Chapter 1378 - So-Called Love and Hate 6

In the fourth staff canteen, Dongfang Liuyun brought Qi Lei the dishes that she had ordered. Both sets were the same with equal portions of meat and vegetables.

Dongfang Liuyun was the kind of eater who needed meat. Besides that, she was a little picky and did not quite like strong-smelling foods. She liked some alcohol, but right now in this situation, she clearly could not order any.

Dongfang Liuyun handed Qi Lei a pair of chopsticks as she said, “I met Principal Xi and Chairman Mu a while back, and I heard about your situation briefly from them. I was abroad at that time, but since you’re fine, then there’s no need to bring up these unhappy things anymore.”

Qi Lei’s handsome brows raised as he accepted the chopsticks. Upon hearing her say that, he could not help but glance at her and whine a little unhappily, “Since you know about what happened to me, why didn’t you seem more stirred up earlier? I did just get a new lease of life after a harrowing encounter, so as a friend, shouldn’t you show your concern? Dongfang Liuyun, you really are the most heartless woman I’ve ever met!”

Dongfang Liuyun, who had picked up her food and was about to stuff in it her mouth, was stunned upon hearing his complaint. She looked up in surprise and stared at him. After a while, she smiled calmly. “It’s greatly fortunate that you’re fine. Even if I expressed any concern, it wouldn’t change anything, would it? Besides, do you think you’re such a delicate person?”

“Delicate? Did you just call me delicate?” Qi Lei frowned and squinted at her.

“You are more delicate than the typical person. Once you’ve experienced more of life and death, you’ll find that this was nothing. Once you go through some things, you’ll understand more. I think that your calamity this time might not have been a bad thing. At least, now that I look at you, you seem different from before. That’s what you’ve reaped,” she said. She thought about it, then put the drumstick on her plate into his. “This drumstick is to encourage you. Here you go.”

Second Master Qi could not help but feel defeated. Why was it that every time when he was with her, he would feel like he was a rookie in front of an experienced person?

“You always make it so logical. I wonder when I’ll be able get back at you,” Qi Lei grumbled.

“All humans have their weak points. I can’t tell you what I’m lacking,” she teased with a smile for once. Then, she looked at him mysteriously, “Your library card is still with me. When you’ve got the time, visit my store. I haven’t been free recently, especially since it’s going to be the preparations for the end of term exams soon, and my project paper needs to be submitted as well. This year, the school managed to apply to do the PhD programme, so there’ll be a bunch of things for me to do at the research labs.”

“Aren’t there other lecturers?” Qi Lei asked, puzzled.

“I was made to do what’s beyond me, and be the Assistant Head of the teaching and research department. If I don’t set a good example, I don’t have the right to ask more of others. It’s all about attitude. You should know more about this than I do as a businessman.”

“You always speak with such an instructing tone. It’s no wonder you’re a lecturer. I had a pretty bad impression of my lecturers in the past.”

“I have pretty bad impressions of those poor students who are disobedient too,” Dongfang Liuyun did not even look at him as she answered.

“When I used to study, I had really good results too. I never fell past the top three spots in my year. My mathematics, physics and chemistry marks were great. I just wasn’t great at humanities.” Qi Lei could not help but bring up his glorious history though it was his first time bringing up such things in front of others.

When he said this, Dongfang Liuyun, who was eating silently across him, looked up. Her cold gaze had a hint of surprise. “You were a top student? Well, I did hear that you’re quite knowledgeable when it comes to architecture.”

“I just have a unique inclination towards architecture. I was abroad for quite a few years and was engrossed with it.”

“Which country do you think has great architecture? The romantic French one? Italy’s ancient Rome? Or...”

When it came to the arts, the two of them instantly found a common topic and chatted away happily.

After a meal, it was already past 1p.m. Dongfang Liuyun wanted to return to the office while Qi Lei was going to go home too, but she walked him to where he parked.

Qi Lei had turned around and was about to get into his car when Dongfang Liuyun took out a thick book from her black bag and handed it to him. “This book is for you. It’s good to past your time.”

“What is it?” Qi Lei squinted at it with some curiosity. He studied her beautifully elegant face, and then looked down following her gaze that was lowered on the book in her hand.

It was the Bible. To be exact, it was the first book of the New Testament.

She calmly said, “This is my favorite book, and I’m gifting it to you now. This is a book on the record of the Jews. Every person’s life is a form of art. These are theologian and cultural history, which are actually very helpful for spiritual cultivation. I myself am not that enlightened, but I find that I’ve benefited a lot. Hopefully, it can be of help to you too.”

Astonished, Qi Lei stared at the book for a long while, then he looked up silently at her standing before him. When he saw that her eyes were filled with encouragement and sincerity, he finally could not help but smile and take it. He casually flipped through it and saw her cursive signature.

“Thank you, Liuyun,” he said in a low voice.

Dongfang Liuyun just smiled calmly and nodded, accepting his thanks. “Next time when we meet, treat me to a meal. I won’t accept it if it isn’t expensive.”

“I’ll transfer that $5 million equipment to you tonight. How about that?” Qi Lei smiled and said as he held the book under his arm.

“I’ve been brought up to not take advantage of others. Exchanging favors is what I should do. Even though I’m just a common person, at least I know this. When you’ve truly become more enlightened and feel like you’ve benefited, I won’t be too courteous. I’m leaving now. Bye!”

Then, slinging her bag on her shoulder, she turned around to walk along the wet path, then waved to him with her back facing him.

Qi Lei suddenly looked up to watch her figure as it gradually moved away. Then, he looked down at the book that seemed to have faint traces of her warmth. A while after, he looked up again, and watch her figure that was about to blend into the gloomy rain.

His lips started, but in the end, he did not say anything. He just watched quietly as she vanished along the walkway.

Was she treating him like her student now?

Qi Lei looked down at the book, chuckled, then got into his car.