Chapter 60: Moving Too Fast?
Lu AnLing's phone buzzed again but she didn't dare to look back at it.
'The one I like is you…' The words sounded hard in her ears. For a moment, the girl was left speechless. Waiting, as if to create suspense, Lu AnLing staired into Kang Jun's eyes. Hers communicated many complex emotions but Kang Jun's only had one; affection.
Her heart internalized the emotion and reciprocated it with hard and fast beats.
The girl wanted to grip her chest and scream at her heart to stop its incessant action but it wouldn't listen even if she commanded it, so all she could do was try her best to deny the man's feeling, no matter how cruel it may seem.
Lu AnLing: "You can't."
Kang Jun couldn't help but raise his eyebrows to the girl's statement.
What did she mean by that? Was she doubting that he could fall in love with someone like her? or that someone like him could fall in love with her? Despite the small changes, both phrases posed distinct questions; it was about selling one or the both of them short.
"Why?" Kang Jun asked.
Lu AnLing's brain lagged for a second.
She opened her mouth unsure of what she was about to answer.
"Because I have a goal to accomplish and I can't do that while in a relationship."
Her words weren't lies.
Finally, after so long, she'd found a lead about her child. An albeit small lead but still a lead nonetheless. No one who knew about her pregnancy back then would help her now, just like back then. Lu AnLing was fine with that. Yes, the path might be a lonely one but it was one she was willing to accept.
She wasn't planning on telling anyone about those incidences from back then either so it was impossible to be in a relationship.
Lu AnLing believed that relationships were built on honesty and trust. Even more so now than she did when she was dating Yang Yize. That was one of the many reasons why she refused to get into romantic relationships in the present.
No matter how Kang Jun would be kind and honest to her, she wasn't sure if she would be able to do the same to him.
Kang Jun: "So you don't dislike me then? If that's the only reason, then I could help you with it."
Lu AnLing threw her head back in frustration.
"Or do you like someone else?" Kang Jun's voice held a hint of resistance. It was like he himself wasn't sure if he wanted to ask the question.
It rang loud and clear in Lu AnLing's ears, causing guilt to rise within her.
Did she like someone?… She wasn't even sure how to answer that herself. It wasn't that she didn't like someone but at the same time it wasn't that she did either. She wasn't completely sure about what her feelings were. And the one who caused this confusion was sitting right in front of her…
Not hearing a reply, Kang Jun frowned and his face darkened.
"Who?"
You?...
The sound of his voice shook her to her core.
God… she wanted him. Lu AnLing couldn't deny her attraction to Kang Jun. It was impossible. But as soon as the feeling emerged in her she wanted to slap herself.
What was she thinking? Kang Jun was everything that she had told herself to avoid but Lu AnLing couldn't help but kind of, sort of, like him.
But the small tinge of liking wasn't enough for her to compromise everything she'd done over the years and chose to accept him.
Ever since her resolve to find her child had been reignited in her and all those memories of pain and suffering were felt, the walls that Kang Jun had been able to send crumpling down had rebuilt themselves.
"No one. I don't like anyone." Lu AnLing said with determination.
Kang Jun was not quite convinced but he didn't pry into the subject, partially because he feared that her answer could be worse.
He gazed at her phone with gloominess in his eyes.
"Why do you even like me?" Lu AnLing continued. She didn't want to say those words but she just had to know.
As soon as Kang Jun heard them, he looked deep into the girl's eyes. Her words had been somewhat twisted in Kang Jun's mind. It resounded as 'why do you like someone like me?'.
Kang Jun frowned.
"Must there be a reason to like someone."
Lu AnLing didn't know.
If asked about it now, she couldn't quite remember why she'd fallen in love with Yang Yize in the past but she could remember the times she'd felt love for him.
Hearing her silence, Kang Jun approached her slightly.
"Look, I'm not telling you to say yes right now. I'm asking you to give me a chance."
Lu AnLing looked up to meet his gaze. His eyes were glistening and begging her. Feeling something pull on her heartstrings she parted her lips as if to say something but Kang Jun spoke first.
"Just three months."
Hearing his words, Lu AnLing paused to think. When she had finally made her decision, Lu AnLing looked away.
"Fine. Three months."
Lu AnLing accepted that though she felt kind of bad because no matter how much he tried he was bound for failure. She didn't plan on getting herself emotionally involved with anyone. She realized just in time that she was too close to falling for Kang Jun and now, she had to stop.
Seeing a complicated expression appear on her face, Kang Jun tilted his head to admire the girl. A smile appeared on his lips.
"Will, you really give me a chance or do we need to write a contract?" Kang Jun's voice was brighter.
