."

Nie Xiguang couldn't help but shake his head: "Feelings can't withstand calculation. Every time you calculate, you are pushing people away without realizing it, unless you are sure that the other person will still choose to forgive you after knowing everything."

Siliang muttered and changed the subject again: "I'm so envious of Rongrong. She can buy whatever she wants now, and she can take care of all her expenses. She's living the life I want to live, and she has a boss with a bright future."

"I really envy her financial independence—"

Nie Xiguang also knew that Ye Rong was Sheng Chuanjie's assistant. Although she and Jiang Yun were not optimistic about Sheng Chuanjie's ability to develop Shengyuan Group well, Shengyuan Group had its own established structure and wouldn't be destroyed overnight. Sheng Chuanjie was just a bit too mediocre, but he wasn't stupid. Ye Rong's prospects were actually quite good.

As they were talking, Ye Rong rushed over to join everyone for the karaoke session. Perhaps it was because her high-paying job gave her enough confidence, or perhaps it was because Zhuang Xu had personally rejected her, but when she looked at Nie Xiguang now, she no longer had the subtle yet overt hostility she used to have. She even reminded Nie Xiguang, "The group is not optimistic about the prospects of the photovoltaic industry, so the Yuancheng Group has been slow to inject capital into Shuangyuan Company as agreed, and the group has not taken any action."

“I even know that the group had hinted to Hua Ya Bank that it would reject Shuang Yuan’s loan request.”

After seeing the hostility Ye Rong and Si Liang showed towards her, Nie Xiguang could no longer trust them. However, upon closer inspection of Ye Rong's expression, she discovered that Ye Rong was actually incredibly sincere this time. She wasn't mocking her at all, but earnestly conveying the information she had gathered about Shuang Yuan.

For a moment, she swallowed the sarcasm directed at Shengyuan's focus on real estate.

Nie Xiguang felt extremely conflicted, so after exchanging pleasantries for a while and listening to Zhuang Xu finish singing "Faith," a song she had once said she really liked, she quickly made an excuse to leave.

As soon as Nie Xiguang moved, Zhuang Xu quickly followed her out. While waiting for the elevator, Zhuang Xu suddenly asked, "Xiguang, I sang your favorite song, 'Faith.' Is it too late to confess my feelings now?"

Nie Xiguang's feelings became even more complicated. He gave a bitter smile and said, "Although I don't have anyone else I like, it's too late for you to confess."

Zhuang Xu didn't believe it and quickly confessed: "When I met you in Changbai Mountain, I wanted to find you, but in the end I was too timid and didn't dare to appear in front of you."

Nie Xiguang interrupted directly: "Yes, you clearly saw me when we were in Changbai Mountain, but you just didn't show up. And during university, you had so many opportunities, but you just took advantage of my feelings for you and kept delaying giving me a clear answer!"

Nie Xiguang silently walked into the elevator, and Zhuang Xu quickly followed. However, he didn't receive even a glance from her. Sensing her resolute expression, Zhuang Xu stopped her before she could get into a taxi. "Xiguang, this isn't fair to me. You're so kind; you can easily give my mother a little pocket money for such an important surgery, while I have to work my hardest just to support my studies and my family—"

Nie Xiguang suddenly understood, and she turned to Zhuang Xu and said seriously, "But Zhuang Xu, none of this is an excuse for me to suffer your torment!"

"Whether or not I was born into such a wealthy family, none of that is an excuse for you to drag me down and belittle me!"

Having missed the taxi, Nie Xiguang simply shook off Zhuang Xu's hand and tried to turn around and move forward. As a result, she saw Ma Nianyuan and Lin Yusen looking slightly embarrassed. Nie Xiguang couldn't help but laugh at their flustered appearance.