In April of that year, the Northwest also welcomed its spring.

Sun Yuanzhu ended his assignment in the Northwest. He needed to return to Beijing first, and before leaving, he came to see Shang Zhitao. That day, one or two mountain flowers were blooming by the roadside. He broke off a branch and brought it to her to put in a vase.

Looking at the flourishing branch, Shang Zhitao suddenly recalled the mysterious flowers she had received many years ago. So she said to Sun Yuanzhu: “After all these years, it still seems puzzling. Just now, seeing the flower you picked, I suddenly feel those flowers might have been from you.”

Sun Yuanzhu sat beside her, facing the flower-covered mountain ridge. He had brought a simple stool and tea table, and the two sat in the mountains. “At that time, I felt you wanted to receive flowers, but getting pre-arranged flowers lacks surprise. So I played a prank and sent you flowers for a few days. I hope you liked them back then.”

Shang Zhitao finally smiled. After many years, she finally had an answer.

How much did she like them? Back then, she was upset because Luan Nian had given a bouquet to Zang Yao, but thinking about it now, it seemed so ridiculous. When young, people always compare themselves with others, even over just a bouquet, they must compete thoroughly. In the end, she realized that such vanity was merely the discontent of youth.

“Thank you, Sun Yuanzhu.” She looked at Sun Yuanzhu. Although he had grown so thin, in Shang Zhitao’s eyes, he was still that youthful man who went out with her in the early morning—a bright, healthy young man.

“Don’t be so formal with me. It’s rare that spring in the Northwest isn’t windy, let’s enjoy the mountain scenery.” He pushed the tea toward Shang Zhitao and picked up his own cup for a sip. The tea had no taste, the flowers no color; the world seemed to dim before his eyes.

Shang Zhitao felt inexplicably sad again and said to him: “Sun Yuanzhu, my project will likely finish early, probably by August, and I can return. When I get back, I’ll accompany you…” Shang Zhitao wanted to say “when I get back, I’ll accompany you to see a doctor, okay?” but remembering Sun Yuanzhu’s vulnerability that he never showed to others and his proud self-esteem, she stopped and changed direction: “I’ll accompany you to see midnight movies, okay? Sun Yu, the three of us, we’ll go see midnight screenings every weekend, watch all the old movies.”

“I must treat you then.”

“Let Sun Yu treat! She’s so rich now, leading a team of hundreds, with daily business turnover of over two million. Let’s have her treat, not just for the movies, but for meals too.” Shang Zhitao joked.

Sun Yuanzhu smiled slightly, and after a while said: “It’s not easy for her. Every penny is earned with hard work.”

“You care about her, don’t you? If she knew, she would be thrilled. I’ll tell her right now that Sun Yuanzhu cares about her!”

Sun Yuanzhu held Shang Zhitao’s hand as she reached for her phone: “Don’t.” He put her phone face down on the folding table: “Don’t disturb her.”

Regarding those unspeakable, inconvenient matters between them, he thus asked Shang Zhitao to remain silent. Shang Zhitao nodded: “Okay, I won’t tell her. Can we go eat at that noodle shop today?”

“Yes.”

“Can you eat a small bowl yourself?”

“I’ll try my best.”

Again, the two sat in that simple noodle shop, and Sun Yuanzhu still took just two shallow sips before putting down his chopsticks. Shang Zhitao’s eyes instantly reddened, looking at the bowl of noodles in front of him: “One cannot live on drinking dew.” Her voice was slightly choked, as chili oil seared her throat. She coughed several times, coughing until tears came out. Sun Yuanzhu comforted her: “I just ate a lot before coming out this morning.”

You’re lying. Shang Zhitao said this in her heart but ultimately didn’t speak it aloud. After eating noodles, Shang Zhitao bid him farewell. He stood in the Northwest spring for a while, then walked back to Shang Zhitao: “Don’t worry, neither you nor Sun Yu should worry. When I go back, I’ll seriously see a doctor and cooperate with the treatment. I’ll be fine. By the time your project is over and you return to Beijing, I should have gained the weight back.”

