The windows lowered. Qiao Fei glanced at her: âGet in.â
Feng Ling saw the intoxication in his gaze and immediately furrowed her brows. âDo you enjoy looking for me whenever you drink too much?â
âI passed by this place and knew that you were here. I couldnât restrain myself. Originally, I only planned on watching you from here. I was going to leave once your lights turned off.â
âAnd so? Why did you still call me?â
âProbably because I drank too much. Iâm not sufficiently conscious and restrained right now.â Qiao Fei chuckled self-mockingly: âMust you stand outside to talk to me? I have drinks in the car. Have some with me?â
âIâm not drinking.â From Feng Lingâs expression, it was clear she wasnât going to give in. âYou should head back. You shouldnât have come in the first place. I only came down for a look because you still were still here. Brother Qiao, you know my character very well. There is really no need for you to put so much attention on me.â
Qiao Fei fell silently. He suddenly smiled. âIt seems like you know everything now.â
Feng Ling did not speak.
In the past, she did not know nor could she understand.
However, right now, she mostly understood.
Although she shouldnât have come down to meet this person, since he was here, and because he came for her, she felt obliged to at least check on him.
The principles in her heart were always defined and firm. When it came to the things that should and should not be done, she never wavered.
âItâs fine if you know. I never had the intention of concealing it anyway. Previously, because you didnât wish for your identity to be revealed, I didnât say much. From the beginning, I knew that there was a lot between Li Nanheng and you that I couldnât interfere. Although I gave it a try, it seems like this isnât something I can achieve with hard work alone. Your heart has always belonged to him, am I right?â Qiao Fei leaned back against the car seat to watching her from the side: âThe reason you avoid me is also because you donât wish to be misunderstood by him.â
It seems like she had been seen through entirely.
Feng Ling did not speak.
âWonât you come in for a while? Does it feel comfortable to stand there and endure the wind? I wonât do anything to you. Look at how intoxicated I am. If you use your skills against me, Iâll definitely be pressed down on the floor. Whatâs there to be afraid of? âQiao Fei glanced at her with a smile.
Feng Ling lifted her brows: âI have no need to get in your car.â
âLetâs have a chat. Weâve known each other for so long. At the very least, I was the first person who discovered your secret.â
Feng Ling did not reply. She hesitated for two seconds before getting in.
After sitting down, Qiao Fei reached behind for a drink and handed it to her. However, Feng Ling only placed it by the side and did not open it.
He did not force her and only smiled as though to mock himself. He then opened another to drink.
Seeing that he was downing it quickly, Feng Ling was silent for a moment before speaking: âIt seems like youâve been really unhappy since you left the base.â
âThatâs right, Iâm unhappy.â Qiao Fei placed his drink down and turned to look out of the window. He smiled: âA carefree life, and one held down by responsibility. How can the latter make me happy?â
Feng Ling did not have her parents with her, nor did she have a home. She did not understand the stressors one could experience outside of the base well. She also wasnât good at making judgements about the things she couldnât understand. She saw that his mood was poor and sat silently by his side to accompany him.
âDo you know why I like you?â Qiao Fei turned his slightly dazed eyes onto her. âI like the way you donât ever ask about the things you shouldnât ask. You donât waste your breath and you donât explain too much. In fact, youâre a very warm person underneath. Itâs only that time and experience has trained you to appear cold and to keep people at a distance. Anyone who understands you knows that youâre not cold; you simply have your own principles and youâre good at standing by them. At times, the charisma of a personâs personality is truly very important. No matter if youâre a man or a woman, youâll equally be able to draw people towards you.â
Feng Ling lifted one side of her lips. âThanks for the compliment.â
Qiao Fei raised his brows: âYou donât have anything else to say to me?â
Feng Ling was silent for a moment before speaking: âBrother Qiao, Iâm very clueless when it comes to feelings. However, I know the thoughts you have for me. I also know very clearly that I donât reciprocate those thoughts.â
Qiao Fei released a long breath and leaned back against his seat as though he had lost all his strength. He gave another self-mocking smile: âEn, I know.â
âYou should head back soon.â Feng Ling picked up her phone. âYouâre not sufficiently conscious. Iâll call someone over to drive you back.â
Qiao Fei closed his eyes and did not stop her.
Feng Ling arranged for someone to come and inform them of their location. She then placed her phone down.
She glanced at her untouched drink and did not say more.
She directly pushed open the door to alight.
He watched as she left. Although she came, she only did so to reject him. From her attitude, it was clear she wouldnât spare him any opportunity.
He thought he had the ability to take the rejection well; however, he realized that he still couldnât let her go. After giving up his identity as an XI Baseâs member, there really wouldnât be many opportunities for them to see each other again. Despite this, his heart still unwilling to accept that this was happening.
When he saw that she was leaving, the man abruptly pushed open the car door and alighted. He took large steps to pursue her and reached out to catch her wrist, spinning her around with agitation.
Feng Ling had shifted her head subconsciously when she heard his movement. However, before she realized what was going on, she almost fell into his embrace. She stumbled a little before quickly backing away. However, Qiao Fei reached out and held her in his arms, pressing her close tightly. He pressed his chin against her neck and held her with force: âFeng Ling!â
Feng Ling instantly stiffened. Her body instinctively felt as though it was being pricked by thorns all over. She rushed to push him away, but Qiao Fei held onto her with a firm grip: âFeng Ling, can you consider me? I can give you everything you desire; freedom, happiness, whatever it is. Weâve similarly interacted in the XI Base before. Iâve even spent more time with you than Boss Li has. I also know of your roots and your past. Give me an opportunity, consider me, donât reject me so clearly!â
âBrother Qiao!â Feng Ling furrowed her brows coldly and pushed him away with force. âLet go... Qiao Fei!â
Feng Ling abruptly pushed her hand against his abdomen with force and lifted her knee to shove him aside. However, Qiao Fei endured pain and refused to let go: âFeng Ling...â
âLet go of me!â
âFeng Ling, I donât want to let go.â
âLet go!â
All of a sudden, a freezing chill seemed to approach. Before Feng Ling could push the man away, she abruptly sensed her back turning cold. She turned her head to the side and saw that a large, tall Hummer was driving over. It came to a stop around five meters away from Qiao Fei and her. The windows did not lower and the car remained unmoving there.
Feng Lingâs expression stiffened. She rushed to apply more force to shove him aside. The scent of alcohol on Qiao Feiâs body clearly indicated that he was irrational right now. Feng Ling stepped on his feet harshly. âLet go of me right now!â
Right after she spoke, the heavy noise of a car door being slammed caused her back to turn even colder. She turned to see that the tall, stern-looking man was already approaching!