SYLM Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Goodbye.

Chapter 123 Goodbye.

The bar lights flickered ambiguously, the deafening fast-paced music had changed to blues at some point, but even the slow, flowing melody couldn’t ease Tang Ying’s tense nerves at this moment.

The exhaustion of not having properly closed her eyes for several days was dispersed by adrenaline. Tang Ying’s gaze swept over the woman in front of her, her voice as cold as ice:

“Are you the owner?”

“Chinese?”

The woman asked instead of answering, her slightly hoarse, smoky voice forming a stark contrast with her charming face.

Tang Ying frowned almost imperceptibly, nodded, and asked again, “Are you the owner?”

The woman smiled knowingly: “What do you want the owner for?”

Tang Ying raised her chin slightly, her eyes sharp: “Do you have the final say here?”

A clash of wills, neither willing to yield to the other.

Is this the attitude when asking for help?

It seemed as if invisible currents were crackling between the two. The woman suddenly laughed, wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes, but without diminishing her charm in the slightest. She didn’t speak, just looked at Tang Ying like that.

After all, this was someone else’s territory. Recalling the respectful bow of the doorman just now, even if this woman wasn’t the owner, she should be a pivotal figure in this bar. Tang Ying decided to take a gamble.

“I’m looking for someone. She’s very likely in this bar right now.”

Tang Ying took out a black card from her handbag and placed it lightly on the table:

“If you’re the owner, as long as you can help me find her, you can name your price.”

Seemingly intrigued, the woman’s gaze lingered on the card for a second, then suddenly let out a short, cold laugh:

“Oh? Name my price?”

What arrogance.

The woman’s expression changed, as if she regarded Tang Ying as some kind of prey, the contempt and disdain in her slightly narrowed pupils were obvious.

Tang Ying felt a surge of nameless anger at being stared at like that. She raised an eyebrow and impatiently repeated her condition:

“Yes, you heard right. As long as you help me find the person, you can name your price.”

Can money solve everything?

Then you’re not qualified.

The woman shook her head seriously, the cold light reflected by her earrings stinging Tang Ying’s eyes: “That’s it? Boring.”

Tang Ying felt her temples throbbing: “What, you don’t open a bar to make money?”

“Tsk, not really, just a trick to make people happy.”

“……”

This answer was beyond Tang Ying’s expectations, but she still didn’t want to miss this opportunity: “As long as you’re willing to help me find the person, everything is negotiable.”

“It doesn’t seem like I need to negotiate with you.”

The woman raised her eyebrows and scanned Tang Ying from head to toe again, her tone playful:

“And it looks like you can’t offer anything besides money.”

The woman was hostile. Tang Ying’s face completely darkened, and she suppressed her anger:

“So, you don’t plan to help.”

“What can you do to me if I say no?”

“Have I offended you?”

“From the moment you opened your mouth, you’ve been offending me.”

The woman suddenly stopped laughing, her eyes as cold as knives. Tang Ying’s expression wasn’t much better, and she confronted her head-on:

“So, you know Chen Qingyu, and you know who I am, right?”

Hearing this, the woman didn’t deny it, crossed her arms, and showed that knowing smile again:

“Young lady, I advise you to go back where you came from. You’re not welcome here.”

She guessed right. Fu Yi Wen was indeed here.

Tang Ying felt a wave of dizziness. The days of rushing about and anxiety finally overwhelmed her prideful calm and reason: “I want to see Fu Yi Wen.”

As if hearing a joke, the woman suddenly burst into laughter, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes:

“You want to see her? Who do you think you are? I just won’t let you see her. What can you do to me?”

“……”

In her thirty-nine years, Tang Ying had never suffered such humiliation. Her face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot:

“Do you believe I’ll find someone to tear down your bar!”

“I believe it, of course I believe it. Go ahead, go ahead and find someone, I’m so scared.”

As she spoke, the woman suddenly stopped laughing. She got up and walked closer, a complex scent mixed with tobacco and absinthe wafting over her. Eye to eye, Tang Ying saw her distorted reflection in those gloomy eyes.

“Take a good look, this isn’t Yunjiang City. Neither the Tang family nor the Jiang family can reach me here.”

The woman spoke slowly, word by word, piercing her heart. After she finished speaking, she took a step back and smiled strangely:

“While I’m still in a good mood, I advise you to disappear quickly. Don’t make me have people carry you out.”

“……”

After she finished speaking, without waiting for Tang Ying to respond, she simply snapped her fingers, and four burly security guards immediately surrounded her.

As the woman turned to leave, Tang Ying finally saw the full back phoenix tattoo on her shoulder blades, undulating with the movement of her back muscles, as if about to fly.

“Sister Han said, please leave.”

The leading security guard said in broken Chinese, his hand already on Tang Ying’s shoulder.

