"Me too. I miss you so much; I feel like I can go crazy."
Until a few minutes ago, Li Caiyi was still feeling empty and lost, but now she felt the gap had been filled with something warm.
Dai Zhiqiang enveloped her frame with his, bringing out a nostalgic feeling. So warm and secure, just like that night when Shen Qiang anchored her to reality when she was drifting in the clouds.
Li Caiyi clenched his shirt and hoped that this feeling would last forever.
"Caiyi, what happened to you? You are clearly not your usual self today." Dai Zhiqiang patted her back, consoling her gently.
"I don't know myself. I have finally accomplished something I have to do, but why don't I feel happy when I finally accomplish it?" Li Caiyi answered in a muffled sound.
"Isn't that because you actually don't wish for it to happen?"
Li Caiyi's tongue stiffened when she heard that. Sensing her silence, Dai Zhiqiang continued, "What you have to do is not necessarily what you want to do. Perhaps you have pushed yourself too hard to think that this is what you want. When you finally complete what you have to do, you lose your sense of direction."
Li Caiyi: "...."
She was pretty sure that she hated Li Jirong to the core. That man was wicked and cunning, and Li Caiyi had no good impression of him. Punishing that kind of person and giving him what he deserved was supposed to be fulfilling.
However, there was no satisfaction in it at all.
"Caiyi, I don't know what you are thinking or what exactly happened to you today, but don't beat yourself too hard. Sometimes, you don't need a reason to feel something. It came to you naturally because that's just who you are."
"Who am I?" Li Caiyi asked.
"For me, you are still the same kind and gentle girl. The one who got stronger when protecting other people, rather than herself."
His words were so sincere and tender; it tugged her heartstring greatly.
She and Dai Zhiqiang barely met or talked in the last few days, but he seemed to know exactly what she needed to hear right now. Tears welled up in her eyes, knowing that there was someone who understood her deeply.
"Zhiqiang, why are you so kind to me? I might have saved Shenqiang, but this kindness is too much for me. If you act like this, then I'll misunderstand."
Dai Zhiqiang didn't reply immediately, but she could feel his heart drumming wildly in his chest, almost the same as hers.
"That misunderstanding, I promise I'll take responsibility for it."
Li Caiyi raised her head in disbelief when he said that. However, all words that had already been on the tip of her tongue were lost when she saw Dai Zhiqiang smile softly at her. His eyes shone like the brightest star, and he exuded the glow of the happiest person in the world right now.
"Just remember that I'm a simple person. I never do anything I didn't mean to. Your misunderstanding is probably not much of a misunderstanding after all."
"Zhiqiang, does that mean…."
"Caiyi," Dai Zhiqiang interrupted her words before she could finish. Then he continued in a regretful tone. "Hearing you say that makes me happy. But the current me is weighed down by responsibility and duty. Even if I want to continue our relationship further, I don't dare to do that just yet."
Li Caiyi's breath stopped for a moment. This might be the most direct confession she had heard from him until now.
Her heart ached in a bittersweet pain. She was happy that Dai Zhiqiang didn't dislike her. At the same time, she recalled how difficult his life was and how heavy the burden was on his shoulder, and it was heartbreaking.
"Zhiqiang, is there anything I can do to help?"
"There is none. Sadly, but it's just like that." Dai Zhiqiang said weakly. "I'm content with my relationship with you so far, but I would be lying if I said I never hope for more. Love and dreams are luxury goods for me now."
As much as it pained her to admit, Li Caiyi actually understood him. Life is more than just love and dreams. Even if Dai Zhiqiang craved to have those luxuries, he wouldn't dare to cross that line just yet, when he still had other things to do or protect.
That was just how Dai Zhiqiang was for her. A person who gives more than he receives things.
Li Caiyi was tempted to tell him about her co-project with Dai Shenqiang, but there was no guarantee this project would bear fruit.
"Zhiqiang, is your work difficult?"
"Yeah."
He didn't try to hide it this time. Li Caiyi pursed her lips, knowing this might be a good chance to ask what had been bothering her for so long.
"You are not working on a construction site." Li Caiyi said, more like a statement than a question.
"Yeah."
"Why did you lie about such things?"
"I have to. A student working in a bar wouldn't be a good thing to add to my resume in the future."
"Even so, there's no need to hide it even from your brother and father. They are worried about you every day, thinking that you could get hurt from doing hard labor for them."
"I know, but I don't dare to tell them just yet."
"Why don't you? I believe they will support and help you if you tell them directly."
Dai Zhiqiang smiled wryly. "That's what I'm worried about. I don't want them to beat themselves for something I can handle alone. Shenqiang had become brighter ever since he met you. That kid usually never talked much about his hobby, but he became a chatterbox with you. I hope he will remain that way without thinking about anything unnecessary."
Li Caiyi frowned upon hearing that. "Well, that's just you being selfish, Zhiqiang."
Dai Zhiqiang was stunned for a moment before chuckling. "You're right. I'm a very selfish person."
"Shenqiang also has his own thoughts. It's not up to you to decide what is unnecessary or not for him."
"Are you mad at me?"
"Not mad. I just thought you were being silly. There's no way Shenqiang could feel at ease pursuing what he likes, knowing you are pushing yourself like this."
Dai Zhiqiang stared tenderly at the girl in his arms. He should have gone back to the bar by now, but he found it hard to separate from her.
He didn't expect to get reprimanded, but it didn't sound that bad when it came from her. The way she frowned and pouted was so lovely he wanted to pinch her cheeks.
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