Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Qiao Anhao shook her head, getting back to her senses. Staring into the camera, she smiled tenderly before replying with a soft voice, “Nope.”
She then changed the topic swiftly. “You’re done with work?”
“Err… After about twelve hours of meeting, I just reached the hotel. I have another meeting at 3 pm this afternoon.” Lu Jinnian gave a detailed report of his schedule after her single question.
Lu Jinnian had been working for such a long time and hadn’t even had time to rest… He was even due for a meeting at 3 pm… “Oh…” Qiao Anhao started to worry. “Why aren’t you resting?”
“In a while,” Lu Jinnian replied warmly. He looked at the empty streets behind her before and asked, “Are you upset? Why are you alone out on the streets?”
“No.” Qiao Anhao shook her head, she tilted her phone downwards to show her evening gown. “I just attended a ball.”
Qiao Anhao wore an evening gown with a low neckline and had a coat over her shoulders. When she tilted the phone down, a large portion of her flawless white skin came into sight. Half of her chest was now visible.
Lu Jinnian turned his head away, but his voice was still laced with a faint hoarseness when he spoke. “It’s cold outside, hurry into the car, you’re going to get a cold.”
“A while more…”
Lu Jinnian turned back to the screen and saw the phone still directed at her chest. His throat tightened, taking a difficult gulp, he struggled to force out his word. “Be good.”
Why did he seem like he was coaxing a child… She wasn’t a child…
Qiao Anhao pouted, but deep inside, her heart melted. Even though she had wanted to stay a little longer, her body stood up instinctively and headed for the car obediently.
While she drove, Lu Jinnian changed the call into a voice call. Even though the safety in Beijing was good, he was still afraid that a video call might get her into an accident.
He didn’t want to cause a distraction so he remained silent for the entire journey back.
Through the phone, he could hear her car moving, and she had stuffed a wireless ear piece into her ear and could pick up on the sound of television from his room. Even though no one spoke, Qiao Anhao felt safe and at ease on her way back home.
After entering Mian Xiu Garden, she pulled out the ear piece and hung up on the call before sending him a video call. When the call went through, she said, “I’m back home.”
“Yea,” Lu Jinnian replied. She could hear a buzzing on the other side, but just then, Lu Jinnian muted the sound. “There’s milk in the fridge, remember to heat it up, it’ll help you sleep.”
When he was home, it was always done by him. Now that he was overseas for work, he would still remember his duties.
“Hmm…” Qiao Anhao changed her shoes before entering the kitchen. As she waited for the milk to heat up, she glanced at the screen. Lu Jinnian was staring at the muted television as it showed the latest financial news. “Aren’t you tired?”
Lu Jinnian turned to look at her. “A little more, I’m not sleepy yet.”
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Qiao Anhao removed the heated milk and placed a straw into the cup. After taking a sip, she blurted, “Are you getting insomnia from missing me too much?”
The moment the question left her mouth, she realized how shameless she was…
Qiao Anhao lowered her head, not able to face Lu Jinnian through the screen. Her eyes rotated nervously before finally lifting slowly to sneak a peek. Lu Jinnian’s dashing face was staring at her through the screen.
Qiao Anhao could feel her heart race and her face flush, and she couldn’t help lowering her head once more to gulp down more milk. Before she could swallow the milk, she heard his reply. “Yea.”
She couldn’t understand his single word. “Uh?”
Lu Jinnian glanced at her adorable and confused expression, his lips curling upwards slightly. He slouched back on his pillow lazily and added, “I said, yea, I miss you.”
After being married for so many days, he hadn’t said anything sweet to her.
This was the first time.
Qiao Anhao’s heart tightened, warmth engulfing her as she bit down the straw. After a while, she replied with a soft “Oh” to acknowledge his words.
Lu Jinnian remained silent as he continued to stare at her, his long lashes seemingly motionless.
Qiao Anhao lowered her lids, not looking at him. They were surrounded by silence. After taking a gulp, she released the straw she was chewing. “I miss you too.”
After her confession, her heart raced instantly.
After loving him for such a long time, even after causing a scene in America when she confessed, she had never said anything so seriously before.
This was the first time.
Time seemed to stop as the world froze around them.
In the end, it was Lu Jinnian who changed the topic. He lifted his finger, waving it in front of the camera. “Look, it’s bruised.”
Qiao Anhao glanced up to look at the finger he was waving—there were several tooth imprints on it and it had turned a deep shade of purple.
