I love you too
At that moment, Xi Ai stared at the flowers, stunned for a long time, and when she spoke, her voice was a little hoarse: "Thank you."
Chu Yiqi didn't say much, just nodded, stepped aside, and said, "Let's go back."
The two didn't talk much on the way, but when they arrived at the underground parking garage, neither of them was in a hurry to get out of the car. Xi Ai was looking at her phone, and Chu Yiqi turned his head to look at Xi Ai in the slightly dim light.
After a long while, just as Xi Ai looked up at her, Chu Yiqi leaned forward, supporting herself on the back of the chair, and placed a kiss on Xi Ai's lips.
She could taste the alcohol in Xi Ai's breath.
It's a bit bitter and astringent. To be honest, the taste isn't very good.
In the moment when the aroma of red wine overwhelmed his senses, Chu Yiqi wanted to say, "I love you."
But for some reason, these three words were too heavy for Chu Yiqi.
For someone who has only experienced being loved by a select few, it is a foreign concept and difficult to express.
After being rebuffed when he tried to speak, he became even more hesitant to make any rash moves.
So in the end, she opened her mouth several times, but couldn't say it.
"You've been drinking." Chu Yiqi had turned off the car lights early, so his voice sounded particularly sensitive in the dim light.
Xi Ai didn't really respond to Chu Yiqi's kisses, and unlike before, she didn't naturally take the initiative.
After Chu Yiqi finished asking her questions, it took her a while before she said, "Hmm, half a cup, to perk me up."
Chu Yiqi stepped aside, bent down to unbuckle Xi Ai's seatbelt, and said, "Okay."
When they returned, Chu Yiqi had already prepared the dishes, which just needed to be heated up.
So while waiting for the food, Xi Ai silently observed Chu Yiqi's fingers—they weren't injured.
Xi Ai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Chu Yiqi said, "I made a few dishes that you like to eat, but I'm not sure if they taste right."
Xi Ai said, "It's nothing. Thank you."
Chu Yiqi shook her head. In fact, she knew very well that the taste was right.
There was a time, probably in the early days after she went abroad. She especially loved spicy food. It wasn't that her tastes had actually changed, but she always remembered, regardless of the circumstances, that there was once someone who was extremely important to her, and that person loved spicy food.
Through repeated attempts, her control over spiciness has become quite similar to that of Xi Ai.
So even though I still can't handle spicy food very well in the end, I've developed a habit of subconsciously adding a little spice every time I cook. Even if my eyes are red at the end, I'll still slowly finish the meal.
The meal was eaten in silence. Chu Yiqi put the non-spicy dishes on her side. Ever since she came back, perhaps someone has been remembering her and has been avoiding spicy food since the very first hot pot meal. It seems that those habits have faded away without her realizing it, but she only realized that they were still familiar when she was cooking today.
Are you free tomorrow?
"Yeah, there's a lot going on at the end of the year. What's up?"
"It's nothing, just asking."
Xi Ai actually wanted to press for an answer, like "What exactly are you trying to say?", but she couldn't find the right tone, so she just nodded and continued eating.
For the next few days, Xi Ai followed her routine, going to work on time, but usually only for half a day, spending the rest of the time at home.
They didn't talk much either; perhaps one was deliberately keeping quiet, and the other was too afraid to speak.
Chu Yiqi still picks up Xi Ai every day. From the first day when Xi Ai's driver failed to pick her up, he took a day off.
It's still the same bouquet of preserved flowers that I see every day, but it's not as grand as it was on the first day.
—Sisi prefers to call it “grand”.
I don't know which day it was, but when Xi Ai got off work, she saw someone other than Chu Yiqi.
Wang Qi.
Xi Ai used to be able to talk to him at least a few times, but later she found that he was too stubborn and self-righteous, so they gradually drifted apart and rarely spoke except when working together.
When Xi Ai walked over, she had a hint of annoyance on her face that she herself didn't realize, which made Chu Yiqi feel a little helpless.
