Chapter Eighty-Four: Lies

After I got home, my father and mother could not help asking questions when they saw me return with my head and hands bandaged. I could only say that I had fallen somewhere and hit the back of my head against a wall. I also told them I had already been to the hospital, and the doctor said it was nothing serious, so they need not worry.

Then I ate a bowl of noodles and went to my room to sleep. I slept through the entire afternoon, and only when it was time for supper did my younger sister come to call me. Reluctantly, I got up.

While putting on my clothes, I noticed that my shirt and trousers were already filthy. And it was not merely a few missing buttons; here and there, there were great tears. From this, one could see how fierce things had been these past two days when I was with the little devil.

I shook my head with a bitter smile and had no choice but to throw those dirty, torn clothes aside and put on another set.

After dinner, I planned to go and see Qiu Jieqin. I had long felt that something was off with her these past two days, as though she had something to tell me, yet she always hesitated and never said it. I decided to find her tonight and have a proper talk, to see what was troubling her. Perhaps I could even comfort her.

After I left the house, I went downstairs while calling her. "Hello, Jieqin, it's me. What are you up to?"

"I... my mother is ill, so I'm taking care of her."

"Is that so? What's wrong with her? Is it serious?"

"An old problem. High blood pressure, but it's not too bad. She just needs more rest. I came over to look after her so she can recuperate quietly."

"Then I'll come by and see her. Maybe I can help with something."

"No, no! I... I haven't even told them about you yet. If you come barging over like this, what am I supposed to do?"

"Heh, fair enough. I was going to see you tonight, too, but your mother's health comes first. Just stay with her and take good care of her."

"Humph! Last night I wanted to see you and you were busy, and tonight you want to see me, but now I can't leave. I feel like we really have so little time together."

"It doesn't matter. We still have a whole lifetime to be together; there's no need to count these few days. I'm only afraid that someday you'll grow tired of being with me every day and complain that it is all too much."

"Bah, you're the only one who can talk. Mm... do you really want to be with me for the rest of your life?"

"Of course! You don't believe me?"

"It's not that. I just... I'm afraid of losing you!"

"How could that happen? Jieqin, I keep feeling that you're distracted these two days. Is something on your mind? Can I help you?"

"Me? No, what could I possibly have on my mind? Oh—my mother is calling me. I have to go. I'll call you next time, all right?"

"All right. If you need anything from me, just say the word!"

"Okay, then I'll hang up first."

"Goodbye!"

I lowered my phone and stopped in my tracks. By then I had already reached the residential area downstairs, but since Jieqin was occupied, it seemed I could only go back and stay home obediently.

I turned around and was about to head back when my phone rang. I looked down and saw that the number was Hua Jingjing's.

I had not seen this imperious young heiress in two or three days, and though I had once been rather troubled by the thought of her coming to find me, after witnessing the terrifying methods of the little devil Xu Xin, Hua Jingjing seemed downright lovable by comparison.

Besides, I had promised Hua Jingjing that I would never refuse her call without cause, so after hesitating for a moment, I still pressed the answer key. "Hello, Manager Hua!"

"Tang Qian! Where are you?"

"...Do you need something?"

"I just signed a contract with a major client and came out. These past two days I used every ounce of my brain to win this deal, and at last I've completed it successfully. Sigh, I'm exhausted. Tang Qian, I miss you so much. I want to see you right now. Are you free?"

"Manager Hua... it's not very convenient for me right now. I can't get away."

"Is that so? What are you doing?"

"I... I'm at my girlfriend's place. I'm really sorry, but I truly can't come out. I think we'd better do it another time."

As I was helplessly fabricating my lie, a beam of light suddenly shone on me from behind. I turned around and saw a car slowly driving toward me, then stopping right beside me.

My face instantly flushed scarlet, and I lowered my head in shame. I knew this car far too well; it was Hua Jingjing's Ferrari. And the window slowly rolled down, revealing Hua Jingjing herself, one hand on the steering wheel, the other holding her phone, looking at me with a half-smile.

I stood there awkwardly, gripping my phone and forgetting to lower it, wishing desperately that the ground would split open so I could bury myself in it. I was not someone who lied unless absolutely necessary or left with no choice, much less being caught in the act after lying. All I felt was guilt and dread, unable to face anyone, utterly mortified.

Seeing me so at a loss, Hua Jingjing finally could not help letting out a laugh. "Get in, you liar."

Caught red-handed, I had no choice but to open the door and sit inside. I did not dare meet her eyes, so I turned my head away and said nothing.

Hua Jingjing sighed and said, "Do I really disgust you that much? You would rather lie than see me?"

My face still burning, I said in a small, ashamed voice, "I'm sorry."

Hua Jingjing rolled her eyes, a sly smile rising on her lips. She immediately said, "Sorry? You think one sorry is enough? I gave you my whole heart and true feelings, and you repay me with deception and lies?"

