C10 His Mind Was Filled with Him

Although fate had brought Shu Ann to meet Shu Qing, whom she affectionately called "brother" and once considered the most important person in her life, it was never a complete familial bond.

Shu Ann tidied up her messy room with care and turned on the TV. A popular historical drama was playing, and she grabbed a slice of watermelon from the fridge, savoring it while watching intently.

To most people, someone like Shu Ann, a "code girl," might seem dull and old-fashioned. But that wasn't the case. Outside of work and study, her personal life was vibrant and full of interest.

Just as the show reached a critical moment, there was a loud knock at the door, almost like an earthquake!

Peering through the peephole, Shu Ann saw Xiaoqi with her Husky. She quickly opened the door.

As soon as Xiaoqi entered, she started bombarding Shu Ann with questions—

"Hey, Ann, how's your internship going? Tougher than school, right?"

"How are things at school? You have to write an internship journal and a thesis, right? School is such a pain."

"Have you met any cute guys at work? You know, the kind who are cool on the outside but warm on the inside, like model types! If you do, you have to introduce me!"

Shu Ann responded half-heartedly, and when she heard Xiaoqi's last question, she nearly choked on her watermelon.

Quickly trying to change the subject, she asked, "Uh, does your Husky eat watermelon?"

Xiaoqi was taken aback by the question. She tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Honestly, I don't know. I've never fed him anything like that. But we can try."

"Alright."

Shu Ann placed a slice of watermelon in front of the Husky. To her surprise, the dog sniffed it, licked it a couple of times, then lost interest and trotted away, wagging its tail.

So, should we continue the topic about whether you’ve met a handsome guy on the ice...

"Ann, you've always been so calm and composed! Why are you blushing now? There must be a story!" Xiaoqi nudged Shu Ann. "Come on, spill it! Otherwise, you're not being a good friend!"

Is there no way to dodge this? What do I do... Heaven help me, please! Shu Ann silently pleaded, not wanting to share the non-story involving Chairman Lih and Mooh Yang.

Just as Xiaoqi was about to press Shu Ann for the "story," the TV started playing a scene from a drama where the main character was being tormented by the antagonist.

Shu Ann quickly pointed at the TV and exclaimed, "Look! Didn't you say you were looking forward to this episode?"

"Wow??? It's finally here! Ann, let me tell you, this antagonist is so shameless and conniving. Women like her should be punished severely and then..."

Shu Ann nodded along, agreeing, "Yes, yes."

At last, no more questions... This friend is really something else. Maybe I should keep my distance in the future.

And so, on this rare day off, Shu Ann enjoyed a leisurely morning nap at the Lih Mansion. The afternoon was spent in a blur, though she stayed home the entire time.

Of course, she was accompanied by a lively Xiaoqi, who was pointing at the TV and laughing or crying, and a Husky that kept gnawing on her slippers.

As the sun began to set, the two were engrossed in their show when a sudden ringtone caught their attention.

It was Shu Ann's phone.

She thought it might be Chairman Lih calling, but when she checked, it was actually her partner, Mooh Yang.

"Are you still at the Lih Mansion?" Mooh Yang asked directly, his voice carrying a hint of tension.

"Nothing more."

Shu Ann could clearly sense the relief in the other person's voice.

"So, where are you?"

"At home," she replied honestly.

"Are you free tonight?"

Before Shu Ann could answer, Mooh Yang added, "Let's meet up tonight. I've already booked a restaurant."

"Huh?"

Xiaoqi, sitting nearby, noticed Shu Ann's surprise and widened her eyes, hugging the fluffy neck of her husky.

"Let's have a drink and chat. There's something I want to tell you," he paused. "Consider it a farewell dinner."

"Farewell? What farewell, Mooh Yang? You're always joking, and you never plan your jokes."

"Just come out tonight."

