“Actually, you don’t necessarily have to attend this board meeting,” Fang Zhixing said, still uneasy even as they sat in the conference room. “It’s just a formality anyway. You could have just sent an email authorizing me to vote on your behalf.”
He pleaded earnestly, but Xiao Fengtai remained deaf to his advice. Instead, he silently switched on the camera. When his own face suddenly appeared on the large screen, Fang Zhixing jumped, his long legs kicking out as he scooted his rolling chair out of the camera’s range.
“Can you hear me? Huayu is online,” Xiao Fengtai said, ignoring Fang Zhixing’s grimace of dissatisfaction. He pulled the small microphone toward him. “Kenneth and Fang Zhixing are on the line.”
The screen for Huaqing was a mess of distorted code, but fortunately, the audio connection was clear. “Hello, President Xiao, President Fang. This is Li Qianqian from Huaqing. President Jiang and I are online. Please wait a moment; we have two other institutions dialing in.”
It was a young woman’s voice, trembling slightly with nerves. Xiao Fengtai searched his memory—there had been a short girl by Jiang Tong’s side, with long curly hair and a slender frame... what did she look like again?
Xiao Fengtai let out a low, self-mocking chuckle. In such a short time, he couldn't even remember the face of Jiang Tong’s subordinate.
The screen suddenly went black, and when it flickered back to life, the image had stabilized. Xiao Fengtai looked up instinctively and was caught off guard as his eyes met Jiang Tong’s.
Jiang Tong froze for a second, then offered him a smile. He looked to be in excellent spirits.
Xiao Fengtai’s spine stiffened, and he reflexively turned his head away.
Fang Zhixing reached out a long arm and muted the microphone.
“You can still leave now,” he whispered to Xiao Fengtai, his back to the camera.
Xiao Fengtai coldly snatched the microphone back. “One more word and your bonus for next year is zero.”
*It’s just a formality,* he repeated silently to himself. *Raise my hand twice, sign a document, then hang up. It’s just a thirty-minute video conference. It’s no big deal.*
...How long had it been since he last heard his voice?
“Thank you to all our investors for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this board meeting,” Jiang Tong began, his voice breaking through Xiao Fengtai’s thoughts. “The agenda for this meeting was sent out via email in advance. Before we begin the vote, I have a few words I would like to say to everyone.”
“Due to reasons well known to all, Huaqing has recently...” He lowered his head, pausing for a moment to choose his words carefully, “encountered some trouble regarding public relations.”
“Many investors who care about Huaqing have expressed their concerns through various channels, and the company clarified the false rumors immediately. Taking this opportunity today, I want to emphasize first that I, as well as Huaqing’s core management team, have never—and will never—seek any improper benefits during the financing process.”
“Secondly, I am very pleased to tell everyone that despite the constant rumors in the market, all internal work at Huaqing has been progressing in an orderly fashion. In terms of R&D, we have initiated Phase I clinical trials for CD30 and Phase III for BTK27. Additionally, three pipeline products are in the pre-clinical stage, and one is about to file for an IND. Regarding marketing, we are currently searching for a head of sales and plan to assemble a 50-person promotion team by the end of this year to begin warming up for the market launch of BTK27.”
Xiao Fengtai stared at Jiang Tong, lost in thought. He looked truly wonderful—his complexion was healthy, his eyes were bright and spirited, and he even seemed to have put on a little weight. Looking directly into the lens, his gaze was candid and gentle, a trace of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he spoke.
Had that argument outside the bar that night really happened? Xiao Fengtai felt a surge of daze, suddenly feeling as though the entire event was a drunken hallucination. He couldn't connect the man who had held onto him under the neon green lights with the Jiang Tong on the screen. When he closed his eyes, Jiang Tong’s expression from that night was still vivid; he could feel the numbness in his arm from being gripped so tightly, the scent of tequila in the air. The sharp pain in the man’s eyes had seemed to transform into an invisible sword, piercing straight into Xiao Fengtai’s heart.