Shang Zhitao thought, this is probably just like Sun Yuanzhu—he knows everything but never speaks of it. She nodded: “I know, it must be very hard for you. If you’re willing, you can call me anytime. You know, I’m especially, especially, especially willing to chat with you. Every time I chat with you, I feel happy.”

“Mm, okay.” Sun Yuanzhu rarely patted her head: “I’ll remember.”

Shang Zhitao watched Sun Yuanzhu leave, the breeze moving his pant legs, the fabric clinging to his thin legs. Shang Zhitao thought, the next time I see you, please be a bit fatter! Please eat four or five bites of noodles!

She called Sun Yu, who had just experienced a hangover. Yesterday was their company’s anniversary, and she had been drunk by her subordinates. She also complained to Shang Zhitao: “Luan Nian is such a jerk. We’re your clients, but because he introduced the investors, he was invited to the main table. This guy had to involve me in drinking, saying if I didn’t drink, he wouldn’t drink. Then after I downed half a jin of alcohol, he said to me, ‘Isn’t it wrong not to drink?’ Isn’t that just sick?”

Shang Zhitao listened to her complain about Luan Nian for a while, and when Sun Yu paused to drink water, she finally got a word in: “Sun Yuanzhu is flying back today. We just parted. He also said he would properly see a doctor.”

“He didn’t tell me.”

“So just wait for him at home. He also said he would take proper care with doctors.”

Shang Zhitao heard Sun Yu suddenly go silent on the other end of the phone, and after a moment, sniffling, she said: “Did he really say that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m very relieved.”

Sun Yu hung up the phone and, enduring her headache, went out to clean the living room. Sun Yuanzhu liked cleanliness; she wanted him to step into a spotless home. She cleaned inside and out, watching the dust floating in the spring light, feeling like a day in heaven. After cleaning the house, she cleaned herself, put on a face mask, washed her face, concealing the fatigue of the hangover. Finally, the door made a sound, opening, and the door in Sun Yu’s heart also creaked open.

Sun Yuanzhu stood at the doorway, sunlight making him appear thin and translucent. Seeing Sun Yu standing in the living room, he smiled at her: “Why aren’t you at work?”

“I drank too much last night.” Sun Yu ran to him. No matter her age, in front of the person she loved, she was always eighteen or twenty; no matter how many assets she owned or how big a company she managed, in front of him, she was still as sincere as at the beginning.

“Do you want to eat the hot and sour noodles I make?” Sun Yu asked him.

“Sure. I can help you.”

“Let’s go.”

The two had a strange tacit understanding. In the kitchen, neither spoke, but Sun Yu would reach out, and Sun Yuanzhu would know what she wanted, handing things to her one by one. When the noodles were ready, Sun Yuanzhu ate two bites, trying to force himself to take a third, but Sun Yu held his hand, took the chopsticks, and finished the remaining noodles.

“I’m hungry. I’ll eat it all. If you want some, I’ll make more.” Sun Yu said, then pushed Sun Yuanzhu back to his room: “Go rest.”

“Okay.”

Early the next morning, Sun Yuanzhu went to see a doctor. Sun Yu secretly followed behind him, watching him enter the hospital. She messaged Shang Zhitao: “This time it should get better.”

“I’m sure it will work. Should we tell his family?”

“No.”

Sun Yuanzhu would collapse if his family knew about his condition. He had a taut string in his heart that seemed like it would snap at the slightest touch. Sun Yu would not allow him to break.

She sat in the car, waiting for Sun Yuanzhu to come out. This time was so difficult to endure, Sun Yu knew. Her phone kept ringing with work calls. From a down-and-out unemployed salesperson to the head of a Series B-funded company, it had taken her six years. In these six years, how much hardship she had endured, how many grievances she had swallowed silently.

She only cried in front of Sun Yuanzhu.

On that day of pouring rain, he carried her back home when her foot was injured, and from that day, he grew in her heart. When her company faced technical problems, he found people to help solve them; when she couldn’t figure out business logic, he helped her think. He only wanted to be a scientist who contributed to humanity, yet countless times he helped Sun Yu solve money-making problems.