Just what kind of background does this woman have?

—-

The insignificant interlude couldn’t affect the revelry in the bar. The deafening noise was like a thick curtain, isolating the unpleasant confrontation that had just taken place.

Han Chu Hui walked through the dazzlingly lit corridor in high heels, pushed open a soundproof door and entered the staff lounge. She took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, pulled one out and lit it. In the swirling smoke, her fingers dialed that familiar number.

“She came just now.”

Han Chu Hui exhaled a smoke ring, the previously aggressive voice unconsciously softening:

“Yes, an arrogant and rude fellow, only good for her pretty face, but not as pretty as you.”

A gentle voice came from the other end of the phone. Han Chu Hui happily raised the corners of her mouth, and the fingers holding the cigarette tapped lightly on the table out of habit, the rhythm synchronized with her heartbeat.

“Do you want me to find someone to take care of her? Are you sure? Okay, I understand.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely take good care of the person you entrusted to me. She’s in the private room now.”

The other end of the phone said something else, and Han Chu Hui chuckled softly, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out:

“Come home early later, don’t make me wait too long.” She paused intentionally, and her low, husky voice suddenly became ambiguous: “I handled this so beautifully for you, aren’t you going to kiss me?”

Beep, beep—

The only response was the busy tone of the disconnected call.

The smile that had lasted the entire phone call instantly froze on her face, and the tenderness in her eyes instantly turned to ice. Han Chu Hui stared at the disconnected phone screen for a few seconds, then slammed the phone heavily on the table, making a muffled sound.

“Damn it, that heartless woman who turns her back on people.”

The woman cursed in a low voice, and stubbed out the cigarette in her hand fiercely on the table.

A few minutes later, Han Chu Hui composed herself and ordered her subordinates to pretend that the small episode just now hadn’t happened, and no one was allowed to leak a word. Then she went straight to the VIP private room area.

Pushing open the soundproof door, a wave of heat mixed with alcohol and perfume rushed out. The private room was half the size of a basketball court, and the intricately styled crystal chandelier illuminated the entire private room as bright as day, dazzling the eyes. A dozen people were sitting haphazardly on the leather sofa, including blond, blue-eyed beauties, as well as broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, aquiline-nosed handsome men. At the front of the stage, a black DJ was spinning records, the deafening music making the entire room vibrate slightly.

Han Chu Hui’s gaze swept around the private room like a searchlight, and finally discovered Fu Yi Wen in the most inconspicuous corner.

The girl was wearing a simple white T-shirt, jeans, and canvas shoes, out of tune with the surrounding extravagant atmosphere. She held a glass of juice in her hand that she had barely touched, and was staring blankly at the uninteresting wallpaper.

The voices of the others greeting her pulled Fu Yi Wen’s thoughts back from who knows where. As soon as she saw Han Chu Hui, she immediately stood up reflexively and walked to the door of the private room, like an elementary school student called on by the teacher:

“…Auntie Chu Hui…”

Although she had been in the United States for a few months, she was still afraid of the person in front of her.

Seeing this person in such a flustered state, Han Chu Hui found it amusing, and waved her hand: “How is it, are you having fun?”

“It’s very fun, thank you for inviting me.”

Fu Yi Wen squeezed out a smile, almost writing the four words “at a loss” on her face.

The more Han Chu Hui looked at her, the more amused she became.

Are the kids these days not even able to lie?

She sneered inwardly, but didn’t call her out on it, her eyes constantly sizing up the young girl in front of her.

Clear and round eyes, a face that was exceptionally heroic without makeup, and that clean temperament that came from the bones, a bit like a celebrity in China.

Who was it again?

Han Chu Hui didn’t remember the name, but she was sure that this person and the arrogant Tang Ying just now were definitely from two different worlds.

The best way to forget the past is time and a new love, either the time isn’t long enough, or the new love isn’t good enough, but there will always be a day when you completely forget.

Besides, she didn’t feel that the woman named Tang Ying just now was good in any way.

Except for being beautiful.

She was indeed beautiful.

Han Chu Hui liked to tell the truth.

“Your Auntie Chen Qingyu can’t come today because she has something to do.” Han Chu Hui reached out and patted Fu Yi Wen’s arm: “She specifically instructed me to treat you well. Have fun, and I’ll have someone take you back to the hotel when it’s over.”

“Thank you, Auntie Chu Hui.”

“Yes, have fun.”

Watching Han Chu Hui leave, Fu Yi Wen breathed a sigh of relief. After refusing the microphones handed over by several white girls for the ninth time, she shrank back into the corner again. The dazzling white light shone on her face, and everything seemed like a dream.

If it were really a dream, that would be great.

How did she get here?

It’s a long story.

