Ling Momo’s eyes widened, her vacant gaze gradually sharpening as she stared at Li Qingshen, slowly coming back to her senses. It was only after a delayed realization that she thought about what Li Qingshen had actually said.
His words carried a serious tone of contempt.
Though she had never imagined that Li Qingshen would care or worry about her, just now she had seen something, prompting her to blurt out, even doubting her own perceptions. Yet, when his direct mockery confronted her, she felt a vague sense of loss deep down.
More importantly, it hurt.
She admitted he was outstanding, perfect, and she acknowledged she was not his equal. She never even considered what might be between them, but his blunt exposure of the facts still wounded her pride.
Ling Momo bit her lower lip, a hint of hurt and dimness flashing in her eyes.
Li Qingshen had been watching her intently through the rearview mirror, scrutinizing her reactions. Seeing her distress, a sharp pain suddenly stabbed at his heart, nearly causing him to lose control of his emotions.
His gaze flickered with conflict and turmoil, his deep love he couldn’t show, his deep love he had to disguise, his deep love he feared losing. This repression, this control, this panic made his eyes grow increasingly fierce as he turned to look at Ling Momo.
He reached out, his fingers well-defined and evenly proportioned as he gently grasped her chin. A cruel smirk appeared on his lips, "I’ve said it before, I don’t accept flawed goods. I was only worried an accident might interfere with my plans and tarnish my reputation!"
Ling Momo’s lips turned pale instantly, trembling slightly. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but could only move it without making a sound. Even her eyes showed panic and embarrassment as they darted around before she suddenly broke free from his grip, unbuckled her seatbelt, pushed the car door open, and ran off with a trace of awkwardness.
Li Qingshen instinctively reached out, pushing the door open, but halfway through, his movement abruptly stopped. Then, little by little, he closed the car door, sealing it shut.
His expression carried a trace of self-mockery.
If he went after her, what then?
Could he hold her in his arms, cherish and pamper her as she deserved? Get full chapters from NoveI[F]ire.net
No matter how much he wanted to, he ultimately couldn’t do that, could he?
He lifted his head, looking through the car window at her retreating figure, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
Indeed... he couldn’t do that because he lacked the right...
His fingertips still held the memory of her soft warmth, which thrilled yet pained him so much.
So desperate to love her, yet so afraid to act on it.
She was the one problem in his life he couldn’t solve.
He had returned to his country, stayed by her side, just to make her happy. He thought he could always remain calm and composed, could control his emotions, never letting her see his true heart.
He could make sure she never found out just how much he suppressed himself in her presence.
Yet, he lost control sometimes, and she had effortlessly guessed his true feelings. If he admitted, yes, he cared about her, worried about her, what would she do?
Li Qingshen leaned tiredly against the seatback, slowly closing his eyes.