Nico sounded surprised and his voice was extremely penetrating as it came through the phone speaker. Li Beinian could almost imagine the expression on his face.
Oddly, she felt a dull ache in her heart.
She had planned what she wanted to say, but at this point changed her mind and said instead, “Nico, where are you?”
“I’m next to the car, about to leave for Guang City.” Nico spoke fluently, even with his London accent. “Beinian, what’s… the matter?”
“Can you not leave yet? I have something to tell you.”
Nico’s eyes lit up. “Of course, that’s too easily done. Where shall we meet?”
Nico’s attitude made Li Beinian strangely nervous. She looked at Mu Xichen with pleading eyes and asked, “Where shall we meet?”
Sensing her emotions, Mu Xichen held her hand and took the phone from her. He spoke into the receiver, “Where are you? Let me come by and pick you up first.”
“Okay.” Nico obviously calmed down greatly when he heard Mu Xichen’s voice. “I’ll wait for you here, then.”
“Uh huh.”
Mu Xichen hung up and turned to look at Li Beinian. He realized that she was not as calm as before.
He squeezed her hand and said as he put his arm around her, “Let’s go.”
“Ah Chen.” Li Beinian’s eyes were slightly red. “Isn’t it unfair for me to treat him like this? He didn’t do anything to me. He didn’t seem to know about my existence. He didn’t even know about our deaths…”
“Don’t think too much about it now.” Mu Xichen kissed the back of her hand. “Do whatever makes you happy. Being happy is the most important.”
“But…”
“I will respect whatever choice you make.”
Li Beinian fell silent.
Mu Xichen did not speak further. With his arm around her, they walked towards Nico.
Nico and Will had traveled here by car, hence they were of course at the parking lot.
Sure enough, they saw Nico from afar.
When Will saw them, he pushed Nico towards them with a happy smile.
Li Beinian did not dare to look at him, and was feeling inexplicably nervous.
Mu Xichen brought them to his house.
Entering the small apartment, Nico looked around and said, “How cosy. You’ve decorated the place wonderfully even though you guys don’t come back here often.”
Mu Xichen gave the space a sweeping glance and replied, “Most of it was set up by my mother.”
Nico quickly acknowledged and then changed the topic. “Beinian, what are you…”
“Mr. Nico.” Li Beinian did not look at him directly but turned around, saying, “As we’re only here to stay temporarily, I don’t have a good tea to serve. Is mineral water okay?”
“Of course,” Nico replied without hesitation. He added, “Beinian, you can be formal with others, but you don’t have to be formal with me. I’m not thirsty, and you don’t have to serve me a drink.”
“Okay.” Li Beinian replied, but made no move to stop whatever she was doing.
She uncapped a bottle of mineral water, poured the water into the kettle and pressed the switch.
She felt her heartbeat quicken.
Then she stood still in front of the kettle.
Although Mu Xichen knew that she wasn’t in a calm state, he didn’t interrupt. Instead, he spoke to Will. “Mr. Will, have a seat.”
Will did not stand on ceremony. He sat down and continued to size up the small living space. “Indeed, it’s very much to Miss Mo’s taste. Back then, Nico and your mother were very good friends.”