Chapter 2 (Part 1) Each with their own secrets

Feeling increasingly agitated, and with the air temperature seemingly rising, Xu Qi subconsciously unbuttoned his collar.

Although Si Qiang remained silent, his eyes were fixed on the other person's every move. Seeing the other person unbutton his collar, he immediately asked, "Are you hot? Should I turn the temperature down?" As he spoke, he stood up and went to get the air conditioner remote.

"No need, it's just a little hot." Xu Qi shook his head. "No need to trouble yourself."

Si Qiang turned to look at Xu Qi, who was sitting down. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly noticed two red marks on his neck and collarbone. Her mind went blank for a moment, and she blurted out, "What are those?"

Xu Qi was taken aback: "What?" He followed the man's gaze to his neck and immediately raised his hand to cover it.

This was a classic case of "protesting too much." Those two marks were clearly hickeys; otherwise, why would they be so secretive about them? And they looked like they had just been there. Si Qiang felt like his heart was being torn apart. He slowly sat down, suppressing his urge to explode, and said sarcastically, "Mr. Xu is handsome and dashing; it's only natural that beauties would throw themselves at him."

He knew he shouldn't have said that, but he couldn't control himself. This was his limit; if he didn't say something, he really didn't know what he might do. The thought that this person had recently been intimate with another man made him want to kill.

Xu Qi's face flushed red and then paled, and he felt inexplicably guilty. But he was not one to be outdone, so he immediately retorted: "Mr. Si is no less impressive. Isn't he about to marry Miss Francesco? That lady is a famous beauty."

Si Qiang's heart skipped a beat; the other person had finally brought it up. He lowered his head and smiled silently. So, you still care a little, huh? He knew he was hopeless. She was actually happy just because the man had shown even a tiny bit of concern.

He looked up and smiled, "Ah, you already know? Please be sure to come then."

Xu Qi stared intently at him, without uttering a word. Then he lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Congratulations."

Upon hearing this, Si Qiang's smile vanished. Did this person really travel all the way to California just to say "congratulations" to her?

He spoke slowly, his tone icy: "I imagine you didn't come to see me just to talk about this, did you?"

Xu Qi chuckled softly: "I finished my business the other day and was passing through California. I thought I'd come and see Mr. Si. Is that not allowed?"

Si Qiang was stunned. He never expected that Xu Qi, who was always indifferent, would say such a thing to him. He awkwardly replied, "Of course."

"In that case, I should take my leave." Xu Qi stood up. "I hope you and that young lady will be happy."

Si Qiang was startled, a bitter feeling welling up inside her. This person hadn't changed. He could always remain calm and rational in the face of adversity, handling everything flawlessly. He stood up as well: "Won't you sit down for a while? It's rare for you to come and see me."

Xu Qi smiled nonchalantly: "Next time you can bring your wife to New York. I have something to do, so I'll be going now."

"You really want me to get married?" Si Qiang felt even more bitter inside, almost questioning him aloud. But he couldn't; now was not the time.

After seeing Xu Qi off, Si Qiang returned to her room and collapsed weakly onto the bed. Her mind was filled with thoughts of that person; the more she thought about it, the more bitter and painful it became, almost suffocating her.

He took the wooden puppet from his pocket and stared at it intently. It was a small wooden figure, only just beginning to take shape, but the cold, stern expression on its face was remarkably lifelike, a testament to the artist's dedication. His gaze followed the figure constantly; every movement and expression was imprinted on his heart. He closed his eyes, slowly approached the puppet, and gently kissed it in a gesture of reverence.

This was his god, his faith, the man he loved to the core. He would go to any lengths to win him over, even if it meant falling into hell.

Xu Qi, who had just stepped out of the Yao family's house, encountered Miller outside the door, who was waving at him. He rolled down the car window and smiled as politely as ever: "Mr. Miller, would you mind if we talked?"

Leander seemed delighted: "That's wonderful! I'd also like to speak with you." He had been very interested in this Mr. Xu since their first meeting, which was why he was waiting outside the door. However, it seemed things weren't going well with Calvin.

He opened the car door and got in, smiling brightly at Xu Qi: "Let me introduce you to a restaurant; I think you'll love it."

As he left, Xu Qi took one last look at the sky. The man was still so beautiful. He heard the flutter in his heart and finally understood a truth: he could never, as he had said, watch him with another woman. Never.

What will our next meeting be like? I can't wait!

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Damn, the more I write, the more awkward it gets! What am I doing?! I'm at my wit's end... Oh well, unrequited love stories can't be rushed...