Chapter 1094: Pity?
Xia Zhao's eyes widened when he heard that and he sat up straight. All his attention was on the gossip regarding his nephew even though he was pretending like he heard nothing at all.
Ru laughed awkwardly, "Yeah. That... That was certainly the last time."
"I guess your memory isn't all that bad indeed," commented Ji Zhiren.
Ru actually didn't respond to that and just took another sip of the water in her hand.
"I thought I'd never see you again," mentioned Ji Zhiren. "It's surprising that we ran into each other. Should I call it fate?"
This time, Ru turned around to face him and said, "We have always been ill-fated. I don't need to remind you of that now, do I?"
Ji Zhiren shook his head, "No, you don't have to. You said everything you had to say when we last met. I don't think there is anything to add to that."
"I really have nothing to add to that," said Ru. "But if you want me to repeat my words, I can do it."
"So that you can break me all over again?"
"You and I both know that I've always loved to break things and people. How could it be any different now?" Ru gave him a lopsided grin, "But you can't handle that part of me."
"You don't give me a chance."
"I did," Ru replied. "I gave you a chance. It's you who got overwhelmed by my insanity. How is that my fault? I told you my darkness will give you nightmares. You insisted on walking inside my world. But you got deterred too soon. You can't blame me for that." Young Master Ru looked away, "You don't expect me to change myself, do you?"
"So, it's still my fault that you let go of my hand?"
"Who asked you to be scared of me?" retorted Ru.
Ji Zhiren's lips parted as if he wanted to say something but in the end, he dropped it. Instead, he said, "My Ji family has to give a face to the Xiang family, that's why I came as the representative. What about you, Young Master Ru? I don't think anyone can force you to be here."
"This young master came willingly," replied Ru. "I quite like the bride and I like the groom even more." Ji Zhiren's brows raised up as Ru continued, "It seems I have a special liking for sentimental men." As he said it, those green orbs were set on Ji Zhiren's figure who understood the meaning clearly and smiled bitterly. Taking a pause, Ru added, "By the way, since we met here. Congratulations!"
"For what?"
"For your engagement," said Ru. "Why did you come alone? I could see your fiancée if you brought her together."
Ji Zhiren went silent for a while when he heard that congratulation.
"You're truly heartless," he commented. "But thank you very much. My fiancée happened to be busy. So, I came alone. Don't worry, I'll send you the invitation to our wedding."
"Oh, then I'd definitely come," said Ru with a bright smile.
Ji Zhiren clenched his fist tightly facing that reaction and stood up as he said, "Excuse me. I'm gonna step out for a smoke."
"When did you start smoking?" asked Ru in confusion.
He looked back and said, "I had to fill the void you left with something."
Xia Zhao gaped when he heard those words and couldn't help turning to look at the two of them. He didn't bother hiding that he was eavesdropping all this while.
Ru crossed his arms against his chest as he said, "Are you sure, it isn't because it reminded you of me?"
"Either way, it brings me peace."
Ru watched him leaving in silence and those green eyes had a bitter longing in them that wasn't hidden at the moment. Xia Zhao was startled when he noticed it and looked at where Ji Zhiren was leaving. He was even more curious about the identity of the person. Actually, he knew the identity. Ji Zhiren, the eldest son of the Ji family from the Capital. One of the hidden clans that controlled the Capital. He was currently the head of the family too.
But Xia Zhao wasn't sure about how this Head of the Ji family was connected to Young Master Ru.
"Are you done watching and listening, Uncle?"
Xia Zhao nodded his head, "I am. But I'm not sure what's going on."
"Do you have to know? Don't you know curiosity kills?"
"Ru!" he called out. "He is your ex-boyfriend?"
"Can't say that," replied Ru. "We never really got to the stage of dating. But calling him my first love won't be wrong."
"He knows?" asked Xia Zhao. He lowered his voice as he added, "About your gender and your real identity?"
"He does know," answered Ru.
Xia Zhao was stunned for a moment.
"He knows everything," added Ru. "The problem is that he knows too much. Do you think anyone can handle what I am, uncle?"
"There is nothing wrong with you," said Xia Zhao. "You have a beautiful heart."
Ru laughed, "But so what? It won't hide my darkness, or my insanity or the chaos I am capable of. A beautiful heart isn't enough in the world we live in, Uncle. People like him who grew up in light are often scared of the darkness."
"And he got scared too?"
"Hmm..."
Xia Zhao sighed, "It's okay. We don't need someone who can't accept who you are. You have too many responsibilities on your shoulders from the moment you're born. The biggest responsibility was to even deny your own gender. With the expectations associated with you, it'd be dangerous if you're too kind hearted."
"Uncle, do you know I tried being kind. But whenever I was kind, it came back to bite me. I almost died because of an act of kindness. That was too heavy a price of kindness."
"In my opinion, you're still very kind," said Xia Zhao. "Or else, Raelle and Hyson wouldn't have liked you instantly."
"I think it's because those two also don't fit in the definition of normal like I never did," said Ru. "He said, he wanted to have a normal life with me. But how is that possible when I was never considered normal?"
"Do you regret it?" asked Xia Zhao. "Letting him go like that?"
"Regret?" repeated Ru and shook his head. "Not really. I trust my own judgement. It was either I lose myself or keep that love. I prefer not losing myself." Ru looked at him and smiled, "Uncle, I always say it, when love becomes painful, it's better to let it go. Cut your losses in time. You might think the pain would be worth it, but deep down everyone knows that pain is never worth it."
"Your ideas still don't follow the rules," sighed Xia Zhao.
"You should stop staring at me and focus on yourself," said Ru. "My goal in life was never love. I never dreamed of having love or building a warm family. My goal was always freedom. So, you should definitely not pity me."
"Pity?" repeated Xia Zhao and snorted. "Who would pity you? Do I need to remind you of who you are?" He almost rolled his eyes, "Who would pity you? I definitely won't pity you of all people."
"But I pity you," said Ru. "Do you want any help in proposing? I can definitely do it better since I have experience."
"I can do it myself."
"If I continued to leave it to you, when will I see your children and when will I get to bully them?"
Xia Zhao glared at Ru, "Do you dare to bully my kids?"
"Why not?" retorted Ru. "I'm all ready to do it! Bring it on!"
"I still haven't decided whether to have kids or not though. It depends on Yanzi."
Ru sneered, "Why don't you first think about whether she'd be willing to be with you or not? Don't get too ahead of yourself already."
"You don't have to worry. She will agree."
"Are you overconfident?"
"No, I just know it."
"Then look for me when you need any kind of help. Even if it's tearing down the stars from the sky, I'd help you, Uncle. Have faith in me," Ru was saying as he stood up.
"Where are you going on?"
"I also want to smoke," said Ru. "But if I touched a cigarette, grandfather is gonna beat me. So, I'm just gonna get some fresh air. No, it's better if I go and get something to eat instead."
Suddenly a girl came over to ask Ru for a dance and the gentlemanly young master Ru tactfully refused the girl but still made her smile even though she was rejected. Xia Zhao's lips twitched watching this scene. It was truly a mistake for the heavens to send Ru down on earth as a woman. He couldn't believe this deceiver was so good at charming both genders. A real heartbreaker!
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