Yesterday at daybreak when she had dug for the marriage certificate, she had bit him… At that time, she was upset and afraid… and had bit down with all her strength, but she didn’t know it was that bad…
Qiao Anhao pouted in embarrassment.
Lu Jinnian shifted on the bed to find a more comfortable position before he continued warmly, “During the meeting, everyone saw it, they even asked how I got it.”
“Ah?” Qiao Anhao’s eyes went wide. “What did you say? Did you say it was me?”
“No,” Lu Jinnian assured her, and Qiao Anhao heaved a sigh, but just then, he continued, “I told them the puppy at home had gone crazy yesterday and bit me. They even advised me to get a rabies vaccine.”
Qiao Anhao burst out laughing, but then her face darkened. “Lu Jinnian, did you just call me a puppy?”
Amusement tainted his face. “I guess you aren’t that dumb.”
Qiao Anhao growled. “Lu Jinnian, are you calling me a dumb puppy?”
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Lu Jinnian chuckled lightly as he gazed at the tiny woman across the screen. Leisurely, he added, “Mmh, a dumb puppy I love.”
A dumb puppy I love… Qiao Anhao felt as though a feather had brushed across the most sensitive part of her heart, and she floated on a cloud. Her gaze flickered around continuously.
Even though he had called her a puppy, oh wait, a dumb puppy… But deep inside, she still felt warm and cuddly… Is she becoming a masochist?
Qiao Anhao had wanted to keep a straight face and act mad, but she couldn’t help her lips from tilting upwards. “Lu Jinnian, are you confessing to me right now?”
Lu Jinnian chuckled once more, without answering her question, he asked, “What do you think?”
I think that you are.
Qiao Anhao replied silently before placing the empty milk bottle on the table beside her. She glanced up at the time, it was already midnight.
It should be 11 am where he was and he had a meeting at 3pm… Ever since he left yesterday, he had been working relentlessly…
Qiao Anhao lifted her lids, and through the screen, she glanced at Lu Jinnian. “Aren’t you sleeping?”
“Hmm… A while more…”
After a long flight and a meeting that lasted the whole night, he was worn out, but talking to her peacefully like that allowed him to unwind and relax, which was far more nourishing than sleeping alone.
“It’s a long distance video call, it’s going to be expensive. Besides, I was the one who called, the call might suddenly cut off due to insufficient funds,” Qiao Anhao nagged.
Lu Jinnian slouched against the pillow lazily, he held his phone and started to type away silently.
Qiao Anhao could only hear the tapping sound made when as he tapped his phone.
“What are you doing?” Qiao Anhao asked curiously. “Talking to someone?”
“Mmh.” Lu Jinnian was clearly distracted.
Just then, Qiao Anhao’s phone vibrated. Two messages popped up on her screen.
It was from Telco company, stating that her account had been charged twice, each of the sums going up to five digits. The other message was the new balance in her account which was up to six digits.
Qiao Anhao startled.
“Has it reached?”
That’s when it dawned on her. “You were charging my account just now?”
Lu Jinnian lifted a brow. He remained silent but his actions confirmed her guess.
So this was what it meant when happiness and bliss came by.
There were some things that she had wanted to tell him when he was back, but right now she could no longer keep it in.
“Er… Lu Jinnian, if you really can’t sleep, can I tell you a story?”
“Sure,” Lu Jinnian replied without hesitation. “I’m all ears.”
Qiao Anhao smiled, then added, “Give me a moment, I’ll tell you when I’m upstairs.”
“Mmh.”
Qiao Anhao ran up the stairs into the bedroom. Mimicking Lu Jinnian, she propped up a pillow and slouched back, hugging onto the blanket. “I’m going to start now.”
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
“I’m going to start now.”
“Mmh.”
Qiao Anhao raised the phone and stared at Lu Jinnian silently for about ten seconds, as though trying to organize her thoughts. Clearing her voice, she began, “Long ago, there was a man and a woman who had an ambiguous relationship. One day, they decided to have dinner together.”
As she started her story, her mind floated back to Valentine’s day the previous year.
“The woman tried on all the clothes in her closet before finally settling on a piece. She then headed to the mall nearby to get her makeup done. At that time, it was just 1 pm, there was about six hours before their dinner, so she walked around the mall to kill time. After walking aimlessly for a while, she suddenly thought of something, heading to the male department to choose a present.
“While the woman was queuing up to pay for the gift, something happened. She went to find the man and inadvertently said some hurtful words, infuriating him. They quarreled and he left.”
Qiao Anhao’s voice was soft and warm, calming to the ears.
