Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Is This What You Call a ‘Friend’? Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Is This What You Call a ‘Friend’? Lin Qi finally understood her own heart and said to Lu Li, “Lu Li, I think… I must have really liked you.”
“Must have?” Lu Li was stung by these words, “Why ‘must have’?”
He felt hurt by these words.
He never knew that “liking” was supposed to be just “liking”; what does “must have liked” mean?
Lin Qi said, “Because, I only just realized what true liking should feel like. Towards you, it was more admiration and worship than liking. Maybe, to the me back then, you were too elusive, I had set boundaries in my heart, not daring to cross them.”
She thought it was liking, but it wasn’t.
Perhaps for Lu Li, she had always held reverence and awe.
Otherwise, why would she completely resist when he took the initiative to kiss her?
Lu Li gave a self-mocking laugh but said nothing.
After a long deadly silence in the air,
the car entered a restaurant.
Three hours ago, Lu Li had already booked a seat here.
After getting out of the car, Lu Li walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and Lin Qi also got out of the car right after.
She glanced at Lu Li and suddenly realized that accepting his invitation might not have been wise; she didn’t want things to turn out this way.
Perhaps, it was necessary. She needed, and was obliged, to clarify things with him so as not to keep lingering.
As they entered the restaurant,
Lin Qi sat across Lu Li, leaving a brief silence before Lu Li refrained from delving into their previous conversation, only asking, “You said you needed a favor, what is it?”
Caught off-guard and seeing Lu Li deliberately avoiding the topic, Lin Qi felt a sense of relief, quickly came to her senses, and immediately said, “You work in the healthcare system, I need your help to look up someone.”
As she spoke, she handed over a document she held, “This person named Zheng Xuanyi, can you help me find her? Be it her home address, workplace, or even her current cellphone number…”
Lu Li took the document, glanced at it, and asked, “What do you need to investigate this woman for?”
Lin Qi said, “Seven years ago, this nurse assisted with my delivery. At that time, she told me one of my babies had passed away and prevented me from seeing my eldest child for the last time. After I left the hospital, she gave me an urn, which I didn’t think much about back then. But recently, I found that what’s inside the urn is not ashes, so, I suspect the death of my baby might be questionable, and I want to investigate it.”
Lu Li looked at the ID photo on the document, remaining silent.
Lin Qi added, “It’s been a long time since the incident, and Aiyou Maternal and Child Hospital no longer exists. The hospital was reorganized, and all medical staff were reassigned; currently, her whereabouts are unknown, but I think you should be able to find some leads.”
Lu Li said, “I’ll do my best.”
He pocketed the document, ordered their meal, and soon, the dinner was served.
Lin Qi bowed her head, eating distractedly.
Lu Li seemed to have no appetite, just quietly eating.
Lin Qi’s discomfort grew with the silence, and after thinking it over, she still said, “Lu Li, perhaps, there was never a ‘missed’ between us, only that we were not destined to be. Even if you hadn’t gone abroad to study, we might not have been suitable for each other.”
Lu Li said, “Whether we are suitable or not isn’t for you or me to decide.”
Lin Qi said, “I… wouldn’t have chosen you.” She clenched her teeth and spoke harshly, “You really are a good person, but I’m not worthy of you.”
Lu Li scoffed, “So, you’re not worthy of me, but you are worthy of Huo Tingdong? Or, do you mean that I’m not worthy of you, only Huo Tingdong is?”
After saying this, he paused, feeling his words might have been too harsh.
He knew she was never a materialistic person; he didn’t intend to say hurtful things, just didn’t like her saying such things.
It felt like she was eagerly trying to sever ties with him.
Lu Li continued, “Think of it as my wishful thinking; rest assured, from now on, I won’t pester you, but I also won’t let go easily.”
Lin Qi lowered her head, not knowing what to do.
Lu Li stood up, “Let me take you back.”
Lin Qi also stood up, immediately saying, “I can just take a taxi back alone.”
Lu Li said, “Do you think I would feel at ease letting you go back alone?”
Saying this, he firmly grabbed her hand, “I’m taking you back.”
Lin Qi instinctively tried to pull away, but he was already leading her by the hand towards the door.
Just as they reached the door, Lin Qi saw Lu Li pause, looking towards the entrance.
Confused, Lin Qi followed his gaze.
At the restaurant entrance,
the evening breeze gently flowed in.
A tall and slender figure, Huo Tingdong, stood at the doorway in a black shirt, seeming to blend into the night, his presence overbearing and slightly suffocating.
Lin Qi was startled, instinctively pulling away from Lu Li’s hand. Realizing her action seemed as if she was being guilty, it felt excessive and unnecessary.
Huo Tingdong stood at the entrance, sharp and disheveled by the night wind, his cold eyes piercing as they settled on Lu Li.
Lu Li, unfazed by that intense gaze, stepped forward, “Huo Tingdong? What are you doing here?”
Huo Tingdong replied indifferently, “I should be asking you this. Why are you here?” His gaze fell on Lin Qi, “Is this the ‘friend’ you mentioned?”
Lin Qi was at a loss for words.
She could feel Huo Tingdong was angry but couldn’t understand why he’d be.
Could he have misunderstood?
Huo Tingdong said, “It seems you two are close, why not continue holding hands?” His eyes shifted to Lu Li’s empty hand.
Lin Qi wanted to explain, but Lu Li stopped her with his hand.
He knew Huo Tingdong had misunderstood, yet he reveled in this suspicion.
“You see.” Lu Li hugged Lin Qi, shielding her in his arms, provocatively smiling, “But what can you do about it? You’re already divorced, and who she meets with is none of your business anymore.”
Feeling the provocativeness in Lu Li’s words, Lin Qi stiffened, especially upon seeing Huo Tingdong’s changing expressions, feeling a chill creeping up her spine.
“Lu Li, don’t…” She couldn’t just watch Lu Li provoke him.
“What shouldn’t I?” Lu Li interrupted her, “Isn’t what I said the truth?”