Chapter 644: Disappointed (2)

When Qi Lei heard this, his eyes darkened. The pain that he had buried deep in his heart suddenly resurfaced like a surge of insanity. He wanted to go up to her and give her a hug to tell her that he missed her and that he thought she was gone. He wanted her to know that he had suffered and struggled.

However, seeing her right now, all the urge that gathered in chest unexpectedly dissolved. He did not say anything. Instead, he just watched her quietly as he slowly let go of her shoulders.

Qi Lei endured the anguish in his heart as he asked bitterly, "Shasha, I'm still as annoying to you as I was before, aren't I?"

Gu Lingsha gently shook her head as a dazzling smile flashed across her face. "Why do you sell yourself short like that? I've told you I've always admired you. I also know that your talents aren't in the least inferior to Qi Feng's. Haven't you always said that I'm your muse? I've always kept the medal you won in your first competition in my drawer. I see it whenever I pull it open."

When he heard her mild admonition, Qi Lei's tensed expression eased a little. He lowered his gaze and his voice became gentler as he said softly, "Turns out you still remember these."

"Of course, I do. I really cherish all of the good times we've had. Ah Feng, you, and Lingtian... all those happy times we've had are worth remembering forever."

Gu Lingsha sighed softly. "Sometimes, I really wish we could go back in time. When I woke up and knew that Lingtian couldn't have come out of the accident alive, I was really heartbroken. Even though I don't know what happened then, I think that if it were not for Ah Feng and me, it wouldn't have turned out like this."

"I told you Mu Yuchen wouldn't let you off easily. Since you wanted to leave with Qi Feng, you shouldn't have agreed to marry Mu Yuchen then. In fact, Mu Yuchen doesn't love you either, I reckon," said Qi Lei in a deep voice as he fixed his gaze on Gu Lingsha.

Indeed, once Qi Lei said that, Gu Lingsha's little face paled again. Faint disappointment and sorrow filled her beautiful eyes, she nodded in resignation. "You're right. Perhaps, I don't know why I left with Qi Feng either. Actually, I remember, back then when I said I'd marry Mu Yuchen, I agreed to it willingly and didn't object. After all, I was his fiancee. My father had always hoped I could marry into the Mu family, but I didn't think that he would be such a cruel person. Even Lingtian..."

"Shasha, Mu Yuchen's married. He loves Xi Xiaye dearly. He told me that she's the only woman he's ever truly loved. I don't know why he would agree to marry you back then, but you wouldn't have been happy marrying someone as cold and distant as him. I know that you were fighting with Qi Feng, so..."

"Lei, let's not talk about these things anymore. I hope that you can just stay out of it."

"Shasha, I know it's because of my mother. Because she's been pulling off dirty tricks from within, she wouldn't agree to me and you, and she wouldn't let you and Qi Feng be, so..."

When he said this, Qi Lei suddenly lifted both hands to hold Xi Xinyi's shoulders as he became slightly stirred up. His eyes were apologetic."I'm very sorry, Shasha... I want to apologize on behalf of her. Please forgive us."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lingsha just smiled. "No, you don't have to apologize about anything. I know that Aunt Wang's just doing what's best for you. I'm the reason for all the misfortunes. If anyone were to blame, it would just be me. Of course, I admit that I should resent Mu Yuchen too. If he weren't so vicious, the tragedy wouldn't have happened."

She subconsciously covered her right arm and her gaze darkened.

Seeing that, Qi Lei quickly took her left arm and swiftly pulled her long lace glove off.

It took just one look!

And his eyes immediately froze!

Her arm was filled with crisscrossed, sinister-looking scars, and you could see that her left hand seemed to move a little oddly. Her mobility was slightly abnormal. Just by the look of these wounds, he could imagine how bad the accident had been!

Qi Lei's sudden actions stunned Gu Lingsha. Moments later, she quickly pushed him away and pulled her gloves up a little nervously, covering up the wound.

"How...?"

Qi Lei's eyes widened while they were transfixed on Gu Lingsha's pale little face. Seeing her pull up her gloves so sadly, his eyes were filled with shame and uneasiness. There was even anguish as his heart ached at this sight.

Gu Lingsha shot a look at Qi Lei with her slightly watery eyes which were filled with a wave of slight anger!

Obviously, Qi Lei could understand Gu Lingsha. How could the usual prideful her have endured such a thing?

With the scars exposed, it not only revealed her fear and agitation, but also her pride and self-esteem that were hidden deep in her heart!

She was ashamed and resentful as she covered her arm tightly. Finally, she sniffled and turned to walk quickly away towards the corridor.

Qi Lei did not go after her though his expression darened slightly. The emotions that gathered in his heart were mixed. While he pitied her, at the same time, he was angry and unhappy with Mu Yuchen!

How could Shasha's hand be ruined just like that?

He remembered that she always loved playing the piano. There was once on his birthday, she played the piano to wish him, and now...

Qi Lei could not help but clench his fists tightly as he looked up quietly at Gu Lingsha's gradually disappearing figure at the end of the corridor.

...

Xi Xiaye took a comfortable shower as soon as she retuned to Maple Residence. Sis Wang was worried she would be hungry, so she had especially cooked her a plain shredded chicken porridge. True enough, Xi Xiaye was feeling hungry since she did not eat much at the banquet, so she finished two and a half bowls in a go.

She returned to the study room to gather the documents, preparing them for use at work the next day. Then, Mu Yuchen's call came.

She watched the phone on the table vibrate for a while, not immediately picking it up. She thought about tonight. Her twinkling eyes could not help but emit a dull glow as she struggled for a while, and after the third ring, she slowly reached out to pick it up.

"Why did it take you so long to answer, hmm?" His deep and sensitive voice came, and it was slightly raspy too.

"I've been busy arranging some things," she answered plainly without stopping what she was doing.

"Your tone doesn't sound right. Who provoked you? Tell me. I'll handle them." Master Mu had always been terrifyingly good at seeing people through. With just a simple sentence, he could already feel that his woman was not in the best of moods, so his tone immediately became gentler.

"Mr. Mu, you haven't been honest with me..." Xi Xiaye straightened up and propped herself up before walking over to sit down on the lounge chair on the side.