Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

"...But I only have six months."

Shang Song was completely stunned.

Only six months.

Therefore, Xie Jing was anxious.

This piece of wood... he wanted to seize every minute and second of the promised six months, to get closer and closer to himself.

Shang Song suddenly didn't know what to say.

After a long pause, Shang Song sighed, her voice softening with a hint of compromise: "...How about this? I'll still live in my small apartment during the week, which is convenient for going to work and visiting Lao San. On weekends... or when I'm not busy, I'll go to Xishan. That way, we'll still have time to spend together, and it won't disrupt our normal lives, okay?"

He carefully observed Xie Jing's expression and added, "Besides, you have to work too, right?"

Xie Jing remained silent and did not answer immediately.

His gaze fell on the dazzling night view outside the window, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, as if he were weighing the pros and cons of the proposal.

Shang Song's heart was in his throat from Xie Jing's silence. He was afraid that Xie Jing would not agree, and even more afraid that Xie Jing would show that same expression as if he had abandoned him that morning, or say something else. He might really make a rash decision and agree to move to that secluded Xishan.

Just as Shang Song's heart was pounding, Xie Jing finally turned his gaze away from the window and looked back at him.

"...Okay." He spoke, his voice already calm, as if the momentary grievance and struggle just now were merely an illusion. "As you said, come to Xishan on the weekend, or when you're not busy."

He paused, looking at Shang Song's suddenly bright eyes, and added earnestly and stubbornly:

"I will wait for you."

Shang Song's heart finally settled down, and he couldn't help but grin, his eyes crinkling into crescents.

"Okay!" He nodded emphatically, his voice light and cheerful. "Then it's settled!"

With everything settled, a wave of exhaustion washed over him, and Shang Song let out a small yawn.

Seeing this, Xie Jing gestured for Shang Song to go to the guest room to rest.

Shang Song had no desire to argue with him anymore; she was going back to her small apartment tonight. She slowly moved into the guest room to wash up.

That night, Shang Song did not sleep well.

The bed was covered in expensive bedding, and the view outside the window was dazzling at night... Everything was luxurious, yet he felt a vague sense of unease.

In the early morning, after having breakfast with Xie Jing, he was driven back to his apartment by Xie Jing.

Before parting, Xie Jing only said "See you on the weekend," and Shang Song nodded in assurance.

However, "see you this weekend" became just empty words.

The first weekend.

Although the third child is out of danger, the recovery period is not short and he still needs to be hospitalized for observation and treatment. Shang Song and the eldest and second eldest children take turns visiting and accompanying him in the hospital whenever they have time.

The eldest brother had an emergency, so he went to the hospital to cover for him for a day.

The second weekend.

The new version of "Starry Fantasy" was in open beta, and bugs kept popping up. He had to work overtime to catch up and didn't even go back to his apartment.

The third weekend.

He finally had some free time, but after staying up all night for several days in a row, he couldn't take it anymore and slept soundly in bed all weekend.

There weren't many messages from Xie Jing on my phone, but they were very regular.

He usually sends a greeting in the morning and another one in the evening: "Are you done with your work?"

Shang Song's replies were often delayed.

"Good morning, Professor Xie. I just finished a meeting. I'll go see Lao San in the ward after get off work."

"Still working overtime, probably all night. The third brother is in much better spirits today."

"Just lay down, I'm exhausted. I probably won't be able to go this weekend, the project deadline is."

"Sorry, I've been so busy this week, I'll definitely make it next week!"

He felt apologetic every time he replied, but the reality of being busy was also true.

He thought Xie Jing would be dissatisfied, would urge him, and might even get involved in the project.

But Xie Jing did not.

His replies were always very concise.

"Okay. Take care and get some rest."

"it is good."

"understood."

Take care of yourself.

Calm, restrained, without a ripple.

Until, a whole month quietly slipped by.

It was Friday, near the end of the workday.

Shang Song had just finished adjusting a set of data. He rubbed his sore eyes and gulped down some water.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from Xie Jing: "Are you done with your work?"

Shang Song put down his water glass and typed a reply: "Not yet, I've run into some trouble, it'll probably take a while. But I'll definitely come to Xishan to see you tomorrow, Saturday! I should be able to get the most troublesome part done today!"

He sent it, waited a few seconds, and thought it would be the same old "Take care and get some rest" message, but suddenly bubbles started popping up all over his phone screen.

"Shang Song"

"We met zero times in this month. We spoke twice, for a total of three minutes. We sent sixty-four messages, with an average reply interval of more than four hours between each message."

"You promised me weekends, but you've never kept your promise."

"Is this what you meant by 'take it slow'?"

Shang Song stared at the bubbles on his phone screen, his fingers froze, his eyes widened slightly, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Xie Jing... is he expressing dissatisfaction? Is he making an accusation?

He could almost picture Xie Jing typing those words; his face would be expressionless, his eyes would be icy, and his lips would be pressed into a thin line.

This block of wood wasn't truly without feeling; he was just silently enduring until... his patience reached a certain threshold, and then he laid bare all the disappointments of every unfulfilled expectation over the past month before him, telling Shang Song—that he, Xie Jing, had waited enough.

Shang Song took a deep breath, his fingers trembling slightly, and typed a reply quickly:

"I'm so sorry! I know I've been too busy lately! It's my fault! This week! I'll definitely come see you this week! I promise! The busiest phase of the project is over, and things have stabilized on Lao San's side. I'll definitely free up this weekend! I'll come see you in Xishan!"

Xie Jing replied almost instantly after the message was sent.

It consists of only two words, plus a simple period.

"Go downstairs."

Shang Song: "???"

He was stunned and didn't immediately understand what those two words meant.

Go downstairs?

Go downstairs?

He gripped his phone and took another close look at the two words to make sure he wasn't mistaken. Suddenly, he jumped up from his office chair and ran towards the window.

In front of the company building, where there is usually a temporary parking area for visitors, the shadows of the trees are swaying in the setting sun.

Then, he saw it.

In the shadows, the familiar black SUV sat quietly.

It was Xie Jing's car.

He's here, right downstairs from his company!

Shang Song clung to the window, his mind buzzing.

Xie Jing... why is he here? When did he arrive? How long have he been waiting? Just to... ambush him after get off work?

My phone vibrated again.

It was Xie Jing again.

"Do you need me to go up?"

No! Of course not!

Let Xie Jing appear in the messy open-plan office area, then drag him downstairs?

The thought of that scene sent chills down his spine!

His fingers trembled as he practically dug into the phone screen to type:

"No, no, no! Don't come up! I'm coming down! I'm coming down right now!"

After sending it, he practically stumbled back to his workstation and frantically pressed Ctrl+SSSSSS!!!

Then, under Ken's sidelong glance, she didn't bother to tidy her messy hair and clothes, and stumbled towards the elevator.

The elevator is going down.