Silent Waiting

Battle for Love（5）

At the celebratory reception, Fang Zhiyuan was uncharacteristically outgoing, setting aside his usual calm demeanor to raise his glass for a toast. The clients were pleasantly surprised, and Ye Mingzhe, ever the considerate host, offered a friendly reminder.

"They say that in life, most things don't go as we wish. Mr. Fang, while you may handle your liquor well, too much of it can still take a toll. It's better to stay a bit sober."

Fang Zhiyuan raised his glass, acknowledging the sound advice.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Ye."

"Mr. Fang, with all your success, it's clear you've put in a lot of unseen effort. Here's to your achievements."

"Success?"

Fang Zhiyuan smiled bitterly and downed his drink in one go.

Success? How ironic. He had once believed that achieving fame and fortune would free him from a life of quiet desperation. But now, everything seemed upside down, and the one responsible for turning his world on its head was none other than himself.

Fang Zhiyuan felt a heavy weight on his chest and suddenly wanted to confide in someone.

"Mr. Ye, do you have time to hear a story?"

"If Mr. Fang is willing to share, I'd be honored to listen."

There was once a couple who ran away from home for love, defying everything to be together. They married and had a child, only to discover how harsh reality could be. They argued constantly over trivial matters, and their love gradually faded away. Eventually, they divorced when their child was just five years old. Two selfish people who loved deeply and then parted just as decisively, never to see or contact each other again. The woman, too ashamed to return to her family, raised the child alone. It wasn't easy for her to make ends meet while working hard to support herself, and when she couldn't manage, she turned to her best friends—a couple who helped take care of her child.

That couple almost adopted the child, treating him as their own, and he found the warmth he had missed for so long. Unlike his own parents, this couple remained deeply in love, raising their frail daughter with tender care. The boy and girl grew up together, their bond deepening over time. As they got older, their feelings for each other changed, and they promised to marry after graduation, just like the couple who had cared for them.

In the boy's senior year and the girl's sophomore year, tragedy struck—the couple who had taken them in died in a car accident, leaving the girl all alone. The boy's mother agreed to take her in, and they sold their home and moved to Z City to start anew. The boy was accepted into the best university, determined to become a successful lawyer. The girl, however, couldn't shake off the grief of losing her parents, and despite her efforts, she only managed to get into a low ranking college near the boy's university. The boy focused on his law studies, while the girl dreamed of becoming a translator.

After graduating, the boy quickly realized that the working world was nothing like school—hard work didn't always guarantee success. Despite sending out countless resumes, his prestigious degree only secured him a job managing contracts at a real estate company, where he earned a modest salary and lived an unremarkable life. While others easily bought houses that he couldn't even dream of affording after years of effort, and classmates who had coasted through school thrived thanks to family support, he became increasingly frustrated. The girl, content with a simpler life, tried to comfort him, but he couldn't accept the mediocrity of his situation.

Then, his mother received news from their relatives in the U.S.—their family visa had been approved. The boy saw this as his only chance to change his fate. Ignoring the girl's pleas, he heartlessly broke up with her and resolved to pursue his dreams in America

Every immigrant to America has a dream, and the boy carried his with him. But life in the U.S. was even harsher than he had anticipated. Over time, he began to lose his way, even resorting to self-destructive behavior. One day, he received a call from the girl, which pulled him out of his downward spiral. Realizing the situation, the boy vowed to succeed and return to her once he had made something of himself. In the U.S., he worked tirelessly, balancing multiple jobs and his studies, and after three years, he finally found his footing in a foreign land. Feeling it was time to return, he began searching for the girl.

But she had vanished without a trace. When the police informed him that after four years of being missing, she could be declared dead, he felt his world collapse.

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In the rooftop lounge of the hotel, Fang Zhiyuan, tipsy but not quite drunk, recounted his story in a low voice, his tone detached, as if narrating the events of someone else's life.

No matter how calm his tone, he couldn't hide the deep sorrow in his heart. These were things he hadn't even shared with his closest friend, Xie Yufan

"An ordinary, uneventful tale."

"Everyone has their own story."

Ye Mingzhe handed him a glass of whiskey on the rocks.

"Thank you, Mr. Ye."

"Reality doesn't always play by the rules. Some might say that's what makes life interesting."

They exchanged a knowing smile and clinked glasses. Beneath the surface, however, Fang Zhiyuan was scheming. After days of observation, he had picked up on the subtle dynamics between Ye Minglang and Yi, and he couldn't resist probing further to uncover Ye Mingzhe's true attitude.

"Mr. Ye, what do you think of your brother's relationship with Yi? Would you give them your blessing?"

"Why does my blessing matter so much?"

Ye Mingzhe raised an eyebrow, a hint of something enigmatic in his eyes. Fang Zhiyuan knew that Ye Mingzhe was skilled at keeping his cards close to his chest and rarely revealed his true thoughts.

Yi seemed unusually concerned with this Mr. Ye, working with meticulous care, even going out of her way to please him. Though he was her boss, Yi wasn't the type to ingratiate herself with superiors. On the contrary, Ye Mingzhe was particularly cold toward her, often rejecting her kindness and being unreasonably demanding about her work. This deliberate distance puzzled Fang Zhiyuan, who was keen to understand the reason behind it.

Ye Mingzhe was too inscrutable for Fang Zhiyuan to expect a straightforward answer. Typically, someone in his position might say something like, 'I respect their choice,' but instead, Ye Mingzhe chose to sidestep the question entirely.

"I'm just curious whether you support or oppose them. It seems Yi really values your opinion."

Ye Mingzhe's eyes grew distant, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. He raised his glass to Fang Zhiyuan's, clinking it lightly before downing the drink.

"My family would never allow them to be together."

The words seemed to bring Fang Zhiyuan a sense of relief, but then he reconsidered—would Ye Minglang really give up so easily?

"And if they insist?"

"That's impossible."

Ye Mingzhe's reply was sharp, his tone brooking no argument. Seeing the tension ease in Fang Zhiyuan's demeanor, Ye Mingzhe couldn't resist a teasing smile.

"Is that the answer you were hoping for?"

Even in Western cultures, family background matters, especially in prominent families. Yi wasn't the type to act recklessly; she wouldn't disregard his family's disapproval.

Maybe there was still hope for him after all.

"Thank you, Mr. Ye."