Chapter 209: Chapter 209: The Only Precious and Deeply Loved Person in His Life
Xiang Linghao has never forgotten her; having a place for her in his heart is something she has always longed for.
Because in her heart, he still held a place too. Even if she pretended not to care on the surface, she couldn’t deceive her own feelings.
Xiang Linghao, noticing her slight hesitation, didn’t understand her meaning and dared not guess recklessly, fearing he’d read it wrong and be left with empty joy.
Xue Xianglan looked up at him, "Besides these, are you sure there’s nothing else you want to say to me?"
Xiang Linghao’s heart tightened. Of course, there was more; he wanted to ask for another chance to be with her again, but he was afraid she’d reject him and say she no longer liked him.
It’s not just women who fear men falling out of love; men also fear the words "I don’t love you anymore."
The saddest thing is not to have never loved, but to have loved, while you still do, and she doesn’t feel anything anymore.
He remained silent, and Xue Xianglan couldn’t help but feel quite disappointed.
Perhaps it’s the passage of time; both had burdens and barriers in their hearts, unable to express everything they wanted to say, still having reservations.
"If there’s nothing left to say, so be it. But I tell you, you don’t need to avoid me anymore. It’s actually quite tiring to deliberately avoid someone for so many years. Since you’ve apologized and explained so much, I’m not a petty person. Let’s be friends like before; after all, we did grow up together."
Hearing Xue Xianglan’s words, Xiang Linghao thoroughly relaxed. Since she let it go, she no longer rejected him, meaning he might still have a chance, right?
Xiang Linghao thought this way, not knowing Xue Xianglan was waiting for him to speak up and pursue her again.
However, since neither said anything clearly or expressed their concerns, today’s conversation ended there.
"We’ve talked so much, hurry and eat something," Xiang Linghao urged her, merely wanting to be good to her.
He could finally express this clearly again.
This was something he had longed for over the years, but had been unable to fulfill.
Xue Xianglan gave a faint smile, slowly slicing the foie gras.
After the meal, Xiang Linghao asked if she wanted some dessert or fruit.
Xue Xianglan happily agreed, and Xiang Linghao, delighted, immediately called the waiter to order a mousse cake and a fruit platter.
They ate quietly, even without speaking, Xiang Linghao felt utterly content just watching Xue Xianglan sitting in front of him.
Yet time kept passing, and the food wouldn’t last forever. Despite the reluctance, Xiang Linghao had to suggest they leave.
Outside the restaurant, standing in front of their cars, Xiang Linghao said to Xue Xianglan, "It’s getting late; let me drive you home."
"Will you drive and follow me home?"
"Mm."
"That’d work. Thank you."
He hadn’t anticipated Xue Xianglan agreeing so quickly; Xiang Linghao nodded repeatedly, saying, "It’s no trouble!"
"Let’s go then." Xue Xianglan suppressed a smile, walked past him, and got into her car, smiling only where he couldn’t see.
He was so easily content now. The insecurity from the past seven years must have weighed heavily on him.
Xue Xianglan felt a twinge of guilt, just a tiny bit really, since she wasn’t much better off than him.
Xiang Linghao quickly got into his car, and after Xue Xianglan started hers, he followed behind.
Arriving outside the Xue Family Villa, Xue Jiarui had just returned home not long ago. Hearing the sound of vehicles, he glanced out the window, surprised to see two cars.
He walked closer to the window to get a clear view, wondering who had arrived.
From the first car, his sister Xue Xianglan got out, and then, from the car behind, a man exited.
A man! A man he was very familiar with!
Xiang Linghao!
How could they have come back together? Even if they each drove a car, arriving together was unusual!
When did this happen? Did they reconcile?
How did it happen so quickly? Without involving him at all, how did they make up?
What exactly had he missed!
Xue Jiarui remained in a state of confusion and excitement.
How did the world change so much in just a few days? Had he fallen behind the times?
The trendy playboy began to question his own understanding of life.
Outside, after Xiang Linghao and Xue Xianglan got out of their cars, they stood together, talking for a while, and then Xiang Linghao watched Xue Xianglan enter the house.
From Xue Jiarui’s view, under the moonlight, Xiang Linghao was framed with deep affection, his gaze soft.
Xue Jiarui got goosebumps; it had been ages since he saw Xiang Linghao like this. Even when he was with his sister, playing together back then, he’d never seen this side of him.
People change as they grow up, and their ways of dealing with emotions and people evolve, too.
Xue Jiarui sighed inwardly, though he hadn’t been in a real relationship himself, he couldn’t fully understand.
Xue Xianglan entered the house and closed the door, and only then did Xue Jiarui see Xiang Linghao drive away.
Xue Xianglan returned, throwing herself onto the couch without any grace, lying sprawled and relaxed.
