Bai Xiao left, returning to her room and closing the door behind her.
Only the two of them were left in the living room.
Liu Hong and He Wei both fell silent.
Liu Hong was the first to speak up. At this point, what was the use in hiding? She had always thought of He Wei as a good person and had harbored some inappropriate thoughts towards him, but whenever she remembered her past, she felt like she’d be ruining others.
But now! He Wei had confessed his liking for her, so she had to make a choice -- to expose her past stark naked before someone else. It would make her embarrassed, but this was an issue she couldn’t avoid.
He Wei looked at Liu Hong and had thought it might be about that ex-boyfriend of hers. He had known Liu Hong for quite a while now, and since she was always saying how men were this or that, he knew it was just because she had been with the wrong people. But now, seeing Liu Hong struggling to speak, he realized that the situation might be different from what he had imagined.
"Liu Hong, don’t make it hard on yourself. You don’t need to say anything. I truly like you for who you are, not for any other reason. You know the situation at my home. My brother and sister-in-law took care of me growing up. If it weren’t for Bai Xiao, I probably would still be bedridden, unable to get up. Now, I can jump and run around. I am very content.
You don’t need to worry about my family. My brother and sister-in-law won’t oppose my thoughts, and I don’t have parents, so there’s no concern about getting along with in-laws. My sister-in-law is very kind, and you already know her. You don’t have to worry about any conflict with her either. I will be good to you and cherish the life I have now because all of this is precious and hard-earned to me."
Liu Hong was amused. This was He Wei -- a very kind person.
For such a man to meet a woman like herself was truly a misfortune.
She became even more determined not to harm anyone. He Wei was not like other people. If she hurt He Wei, she would despise herself. Ever since she started her business, He Wei had helped her a lot. Initially, it was because of Bai Xiao, and later on, because their skills complemented each other and they needed to work together. But she couldn’t, in all conscience, take advantage of such an honest person. Although He Wei was anything but simple.
The man was clever, competent, and thoughtful. When facing problems, his problem-solving abilities were incredibly strong.
But she couldn’t bear to hurt He Wei.
"He Wei, let’s just forget it. We’re not suitable for each other. What I said earlier was merely a joke with Bai Xiao. In reality, you and I truly are not a good match. Our families, our personalities don’t align, and I don’t like you. You’re not bad as a friend, but as a man, we don’t see eye to eye. I don’t want to know about the things you mentioned. They have nothing to do with me. I just want to focus on my business and, in the future, find someone I like to marry and have children with, but none of this has anything to do with you," Liu Hong said with clenched teeth, her expression one of despair.
He Wei blinked in disbelief. What was Liu Hong talking about?
Wasn’t it just...
How had things changed so quickly?
"Liu Hong, I’m serious. Don’t joke around. I really want to be with you." He thought Liu Hong was just shy.
"He Wei, I’m also serious. I don’t like you. I really was just teasing Bai Xiao earlier," Liu Hong said with a serious tone that wounded He Wei’s heart.
Yes, Liu Hong was proud and lofty. How could she like someone like him? He was just a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh.
"I understand now, I’m sorry, I thought too much. It won’t happen again," He Wei said through gritted teeth and turned to leave.