The windows lowered. Qiao Fei glanced at her: “Get in.”
Feng Ling saw the intoxication in his gaze and immediately furrowed her brows. “Do you enjoy looking for me whenever you drink too much?”
“I passed by this place and knew that you were here. I couldn’t restrain myself. Originally, I only planned on watching you from here. I was going to leave once your lights turned off.”
“And so? Why did you still call me?”
“Probably because I drank too much. I’m not sufficiently conscious and restrained right now.” Qiao Fei chuckled self-mockingly: “Must you stand outside to talk to me? I have drinks in the car. Have some with me?”
“I’m not drinking.” From Feng Ling’s expression, it was clear she wasn’t going to give in. “You should head back. You shouldn’t have come in the first place. I only came down for a look because you still were still here. Brother Qiao, you know my character very well. There is really no need for you to put so much attention on me.”
Qiao Fei fell silently. He suddenly smiled. “It seems like you know everything now.”
Feng Ling did not speak.
In the past, she did not know nor could she understand.
However, right now, she mostly understood.
Although she shouldn’t have come down to meet this person, since he was here, and because he came for her, she felt obliged to at least check on him.
The principles in her heart were always defined and firm. When it came to the things that should and should not be done, she never wavered.
“It’s fine if you know. I never had the intention of concealing it anyway. Previously, because you didn’t wish for your identity to be revealed, I didn’t say much. From the beginning, I knew that there was a lot between Li Nanheng and you that I couldn’t interfere. Although I gave it a try, it seems like this isn’t something I can achieve with hard work alone. Your heart has always belonged to him, am I right?” Qiao Fei leaned back against the car seat to watching her from the side: “The reason you avoid me is also because you don’t wish to be misunderstood by him.”
It seems like she had been seen through entirely.
Feng Ling did not speak.
“Won’t you come in for a while? Does it feel comfortable to stand there and endure the wind? I won’t do anything to you. Look at how intoxicated I am. If you use your skills against me, I’ll definitely be pressed down on the floor. What’s there to be afraid of? “Qiao Fei glanced at her with a smile.
Feng Ling lifted her brows: “I have no need to get in your car.”
“Let’s have a chat. We’ve known each other for so long. At the very least, I was the first person who discovered your secret.”
Feng Ling did not reply. She hesitated for two seconds before getting in.
After sitting down, Qiao Fei reached behind for a drink and handed it to her. However, Feng Ling only placed it by the side and did not open it.
He did not force her and only smiled as though to mock himself. He then opened another to drink.
Seeing that he was downing it quickly, Feng Ling was silent for a moment before speaking: “It seems like you’ve been really unhappy since you left the base.”
“That’s right, I’m unhappy.” Qiao Fei placed his drink down and turned to look out of the window. He smiled: “A carefree life, and one held down by responsibility. How can the latter make me happy?”
Feng Ling did not have her parents with her, nor did she have a home. She did not understand the stressors one could experience outside of the base well. She also wasn’t good at making judgements about the things she couldn’t understand. She saw that his mood was poor and sat silently by his side to accompany him.
“Do you know why I like you?” Qiao Fei turned his slightly dazed eyes onto her. “I like the way you don’t ever ask about the things you shouldn’t ask. You don’t waste your breath and you don’t explain too much. In fact, you’re a very warm person underneath. It’s only that time and experience has trained you to appear cold and to keep people at a distance. Anyone who understands you knows that you’re not cold; you simply have your own principles and you’re good at standing by them. At times, the charisma of a person’s personality is truly very important. No matter if you’re a man or a woman, you’ll equally be able to draw people towards you.”
Feng Ling lifted one side of her lips. “Thanks for the compliment.”
Qiao Fei raised his brows: “You don’t have anything else to say to me?”
Feng Ling was silent for a moment before speaking: “Brother Qiao, I’m very clueless when it comes to feelings. However, I know the thoughts you have for me. I also know very clearly that I don’t reciprocate those thoughts.”
Qiao Fei released a long breath and leaned back against his seat as though he had lost all his strength. He gave another self-mocking smile: “En, I know.”
“You should head back soon.” Feng Ling picked up her phone. “You’re not sufficiently conscious. I’ll call someone over to drive you back.”
Qiao Fei closed his eyes and did not stop her.
Feng Ling arranged for someone to come and inform them of their location. She then placed her phone down.
She glanced at her untouched drink and did not say more.
She directly pushed open the door to alight.
He watched as she left. Although she came, she only did so to reject him. From her attitude, it was clear she wouldn’t spare him any opportunity.
He thought he had the ability to take the rejection well; however, he realized that he still couldn’t let her go. After giving up his identity as an XI Base’s member, there really wouldn’t be many opportunities for them to see each other again. Despite this, his heart still unwilling to accept that this was happening.
When he saw that she was leaving, the man abruptly pushed open the car door and alighted. He took large steps to pursue her and reached out to catch her wrist, spinning her around with agitation.
Feng Ling had shifted her head subconsciously when she heard his movement. However, before she realized what was going on, she almost fell into his embrace. She stumbled a little before quickly backing away. However, Qiao Fei reached out and held her in his arms, pressing her close tightly. He pressed his chin against her neck and held her with force: “Feng Ling!”
Feng Ling instantly stiffened. Her body instinctively felt as though it was being pricked by thorns all over. She rushed to push him away, but Qiao Fei held onto her with a firm grip: “Feng Ling, can you consider me? I can give you everything you desire; freedom, happiness, whatever it is. We’ve similarly interacted in the XI Base before. I’ve even spent more time with you than Boss Li has. I also know of your roots and your past. Give me an opportunity, consider me, don’t reject me so clearly!”
“Brother Qiao!” Feng Ling furrowed her brows coldly and pushed him away with force. “Let go… Qiao Fei!”
Feng Ling abruptly pushed her hand against his abdomen with force and lifted her knee to shove him aside. However, Qiao Fei endured pain and refused to let go: “Feng Ling…”
“Let go of me!”
“Feng Ling, I don’t want to let go.”
“Let go!”
All of a sudden, a freezing chill seemed to approach. Before Feng Ling could push the man away, she abruptly sensed her back turning cold. She turned her head to the side and saw that a large, tall Hummer was driving over. It came to a stop around five meters away from Qiao Fei and her. The windows did not lower and the car remained unmoving there.
Feng Ling’s expression stiffened. She rushed to apply more force to shove him aside. The scent of alcohol on Qiao Fei’s body clearly indicated that he was irrational right now. Feng Ling stepped on his feet harshly. “Let go of me right now!”
Right after she spoke, the heavy noise of a car door being slammed caused her back to turn even colder. She turned to see that the tall, stern-looking man was already approaching!