With that, the call ended, leaving only the empty sound of the disconnect. Shu Ann stared at the phone screen, lost in thought. After a while, she put her phone in her bag and began absentmindedly tidying up.

Xiaoqi lifted her face from the husky's fur. "Where are you going? Aren't we having dinner together?"

"No, my partner needs to see me."

Lih Jingyan drove back home to a dark, empty house. His home was large, but its size only emphasized the loneliness since he was the sole occupant, aside from the housekeeper. He sighed, wondering why he felt so sentimental. He had lived like this for over twenty years, so why did tonight feel different? Why did he feel so vulnerable?

With a self-deprecating smile, Lih Jingyan shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto the sofa before collapsing onto it himself.

Yes, he'd lived this way for over two decades, each day a repeat of the last, monotonous to the point of fear. The passion and adventurous spirit he once had were worn down by this dull routine. Every day was the same, and any vitality he once possessed had long been eroded by this tedious life.

Lifting his head, Jingyan gazed around his empty villa, a bitter feeling welling up inside him. It might sound ridiculous, but when he used to lie on this very sofa, feeling lonely, he would imagine this house filled with life—himself and his wife.

Jingyan had often fantasized that when he came home each day, the vast villa wouldn't be dark and empty. Instead, there would be a woman with a warm smile, a light on, greeting him with a "Welcome home" as he stepped through the door. He imagined the aroma of dinner wafting through the air, making the house feel alive and welcoming, rather than a place he dreaded returning to.

But now, reality was the exact opposite. Every day when he returned, he was met with darkness and silence. Even if he said, "I'm home," the only response was the quiet, empty void. His heart ached with a bitterness that was hard to shake. Living alone in this big, dark house made him want to escape, often finding solace in drinking before coming back.

It seemed that only by numbing himself with alcohol could he avoid these thoughts, avoid feeling so pitiful. Covering his eyes, even when he drank himself into a stupor and suffered stomach pains from not eating beforehand, there was no one to care for him. Jingyan chuckled bitterly, clutching his stomach. He didn't want this life; he wished he could avoid alcohol outside of social obligations. Yet, here he was, relying on it to numb his pain.

He imagined if, after a night of obligatory drinking, he returned home with a stomachache, there was someone who would scold him for not taking care of himself, telling him to drink less. Yet, despite the nagging, they'd head to the kitchen to make him a bowl of hangover soup, ensuring he drank it before helping him to bed. That kind of life would be pretty nice.

Lih Jingyan's lips curled into a slight smile as he glanced toward the kitchen. Was it just his imagination, or did he really see a woman's figure in there?

Rubbing his eyes, he looked again. There seemed to be a woman standing in his kitchen—a tall, slender silhouette with long, black hair casually pinned up. The warm figure seemed familiar, but who could it be?

Lih Jingyan lay on the couch in a daze, staring at the figure before him. When she finally turned around, he realized it was Shu Ann.

What was this? Even in his drunken stupor, when his mind was hazy, she wouldn't leave him alone. With a resigned smile, Lih Jingyan watched as the imagined Shu Ann slowly walked toward him. She raised her hand, touched his head, and said, "Why did you drink so much again today? Don’t you know I worry?"

Lih Jingyan didn’t respond. He just gazed intently at the vision of Shu Ann, sighing. If only she really cared for him like this, loved him like this—it would be wonderful.

Even knowing it was just a fantasy, Lih Jingyan was reluctant to wake up. He stared at the imagined Shu Ann, afraid that if he blinked, she would vanish.

"Shu Ann, do you like me?" he asked.

The vision of Shu Ann didn’t answer. She just smiled gently at him, as if she hadn’t heard his question.

Lih Jingyan knew this was just a figment of his imagination, not the real Shu Ann. Yet, he couldn’t control his feelings for her, especially after drinking. His eyes filled with longing as he spoke, "I know you don’t like me. I know. I heard you clearly that day, saying you don’t like me at all, that you just see me as a friend."