This truly was one misstep and the whole board lost. Originally, I could have told her plainly that I did not want to see her; even if it hurt her, I would not have been in such a passive position. But I had made the mistake most men probably would: unwilling to refuse her directly and make her sad, I had chosen to find an excuse and decline gently, never imagining she would catch me on the spot.

Now I only felt weak in spirit, panicked and flustered, and had no words to answer Hua Jingjing's accusation. Whatever the case, Hua Jingjing truly did like me. Though I could not develop anything with her, I had to be grateful for her sincere feelings. Even if my lie had come from kindness, a lie was still a lie. Deceiving her was my fault.

With remorse in my heart, I said earnestly to Hua Jingjing, "Manager Hua, I was in the wrong. I'm very ashamed. I promise I will never lie to you again."

Hua Jingjing snorted. "Fine. But that's for the future. Right now you've already deceived me. How do you plan to make it up to me?"

"Didn't I already say I was sorry?"

"What use is just saying sorry? I want you to show your repentance and sincerity through actual actions!"

I groaned inwardly, sensing that I was about to fall into a trap she had set. But there was no way for me to avoid it, so I said with a worried face, "Then how should I show it?"

Hua Jingjing smiled triumphantly. "As long as you agree to two things, I'll forgive you and won't hold it against you anymore for deceiving me!"

Sure enough, she had set a trap for me to walk into. I really had lifted a stone only to smash my own foot, and I regretted it bitterly. Still, I kept a guard up and said, "What two things? So long as they do not go against morality or conscience, and they are within my power, I can agree. But if it's... that kind of thing, then I can't do it."

Hua Jingjing laughed. "Which kind of thing couldn't you do? You really are... so sincere!"

I stammered, "I mean... well... if you want me to abandon my girlfriend, that's impossible!"

Hua Jingjing rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Did I say I wanted you to abandon your girlfriend? You... you're really mean enough! Fine, fine, I won't ask you to do anything against morality or conscience, and it will be something within your power. Is that better?"

Only then did I feel somewhat relieved. "If that's all it is, then as punishment for lying to you just now, I'm willing to agree to the two requests you make."

Hua Jingjing narrowed her eyes, a wicked smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. "You mean it?"

Seeing how she looked like someone whose scheme had succeeded, I really did feel a bit uneasy. What exactly was this strange and willful woman plotting?

But then I thought again: as long as her requests did not go against morality or conscience, what was there to fear? At worst, it would be a little troublesome, a little tiring. So I nodded. "Absolutely."

The moment Hua Jingjing heard my answer, she immediately brightened up and said with a face full of smiles, "Good. Then I'll state the first thing. You're no longer my employee now, so you don't have to keep calling me 'Manager Hua.' All my friends call me Jingjing. Since you're my friend too, I want you to call me Jingjing as well."

I was sweating...

This request really did not go against morality, nor did it involve conscience, but suddenly addressing her so intimately was truly awkward. I wore a bitter expression and hesitated, unable to agree at once.

Hua Jingjing glanced at my face and said, "What? You can't even agree to such a simple request? Does calling me Jingjing violate morality or your conscience?"

I had no way to refuse. Grimly, I said, "No, I agree."

Hua Jingjing instantly smiled with delight. "Really? Then call it once for me to hear."

I said, "Why should I call you for no reason?"

"I don't care. I want to hear it, so I want you to call me that!"

Seeing Hua Jingjing acting coy and coquettish, I had no way to handle her. I could only sigh and think that if it was fortune, it would not be disaster, and if it was disaster, I could not avoid it. Since I had already agreed, whether I called her sooner or later, what difference did it make?

But when I truly opened my mouth, those two syllables were impossible to force out. I knew that once I called her Jingjing, it would be the same as admitting Hua Jingjing held the place of an intimate friend in my life. She would tangle herself around me for the rest of my days, and I would never be able to shake her off.

Hua Jingjing looked at me with eager anticipation, her eyes full of longing. I steadied my mind and tried to regard those two words with ordinary calm. After a long while, I gathered my generous courage and called out, "Jingjing!"

Hua Jingjing closed her eyes in bliss, smiling as she savored the sound of my first affectionate address to her. After a moment, she softly said, "Tang Qian, can you kiss me once?"

I knew that at this moment Hua Jingjing was carried away by feeling, her affection overflowing naturally. But I could never satisfy such an excessive request. I said solemnly, "I'm sorry, this request already goes against morality and conscience. I cannot agree to it."

Hua Jingjing opened her eyes in disappointment and forced a bitter smile at herself. She also knew that asking me to kiss her was not very realistic, so she said, "I was joking. Don't take it seriously. All right, now I'll say the second thing, which is..."

I quickly interrupted her. "Wait!"

Hua Jingjing froze and looked at me in confusion. With a little petty spirit of revenge in my heart, I decided to tease her a bit. So I pretended to be very serious and said, "If I remember correctly, you've already stated both requests, haven't you? And I've already done as asked. If you bring up another one, that would count as a third."