Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Why Make It Seem Like an Affair?

The woman was afraid that Ji Tingyang would go mad again—what if he splashed hot water on Wu Yanghui’s face?

If they couldn’t retrieve the shares, they might even face the possibility of imprisonment.

Not daring to stay any longer, the woman hurriedly left with the pale-faced Wu Yanghui, muttering to herself.

“He’s simply a madman, doesn’t know the first thing about gratitude. It wouldn’t surprise me if your parents were cursed to death by this lunatic. Son, let me tell you, you must stay away from such people, or who knows what disasters might follow.”

Their voices faded into the distance.

Ji Tingyang clenched the hand at his side tightly, his fingertips turning white from the pressure; gloom and aggression churned ceaselessly in his chest, and the atmosphere surrounding him dipped to an all-time low.

The secretary, carrying a report, had just pushed the door open when she was frightened into closing the door again the next second.

President Ji was in a bad mood—she decided it was better not to go in and provoke him at this time.

Ji Tingyang stayed in his office for a long while until his emotions had calmed down, and then he drove back to the villa.

Upon arriving home, his first instinct was to look towards the sofa.

The familiar figure that used to sit there watching TV dramas was nowhere to be seen. He looked around the villa, but still didn’t see the figure he had hoped for.

His calm expression gradually cracked, a heavy stone of unease pressing on his chest, his breathing and footsteps becoming increasingly hurried as he frantically searched the villa for something.

“Tingyang, what’s wrong?”

A soft voice arose behind him, soothing like a clear spring, calming the restlessness in his heart.

Ji Tingyang turned around and saw Lin Xu coming from the backyard, holding a watering can, seemingly having just finished watering the flowers in the garden, looking at him with puzzled eyes.

Lin Xu’s face showed concern, “What’s the rush just now? Are you looking for something very important? Do you need help looking for it…”

Before she could finish, Ji Tingyang bent his upright body and held her tightly in his arms.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice was a bit hoarse, “It’s nothing, I’ve found it.”

Although his mother was still there, and the past few months of daily interaction weren’t an illusion, the moment he didn’t see Lin Xu, he couldn’t help but feel afraid.

Noticing that his emotions were off, Lin Xu released the watering can and gently stroked his back, “What’s wrong, feeling upset?”

“No,” Ji Tingyang mumbled, shaking his head.@@novelbin@@

“Didn’t we agree that you have to tell me everything and not keep it bottled up inside?”

A struggle flashed in Ji Tingyang’s eyes, “…If I had convinced you and father not to go out twenty years ago, would the accident have never happened?”

He couldn’t help think that maybe it really was because of his bad fortune that his father and mother had died.

Even though he knew his aunt’s words were nonsense, he still couldn’t control his thoughts.

“Who told you such a thing?” Lin Xu’s face became stern and serious, her hands cupping his cheeks, looking into his eyes and saying earnestly, “How could the car accident be your fault?”

“It’s all the fault of the driver who blindly ran the red light; if you keep thinking this way, I’ll get angry!”

Ji Tingyang lowered his gaze, remaining silent.

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Xu said, “Even if you are at fault, it’s only a tiny bit.”

Ji Tingyang’s face turned pale, “What, what…”

“It’s because our Tingyang was so cute and adorable when he was little, making mom want to hug you more every day. But every time I wanted to hug you, I was met with disdain, which really broke my heart.”

Lin Xu lowered her head, the corners of her mouth turned down, and it seemed like tears of grievance twinkled in the corner of her eyes.

“…” Knowing she was pretending, Ji Tingyang still panicked at the sight of her tears, opening and closing his mouth several times, hesitant to speak.

“So, do I get a few extra hugs now?” Lin Xu opened her arms wide.

Ji Tingyang pursed his lips, the embrace this time was much gentler than before, and a flush of red quietly climbed his ears out of her sight.

Their bodies held close together, the embrace warm to the touch, soothing the unease in Ji Tingyang’s heart.

His voice took on a hint of whine, somewhat coyly, “Can you come pick me up from work tomorrow?”

It had been a long time since his mother had picked him up from work.

“How about I pick you up for lunch tomorrow? I heard there’s an expensive Western restaurant that opened downtown, just waiting to mooch off President Ji’s wallet,” Lin Xu said with a light smile.

Ji Tingyang’s eyes twinkled with laughter, “Okay.”

The next afternoon.

Ji Tingyang brought Lin Xu to that Western restaurant, and as they headed for their table, from the corner of her eye, Lin Xu suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

She paused in her steps.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Tingyang asked with concern.

“Nothing, let’s check out the menu and see what’s good,” Lin Xu shook her head.

Around the corner at another table.

Su Linzhou and Xie Changyan were discussing matters, their eyes errantly scanning around for beautiful women to strike up a conversation with.

Suddenly, Su Linzhou remarked with a curious tone, “Isn’t that Lin Xu over there?”

Xie Changyan turned his head to look and quickly found Lin Xu, who was talking and laughing with Ji Tingyang, his narrow eyes slightly squinting.

“Are they here on a date? They seem to be getting along quite well,” Su Linzhou clicked his tongue.

Xie Changyan diverted his gaze, his previously casual expression suddenly turning somber.

“Brother, I set up so many opportunities for alone time for you guys in the past, how come you haven’t gotten her yet?” Su Linzhou sounded as if he were disappointed, “Otherwise, what would you have to do with Ji Tingyang now?”

Xie Changyan gave him a sidelong glance, “Would you die if you didn’t speak?”

“I wouldn’t die, but not being able to tease someone is pretty much like being dead,” Su Linzhou laughed, “Seriously, do you want me, a veteran of the love field, to give you a few pointers?”

“Not necessary,” Xie Changyan calmly cut his steak, head down.

“With the way you’re pursuing her, she’ll be married by the time you get your act together, and you’ll still be here pining away,” Su Linzhou sneered.

He was about to say more when his eyes swept across a certain figure, and his leg kicked Xie Changyan under the table, “Here she comes.”

“What…” Before Xie Changyan could finish, Lin Xu had already sat down beside him.

“What a coincidence, I didn’t expect to see you guys here,” Lin Xu smiled faintly, as radiant as the spring blossoms.

Xie Changyan slightly lifted his gaze, scanning inconspicuously the spot where Lin Xu had just seated herself.

There was no one there; Ji Tingyang had disappeared somewhere.

“Did Miss Lin come here alone?” Su Linzhou asked knowingly.

“Not exactly, I came here with Ting Yang,” Lin Xu answered openly, without any intention of hiding it, “He went outside to take a call, so I sneaked over to say hello to you guys.”

Xie Changyan looked down, his knife repeatedly slicing through the steak, a deliberate and poised motion that betrayed an inexplicable irritation.

Su Linzhou couldn’t help but laugh, “This sneaking around seems almost like having an affair.”

The next moment, he received a look from Xie Changyan as sharp as a knife.