The day she told Tang Ying that she wanted to break up, after leaving the hospital, Fu Yi Wen felt as if life had lost its meaning.

Although she had decided to let go completely, it would be a lie to say that she wasn’t in pain.

Tang Ying’s pale face lying in the hospital bed, Tang Lan’s frosty gaze, Jiang Yingxu’s meaningful smile… These scenes played in a loop in her mind, almost driving her crazy.

No, she couldn’t go on like this. She had to escape, escape to a place without Tang Ying.

Of course, if it hadn’t been for that call from Chen Qingyu, Fu Yi Wen wouldn’t have thought of escaping to such a faraway place as Los Angeles in the United States.

At the moment she received the call, she didn’t know how her friend’s mother knew about her affairs. It was most likely said by her friend Chen Lu, but was the relationship between Lu Lu and her mother that good now?

At that time, Fu Yi Wen had reached the critical point of exhaustion and collapse, and had no energy to think about those things. In the phone call, Chen Qingyu asked her directly if she wanted to come to the United States to relax and have fun. Adhering to the principle of getting as far away from Tang Ying as possible, Fu Yi Wen impulsively grabbed this lifeline almost instinctively. As a result, what awaited her was a trip that could be taken at any moment.

It wasn’t until she boarded the private plane from Los Angeles that Fu Yi Wen came back to her senses and realized what kind of choice she had made a dozen hours ago.

Chen Qingyu was also on that plane, as if she had come specifically to pick up Fu Yi Wen. She was accompanied by another woman. Although that woman showed a smile at first, the way she looked at people revealed a sense of sharpness, like the frightening cold light reflected by a sharpened knife. The tattoos on her wrists and forearms made Fu Yi Wen’s heart pound, and she had an ominous thought in her mind: “This person isn’t a gangster, is she?”

No, no, it’s a society ruled by law now, where would there be gangsters?

And Chen Lu’s mother looks gentle and kind, how could she be mixed up with gangsters?

Fu Yi Wen comforted herself in her heart, but later she learned that not all places are societies ruled by law.

On the way the private plane flew to Los Angeles, Fu Yi Wen learned that the woman who made her heart thump was called Han Chu Hui, and she was the owner of the plane they were on.

Could a person who could afford a private plane be a simple person?

With the plane bumping several times, Fu Yi Wen’s heart was also tossed up and down. She felt that she had seemingly boarded a pirate ship, but fortunately Chen Qingyu was there. Guarding that face that was nine-tenths similar to her Lu Lu, she was not about to jump off the plane on the spot.

While chatting, Fu Yi Wen discovered a phenomenon that could be described as bizarre – the woman who looked aggressive and was called Han Chu Hui, listened to Chen Qingyu and followed her every command, and her eyes were constantly following Chen Qingyu.

Fu Yi Wen didn’t know what the relationship between the two was, but she knew that too-hot gaze all too well.

Could it be that Chen Lu’s mother also liked women?

This question turned around on Fu Yi Wen’s tongue several times, but she finally swallowed it back.

She wasn’t so thick-skinned that she would court death in front of the person in question.

When they talked about Chen Lu, Fu Yi Wen relaxed a lot. She said somewhat embarrassedly:

“I didn’t expect Lu Lu to tell you about my affairs, I’m troubling you.”

Hearing this, Chen Qingyu’s smile seemed to stiffen for a moment, or perhaps it was just Fu Yi Wen’s illusion. The topic was skipped with just one sentence.

After arriving in Los Angeles, Chen Qingyu arranged for Fu Yi Wen to stay in a five-star hotel in Beverly Hills. The suite was so spacious that it could fit Fu Yi Wen’s entire restaurant in China. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, you could see a view that wished it could fit the entire city.

Chen Qingyu told Fu Yi Wen to stay as long as she wanted, and not to be afraid of causing trouble. Her gentle and kind appearance couldn’t help but make Fu Yi Wen think of her Lu Lu.

No wonder they were mother and daughter.

When she was lying on the oversized bed in the hotel, Fu Yi Wen dialed Chen Lu’s number. It was also because of this phone call that she unexpectedly learned a bolt from the blue –

It turned out that her Lu Lu had never contacted Chen Qingyu, let alone told Chen Qingyu about her affairs.

“What!? You didn’t tell your mom…ah no, you didn’t tell Auntie Qingyu about my affairs? Then how did she know!?”

Fu Yi Wen was so anxious that she almost bit her tongue. Looking at Chen Lu’s suddenly cold face in the video, Fu Yi Wen felt a chill down her back and immediately realized that she had made a huge mistake. She quickly apologized:

“Lu Lu, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you didn’t know about this… Tsk! What am I talking about here, why is it so tongue-twisting… No, Lu Lu, I really don’t know! I’ll check out right away and buy a ticket back. Don’t be angry!”

