Chapter 41: Conflict

  After dinner, Qiao Yu sent Ji Si Xuan to the office and received a call from Jiang Sheng Zhuo.

  "Why don't you come and see Le Xi? You know pregnant women are originally sensitive and emotionally unstable, she's been sulking in her room since she got back."

  Qiao Yu hurried over, and Jiang Shengzhuo saw that he looked like a relieved expression as if he had seen a lifesaver.

  Qiao Yu knocked on the door from outside, but there was no response inside.

  He knocked twice more, "Le Xi, Second Brother is coming in?"

  Just after finishing, he pushed open the 'door' and received a flying hug. Qiao Le Xi sat on the carpet at the edge of the 'bed', full of resentment staring at him, "Second brother, I hate you!"

  Qiao Yu and Jiang Sheng Zhuo exchanged a glance outside the door, closed it and walked over to sit on the floor beside the bed. Just like when they were young, the siblings sat shoulder to shoulder. "She also said that once, she said 'Qiao Yu, I hate you!' Her name is Ji Si Xuan, she's the most carefree and generous girl I've ever met, not pretentious or hypocritical, very talented. Actually, you two have some similarities, like not being overly concerned with trivial matters, not liking something will not lead to self-deprecation and a forced smile."

  Qiao Le Xi gave him a sideways glance, "I'm not!"

  Qiao Yuman looked at his only sister with a doting gaze, smiling as he spoke, "Alright, alright, you're not. As for what happened between me and her, I've never told anyone else about it because I thought it was just our business, no need to tell others. But now I want to tell you, because you're my sister, she's the one I love, and I hope you two can be as close as family."

  Qiao Le Xi grasped Qiao Yu's sleeve, "Second brother, I don't like her. She's just a bit prettier than others, if she wasn't good-looking would you still like her?"

  Qiao Yu furrowed his brow, "This question, I really don't know how to answer. Because when I liked her, she was like this, and I also didn't know if it was because she looked good that I liked her, or if it was because I liked her that I happened to like her good looks."

  Qiao Le Xi also knew that this hypothetical method was actually very absurd, and he lowered his head in defeat.

  "We were university classmates, she was a year younger than me, and it was her who pursued me. I didn't know what she liked about me, at first I thought she was just joking around like you used to tease your second brother when we were young, so I didn't take it seriously. You've seen her, she's very beautiful, and there were many people in school chasing after her. I thought that as time went on, she would get tired of me and give up. But as time passed, you'll find that although she's arrogant, she's actually a very upright person who will help others, but not without principles, and won't tolerate things or people she doesn't like. When she really told me she wanted to give up, I knew she was just pretending to be willing to let go, but I still fell for her. Later... later it was because my older brother got sick and I couldn't go abroad with her to study architecture that we parted ways. I didn't tell her the real reason, she thought I gave up on her for the sake of my career, so she left without looking back. It wasn't until recently when she returned to China that we reestablished contact, but because of what happened in the past, she still resents me and we're not together, that's just how it is."

  "Qiao Le Xi asked, "Why didn't you tell her?""

  "At that time, I didn't tell her because I was afraid she would give up the opportunity to go abroad for me. She is so talented, and if she gave up her own dreams for me, I would feel heartbroken."

  "She came back, why didn't you say it clearly? If you said it clearly, she wouldn't blame you."

  "You still remember... the day mom had an accident? You were sent to Saint Zhou's house by dad, and dad's secretary went to school to pick up your brother and took him to grandpa's house. I left early after class, so I probably missed them around that time. Grandpa thought dad would come find me, but dad thought grandpa would come find me, yet no one came looking for me. When I got home, there was no one there, and then I saw mom lying in the bathtub full of blood, her body already cold. I was too young at the time and was scared out of my wits, only knowing to wait stupidly for someone to come find me. I never brought it up because I knew how guilty you all felt, but actually, I was really scared at home back then, yet compared to your guilt, I thought it wasn't a big deal. It's like what happened with her - she thought I didn't go abroad with her for the sake of my future, which is also what I let her think. She thought I was the one who let go first, so she left without looking back. Now that she's back, if I told her the truth, she'd feel guilty, and I don't want her to feel guilty. In a girl's best years, I didn't give her the best, and now she's probably already seen the best in life. All these years, I haven't done anything for her; the only thing I can do is this."

  Qiao's mother's early death by suicide is a painful memory that the Qiao family does not want to touch. Qiao Le Xi suddenly burst into tears, grabbing Qiao Yu's hand, "Second brother, I'm sorry, we forgot to take you with us back then, really sorry."

  Qiao Yu patted her back, handed her a few tissues to wipe away tears, and said somewhat helplessly, "Alright, alright, what's the point of crying? It's been so long ago, we should all let go."

  Qiao Yu paused for a moment before continuing, "When you left the country back then, Jiang Sheng Zhuo told me that he was afraid his deep feelings wouldn't be enough to compare to the warmth of your shoulder. And I wasn't afraid either? Her temper is especially stubborn, always rejecting meeting with me and rejecting my messages, I'm afraid if I make a move she'll resist strongly, so I didn't dare do anything. You've also been abroad, you know that kind of loneliness and hardship best, you're because your heart has Jiang Sheng Zhuo, you also know he has you in his heart, so you won't be afraid. But she's not certain about anything, back then she left with me due to misunderstandings, yet she waited alone for me all this time. Now that she's rejected all the 'temptations' and came back, her willingness to come back is already a huge concession, but second brother really hasn't done anything for her before, just this one point makes me feel like I've been wronged my whole life. So, can you try to like her for second brother's sake?"

