Chapter 46
The brawl ultimately ended with Zhuo Zhi’s intervention.
Ordinary people fighting, exchanging blows, their moves dictated by their emotions, it would have dragged on for a while.
No matter how skillfully Li Qinyue fought, Ling Xi, enraged and spewing vulgarities, had become a screaming banshee, a truly unsightly spectacle.
The parking lot, although not a crowded area, had security guards and cars coming and going, making the situation quite awkward.
Zhuo Zhi couldn’t stand it any longer. She opened the car door, got out, and walked briskly towards the three women.
Ling Xi’s ranting stopped abruptly as she looked at Zhuo Zhi, surprised, probably not expecting her to be there.
Zhuo Zhi stared at her, her eyes sharp as knives. Her voice was calm as she said, “Say one more word.”
Ling Xi’s lips moved, but no sound came out.
In the eyes of outsiders, Zhuo Zhi was just a girl Li Qinyue had picked up, someone who suited her unique taste. But Ling Xi had seen her fight, and she hadn’t forgotten.
People valued their lives after all. Ling Xi turned and walked towards her car, quickly driving away from the parking lot.
She deliberately avoided them as she drove out, not wanting any further interaction.
Li Qinyue clicked her tongue, “I thought she was going to run me over.”
“She wouldn’t dare,” Zhuo Zhi said.
“What if she did?” Li Qinyue asked.
“I’m here,” Zhuo Zhi said flatly.
“Can you stop a car?” Li Qinyue chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Zhuo Zhi’s hair.
Zhuo Zhi tilted her head, dodging her hand, “Yes.”
Li Qinyue’s hand froze in midair, then landed on Zhuo Zhi’s shoulder, “You’re bragging.”
Lan Xi, who had been standing at the side, said, “Thank you, President Li.”
“Shouldn’t I be thanking you?” Li Qinyue was in a good mood, “Your provocation worked well.”
Lan Xi smiled, “If you need me again, just let me know.”
“I don’t have time for this kind of thing all the time,” Li Qinyue rubbed her hands together. “You’re going to face a lot of trouble from now on, be careful.”
“It’s fine,” Lan Xi said, “I’m not afraid.”
Li Qinyue admired her attitude. After all, they had been comrades in arms once. She said sincerely, “The best way is to become famous quickly. Once you have value, everything becomes easier…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Zhuo Zhi suddenly turned and walked away.
“Hey,” Li Qinyue was stunned. She waved at Lan Xi, “Go back.”
“Goodbye, President Li,” Lan Xi said, but only Li Qinyue’s back was visible to her.
Li Qinyue quickly caught up to Zhuo Zhi and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhuo Zhi’s tone was cold, “Time to go back.”
“Oh,” Li Qinyue was surprised. She tugged at Zhuo Zhi’s sleeve, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy about something?”
“No,” Zhuo Zhi mumbled, quickening her pace and getting into the car.
Li Qinyue got into the driver’s seat, started the car, and drove off, “I’m giving you ten minutes to sort out your emotions, and I want to hear the reason.”
Zhuo Zhi didn’t speak, staring out the window, silently counting the time.
Twelve minutes later, Li Qinyue said, “Time’s up.”
Zhuo Zhi said, “It’s been twelve minutes.”
Li Qinyue chuckled, “You were actually counting? You could have told me earlier if you wanted to. You were so excited before, why are you so cold now?”
“I can’t be excited all the time,” Zhuo Zhi said, trying to be evasive.
“But you shouldn’t cool down so quickly, or are you used to this kind of thing?” Li Qinyue looked at her, “I’m still excited, my palms are sweaty. Why did you even get out of the car? If she had cursed a few more times, I could have slapped her a few more times. She wouldn’t dare to hit me…”
Zhuo Zhi twitched the corner of her mouth.
Li Qinyue was confused, “What’s wrong with you?”
