"I see…"
Jinhai tilted his head after learning the whole confrontation with Zixin, his eyes slightly widened with surprise. He had never imagined that the clash of their online identity of MrPerfect would cause so much confusion and misunderstanding.
He knitted his brows heavily. "It cannot be possible…" he whispered to himself. Inwardly, his mind churned with theories and possibilities.
Ai said, "I was feeling down since learning what Guiying had been going through…" she awkwardly smiled. "I felt I fell short as a good friend to her."
Jinhai blinked. "Why? With what you experienced in your past, it was normal if you distanced yourself with her. You acted based on what you knew and went through. Beyond that, we are humans. We don't have X-RAY vision to read people's minds."
"..."
Ai was dumbfounded. "Jun also said the same thing last night."
He nodded. "Naturally."
She pursed her lips. "He scolded me quite a lot too."
Jinhai smiled. "We don't like our wives blaming themselves for anything."
"I thought you would take my side."
"Not here," Jinhai patted her head.
From a distance, Ai then saw Guiying standing before Sky's entrance. "Guiying…she came."
Jinhai turned and took a good look at her. "I see."
He looked back at her and said, "Go ahead. I am sure she will most probably head back without saying anything."
Ai quickly rushed outside and as Jinhai expected, 'Guiying' felt it was stupid to agree to come here. 'She' turned to leave when Ai stopped her. "Please wait!"
'Guiying' looked back and narrowed her eyes.
Ai asked a little breathlessly, "Why…are you leaving?"
'She' smiled. "Because I realized it was a mistake coming here."
Ai stared at her and watching a different kind of a smile on her lips, she figured that she was talking to the alter ego's side. Until now, Ai had been talking to 'her' but this time, she knowingly stood before her. It made her realize yet again how much she had missed about Guiying's life.
And 'hers' too.
'Guiying' ignored her to leave again when Ai said, "I-It's not a mistake coming here!"
'She' paused and folded her arms.
"I…" Ai parted and shut her lips, unable to speak anything. She had a lot to say, but her mind was only giving her blank answers.
"I know you wouldn't want to see my face or Jun's either."
"Glad you are aware of that. Seems like Chen Zixin already talked to you."
"Yes. I understand that it's unbelievable, but there has been a great misunderstanding on both sides' part."
'Her' countenance turned icy. "You-"
"You think I am stupid, right?" Ai's chest slightly heaved. "That you suffered heartbreak but I am only labeling it as a misunderstanding. But please trust me…It's more than just a misunderstanding. That's why I sincerely request you to not leave. We are also looking for answers like you do."
'She' sneered. "Ho? You are saying as if your boyfriend is so innocent."
"Jun is innocent. And so are you and Zixin."
"We all cannot be innocent at the same time. Don't take me for a fool, Zhou Ai."
"I am not. I am really…" her eyes brimmed with tears, "not trying to fool you. I want you to listen to us just once…please," Ai bowed.
'Guiying' was taken aback with the bow. 'She' felt a strange uneasiness well up in her chest. But it was Guiying's emotions riling up 'her' heart. 'She' had no interest in staying here. 'She' didn't even know herself why 'she' came here after Ai's call last night to invite her to Sky's anniversary celebration.
'She' only remembered that 'she' heard Ai's voice quivering and shaking the entire time though she tried quite hard to hide it. Feeling that sincerity and fear in her voice, 'she' was unable to refuse her.
"...Fine. I will stay."
Ai's eyes watered even more and tears fell.
"But mind you, if you or Liu Jun try to feed me any nonsense, then don't expect any mercy from me," 'she' warned.
"It won't be like that."
'Guiying' stared at her and then passed by her in silence towards Sky's building.
Ai slowly straightened up, wiping her tears. She saw Zixin standing before her and offering her his handkerchief. "You were also here?"
Zixin lowered his gaze. "Yes. But I couldn't come forward. Guiying wouldn't want to see me…"
Just that one thought was enough to darken his whole world.
"Please wipe your tears with this."
"Th-thank you…" Ai felt slightly embarrassed as she accepted his handkerchief.
She then took a deep breath and looked up, firm with her belief. "Guiying wouldn't want to meet you now, but I know it will be different after we resolve everything. Please stay strong."
His eyelashes trembled and it was difficult to dissipate the doubts in his heart. But he clung onto Ai's hope and nodded.
—
Inside, the celebrations were in full swing and Xing Bi could see how busy Jun was talking to his employees and some other guests he had invited for this event. There were a host of reporters too who had lined up to interview Jun.
She stood at one side, breathless after her interaction with the whole Liu family, especially Liu Hai, Jing and the twins. They were a charge of endless energy.
"I am dead…" she said while looking as if somebody had sucked out her soul.
As she drank a glass of water, she heard the sound of heels clicking on the floor as the person approached her.
Xing Bi turned her head and her expression slightly hardened, seeing Sky's Chief Editor, Sun Bai standing in front of her.
"Miss. Xing," Sun Bai politely addressed her but with a hint of uncertainty.
"Miss. Sun," Xing Bi replied perfunctorily.
"I know you have been disappointed in me…" Sun Bai lowered her gaze. "I fully understand your concern too. I came to ask if you…thought what we talked about before?"
Xing Bi's expression was solemn as she faced her. After learning how Sun Bai had sent Ai's story drafts to her personal device and unsure of how she meant to use them, Xing Bi had confronted Sun Bai the next day.
Sun Bai asked, "Have you decided if you would…" her clasped hands were trembling, "reveal everything to Sir Liu?"
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