Chapter 022　 I'm willing to maintain a purely physical relationship with you.

  *

  Although Su Xian used a very gentle tone, Li Chengshi felt increasingly disheartened by her words. He sat up, looking down at her. "Are you saying that everything I've done is just because of lust?"

  He thought he had revealed his genuine feelings thoroughly, but she seemed to have completely missed them. No, perhaps she saw them and found them laughable?

  "Do you think our interactions during this time have just been me unilaterally bothering you? Am I actually a big problem for you, and you've just been enduring me because you're too kind to tell me to get lost?"

  His voice was filled with disappointment, and his eyes were red.

  "Of course not." Su Xian also sat up, and looking at his face, she felt a surge of guilt.

  "Then what is it? Tell me," He suppressed his emotions, still hoping for a turning point.

  Su Xian, however, made up her mind. "Li Chengshi, from the beginning, you knew I didn't want to get married or be in a committed relationship. So, before you approached me, you should have anticipated this outcome and been willing to accept it. I am 10 years older than you, and my views on life are already fixed. It's not so easy for me to be changed by a little tenderness, kindness, or love. Of course, I have to admit that we got along quite well, so I'm willing to maintain a purely physical relationship with you, just like I had with my third boyfriend. If you don't mind..."

  "I mind." His expression turned cold. He stood up and left without looking back.

  Su Xian looked up at the sky, feeling empty inside, but also believing this was the right thing to do. After all, since Zhao Nanfeng, the only type of male-female relationship she could accept was that kind of relationship. She had practiced it and found it quite acceptable, because if she didn't fall in love, she wouldn't get hurt.

  She wasn't afraid of being judged or scorned; she had stated it frankly and let him choose.

  Okay, he chose to leave.

  That was also a good outcome.

  **

  Lao Zhang, Wang Jing, Xu Shu-yi, and others went to Hakodate yesterday afternoon. This morning, they enjoyed the famous Hakodate Morning Market. On their return, they bought a large quantity of seafood, including king crab, oysters, and sea urchins, and invited a dozen people to gather at Liang Wenya's accommodation.

  Everyone had been collectively watching the two "in love" lying in the snow chatting through the big window. Xu Shu-yi had been praying, "Give us a snowy kiss please!"

  The result, however, was seeing Li Chengshi stand up and stride away alone. Su Xian remained sitting in the snow for a while before slowly getting up, brushing the snow off her clothes, and starting to walk back.

  In the distance, children were happily sledding, a picturesque and lively scene.

  **

  Li Chengshi opened the door and paused awkwardly at the sight of the room full of people.

  Xu Shu-yi came forward and asked, "Did you two have a fight?"

  Li Chengshi handed her the venison. "No." He stepped forward and addressed the group. "Everyone, please stop teasing us about this. This whole thing was originally Engineer Zhao spreading rumors. I only cooperated with team leader Su to annoy him. It's not real. I apologize, everyone. Our acting was a little too realistic."

  Xu Shu-yi saw he was close to tears and quickly comforted him. "It's okay, everyone just thought it was fun. We won't talk about it again." She raised her voice. "We won't talk about it again, okay, everyone!"

  The crowd quickly agreed.

  Li Chengshi said his clothes were wet and he needed to go back to change, preparing to leave.

  Xu Shu-yi opened the door for him and advised, "Come over for the seafood feast later."

  Just then, Su Xian returned. Li Chengshi didn't acknowledge her, brushed past her, and left without a word.

  *

  After closing the door, Xu Shu-yi stood with her hands on her hips in front of Su Xian and scolded, "You heartbreaker."

  Su Xian didn't answer. She took off her coat and walked toward her room, asking, "Engineer Zhang, where's the king crab?"

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "No share for you, you heartbreaker." Lao Zhang didn't let her off either.

  "Hey, how long have you known him? We've worked together for ten years! Even if I broke his heart, you should still stand on the same side as me, against your conscience! You, you, and you—if anyone says 'heartbreaker' again, I'll bite them!"