Xi Ai glanced at him, and only after he left did she ask casually, "Who is he?"
"Oh, his name is Wang Qi, you might know him."
Xi Ai didn't press further, but she quickly realized that Chu Yiqi hadn't been in a good mood during their time together, and his current state was a little strange.
The next day, Xi Ai did not go to the company.
Wang Qi was also at a party.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Xi Ai, as she raised her glass, asked him, "What did you say to him?"
Xi Ai didn't bother with any preamble and asked directly.
Wang Qi was clearly taken aback for a moment, then reacted with an open and honest demeanor: "Her? Xi Ai, you two are not suitable, whether it's family background, social standing, or experience... you're not suitable at all. I'm just letting her realize this."
Xi Ai suddenly remembered that a long time ago, Chu Yiqi was actually very talented in music and had always had a good foundation. Starting from the appreciation of her teacher, he had always had good resources and a good response.
But no matter how much they tried to persuade him, he continued to work day and night.
Even after their relationship was discovered by the other four members of the group, they openly wanted to move out, and the two even had an argument over the house.
Xi Ai felt that since she already owned a property, she could just move in, but Chu Yiqi insisted on buying another one with her, each paying half.
Previously, Xi Ai always felt that it was due to Chu Yiqi's personality, including her insistence on going abroad later.
It turns out there were quite a few triggers.
Xi Ai pursed her lips. It seemed that if it weren't for the fact that the cooperation between the two families hadn't ended, and because her upbringing prevented her from hitting someone in the face, she probably would have taken action directly.
Her voice was cold as she said, "Whatever happens between her and me is none of anyone else's business. What era are we living in? Stop worrying about powerful families and clans..."
"No matter what she says, she's still better than you."
Xi Ai didn't give him a chance to speak again. She lowered her voice slightly and curled the corners of her lips into a faint smile. She looked calm and collected, but there was always a sense of oppression about her: "Besides, I love her, so you should watch it properly, or just ignore it and not worry about it. It's so despicable to use these tricks to interfere."
Some people in the group noticed the undercurrents between them, but given the Xi family's powerful influence, no one wanted to offend Xi Ai.
Wang Qi was slightly taken aback, but said, "Xi Ai, that year you went to such great lengths to scheme and drag so many people down because of her, and she still left, didn't she?"
"Look, it doesn't seem that worth it."
Xi Ai didn't react in any particular way. She got up and went out for some fresh air, saying as she left, "That has nothing to do with you."
Xi Ai went straight home.
Go find Chu Yiqi.
Xi Ai originally intended to be direct, but when she opened the door, she saw Chu Yiqi sitting on the sofa with his knees drawn up, looking at her with a hint of helplessness.
Xi Ai felt a sudden pang of sadness in her heart. She heard Chu Yiqi ask her, "Do you... dislike me?"
Xi Ai composed herself, suppressing the urge to hug Chu Yiqi and then deny it outright, and deliberately said, "Chu Yiqi, I have a question."
"From the beginning, you said you wanted to see me, so I came back. Then you said you wanted to break up, and I listened to you. You didn't explicitly say that you wanted to handle your own affairs, so I went along with it and didn't interfere."
"After that, you kept emphasizing that we had broken up, and that you wanted to wait until everything was resolved before talking about it. I thought that wasn't contradictory, but then you said, 'Let's wait a little longer.'"
Xi Ai's voice trembled slightly, so she paused for a moment, took a breath, and continued, "So I listened, and tried to treat you as a friend, maintaining the proper distance, but..."
Why are you still unhappy?
"Chu Yiqi, what exactly do you want me to do, and what do you hope we will become? Can I hear the truth now?"
When Chu Yiqi's name was mentioned, Xi Ai's voice softened considerably, like a whisper between lovers, tender and captivating.
"But I don't want us to just be ordinary friends."
"I want...you to love me."
