Chapter 2144: I Want to Protect You

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Li Gui knew that this was happening because there were some despicable people who could not bear to see her doing well and were deliberately slandering her. The problem was that those people did not tell lies, but propagated half-truths. All those things had indeed happened, but not as badly as they made it out to be. However, if she stepped forward to explain herself, it would only make things worse.

For the next few days, Li Gui rejected Xu Ba and did not accept any invitations from him. It was not until Xu Ba came looking for her three days in a row that Li Gui opened the door for him. Even then, she did not dare to look him in the face.

“The weather is very good today. I hear that there are many colorful lights in the park in the south. Let’s go there and take a look,” Xu Ba said in a gentle tone.

“I’m sorry, but let’s not contact each other in the future. We’re not suitable for each other,” Li Gui said.

“Are you rejecting me because of the recent gossip?” Xu Ba asked.

Li Gui looked at Xu Ba in surprise. She did not expect him to ask her this question so directly. At the same time, she was also curious about how he had heard the gossip and about how much he knew.

Xu Ba seemed to sense Li Gui’s confusion and explained, “On the first day when I came to pick you up, someone had already told me about all these things. I know everything.”

Xu Ba not only knew about Li Gui being held captive in the Zhao Family Village, but he also knew about Li Gui’s past in Foshan Village and those dishonest things that Qiao Yu had done in this house.

Since the gossip had been spreading around in the alley, there must be someone doing it on purpose. Li Gui had indeed rejected Xu Ba because of what the people outside were saying. After the amount of time they spent together, she already knew that he held a position as a district mayor. If she continued dating him, it would cause him to suffer negative comments too.

“If you keep quiet, then I’ll take it that you agree with me. I don’t care about these things. Or rather, I should say that I don’t believe what they say. Perhaps all these things did happen, but it’s definitely not because of you that things ended up like this. It’s all that man’s fault,” Xu Ba said.

This was the first time Li Gui had heard someone say something like this to her. It was also the first time that someone other than her family members believed so firmly in her and chose to stand by her. She could not help but fall for Xu Ba.

“Thank you for being willing to believe me,” Li Gui said, feeling touched.

Xu Ba took a step towards Li Gui and said with heartache for her, “What happened in the past is in the past. We have to cherish the life we have now. Will you let me protect you from now on?”

Li Gui instantly blushed. How could Xu Ba say such a mushy thing in broad daylight! Li Gui had never even heard such sweet nothings whispered to her in the privacy of her room.

She closed the door and ran back into the house, leaving Xu Ba standing alone outside the door in a daze. Qiao Mei witnessed everything that had just happened. She did not expect Xu Ba to be such a person, but she did not dislike the fact. A person like Li Gui, who was introverted and had an inferiority complex, needed to be wooed in such a bold manner.

“Mr. Xu, do you want to come in and have a seat?” Qiao Mei asked as she stood by the backyard door.

This was the second time Xu Ba met Qiao Mei. They only saw each other briefly the last time. At that time, he felt that those rumors about Qiao Mei were not without reason and must be true. In fact, those rumors did not manage to describe her to the fullest.

Qiao Mei’s beauty, intelligence and capability were all more intense than what those people could imagine.

“Sure.” After saying that, Xu Ba followed Qiao Mei into the courtyard.

The Xu family’s old residence was a little bigger than Qiao Mei’s siheyuan courtyard house. After all, this was a family whose ancestors were top scholars and they had been quite well-to-do. However, when it came to Xu Ba’s generation, there was only one house left. The house’s structure and fitout had already aged drastically and it was far from being as exquisite as Qiao Mei’s house.

Qiao Mei respected Xu Ba very much and did not just offer him a seat in the backyard. She brought Xu Ba all the way to the study in the front part of the house to sit down for a discussion. Along the way, Xu Ba caught sight of many antiques and he could tell at a glance that these were all made by famous masters.

It was not until he entered Qiao Mei’s study that he realized that the things outside were actually “worthless” in Qiao Mei’s eyes. The real good stuff was all in this room!

“This vase was made by a famous master and has been around for more than 600 years. I wouldn’t have expected you to keep it in such a pristine condition,” Xu Ba said as he looked at the porcelain vase on Qiao Mei’s bookshelf.

“I didn’t expect Mr. Xu to be so knowledgeable about such things,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.