章 19: Chapter 19: Two Tickets
Lillie observed Ethan's odd behavior. At one point, he was stabbing his steak as if it had personally offended him. His hands were growing paler by the minute from how tightly he clenched them.
She sighed. What now?
"What's the matter?" she asked calmly.
Hearing her voice, Ethan felt a bit more at ease.
"Nothing… I just remembered that I also have something to do in Japan," he lied effortlessly, without even blinking.
Lillie narrowed her eyes. "When?"
Ethan internally panicked. He didn't even know when she was leaving, and if he wasn't on the same flight as her, he'd never find her.
Lillie Bai didn't openly announce her trips abroad. If she went anywhere, it was always in complete secrecy. No one would even realize she had left the country unless she was launching a new project or opening another branch.
"Uh…thursday?" he blurted out.
Silence.
Ethan started sweating. Was that the wrong answer?
"Oh, how unfortunate. Our schedules don't match."
Damn it.
Ethan shoved a piece of steak into his mouth, stuffing his cheeks like a hamster. Maybe if he distracted himself with food, he wouldn't be so upset.
Lillie gave him a weird look. Was this man bipolar?
Sighing, she shook her head and continued eating.
Just then, a soft melodic ringtone broke the silence. Lillie set down her silverware and picked up her phone.
It was Elliot.
"Yes?" she answered.
Ethan discreetly watched her, curious.
"I understand… it's fine, don't worry about it… alright, goodbye."
When Lillie ended the call, she turned to him.
"Well, Mr. Li, it appears I will also be flying to Japan on Thursday. What a coincidence."
Ethan's ears perked up.
Did he hear that right?!
"The flight I wanted on Friday was fully booked by a bunch of rich young misses," she explained. "Fortunately, Elliot managed to get me a ticket for Thursday instead."
Bless those rich young misses!
"I presume we'll go together?" she asked.
Ethan coughed to contain his excitement. "Well, that would be a great idea. You know, to avoid hassles."
"I guess you have a point." Lillie nodded.
YES! Ethan wanted to jump up and kiss his lucky star!
Wait.
He didn't even have a ticket yet!
"I'm done eating," he announced abruptly before standing up and leaving.
Lillie watched him go, raising a brow. What a strange man.
Ethan, meanwhile, immediately pulled out his phone and called Ming Lian.
[Yes, sir?]
"Book me a flight to Japan on Thursday," he ordered.
[Please hold for a moment, sir.]
A few minutes passed.
[Sir, I'm afraid the flight is fully booked.]
Ethan's face darkened. His usual icy demeanor turned even colder.
"Why?"
[It's completely full…]
Ethan nearly vomited blood. He had just praised his lucky star, and now it was betraying him?!
What bullshit!
Meanwhile, Lillie was about to head upstairs when her phone rang again.
"Elliot, what is it this time?"
[I'm terribly sorry, Miss Bai, but I won't be able to accompany you to Japan.]
"Why?"
[It's a bit embarrassing, but… it's my mother's birthday on Thursday. She hopes I can spend the day with her. Would you grant me a day off?]
Lillie paused.
"Of course. Take the day off."
[Really? Thank you very much, Miss Bai!]
"It's been a while since you had time off. Take the rest of the week until I return."
Elliot was stunned. This was a once-in-a-lifetime offer!
[Thank you, Miss Bai! I won't turn it down!]
Lillie chuckled. "By the way, did you buy two tickets?"
[Yes, I was about to cancel the other one.]
"Don't. Just leave it as is."
[Understood. Have a safe flight, Miss Bai.]
After ending the call, Lillie went to find Ethan.
She spotted him lying in a hammock in the backyard, a cigarette between his fingers. Judging by the pile of cigarette butts on the ground, he had been smoking a lot.
Her eyes narrowed. She didn't like smokers.
Without hesitation, she snatched the cigarette from his hand and threw it onto the ground.
Ethan instantly turned to yell at the offender—only to see Lillie's cold glare.
He swallowed his words.
"Stop smoking," she said sternly. "It's unhealthy. Secondhand smoke is even worse."
Ethan stared at her, dumbfounded. His anger melted away, replaced by warmth.
"Sorry…" he muttered. "I promise I won't smoke again."
Lillie nodded in approval. "Good. By the way, do you already have a ticket for your flight?"
Ethan sighed. "No. The flight was full."
She crossed her arms. "Elliot bought two, but he suddenly has other plans, so he can't come. I'll give you the extra ticket."
Ethan's eyes widened. He jumped out of the hammock and stood in front of her.
"Really?"
"Sure, but you have to pay me for it."
"No problem!"
Lucky star, I'm sorry for doubting you! I'll never question you again!
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