Lu Jinnian remained silent, taking in everything seriously. He seemed to have guessed what she was saying, his expression turning solemn but he continued to listen silently without interruption.
“At that time, the woman had apologized but the man was too angry. The woman didn’t do it intentionally and couldn’t help feeling wronged. Just like that, they went into a cold war.
“Because of the man, an auntie that had always treated the woman well since she was young fell ill so she went over for a visit.”
As she continued, Lu Jinnian was brought back to the memories of that day. “That man wasn’t really angry, he was just upset that the woman was comparing him to someone else. That day, he went to the gym and ran for two whole hours before finally realizing that he had been impatient, so he sent her an apology message.”
Qiao Anhao took a steadying breath. “But the man didn’t know… When the woman went to the auntie’s house, she heard some things which caused her to be slightly affected. When she was in the bathroom and saw her exquisite makeup, she became reluctant to see their dinner date get ruined so she wanted to send the man an apology message.
“The woman didn’t just want to do it, she had even crafted the message to him.”
Lu Jinnian stared straight at Qiao Anhao without saying a word.
“The woman thought for a very long time before putting down her thoughts.”
Even though her tone was light, somehow Lu Jinnian could sense a hint of sorrow.
“The woman’s message went like this – I was too agitated this afternoon, I’m sorry. You wanted to meet for dinner, shall we have a talk then? I’ll wait for you at home…”
Lu Jinnian looked doubtful. On a corner of the phone that she couldn’t see, his fingers started to tremble.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Qiao Qiao had sent him that message? Why didn’t he receive it?
He started to have his suspicions…
Qiao Anhao continued in the same light tone. “Just then, the auntie shouted for her to get some water.
“The woman would definitely agree… Hence she locked her phone, poured a cup of water, and headed up. Deep inside, she was still wondering if the message she had just typed was okay…
“But just as she was on her way upstairs…” Qiao Anhao’s eyes turned red and started to sting, she lifted her head and looked up at the ceiling. “Just when she was taking a turn, someone suddenly rushed down the stairs, knocking into her. The woman was caught off guard, rolling down the stairs.”
Lu Jinnian’s face paled. He remembered that when he was in America, Qiao Anhao had told him that she didn’t turn up because she was hospitalized.
At that time, he did feel his heart clench because of her, but he never expected it to be so serious.
After a long while, he asked, “What happened next?”
“Then…Then… the women thought that she was going to die…”
Now that Qiao Anhao was brought back to that moment, she could still distinctively recall how grim it had been.
“She felt her life leaking out of her body as her senses started to weaken. She was afraid but worried as well. At that moment, she suddenly wanted to talk to the man, she wanted to send the text that she had crafted, she felt as though it could be the last chance for her to talk to him…”
Qiao Anhao’s light voice turned hoarse. “But when she finally reached for her phone and the screen lit up, she passed out.”
Lu Jinnian had wanted to ask “What next?” but nothing came out when he opened his mouth.
There was silence on both ends of the call.
After about a minute, Qiao Anhao took a deep breath and turned back to the screen. Moisture collected in the corners of her eyes, glistening in the light. “The woman almost died, she was in a coma for four whole nights. When she finally woke up, the man had left…”
When she recalled the day she ran out of the hospital to scour the whole Beijing for him, she started sobbing, no longer able to hold it back.
“So… That day, you never saw the message I sent and never picked up my call? And you had no idea that I waited for you outside Qiao mansion for three nights?” Lu Jinnian asked, his voice shaky.
Qiao Anhao didn’t reply, sobbing silently.
During those three days, she was still in a coma… so who sent him the replies?
Lu Jinnian had a suspicion but he still didn’t get a clear answer.
In a soft whisper, Qiao Anhao said, “Lu Jinnian, that woman said that if she knew that the man had confessed to her through the messages, she would have never rejected him.”
That sentence cleared off all the doubt in his mind.
At that moment, Lu Jinnian didn’t know how to describe his emotions. He froze and continued to get more still until finally hanging up the call.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Qiao Anhao who was still immersed in the sorrow of that the moment stilled when she heard the buzzing from the phone. She sat in a daze, not able to get back to her senses.
She was explaining… Why did he suddenly hang up on her?
–
Lu Jinnian hadn’t done any vigorous exercise, it was just a simple phone call with an emotional content.
But he felt as though he had just ran a marathon, he was breathless and panting uncontrollably.
He tossed the phone onto the bed violently, lying down briefly with his rapidly beating heart before yanking his blanket off. He paced about his bedroom continuously.
