"Um? What does that mean?"
I looked at him, wanting a response.
But he just gazed at me indifferently, seemingly unwilling to say anything.
I felt a bit disappointed and turned to Shen Linxi, saying, "Do you not care about what happened between me and Cheng Cheng?"
"I'm not interested," Shen Linxi replied flatly. "What happened between you and Cheng Cheng has nothing to do with me."
His words struck my heart painfully.
So, he really had no feelings for me.
Everything that just happened was merely my illusion.
I lowered my eyes, tears falling onto the back of my hand, bitter and salty.
Seeing me cry, Shen Linxi stood up to leave.
I remained rooted to the spot, tears streaming down my face.
In this unfamiliar world, the only family member who loved me had passed away, and Fang Meiqin and her mother were about to move in and take everything from me.
Tonight, I came to find Shen Linxi, thinking he liked me.
But now it seemed I was mistaken.
With his background and looks, how could he lack women?
Perhaps earlier, he was just caught up in the moment.
Just as I was drowning in sorrow, Shen Linxi returned.
He stood in front of me, looking at me: "Jiang Banxia, why are you crying?"
"I thought you liked me."
I lifted my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. "But now it seems I was being overly sentimental."
"I'm sorry." I took a step back, avoiding Shen Linxi's finger. "I was too forward; I shouldn't have mistaken youthful hormones for affection."
Shen Linxi paused for a moment before suddenly laughing softly.
"What are you laughing at?"
Shen Linxi didn't say anything but reached out to pull me into his embrace. I struggled, and he pressed my head down, whispering in my ear, "I'm sorry."
"..."
"I was supposed to study abroad, but now I've changed my mind."
Shen Linxi kissed my earlobe, his voice deep and husky: "Jiang Banxia, will you come with me to the capital?"
My ears tingled from his kiss, but his words instantly lifted me from despair to surprise.
"Shen Linxi, what did you just say?"
Shen Linxi captured my lips, and just as I was about to run out of breath, he murmured against my lips, "I kiss you because I like you; what else would it be?"
"Besides, I think about you every day; I'm almost suffocating."
My face turned bright red. "Shen Linxi, how can you... how can you be so shameless!"
"There's even more shamelessness." Shen Linxi picked me up and placed me on a nearby desk. "Kissing requires focus. Also, this dress can only be worn when you're on a date with me, understand?"
I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled foolishly. "Shen Linxi, when did you start liking me?"
Shen Linxi looked at me and smiled but didn't say anything.
During the first month of summer vacation, Shen Linxi came to see me almost every day in secret.
The reason I wasn't publicly acknowledging our relationship was that I didn't want the Jiang family to use me to get close to Shen Linxi. Once Fang Meiqin and her daughter were brought back to the Jiang family, I would become less favored by my father and eventually be kicked out of the Jiang household.
This was the painful experience of Jiang Banxia in the book.
But I wasn't Jiang Banxia; I just wanted to sever ties with the Jiang family as soon as possible.
I had come of age, and the inheritance my mother left me was enough for me to live comfortably for the rest of my life, free and unburdened.
By then, I wouldn't have to worry about the Jiang family causing trouble for Shen Linxi anymore.
Shen Linxi was unhappy for several days but couldn't resist my pleas.
He pinched my face and said, "Jiang Banxia, you're really something."
I smiled at him sweetly. "Just this once; I'll listen to you from now on."
Shen Linxi lowered his head and kissed my lips, "You said it, so you can't go back on your word."
Comment 0 Comment Count