Chapter 48 – Hate Me

After dinner, Yang Baichuan from the Research Department and Old Wu from the Risk Control Department had to return to ROJA for further inspection. Pei Hao invited everyone to visit their experimental base to see the progress on their medical robotics project. Li Tang declined, saying, “I won’t understand all these technical things; let them go and take a look.”

Qi Sixian raised her hand and said, “I want to see the robots.”

Li Tang glanced at her, and she immediately confessed, “Okay, okay, and also to check out the handsome guys.”

Pei Hao smiled and turned to Li Tang. “President Li, really not coming along? Our technicians will give you a personal explanation. After listening, you’ll be able to make your own robot to play with when you get back.”

Li Tang also smiled. “Leaving the creation of robots to your highly skilled talents. I’m just an ordinary man, only interested in money.”

They split into two groups.

Pei Hao drove everyone to the experimental base, while Li Tang took a taxi to the hotel himself.

Before parting ways, Li Tang instructed Qi Sixian, “Bring my stuff back when you return; there’s no need for President Jiang to personally escort me.”

On the way, Li Tang made a few notes on his phone about what he had seen and heard today at ROJA, afraid that he might forget later.

Passing through the city center mall again, Li Tang looked at the bustling crowd in front of the square, suddenly remembering that Christmas when he first tasted cotton candy.

Just as Qi Sixian had guessed, this was the favorite place for people in Xucheng to go during holidays and the preferred spot for couples to date.

Realizing that he could still vividly recall every detail of that Christmas, Li Tang gave a self-deprecating smile.

It seemed he couldn’t use long-term medication affecting his brain as an excuse for his forgetfulness anymore.

Memory was such a strange thing—what should be remembered couldn’t be retained, and what one wanted to forget couldn’t be erased.

Arriving at the hotel entrance, rain finally fell from the dark clouds that had been lingering for hours.

Li Tang’s mind wandered several times while checking in at the front desk.

The hotel was arranged by the General Affairs Department, and he hadn’t paid attention to the address. Upon arrival, he realized it was the same hotel from years ago.

Well, Xucheng was a third-tier city, and there were only two or three decent five-star hotels; choosing this one wasn’t unreasonable.

Receiving his room card, Li Tang took the elevator upstairs. It was a regular standard room, but the hotel hadn’t been renovated over the years, and the interior layout was almost exactly the same as before.

Li Tang picked up the bottled water on the table and drank. The icy water sliding down his throat refreshed him somewhat.

But perhaps it would have been better to remain a little dazed at this moment.

Li Tang rummaged through his small suitcase for sleeping pills, swallowed one, then pulled back the covers and lay down on the bed.

Due to lack of rest the previous night and the drug’s effects, Li Tang fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up, he found the sky outside the window had already turned dark.

Checking his phone, it was 5:27 PM.

Coincidentally, Qi Sixian sent a message: President Li, are you in your room?

Li Tang replied yes, and Qi Sixian said: Come down to the hotel’s lounge on the first floor; we’ll report on today’s inspection.

The hotel had a lounge for MICE purposes, capable of accommodating meetings for a dozen people.

Li Tang didn’t ask who else was there, seeing that it was almost time for dinner. He replied: I have an appointment, so let’s stop here for today. You guys go eat and rest; we’ll consolidate the information when we return to the capital.

Just after sending the reply, Zhou Dongze’s call came in: “I’m off work, shall I come pick you up?”

Li Tang said, “No need to pick me up, I’ll take a taxi there myself.”

Zhou Dongze laughed. “How can that be, it’s rare that President Li honors us with your presence.”

Upon learning that Zhou Dongze’s location wasn’t far from the hotel, Li Tang ultimately agreed: “Then meet me at the hotel entrance in twenty minutes.”

Hanging up, Li Tang got up, washed his face, put on his clothes, and went downstairs.

Regardless of whom he met, he had the habit of arriving early at the designated place to wait. Therefore, he arrived in the hotel lobby less than ten minutes later.

Sitting on the sofa near the window, Li Tang observed the passing vehicles while stroking the cufflink on his left wrist, confirming it was securely fastened.

He hadn’t had time to ask Qi Sixian if she brought back the bracelet.

If she forgot, he’d buy another one upon returning, or follow Li Zichu’s suggestion to switch to a watch. Anyway, it was just a functional item; wearing anything was fine.

Just then, a female voice sounded in his ear: “President Li, you haven’t left yet?”

Turning his head to look, it was Qi Sixian, holding documents, walking out from the corner of the corridor. Following closely behind her were Yang Baichuan, Old Wu, and a tall man dressed entirely in black.

At the moment their gazes met, Li Tang quickly averted his eyes.

His heart, which had just calmed down, seemed to be awakened once more, pounding fiercely.

