"Yes, compared to those uncertain, unstable relationships, I find friendship to be the most solid. That way, there won’t be any accidents. What do you think?"
Qiao Xi turned to look at him.
His clear and handsome features were enveloped in the light, warmth mixed with a hint of severity.
"I don’t think so," Shen Dang expressed a touch of helplessness, "That’s your choice, not mine."
"But I don’t want to."
Shen Dang grasped her hand, his voice softened, "Teacher Qiao, you can’t just make a choice for yourself and not let me choose."
Qiao Xi withdrew her hand, "But this isn’t something that necessarily requires two people to make a choice. Shen Dang, I really don’t want to,"
She didn’t want any accidents or surprises.
If some consequences could become unbearable in the future, then Qiao Xi chose not to have a beginning in the first place.
After the brief sweetness, only the lingering effects were truly intolerable.
Like a thorn buried deep in the heart, impossible to pull out, and when thoughtlessly remembered, it ached faintly.
Constantly tormenting both body and soul.
Extreme emotions sometimes cause one to retreat in panic and also lead to hesitation.
Qiao Xi’s voice was light and innocent as she asked him, "This time Old Madam matched you with Chu Wan, but what about next time?"
Shen Dang sighed softly, "That won’t happen again."
Since they were already talking about it that night, Qiao Xi laid it all out.
Everything needed to be made clear.
"Who can be sure of that? And besides, no one knows what really happened between you and Chu Wan except for the two of you."
Shen Dang’s brows immediately furrowed, his expression cracking slightly with displeasure, "You’ve always doubted me about this."
Qiao Xi said softly, "Chu Wan sent me her medical report."
It sounded as if her voice would be dispersed by the slightest breeze.
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Shen Dang simply couldn’t understand.
"She is not a virgin anymore."
Qiao Xi felt not a single ripple in her heart as she spoke.
Shen Dang was taken aback, "What does that have to do with me? It has nothing to do with me at all!"
"I know, but I really hate this kind of trouble," Qiao Xi’s voice was cold and calm, "And such trouble will only continue. Reality tells me that being friends is the best choice for us."
Shen Dang’s refusal was resolute.
Qiao Xi also lost her temper, "It’s a matter of mutual consent. I don’t want to now, and I’ve made myself clear. I’m leaving."
Qiao Xi was about to get up and leave.
Shen Dang grabbed her wrist, "Qiao Xi, what happened in the Shen Family was an accident. I’ll make sure Chu Wan never appears again!"
Qiao Xi looked at him quietly, "It’s useless, if not this Chu Wan, there would be a second one."
Shen Dang had formidable capital; he was a man many people desired to possess.
Su Tutu was absolutely right. There were many who sought the moon.
But alas, the moon is unattainable in the sky for ordinary people; no one can successfully reach it.
Just like a mirage, an illusion reflected in water, everything was false.
For the first time, Shen Dang felt a deep sense of helplessness, "If that’s how you think, aren’t you being quite unreasonable?"
Qiao Xi looked at him with a bit of helplessness of her own, "I don’t want to force myself. Shen Dang, don’t force me either."
Shen Dang still held her hand.
Qiao Xi’s eyes were tinged with a light chill, her gaze direct, "Or do you want to treat me like Chu Xiuyun did?"
Shen Dang suddenly cracked a smile, a mocking look in his eyes, "You’re comparing me to Chu Xiuyun?"
Qiao Xi was calm and restrained, "You’re better than him, but you’ve still caused me trouble."
Shen Dang hardly had time to think before he instantly let go of her hand, as if stung by something.
Qiao Xi’s hand was suddenly empty, and so was her heart, but she said nothing. She got up and walked back to the hotel.
Abroad was different from home. Shen Dang worried about Qiao Xi walking back alone, so he silently followed behind her, without disturbing her.
Only the long shadows cast by the lights revealed a touch of solitude.
Watching Qiao Xi enter the hotel without looking back, Shen Dang let out a self-deprecating chuckle and stopped outside the hotel.
Qiao Xi returned to her hotel room, thinking she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but she had been too tired during the day and quickly succumbed to overwhelming drowsiness.
Qiao Xi got up early the next morning.
Of course, you have to get an early start when going out to play.
Qiao Xi carefully applied her makeup and, after putting on lipstick, she was ready to go to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.
Just as she stepped out, she looked up to see Shen Dang exiting the room across the hallway.
They met each other’s gaze.
Shen Dang was dressed casually. Simple attire, yet it couldn’t hide his charm and elegance.
"Are you going down for breakfast?"
Without speaking, Bei Bei quickly nodded, "Yes, we’re going to eat breakfast downstairs. Are you joining Sister Xi and me, Brother-in-law?"
Qiao Xi gave Bei Bei a look, her voice cold, "Bei Bei, don’t call names randomly. Call him Boss Shen from now on."
This time Shen Dang didn’t argue, just said lightly, "Let’s go together then. I’m about to have breakfast, too."
They all went downstairs to the restaurant together.
After filling their plates with breakfast, Qiao Xi sat down at a spot.
Shen Dang sat next to her, glancing at her plate, "Why are you eating so little?"
"As long as it has enough nutrition," she said, without even looking at him, her voice slightly dismissive.
Shen Dang assessed her for a moment, "You’re too thin. You should eat more."
"Excess nutrition isn’t good either."
After breakfast, Qiao Xi planned to meet Su Tutu at a sightseeing spot.
Shen Dang offered to drive her there in yesterday’s car.
This time, Qiao Xi refused, "There’s no need to bother Boss Shen. I can take a cab."
Shen Dang watched as Qiao Xi got into someone else’s car.
After the car drove off, Shen Dang followed behind in his own vehicle.
Bei Bei hesitated before saying, "Sister Xi, Boss Shen... he’s still following us."
The word ’Brother-in-law’ almost slipped out.
If before Sister Xi hadn’t minded her calling him that, now her attitude had definitely become very determined.
She was not allowing Bei Bei to call Shen Dang ’Brother-in-law.’
Something big must have happened!
Qiao Xi looked on impassively, unwavering, "Don’t mind him. Let him follow if he wants to."
Sister Xi was so cold-hearted and ruthless.
Was she going to revert to being the cool and detached career-focused woman once more?
When Qiao Xi arrived at the sightseeing spot, Su Tutu was already there.
Seeing Qiao Xi and Shen Dang get out of two separate cars, Su Tutu was taken aback. She quickly pulled Qiao Xi aside and whispered, "What’s going on with Boss Shen?"
Qiao Xi’s expression remained indifferent, "I don’t know."
Are you guys playing around?
Su Tutu’s gaze shifted to Shen Dang behind Qiao Xi, a strange look in her eyes, "What’s he doing..."
Qiao Xi spoke without a trace of emotion, "If he wants to follow, let him."
If he wanted to follow, could she drive him away?