Chapter 17  

"No!" The words should have been said with strength but only words laden with guilt came out of her mouth. "I didn't do anything."

Zhen Lang did not say anything and his face turned gloomy. "Who was the one who promised not to take the initiative to set up others? You seem to have forgotten about it last night."

The sunlight outside the window poured in, falling at the feet of the two people drawing long shadows from their bodies. Standing face to face with each other, they were in a silent confrontation.

Finally, Jia Shao lifted her face and met his gaze. "Yes, I had promised not to set you up but can you say that when you followed me on my blind-dates, you did not harbor any intention to sabotage me?"

They have known each other for so many years and she was not stupid. She was still able to guess a little of what he was thinking. It was because of what she had said in the past, she did not dare to hit him, did not dare to fight against him and she had restrained herself. These two years, she had turned into a jittery bird, one which was frightened easily. In her twenties, she had already done everything she could to protect herself and she could not deny the fact that she was going crazy just to constantly stay on guard against him.

Just the word 'promise' had weighed her down and she felt fearful of him. Now that he had brought up this matter, then it is better for them to settle this once and for all.

"So......" She lifted her chin. "I just counterattacked. I was not taking the initiative."

"Okay then." Zhen Lang was not going to argue with her on this matter. His long finger pointed at her. "I will not talk about the matter that you owe me."

"Really?" A light of ecstasy flashed across her eyes and Jia Shao could not believe her ears.

He nodded. "Yes. Let me follow you and that matter is considered as fulfilled by you."

Jia Shao narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure? Once I have agreed to it, I will not owe you anymore and if I am provoked, I will not be merciful."

"I know." He replied.

Jia Shao smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She felt as if the big stone which had weighed down on her heart for the last few years has been lifted. "I hope you will not regret it."

Zhen Lang nodded and turned around to go back to his room, leaving Jia Shao alone facing the sun outside the window chuckling to herself.

At this moment, she could only feel the sun is extraordinarily gentle and comfortable. The burden that was weighing down in her heart for the last few years could finally be put down.

How long ago had she restrained from creating trouble for him?

After trying hard to recollect the past, it seems it was the year that she had taken a snapshot of Zhen Lang and Lin Zi Chen, two males in a loving embrace which inevitably resulted in the breakup of Zhen Lang and his girlfriend. It has been 3 years since then.

Between her and Zhen Lang, no matter how bad the situation, it was just a matter between the two people and should not result in any disasters. But when she snuck into the boys' dormitory to see how Zhen Lang would be teased because of the snapshot, instead she was shocked when she saw Bai Wei's tear-stained face and her teary eyes.

That night, as she looked at the moon silently while drinking her beer, her heart was filled with remorse.

She and Zhen Lang had long passed the age like when they were children where they would run to their parents to tattle when bullied. Although she did not know what he had said to Bai Wei, it was clear that she was the one who had caused their breakup. Although she hates Zhen Lang, she had never thought of hurting others and had never thought about destroying the relationship of others.

Finally, when she made up her mind to look for Bai Wei to give her an explanation, she received news that Bai Wei had dropped out of school and gone abroad. Since that day, Zhen Lang never had another girlfriend and in his eyes, there was only politeness and alienation.

So she looked for Zhen Lang and promised him that she would not take the initiative to cause any more trouble for him. She also promised that if there was anything Zhen Lang needed her to do to compensate him, she will do her best to fulfill his request.

However, Zhen Lang had never mentioned this matter again and this promise had silently settled into the deep recesses of their hearts. These past 3 years, Jia Shao had always been trying to hide from him, and occasionally, a few words from Zhen Lang would provoke her anger. She would then vent it out in other ways and the resentment against him had slowly accumulated.

Today, Zhen Lang had voiced his request and she will not owe him anything anymore. She no longer has to endure his sharp and unkind words or acts, no longer has to feel guilty every time she remembers that she owes him and also no longer has to restrain herself every time she wants to retaliate against him when he makes her angry.

However........

Why did Zhen Lang put forth this kind of request? Can it be he really wants to follow her every time she goes on a blind-date so that he can sabotage her to avenge for losing his girlfriend that year?

A light flickered in the pupils of her eyes. She wanted to see whether Zhen Lang really has the ability to sabotage everything!

Jia Shao got down from Zhen Lang's car and raised her head to look at the beautiful signboard above her head, then suddenly she remembered it was only two days ago she had created a disturbance here.

People have a tendency for inertia. If one stays in a place for a long time, one will get attached to that place just like her and when natural inertia is once determined, one will be too lazy to change.

So when the matchmaking agency called her to ask where she would like to meet her blind-date, the place that slipped out from her was naturally this nearest café to her photo studio.

She took a deep breath and walked calmly into the café.

"Miss Jia, are you on a blind-date?" The waiter greeted her with a trace of ridicule which made her slightly embarrassed.

"Oh......" She almost could not keep the smile on her face. "Please apologize to your Boss on my behalf regarding the matter that happened the last time."

The waiter smiled. "My Boss said you are welcome here. Anyway, we are going to renovate this place and if you intend to destroy this place, please be more thorough. We will go to 'Golden Sunflower' to collect the money."