“...However, it is undeniable that this entire incident was triggered by my personal affairs, and it has indeed had a certain impact on Huaqing’s reputation,” Jiang Tong’s voice pulled him back to reality. “I fully understand everyone’s concerns, and the team has held several internal meetings to discuss this.”
“As of today, Huaqing’s product R&D and commercialization are on the right track. With the CD30 clinical trials underway, my personal role in product advancement has actually become quite limited.”
“Therefore, to fully respect and balance the opinions of the existing shareholders, I will abstain from this vote,” Jiang Tong said slowly. “If the votes in favor of me leaving my management position constitute an absolute majority, I will resign as CEO and Chief Scientist of Huaqing, retaining only my existing shares. After the company’s management team has successfully completed its restructuring, I will no longer participate in any of Huaqing’s strategic decisions, including financing, R&D, or commercialization.”
Xiao Fengtai snapped his head up.
Just as he was about to move, Fang Zhixing beat him to it, snatching the microphone and yanking out the power cord.
“The two of you only have one relationship right now: investor and founder,” he warned Xiao Fengtai in a low voice. “Don’t do anything unnecessary.”
Xiao Fengtai didn't hear him. He pulled out his phone and began dialing.
“Think clearly about your position!” Fang Zhixing said sharply. “What can you possibly say to him once the call goes through?”
Xiao Fengtai’s finger froze over the screen.
Fang Zhixing softened his tone. “This was Jiang Tong’s decision. Huaqing discussed it internally. Since he dared to take this risk, he must have understood the consequences.”
“You don’t understand,” Xiao Fengtai said with a bitter smile. “It’s all my fault.”
In a sudden flash of insight, the man’s urgent, earnest plea seemed to echo in his ears once more. This time, he finally understood the subtext of Jiang Tong’s words.
*“I will prove it to you. We won’t repeat the mistakes of ten years ago.”*
*“I am sorry for hurting you ten years ago. I know you won’t believe me easily. But... please give me a little confidence. Even if you have no confidence, please give me a little time.”*
Xiao Fengtai slumped back, letting the chair take his full weight. After all the twists and turns, they had always been stuck at that two-person table by the window in the university’s Western restaurant ten years ago. Only this time, it was his turn to sit at the other end of the table.
He had loved Jiang Tong so passionately back then that he had overwhelmed him, causing him to flee. After ten years of winding paths, they had finally met again, and Jiang Tong had finally responded to his expectations—but Xiao Fengtai had learned to be cautious, to weigh pros and cons. He no longer possessed the courage he had back then.
Now, he finally believed Jiang Tong. But this trust had come too late. An old scar had healed, only for a new wound to tear open across the tender skin, cut deeper and longer, dripping with blood.
If Jiang Tong really left Huaqing because of him... Xiao Fengtai buried his face in his hands. What had he done?
“The voting will now begin,” the girl with the long curly hair said, her expression a mix of wanting to smile but being unable to. “Please cast your votes on your computers within the next ten minutes. Votes cast after the deadline will be void.”
The screen went dark, and an automated screensaver began to scroll. The small conference room fell into silence.
“Here,” Fang Zhixing said, pushing the laptop in front of Xiao Fengtai. “Make your own decision.”
He cut Xiao Fengtai off before he could speak. “I told you, you were the one who pushed him away first this time. I shouldn't have to explain the concept of 'no regrets once the move is made' again.”
“Huaqing reaching this point is his choice, and it’s your choice. This is the last thing you can do—accept reality like a man and stop whining and making yourself regret it.”
Even before Jiang Tong had decided to abstain, the party hiding in the shadows had insisted on calling this board meeting; they must have been fully prepared. From Fang Zhixing’s perspective, the situation was already beyond saving.
*People in love... they just love to court disaster.*
He looked at the despondent Xiao Fengtai and sighed quietly.
