Naturally, Xirong Ziye understood the meaning behind Master Xiamu’s words. This was a reminder for him to clean up his end.
“I understand, Uncle.”
“Yes, you’re a smart child. I’ve always been very satisfied with you. I know that you won’t disappoint me. Since I’m able to find out about these, it’s possible for the reporters to find out about it as well. As a father, I do not wish my daughter to be hurt. Qingyan has always been well protected and kind to others. She wouldn’t be able to withstand the blow if she were to know this, so you must do your part well. I know that you care about Qingyan, so please think of her.”
When Xirong Ziye left the Xiamu family’s villa, it started to rain. Xiamu Qingyan ran out, holding an umbrella for Xirong Ziye.
She gazed adoringly at Xirong Ziye and asked with concern, “Did my father say anything weird to you again? Did he make things difficult for you?”The moment he saw Xiamu Qingyan, the gaping hole in Xirong Ziye’s heart seemed to fill up.
“Go back inside. It’s raining outside. Don’t catch a cold.”
“Okay, please be careful. Call me as soon as you reach home so that I know you arrived safely.”
Xirong Ziye nodded his head and walked to his car with the umbrella. As he drove, he rolled down the car window. The chilly wind blew inside with the cold rain. It brushed across his face, seemingly calming his heart.
Xirong Ziye drove straight to the White House. He knew that the Xiamu family was still observing his movements. This would be his last time here, and he wouldn’t be able to stay for too long. He believed that reporters had their ways to take a picture of anything, so he couldn’t stay long.
With a heavy heart, Xirong Ziye stepped into the White House.
When he arrived to see the house filled with dishes and Bai Yaoyao hard at work, Xirong Ziye felt a twinge in his heart as he paused in his steps.Bai Yaoyao turned around and smiled at Xirong Ziye. “You’re back?”
“You’ve heard about it?” Bai Yaoyao’s smile felt blindingly painful today.
Bai Yaoyao lowered her head and put her chopsticks down before saying, “Yes. I saw it on the news this morning.”
Guilt flashed across Xirong Ziye’s eyes. The turmoil in his heart roared even louder, and he couldn’t explain himself properly. He just couldn’t say that he wanted her to leave aloud.
His mouth trembled slightly. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said, “You… Don’t you have anything you want to say?”
“Xirong Ziye, you’ve never loved me. What else can I say?”
With quick strides, Xirong Ziye closed the distance between them and grabbed Bai Yaoyao’s arm. He looked deep in her eyes as he replied, “It’s not like this, Yaoyao!”
Bai Yaoyao looked at Xirong Ziye’s gaze that was in deep turmoil and laughed self-deprecatingly. “Xirong Ziye, are you trying to tell me that that’s not the case? Or that you love me and won’t choose Miss Xiamu? Would you say that you’ve already forgotten about your first love and that the person you care about most is me?”
Bai Yaoyao’s ceaseless questioning, along with the cold and mocking look in her eyes, made Xirong Ziye drop her arm and look away.
Bai Yaoyao spoke plainly, “Xirong Ziye, don’t lie to yourself or others. I know that you’re here today to ask me to leave. You forced me to become your lover, and now you’re asking me to leave you. Right from the start, I knew that I mean nothing to you. You don’t have to bother looking like you can’t bear for me to leave. That would only make me look down on you.”