  Qiao Le Xi looked at Qiao Yu with dim and teary eyes, finally nodding slightly.

  Qiao Yu left, Jiang Sheng Zhuo sent him off with a dog-leg expression all the way to the door. "I coaxed her for a whole day and she didn't even respond to me, you settled it in just one hour, Second Brother, how did you do it?"

  Qiao Yu sighed, "This kind of thing... any man facing the 'woman' he likes is always at a loss."

  Jiang Shengzhuo seemed to have heard the underlying tone, and sneered as he spoke, "So now you're going to go coax that 'woman' of yours who has no way with you?"

  Qiao Yu got on the car and rolled down the window, "I'll go take a look at my brother."

  Jiang Shengzhuo's smile faded as he watched Qiao Yu leave.

  Qiao Yu arrived to find Qiao Ye staring at the computer, looking at something. When he saw him come in, he closed the computer and put it aside, "Why are you coming over so late? Didn't I say that if you're busy, don't come?"

  Qiao Yu sat down beside the sickbed, "It's been a long time since I came, come to keep you company."

  Qiao Yan became thinner and thinner, which made Qiao Yu's heart ache.

  "I heard...the 'girl' you like is back?"

  Qiao Yu was taken aback, "Did you hear Le Xi say that?"

  Qiao Yan walked down the slope with a donkey, "Ah, yes, I heard Le Xuan say that. How about it, is there any fun?"

  Qiao Yu let out a sigh, "Seems like you're still mad, but I'll try my best."

  Qiao Yan patted his shoulder, "Come on, you can do it!"

  The two brothers chatted casually about something else, and when Qiao Yu was leaving, Qiao Ye suddenly called out to him.

  "Good luck!"

  "Huh?"

  Qiao Yan asked seriously, "Is there anything you want your brother to do for you?"

  Qiao Yu shook his head in surprise, "No, brother, just focus on recovering from your illness and don't worry about anything else."

  Qiao Yan nodded, "Okay."

  Qiao Yu seemed to sense something and asked somewhat anxiously, "And you, brother, is there anything you want me to do for you?"

  Qiao Yan smiled and said, "I've told you before, take good care of Dad and little sister for me."

  Qiao Yu nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go first then."

  Qiao Yu left, Qiao Ye opened his computer and looked at the draft sent by Ji Siyuan, a faint smile appeared on his face.

  After several sleepless nights, the plan was finally finalized. Ji Si Xuan and Xu Bing Jun Wei Xin had initially settled on a draft, but when Ji Si Xuan finished presenting it at the meeting, the effect was not good.

  Xie Ningchun spoke first, with a tone of disdain and sarcasm mixed in, "The name Xuan Huang is so loud, I thought it would be quite capable, but it's nothing special. Isn't it a well-known law firm abroad? Can't see anything at all."

  The one who paid the bill was the old man. Ji Siyuan endured for a moment, "China has its own culture, and Chinese architecture should also have its own cultural connotation and regional design, not following in the footsteps of Western architectural charity."

  "It's also not bad, maybe I had too high expectations and it wasn't as stunning as I imagined." Bo Ji Shi hesitated before speaking, then casually threw the question to Qiao Yu, "What do you think, Director Qiao?"

  Qiao Yu was silent, flipping through the printed plan page by page in his hand.

  The conference room fell silent for a moment.

  Xu Bingjun and Wei Xin exchanged a glance, just about to speak, when they heard Ji Sixuan's voice. She looked at the front with an expressionless face and opened her mouth.

  "There was once someone who told me that the most basic function of architecture is to provide shelter, and safety and comfort are the most basic needs. Don't let flashy and unrealistic exterior designs and innovative shapes cover up the original purpose. Functionality and aesthetics should be balanced, don't prioritize one over the other. Architecture isn't about being conspicuous or empty, but rather blending in with the surrounding people, objects, and scenery to create a harmonious whole. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but after seeing so many buildings and meeting so many excellent architects, I realized he was right. I always thought I had a good understanding of architecture, but later I found out that he was the one who truly understood it. What I grasped was only superficial, while he grasped the true essence of architecture."

  Xie Ningchun raised an eyebrow in disdain, "Who is that person? An industry insider? Very famous?"

  Ji Siyun's expression suddenly turned gloomy, and she pulled the corner of her mouth, stiffly replying, "He changed careers."

  Xie Ningchun sneered, "How ridiculous! What credibility does a person who has changed careers have? You must be doing poorly in your original career and that's why you switched, right?"

  Xu Bingjun suddenly spoke up, "The understanding is so deep, it's seen through so clearly, I really want to know who said this, and see if there's a chance to get acquainted."

  Ji Siyuan stared intently at Qiao Yu, who finally spoke his first sentence, "I said."

  The voice fell, and the room was silent again.

  Ji Siyun looked straight at Qiao Yu and asked in a moderate tone, "I'd like to ask you, Brother Qiao, was this how you taught me back then?"