Chapter 55: Yes, I Am Very Sad

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Her fingers trembled as she opened the ticketing app. There was only an hour left before the last flight to Beijing closed check-in.

“Driver, please take me to Lukou Airport, and please hurry,” she said as she got into the taxi, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible urgency.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Heading home for the holidays to see someone, huh?”

Chen Duling stared out the window at the passing cityscape. The Christmas lights on the trees left long trails of color in the night.

She pressed her lips together and whispered, “Yes, I have a silly little brother at home. No one else can watch over him.”

When the payment confirmation for the plane ticket popped up on her phone, she took a deep breath.

She was going to Yanjing.

Not for any other reason, just because her sister needed to stand up for her stubborn little brother.

That was all.

She told herself this quietly, unaware that the corner of her mouth had already begun to curl into a subtle smile.

...

Time returned to normal.

As the livestream ended and celebratory confetti fell backstage, Ou Hao hooked Jiang Ye’s neck and pulled him out. “Let’s go, let’s go! The usual spot for hotpot—I’ve booked a private room. It’s Christmas Eve, no leaving until we’re drunk!”

Bailu bounced over cheerfully and patted Meng Ziyi’s arm. “Meng Jie, you have to be on my side when we start drinking later!”

She had grown familiar with everyone and was beginning to show her brighter, more outgoing side.

Tonight was Christmas Eve, and being with so many peers made her genuinely happy!

The private room was warm, with a copper pot bubbling red oil. Tripe and duck intestines spun once around the rotating tray before disappearing in moments.

Ou Hao raised his glass. “Here’s to Director Jiang! And congrats on our show topping the trending charts!”

“Absolutely!” Bailu chimed in, “Boss, you’re the best!”

Meng Ziyi sat beside Jiang Ye. Taking advantage of the distraction, she quietly pulled a delicate little box from her bag and slid it toward him. “Merry Christmas, A-Ye!”

Ou Hao’s eyes gleamed as he whistled softly. “Whoa, Meng Jie, that gift looks thoughtful. Is it custom-made?”

Meng Ziyi blushed but didn’t deny it, instead looking at Jiang Ye expectantly.

She was waiting for a return gift...

Jiang Ye’s heart tightened.

Fortunately, he had prepared in advance. As a... how could he forget a holiday like Christmas Eve?

He reached into his inner pocket, about to take out his gift...

At that moment, his phone vibrated.

Chen Duling: Where are you?

Chen Duling: I’ve arrived in Yanjing.

His pupils contracted sharply. Why was Duling in Yanjing?!

He calmly withdrew his hand from his pocket, slipping the gift box back inside.

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The situation had changed...

“Ahem, excuse me, I need to take this call.” He stood and pretended to glance at the caller ID. “It’s Director Zhang from Penguin Video.”

Jiang Ye quickly left the private room, heading toward the restaurant entrance.

Luckily, it was Christmas Eve, and there were plenty of little girls selling apples!

He casually grabbed a packaged apple, then thought for a moment and took another.

Back in the private room, Jiang Ye wore an apologetic expression. “Everyone, Director Zhang suddenly wants to discuss adjustments to the finale. I have to leave.”

Meng Ziyi looked disappointed but nodded. “Work comes first.”

Jiang Ye handed her an apple. “Merry Christmas.”

Meng Ziyi’s eyes lit up as she cradled the apple, smiling sweetly. “Thank you!”

Ou Hao teased, winking. “Is that it? Director Jiang, that gift’s a bit half-hearted, don’t you think?”

Jiang Ye ignored him and looked at Bailu. “Xiao Bai, let’s go.”

The two exited the restaurant. Bailu’s spirit was high. “Boss, do you need me to prepare any materials?”

Jiang Ye: “...No.”

Bailu: “Then should I take notes during the meeting?”

Jiang Ye: “...Nope.”

Bailu: “Then what?”

Jiang Ye took a deep breath and lowered his voice. “It’s the boss’s personal matter. Don’t ask too much.”

Bailu: “???”

Jiang Ye kindly handed her the other apple. “Get back to the dorm early. Merry Christmas Eve.”

Bailu looked down at the apple, then back at Jiang Ye, finally realizing. “So... you’re not really going to a meeting?”

Jiang Ye: “Yeah.”

Bailu: “Boss, you have other plans and that’s why you can’t bring me?”

Jiang Ye: “Yep.”

Bailu: “Boss, if you don’t bring me along, you think you’ll get caught?”

Jiang Ye gave her an approving look. “Smart!”

Bailu: “...And here I am, a lonely single dog, who could have been singing Christmas carols with Meng Jie and the others, but instead you dragged me out just to give me an apple and send me back to the dorm alone?”

Jiang Ye: “...Don’t blame your boss for not thinking of you. See, this apple was carefully picked out in advance...”

At that moment, a little girl selling apples came over. “Miss, want to buy an apple? Five yuan each... Oh, you already bought one? It’s from my family’s stall. Hehe, Merry Christmas Eve!”

Bailu: “...”

Jiang Ye: “...”

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At Yanjing Airport Terminal 3, the crowd was thinning.

When Jiang Ye arrived, it was already ten in the evening.

From afar, he spotted Chen Duling sitting on the bench they had agreed on. Her red down jacket stood out starkly under the cold white airport lights. A beige scarf was loosely wrapped around her neck, emphasizing her snow-white complexion.

She kept her head down, fingers absentmindedly scrolling on her phone. Her eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath her eyes. She looked as serene as a painting.

Jiang Ye slowed his pace, but his heart raced uncontrollably.

She really came, for him?

“Duling,” he said softly as he approached, his voice slightly hoarse.

Chen Duling looked up sharply. Her eyes brightened for a moment before her lips pressed tight, her expression stiffening. “Why are you only here now?”

Jiang Ye didn’t explain, just lowered his gaze to her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “What are you doing all the way in Yanjing?”

Chen Duling stood and stared at him for two seconds before suddenly grabbing his sleeve. “Are you feeling bad?”

Jiang Ye was taken aback. “...What?”

“The insults online,” she frowned slightly, lowering her voice. “It’s okay. If you’re upset... talk to your sister.”

Jiang Ye’s eyes flickered as he suddenly understood her misunderstanding.

She thought he was so overwhelmed by the criticism that she traveled thousands of miles to comfort him?

This...

He dropped his eyes, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. When he looked back up, a delicate vulnerability shimmered in his gaze. “...Yeah, it’s a bit hard.”

Chen Duling’s expression softened instantly. Her fingers tightened unconsciously. “I knew it...”

Jiang Ye stepped forward and lowered his voice, a hint of grievance in it. “Duling, can I hold you for a moment?”

Chen Duling froze, her ears visibly reddening.

“You, you...” She stammered, eyes darting nervously. “We’re adults, and yet...”

Before she could finish, Jiang Ye reached out and pulled her into his arms.

The fluffy texture of her down jacket separated them, and Chen Duling’s body stiffened. Her hands hovered uncertainly, unsure whether to hug back.

Jiang Ye rested his chin lightly on her head and murmured, “...Thank you for coming.”

Chen Duling’s heart instantly softened completely.

He really was hurting.

After a moment’s hesitation, she carefully raised her hand and patted his back. “...It’s okay. It’ll get better.”