Stars Fall Into The Sea, Love Never Fades Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Workplace Confrontation and Late Night Collapse Backlash

Early the next morning, Azhi contacted one of the most famous galleries in the city.The person in charge of the gallery is a senior art critic named Sister Chen.Ah Zhi sent her photos of Qi’s works, and not long after, Sister Chen called back, her tone full of surprise.

“Mr. Ah, these works of yours are so amazing!” Sister Chen’s voice was very excited. “This painter is very talented. His works are full of aura and emotion, especially those starry sky paintings, which are simply eye-catching. I am very willing to hold an exhibition for him, and I believe that this exhibition will definitely cause a sensation.”

A warm current surged in Ah Zhi’s heart, and he knew that Qi’s talent was finally recognized.”Thank you, Sister Chen.” He said, “I hope to hold an art exhibition as soon as possible. We can discuss the specific matters in person.”

“No problem.” Sister Chen said, “I’m free this afternoon. Let’s meet in the gallery to discuss it in detail.”

After hanging up the phone, Ah Zhi was in a particularly good mood.He walked to the study, looked at Qi’s works, and said softly: “Qi, did you hear that? Sister Chen likes your works very much, and she is willing to hold an art exhibition for you. Your wish will be realized soon.”

The smell of cedar around him had a hint of joyful warmth, as if Qi was happy for him.Ah Zhi stretched out his hand and waved lightly in the direction of the cedar smell, as if he was giving Qi a high-five in celebration.

In the afternoon, Ah Zhi came to the gallery on time.Sister Chen was already waiting for him at the door. She was an elegant middle-aged woman wearing a decent cheongsam.Seeing Ah Zhi, she greeted him enthusiastically.

“Mr. Ah, I’ve been waiting for a long time.” Sister Chen said with a smile, “Please come in and let’s talk inside.”

Entering the gallery, Ah Zhi was attracted by the layout inside.The walls are covered with paintings of various styles, each one unique.Sister Chen took him to a reception area and poured him a cup of tea.

“Mr. Ah, what is your relationship with this Mr. Qi?” Sister Chen asked.

“He is my lover.” Ah Zhi’s voice was a little hoarse. “He has passed away, and these works were left behind by him during his lifetime. Holding an art exhibition has been his long-cherished wish.”

A trace of regret flashed in Sister Chen’s eyes: “It’s such a pity for such a talented painter. However, it is also a very meaningful thing to hold an exhibition for him and fulfill his wish.”

Next, they discussed in detail the time, location, publicity plan and other matters of the exhibition.Sister Chen put forward many professional suggestions, and Ah Zhi accepted them all.Finally, they agreed that the exhibition would be held in a month, with the theme “Missing Under the Starry Sky”.

When leaving the gallery, Ah Zhi was full of expectations.He knew that this art exhibition was not only a memorial to Qi, but also an important step on his road to redemption.He must make this painting exhibition perfect and live up to Qi’s talent and his own feelings.

Back at the company, as soon as Azhi walked into the office, he saw the department manager standing there with a solemn expression.

“Mr. Ah, you’re back,” the department manager said. “I have bad news to tell you. The client suddenly proposed to terminate the cooperation on the big project we talked about before.”

Ah Zhi’s heart skipped a beat: “Why? Hasn’t our plan been passed?”

“The specific reason is unclear,” the department manager said. “The customer only said that they found a more suitable partner. I suspect that a competitor is behind it.”

Azhi frowned.This project is very important to the company. If this project is lost, the company will suffer huge losses.He knew that his competitors had been keeping an eye on him, and this time they must have taken advantage of his previous gaffe at the review meeting and took the opportunity to slander his customers.

“I understand.” Azhi’s voice became deeper, “You go down first and I’ll handle it.”

After the department manager left, Ah Zhi sat at his desk with a gloomy expression.He picked up the phone and dialed the customer’s number.The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up.

“Hello, Mr. Li.” Azhi tried to keep his voice as calm as possible, “I heard that you want to terminate our cooperation. I don’t know what we did wrong. You can point it out directly and we will definitely improve.”

“Mr. A,” Mr. Li’s voice was perfunctory, “It’s not that you didn’t do a good job, it’s just that we found a more suitable partner. I’m sorry, Mr. A, I hope there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future.”