Time ticked away second by second. Knowing Xiao Fengtai as he did, Fang Zhixing expected that even if he knew the outcome was settled, he should at least put up a deathbed struggle—try to make a few calls to other board members he was familiar with. However, the young man just sat motionless at the table, his eyelashes lowered, his lips pressed into a straight line. His fingers hovered over the keyboard like a lifeless marble statue.
“Three minutes left,” Fang Zhixing finally felt compelled to remind him. “Just do what you can first.”
Xiao Fengtai looked up as if waking from a dream, staring fixedly at Fang Zhixing. The latter suddenly felt a chill down his spine; Xiao Fengtai’s eyes were terrifyingly bright—the look of someone who had made a firm, monumental decision.
“You’re wrong,” he said directly. “Regardless of the voting results, this will not be our end.”
He pressed the voting key.
“Time is up.” The screen lit up again, and the curly-haired girl pressed a timer. “Late votes are void. We will now begin tallying the votes.”
“Jiang Tong: Abstain.”
Xiao Fengtai unlocked his phone. The confession he had opened and closed countless times at midnight, the words he had agonized over until dawn without knowing how to begin, suddenly poured out from his fingertips.
*I’m sorry.*
The girl’s voice continued: “Dexin: Oppose.”
*You were right, I was afraid. I was afraid of public opinion, afraid of the gossip in the company, afraid of standing against my father... afraid of being abandoned by you again. I have no right to condemn you for being a coward; I am more afraid of the things you fear than you are. I didn't even dare to try one more time.*
“Jia Shi Capital: Favor.”
*The one I am most afraid of is myself. I’m afraid that I really will fall in love with you all over again.*
“Boteng Asset Management: Favor.”
*It’s been ten years. I’ve done a lot of ridiculous things in these ten years, to the point where I can’t even remember what love feels like. Looking back, love didn't bring me any benefits—just a tiny bit of happiness and the rest was all pain. Four years of grievance, anger, sleepless nights... when I think of you, my heart tightens. When I was younger, I didn't know what that feeling was, so I convinced myself that I hated you.*
“Fangda Holdings: Favor.”
*But I’ve finally figured it out now. That is love. Liking someone is a dizzy, drunken happiness; only love brings pain. I’ve liked many people in these ten years, but I’ve only ever loved you.*
*If it’s not too late, I want you to come back.*
“Huayu Capital: Oppose.”
He typed without stopping for a moment, fearing that if he slowed down, the words would slip away from his mind.
*I was wrong that day. Love is not a useless thing. Without love, I seem to be able to live, even appear happy. But only I know that something is wrong. It’s as if there is a transparent membrane between me and the world; nothing is enough, everything is just a superficial taste. I’m alive, but I’m like a ghost. The past is pale, and the future has no hope. You are the bridge connecting my senses to this world.*
“Zhonghe Group: Oppose.”
*I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. As long as you can forgive me, I’ll say it as many times as it takes. I mocked you, despised you, and blamed you for leaving without a word back then, yet I let go of your hand out of the same cowardice. Can you give me one more chance?*
“Puli Capital: Favor.”
*It’s because I didn't dare to believe in you again that we reached this point today. Regardless of the voting results today, can we start over? If you leave Huaqing, I’ll stay with you and start from scratch. You were right, we’ve both grown up. As long as we can be firm, no one can easily pull us apart.*
*Teacher Jiang, I was wrong. Are you willing to forgive me one more time?*
The girl’s voice tallying the votes suddenly paused for a moment.
“Linden Capital... Abstain!”
Xiao Fengtai closed his eyes and pressed send.
“...Fuck.” Fang Zhixing stared at the large screen and cursed under his breath in disbelief.
“...What happened?” Xiao Fengtai’s eyes were focused on his phone; he hadn't noticed the voting results at all and only asked casually. However, his vision went dark as Fang Zhixing lunged over and yanked him up from his chair. “The sun has risen in the west! The motion didn't pass! Jiang Tong actually gets to stay!”
Xiao Fengtai still couldn't quite process it. “...What did you say?”
