Han Qingâs body trembled. She smiled faintly, âWhat consequences? Ha! Do you think there could be anything more unbearable than losing him?â
The man furrowed his brows, his fingers clenching tight in his pocket. After a long pause, he finally said, âFend for yourself!â Then, he stood up and left.
Han Qing continued to sit there, facing the vast expanse of sky outside the window. It seemed as if her heart had been hollowed out too.
Whatâs four years of silence or six years of waiting? They donât really matter as long as thereâs someone worth staying or waiting for. Then, life wouldnât feel aimless.
Yinchu, Iâve poured out my heart to you, Iâve given it all. Why havenât you ever looked back at me?
I love you, and thatâs why you can hurt me.
But you love Nanxi. What should I do?
If Gu Nanxi did not appear, would I have become the most important woman in his life? Could I have been Lu Yinchuâs wife?
I would, wouldnât I? I know it!
So, whatâs wrong with trying to reclaim the position that was originally mine?
I am right, arenât I?
Abruptly, her cellphone rang. It took Han Qing a good while to steady her emotions before picking it up. She raised an eyebrow, then answered the call, âHello?â
âHey, chick, Han Wengang, thatâs your father, right?â
A strangerâs voice came through, frivolous and arrogant, which irritated Han Qing profoundly.
Her eyes fluttered, she demanded, âWho are you?â
â¦
Nanxi hopped into the taxi, ready to go straight home. She felt exhausted and didnât want to go anywhere except home.
She purchased some groceries from the supermarket near her home for dinner, not knowing if Lu Yinchu would be working late or entertaining.
After some thought, Nanxi dialed Lu Yinchuâs number. A swift answer on the other end left her feeling dazed and unprepared.
âYouâre⦠not busy?â
âHmm, not at the moment. Just taking a break⦠Whatâs up?â His voice was as soothing as jade, the sweetest music to her ears.
âNothing!â Nanxi shook her head, âI just wanted to ask⦠Will you be home for dinner tonight?â
âYes.â His laugh echoed through the phone. His voice warm and gentle as if softened by water, causing Nanxiâs heart to flutter, âHow could I bear to let you eat alone?â
ââ¦â Nanxi was silent, basking in this emotion. This was the feeling of loving Lu Yinchu and being loved in return. She loved this feeling.
Yes, she loves Lu Yinchu. Hence, she should trust him. She shouldnât let anything falter her trust in him, no matter what.
As for the future, if she couldnât hold onto Lu Yinchu, it would be her incompetence. The world may be unpredictable, but some things are eternal. She should believe in this eternity.
Nanxi bit her lip and finally spoke, âLu Yinchu, actually, I have something I want to tell youâ¦â
The man on the other end hummed to prompt her, âWhat is it?â
Nanxi informed him about her lunch with Han Qing earlier today.
âLu Yinchu, I didnât come to tattle on her. I just think itâs better to speak openly about certain things, rather than hiding them. Thatâs why I met her. I didnât tell you because I felt that there were some things I could handle on my own. I canât always grow under your protection. I need to learn to grow up myself, so donât be mad at me, okay?â
Lu Yinchuâs response was measured, âIâm not mad, Nanxi. You did the right thing and handled it well. My Nanxi is growing up, that makes me happy.â
âDonât talk as if I am still a child. I am only doing what I think is right,â Nanxi blushed.
âYes, I know. Nanxi, remember, no matter what happens in the future, you only need to trust me. Assess other people and things based on your own experiences and wisdom. Donât be fooled or let irrelevant people trouble or worry you, understand?â
âI understand, of course, I do! But Lu Yinchu, for many things, I still have my doubts and insecurities. I donât know how to express them. I do want to trust you. Honestly, I never meant to doubt you. You have to trust me!â
Lu Yinchu sighed, âNanxi, many things⦠I know you have doubts, and I havenât explained them to you because they have little to do with me. But, I will give you a chance to get to know me. We have a long future ahead of us. You will be the one who understands me the most, just as I am the one who understands you the most.â
Nanxi pursed her lips, a light sense of melancholy in her heart was eased by Lu Yinchuâs words.
Actually, she wanted to give him a hug, wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, whisper in his ear that she loves himâ¦
But over the phone, her reservation and helplessness began to cast a shadow. She sighed to herself, feeling feeble and pathetic.
But she didnât want Lu Yinchu to notice anything. She mustered her energy and said to the Lu Yinchu on the other end, âOkay, I understand. You get back to work! I⦠Iâll hang up!â
Lu Yinchu responded, âHmm, hang up.â
â¦
In the corner near the supermarket, inside a white phantom car.
The man hung up the call, his gaze lingering on the petite woman hailing a cab nearby. His thin lips tightened, his gaze growing sharper.
Mo Yan, sitting in the front seat, frowned. He couldnât help but say, âBoss Lu, thereâs something I donât quite understand.â
âWhat is it you donât understand?â
Mo Yan said nothing.
The man laughed, âAre you thinking I should have stopped her from meeting Han Qing? But what purpose would that serve? Even if I banished Han Qing from H City forever, would it change anything? Can you guarantee after preventing an incident once, there wonât be a second or third time? Can you ensure after getting rid of one Han Qing, there wonât be a second or third Han Qing in the future?â
Lu Yinchuâs gaze sharpened, and a faint smile formed on his lips. But it didnât reach his eyes.
âI donât interfere because Iâm very clear that the issue between her and me was never about Han Qing⦠Besides, if she trusts me, no matter what Han Qing says, she will trust me. If she doesnât trust me, even if Han Qing says nothing, she will still doubt me.â
âBut Han Qing might hurt Madam,â Mo Yan interjected.
âThatâs okay, Iâm here to protect her! As long as Iâm around, I wonât let anyone have the chance to hurt her, no one!â
The manâs voice was grim, surprising Mo Yan. He asked, âSo now? Does Madam trust you or not?â
âShe does.â His voice was steady, but a trace of sadness momentarily flashed across his face, nearly imperceptible, âBut, she doesnât trust herself.â
[Apologies for the delay. I previously mentioned that Iâd deal with Han Qing this month, but plans have changed. I can only deal with her after all secrets about the fishtail ring and pendant have been revealed. Please bear with me. Keep voting, trust me, Han Qingâs end is near.]