After speaking, Mr. Li hung up the phone.

Ah Zhi held the phone, his knuckles turning white from exertion.He knew that the customer was determined to terminate the cooperation and there was no point in trying to recover.The tremendous pressure hit him instantly, and he felt dizzy.

The smell of cedar around him came closer, as if Qi was worried about him.Ah Zhi could feel that Qi’s soul was standing beside him, reaching out his hand as if to comfort him.

“Qi, I messed up again.” He whispered, his voice full of frustration, “I can’t even hold on to a project, I’m really useless. You always said I was great before, but now, I can’t do anything well.”

There was no response in the air, but the smell of cedar lingered around him, as if Qi was silently encouraging him.Azhi took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.He couldn’t just give up. For Qi and the company, he had to cheer up.

He turned on his computer and began to analyze his competitors’ situations and look for their weaknesses.He worked for a long time until nightfall and he was the only one left in the office.

The night outside the window was getting darker and darker, and the city lights were dazzling, but they couldn’t illuminate the darkness in his heart.He felt a deep fatigue, not only physical, but also psychological.He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the night scene outside the window, and couldn’t help but shed tears.

“Qi, I’m so tired.” He choked, “I work hard every day, work hard, atone for my sins, and survive. But I will still make mistakes and encounter difficulties. I really don’t know how long this kind of life will last.”

He turned around and looked into the void in the office, his voice full of despair: “I really miss you, Qi. I want you to come back, I want you to hug me again, I want you to tell me again, I will definitely be able to do it. But why don’t you come back? Why do you want to leave me alone?”

The smell of cedar around him had a hint of sad warmth, as if Qi was crying with him.Ah Zhi stretched out his hand and hugged the void beside him tightly, as if hugging Qi’s body.He leaned in “Qi”‘s arms and cried bitterly, crying out all the pressure, all the grievances, and all the longings.

He cried for a long time until his voice became hoarse and he could no longer make a sound, until his tears ran dry.He leaned against the wall, his body shaking slightly.Qi’s soul has been with him all the time. Seeing him collapse, he felt extremely distressed.He wanted to touch Ah Zhi and comfort Ah Zhi, but he could do nothing but watch him struggle in pain.

Late at night, Ah Zhi dragged his exhausted body back to the villa.He didn’t turn on the light, letting the darkness swallow him up.He walked to the wine cabinet, took out a bottle of whiskey, unscrewed the cap, and drank from the bottle.The spicy liquid slid down his throat and burned his esophagus, but it made him feel a brief numbness.

He leaned against the wine cabinet, drinking bottle after bottle, looking blankly at the darkness ahead.He knew that this was wrong, and Qi definitely didn’t want to see him like this.But he really couldn’t hold it anymore. Only alcohol could make him temporarily forget all the pain and troubles.

Just when he was about to get drunk, he felt that the smell of cedar around him became particularly strong, and a weak sense of electricity came, like a unicorn tapping his shoulder.Immediately afterwards, a glass on the table suddenly shook slightly, and then fell onto the table.

Ah Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, and he knew that this was Qi’s reminder to him not to drink too much.

“Qi, I know you are worried about me.” He said vaguely, “But I feel really uncomfortable. Only drinking can make me feel better.”

He took another sip of wine and wanted to continue to sink.But this time, the glass on the table suddenly fell to the ground and broke with a bang.It was as if Qi was angry and trying to stop him.

Ah Zhi was stunned. He looked at the broken glass on the ground, and a warm current surged in his heart.He knew that Qi was doing it for his own good and didn’t want him to hurt him.He put down the bottle, walked to the sofa and sat down, hugging his knees with his hands, and whispered: “I’m sorry, Qi. I shouldn’t have drank, I shouldn’t have made you worry. I will be fine, I will cheer up, and I won’t let you down again.”

The smell of cedar around him seemed to become gentler, as if Qi was forgiving him.Azhi leaned on the sofa, closed his eyes, and gradually fell asleep.When he was sleeping, Qi’s soul stayed by his side, looking at his sleeping face with eyes full of love and distress.

He knew that Azhi still had a long way to go and his pain was not over yet.But he will always be with him, within three meters, guarding him and encouraging him, until he can truly get out of the haze, until he can truly be happy.And this companionship across life and death will continue for countless such days and nights.