Gratitude

In other words, if Ji Lingchen really did like her, Fang Xiaonuan would get the shock of her life. She pointed at Lin Rou and said to Ji Lingchen, "Dad is gone, you can go out with her!"

After saying this, Fang Xiaonuan waved her hand and happily got ready to go upstairs. As soon as she stood up, she was met with Ji Lingchen's burning gaze. She did not know that since they had returned home, Ji Lingchen's gaze had been fixed on her.

"You helped me when we were at my family's house, and now I've helped you as well. Ji Lingchen, now we're even!" Fang Xiaonuan explained everything clearly and happily continued walking upstairs. Ji Lingchen watched her back until she disappeared.

Lin Rou's gaze had been fixed on Ji Lingchen. When she saw that his gaze had been fixed on that woman, she was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. She pretended to be gentle as she tugged at the corner of Ji Lingchen's shirt. "Lingchen, why did you come back so late?"

Ji Lingchen asked, "Did you drink today?"

Lin Rou saw that her sweetheart was being indifferent towards her and mistakenly thought that Ji Lingchen did not like her when she was drunk. She immediately shook her head. She promised, "No. Since you don't like me drinking, I definitely won't drink in the future."

Ji Lingchen glanced at the empty stairs once again. He turned around and said to Lin Rou, "Let's chat."

Lin Rou shyly nodded and immediately followed him.

Ji Lingchen led Lin Rou to the balcony outside the old residence and ordered the servants to brew a pot of tea. He politely placed the teacup in front of Lin Rou. Noticing Ji Lingchen's sudden politeness, Lin Rou felt a little uneasy. She took the initiative to ask, "Lingchen, what do you want to talk about?"

"Don't waste your time on me. It's been years. If I had feelings for you, we would have been together a long time ago. I only treat you with kindness. You are already at the age where you can get married. If there's someone you like, you can try to get in touch with them." Ji Lingchen's tone was still a little restrained. He could not speak ill of the woman in front of him.

Hearing Ji Lingchen's words, Lin Rou's tears silently flowed down. She did not say anything, and only looked at Ji Lingchen pitifully. Perhaps she was testing whether he had feelings for her or not.

"You know about my situation. I'm married now. If you come to my house to look for me in the future, it won't be good for you or her. If something urgent comes up, just call the landline." Ji Lingchen's words were clear and straightforward. He meant to help Lin Rou understand and he did not want to leave her with any confusion.

Hearing that it would not be good for her, Lin Rou cried even more fiercely. Her makeup was starting to run. "Are you referring to Fang Xiaonuan?"

Ji Lingchen did not reply. He only glanced at her. Lin Rou reached out to grab his hand, but he picked up the teacup and dodged her grasp. She shook her head, crying, "It's not like that, Lingchen. You said that you liked me. How can you say you were doing me a kindness? You didn't hesitate to buy Lingnan Group for me. You even saved my father's company. On your wedding night, you came to me instead of that woman."

"I never said that I liked you. You are deceiving yourself and others. Buying Lingnan Group was something that the company had spent half a year planning to do. Saving your father's company was to thank him for his kindness to me back then. It wasn't because of you that I didn't accompany her on our wedding night," Ji Lingchen said coldly. He did not like people who did not know their own limits.

"No, it's not like that. Didn't you admit that you liked me that night? You loved me, Lingchen. You loved me." Lin Rou cried loudly, as if she wanted to get the rest of the Ji family's attention.

"I never talk to people who are completely drunk," Ji Lingchen replied.

Because Lin Rou was drunk that day, Ji Lingchen was not indulging her, nor was he tacitly admitting that he liked her. Rather, he did not like talking to drunk people.

Ji Lingchen's cup was empty now, and he had already said what he needed to say. He asked Lin Rou to leave. "It's hot outside, head home quickly!" After saying this, Ji Lingchen got up and went back into the room.

Lin Rou had not moved yet, but she had been crying. She was crying pitifully, and her tears were heartbreaking. Ji Lingchen sighed and slowly walked upstairs.

Fang Xiaonuan was a little surprised to see him come back. "Didn't you go on a date with her? Why are you back so soon?" Ji Lingchen rolled his eyes at her and then went to the cloakroom.

"Tsk, you rolled your eyes at me again. Do that some more and you'll have only the whites of your eyes left," Fang Xiaonuan complained indignantly.

In the courtyard, Feng Qi had just returned from a shopping trip when she saw Lin Rou crying. She ordered the servants to take her things back to the bedroom and then walked towards Lin Rou.