Chapter 18: Likes Him
Chen Wei Qi was speechless.
“Jin Yan Ting’s cousin? Duan Shiqing’s love defender? Or their CP leader?”
Lian Li crumpled the tissue into a ball and threw it into the trash can. “Chen Wei Qi. No matter how much you want them to be together, you have no right to say these things to me.”
After she finished speaking, she strode away, leaving Chen Wei Qi with her hands on her hips, fuming like a pufferfish.
Chen Wei Qi had been doted on since childhood and had no worries. In her heart, love occupied the supreme position, with all other reason and self-esteem ranking far behind.
Coupled with the male celebrity’s cheating scandal, it intensified her anger, making her hate canaries and despise third parties who destroyed relationships, which was understandable.
Her cold words meant nothing to Lian Li, and she disdained to take them to heart.
…Too ostentatious.
Lian Li gracefully walked out of the restroom and, at the corner, unexpectedly saw a man leaning against the wall.
The corridor was dimly lit and hazy. He held a cigarette between his fingers, the scarlet tip flickering on and off. His sharp bone structure was shrouded in wisps of smoke, making him indistinct.
Lian Li froze.
Jin Shi Yue heard everything?
Lian Li was merely a little surprised, not flustered.
After so many years, her mindset had long since become peaceful, and few people could stir up waves in her heart.
At some point, Lian Li developed feelings for Jin Yan Ting that went beyond those of siblings. By the time she realized it, it was too late.
Lian Li believed she had hidden it well, but even the best plans can have flaws. Chen Wei Qi had glimpsed her thoughts.
If it was discovered, it was discovered. She had nothing to deny.
Even when facing Jin Shi Yue, Lian Li remained composed and at ease.
Jin Shi Yue slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze falling on her indifferently, like a bottomless black sea, making his emotions unreadable.
He extinguished the cigarette and threw it into the trash can, then turned his head to look at her. “Lost your voice? Can’t you greet someone?”
Lian Li: “…Mr. Jin.”
Jin Shi Yue put his hands in his pockets and walked towards her at an unhurried pace.
As the man approached, his imposing presence, laced with a fierce intensity, attacked her inch by inch. Lian Li suppressed the instinct to retreat.
Jin Shi Yue stood before her, lowering his head with the grace of a distinguished gentleman to match her height, and drawled, “You like Jin Yan Ting?”
That complex, cool scent spread towards her forcefully with his movement, and Lian Li’s breath hitched.
A normal person, upon overhearing someone, especially a little-known secret, would pretend ignorance and casually move past it.
This inscrutable man clearly did not belong to the normal category.
Not only did he not pretend, but he also questioned the person involved.
Lian Li looked directly into Jin Shi Yue’s dark eyes and was about to speak when he straightened up first and lazily uttered two words:
“Here.”
Here what?
Jin Shi Yue casually tossed an object. Lian Li instinctively caught it. It felt cold to the touch. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was her bracelet.
Lian Li’s face lit up with joy.
With her bracelet in hand, she no longer cared about the arrangement to pick it up from his house tomorrow.
“Thank you.”
Lian Li lowered her head, put on the bracelet, and then looked up. Jin Shi Yue was no longer in the long corridor.
She didn’t pay it any mind and returned to the private room.
It was past eleven o’clock at night, and the private room was still lively. Lian Li took her mobile phone out of her bag and looked at Jin Yan Ting’s message: 「Send me a message when you’re almost done.」
She replied: 「Okay.」
Lian Li suddenly remembered Zhao Lizheng’s words: Jin Yan Ting would abandon her within a month.
Zhao Lizheng must have known Duan Shiqing had returned to the capital to speak such idiotic words so recklessly.
Abandon?
She wasn’t Jin Yan Ting’s canary.
“Li Mei, come play.”
Zhong Yang invited Lian Li to play dominoes and pulled her to sit with them. While arranging the dominoes, he said, “You’re my and Master Yue’s sister. No one in Sijiucheng dares to confront you. Go ahead and crush them!”
Everyone laughed, “Does Master Yue know he suddenly has a sister?”
“Doesn’t Lian Li also find it strange how she suddenly has a brother?”
“Young Master Zhong’s own family is short on descendants and is desperate for a sister, so he claims anyone he meets as his sister, hahaha.”
Zhong Yang kicked him. “Nonsense. I’ve only ever recognized Li Li as my sister. Don’t ruin my reputation.”
Zhong Yang, though appearing carefree, was actually quite responsible. He was not cold-hearted but full of passion.
The primary mission of powerful families in raising their descendants was to maintain their rights and interests, with no other choice. Everyone was a machine, with everything revolving around family power.
Zhong Yang, as the only son of the Zhong Family, was unusually vibrant. Their family’s method of raising heirs was quite unique.
“Aren’t you playing?” Lian Li asked Zhong Yang.
“He’s not skilled enough. He lost five times in a row and is too embarrassed to play,” Pei Qingji said.
“What do you mean not skilled enough! I’m just having bad luck tonight!” Zhong Yang denied his statement.
Pei Qingji smiled and looked at Lian Li. “Junior Sister, do you know how to play dominoes?”
Dominoes were very different from mahjong, chess, or card games.
Lian Li: “No.”
Everyone present burst into laughter again, their shoulders shaking. Zhong Yang had brought a savior, but he hadn’t asked if the savior knew how to play.
“You don’t know? That’s okay, let your Brother Zhong teach you.” Zhong Yang said confidently, undeterred.
Lian Li agreed and scanned the surroundings, not finding Xue Shufan. She asked, “Where’s my Senior Sister?”
Pei Qingji: “She went to play musical instruments and sing with Duan Yu.”
Lian Li understood.
Zhong Yang explained the rules to Lian Li while playing, detailing them meticulously.
His explanation was concise and precise, completely avoiding boredom. Lian Li was a little surprised. After learning that Zhong Yang had founded the well-known game company when he was young, she suddenly understood.
This young master wasn’t just about eating, drinking, and having fun, as others said.
“Where’s Young Master?” Zhong Yang suddenly remembered and asked.
“Young Master has a beautiful companion and left early. Unlike you, a single dog, hahaha!”
“If I wanted to date, I could scare you all to death in minutes!” Zhong Yang boasted wildly.
Lian Li looked around and indeed saw no sign of Jin Shi Yue.
As it was nearing the end, she messaged Jin Yan Ting saying she was leaving and then put her mobile phone back into her bag.
Lian Li found Xue Shufan, said goodbye to her in person, and then left the private room.
With her good friend Pei Qingji present, Xue Shufan would be fine.
Lian Li took the elevator to the first floor, walked through the hall, and left Guili Blue Bay. She received a message from Jin Yan Ting asking her to wait at the entrance.
Lian Li looked around curiously. After waiting for a few minutes, a two-tone golden-top Maybach turned from the intersection and slowly stopped in front of her.
Lian Li was stunned.
She had expected only the driver, not the busy Jin Yan Ting himself.
The car, illuminated by the slanted light, reflected a faint white glow, cold and dazzling.
The driver got out of the driver’s seat, respectfully greeted Lian Li, and then opened the car door for her.
“Young Master Yue is also here,” the driver suddenly said in a low voice.
Lian Li: ?
Jin Shi Yue is also here?
