Chapter 124: I Belong Only to You

The Prince Hotel was located near my residential complex—just a ten-minute jog away. It seemed Hua Jingjing had arranged everything perfectly, giving me enough time to get there.

Frustrated and disheveled, my heart burning with urgency, I dashed to the hotel in just seven minutes. Cursing Hua Jingjing’s recklessness, I repeatedly pressed the elevator button. Five minutes later, I reached the twenty-second floor, gasping for breath as I found room 2201. Without hesitation, I pounded on the door with all my might.

The door swung open swiftly. I saw Hua Jingjing’s face radiant with wild joy, her happiness overflowing as she gazed at me. She only uttered one word, “Tang Qian...” before opening her arms wide and embracing me tightly.

Seeing her clothes intact, not the slightest sign of having been harmed, my anxious heart finally settled. I said, “Alright, alright. Let’s leave here first and talk later. You’re really reckless. I need to have a serious talk with you.”

But Hua Jingjing clung to me, refusing to let go. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she cried, “Tang Qian... I’m so happy... I knew you wouldn’t abandon me.”

At that moment, I didn’t want to argue. Breaking free from her embrace, I grabbed her hand and said, “Tell me, have you left anything behind? Let’s get out of this troublesome place first.”

She let out a sly laugh and instead pulled me inside, saying, “If you have something to say, say it here. Tonight... I belong only to you...”

I was dragged into the room, utterly confused. But seeing that no one else was there and catching the mischievous glint in Hua Jingjing’s eyes, I suddenly realized: this was all her scheme! She had tricked me!

Turning back, I glared at the door she had closed, and with a low growl said, “The painter named Shi isn’t here at all. You lied to me on the phone just now, didn’t you?”

With a click, the door was locked from the inside. Hua Jingjing leaned against it, looking timid as she whispered, “He might have wanted to, but how could I be seduced by him? In my heart... there’s only you...”

Anger surged through me! This... this enchantress! To deceive me with such a thing! I suppressed the urge to slap her, saying, “So you’re not in any danger? Fine! It’s none of my business anymore. Goodbye! I’m going home!” As I spoke, I reached to push her aside and open the door.

But Hua Jingjing refused to move, pressing hard against the lock. She pleaded, “I’m sorry! Tang Qian! I can’t help it! I can’t live without you! If you’re angry, hit me! Go ahead! I don’t care if you beat me to death!”

I pushed twice but couldn’t budge her, irritated, I snapped, “Is lying fun? Then go lie to someone else! I don’t have time for this! Move aside! I’m going home!”

Her small mouth pouted, looking wronged as she said, “I wasn’t the first to lie. You said you had nothing with Fan Yunting, but secretly you were still in contact with her. How can I not be worried? I had no choice but to do this. Don’t blame me!”

I smiled bitterly and said, “Why would I lie to you? I told you, there’s nothing between me and Fan Yunting! Don’t think I’ll forgive you just because you say that. Now, will you move?”

“No! Not unless you kill me first!”

In a fury, I raised my hand to strike her. Hua Jingjing closed her eyes and tilted her face up, saying, “Go ahead! Kill me if you want!”

I hesitated and didn’t follow through. I was filled with both anger and resentment—resentment at Hua Jingjing’s shamelessness and frustration at my own powerlessness. Turning away, I sat down in a chair, pulled out a cigarette, and prepared to ignore her.

Seeing that I wasn’t leaving, Hua Jingjing followed me with a beaming smile. She picked up a match from the coffee table, striking one to light my cigarette in a flattering gesture.

I ignored her, took out my own lighter, and lit the cigarette myself.

Hua Jingjing pouted and tossed the nearly burnt match into the ashtray. She dragged another chair over and sat beside me, resting her hands on the armrest of my chair. Leaning her head on the back of her hand, she looked up at me with a face full of happiness and softly said:

“Tang Qian! Even if you’re angry, I don’t regret it! I feel I did the right thing! If I hadn’t done this, how could I have known that you care about me so much, that you’re so reluctant to let me go? I’m so happy! Even if I died right now, it would be worth it. Tang Qian, I love you so much! Everything I’ve done was for you. I can’t live without you. You don’t know how I’ve survived these days. For you, I’m willing to give everything—even my life!”

I inhaled my cigarette silently, my anger slowly fading. I understood that no matter what Hua Jingjing did, it was all out of love for me. I had no right to be angry with her. She was just a pitiable woman doing whatever she could for love.

I sighed and decided to have a serious talk with her. There were things she needed to know.

After another puff, I considered carefully and said, “Jingjing, you heard Fan Yunting say just now that she’s planning to start a company, and I’m her partner. I’ll be honest with you—we’re forming a beverage company, which means we’ll be business rivals. Don’t expect me to go easy on you out of friendship. We’ll do whatever it takes to crush the competition and grow stronger. That’s how business works.”

Hua Jingjing let out an “oh” and slyly slid down from the armrest, resting her head on my leg, her hands following suit. Her voice was thick with emotion as she said, “Doesn’t matter. Then come and beat me. As long as you want, you can do whatever you like!”

I wanted to laugh but couldn’t, so I said, “Be serious. Get up! I’m talking about something important.”

She hugged my leg and said, “I won’t! You said you were talking, and I’m listening.”

I sighed again. “Don’t be silly. This isn’t child’s play where you can do whatever you want. Life is harsh. Even if you don’t care, what about Mr. Qi? What about your father? They won’t just stand by. From now on, we’re opponents. If feelings get involved, it’ll be difficult for all of us.”

