âActually, the reason for this invitation is that there is something we need to discuss.â
Yu Xiangnian turned towards Li Shaoling, putting down his own knife and fork and folding his arms at him.
Ji Weixi finally had a good look at Yu Xiangnian then: charming but self-indulgent, his gaze seemed to exude a sinister side even if he wasnât smiling. The tip of his eyebrows pointed upward, and the lines on his face were both stiff and cold.
His mannerisms made it clear he was confident, and he spoke with the ambition of men.
A dangerous leader.
Ji Weixi rested her chin on her hand and turned to Li Shaoling.
In the end, her man was better in looks, and was so handsome there would rarely be any man as good looking as he is in centuries
She even bedded him, too... ahem. Manners, manners.
âThe rookie contest has to be delayed for two months.â Yu Xiangnian calmly took a sip of red wine. âProblems in Europe.â
Li Shaoling wiped his lips elegantly as his eyelids twitched. âThe Qiao family?â
Yu Xiangnian grunted a yes. âI trust your company and mine have the same problem. Either way, the contest would be knocked off schedule.â
âItâs perfectly normal for the Qiao family to stir trouble.â Li Shaoling played it down. âAlthough this time, itâs a little more serious than imagined.â
Yu Xiangnian cracked a rare smile then, although it was more a threat than a smile.
âMay your trip to Europe be productive then,â he said, raising his wine glass.
Li Shaoling lifted his own and clinked it gently with his.
The two men downed their drinks, an unfathomable meaning shared in their traded glances.
Ji Weixi had the feeling that they had planned something that should not be known ahead of time, and even shameful.
After dinner, Yu Xiangnian took another look at Ji Weixi.
Aside from his mysteriousness, there was a deeper meaning in his eyes.
***
On the way home, Ji Weixi asked Li Shaoling. âAre you saying that you are heading to Europe with Yu Xiangnian?â
âYeah.â Li Shaoling grasped the steering wheel with one hand and patted her head with the other. âI will be gone for a few days.â
Ji Weixi frowned, feeling a little upset. âWhy would you tell me only now? You could have been keeping it from me if Yu Xiangnian didnât invite you to dinner.â
Although she didnât understand, she knew that the matter was something very important if it took the president of a company to solve it.
And yet, Li Shaoling was having a good-natured chat with his bitter rival at the dinner table just now, acting as if he was unruffled at all.
Ji Weixi felt that he really could hide his emotions then.
âThings had turned upside-down in Europe after Qiao Biluo returned to her country. Still, I donât think itâs important and didnât want to worry you.â
Ji Weixi caught the point. âYou mean that Qiao Biluo has something to do with it.â
âYes.â
Ji Weixi leaned into her seat and folded her arms. âI knew sheâs no good.â
However, Li Shaoling ruthlessly stabbed her in the heart. âYou did not think so at first.â
â...â
Donât go exposing others, please!
When they reached home and after Ji Weixi turned on the lights, Li Shaoling embraced her, smelling of alcohol as he nestled into her arms.
âDonât turn on the lights, itâs too bright.â He said quietly.
Ji Weixi inhaled sharply. Did that even count as acting cute?
Li Shaoling started to approach her then. She retreated, and both of them eventually fell on the sofa.
He bit her ear. âIâll be away for just a few days, you donât have to miss me... weâre getting married when I come back.â
She flushed and nodded tamely.
And the night was still long.
***
Omitted.
***
She only let her go at five in the morning.
Ji Weixi pressed him down firmly into the bed when she saw that he wasnât sleeping. âDonât you have a flight at seven? Sleep a wink. Iâll wake you up.â
Li Shaoling held her then, and so firmly like never before.
As if he would embed her in his bones.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Ji Weixi was a little breathless. âLet me go... are you trying to kill me and then commit a loverâs suicide?â
She was joking, but Li Shaolingâs look suddenly turned somber.
âJiang Cong will protect you when Iâm gone. You and the kid arenât going anywhere. Hear me?â
Ji Weixiâs smile slowly faded when she saw that he was being serious.
She nodded. âGot it... and you take care of yourself.â
âYour safety is my greatest happiness.â Li Shaoling held back a smile even as they embraced each other.
Your safety... is my greatest happiness.
The overbearing president was talking love.
Ji Weixi nestled inside his arms and wrapped around his body like an octopus. âShaoling, tell me the truth: will it be dangerous in Europe?â
Li Shaolingâs heart softened at how she tenderly voiced his name, again and again.
âItâs not dangerous.â He said softly.
âStill...â He then paused deliberately. âIâm just afraid that youâll miss my... skill.â
Ji Weixi promptly flushed and threw her fists at him. âYouâre such a jerk!â
âWill you marry this jerk, then?â
âNope!â Ji Weixi pouted.
Both of them leaned into each other quietly then, and the atmosphere became quiet.
Ji Weixi yawned, her eyes becoming watery in fatigue.
Li Shaoling wiped it off. âSleep.â
âCanât do that... youâre leaving soon...â She sounded a little upset.
âBe good, sleep. Itâs not like Iâm not coming back.â
Ji Weixi was very sleepy too, but it was after another yawn that she yielded. âFine...â
She wrapped her arms over his neck and kissed him. âI like you the most.â
Li Shaoling stared at her sleeping face and chuckled quietly.
I... like you the most too.
Ji Weixiâs fell sound asleep soon.
Li Shaoling got up, got dressed and pulled the blanket over her, and left after branding her forehead with a kiss.
He went to Jiang Congâs place to fetch the little one, and then Tian Miaomiao.
Then, as the group saw him off, he boarded the plane.
***
Ji Weixi had assumed that Li Shaoling had left only for business.
Her confidence quickly lost ground, however after days of missed calls.
Tian Miaomiao and her little one would try to calm her down each day that they might be busy and unable to get away from work.
Still, Ji Weixi started to feel a strange panic.
In the past, Li Shaoling would call her no matter how busy he was.
Why didnât he call her after reaching Europe? Worse, she was calling, and he wasnât answering.
At first, Ji Weixi tried to assure herself that Li Shaoling was too busy and pressed for time.
It was until the news came three days later, enshrouding the very air of River Town.
There had been armed violence in Europe. The casualty count was 120 dead, 300 injured.
Ji Weixi could no longer sit around.