Chapter 29: Chapter 29 - 29 "I only like you.

One month had flown by in the blink of an eye, and with the end of summer vacation, September and the start of school had arrived.

Though Ji Tingyang might’ve been crazy, he still had some sense and didn’t interfere with her studies, so school was the only place where she felt free.

Since the last incident had frightened Wen Li, she had not dared to leave the Ji Family’s residence. Xiao Yu had asked her out several times, but she had always found an excuse to decline.

Now that school was finally starting, Wen Li’s previously listless face had gained a bit of life.

Upon reaching the school, Wen Li ran into Xu Wei, her classmate. They had not been in contact since Wen Li, in a fit of anger, had blocked Xu Wei.

Running into her at school now, Wen Li felt somewhat embarrassed.

Xu Wei was showing off her newly purchased bag to the other students, looking very pleased with herself, “Be careful, this bag is limited to five in the country and its price is six figures. If you damage it, you couldn’t afford to compensate.”

“Your boyfriend is so good to you, buying you such an expensive bag. Hey, Xu Wei, isn’t that dress you’re wearing the latest style from the magazines?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“So you’ve noticed as well, you really have an eye for it.” Hearing the envy in their tone, Xu Wei nearly burst with pride.

She wanted to boast some more when she caught sight of Wen Li walking by them. She quickly called out to her, “Wen Li.”

Wen Li turned around, “What is it?”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken about you and Xiao Yu like that last time. I was blinded by money, thinking it was everything. Only later did I realize that there are things money can’t measure.” Xu Wei clutched her bag and jogged over to Wen Li, her face filled with regret.

Wen Li had thought her friendship with Xu Wei had reached its end, so when Xu Wei apologized, she was taken aback for a moment.

“Can you forgive me?” Xu Wei asked again.

All along, everyone had called her foolish, for not choosing a wealthy and handsome guy, insisting on liking a poor boy instead.

Wen Li comforted herself by saying they simply didn’t understand love, and like fighting against the whole world, she held onto her own thoughts.

But now, Wen Li found that finally, someone was on her side. She was overjoyed, feeling understood at last, and without a second thought, she forgave Xu Wei, no longer overthinking.

The two walked arm in arm to the classroom, chatting about the joyful times they had during the summer holidays.

When the topic turned to gossip, Xu Wei suddenly asked, “Are you still staying with the Ji Family?”

“Yes, Ji Tingyang won’t let me leave. I have to go back after class today,” Wen Li said.

“What right does he have to keep you locked up! It makes me so mad!” Xu Wei said indignantly, “Do you plan to stay there indefinitely?”

“I want to leave, but I have no way out,” Wen Li said with a sorrowful expression.

She had tried many methods before but to no avail.

“If Ji’s goes bankrupt and Ji Tingyang loses his wealth and power, you would then be free!” After pondering for a moment, Xu Wei suddenly had an idea.

“Ji’s has strong finances, it’s not so easy for them to go bankrupt,” Wen Li sighed.

Xu Wei’s eyes rolled as she leaned in and whispered in Wen Li’s ear, “I heard that Ji’s is launching a new energy project with a huge investment. If we can get hold of their project information and expose it to Ji Group’s competitors, Ji Group is certain to suffer greatly. Then Ji Tingyang will be too busy dealing with the company’s troubles to bother with you.”

“That… doesn’t seem right,” Wen Li hesitated.

“What’s not right about it? It’s his just deserts. Are you really planning to be controlled by Ji Tingyang for the rest of your life?” Xu Wei said.

Wen Li bit her lip, her expression troubled, “I, I…”

“Ah, forget it. I was just saying it offhand. Don’t take it to heart,” Xu Wei suddenly changed her serious expression to a smile, “Besides, project information is so confidential, it’s not that easy to get.”

Wen Li breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. “Yeah.”

“Let’s walk faster, or we’re going to be late.”

“Okay.”

——

There weren’t many classes today, and Wen Li finished after just two lessons. But she didn’t want to go back yet, and wandered around the campus leisurely.

She opened Xiao Yu’s chat page, wanting to ask him what he was doing and thinking about finding him.

As if fated, before she could send the typed message, she heard Xiao Yu’s voice.

“Take this money for now. Even though it’s not the full amount, I will pay you back slowly.”

“No need, I’m not in a hurry. You can take the money back and give it to me when you have more in the future.”

Wen Li followed the voices and saw a girl trailing behind Xiao Yu, constantly saying something.

Wen Li recognized the girl, her name was Ji Yuqiao, Xiao Yu’s classmate. Even though Xiao Yu always treated her coldly, she persisted, hanging around him relentlessly.

Xiao Yu had clearly stated that he disliked Ji Yuqiao.

So why was Xiao Yu with her now, talking and laughing, and even giving her money?

Feeling a twinge of unease, Wen Li instinctively walked over and interrupted their conversation, “Xiao Yu…”

Upon seeing Wen Li, Xiao Yu’s tightly pressed lips curved up slightly. “Wen Li, did you just finish class?”

“Mhm, I saw you and came over,” Wen Li said, looking at him and Ji Yuqiao. She added shyly, “Did I interrupt you? I can wait over there if you want.”

Ji Yuqiao rolled her eyes in secret.

If you know you’re interrupting, then don’t come over.

“You didn’t interrupt. I just owed her some money and was paying her back,” Xiao Yu hastily explained, fearing she might misunderstand.

“Ah? Do you have enough money? Let me pay her back for you,” Wen Li said, flipping open her small purse.

“There’s no need.” To her surprise, Xiao Yu and Ji Yuqiao responded in unison.

Ji Yuqiao turned to Wen Li with a tone full of hostility. “It’s Xiao Yu who owes me. Who are you to him to pay it back for him?”

Xiao Yu also had his pride; he couldn’t allow the girl he liked to pay back his debt. “Keep your money. I can pay it back slowly by myself.”

Rebuked by both of them, the smile that often graced Wen Li’s lips stiffened, and her expression soured. “I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay, I know you meant well.” Xiao Yu stepped forward and took her hand.

Seeing their fingers intertwined, Ji Yuqiao’s expression darkened instantly; she had always known that Xiao Yu liked this gentle girl in front of her.

At this moment, watching the two of them together so intimately, her heart felt as though it was being squeezed.

“I just remembered I haven’t finished my homework. I have to go,” Ji Yuqiao made up an excuse and turned to leave.

Watching Ji Yuqiao’s retreating figure, Wen Li bit her lip. “She seems to really like you…”

Xiao Yu’s grip on her hand tightened, his eyes fixed only on her. “I’ve told you before, the only person I like is you.”

Hearing his declaration again, Wen Li’s cheeks flushed with color.