Planning to stay at Ji Zeqiuâs place for a while, Lin Xu had yet to figure out how to tell Ji Tingyang when he already came home, fuming, to question her.
He stormed over with a face full of rage, and before he could even speak, Lin Xu stepped forward with a bowl of black chicken soup she had prepared, offering it to him to drink.
âYouâve been so busy lately, and you look haggard. I asked Aunt Zhang to make some soup to nourish you.â Lin Xu said.
Even though it wasnât made by her own hands, seeing her bring the soup in front of him satisfied Ji Tingyang quite easily.
He took the soup bowl, opened his mouth, and the voice that was initially surrounded by anger now carried a hint of grievance, âDo you despise me?â
âHuh? Who said that?â Lin Xu was taken aback.
âOtherwise, why would you move out, go find Ji Zeqiu, isnât it good to continue living here with me?â Ji Tingyang asked.
âHow did you know?â Lin Xu felt guilty.
She hadnât even figured out what to say yet, and he already knew.
âJi Zeqiu told me.â Ji Tingyang was suffocating with anger.
That guy had called him with a smug face, first expressing concern for Jiâs enterprises in a weird manner, and then sowing discord by saying Lin Xu despised him for being broke and was going to move to Ji Zeqiuâs place the next day.
Lin Xu had wanted to tell Ji Tingyang slowly, but Ji Zeqiu couldnât wait and, in less than two minutes, had called Ji Tingyang to gloat.
âThe company is a bit chaotic right now, but I can handle it, and I will work hard to make money!â
Ji Tingyangâs eyes desperately gazed at her, continuously assuring her that he would work hard, almost crying as he begged her not to leave.
Who knows what exactly Ji Zeqiu had exaggerated to make him so afraid of being abandoned.
âI wonât leave, this is our home.â Lin Xu smiled.
Ji Tingyangâs eyes suddenly brightened, âThenâ¦â
âI asked Zeqiu to help you endorse the new project, and then Iâll stay at Zeqiuâs place for a few days. Iâll come back soon,â Lin Xu explained to him.
âWe donât need him, I can handle it myself,â Ji Tingyang showed resistance.
Lin Xu: âBut it will take a long time. With Zeqiu there, the company can recover faster, right? After everything is settled, you can come and take me back.â
Ji Tingyang remained silent, his silence expressing his reluctance.
âBesides, Iâve been here for so long and Iâve barely seen Ji Zeqiu a few times, including my sister. It would be great if I could call her to come and stay too.â Lin Xu still missed her children very much.
Hearing the longing in her voice, Ji Tingyangâs expression finally loosened, no longer resisting as much.
âMaybe I could even bring Zeqiu back to stay with the Ji family. A family should live together, right?â Lin Xu imagined happily.
Ji Tingyang was unimpressed, âAs long as you come back, thatâs all that matters.â
Lin Xu was surprised.
Did his words mean, he agreed?
She reached out to ruffle his hair, âDonât worry, I will definitely come back.â
Ji Tingyang pursed his lips, letting her mess up his hair.
After a while, his expression became awkward, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, âWill you still love me after you come backâ¦â
Lin Xu was dumbfounded, completely unable to imagine the usually aloof Ji Tingyang saying something so coquettish.
At first, she thought she had heard wrong, but Ji Tingyangâs shy, reddened ear tips told her that he had indeed said those words.
Pfft.
Lin Xu laughed.
It seemed that whether it was at seven or twenty-seven, he was still a little brat starved for love.
âYou are the child I carried for ten months and gave birth to; no matter where I am, I love you,â Lin Xu laughed.
The expression on Ji Tingyangâs face visibly became more joyful, and he hummed a few times, âDo you love me even more than Ji Zeqiu?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Was he really comparing even this?
Lin Xu couldnât help but laugh and cry at his question, yet she still went along with him, âYes, you are momâs most beloved!â
Ji Tingyangâs mood immediately brightened, and even when Ji Zeqiu came to pick up Lin Xu the next day, he didnât get angry.
On the way over, Ji Zeqiu had imagined various scenarios of Ji Tingyang going crazy, and had come to the Ji Family with the intention of enjoying the chaos, but the scene that greeted him was the complete opposite of what heâd expected.
Ji Tingyang took the initiative to carry out Lin Xuâs suitcase and repeatedly reminded her to take care, and to remember to call him if anything came up.
He was reluctant to let her go, but he didnât go mad.
Ji Zeqiu was clearly there to take Lin Xu away, yet it ended up feeling like she was just leaving on a long trip.
He felt that this wasnât right, so he walked over, arrogantly draped his arm over Lin Xuâs shoulders right in front of Ji Tingyang, and provocatively said, âDonât worry, since sheâs leaving with me, of course Iâll take good care of her and see to everything.â
Ji Tingyang gave him a glance, âSomeone who needs to be coaxed to sleep, what qualifications do you have to take care of someone else?â
During the time after their parents died, Xiao Zeqiu almost cried every day, and almost every night it was Ji Tingyang who had to soothe him to sleep.
Ji Zeqiuâs cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, âStop bringing up childhood matters, Iâve grown up now!â
He was already twenty-five! This guy always brought up childhood embarrassments.
âIf youâre capable, then donât let her coax you to sleep,â Ji Tingyang said indifferently.
âI definitely donât need a woman to coax me to sleep!â Ji Zeqiu retorted angrily.
Ji Tingyang ignored him and continued to remind Lin Xu, âDid you take the bank card I gave you? If you see anything you like while youâre out, just buy it.â
âThereâs no need, I have money, I will buy it for her,â Ji Zeqiu interjected.
âOh? How much do you have? Half of the Ji Group?â Ji Tingyang asked.
Ji Zeqiu was speechless.
Even though he was now a top-tier celebrity, making a fortune every day, compared to a publicly-listed major conglomerate, he was still significantly lacking.
âYou donât need to worry about it, we are leaving anyway. Donât keep pining, she doesnât want you anymore, and she wonât come back,â Ji Zeqiu said with a snort.
Ji Tingyang was disdainful of his deliberately provocative words.
His mother had said that this was their home, and she had guaranteed she would come back.
âHow about this, why donât you two chat for a while longer, and then you can leave after dinner?â Lin Xu suggested.
From the moment they met, the two had started arguing. They had been bickering for almost half an hour now; she hadnât even gotten in the car, and standing at the doorway was tiring.
Ji Zeqiu suddenly came to his senses, a flash of irritation in his gaze, âNo need, weâre leaving now!â
Ji Tingyang nodded, still without much reaction.
Ji Zeqiu was extremely frustrated and spitefully asked just before boarding the car, âYouâre really okay with her living with me, alone with a man? Are you sure youâre not worried?â
He liked Lin Xu quite a lot, having even driven away Wen Li for her.
Ji Tingyang was completely oblivious to his thoughts, âIf you feel unsure, she can stay at the Ji Family home.â
âWishful thinking,â Ji Zeqiu turned around, heartlessly got in the car, and left.
Once in the car, Ji Zeqiu still found the situation unbelievable.
Ji Tingyang had shown no extreme reactions; it seemed like his feelings for Lin Xu werenât all that strong after all.