When she was sad, he was there; when she was happy, he was also there.

Sun Yu had grown into such a capable woman, yet she forever depended on Sun Yuanzhu. Not being in a relationship was fine as long as he was there.

Sun Yu waited until the afternoon before seeing Sun Yuanzhu walk out of the hospital, carrying a white bag full of medicine. Sun Yu watched him walk away, waited another hour in the car, then drove home. Sun Yuanzhu had already arrived and was taking his medicine.

Sun Yu pretended not to know anything and asked him: “Are you taking medicine?”

“I went to the hospital today. The doctor did many evaluations and prescribed a lot of medicine. I might need other treatments too.”

“What treatments?” Sun Yu asked him.

Sun Yuanzhu didn’t answer her but instead talked about the doctor’s visit: “The doctor said there’s nothing wrong with me. This time there are many intervention methods. As long as I actively cooperate, I’ll recover sooner or later. Don’t worry.”

“That’s good.” Sun Yu put her bag on the sofa: “So, shall we make something to eat now?”

“Hot and sour noodles again.”

Sun Yu went to the kitchen. She was in a very, very good mood, like when the sun suddenly comes out after months of rain. She thought, indeed, health is most important. As long as one is healthy, everything can be achieved.

She messaged Shang Zhitao: “He went to see a doctor and will continue treatment. I’m in an especially good mood.”

“Me too.”

In this life, among all the people one meets, there are always a few, and only a few, who are worth exchanging hearts with, and whom you firmly believe will never hurt you no matter when. Shang Zhitao thought, how fortunate I am to have such friends.

Rarely, Sun Yuanzhu took the initiative to speak in the group chat. He asked Zhang Ling: “Last time you mentioned a promotion, was it successful?”

Zhang Ling sent a business card, adding: “Please call me Deputy General Manager of Business Products from now on.”

“And the General Manager?” Sun Yu asked him.

“Vacant.” Zhang Ling sent a string of “haha s, then said: “Brothers and sisters, I think I should treat you all to something grand.”

“How grand?” Shang Zhitao asked.

“On the review website, sort by price, the first restaurant.”

Sun Yu sent a screenshot: “This one? Only expensive, not good?”

“I think it’s fine,” Zhang Ling replied. “For all of you, it’s worth it. Wait until Shang Zhitao returns.”

“Sounds good.”

Zhang Ling messaged Shang Zhitao: “I want to tell you, I used to have feelings for you.”

“?”

“Now, I’m going to be a diamond bachelor.” Zhang Ling sent a laughing emoji. He was always like this, quite funny. Without needing Shang Zhitao to say anything, he performed a one-man show of unrequited love.

“Congratulations, Diamond Zhang.” Shang Zhitao replied. She was grateful that Zhang Ling had never shown anything, that he had moved out but maintained long-term contact with them, caring for them, helping them, and never showing special concern for Shang Zhitao.

Shang Zhitao was far away in the Northwest, far from the storm, carefully polishing a project. Initially, she just wanted to do a super project to help herself become an expert, but gradually, she discovered the true meaning of this project—that it could actually help local people truly improve their living conditions, provide many job opportunities, help more people get to know the place. She had never felt such a sense of achievement before.

The company temporarily called her back to attend a department staff meeting, saying a new department head had arrived.

She and Luan Nian hadn’t seen each other for more than three months. That day, everyone was sitting in the conference room, and the new planning department head, Josh, sat next to Luan Nian. After Shang Zhitao entered, she still sat in an inconspicuous position. But everyone’s attitude toward her was very different from before. Grace called out to her: “Flora, sit over here.”

“I’m fine sitting here.” She was used to keeping a low profile.

Grace said: “Come on.”

Unable to refuse the earnest invitation, she walked toward Grace under everyone’s gaze and sat beside her. When she looked up, she saw Luan Nian’s gaze, long and lingering.

“Long time no see.” Luan Nian messaged her.

“Long time no see.” Shang Zhitao replied.

Shang Zhitao put away her phone and saw that Yilia was also looking at her, so she smiled at her.