  Liang Wenya had intended to ask what happened but took a step back and said nothing upon seeing the exchange.

  Lao Zhang quickly put on a smile. "Alright, alright, our relationship is closer, of course, I'm on your side. I'll give you the whole king crab, okay?"

  Wang Jing ushered Su Xian back to her room to change, and Xu Shu-yi followed.

  *

  "What exactly did you say? The puppy is really hurt," Xu Shu-yi asked.

  Su Xian couldn't truthfully tell them what she had said, or it would expose the affair on Youlu Island. She had to fabricate something, basically saying she couldn't imagine them together when he was 30 and she was 40, etc.

  "Did he force you to make a commitment?"

  "Yes."

  "Kids these days are impatient. If he had waited six more months, his chances would have been much better."

  Su Xian rolled her eyes at her.

  Wang Jing said earnestly, "Su Xian, I can tell you like him, or you wouldn't have been ambiguous with him for so long. You really don't need to be so afraid. If you're genuinely a strong advocate for not marrying, what's the harm in dating and breaking up?"

  "That's not the issue," she hung her wet clothes near the air conditioner vent, her mind a mess, and just blurted out, "Any good-looking young man in his twenties with no bad habits who actively flirts with me, I probably wouldn't refuse. You guys are right, I'm a heartbreaker. So, can that be considered like? Besides, liking someone is just an emotional problem—it comes and goes. It's not worth everyone being this serious."

  "Sister Wang, listen! She says liking someone is a problem. She's wrecked."

  Wang Jing smiled and said, "She definitely has a phobia of love, but I think she can be cured. Let's just wait."

  "Sister Wang, you're the best." Su Xian rushed over and hugged her, pushing Xu Shu-yi aside. "You leave! You always side with the guys."

  **

  The kitchen was spacious. Lao Zhang, Wang Jing, Xu Shu-yi, and Li Chengshi were each preparing different things.

  There weren't enough tables and chairs, so the other employees brought some from their accommodations. Su Xian took charge of directing everyone to move the furniture, reconfiguring the living room layout to create a large space where over a dozen people could sit together.

  Soon, various fresh seafood dishes were served first. King crab and the like didn't require much processing—some were grilled, others boiled. The chefs each had their own specialty dipping sauce recipes. The drinks were an assortment bought by everyone at different shops during their travels.

  Everyone raised their glasses. Liang Wenya stood up and said, "The first toast is to Lao Gao. None of you are allowed to die while employed at Anliang."

  "General Manager Liang, you're the oldest now. As long as you stand in front, none of us would dare to die," joked Lao Li, who was in budget sect.

  "Good, I promise to live to at least 80! Come on, cheers! To commemorate Lao Gao, who made a huge contribution to Anliang!"

  "Cheers!"

  "Cheers!"

  *

  Lao Zhang used a special tool to cut the hard shell of a large king crab claw and pulled out the entire piece of crab meat, which felt like a pound in weight. He placed the crab meat on Liang Wenya's plate.

  "I can't eat all of this." Liang Wenya cut off half and gave it to Wang Jing.

  Li Chengshi cut open another crab claw, gave it to Wang Jing to distribute, and then started cutting the other crab legs.

  "Xiao Li, I'll handle the rest. Go wash your hands and eat."

  "No need, Sister Wang. I'm not that hungry. You all eat first."

  Xu Shu-yi directly snatched the tool from his hand and shoved it at Su Xian. "A child who is too sensible gets bullied by bad people. You should be more spoiled. Go wash your hands."

  Li Chengshi thanked her, stood up, and went to the kitchen.

  Su Xian glared at Xu Shu-yi. "You're a traitor lurking right next to me."

  "Hurry up and peel the crab legs, Team Leader. We're waiting to eat."

  Su Xian knew she was unpopular today, so she obediently cut the crab legs for everyone, leaving only the smallest one for herself. However, Wang Jing fed her sea urchin several times during the process.

  **