Xue Jiarui walked over and immediately asked, "Sis, when did you and Brother Hao make up?"
Xue Xianglan closed her eyes, "Who told you we made up?"
"Then why did you come back together? If you hadn’t made up, would you have let him see you? Would you have let him bring you back?"
"You little brat, you talk as if you know everything."
"Of course I do, I saw it with my own eyes, how could I not understand? Otherwise, I’d have to be very dumb." Xue Jiarui felt a bit smug.
Xue Xianglan glanced at him disdainfully, "People who’ve never been in a real relationship just don’t understand, we came back separately. Just that one point is enough to prove we haven’t really made up."
Xue Jiarui frowned, sat down across from her, and asked, "What do you mean?"
Xue Xianglan sighed, sat up, looked at Xue Jiarui, and said earnestly, "Brother, let your sister teach you a thing or two about relationships. In a situation like mine with Brother Hao’s, we used to love each other so much, haven’t forgotten each other for seven years, and then meeting again after so many years and having a good talk, if we’d really made up, it would be like a thunderous encounter. I wouldn’t have come back home today."
Xue Jiarui listened intently, took a while to digest Xue Xianglan’s words, and then had a revelation, "You mean if you two were really back together, you’d definitely be opening a hotel room with him now, or you’d have gone to his place!"
Xue Xianglan nodded, "Seems like while you know nothing about relationships, you have a good grasp of the business between men and women, you understood immediately."
"Of course, being a womanizer for so many years can’t be for nothing."
Xue Xianglan grabbed her bag and stood up, patting him on the shoulder, "Having fun is fine, just don’t get burned, and don’t mess with proper girls from decent families."
"Got it, you’ve educated me on this many times."
"Not only should you listen, but you should also do it!"
"Of course I will, I’m very discerning when it comes to women, I won’t end up with a proper lady."
"I hope so. I’m going upstairs to shower and sleep."
"Take your time." Xue Jiarui watched his sister go upstairs and then quickly took out his phone to dial Xiang Linghao’s number.
Xiang Linghao answered quickly, sounding quite cheerful.
"What are you doing so late?"
"Brother Hao, you brought my sister back, what did you do today, things moved so fast!"
"Not much, just talked a bit and had a meal together." Xiang Linghao said with a constant smile on his face.
"That’s impressive, having a meal together. Considering my sister’s personality, if she dines with you, she must have forgiven you."
"That’s indeed the case."
"Then why haven’t you two progressed to the next step?"
This was Xue Jiarui’s main concern. These two had wasted seven years; they weren’t anxious, but it drove him crazy. It would be great to have a brother-in-law in the family, especially someone he considered a friend, which would solve interaction issues.
Xiang Linghao said, "We missed out for seven years. We’re just starting to ease the relationship now, we can’t rush it, or it could backfire."
Xue Jiarui scratched his head, "I really don’t understand your relationship issues."
Xiang Linghao chuckled, "You will when you get it, but for now we can’t rush. We have plenty of time."
"Whatever suits you, but I think my sister is quite fond of you, so don’t give up."
"Really? You can tell? I definitely won’t give up."
Until the last moment, unless Xue Xianglan verbally says she doesn’t love him anymore or is with someone else, he won’t give up.
She was the only precious, beloved person in his life, and if he just let her become someone else’s woman, he’d probably die of heartbreak.
"By the way, could you discreetly probe your sister for me, see if she still has feelings for me?"
"What kind of feelings?"
"Besides being fond of me, does she still like me? Is she still willing to be with me? Stuff like that."
Xue Jiarui instantly understood, "Alright, leave it to me. I’ll help you find out soon."
"Good brother!"
"Of course, I’ve always preferred you as my brother-in-law. If by chance someone else takes your place, I’d be very uneasy."
"Thank you for supporting me so much. I won’t let you down, get ready to call me brother-in-law."
Xue Jiarui’s words gave Xiang Linghao a certain degree of courage and confidence to move forward, intensifying his resolve to win back Xue Xianglan.
"By the way, what’s your sister doing now?"
"She’s gone upstairs, probably planning to sleep."
"That’s good, sleeping early is good. Alright then, I won’t chat with you any longer, I need to focus on driving."
Xue Jiarui frowned, couldn’t help but complain, "Once you’ve checked in on my sister’s situation, you’re ditching your bro?"
"You expect me to chat with you till midnight?"
Xue Jiarui, "... I don’t have that much to say to you. Hang up then, goodbye."
Xue Jiarui immediately hung up, and Xiang Linghao listened to the beeping in his earphones with a helpless smile.
The car drove through the night, Xiang Linghao was in a good mood, having a good brother act as a divine assistant around the woman he liked was truly fortunate!