Fang Zhixing looked at him with disdain. “Weren't you listening to the tally? Linden Capital, the second-largest shareholder who came in during the Series C round, abstained. Now, with us and a few small shareholders combined, the 'oppose' votes are the majority. Jiang Tong really is staying.”
“I saw them initiate the vote with such confidence, I thought for sure they had Linden in their pocket. I didn't expect them to abstain at the last minute.”
Fang Zhixing opened his phone to search for a name. “The person in charge of the Huaqing project at Linden seems to be named Gu Yu. He studied in the UK before too. Do you know him?”
But Xiao Fengtai didn't have the capacity to pay attention to him. His phone was buzzing on the table. He grabbed it and, with trembling fingers, answered the call.
There was a lot of background noise on the other end. Jiang Tong’s voice was hurried, punctuated by the sound of footsteps and heavy breathing. “I’m heading out now. Give me half an hour to get to your building.”
The breath he had been holding finally escaped his chest. Xiao Fengtai couldn't help but laugh out loud, feeling his cheeks flush and his heart thumping like he was a teenager again. “Shall we have dinner tonight? There’s still a lot to do since the vote just ended. Don’t come over yet.”
“I can’t wait that long,” Jiang Tong said softly. “I’m afraid you’ll change your mind again.”
“How could I—” Xiao Fengtai chuckled, then a bit of mischief rose in him. “What if I do change my mind?”
Jiang Tong choked for a moment, then regained his composure. “Then I’ll pursue you all over again. If once isn't enough, then twice. If twice isn't enough, then three times. I’ll do whatever it takes until you believe me.”
Xiao Fengtai raised an eyebrow. “I don’t like clingy men.”
Jiang Tong gave a low laugh. “But you like me.”
“The car is almost here. I won’t say more. See you in a bit.” He hurriedly cut off Xiao Fengtai’s unuttered rebuttal. “Kenneth, I love you.”
The call ended. A mechanical dial tone came from the receiver. Fang Zhixing was still noisy at his side, but Xiao Fengtai put down his phone. He gazed blankly out the window. Like a drowning person suddenly rescued, his body was back on the shore, but his brain was still immersed in the moment of desperate sinking; looking at his surroundings was like looking through frosted glass—blurry and lacking a sense of reality.
The morning mist had dissipated, and the city skyline was bathed in brilliant sunlight. The sky was as clear as if it had been washed, and a streak of green mountains was faintly visible in the distance.
The love and hate they had poured everything into as youths, the ten years they had spent apart due to a twist of fate, the longing buried so deep that neither had noticed it... Meeting again, being attracted once more, still arguing, doubting, having moments of weakness and hesitation. Fortunately, they had not wasted their time. Through the long, long ordeal, like water dripping through stone, they had finally become stronger, more composed people.
Ahead lay thorns and hardships. But at this moment, having broken through the siege, their hands gripped tightly together. The warmth and comfort in their palms would be enough to let them support each other, side by side, for a long, long time.
*I love you too.*
Xiao Fengtai spoke softly, very softly, to the new day slowly beginning outside the window.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 霖顿资本 | Linden Capital | An investment firm/shareholder in Huaqing. |
| 唱票 | Tallying the votes | Literally "singing the votes," the act of announcing each vote aloud. |
| 顾羽 | Gu Yu | The representative from Linden Capital. |
| CD30 / BTK27 | CD30 / BTK27 | Specific drug pipelines or clinical trial identifiers. |
| IND | IND | Investigational New Drug (application). |
| 首席科学家 | Chief Scientist | Jiang Tong's technical title at Huaqing. |
| 德信 | Dexin | One of the institutional investors. |
| 嘉世资本 | Jia Shi Capital | One of the institutional investors. |
| 博腾资管 | Boteng Asset Management | One of the institutional investors. |
| 方达控股 | Fangda Holdings | One of the institutional investors. |
| 中和集团 | Zhonghe Group | One of the institutional investors. |
| 普利资本 | Puli Capital | One of the institutional investors. |
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
Worlds Apart | Chapter 79 | The Bridge of Senses | Novela.app | Novela.app
