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

Shang Song was completely stunned, even holding his breath.

Only five months left.

That's why Xie Jing was in such a hurry and went directly to his company building to wait for him after get off work.

That's why she panicked and broke down when she heard he was going home for the Chinese New Year.

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that what Xie Jing said... was actually true.

In the past month, they have indeed made no progress. In fact, due to his busy schedule and neglect, their relationship has become more distant and tense than before the breakup.

"No! Xie Jing! Don't think that way!" Shang Song panicked this time. He sat up abruptly, moved closer to Xie Jing, and stammered an explanation:

"I didn't think that way! I really want to try with you! I just... I just haven't found the right way yet! The problems between us need time and opportunity! But this past month... I've been so focused on other things that I've neglected you! It's my fault!"

He spoke very quickly, as if he wanted to pour out all his feelings, but halfway through his sentence, he suddenly felt a pang in his heart.

Is it really... just because you're too busy?

Or... is that really what he subconsciously thinks?

My memories are regressing wildly.

When his third brother got into trouble, Xie Jing's ability and sense of responsibility shocked and moved him. The dependence Xie Jing showed in that desperate situation overwhelmed all his rationality, making him think, "Let's give it a try."

But what happens after that?

Xie Jing casually remarked that he didn't live in the top-tier mansion in Genting, a place that most people couldn't earn in several lifetimes.

The house Xie Jing casually placed was a dream he could never reach, even if he worked hard for several lifetimes.

The shock and helplessness I felt at that moment are still vivid in my mind.

His relationship with Xie Jing is not just about contact barriers; there are huge differences between them in terms of background, social class, lifestyle, and even mindset.

So... in his subconscious, he had already foreseen the day he was destined to fail?

So... for the past month, he was able to so calmly immerse himself in his own life, using work and friends as excuses to postpone the appointment time after time. Subconsciously... was he also passively waiting for time to run out naturally, so that he could justifiably say "we are still not suitable" and then completely end this relationship that should never have started?

Shang Song became increasingly alarmed as he thought about it, and his face turned several shades pale.

No...that's not it!

How could he think that way? He clearly likes Xie Jing, feels sorry for him, and wants to get closer to him.

Looking at Xie Jing's pale and fragile appearance, and thinking about what he had done over the past month, Shang Song felt as if his heart had been crushed by something, and the pain was so intense that he could hardly breathe.

He didn't do it on purpose.

I really didn't mean to treat Xie Jing like that.

He didn't want it to end.

At least, seeing Xie Jing in such pain at this moment, he realized with overwhelming intensity that he didn't want it to end like this.

No matter how many pessimistic predictions he had made in his subconscious, no matter how big the gap between them seemed, no matter how difficult the future might be... at least for now, he didn't want to give up.

He couldn't bear to part with the person in front of him.

This piece of wood, which you can't touch or hug, yet will break down and despair because of him.

But... what should we do?

I can't just quit my job, I can't ignore my friends, and I can't skip going home for the New Year!

His parents only have him as their son, and they look forward to these few days all year round. If he dares to say he won't go back, his parents will come and kidnap him.

But seeing Xie Jing looking like he was about to break, his heart felt like it was going to shatter into pieces!

He has to do something, immediately, right now!

"Xie Jing!" he exclaimed suddenly, his voice trembling with urgency. He involuntarily leaned closer to Xie Jing, gazing at him expectantly. "You...you're very busy during the New Year? Do you have to pay respects to your ancestors? Do you have to preside over many ceremonies?"

Xie Jing slowly turned his head, his eyes lowered: "The annual memorial ceremony will be held on the 24th of the twelfth lunar month."

He seemed to be stating a predetermined schedule: "At that time, I will leave Xishan and return to my ancestral home."

Leaving Xishan? Returning to the ancestral home?

Shang Song instinctively retorted, "Isn't Xishan your ancestral home?"

He always believed that Xishan, where Xie Jing lived year-round, was the foundation of his family.

Xie Jing shook his head, his gaze sweeping across the city lights outside the window, which were gradually being replaced by the mountains and forests.

"No," he said softly. "West Mountain is just where I'm used to living. Our ancestral home is in another place, very remote and far away."

It turned out to be the case.

The Western Hills that he thought was another world turned out to be just Xie Jing's habitual residence, not the true core of the family.

So, what kind of scene must that so-called ancestral home be like?

Shang Song couldn't imagine it; he only felt that the gap between them seemed to have widened even further.

But this thought only flashed through his mind. At this moment, his more important thing was to make Xie Jing happy.

"Then..." Shang Song licked his dry lips, his heart pounding in his chest. He asked, "What happens after the ancestral worship ceremony? After the New Year... before the Lantern Festival, do you have any other family matters that you must attend?"

Xie Jing's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly puzzled as to why he asked this, but he still answered truthfully: "After the fifth day, as is customary, there are several exchanges. But..."

He paused, then added, "...It's not really important. As for the family's internal rules...they're different, and these things aren't customary."

Xie Jing seemed to feel that this explanation was not clear enough, or rather, he felt it was necessary for Shang Song to know more.

He paused for a moment, his voice even lower than before, "...the collateral branches do not participate in the annual sacrifice. The direct line..."

He paused, his long eyelashes drooping to conceal a complex shadow in his eyes, before speaking in as calm a tone as possible, "...Currently, I am the only one in charge."

He was the only one in charge of the direct line.

These words completely stunned Shang Song.

He thought Xie Jing was backed by a large, strictly disciplined family, but to his surprise, during the most important time of year for family reunion and ancestral worship, only Xie Jing was in charge.

He imagined that after Xie Jing presided over the sacrificial ceremony at the ancestral home, he would return to Xishan and continue living that quiet and lonely life.

No wonder... his reaction to the New Year was so indifferent, no wonder he felt so desperate and panicked when he heard he had to go home.

For him, the New Year may never have been a synonym for reunion and warmth, but rather a solemn ceremony bearing heavy responsibilities, nothing more.

Long, quiet, undisturbed, and without company.

What kind of life did this piece of wood lead?

He had actually thought that someone as powerful as Xie Jing must be living a good life in Xishan, and that he didn't need to worry about him... He was such a bastard!

He could hardly resist reaching out, wanting to hug the person in front of him without hesitation, and tell him—you are not alone, I will always be with you from now on.

But he still held back.

He cannot hug Xie Jing, at least not now.

But he can use other methods.