Ultimately Couldn't Bear to Throw It Away

Sheng Xiangsi unlocked her phone and first checked Zhong Pei's message.

"Xiangsi, I will handle my family's matters. It's okay if you don't want to see me now. I'll prove to you that I won't give up on you."

After reading it, Sheng Xiangsi closed her eyes for a moment.

She was touched by Zhong Pei's persistence but also saddened by it.

What did she have that was worth his dedication?

Exiting Zhong Pei's chat, she decided not to reply. If she didn't respond, maybe he would give up. Ending things now would hurt him the least.

Then she opened Fu Hanjiang's messages.

"Xiangsi, I saw Zhong Pei. Are you okay?"

After reading this, Sheng Xiangsi frowned.

How did he see Zhong Pei? Didn't he leave? Did he go back?

Why did he go back?

There was another message from him.

"Your hair tie fell in my car. I'll bring it back to you."

So that's what happened.

Sheng Xiangsi touched her wrist and found that the hair tie was indeed missing.

She raised her hand and replied.

"No need, it's just a hair tie. You can throw it away."

At that moment, Fu Hanjiang was sitting in his car at the entrance of Wenchang Road, holding a dark purple hair tie with a few plastic white beads.

Seeing Xiangsi's reply, he looked at the hair tie in his hand and muttered, "You don't want it?"

He picked up his phone.

"I'm at the entrance. I'll bring it to you. It's no trouble."

Soon, Sheng Xiangsi replied.

"Really, no need. I'm not at West Twelfth Street right now."

Not at West Twelfth Street?

Fu Hanjiang immediately realized that Xiangsi probably saw Zhong Pei too. So, she was avoiding him?

A slight smile appeared on his lips, and he felt an unintentional joy.

"Where are you then?"

"I'm at a friend's place."

That was all, no detailed address.

Fu Hanjiang pondered whether Xiangsi would find him annoying if he asked further. He decided against it.

Even if he knew the address, what could he do?

"Okay, I got it."

Putting down his phone, Fu Hanjiang lowered the car window, extending his arm outside with the hair tie in hand.

There was a trash can by the roadside. With a slight flick, he could throw it away.

But after pausing for two seconds, he withdrew his arm, holding the hair tie and gently rubbing it. Ultimately, he couldn't bear to throw it away.

He started the car and drove off.

Passing by TeeMall, he stopped.

Fu Hanjiang got out and went to the women's boutique center.

Seeing him, the sales assistant immediately recognized him. "Mr. Fu? The boss is here!" She quickly called the manager to assist him.

"Mr. Fu, welcome! What can we help you with today?"

"Just in time."

Fu Hanjiang rubbed his temples, overwhelmed by the variety of women's accessories.

He held up the hair tie. "Do you have anything like this?"

"Let me see."

The manager examined the hair tie carefully. "We have similar ones, but not exactly the same."

"Show me."

"Of course."

The manager turned and instructed the assistant to bring some options.

Soon, a tray with an array of hair ties was presented to him. "Mr. Fu, these are the closest in style."

"Alright."

Fu Hanjiang examined them one by one, finally selecting the one that looked the most similar.

"This one."

"Would you like it gift-wrapped?"

"No need."

Wrapping it would make it too formal. How could he give it to her? Xiangsi surely wouldn't accept it. "I'll take it as is."

"Very well, Mr. Fu. That'll be 1538 yuan."

Although this hair tie looked similar to Sheng Xiangsi's, hers had plastic beads, while this one featured Tahitian pearls, making it much more expensive.

Fu Hanjiang signed the bill, took the hair tie, and left TeeMall.

...

Returning to the Fu residence, Fu Hanjiang first visited Fu Mingzhu, then went to Fu Hanchuan's room.

At that moment, Fu Hanchuan was in the bathroom, lying on a shampoo chair, with Yao Leyi about to wash his hair.

"Hanjiang is here?"

"Brother, Leyi."

Yao Leyi rolled up her sleeves, but her phone rang. "Perfect timing, I need to take this call. You chat with your brother. I'll be right back..."

She left with her phone.

"Alright."

Fu Hanjiang sat down, draping an arm over the chair back.

Facing Fu Hanchuan, he still had a bit of that "little boy" vibe from years ago.

Taking advantage of Yao Leyi's absence, Fu Hanjiang lowered his voice, gossiping. "Brother, recently, have you had Qi Si looking for someone?"

He hadn't meant to pry, but Rong Zheng had gotten wind of it when Qi Si was searching for someone.

"?" Fu Hanchuan frowned slightly.

He wanted to speak but couldn't.

"Hey?"

Seeing his brother's tension, Fu Hanjiang teased, "You aren't looking for a girl, are you?"

"Hu...hu..."

Hearing this, Fu Hanchuan became agitated, making muffled sounds.

"Nonsense?"

Fu Hanjiang understood and raised an eyebrow, joking. "Brother, don't get worked up. I know you have Leyi. I was just kidding. Don't worry, I won't stir up trouble with Leyi..."

As for who his brother was looking for, as a younger brother, if his brother didn't tell, he wouldn't ask.

"What are you two talking about?"

Just then, Yao Leyi returned after finishing her call.

"Just chatting."

Fu Hanjiang smiled, standing up. "I won't disturb you two."

As he turned to leave, something fell from his pocket...

"…"

Yao Leyi was about to call out to him but realized it was a...pearl hair tie?

Why would Fu Hanjiang have this? It was clearly a woman's item.

Frowning, she picked up the hair tie. It looked new.

Behind her, Fu Hanchuan's hoarse voice murmured, "%&￥…"

"Coming."

Yao Leyi quickly tied up her hair with the hair tie and resumed washing Fu Hanchuan's hair.

...

Back in his room, Fu Hanjiang realized the new hair tie for Xiangsi was missing. What happened? Where did it go?

He searched everywhere, even went back to his car, but couldn't find it.

Did he lose it in his brother's room?

It wasn't a good time to disturb him.

Forget it, Fu Hanjiang decided to buy another one later.

...

At 7 PM, Sheng Xiangsi was putting on makeup, preparing for the evening's performance.

"Xiangsi."

Bai Ran came in, pointing to the door. "Someone is looking for you outside…" She lowered her voice. "It's a handsome guy!"

Sheng Xiangsi immediately guessed who it was. "Bai Ran, please tell him I won't see him. Ask him to leave."

"Ah?"

Bai Ran hesitated but nodded. "Alright."

She turned and went to the door where Zhong Pei was waiting with anticipation, only to be disappointed when he saw Bai Ran.

"Xiangsi won't see me."