His worry was indeed not unfounded—Jiang Lou had indeed followed him here. Unexpectedly, the inconspicuous corner he had chosen was directly opposite the hotel’s lounge.

For Jiang Lou, encountering each other seemed quite unexpected as well.

He stopped in his tracks, not moving forward. Qi Sixian turned around and said, “Since we happened to run into each other, President Jiang, you can return the items yourself. We’ll leave you two alone, then.”

As she said this, she tried to pull away Yang Baichuan and Old Wu to “clear the area.” Yang Baichuan, lacking tact, foolishly asked, “Aren’t Presidents Li and Jiang eating together with us?”

Qi Sixian pushed him forward. “They’re old classmates catching up, why are you butting in?”

Once those three walked away, Li Tang kept his gaze lowered, unwilling to raise his head.

He even considered other possibilities, like simply standing up and leaving.

Would it seem impolite? After all, on the surface, he was just an ordinary business partner to the company.

But facing Jiang Lou, Li Tang couldn’t maintain complete composure.

Moreover, it was in this hotel, where they had once shared an intimate night. Here, he had given his heart and everything, believing that a moment was eternal, only to find out in the end that he had fallen into a trap meticulously set by the other party.

The pain akin to being bound by fine threads returned, and Li Tang clenched his teeth. The blood drained from his face and lips, leaving a pale complexion.

For about two or three minutes, it was Jiang Lou, who was usually passive and never initiated greetings, who spoke first. “Waiting for someone?”

Li Tang continued looking at the ground, responding with a muffled grunt.

After a few seconds’ pause, Jiang Lou said, “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Nor did he intend to engineer this encounter.

Li Tang choked in his throat. There was no blame for such things; if he had known earlier, he would rather have waited in the rain outside.

Jiang Lou handed over the item in his hand. “Your bracelet. When I found it, one of the strings was broken, so I rethreaded it.”

After some thought, he added, “If you think it’s unsatisfactory, you can have someone rethread it.”

Long ago, Li Tang knew that Jiang Lou had rich life experience, but it was the first time he learned that he could string beads.

Lifting his eyelashes slightly as he reached out to receive it, Li Tang saw the bracelet he bought for ten yuan at a street stall. It was now placed inside a box, nestled within a ROJA-branded shopping bag. When he bought it, it hadn’t received such treatment.

He also noticed the hand holding the bag, slender and beautiful, with distinct bones, making the wound on the back of the hand stand out so glaringly and pitifully.

Aware of Li Tang’s gaze, Jiang Lou instinctively withdrew his hand and switched to carrying the paper bag with the other.

Saying “thank you,” Li Tang took the paper bag, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “Did it happen during the earthquake this morning?”

That wound was long and linear, likely caused by a sharp object. A thin layer of scab covered it, clearly a fresh injury.

Jiang Lou knew this wasn’t concern but rather politeness, or perhaps a sense of guilt.

Not wanting to burden Li Tang with unnecessary thoughts, Jiang Lou said, “No. It happened when I accidentally bumped into something while adjusting the equipment this afternoon.”

Li Tang hadn’t gone to the experimental base that afternoon and didn’t know whether the situation there was truly as perilous as described.

If it were in the past, he would have persistently pursued the truth. Back then, he cared deeply about the origin of every scar on Jiang Lou’s body, asking how he was injured during a fight, memorizing the faces of the opposing fighters he encountered at the gym. Even if he was too cowardly to seek revenge, he would glare fiercely at them when they crossed paths.

Over time, circumstances changed. Today’s Li Tang had no right nor strength to question; he merely responded with a faint “hmm,” acknowledging the information and reminding him to be careful next time.

Perhaps, there was no ordinary concern.

Seven years had passed, but Jiang Lou still vividly remembered how distressed Li Tang used to become whenever he saw him hurt. To Jiang Lou, injuries were commonplace, as common as drinking water or eating food. But Li Tang would solemnly help him apply medicine, gently blowing on his wounds until his eyes welled up with tears.

Seventeen-year-old Li Tang was fragile and timid. To this day, Jiang Lou couldn’t fathom how he mustered the courage to let a blade cut through his skin, slicing his own artery.

Sensitive to where the person in front of him was focusing his gaze, Li Tang hid his arm behind his back.

Then he took a deep breath, put on his social mask, and returned to his own territory.

“The scene was chaotic during the earthquake this morning; I didn’t get a chance to greet you,” Li Tang said. “I heard that you’re one of the partners of ROJA. From now on, I should call you President Jiang.”

Jiang Lou was taken aback, seemingly unable to adjust to Li Tang’s overly natural attitude.

“I didn’t invest, and my position in the company isn’t general manager,” Jiang Lou said. “In the future, just call me by my name.”

Hearing the word “future,” Li Tang’s heart tightened.