Zhuo Zhi glanced at her, then looked down at her fingers.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to say it. She wasn’t the type to keep things bottled up inside. But she didn’t know how to say it, and she felt that saying it out loud would sound childish, unreasonable, and possessive.
Li Qinyue, seeing her like this, got angry and slapped the steering wheel, “Did you hear what Ling Xi said, and you actually believed it?”
“Huh?” Zhuo Zhi was stunned. What did Ling Xi say? Did she even say anything besides cursing?
Li Qinyue raised her hand, her brows furrowed, “Never mind, we’ll talk when we get home. I’m afraid I’ll drive the car into a ditch.”
Zhuo Zhi realized that Li Qinyue had misunderstood. She quickly said, “Sister…”
“Don’t call me that,” Li Qinyue interrupted her, “I said we’ll talk when we get home.”
If Zhuo Zhi thought her own emotional swings were irrational and inexplicable, then Li Qinyue’s mood swings were like unpredictable weather.
And she was prone to anger. When she was angry, she could do anything. Zhuo Zhi knew that she had to go along with her at times like this.
So she obediently remained silent until they reached the villa complex and parked in the garage.
Li Qinyue got out of the car, her long legs carrying her quickly.
Zhuo Zhi caught up to her. Before she could even change her shoes, Li Qinyue had already thrown her bag onto the cabinet.
Although she had aimed for the cabinet, the bag had a metal buckle, and the sound was quite loud.
Zhuo Zhi flinched involuntarily.
“Okay, talk,” Li Qinyue crossed her arms and looked at her.
“Sister…” Zhuo Zhi’s mind was a little blank, “Was there something wrong with what Ling Xi said?”
“Something wrong?!” Li Qinyue’s voice rose, “Was there anything right about what she said!!! You really think I’m arrogant, promiscuous, and…”
Zhuo Zhi covered her mouth.
Her hand was firm, not allowing any air to pass through. Li Qinyue felt like she was suffocating.
“No, no, no, what are you thinking, Sister? Of course I don’t believe what she said! She’s just saying anything she can to attack you, it’s not the first time she’s tried to slander you, how could I possibly believe her?” Zhuo Zhi explained quickly, ending with emphasis, “You’re not like that, Sister!”
Li Qinyue made muffled “mmm” sounds.
“I really don’t believe her!” Zhuo Zhi said anxiously, “I wouldn’t judge someone based on a few words. I’ve spent the most time with you since I came down the mountain, don’t I know you better than anyone?”
Li Qinyue: “Mmm.”
“Yes, you are quite confident, Sister, but that’s because you have the capital. And sometimes you have a bit of a temper, but that’s what makes you so cool and decisive, and that’s why we can conquer the world together. As for your private life…” Zhuo Zhi frowned, “That’s your freedom, no one has the right to interfere.”
Li Qinyue: “…”
Zhuo Zhi: “Really!”
Li Qinyue pulled her hand away, “Are you doing this on purpose?”
“What?”
“Stopping me from speaking.”
“Oh.”
“Did you enjoy that?”
“I was just explaining,” Zhuo Zhi said with innocent eyes, “I didn’t know you cared about this.”
“I wouldn’t care about what others say,” Li Qinyue looked at her, “But you’re a fool.”
“I’m not that foolish…”
“Then why are you angry?”
“I’m not angry anymore.”
“Tell me!” Li Qinyue slapped Zhuo Zhi’s butt.
Zhuo Zhi jumped back in surprise, holding her butt.
“Hurry up and tell me,” Li Qinyue cracked her knuckles, “Otherwise, you’re not sleeping tonight.”
“You can’t beat me, Sister.”
“Oh?” Li Qinyue tilted her head, “Then try fighting back.”
Zhuo Zhi frowned and didn’t speak.
Li Qinyue became patient, “You suddenly went from happy to unhappy, of course I have to find out why. If there’s a problem, we’ll solve it. If not, then it’s a misunderstanding. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings between us.”
“There’s no misunderstanding,” Zhuo Zhi paused, “It’s your freedom.”