“No need.” Chen Lu stopped her and sighed: “This is a good opportunity, go ahead and relax.”

“…No, Lu Lu, don’t be like this, I’m scared…”

“I’m serious, regardless of the purpose, since Chen Qingyu provided such an opportunity, then you should relax and don’t think about anything.”

Fu Yi Wen was stunned for a moment, but was still somewhat apprehensive: “But aren’t you and her not on good terms, wouldn’t it embarrass you if I do this…”

“No, whatever is between her and me is our business. No matter what, seeing you happy is more important. Since there is such an opportunity, then you should relax. I’ll wait for you to come back and treat me to a meal.”

“…Lu Lu…”

Fu Yi Wen heard her tears about to fall, but she held it back.

God closed a door for her, but left her a window.

Who says good friendship isn’t as good as love.

“Let’s not tell Zhen Zhen about this for now, she’s already so busy with her studies that she can’t sleep.”

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking too.”

“Fu Yi Wen.”

“What’s wrong, Lu Lu?”

“Promise me, no matter what happens, put your own feelings first, love yourself before others. Take advantage of this opportunity to find what you really want, and don’t wrong yourself for anyone anymore.”

“……”

In the video, Chen Lu’s expression was particularly serious. Fu Yi Wen nodded, and this time she couldn’t help it, and tears fell down her face like rain.

She thanked the God who left her a window in her heart.

After this video call, Chen Lu seemed to have contacted Chen Qingyu. The next day when they met, Chen Qingyu’s eyes were filled with unconcealable joy. She told Fu Yi Wen to make any requests and express any thoughts she had, and she would find a way to help Fu Yi Wen achieve them.

Yes, her Lu Lu, for her sake, had tacitly accepted Chen Qingyu’s long-lost and carefully-made overtures.

For her friend who had paid so much for her, and even more for herself, Fu Yi Wen really listened to what Chen Lu said. In the days that followed, she walked around Los Angeles, traveling and checking in, and when she was free, she seriously thought about what she wanted to do.

The sea water washed over her ankles, and she looked up at the vast starry sky, feeling her own insignificance and infinite possibilities for the first time.

Without considering love, without considering Tang Ying, without considering anyone, only considering herself, what kind of life did she, Fu Yi Wen, want to live?

One evening, in the square in front of Los Angeles City Hall, watching the white doves flying across the sky, Fu Yi Wen subconsciously took out her mobile phone to take pictures and record them. The moment the picture was frozen, an idea suddenly flashed in her mind.

She wanted to be a self-media blogger who recorded her life.

This idea made Fu Yi Wen both excited and apprehensive. Of course, she knew that self-media was not as simple as she imagined. Copywriting scripts, shooting editing, and post-production operations were all things that a person with an empty head could not do.

She wanted to learn, she wanted to improve, she wanted to study further, she wanted to become better.

This was a huge challenge for Fu Yi Wen, who had lived a life that followed a set pattern for twenty-five years. She told Chen Lu about her plans, hoping that her friend would help her analyze them. As a result, that same afternoon, professionals arranged by Chen Qingyu came to her door.

After some discussion, Fu Yi Wen decided to study for a year at the University of Southern California (USC) as a Non-Degree Student.

In order to meet the application standards, English, which had been absent for many years, once again invaded Fu Yi Wen’s life.

IELTS and TOEFL were much more difficult than the college CET-4 and CET-6. She barely passed the college CET-6 because Tang Ying had twisted her ears and forced her to learn English in high school.

Sigh, how did she think of her again?

Fu Yi Wen shook her head desperately, as if this would completely shake a certain name out of her mind.

The selection of courses and preparation of materials in the early stage, including preparing for the TOEFL, were all done by Fu Yi Wen herself. The subsequent matters were handled by professionals arranged by Chen Qingyu.

Preparing for English was too difficult for Fu Yi Wen. Chen Qingyu helped her find several teachers, and Fu Yi Wen already had a headache before the class even started.

Seeming to see her depression, Chen Qingyu specially asked her to come to the bar tonight to relax.

If she hadn’t come, it would have been better. Now that she came, Fu Yi Wen felt even more of a headache.

She was not suitable for this kind of place at all, and it was better to go back to the hotel and watch Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.

The more she thought about it, the more she couldn’t stay. Fu Yi Wen felt that her head was about to explode from the noise. She excused herself to go to the bathroom and escaped from the bar.

Finally, she could breathe. The air outside was so good.

Fu Yi Wen wrinkled her nose and took a few deep breaths of fresh air.

Of course, if someone had told her in advance that the price of escaping to breathe would be to meet someone, she would rather have suffocated to death in the private room just now.

How could a person be so unlucky?

Fu Yi Wen never expected that she would see Tang Ying in front of a bar in Los Angeles.