Future…apparently it still wasn’t enough.

Forcing a light laugh, Li Tang said, “It seems President Jiang has great confidence in your project, expecting potential follow-up to this cooperation?”

The name didn’t change. Calling him by his first name, as before, remained Jiang Lou’s unfulfilled wish.

It was at this moment that Jiang Lou realized Li Tang had lifted his head and was looking straight at him. Perhaps due to the glasses, his gaze had a detached sharpness, as if he wasn’t looking at a person but recalling a past he despised.

After a while, Jiang Lou spoke again. “That wasn’t my intention.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say more.

He had long lost the right and never greedily sought forgiveness. The current situation was already far better than he had anticipated; at least Li Tang was willing to talk to him, willing to meet his eyes.

Even if that gaze was filled with resistance, as if the surrounding oxygen was suddenly sucked away, leaving Jiang Lou nearly breathless.

Only after speaking did Li Tang realize his mistake. Even when facing a business partner whose deal didn’t go through, he shouldn’t have spoken in such a mocking manner.

He knew he panicked, became disoriented, and lost his head. He overestimated himself, thinking that after a few months of training, being addressed as “President Li” could make him remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, and that he could handle all relationships with ease.

But memories that couldn’t be forgotten in seven years wouldn’t dissipate with just a few months.

His lips trembled slightly, and Li Tang left behind an apology before getting up and walking away.

Footsteps followed behind him, and Jiang Lou said, “I’m the one who should apologize…sorry.”

Li Tang felt embarrassed, not daring to turn around, and hurriedly walked away. “President Jiang, what are you apologizing for? For the earthquake this morning? That’s a natural disaster; I’m not foolish enough to hold your company responsible for it.”

“What about the rest, do you blame me for that?” Jiang Lou asked.

“If I remember correctly, this is the first time our companies have had business dealings. What ‘rest’ is there…”

Before Li Tang could finish, Jiang Lou quickly caught up. With a sidestep, he blocked Li Tang’s path.

Li Tang abruptly halted, instinctively lifting his head to meet Jiang Lou’s dark pupils.

His breath caught, preventing him from evading or closing his senses.

After seven years, it was the first time Jiang Lou looked at Li Tang so closely, close enough for his heart to ache.

It turned out that seeing him alive and well was such a wonderful thing.

God had been merciful to him.

Assuming Li Tang understood what “the rest” referred to, Jiang Lou said, “If you want to blame me, blame me for everything. If you want to hate me, don’t blame yourself.”

“Even if God wants to punish, it should be me. Carry your hatred for me, and live on.”

Zhou Dongze had just parked the car at the hotel entrance when he saw Li Tang quickly emerge from the main door. After verifying the license plate number, Li Tang opened the door and got into the car.

Through the car window, following the direction Li Tang came from, Zhou Dongze saw the person standing at the entrance, revealing his surprise.

“Let’s go,” Li Tang said.

Zhou Dongze started the car and drove out onto the road.

Glancing into the rearview mirror, he saw the black figure in the rain receding further and further away. Li Tang sighed lightly.

Although, it seemed that person didn’t intend to chase after him.

He just wanted to finish saying those words.

Halfway through the journey, Li Tang gradually regained his composure and asked Zhou Dongze, “Don’t you listen to music while driving? It’s so quiet.”

Zhou Dongze pressed the play button on the console. “I thought you liked quiet.”

“It’s not quiet in the car either.”

“Are you saying my breathing is too loud?”

Li Tang laughed. “Of course not, I meant the engine noise.”

Zhou Dongze understood. “Compared to engine noise, music sounds better.”

Upon arrival, the rain stopped, and the aftershocks in his heart had subsided.

After getting out of the car, Li Tang surveyed his surroundings and felt that this commercial street was strangely familiar. Pointing to the sign of a shop, Zhou Dongze directed his attention, and Li Tang focused his gaze—it was Tree House.

“Looks like Boss Zhou is boosting sales for his own shop again,” Li Tang joked.

“Weren’t you saying you wanted to eat home-cooked dishes?” Zhou Dongze led the way. “After much consideration, in all of Xucheng, if I say I’m second in making home-cooked dishes, no one dares to claim first.”

Tree House not only served coffee but also offered snacks and desserts, equipped with a full set of kitchen utensils.

Moreover, since it was a weekday afternoon, there were fewer customers, allowing him to focus on cooking in the kitchen.

Zhou Dongze had pre-ordered ingredients to be delivered, and when they arrived, the delivery included fresh chicken and pork, as well as clean fish and seafood.

Since they were going to cook and eat right away, Li Tang felt it inappropriate to sit idly and wait for the meal. He also took an apron and tied it on, ready to assist.