“Thank you all for returning to the company from various cities to attend this meeting. Today’s meeting is mainly an introduction for department head Josh.” Luan Nian said, “Josh is a true top-level creative expert whom we searched and poached from the market for a long time. From now on, Josh will handle the daily management of the planning department.”

Everyone applauded symbolically. Josh wore glasses and looked like a scientist, not like someone in the creative field. But his gaze was sharp, inspiring a bit of fear.

“Thank you all, Luke is too kind. Let’s work hard together in the future. I’d like to get to know all my colleagues. I’ve met some of you before, but there are a few on assignment whom I haven’t met. Which one is Flora?”

“Hello Josh, I’m Flora.”

“Hello.” Josh glanced at Shang Zhitao, then went on to call other names.

No one had expected that this person newly poached by Luan Nian would be like this. Everyone was very quiet during the meeting. After it was over, Shang Zhitao returned to her desk and saw Lu Mi, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time. Lu Mi raised her eyebrows at her: “Hello, Flora.”

She looked at Shang Zhitao’s suitcase: “Did you come straight from the airport?”

“Yes.” Shang Zhitao put down her bag and sat at her desk to reply to emails. Lu Mi said to her: “Tonight Luke is celebrating with your department. Shh, I booked the venue.”

“What celebration?”

“Yilia’s father—80% of this year’s advertising budget went to Lingmei.”

“How much?” Shang Zhitao asked.

“250 million, all platforms.”

“Wow. That’s worth celebrating! I saw in the group chat that Luke has been leading everyone to prepare case studies and bids, but he didn’t mention the success.”

“The results came out this morning. Then Will asked me to arrange the celebration but said to keep it secret.”

“But you didn’t keep it secret!” Shang Zhitao teased her.

“From you? I have no secrets.” Lu Mi raised her eyebrows: “Buy coffee?” She had gossip.

“Do you know why Lingmei got the 250 million?”

“Why?”

“Because of Luke.”

“I don’t believe it.” Shang Zhitao told her, “He’s not that kind of person. If he were, why hasn’t Jiang Lan gotten what she wanted all these years?”

“You know she didn’t get what she wanted?”

“I don’t know.”

Lu Mi burst out laughing: “I’m teasing you! Whether the stubborn mule sleeps with others is none of my business. What I want to tell you is…” Lu Mi pulled Shang Zhitao to the corner of the smoking area behind the building and pulled down her collar. There was a clear kiss mark on her collarbone, looking quite intense. Shang Zhitao widened her eyes, looking at Lu Mi.

Lu Mi whistled: “Come on, you haven’t asked me today!”

“Did Lu Mi sleep with Will today?”

“I did, last night. He looks refined on the surface, but he’s a beast!”

“Okay, I get it. Ms. Lu is very happy.”

At the celebration that evening, everyone drank a lot of alcohol. Shang Zhitao didn’t touch a drop, sitting there watching everyone drinking and toasting. Luan Nian seemed to be in a good mood. Yilia, as the hero who secured the 250-million contract, sat beside him, raising her glass to Luan Nian: “Thank you for Luke’s guidance and help.” Luan Nian clinked glasses with her: “You’ve worked hard.”

People at the table displayed various expressions. Shang Zhitao quietly listened to her colleagues chatting. Everyone knew she didn’t drink, so they didn’t blame her. But having not seen her for a long time, they missed her. Grace mentioned that Shang Zhitao was qualified to apply for expert status this year, and everyone started urging: “Flora, there are three reviewers at the table today, you should at least drink three glasses.”

Grace hurriedly helped her out: “I don’t need one. Flora has helped me a lot, we don’t stand on such ceremony. But you should still toast Josh and Luke. Especially Josh, you should introduce yourself properly.”

Shang Zhitao was put on the spot, with everyone looking at her. Not drinking would be too disappointing. As she reached out to pour wine, she heard Josh ask: “So how many expert positions does the company have each year?”

“One,” Grace answered.

“Then there are two competitors seated here,” Josh said. “Both of you, work hard.”

Shang Zhitao’s hand froze as she was pouring, and she looked up at Josh.