Zhao Youlin was stunned. Soon, she understood what Mu Tingfeng had meant.
Even though she was not a frail and weak woman who had to always rely on a man’s protection, there was no way she could defend against dangerous weapons such as a bullet on her own. Therefore, upon hearing Mu Tingfeng’s words, the feeling of warmth inexplicably bloomed in Zhao Youlin’s heart.
The corners of her lips slightly curved upward. Zhao Youlin continued on the previous topic, “I never thought I would see my own grave at the cemetery.”
She clearly felt that the person who was hugging her had turned stiff. Zhao Youlin patted his back to calm him down.
“That feeling… how should I put it… it feels strange. Apparently, I am still alive, yet I am watching my past from another angle. I also wondered what had happened to me just then. By the time I recovered my senses, I had already walked over there. As such, I had to lie my way through in order to cover up my true identity.”
Mu Tingfeng cocked one of his eyebrows. “So, he still doesn’t know that you are…”
“Yes, he still doesn’t know about it.”
Mu Tingfeng hesitated for a brief moment. He could not help but ask, “Why… don’t you tell him?”
If he remembered correctly, Mu Chen had been with Zhao Youlin longer than Luo Weibing. As such, their relationship was stronger compared to Luo Weibing.
If so, why did Zhao Youlin reveal her true identity to Luo Weibing but not to Mu Chen?
Zhao Youlin did not answer his question even after some time. Just when Mu Tingfeng thought Zhao Youlin would not answer his question, she said drearily, “I am no longer Big Sister Lin. I have my own life and he has found his own happiness. If possible, I don’t want him to be part of my troubled circle.”
A trace of bitterness showed up on Zhao Youlin’s face. After all, how could she say with a straight face that she totally did not care about him after more than ten years of relationship?
However, now she understood that not only was she looking different in terms of her look and body to Mu Chen, but she also had not been able to sort out the past even today.
If possible, she truly did not want to relate Mu Chen in this incident. He deserved a blissful family, a gentle mother, a thoughtful wife and perhaps, a few adorable children in the future.
She had to ensure all these would prosper instead of destroying him.
Looking at Zhao Youlin’s hair swirls, Mu Tingfeng instinctively knew that what Zhao Youlin had mentioned was related to her gunshot. He furrowed his eyebrows and swallowed the words that were already at the tip of his tongue.
The time had not yet come! These words had unwittingly appeared in Mu Tingfeng’s mind. He fell silent for a moment before he felt relieved. After all, she was his, and he had ample opportunities to ask this question in the future. It was not urgent at that moment.
Zhao Youlin sucked in a deep breath. She spent some time to calm herself before she continued, “As for Bing, I can only sum up our relationship in two words — sinful fate. Back at the time when I just joined the police academy, the academy assigned students happened to be out for practical training. I was coincidentally sent to his school. At that time, he had just joined the academy as well. He had committed deeds out of lawlessness due to his privileged background as well as his being spoiled by his family members. In the end, he inevitably messed with me.”
As she recalled the unpleasant past when Luo Weibing kept coming to her and nearly got himself killed, the corners of her lips unwittingly curved upward.
“Well, you know that I am the kind of person who doesn’t mess with others unless they offend me first. When they do, I’ll certainly return tenfold. After I taught that kid several lessons, he walked around me whenever he saw me at school. However…”
Zho Youlin paused. She looked up and cast a glance at Mu Tingfeng. “However, that kid was like you. Even after he had been bullied by me several times, not only did he not hold grudges against me, but he also came to me so bitchily. I wonder if all guys from the great families also like to offer themselves for torture.”
Mu Tingfeng narrowed his eyes dangerously. He quirked one of his eyebrows and said, “He is similar to me?”
Zhao Youlin was stunned. The next moment, she rolled her eyes in resignation. “I’ll say, you two are similar in a certain way. I’m not saying that you two share the same interest. That guy is a loser. Just like Mu Chen, he only treats me as his older sister. Besides, I also treat him as my younger brother who always causes trouble.”
Mu Tingfeng looked at Zhao Youlin in puzzlement. His eyes were filled with wariness.
Zhao Youlin groaned helplessly. In the end, she decided to come up with a silver bullet. “Don’t worry about them. I never like men who are younger than me.”
Mu Tingfeng’s eyes lit up. He stabbed at the weakness in Zhao Youlin’s words without hesitation. “They are all older than you now.”
“Fine. I don’t like men whose mental age is younger than mine.”
Only then did Mu Tingfeng nod with satisfaction. However, soon, he thought of another person. “How about Ye Yan…”
This time, before Mu Tingfeng finished speaking, Zhao Youlin had already glared at him and said, “You can’t blame me for that guy. Instead, you are the one to be blamed for this.”
“I’m the one to be blamed for this?”
“That’s right. You are the one. That guy and I have only met each other several times before. All of a sudden, he came and told me that he likes me. He could even die for me. Do you really think he has feelings for me? The answer is no. He only wants to fight with others. As for his competitor, I suppose you know him well. You are the one who is inviting trouble. In the end, I am the one who has to suffer. How dare you still have the guts to bring this up and put the blame on me.”
Mu Tingfeng was shocked when he heard Zhao Youlin’s argument. The reason Ye Yan was so particular about Zhao Youlin was all because of him. Did he want to grab everything that he cared for?
Did he have any feuds with Ye Yan before? Why did he have to do that?
“That’s all for my explanation. Can you let go of me now, President Mu?” Looking at Mu Tingfeng’s darkened expression, Zhao Youlin pouted her lips and reminded him unhappily.
Mu Tingfeng was snapped out of his daze. However, he still did not plan to let go of Zhao Youlin’s hand. He stared straight into Zhao Youlin’s eyes with his deep eyes.
At that moment, Zhao Youlin noticed a trace of strong desire and… uncertainty in Mu Tingfeng’s eyes.
Zhao Youlin’s heart clenched. This man… This man had been most confident and good at strategizing everything. Yet, he was timid and hesitant when facing her. It was not because he lacked trust. It was because he cared so much for her. He was scared. He was afraid that he would lose her.
After Zhao Youlin took note of this, she felt relieved. She heaved a sigh of relief and caressed Mu Tingfeng’s face. She stared into his eyes and asked softly, “Mu Tingfeng, do you like me?”
To her surprise, Mu Tingfeng shook his head. However, the next moment, he added solemnly, “I don’t like you. I love you.”
Zhao Youlin was stunned. She could not help but smile. Her smile was heartwarming and filled with bliss. “Me too. Mu Tingfeng, I love you.”