However, Zhou Dongze clearly didn’t need his help. Quickly slicing the fish and tossing it into the boiling pot, he monitored the sizzling oil in the wok, waiting for the fish to be cooked so he could pour the hot oil over it.

Unable to join in, Li Tang stood by, serving as a conversational tool.

While stirring the fish slices in the pot, Zhou Dongze said, “I think I saw Jiang Lou at the hotel entrance just now.”

“Mmm,” Li Tang admitted. “He’s one of the startup partners of the company I’m inspecting this time.”

“So coincidental.” Zhou Dongze was somewhat surprised. “What does his company do?”

“Medical artificial intelligence.”

“It sounds impressive. No wonder, he was a top student when he was in school.”

Li Tang noncommittally hummed in agreement. “Xucheng High School is pretty good; progressing from one prestigious school to another, of course, his future is bright.”

As if thinking of something, Zhou Dongze paused in his movements.

“What’s wrong?” Li Tang asked.

“Nothing.” Zhou Dongze smiled. “Our alma mater is the best, aren’t we all graduates of prestigious universities?”

Speaking of familiar classmates, Zhou Dongze informed Li Tang that Su Qinhan was now also in Xucheng. They had met at a classmate’s wedding banquet; she had quit her job as a primary school teacher and was working as a beauty vlogger, teaching makeup skills via live broadcasts and selling products simultaneously.

Li Tang nodded in understanding. “Being a primary school teacher indeed doesn’t suit her.”

Then they mentioned a certain male classmate who was assigned to the ordinary class with them. He and his girlfriend broke up and reunited repeatedly, with the latest news being that they were finally getting married soon.

“Putting aside gender, I thought you were talking about Li Zichu and Huo Xichen,” Li Tang joked. “Considering gender, could you be referring to Sun Yuxiang?”

Zhou Dongze raised his eyebrows. “You still remember him?”

Li Tang gave a bitter smile. “He’s the other partner of the company I inspected today.”

“…” Zhou Dongze was speechless for a moment. “There’s no helping it; Xucheng is just that small.”

Then they talked about the earthquake that morning, and Zhou Dongze asked, “Do you still remember the earthquake in the second semester of our sophomore year?”

Li Tang, of course, remembered. “That was on the weekend. I was accompanying my…family to the hospital for a health checkup.”

“You even sent me a message, asking if I was okay and telling me to stay in a safe place,” Zhou Dongze said, laughing. “Later, I found out it was a mass message; everyone in the class who had your WeChat received it.”

Li Tang also laughed. “We’re all classmates, treated equally.”

Although, there were exceptions.

Recalling the roads he walked that day, the tumble at the foot of the mountain, the calls that wouldn’t connect, and the relief upon seeing him, the sense of injustice when being embraced…

Li Tang took a deep breath and suggested, “Let’s not just reminisce about the past. Let’s talk about future plans. Didn’t you say you’ve already received an offer from the capital? Which law firm is it? Maybe I’ve heard of it.”

Subtly steering the conversation away from painful memories, they landed on careers, a topic that wouldn’t cause any emotional strain.

But talking about it felt like a formality, making one feel drowsy.

Li Tang yawned as he spoke, boredly fiddling with the plucked vegetable leaves, tearing them into the shape of ginkgo leaves.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance, as guests came in.

Zhou Dongze had asked his parents to step out for the occasion, so he had to go out to tend to the store himself.

The kitchen and dining area were separated by a half curtain. Lowering his head slightly, Li Tang could see the two guests entering, around his age. Judging from their familiarity with Zhou Dongze, they were probably regulars, possibly classmates from Xucheng High School.

He could also hear their conversation.

One of the girls said, “Why does Lawyer Zhou have time to manage the store today?”

“He finished work earlier than usual.”

“Shouldn’t finishing work early mean going home to rest, or going to nightclubs to hunt for beauties?”

“Do I look like the type to go to nightclubs?”

The boy who came with her laughed. “Indeed not. Back then, you were the most diligent in our entire class, and your grades kept climbing. By senior year, you ranked among the top in the grade.”

“You’re exaggerating. As far as I remember, I was around tenth. How could I easily shake off the positions of those top students in the top ten?”

The girl flipped through the menu. “Speaking of which, do you still remember that handsome, studious guy from our grade named Jiang?”

The man responded, “Jiang Lou, who doesn’t know him?”

“I was hospitalized for poor health at that time. When I returned, I found that he wasn’t in school anymore. Later, I was busy catching up on missed lessons and didn’t bother to ask. Where did he go?”

“I remember he transferred to a school in the county, expelled from our high school, his future was ruined. Why, after so many years, are you still thinking about him?”

When people talked about stories unrelated to themselves, they naturally had a certain degree of indifference.

“Just suddenly thought of it, casually asking,” the girl said with a laugh, elbowing the boy. “You, are you jealous of such an old grudge?”