Chapter 2496: Chapter 2496: A Story of Losing and Finding One’s Way (7)
Ye Mingmei’s impatience stemmed from Bai Zheng previously visiting the Ye Family and expressing his hope for a chance to try things with her.
Coupled with his face that closely resembled Yu Xiuzhun’s, Ye Mingmei felt at a loss and kept avoiding him.
When he suddenly mentioned he wanted to propose, and to someone who had waited for him for many years, Ye Mingmei was momentarily bewildered.
If what he said was true, then the person he intended to propose to wasn’t her, but someone else.
Ye Mingmei was utterly confused, "Do you mean, you’re the one who wants to propose?"
"Yes."
"But why do you need my help?" This was the part she couldn’t comprehend.
"That’s why I need to tell Miss Ye a story. Once you hear my story, you’ll understand." Bai Zheng leaned back in his chair, not in a hurry to start, giving Ye Mingmei enough time to digest.
Only when he was sure she could handle what he was about to say did he slowly begin.
"The Bai Family was once an inconspicuous family, who had nothing. It was through the hard work of several generations of family heads that we gradually achieved something. But the more difficult the start, the more cautiously we had to tread, fearing that one misstep could lead to utter ruin. I am the firstborn of the Bai Family and the first descendant to take over the family business, and my only focus was to expand the family legacy. It was under these circumstances that I met her."
"Her?" Ye Mingmei blinked, confused.
"I fell in love with a woman I didn’t even know myself." Bai Zheng’s eyes flickered as he picked up his wine glass and drained it in one go.
As if to restrain his emotions, he drank quickly and fiercely.
Placing the empty glass heavily on the table, he refilled it again, just as he was about to lift it, but Ye Mingmei pressed down on his hand.
"And then? Finish the story first." For some reason, Ye Mingmei found herself captivated by the beginning of this story, a familiar feeling spreading in her heart.
As she looked into Bai Zheng’s eyes, they gradually filled with an emotion, as if searching for something in him.
"She was a very gentle woman. In my eyes, she even seemed a bit weak, always looking at me with deer-like eyes, letting me bully her. I forced her to stay by my side."
Bai Zheng didn’t loosen his grip on the wine glass, and Ye Mingmei didn’t withdraw her hand pressing on his, both seemed to be competing, wrestling with their own memories, the outcome still undecided.
"I once thought that a woman with no opinions or capabilities was only suited to be a plaything, so I never cherished her, trampling on her kindness and gentleness, making her weep with grievance time and again. But I don’t know when it started; my emotions began to be influenced by her, even her every smile and frown began to be stored in my mind. Until she was no longer by my side, I realized that everything about her had seeped into my bones, coursing through my veins with every breath."
"..."
Ye Mingmei’s eyes grew moist, a sour tear pooling in her eyes. Listening to Bai Zheng’s story, scenes from her past with Yu Xiuzhun kept flashing in her mind.
The past was so vivid, her tears suddenly burst forth.
"I’m sorry, I need to go to the restroom..."
Before Ye Mingmei could finish her words, Bai Zheng had already handed her a handkerchief, his eyes deep, "Is it heartache, or are you moved by the story?"
"...Both."
Ye Mingmei took his handkerchief, wiped away her tears, found a reasonable excuse, and her emotions calmed down a bit.
