Chapter 34 - My Choice
CHAPTER 34
Getting the assurance she wanted, Li Jing continued.
"Thank you. I found out he has been having an affair with Li Xiu and well, I was the one still thinking we were in a relationship all these while. Li Xiu asked me out of the house and the company."
"What?! How can she do that to you?" Luo Jinhai had an outburst instantly, drawing attention to their table as the customers inside all turned to look at the couple.
Li Jing had to lower her head from the embarrassment of having everyone stare at her. Noticing this, Luo Jinhai apologized to the customers he had disturbed and reached his hand out to touch her.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to. You can look up now, they are no longer staring."
Bracing herself, Li Jing did as he instructed and true to what he had said, everyone had returned to their own meal and ignored the duo.
~~~
She let out a soft sigh, then continued. "It is okay, I was planning on resigning and leaving anyway."
Watching her put up a brave front even though he knew she was hurting so bad now made his heart clench tight.
He has had feelings for her since the time they met, but the moment he was going to ask her out, he found out she had a fiancé, Duan Tain. Back then the two of them looked like inseparable lovers and he knew Li Jing had loved the latter so much, he decided not to interfere.
After everything Li Jing did, deterring boys away from her because her heart was set on just one person, Duan Tian still had the nerve to break her heart like this.
Just thinking about it made Luo Jinhai feel like leaving the restaurant and find Duan Tian so he could punch him to a pulp.
But amidst that, his anger found a way to calm down when he thought about the fragile creature in front of him. He couldn't just leave her and go make trouble. He had to make sure she was okay.
A thought popped into his head at that very moment and the look in his eyes changed from that of anger to worry and care.
"Where are you staying now?" Luo Jinhai finally asked, after the long silence that ensued since her confession.
"About that…"
"Look Li Jing, if you do not have anywhere to stay, you can come live with me. I have a big mansion all to myself. Dad and mum are based in the states."
As much as his offer had no hidden motives, Li Jing could not accept it. It would be wrong and people would talk. How could she live with a man that was not her husband?
She could definitely not accept this offer.
"I am sorry, I cannot stay with you, Luo Jinhai."
"Oh," he withdrew his hand from hers and leaned back in his chair. Before his back could relax on the chair he sat back up and looked into her eyes.
His gaze was intense and unwavering like a new found determination just popped into him. "f you are worried about it being proper, I can arrange for a condo unit for you."
A mall smile broke out on her lips, but her answer was still the same. "Thank you so much, but I do have where I am staying."
"Where is it?" Luo Jinhai got up immediately and held her right hand, urging her to get up as well.
"Where are we going?"
"Where you are staying at, silly."
"Huh…"
"Come and show me, I want to see for myself if it is safe for you to live in," Luo Jinhai cut her short and pulled on her hand lightly.
Li Jing did not bulge or get up from her seat, her mind drifted at the mention of him coming to see where she lived.
'Oh no. I cannot take him there. That man is still at home. If Luo Jinhai were to see him, he would think I got myself into something dangerous and may inform the police just to protect me. I need to think of something else to say.'
Li Jing knew for a fact that if he found Ye Cheng in her him, then things may not end well and the strange man was hoping for her to keep him a secret.
Even though he had not asked her directly, he knew she was wise enough to make certain decisions by herself.
Besides, if she could go to that length to cover up their tracks, he trusted her to keep silent about him.
"Li Jing," he called out, breaking her from her train of thoughts.
"Um, yes."
"Let us go."
"Umm, I can't. I have some other things to do."
"Like what?" Luo Jinhai asked. The look in his eyes clearly stated he was not buying it as he arched a brow at her.
"I am living with Yin Lifen for now," she quickly lied, sounding as sincere as possible with no trace of her untruth in her eyes or facial behaviour.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Later I would be moving to a quieter place near the harbour."
"Near the harbour, why somewhere that far from the main city?" Luo Jinhai asked, his brows creased as he finally letting go of her hand.
"It is my choice. I want a peaceful life far from Li Xiu and her mother."
Luo Jinhai let out a soft sigh and proceeded to take back his seat. " All this stress. Why did you hide this from me when we talked on the phone? Do you not still trust me till now, Li Jing?"
His fell as the words left his mouth. He was telling her exactly how he felt. He felt bad she treated him like he was not a close friend.
"No, that's not it, Luo Jinhai senpai."
"Then what is the problem? Why do you keep hiding things from me?"