Weekend.
I had made plans with Xu Qian to go hiking.
The weather was nice, with clear skies.
Xu Qian mentioned that he had skin issues and couldn't be exposed to the sun for too long, so he chose a scenic area.
I had no objections.
Xu Qian said he invited me to hike because I didn't enjoy horseback riding or golfing.
I smiled but didn't respond.
In truth, I just didn't like doing those activities with him.
Halfway up the mountain, it started to rain.
Fortunately, Xu Qian said he used to be a developer here, so he had the keys to a room.
I didn't expect Xu Qian to have such a hobby.
"Do you do this often?"
Xu Qian looked puzzled: "Do what?"
"You know, staying in hotels or guesthouses."
Xu Qian chuckled lightly: "No, only here."
I pressed my lips together and fell silent.
The rain grew heavier, and it seemed we wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.
Xu Qian glanced out the window: "Looks like this rain won't stop anytime soon."
"..."
I remained silent, quietly watching the rain outside.
Xu Qian looked at me for a moment before getting up: "I'm going to take a shower."
He walked into the bathroom and turned back before closing the door: "Don't leave."
"..."
I still didn't say anything.
Xu Qian entered the bathroom.
I withdrew my gaze and sat on the low sofa by the window. My mind was a bit chaotic. Suddenly, I thought of Li Rong. When I left the research institute, he was still in the parking lot. I wondered how he was doing now. I took out my phone, wanting to call him. But why should I call him? He was no longer related to me. I looked out the window again. The rain was still heavy, showing no signs of stopping.
Xu Qian came out of the bathroom and walked in front of me. I pulled my gaze back and looked up at him. "Do you want to take a shower?" Xu Qian asked me. I blinked, "What's wrong?" "Nothing," Xu Qian said, ruffling his hair, "I just noticed your clothes are all wet." I looked down and indeed saw that my clothes were wet. It must have been when it rained earlier; the car window wasn't closed properly.
"I'll wait a while before showering," I said. Xu Qian nodded, "That's fine; we can leave after the rain stops." I pressed my lips together, "Okay." Xu Qian glanced at me again and sat down by the bed. "Come here," he reached out his hand to me. I hesitated for a moment before walking over. Xu Qian took my hand and gently pulled me into his embrace.
My heart skipped a beat. Xu Qian held me, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Liu Yajie,” he said softly.
“Hmm?” I replied.
Xu Qian remained silent, simply holding me quietly.
I bit my lip and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xu Qian gently said, “It’s nothing, I just wanted to hold you.”
My heart started racing again.
After a long while, Xu Qian finally let go of me.
“Are you hungry?” he looked at me and said, “We might have to eat at the guesthouse tonight.”
I glanced out the window.
The rain was still pouring heavily.
“Yeah,” I responded.
Xu Qian smiled, “You should go take a shower first.”
“Okay.”
I took my change of clothes and went into the bathroom.
After finishing my shower and coming out, Xu Qian was leaning against the headboard looking at his phone.
He glanced up at me and asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Not really,” I said.
Xu Qian put down his phone and got off the bed.
I was startled and quickly stepped back.
Xu Qian looked at me for a moment before walking towards the sofa.
He sat down on the sofa with his legs crossed, looking relaxed: “Liu Yajie.”
“…”
I frowned slightly.
Xu Qian rarely calls me by my name. He usually refers to me as "Miss Qin."
"Um?" I responded.
Xu Qian quietly looked at me, not saying a word.
I felt a bit uneasy under his gaze. "What's wrong?"
Xu Qian continued to look at me silently.
I started to feel anxious.
"What's wrong?" I asked again.
Xu Qian lowered his eyelids, hiding the thoughts in his eyes.
After a long while, he looked up at me and said, "Liu Yajie, let's get married."
"..."
After leaving the guesthouse, I asked the driver to turn off the backseat light and closed my eyes to pretend to doze off.
Xu Qian and I did not have dinner together.
Neither of us mentioned the topic of marriage.
It was as if we had never spoken about it at all.
However, I knew in my heart that this was not a matter of avoidance.
I needed to clarify things with Xu Qian.
The car stopped downstairs at Xu Qian's home.
Xu Qian got out of the car.
"Xu Qian," I called out to him.
Xu Qian turned back to look at me.
I took a deep breath and said, "Xu Qian, let's cancel the engagement."
Xu Qian's expression showed no change: "I disagree."
"......"
I pressed my lips together and said, "Xu Qian, I can't give you what you want."
Xu Qian looked at me quietly, saying nothing.
I felt a bit guilty under his gaze.
"I..."
"Liu Yajie, what's wrong with me?" Xu Qian interrupted me.
I was taken aback for a moment, then shook my head, "No, you're great."
"Then why don't you want to marry me?" Xu Qian pressed on.
I sighed, "Xu Qian, you're excellent, but there will always be someone better than me."
"Like who?" Xu Qian countered, "Who exactly?"
"......"
I was left speechless.
Xu Qian scoffed lightly, "Liu Yajie, you won't find anyone better than me."
"......"
I lowered my head, avoiding his gaze.
Xu Qian looked at me for a long time before sighing.
"Liu Yajie, I like you," he said.
My heart started racing again.
Xu Qian continued, "But you don't like me."
"......"
I looked up at him.
Xu Qian smiled bitterly, "So I won't force you."
My heart felt like it was being tugged by something, and it was very uncomfortable.
Xu Qian turned and walked away.
I watched his back until he disappeared from sight before I finally looked away.
"Drive," I said.
The driver responded and started the car.
...
Xu Qian is right; I can't find anyone better than him.
But I don't want to marry him.
I don't know why, I just don't want to marry him.
Maybe it's because I don't like him.
I don't like Xu Qian.
What I like is...
The face of Li Rong flashed in my mind.
I quickly shook my head, trying to dispel the thought.
No, I won't like Li Rong.
Absolutely not.
...
The car stopped at the Central Business District.
I got out and headed straight for a milk tea shop.
I rang the doorbell twice before a little boy opened the door.
The boy looked about five or six years old and was very cute.
He blinked his big eyes at me and asked, "Who are you?"
I smiled and replied, "I'm here to see Li Rong."
"You looking for my dad?" the little boy tilted his head and asked.
I was taken aback for a moment, "Your dad?"
"Yeah," the boy nodded, "My mom went on a business trip, and my dad is downstairs picking up a package."
I nodded, "Then I'll go find him downstairs."
"Okay," the little boy obediently nodded.
I just turned around and saw Li Rong standing at the corner.
He was quietly looking at me, not saying a word.
I felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze.
"You..."
"Were you feeling jealous just now?" Li Rong suddenly asked.
"..."
I was slightly taken aback.
"I smelled something sour," Li Rong said.
I realized what he meant and laughed, "You misunderstood."
Li Rong remained silent, just watching me quietly.
I felt a bit awkward under his gaze.
"You misunderstood," I repeated.
Li Rong still didn't say anything.
I sighed, preparing to leave.
"Where are you going?" Li Rong suddenly asked.
"Home," I replied.
Li Rong glanced at my clothes, "How are you going home like this?"
"..."
I looked down and noticed that my clothes were all wet.
It must have been from the rain earlier.
"I..."
"Just come back with me for now," Li Rong interrupted, "You can take a shower at my place."
"..."
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