He was teasing her again!
Lu AnLing looked up with a pout.
"I already said I will."
"Regardless. If you want me to believe you, then promise me or we'll have to write up a contract."
Lu AnLing hesitated for a moment. She never broke any of her promises. So if she uttered those words, she'd have to honor it. Though she understood that Kang Jun had backed her into a corner.
The girl gave him a glare. "Fine. I promise."
Kang Jun smirked, "Promise what?"
"..."
"Specify." The words came out slow and soft, almost like a whisper. It made Lu AnLing's being hold back a shiver.
"I-I promise that I'll give you a chance."
Kang Jun looked at her with dissatisfaction.
Was she not specific enough?
"I promise I will give you a chance in terms of romance." The man's gaze didn't change, causing Lu AnLing to frown. "As in, I will... uh... be open to you courting me and possibly falling in love."
Amusement filled the man's eyes.
Falling in love... that sounded good to him.
After their talk, Lu AnLing stayed for a while, allowing Kang Mingyu to stay cradled in her arms, but once the silence became too much for the girl she immediately left. Though not before kissing the little boy on the cheek. Seeing this, Kang Jun felt a bit annoyed but when he remembered that the boy was just a child he calmed himself down.
Watching the girl leave, Kang Jun began to think of ways to open her up to him. Soon he had to go on a business trip and he wouldn't be back for a week and that was a shame, but it gave him time to properly think things over.
Though he really wondered how much it would take for the girl to fall for him. He was both worried and curious about it, but there was no time for any of that.
"I only like you…" From behind, Kang Mingyu's voice rang loud in the small room.
Hearing the words of his confession vocalized, Kang Jun froze and then his eyebrows knitted but he didn't turn to look at the boy.
Without Lu AnLing knowing, the boy had been awake the whole time. Though how did the two people having a loud conversation expect him to stay in slumber anyway?
Not wanting to interrupt, the boy just pretended to be asleep to allow them to speak but now, it was his turn.
"Daddy…" Kang Mingyu realized what he had just said, and then immediately corrected himself. "Uh, Second Uncle, don't you think you're moving too fast?"
Kang Jun turned to look at the boy deeply.
With a three-month time limit, nothing was too fast.
And Kang Jun was right about that. His family was moving just as fast or maybe even faster than he was. Already, Kang Mu and his wife had compiled a list of possible suitors for Kang Jun.
That morning, as soon as Elder Kang had awoken, he had found out via Secretary Rong that many people wanted to meet him regarding his 'second grandson's marriage'. Seeing this, the man did not question what had happened.
Thinking about it as he headed back home from his meal with Kang Jun, Kang Mingyu and Rong Yue Wan, he knew exactly what had happened.
Kang Mu, that goddamn fool.
As he stared out the window, Elder Kang couldn't help but lament. Thank god Kang Jun wasn't angry at him or else, the elder knew, he wouldn't have been let off easily. When Elder Kang got home, the first thing he did was go to his study. Moments later, Secretary Rong came in and placed a file on his desk.
Elder Kang's expression hardened. "This is."
Secretary Rong sighed. "Your son's handiwork."
When the elder opened it he saw a bunch of names and pictures along with background checks.
Elder Kang felt his rage begin to bubble over.
Elder Kang waved Secretary Rong away. As soon as the man was gone, the first thing he did was call his son but the man, probably knowing the trouble he was in, didn't answer.
Annoyed beyond belief, the elder wanted to toss the file into the garbage but, seeing all the hard work his son or most likely, his daughter-in-law, had put in, he couldn't help but look through the candidates.
The list was pretty extensive but they'd crossed out a couple of names. Beside them, the reason for their rejection was written. It was normal stuff like low status, morally questionable, weak-willed, etc.
Everyone in the Kang household knew that it would take someone extraordinary to be by the side of Kang Jun.
Not any woman could handle his grandson, Elder Kang knew this for a fact. That was why he'd always believed that Rong Yue Wan would be the perfect candidate.
Thinking for a while, the elders face grew grim.
He called for Secretary Rong.
"Yes, sir?"
Elder Kang: "Find out who's staying in the room beside Kang Jun's, and do it discreetly. I don't want my annoying grandson barging in here. "
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
caremel
caremel Hey! I'm happy to announce that Vol 1 is officially complete and, I published 100k words. Thank u for reading and I hope you enjoy Vol 2 as much, or even much more than the 1st. Everything is going to get faster and faster with mysteries and the past unveiling as our main characters deal with present difficulties.
Also, thanks for all the comments. I have read them all and yes, I will compensate you! You guys deserve it! Also, I'll try my hardest to complete my project early.
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