Has it reached the point that her fiery temper is known to everyone within 5 li* radius of this place?

(Li is a Chinese measurement of distance. 1 li = 500mtrs.)

Her lips curved into a strange smile and she whispered into the waiter's ears. "Ask your Boss on my behalf........does his office needs to be renovated as well?"

The waiter's expression instantly froze and involuntarily he took two steps back. He laughed awkwardly, put down the glass of water and fled.

Speaking of this, Jia Shao could be considered as familiar with them because she loves the steak and the shrimp dumplings served here, therefore she frequently patronized this café although she had never joked with them like she did today.

Jia Shao's deeds had become a classic rumor in this café. Her usual handsome appearance, her charming appearance after dressing up and her excellent fighting skills were well-known on this street which amazed everyone.

Heroine Shao is her, the beauty is also her and when Heroine Shao and the beauty is the same person, the world of gossip blossomed with charm and it was difficult for Jia Shao not to become famous.

Picking up the glass to take a sip of water, Jia Shao found that the person concerned had not turned up for the appointment and even Zhen Lang who was parking his car was not seen.

It will be good if he does not come!

She glanced at the watch on her wrist and noticed it was already the appointed time. Since no one had turned up and she was not interested to wait for him, so Jia Shao stood up with the intention of leaving.

Just as she stood on her feet, the waiter came to stand in front of her balancing a tray and a cup of English Earl Grey Milk Tea emitting a sweet aroma. Then the waiter placed it down on her table.

Jia Shao raised her eyes and looked enquiringly at the waiter who then looked at a corner. "The gentleman over there sent this to you."

Following the waiter's gaze, she saw a handsome man sitting in the corner waving the cup of coffee in his raised hand as he nodded and smiled at her.

Jia Shao was not one to place much importance on a person's aura but this thing called temperament could not be ignored. Sitting down in one of the city's top cafes and not being overpowered by the refined exquisite décor is already not bad, not to mention with the ability to stand out.

Zhen Lang is someone rare that is not easily absorbed into the surrounding and he can at the same time, emphasize his unique transcendental temperament. With him in a place, everything around him will easily be blurred into the background and the surrounding will become a setting specially set up for him.

Although this man does not have the magical temperament of Zhen Lang but in this high-class café, he does not look out of place and his manner is stylish and confident.

Jia Shao glanced at the cup of milk tea in front of her and then hooked her finger at the waiter to signal that the cup of tea was to be returned to the man sitting in the corner before she headed towards the door.

"Miss Jia!" A man's deep voice called out behind her. "I am late. Can a cup of milk tea be offered as my apology?"

Jia Shao halted her footsteps and turned her head around with an indifferent smile. "Didn't you arrive earlier than me? What is the meaning of being 'late'?"

Since he could call her by name, so he should be her blind-date for today, right?

What is his name? It seems like he is called Xia Yuan Xi or what?

She glanced towards the table at which he had sat down just now and Jia Shao stood still without moving. "Mr. Xia seems to be a little insincere."

"Will you please accept my apology?" He picked up the cup of milk tea and his smile did not have the slightest trace of embarrassment of being seen through. "In ancient times, it is said that tea is offered as an apology and milk tea is also considered as tea. Can you give me face and accept my apology?"

Looking down at the cup of milk tea in his hand, Jia Shao's smile became more brilliant. "In ancient times, when tea is offered, it means the guest is requested to leave. I think I am able to catch the meaning of Mr. Xia."

"Ah!" The man was stunned. "I'm sorry, I am wrong. Then can I offer you a cup of coffee?"

Before he could signal to the waiter, Jia Shao said. "I accept your apology, but it is not necessary for us to sit down and talk."

"Oh......" He totally did not expect Jia Shao to give him this kind of answer. He asked once again. "Why?"

As long as Jia Shao is not hungry and she does not see Zhen Lang, her brain is absolutely normal and her interaction skills are excellent. For 'Golden Sunflower' to become so popular is not solely due to the skilled management of Fang Qing Kui but also because of Jia Shao's indispensable interpersonal relationship skills.

She looked at the expression of surprise on the man's face and slowly said. "Can I ask you two questions first?"

Her confident posture exuding inner momentum made her look more glamorous and more flamboyant. The man could not help but be submissive. "Sure."

"First, do you want a good wife who is a loving mother or a career-minded wife?"

The man thought for a while and replied. "I choose to respect her."

"Second, do you require your girlfriend to be a virgin?"

The man was stunned and then laughed. He shook his head as he smiled. "In these modern times, are there still people who have this kind of request? To be honest, I am not, so I definitely won't make such a request."

Her heart slowly relaxed and Jia Shao could not help but think that this time she may finally be able to meet a normal man.

"Can we sit down and talk slowly now?"

Jia Shao still felt a little uncertain. While she was hesitating, a figure in a black western suit walked slowly into the café and the hairs on her skin slowly began to stand up again.

A gust of very cold air rushed up from behind her and spread throughout her body via her blood vessels.

In her mind, an old-line from TV dramas flashed in her mind ~ I have an ominous premonition!