Chapter 447 Meeting Zhang Long
As for Cuicui, it was also a past that he could not let go of. He and Zhang Long were good friends, and Cuicui was Zhang Long's beloved girl. At that time, they were young and full of energy, and had infinite visions for the future. However, the trajectory of fate gradually deviated. In the tide of life, he and Zhang Long gradually became estranged, and he also lost contact with Cuicui. He didn't know what Cuicui had experienced over the years, and whether she still resented him. But he knew that he had to find her, even if it was just to say sorry.
The wind whistled past the car window, as if telling stories of the past. Qi Tongwei's thoughts drifted back to his college days, when he was full of ideals and wanted to make a name for himself through his own efforts. He studied hard in the library day and night and sweated on the playground, just to change the fate of himself and his family one day.
However, reality dealt him a heavy blow. When he was assigned a job after graduation, he was treated unfairly. Those classmates with connections and backgrounds went to good units, but he was assigned to a remote place. From then on, his mentality began to change. He was unwilling to let his efforts be buried like this.
In the days that followed, he did many things that went against his original intention in order to climb up. He married Liang Lu, a woman he did not love, just to take advantage of her father's power. He maneuvered cautiously in the officialdom and gradually lost himself.
And now, in the process of searching for Cuicui, he seemed to be searching for the innocent self he once was. He knew that some things were hard to get back once they were lost, but he still wanted to try hard.
As the car continued to move forward, Qi Tongwei's eyes became firm. He decided that after returning to Handong, he would re-examine his life. He would spend more time with his father and fulfill his filial duty. He would also continue to look for Cuicui and untie the knot in his heart.
When the car drove into the urban area of Handong, familiar high-rise buildings came into view. But at this moment, Qi Tongwei no longer had the same eagerness and excitement as before. He knew that although this place had his career and his family, it was also full of temptations and traps.
At this time, Qi Tongwei thought of Gao Yuliang, this crucial person.
So, with mixed feelings, he bought some gifts and went to Gao Yuliang's residence. Along the way, he was constantly struggling and thinking. He knew that this trip might reveal many past events and might also put himself in a more complicated situation, but in order to find Cuicui, he decided to give it a try.
Arriving at Gao Yuliang's door, Qi Tongwei took a deep breath, then raised his hand and knocked on the door. The door opened, and Gao Xiaofeng appeared at the door. Seeing Qi Tongwei, Gao Xiaofeng was slightly stunned, and then a smile appeared on her face, "Tongwei, why are you here? Come in." Qi Tongwei walked into the house and saw Gao Yuliang sitting in the living room reading a book.
"Secretary Yuliang." Qi Tongwei greeted respectfully. Gao Yuliang raised his head, glanced at him, and nodded, "Tongwei is here, please sit down." Qi Tongwei put the gift aside and sat on the sofa. For a moment, the atmosphere was a little subtle.
"Tongwei, what are you doing here today?" Gao Xiaofeng asked softly, breaking the silence. Qi Tongwei looked at Gao Xiaofeng, then at Gao Yuliang, hesitated for a moment and said, "Xiaofeng, I want to find Gao Xiaoqin. I think she may know something about Cuicui." Gao Xiaofeng heard Cuicui's name, and a trace of doubt flashed in her eyes.
"Cuicui? Who is she?" Gao Xiaofeng asked. Qi Tongwei briefly told her about Cuicui. Gao Yuliang listened at the side without saying anything. Gao Xiaofeng frowned and thought for a while, "I haven't contacted Xiaoqin for a long time, since... those things happened. But I can try to help you find her contact information."
Qi Tongwei nodded gratefully. Gao Xiaofeng got up to get her phone and started dialing some numbers to inquire. Qi Tongwei sat there, feeling a little uneasy. Gao Yuliang put down the book, looked at Qi Tongwei and said, "Tongwei, some things are over, don't be too obsessed." Qi Tongwei smiled bitterly, "Secretary Yuliang, I know, but there are some things I must clarify."
After a while, Gao Xiaofeng came over and shook her head, "I didn't ask for Xiaoqin's contact information, but I know she had a friend who may know her whereabouts. I'll give you an address and you can go ask." Qi Tongwei took the address, thanked Gao Xiaofeng and Gao Yuliang again, and left.
According to the address, Qi Tongwei came to an old residential area. He found the family and knocked on the door. A middle-aged woman opened the door. After Qi Tongwei explained his purpose, the middle-aged woman looked at him warily. "I can't tell you Xiaoqin's news casually. Who are you?" Qi Tongwei patiently explained, and the middle-aged woman's attitude eased a little.
"I don't know where Xiaoqin is now, but I heard that she seems to have gone to a city in the south to do business, but I don't know which city it is." The middle-aged woman said. Qi Tongwei was a little disappointed, but he still thanked the middle-aged woman.
He walked on the street and felt that he was getting further away from Cuicui. He began to recall Gao Xiaoqin's feelings for him. At that time, Gao Xiaoqin always paid attention to him silently with admiration in her eyes. But he was only pursuing power and status at that time and turned a blind eye to Gao Xiaoqin's feelings. Thinking about it now, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
But at this time, Qi Tongwei thought of Zhang Long again.
So, he set out on the road to Yulong Town with a glimmer of hope. Along the way, he felt heavy-hearted and anxious. The scenery outside the window flashed by like a slide show, but he had no intention of appreciating it. Zhang Long's appearance and the time they had spent together kept appearing in his mind.
When we arrived at Yulong Town, the town was shrouded in a layer of mist, exuding a tranquil and somewhat bleak atmosphere. Qi Tongwei followed the address he had inquired about and walked through the narrow alleys. The walls were covered with moss, and the stone pavement under his feet was a little slippery. He finally found Zhang Long's home, which was a slightly shabby courtyard.
Qi Tongwei stood at the door, took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened and a haggard man appeared in front of him. When Zhang Long saw Qi Tongwei, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by a complex emotion of guilt and helplessness.
"Tongwei, why are you here?" Zhang Long's voice was a little hoarse.
Qi Tongwei looked at him and said, "Zhang Long, I'm looking for Cuicui. I think maybe you know where she is."
Zhang Long lowered his head and was silent for a while, then stepped aside to let Qi Tongwei in. The furnishings in the house were simple and old, and there was a faint smell of mold.
"Please sit down." Zhang Long pointed to the stool beside him.
After Qi Tongwei sat down, he looked at Zhang Long and said, "Zhang Long, how have you been these years?"