booktalesy Chapter 131 The Three-Year Agreement
Chapter 131 The Three-Year Agreement
Wu Zhiyuan stood there blankly, silently watching Han Tingting enter the hotel lobby and finally disappear from sight.
Back in his car, he didn't start it, but sat there in a daze.
The faint fragrance of Han Tingting still lingered inside the car.
"A short pain is worse than a long one..." Wu Zhiyuan muttered to himself, as if comforting himself for his resolute decision.
It is not easy to reject a sincere and pure affection, especially when it comes to a girl you grew up with and who is like a younger sister to you.
He knew all too well how much his resolute decision would hurt Han Tingting, but he was also aware that if he gave her a vague hope out of momentary pity, it might cause her even deeper harm in the future.
He couldn't give her the love she wanted; the only thing he could do was to uphold the boundaries of brotherhood and offer her the purest protection and care.
Wu Zhiyuan couldn't help but think of Lin Keke again.
She is the one he has truly been waiting for.
However, it is now difficult to contact Lin Keke, who is currently undergoing training in Beijing.
In a while, she may have to go overseas.
At that time, she will be out of contact.
After a long while, Wu Zhiyuan sighed deeply and took out his phone.
A thousand words stuck in my chest, but ultimately they turned into a few words of concern:
Tingting, are you in your room yet? Get some rest and don't think too much.
No matter what, I will always be your Zhiyuan brother, and I will always care about you and protect you.
I hope you're happy every day. If you're still feeling down, feel free to call me anytime.
After the message was sent, Han Tingting did not reply.
One can imagine that Han Tingting is probably lying on her bed in her room crying right now.
Wu Zhiyuan did not return to his rented room.
With two beautiful women, one older and one younger, around, it's not a good idea for him, a hot-blooded young man, to be with them all the time.
Now, apart from tutoring Xu Yunxi once or twice a week, he tries to avoid going to the rented house.
They either had to sleep at the investigation site or go to Lin Keke's apartment.
As soon as I opened the door to Lin Keke's apartment, a familiar scent greeted me.
Wu Zhiyuan felt empty inside, as if something important was missing.
He took out his phone and dialed Lin Keke's number, but the receiver said: "The user you dialed is temporarily unavailable."
Han Tingting replied to the message.
The message was long, and Wu Zhiyuan read it word by word:
"Brother Zhiyuan, I'm back in my room. I took a hot shower and I feel much better now, so don't worry."
I'm sorry, I lost my temper tonight. I said a lot of silly things and even cried. I'm sure I made you feel bad.
Actually, I already had a pretty good idea of the answer before I even asked you.
I just can't help wanting to hear you say it in person, as if that would finally put my mind at ease.
You're right, you'll always be my Zhiyuan brother, and that's enough.
Honestly, I'm already very lucky and content.
From childhood to adulthood, you have always protected and cared for me. This bond is more precious than anything else.
Don't worry, I won't get stuck on it. I just need a little time to process it.
Just like when you were a child, if you fell down, you would cry for a while, but then you would get up on your own.
You're so busy with work, under so much pressure, and you still have to worry about me. I'm the one who should be apologizing.
Brother Zhiyuan, you don't need to feel any guilt or burden.
Liking you was my own choice, and even if it doesn't work out, I won't regret it.
Being able to say these things made me feel much more relaxed.
You should also take good care of yourself, eat on time, and don't stay up late all the time.
I will try my best to adjust myself, work hard, and live well. I won't let you down.
It's late, you must be tired after a long day, get some rest. Goodnight, Zhiyuan.
Looking at this message, Wu Zhiyuan was deeply troubled.
Between the lines, he understood Han Tingting's maturity, strength, and the sadness she couldn't hide.
Her efforts to appear relaxed and at ease only made him feel more sorry for her.
This silly girl is always thinking of him.
He thought for a long time before replying: Tingting, seeing your message makes me feel much more at ease.
You never need to apologize to me; I'm the one who should be apologizing.
I am truly gratified and proud of you for thinking this way and for being so strong.
Remember, no matter what happens, I'll always be the older brother you can rely on. Get some rest, goodnight.
After sending the message, Han Tingting did not reply.
Perhaps she will need a considerable amount of time to heal.
Just as Wu Zhiyuan was drifting off to sleep, his phone rang.
Upon closer inspection, it was a call from Lin Keke.
He was instantly wide awake and said eagerly, "Coco, I've been waiting for your call for ages! I've been waiting forever!"
Lin Keke's voice was somewhat urgent: "Zhiyuan, let's get to the point."
"Coco, what's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Zhiyuan, the plan has changed. The mission has been moved up. I need to take a flight abroad at midnight to carry out the mission. I'll be at the airport in a bit."
"Where are you going? How long will you be gone?"
"Zhiyuan, don't ask about the details. This is discipline. Maybe he'll come back next year, maybe he'll never come back."
I'm making this call to formally say goodbye. I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I won't even have the chance to say goodbye again.
"Coco, don't say that! I will wait for you! No matter how long it takes, I will wait for you to come back safely!"
Promise me you'll come back safely!
Lin Keke was silent for a few seconds, then said softly, "Zhiyuan, don't be foolish. Waiting is the most unbearable thing to do. You're still young, you shouldn't waste your time on me, it's not worth it!"
If you meet a good girl who truly cares for you, don't hesitate, marry her, and live a peaceful and stable life.
"Coco! There's no question of whether it's worth it or not! Waiting for you was my own choice!"
Just like you said, liking someone is my own choice, and I don't regret it!
I, Wu Zhiyuan, am willing to wait a year, ten years, or even a lifetime for the person I have chosen!
Coco, I don't care where you go, how dangerous the mission is, or how long it takes.
Remember this: in Longcheng, there will always be someone waiting for you to come back safely!
I don't need you to make any arrangements for your funeral. I just want you to promise me that no matter what, you must protect yourself and come back alive! That's my only request!
After a long while, Lin Keke finally spoke: "Okay, then I'll make a promise with you, it'll be for one year."
If a year later you haven't heard from me at all—no phone calls, no letters—then stop waiting.
Find a good girl, get married, have children, and live a peaceful and stable life. Do you hear me?
"A year is too short! Coco, I'm not waiting for a year, I'm waiting for a lifetime! As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I'll wait..."
"Zhiyuan!" Lin Keke interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for argument, "Listen to me! Just one year! This is an agreement, and also an order!"
After a pause, Lin Keke continued, "If a year from now you have absolutely no news from me—no phone calls, no letters, no form of contact—then you must give up!"
Because that would mean I most likely won't be coming back; I've probably gone to another world.
Waiting won't change anything. Even if you grow old alone, it won't change any facts! Understand?
"Coco! I..." Wu Zhiyuan's heart was breaking, and he still wanted to argue.
"No buts! Zhiyuan! The shuttle is downstairs, and I'm about to head to the airport."
Remember my words, our one-year promise! Take care of yourself, live well, goodbye!
Before Wu Zhiyuan could say anything more, Lin Keke had already hung up the phone.