Hua Jingjing ignored me, happily holding my leg without responding.

I continued, “That’s the first point. Second, I’m not young anymore. A man should have a career to make his life meaningful. I’ve decided not to get involved in any relationship for a few years, focusing entirely on my career. This will be a long time, and I can’t hold you back. Understand?”

She looked up and said, “Come on! Not getting involved for years? Don’t you still have a girlfriend? Will she agree?”

I had no choice but to be honest. “I’ve broken up with her. And I can’t hold her back either. Living with me won’t bring her happiness. I told her clearly. And now I’m telling you—I can’t hold you all back.”

Hua Jingjing suddenly straightened up from my leg, her face lighting up. “Really? You broke up? That’s... wonderful! Oh my! I’m so happy! Tang Qian! I—”

I hurriedly cut off her excitement. “Don’t get too happy yet. The purpose of telling you this is to show how determined I am. Don’t think this means you have a chance. I don’t want any relationships, including with you. My mind is set on building my career. I won’t consider anything else. If you still want to be with me, I advise you to give up. We won’t have a future.”

Hua Jingjing was silent for a long time before finally saying, “Are you never going to get married?”

I replied, “Marriage? That’s far off. I have to succeed first. Maybe ten years, maybe twenty, maybe even longer. So I can’t hold you back. You have the right to pursue happiness, and I can’t give that to you.”

She murmured, “Ten years... twenty years... God! You’re so cruel! Fine, fine! I’ll wait for you. Your girlfriend... well, ex-girlfriend waited eight years for you, so why can’t I? Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to help you. I’ll make sure you succeed quickly. When that day comes, you’ll marry me, right?”

Seeing her getting stuck in a dead end, I sighed helplessly. “Don’t you understand what I mean? Fine, I’ll tell you the third point.”

Clearing my throat, I carefully said, “Jingjing! Honestly, the main reason I’m so focused on my career and avoiding relationships is because I fell in love with a woman who doesn’t love me back. I’m heartbroken and can’t forget her. I know both you and my ex love me, but I can’t do it. I can’t be with you and still think about her. That wouldn’t be fair to either of you. So I distanced myself from both of you. It hurt you, and it hurt me too. But I had no choice. I’m going to spend the rest of my life burying myself in work because I probably will never forget that woman. That’s why I say I can’t hold you back. Now, do you understand?”

Hua Jingjing was clearly shocked by my words. Her mouth opened, and with a face full of disappointment, she struggled to say, “What you’re saying... is... true?”

I looked at her sincerely and nodded slowly.

Tears quickly welled up in her eyes, spilling over in uncontrollable drops. She didn’t wipe them away as she trembled, “She... the woman you love... who... is she?”

I hesitated. Not wanting to ruin her relationship with Xu Shu, I lied reluctantly, “You don’t know her, and I don’t want to mention her. But I hope you understand what I mean.”

Biting her lip to hold back her sobs, Hua Jingjing bitterly said, “I get it! I understand that after you were heartbroken, you took it out on us innocent, pitiable women, hurting us endlessly and making us taste pain! Tang Qian, you’re so hateful! You’re truly a cruel man!”

I was speechless. This enchantress—how does she always get stuck in a dead end?

I said, half amused, “Don’t you get it yet? I’ve been clear enough!”

She finally wiped her tears and said while doing so, “How could I not understand? I understand perfectly! You’re just cruel! You’re a bad man! Knowing the pain of unrequited love, yet you want me to suffer too. What else is that but cruelty?”

I had no reply.

Then suddenly, Hua Jingjing laughed softly and said, “Serves you right! Evil people get their comeuppance! Finally, something painful has happened to you. That woman—I admire her! She had to reject a scoundrel like you without mercy so you know what it feels like to lose love! Hmph! Not feeling good, huh?”

I stared at Hua Jingjing, who was crying and laughing at the same time, wondering if the shock had made her lose her mind.

Then she surprised me even more by standing up from the chair, straddling my lap, and wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.

I exclaimed, “Jingjing! You...”

She leaned forward, gazing at me with devotion, and whispered, “Tang Qian! I will make you forget her! I swear! I will love you with all my heart and soul. I want to show you how wonderful and happy love can be!”

She said this and pressed her lips deeply against mine.

At that moment, I was deeply moved by Hua Jingjing’s profound love. I had never imagined that even after telling her the truth, she would still embrace me with her love and try to heal my wounded heart with her devotion.

I couldn’t refuse her—not now, at least.

Hua Jingjing’s love transcended mere romance, revealing the tender and pure maternal light of a woman.

After a long while, she finally pulled away, breathing heavily, her lovely face soft as she looked at me. I sighed and said, “Jingjing, you’re really foolish, you know that?”

She buried her face in my chin and murmured, “I know! I’m foolish but lucky. Now you have no girlfriend, no woman you love. I know you’re lonely. I won’t leave you, even if you never love me or try to push me away, I won’t leave. I believe my love will eventually move you, no matter how long it takes. I will never regret it.”

I was speechless. Anyone would be moved by a woman who loved so deeply.

My feelings were conflicted. I believed Qiu Jiexin loved me just as much, perhaps even more. If I accepted Hua Jingjing now, what would I say to Qiu Jiexin?

But tonight, I didn’t want to hurt Hua Jingjing. I knew the trouble ahead, but at this moment, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I suddenly hated my weakness—why was I so unable to let go of them in my heart?

Hua Jingjing lifted her head, cheeks flushed, eyes bright and shy as she finally said, “Tang Qian! Forget that unlucky woman! You still have me! Tonight... I belong only... to you...”