Chapter 51: Pay back for what you've done
Yang Lingyun felt incredibly bitter in his heart every time Xia Lihua addressed him as 'Bing gege'. He managed to suppress those feelings and said, "No, I cannot leave you alone like this. I'll stay with you."
To his surprise, Xia Lihua seemed secretly happy with his decision. The thought of spending the entire night like this sitting under the tree crossed her mind fleetingly, but she quickly dismissed those whimsical notions and composed herself. "Take me to the washroom. I need to wash my face and eyes."
The boy wanted to hold her hand and accompany her inside the mansion, but he stopped, realizing his mistake. "I came here without my wheelchair, so it's a bit painful," he admitted, inwardly chiding himself for almost blowing his cover.
The girl was shocked, "Why did you come here without your wheelchair? It must really hurt!" Xia Lihua turned her body in his direction and gently placed her hand on his thigh. Although she had indeed heard the sound of leaves and twigs crunching under his shoes, her emotions overwhelmed her to the point that she failed to notice the unusual detail - he had walked on his feet and not used the wheelchair.
Overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety, Lihua began to bite her lips nervously. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she had been a terrible friend. While her friend had shown genuine concern and rushed to her side, she hadn't even noticed the effort he had made. The weight of her carelessness weighed heavily on her conscience and she felt an overwhelming sense of culpability for not being more attentive to his feelings.
"I was in a hurry and worried about you," Yang Lingyun confessed. "I'll send someone to guide you back."
Xia Lihua hadn't suspected him, as she had only informed Yang Lingbing of her intention to visit the back garden. She assumed it was him who had come to find her. No one else at the party was as close to her. Even her parents were too preoccupied to worry about her.
The realization that a boy she had met only a few hours ago was so concerned for her well-being left her feeling both touched and saddened.
Gu Sheng later came to her and relayed Yang Lingyun's message, "Young Miss Xia, the elder young master said to take you to the washroom. Please come with me."
Blind to her surroundings, Xia Lihua gratefully held Uncle Gu's hand and followed him to the washroom where she washed her face and got rid of the glitter.
...
Xia Lihua titled her head up and asked, "Where is Feng gege?"
"Ding Feng is in the kitchen," Yang Lingyun informed as he picked up the tea cup and took a sip.
"In the kitchen?" Xia Lihua repeated in surprise.
"Yes, he's preparing some snacks for you."
"For me?!"
"He's actually a Michelin chef from a 5-star hotel in T city."
"Oh, he must be really skilled then."
"Yes, he's quite talented. Grandpa Yang also suggested that I spend some time with you."
Xia Lihua couldn't help but laugh out loud. His grandfather was a bit eccentric and had his own unique way of thinking. Despite the incident when she had been drunk and 'cheated' on Yang Lingyun, he was still determined to play matchmaker between them.
"He says it's not cheating if you were intoxicated. Remember, you even mentioned that your drink was mishandled. It wasn't really your fault."
Xia Lihua pursed her lips and replied, "Well, regardless, that's in the past now. We should focus on our own paths and what lies ahead."
In her mind she was determined.
'Just wait,' she thought resolutely, 'I will make you pay back for what you've done, Xia Mengrui and Xia Liyan.'
As Yang Lingyun's mind wandered to other matters, he posed a question that left Xia Lihua momentarily taken aback. "Are you close to Young Master Liang?"
Xia Lihua was stunned.
"Of course I am," Xia Lihua replied, a hint of surprise in her voice. "He is the vice president of my company, after all. Why do you ask, Mr. Yang?"
Yang Lingyun couldn't help but feel angered, pressing his tongue against his teeth. 'You're always close with a lot of guys.'
"I am acquainted with the Liang family and Old Master Liang mentioned that his youngest grandson is simply foolish," Yang Lingyun revealed, concern evident in his voice. "That's why he was thrown out of the family."
Xia Lihua: "-_-"
Xia Lihua assured him, "You don't need to worry about him. Besides, I trust you enough to believe that you haven't disclosed my identity as the owner of Hua De Shijie to anyone."
"I haven't; I don't really care."
Xia Lihua: "It's good that you don't care, just keep your loose mouth shut."
Yang Lingyun: "What did you just sa-"
Xia Lihua: "oops-"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone