CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 37: BIZARRE RELATIONSHIP

"You go first," Chu Tian glanced at the other person, who seemed to want to say something, and hurriedly yielded the floor.

He had to yield. He had just felt a bit awkward, making conversation for the sake of it. Now that the other person had started talking, of course, he let them speak first.

"Actually, I just wanted to ask if you’re still feeling uncomfortable. Don’t stay up playing games so late in the future; it’s bad for your health."

"Ah haha, I know. I’ll pay attention to that in the future."

Chu Tian fidgeted awkwardly with his toes, truly at a loss for how to respond. The atmosphere felt off, no matter how he looked at it.

He really wanted to say, We’re not that close, are we?

Indeed, they weren’t close. With their souls swapped, how could they be?

The two had hardly exchanged a few words, and they hadn’t spent much time together. It wasn’t natural to be so familiar.

Xu Qingqiu was completely unaware of this. In her heart, the person before her was still the same person from the past—the one with whom she could talk about anything, who supported her, and with whom she strived for their dreams together.

Since that incident, their communication had dwindled, and later on, even the exchange of messages had become scarce.

Had it not been for last year, when she accidentally heard the news and rushed to his house, determined to get him out, they might not have had any contact at all.

It might have even ended with them being worlds apart, one living and one dead.

It’s really hard to say. Considering the state Chu Tian’s predecessor was in last year, how long he could have lived was truly uncertain.

Others might not have understood, but even the current Chu Tian couldn’t bear to delve into those memories.

During university, his predecessor had thought about changing everything with his hard work, believing that even as a mute, he could carve a different path for himself.

But when he sought jobs with his status as an outstanding graduate, half a year and over 1,800 résumés later, after more than 600 interviews, all his efforts ended in failure.

No one who hadn’t been through it could understand the feeling of being constantly struck down or perpetually on the way to the next blow.

The phrases he heard most often were, "Can’t you speak?" "Sorry, you do not meet our recruitment requirements," and "I’m sorry, you’re not quite right for us."

If he encountered particularly ill-mannered people, he would invariably hear various mocking voices.

"A mute applying to be a composer? What were you thinking?" "A mute studying music? Well, that’s a first for me," and so forth.

Amidst countless jeers and sneers, how could he, already struggling with deep-seated insecurity, cope?

Eventually, he had to muster his spirits to publish his compositions online. However, they too sank without a trace. His many submissions elicited no response, failing to cause even the slightest ripple.

This became the final straw that broke the camel’s back, and he completely collapsed.

He drowned his sorrows in alcohol daily, his life dim and boundless, until Xu Qingqiu, just like today, stormed into his home and pulled him out.

"Don’t keep the curtains drawn during the day. May I open them?"

"Sure, sure. I drew them last night and just forgot to open them."

Upon hearing Chu Tian’s response, Xu Qingqiu gave him a surprised look, her heart filled with both astonishment and joy.

It had been a long time since they had such a calm exchange, and what was even more precious was that he was finally willing to open the curtains.

"Your room is too small. Have you considered moving to a larger one?"

Noticing his change, Xu Qingqiu wanted to strike while the iron was hot. At the very least, she wanted to replace his gloomy little room with a more spacious and sunny one. This way, he could at least feel more comfortable living there, rather than hiding in the darkness as before.

She was truly afraid that Chu Tian would revert to his old ways.

Move? Why move?

Chu Tian hadn’t quite grasped the implication.

He felt his current room was quite alright, though small. But he had already been looking for another one. Now that his monthly salary wasn’t insignificant, he had also been planning to move, but what did that have to do with his boss?

"I’m considering it. I’ll take care of moving myself later."

Not understanding what his boss was thinking, Chu Tian could only respond dryly, the strange feeling inside him growing stronger.

This doesn’t seem like a typical boss, right?

It can’t be true, can it—just like my predecessor remembered—that she actually had feelings for him back then? And she still hasn’t forgotten after all these years?

Or was it just my predecessor’s own delusion?

"You’re planning to move? That’s great! Your place here is indeed a bit small and somewhat messy. Let me help you tidy up!"

Hearing that he also planned to move, Xu Qingqiu felt genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.

Just having this thought meant his mindset must have changed.

She couldn’t help but feel happy. Initially, she didn’t understand, but later she heard that depression was very frightening.

She was terrified that Chu Tian would develop depression. By then, it would really be too late to help, so she had been paying close attention to him during this period.

Now, hearing this news felt like receiving some kind of joyful announcement; she was so happy she could fly and couldn’t resist standing up to start tidying his room for him.

No, what’s going on here?

"No need, no need, Boss. Just leave it; I can tidy up myself."

Is there some misunderstanding? You’re a big star and my boss, coming over to clean my place? Are you out of your mind?

"Oh, come on, why be so polite? You’re probably too lazy to tidy up regularly. Let me organize it a bit for you; it’s no trouble at all."

It’s not a problem, but could you please look? Those are socks! You’re putting them in a cup!

These clothes are clean, not dirty laundry. And those unwashed ones don’t need to be hung in the closet.

And that basin is for soaking feet; you can’t put a toothbrush in there...

Chu Tian could only watch helplessly. Ostensibly, his famous boss was helping him clean up, but he was afraid he’d have to do it all over again after she finished.

He really wanted to ask, Have you ever actually done chores before? but he didn’t dare.

Had Xu Qingqiu never done chores? Of course, she had. But in recent years, Yiyi had been taking care of her. Besides, she had never been to Chu Tian’s place before, so how would she know? She was just happy and started gathering everything up haphazardly, without sorting anything.

Just as one was blindly bustling and the other stood dumbfounded, a phone suddenly rang.

"Hello, Sister Hua, what’s up?"

"Qingqiu, where have you been?! Did you forget you have a commercial performance this afternoon? It’s so late, and you still haven’t arrived!"

"Ah? I... I’m on my way..."

"On your way? I called Yiyi, and she said she couldn’t find you. When did you leave?"

"Oh, that... I, uh, I left with Chu Tian. I didn’t see Yiyi then, so I called him to come at the last minute."

As she said this, she looked up at Chu Tian sheepishly and stuck out her tongue.

"Who? Chu Tian?! Alright, it’s fine if he’s with you. Get over there quickly. They’re all ready on their end. Remember to call me if anything comes up, okay?"

"Okay, got it."

After hanging up, Xu Qingqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Within that short minute, she had broken out in a sweat. Fortunately, she was quick-witted enough to come up with such an excuse on the spot.

"Was that Sister Hua?"

"Yes, there’s a commercial performance I forgot about. I need to rush over there now."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s hurry up and go."

Hearing there was something urgent, Chu Tian finally breathed a sigh of relief. If this goddess stayed any longer, he was going to lose his mind. Better hurry.

"Okay, I’m going to have to trouble you to come with me. I left Yiyi at the company, and it’s... well, I’m not too comfortable going alone."

"I know. Let me change my clothes, and I’ll go with you."

Chu Tian instantly understood and readily agreed.

After all, skipping work and dragging the boss along to play assistant for a day? No big deal!