“Why the hell is it my freedom again?!” Li Qinyue was annoyed by this phrase, “Can you stop giving me freedom for a moment?! I haven’t done anything yet, and you’re acting like I’ve gone too far with my freedom, don’t you think I’m feeling wronged?!”
“Ah…” Zhuo Zhi was stunned.
“Speak!” Li Qinyue shouted.
“You didn’t let me help Lan Xi, but you went to be the hero yourself. Lan Xi already likes you, you’re only going to make her misunderstand. And you haven’t even rejected her properly, just stringing her along. It’s not very nice, although maybe that’s how you city people are. But it’s like smoking, it’s bad for you, that’s why I was upset,” Zhuo Zhi took a breath and looked at Li Qinyue, “But it’s none of my business, it’s your…”
“Shut up,” Li Qinyue said.
Zhuo Zhi shut her mouth.
“Let me think.” Li Qinyue looked up at the ceiling. After a while, she said, “So you’re jealous?”
“Huh?” Zhuo Zhi instinctively denied it, “No, I’m not!”
She shook her head vehemently. Li Qinyue chuckled, “Yes, you are.”
Zhuo Zhi remembered the decision she had made in her heart. She ignored the curse word and didn’t move.
Li Qinyue’s mood seemed to have improved. She bent down to change her shoes, took off her jacket, and walked into the house, her steps light.
Zhuo Zhi quickly went to change her own shoes. Just as she was taking off one shoe, Li Qinyue suddenly called out to her, “Zhuo Zhi.”
“Huh?” Zhuo Zhi looked up at her.
“Have you forgotten what you’re supposed to do as my girlfriend?”
“No, I haven’t. I’m your shield against unwanted advances,” Zhuo Zhi’s self-awareness was accurate.
Li Qinyue smiled gently, “Then since you’re my shield against unwanted advances, it means my main goal is to avoid those advances. So, whether it’s a man or a woman, whether they’re interested in me or not, I’m not interested in them, okay?”
“Ah,” Zhuo Zhi was stunned, “Okay.”
Li Qinyue took a few steps forward, then turned back, “If you think any of my actions seem like I’m interested in someone else, it’s just a misunderstanding, understand?”
“Ah,” Zhuo Zhi straightened up, “Understood.”
Li Qinyue went upstairs and stopped midway, turning her head, “I’m giving you the authority to supervise me on this matter. You can point it out at any time, stop me immediately, or warn me.”
“Sister,” Zhuo Zhi stood at the bottom of the stairs, hesitating, “This…”
“I don’t need this kind of freedom,” Li Qinyue interrupted her, “This is my freedom.”
Zhuo Zhi paused, then said, “Okay.”
Li Qinyue leaned on the railing, looking down at her, “Grandpa messaged me, he wants me to go home for dinner on New Year’s Day.”
“Okay,” This was a lighthearted topic, and Zhuo Zhi smiled, “Although it’s not the official New Year’s Eve, it’s still nice for the family to be together on New Year’s Day.”
“You’re coming with me,” Li Qinyue said.
“I’m your bodyguard, of course I’ll be with you.”
Li Qinyue smiled, “Don’t forget your other role.”
“Yes, yes,” Zhuo Zhi nodded, “But your family gathering, there shouldn’t be any suitors there, right?”
“Better safe than sorry,” Li Qinyue said.
“Okay,” Zhuo Zhi, now experienced in her role as a fake girlfriend, puffed out her chest, “Don’t worry.”
“Hmm,” Li Qinyue responded softly, her voice even gentler, “One last thing.”
Zhuo Zhi looked up at her, “What is it, Sister?”
“I’m not promiscuous,” Li Qinyue looked at her, “I’ve never even slept with anyone.”
Zhuo Zhi froze, this topic was beyond her comprehension.
Li Qinyue’s eyes curved into a smile as she tilted her chin, “If you don’t believe me, you can try it.”
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