Xi Ai looked at her, took two steps forward, and sighed very softly: "But it's you who pushes me away every time."
"I just..."
I just hope that one day we can stand side by side, looking exceptionally good together in the light and shadow.
I wanted to overcome all obstacles, and then I took your hand.
Her lover planned everything, avoiding all the risks and concerns that might come from her side, loving her like a butterfly shimmering with stars.
Therefore, she did not want to be the one being saved, but rather to be the other one who broke free of the cocoon and immediately rushed away.
Chu Yiqi hesitated for a moment, then looked down at Xi Ai with a hint of disappointment and said weakly, "I'm sorry. Well... let's start with the truth from last time, even though it's a little late."
"I love you, from beginning to end."
After Chu Yiqi finished speaking, as if to avoid the question, she lowered her eyes and finished the second half of her sentence: "Actually, my insistence on leaving wasn't entirely for the sake of treatment, it was also... I felt..."
Xi Ai knew the unfinished sentence Chu Yiqi hadn't said. She had always known.
At that time, amidst repeated hints and suggestions from different people, she didn't want to burden Xi Ai, yet she also felt unworthy of her.
Xi Ai interrupted Chu Yiqi and said, "To be fair, I'll go back to your original question. I don't dislike you, I never have."
She sat down gently, put her arm around Chu Yiqi's shoulder, patted her lightly, and said, "You didn't do anything wrong."
Xi Ai smoothed Chu Yiqi's hair, but suddenly realized that Chu Yiqi didn't seem to be in a good state. Xi Ai quickly looked down and found that there was a little bit of light in Chu Yiqi's eyes.
She looked up at Xi Ai with red eyes.
"Oh dear, why are you crying..." Xi Ai took out a wet wipe and slowly wiped Chu Yiqi's tears, but Chu Yiqi suddenly moved closer to her.
It was a kiss that smelled of fruit wine.
Xi Ai was stunned for a moment, then took the initiative in the kiss. After a slight separation, Chu Yiqi hooked his arm around the back of her neck and tried to kiss her, but stopped because Xi Ai grabbed his wrist.
Chu Yiqi blinked, looking a little flustered and embarrassed at being caught.
Xi Ai pursed her lips, suppressing a smile, and spoke amidst their intertwined breaths. Perhaps because they were too close, they inevitably bumped into each other while speaking.
"Chu Yiqi, is this considered a marriage proposal?"
“No, that doesn’t count.” Chu Yiqi kissed Xi Ai again.
"Why?"
"It's too rushed, I'm not good enough for you." Chu Yiqi said, but still opened the box.
It's not a ring, it's a necklace with a butterfly studded with pink diamonds hanging from it.
"If my answer were the opposite of today's, wouldn't you be unable to send it out?"
Chu Yiqi had actually planned this all along, before Xi Ai returned and revealed the answer. But the fact that Xi Ai asked the question at this moment still made her feel apprehensive and flustered.
"Then I'll keep it for myself."
As Chu Yiqi spoke, he noticed the smile that Xi Ai had been wearing, kissed her, and said, "Don't smile anymore."
"Um."
Xi Ai sat down and tidied Chu Yiqi's slightly messy hair. Her hand went around from behind Chu Yiqi and grabbed Chu Yiqi's left hand.
At first, they just hooked their fingers together, but later Xi Ai held Chu Yiqi's wrist and lightly brushed against the scar on Chu Yiqi's wrist.
"Does it hurt?"
Chu Yiqi had initially wanted to pull her hand back, but somehow she let Xi Ai pull her along and said, "No, thank you."
Perhaps there was a little bit back then.
There was a period when her emotions were particularly unstable, and these scars are from that time.
But every time she made a move, she always remembered that there was someone who might be waiting for her to come back. Even if no one was waiting, she still wanted to go back and see her again.
After a while, Xi Ai switched to French and said, "I love you."
Chu Yiqi unexpectedly said, "I understand."
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