“Well…” Why was Wang Qing always trying to dig into things?
“Oh? Who’s this? Aren’t you going to introduce him?” Wang Qing’s eyes sparkled with interest as she looked at Bin Zhengheng.
What a lovesick fool. This works? At least Bin Zhengheng is somewhat useful.
“Oh, him? Just someone I picked up on the way,” Luo Yaling said disinterestedly, which made Bin Zhengheng a bit unhappy.
“Ah! Why don’t I have such good luck? I haven’t picked up anyone! It would be nice to bring home a handsome guy,” Wang Qing complained, wondering why all the good things happened to others.
“Say that again,” Bin Zhengheng retorted, hating being called pretty, especially by someone so annoying.
Wang Qing was startled by his aggression. Just a young boy, why so intense? But she felt a bit scared.
“Little Ling, won’t you invite your… friend to dance?”
Wang Qing, intimidated by Bin Zhengheng’s gaze, quickly looked to Luo Yaling for help.
“Um, about that…” Luo Yaling said, looking conflicted. “Sorry, I need to use the restroom. You guys go have fun!” She wanted to escape from Bin Zhengheng.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you here,” Bin Zhengheng replied.
Wang Qing hadn’t responded before seeing Luo Yaling run away. She soon excused herself and walked towards the restroom as well.
Luo Yaling rushed towards the restroom but, instead of entering, turned and walked down a different path.
When she reached the back door, she stopped to open it and stepped outside. Taking a deep breath, she remarked, “Ah! How quiet it is outside! So nice.”
However, the more she walked, the more unhappy she became. “What’s going on! Everything is trash!” she thought. “I shouldn’t have come out. But staying there wasn’t an option. This path isn’t bad, just a bit uncomfortable.”
Luo Yaling walked with her head down, lost in thought. Suddenly, she felt she had bumped into something soft, which surprised her.
Shen Yixuan, holding a cigarette, was taken aback by her presence. He recognized her and wondered how she ended up in that situation. Despite being frustrated, he found himself unable to push her away.
Realizing she had collided with a person, Luo Yaling jumped back and looked up, shocked to see Shen Yixuan.
“Ah!!! Shen… Shen Yixuan?” she exclaimed, surprised to find him there. She blinked, confirming it was really him, as his face had been on her mind frequently lately.
Yet, seeing him actually in front of her now was hard to accept.
Shen Yixuan showed no expression, remaining cold. He leaned against the wall, lit his cigarette, and relaxed his previously stiff body, covering any inappropriate emotions with his icy demeanor.
Seeing Luo Yaling’s actions almost made him want to laugh, but he suppressed it. He recalled the young man she had been with earlier. Where was he now? That person had seemed to challenge him, and though Shen Yixuan wouldn’t take him seriously, he found himself remembering him. Strange! Is it because of this girl? He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Luo Yaling noticed him shaking his head and wondered if he felt she shouldn’t be there. The heavy atmosphere felt almost suffocating.
However, she broke the silence, saying, “What a coincidence. Running into you again. Hehe!”
He was cool, unapproachable even, but she liked it.
“Coincidence? Really?” Shen Yixuan was surprised to see her but maintained his tone.
“You… seem like you don’t want to see me?” she asked, feeling sad.
“I don’t want to,” Shen Yixuan replied with a smile devoid of warmth, thinking that she disrupted his heart.
“You’re really direct,” she noted, finding his bluntness unbearable. But Luo Yaling wasn’t easily defeated.
Luo Yaling wondered if Shen Yixuan thought she had come to approach him intentionally. “Um, Mr. Shen, I’m here by coincidence. I just came out to get some air and bumped into you,” she explained, concerned he might misunderstand.
“You don’t need to explain,” Shen Yixuan said, throwing away his cigarette butt and putting his hands in his pockets.
He thought explaining only raised suspicion; now he felt doubtful. Luo Yaling regretted her explanation.
Seeing his attitude made her unhappy. “Then just treat it as me talking to myself. Act like you didn’t hear anything,” she replied, somewhat displeased.
Shen Yixuan narrowed his eyes, ignoring her. Her annoyance faded as she sensed his cold demeanor, leaving her feeling lost.
Luo Yaling gazed into his eyes, startled by the sudden chilling light that flickered in his previously emotionless gaze.
It could be described as a killing intent.
Soon, Luo Yaling understood why he was emitting such a cold light. The dazzling flash illuminated someone, making her eyes uncomfortable. Before she could react, that figure quickly fled.
Chapter Fourteen: Suspicion
Still in shock, Luo Yaling realized the figure had long disappeared. Understanding her situation, she exclaimed, “Oh my God! Actually being secretly photographed?”
She knew the person being photographed was the great figure in front of her, as well as herself. Otherwise, it wouldn’t create a buzz. Readers love explosive gossip. Who could be clever enough to pair her with Shen Yixuan? Their magazine would profit immensely, yet it seemed foolish to use her, a ‘nobody’, for an article with Shen Yixuan of Xuanling Group. She was just a small reporter.
Just as Luo Yaling was about to laugh, she suddenly felt a bad premonition and remembered Shen Yixuan was still beside her.
She looked up at him, her mind going blank.
“Mr. Shen… it’s not me! I would never do such a thing! Please believe me,” Luo Yaling panicked, waving her hands in an attempt to explain.
Oh no! He wouldn’t think she had colluded with others to set him up, would he? She was completely innocent and had never felt so wronged before.
Shen Yixuan’s eyes fixed on her, assessing the credibility of her words. He seemed to be considering how to deal with her.
Under his stare, Luo Yaling felt uncomfortable, as if millions of insects were crawling on her.
“Mr. Shen, I, Luo Yaling, swear to the heavens that if that person was arranged by me, I’m willing to be at your mercy. Do whatever you want. I’ve never promised anyone like this before; you’re the first.” She raised her hand, swearing seriously, though her voice softened towards the end.
Unbeknownst to her, she had just revealed her real name to Shen Yixuan.
“Should I believe you, Luo… Ya… Ling?” Shen Yixuan said each syllable coldly, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Had she not claimed her name was Xiao Ling last time? Which was her real name?
I don’t want to do anything to you, I just hope the photos from tonight don’t appear in front of me,” Shen Yixuan said calmly to Luo Yaling.
His calmness made her shiver. Although his words carried no threats, they clearly implied she was involved. Why didn’t he believe her?
“I told you it wasn’t me,” Luo Yaling tried to suppress her panic. But her voice revealed her fear.
Shen Yixuan remained silent. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and smoked, then looked at her suspiciously.
Being stared at by Shen Yixuan made Luo Yaling uneasy. Did he really doubt her because she was a small reporter?
“Shen Yixuan… you really don’t want to believe me?” she asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.
“I’ll believe you this once. But I don’t like people playing tricks on me. You should understand that, right?” Shen Yixuan seemed convinced it was her doing.
“I, I…” Luo Yaling wanted to explain she hadn’t done it at all.
“Is. It. Clear?” Shen Yixuan had no patience for her explanation.
He directly interrupted Luo Yaling.
“Clear,” Luo Yaling said sadly, lowering her head, not wanting Shen Yixuan to see her eyes. She felt tears were about to fall and didn’t want him to witness her pathetic state.
“Good,” Shen Yixuan said and disappeared without a trace.
