Chapter 228: Begging Her to Like Him Once More
Jin Yan Ting knew better than anyone that Lian Li was never a delicate flower seeking shade under his grand tree from the very beginning.
She only wanted to find her mother; overwhelming power could not threaten her.
Given the depth of their feelings for each other, he didn’t need to use his power to force a breakup.
She listened to him the most, didn’t she?
In front of him, she was always docile and obedient, following his every command without question.
Yet, just now, after he had only spoken a few words, she understood his unspoken meaning from the melody and preemptively told him: even if they never saw each other again, she would not separate from Jin Shi Yue.
Under the warm lamplight, Lian Li’s delicate eyebrows and eyes were particularly clear as she met Jin Yan Ting’s gaze without reservation.
“Brother Yan Ting, I like Jin Shi Yue and won’t give him up for anyone.”
“So, you’re going to give up our feelings for him?” Jin Yan Ting could hear her meaning perfectly, but his chest ached dully, as if countless nails were piercing it sharply.
Lian Li shook her head and said, “Whether to give up our ten years of friendship ultimately depends on you.”
Jin Yan Ting stared at her intently.
He was forcing her to break up, forcing her to make a choice.
It was he who was giving up their ten years of brother-sister affection, not her.
Lian Li was a hidden controller, especially in interpersonal relationships.
She appeared to give the choice to Jin Shi Yue or Jin Yan Ting, but in reality, she retreated to the position of an observer, surveying the entire situation.
Soft and gentle on the surface, but stubborn and fierce at her core.
Lian Li avoided discussing Jin Yan Ting’s confession and only spoke about her feelings for Jin Shi Yue, not wanting to make things awkward for the three of them.
Lian Li and Jin Yan Ting were not related by blood; if they truly wanted to sever ties, they could. However, Jin Shi Yue and Jin Yan Ting were brothers, and she didn’t want her actions to affect their brotherhood.
Even though it had already affected them, she couldn’t let things get worse.
…
Jin Yan Ting rarely visited this Chinese Garden Villa; only Uncle Jiang lived there, managing it alone. There wasn’t even a guard dog, let alone special police protection.
The behemoth in the sky intruded like a ferocious beast without any omen.
Uncle Jiang was so shocked he couldn’t speak. He looked up and saw the massive beast approaching, its outline gradually becoming clearer. The dim night made it hard to discern the exact color, but he could vaguely tell it was a helicopter.
There was a tall figure on the helicopter; it must be that madman. Uncle Jiang’s spine chilled, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
In a peaceful era with good public order in Sijiucheng, how could there still be madmen running around!
“Mr. Jin!”
Uncle Jiang ran while shouting, every syllable drowned out by the roar of the propellers.
A respectful male voice came from the cockpit: “Brother Yue, there are no suitable landing areas nearby.”
“Pull the stick, hover,” a man’s steady voice immediately came through the earphones.
“Received.”
The pilot, wearing a military green jacket, immediately controlled the aircraft, hovering at a suitable altitude and in a suitable area.
Uncle Jiang ran towards the restaurant and other areas. The ferocious helicopter flew over his head and stopped in mid-air.
He watched as the tall, slender figure rappelled cleanly from the helicopter. He was clad in a camouflage uniform, not yet changed, encasing a strong and upright body, exuding an imposing and deadly aura.
The lights in the corridor swayed with the wind, illuminating the man’s handsome and sharp face.
Uncle Jiang’s pupils widened, staring at him in disbelief, his throat feeling blocked, unable to make a sound.
The roar of the propellers, accompanied by the evening breeze from the lake, weakened and reached the restaurant of the Chinese-style building, but no one paid it any mind.
Jin Yan Ting’s eyes, gentle and deep, fixed on Lian Li, and he suddenly smirked.
“Xiao Li, I watched you grow up. I can see through your intentions at a glance. I’ll ask you one thing now: do you only see me as a brother, with only gratitude and family affection towards me, and no other thoughts?”
Jin Yan Ting had always been gentle and patient with her, but for the first time, his gaze towards her carried a strong sense of aggression.
It was the oppressive feeling and powerful aura unique to those in high positions.
Lian Li met his gaze without blinking, saying with a straight face, “No.”
Jin Yan Ting didn’t believe her. He scrutinized her expression, trying to find even the slightest flaw, but found none.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality tonight.” Lian Li said politely, picked up her mobile phone from the table, stood up, and turned to walk towards the door.
Jin Yan Ting strode forward with long legs and reached out to grab her arm: “Xiao Li!”
Lian Li struggled hard but couldn’t break free. She frowned and looked at him: “Brother Yan Ting, what are you doing?”
Her eyes were wary, full of defensiveness towards him, as if they had returned to when they first met.
Jin Yan Ting’s heart suddenly ached intensely, as if stabbed by a knife. How could he salvage this, how could he make them return to how they were a year ago?
Should he learn from Jin Zhengchuan and kneel before Chen Shifei, begging her to like him again?
But Lian Li was not Chen Shifei, and he was not Jin Zhengchuan.
Given Jin Yan Ting’s status and position, he always had what he wanted and never lacked anything. He was also not as steady and refined as he appeared; his blood flowed with hardness and coldness.
But Lian Li was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, despising clinginess.
Jin Yan Ting was unwilling to give up. He stared intently at Lian Li, his voice as gentle as ever: “Do you like Ah Yue because of me?”
Upon hearing this, Lian Li immediately denied it: “No!”
She didn’t understand why he would think that: “I told you, the person I like is not your brother. I just like Jin Shi Yue, and it has nothing to do with you.”
She suddenly remembered that Jin Shi Yue seemed to have had a similar thought before.
Lian Li was starved for affection, but she protected herself. She wouldn’t be disappointed by her brother and then seek solace from her younger brother.
Jin Yan Ting lost his usual calm composure, and for the first time, his voice gradually became low: “If he likes you, then be with him. Then…”
Lian Li cut him off: “I like Jin Shi Yue, not because he likes me.”
In other words, even without Jin Shi Yue, it would still be impossible between her and Jin Yan Ting.
“Xiao Li…”
Suddenly, Uncle Jiang’s urgent and anxious shouts came from the restaurant: “Mr. Jin is dining inside and is not available to see guests. You cannot just…”
“Mr. Jin!”
“Young Master Yue!”
Lian Li and Jin Yan Ting looked up together at the sound.
A tall and formidable figure emerged from behind the pear wood cabinet. Jin Shi Yue’s sharply defined handsome face appeared in their view.
Seeing the familiar face, Lian Li’s heart skipped a beat.
Jin Yan Ting’s heart sank, his expression becoming more somber.
Jin Shi Yue raised his eyelids, his gaze precisely locking onto the hand Jin Yan Ting had on Lian Li’s arm, his eyes instantly darkening to an extreme.
He strode forward, walking directly towards Lian Li.
Lian Li’s anxious heart found peace the moment she saw him.
“Jin Shi…”
Before she could finish speaking, Jin Shi Yue pulled her into his arms.
The man’s heartbeat was strong and powerful, pounding in her ears, more thrilling than grand fireworks.