What did Qiao Anhao just say?
She said that she had been in a coma for four days? She said that she didn’t reply to him? She said that she had wanted to send him an apology?
It was completely different from what he had thought was the truth!
This meant that Qiao Anhao didn’t say that he was not worthy!
And, what else did she say?
If that woman knew that he had confessed, she would have never rejected him!
Lu Jinnian felt as though happiness was rushing in all at once, and he couldn’t seem to take it all in.
Was he dreaming?
He turned to look out at the bright skies. Back when he had problems, it was always the worst at night, but it was still daytime…
Lu Jinnian raised a hand to rub his temples. He was in trouble, the problems must have relapsed, he needed to contact Lucy this instant!
He quickly grabbed onto his phone. “Lucy I don’t think I’m finally okay. Could you get me a psychiatrist now, I’m in Hilton hotel room 1513…”
Lu Jinnian paused. Before he hung up, he added, “Get two doctors, I don’t think its depression this time but hallucination.”
He hung up before spotting the call history with Qiao Anhao.
He was really talking to her just now…
Lu Jinnian hesitated slightly before calling Qiao Anhao. “Did you call me just now?”
After his question, she asked, “Lu Jinnian, why did you hang up on me just now?”
Lu Jinnian continued to ask persistently, “You mentioned that you were in a coma for four days? Right?”
Qiao Anhao opened her mouth but before she could reply, he asked, “You also mentioned that you didn’t reply to any of my messages, right?
“And that if you knew that I confessed, you would have never reject me? Right?”
Qiao Anhao was left speechless by his questions and started to feel frustrated. But when she was about to ask what was going on, he continued, “Qiao Qiao, in your heart, I am worthy to love you, right?”
That question seemed like a strike to her. Her anger dissipating in an instant, she stared at him resolutely. “Yes,” she replied emotionally.
She continued, “Actually, I feel the same…”
Before she could finish the sentence, he hung up once again.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Qiao Anhao had wanted to say “I too have been in love with you for thirteen years, my entire youth” but before she could say anything, the call cut off once again, leaving the words stuck in her throat.
What?!
Qiao Anhao tossed the phone onto the bed. What was wrong with Lu Jinnian, how could he hang up on her twice!
–
Lu Jinnian tossed the phone onto the bed once again. His soul seemed to have left him as he stood in the room in a daze for a long while. Gradually, happiness started to engulf him bit by bit, drowning him in an endless stream of joy.
He thought – this was the first time in his entire life that he felt so excited, agitated, and overjoyed.
That night when he felt like death and that text “Are you even worthy?” that still brought pain to his chest was not from her…
Then who sent it.
The question was quickly dismissed.
To him, the scheme and pain were inconsequential.
The scariest thought was to be despised by the woman he loved so deeply.
But now, she told him that she never once despised him.
He felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted, leaving him weightless and in a daze.
The joy left Lu Jinnian in a daze for about ten minutes before he finally was able to collect his thoughts. He hurriedly picked up his phone to inform Lucy that he didn’t need a doctor anymore.
After hanging up, he clenched onto the phone, repeating the conversation he had had with Qiao Anhao. His lips curled upwards as a bright smile spread across his face.
Qiao Qiao had never despised him…
An unexplainable joy and satisfaction settled, sending his heart thumping rapidly once more.
Only when a call came in did Lu Jinnian get back to his senses and glanced at the phone. His assistant was calling. Due to his good mood, Lu Jinnian didn’t wait for the man to greet him before asking, “What is it?”
The assistant had only gotten his number a few days ago, but even though he was back, he hadn’t gone to Huan Ying Entertainment for work yet so there wasn’t much interaction between the two of them. Even though they didn’t talk much, the assistant could still remember that every time he called Lu Jinnian would remain silent, quietly listening to him without saying a single word, so the “What is it?” caught him off guard.
He paused, startled for a moment, before diving to the main point. “Mr Lu, I’m calling to tell you that you were amazing tonight! You finally took revenge on Han Ruchu!”
The name “Han Ruchu” placed a bad taste in Lu Jinnian’s mouth and he frowned. But the unhappiness was quickly overshadowed by the joy from Qiao Anhao’s conversation, so he didn’t hang up, instead he asked, “What revenge?”
“Mr. Lu, why are you asking me when you did it?”
Lu Jinnian frowned. “Stop being ridiculous, I’m in America.”
“Uh?” the assistant exclaimed before adding in a daze, “Mr. Lu, you’re in America? You didn’t plan the scheme in the charity gala?”
