Chapter 7 Thought It Through
I pulled my thoughts back.
In the end, he could be fickle because of Lin Yaoyao. I was not allowed any tie to Chu Lin.
I couldn't help laughing. My chest shook with it, and then it stopped cold. I met his eyes.
"Yeah. He's wild enough."
"And you're too obedient. Not fit for dating."
Xu Heng went blank for a second. Then his face paled a little.
"You heard?"
"That's not what I meant. He suddenly asked... I..."
I lifted my eyes, my tone mocking. "You needed to prepare?"
"Was a diplomat asking, or the United Nations? Did you have to write the script before you could answer?"
Xu Heng pressed his lips tight and went silent.
After a long while, he drew me a little closer into his arms.
"I'm sorry. I didn't choose my words. I do like the obedient type of girl. But we've been together so long."
"You chased me for so long. My heart isn't stone..."
Xu Heng's tone was soft.
I couldn't listen to any of it. I cut him off.
"You think I broke over one last thing?"
"Or do I, Tian Yue, need a man to give me charity?"
I had forged the Ring not to lock Xu Heng down, but to remind myself.
The person I had waited seven years for. Was I really going to give him up?
His face looked bad. This silence lasted longer. The fingers on my wrist kept tightening.
"You've thought it through?"
Pain hit me. I let out an "Mm." He didn't ease up.
He was used to standing high above me. Used to that cold, proud posture. He never coaxed me past two sentences.
I could tell my resolve angered him.
I was done with the low posture. Done with being so careful.
I ignored the pain in my wrist and wrenched free.
"I've thought it through."
"You did consider Lin Yaoyao. Or you liked her."
"But something kept you from the next step. The reason wasn't me, was it."
Xu Heng's pupils tightened. He stayed silent.
I took that as a yes. I looked straight into his eyes.
"You could have refused. I liked you for so many years. I confessed so many times. One more refusal wouldn't have mattered."
"You ignored how I felt, again and again. You never thought much of me, did you."
"Delinquent Girl. A woman of the world. Did you tell Lin Yaoyao that?"
Panic showed on his face. He lifted a hand to pull me in.
"No, I..."
I turned aside. His hand caught nothing and stopped in the air.
"Don't say any more."
"Seven years ago, you saved me."
"I was being bullied. You took me to the clinic. The medical bill was 200. Later you lent me 3,000 for Tuition. I'm paying all of it back now."
I closed my eyes and drew a long breath.
I opened them and entered the number.
His WeChat chimed.
Seven years, and 3,200 yuan of kindness cleared. He was not the one at a loss.
Xu Heng looked wrecked. Those cold eyes turned blood-red.
"Tian Yue, don't you regret this!"