books44 Chapter 311: Inexplicable Feelings
Chapter 311: Inexplicable Feelings
Chapter 311: Inexplicable Feelings
Ji Meiqing was furious, only to realize that just like in modern times, officials protected each other in ancient times, and there was no escaping the exploitation by officials. Ji Meiqing still said unwillingly, "They've gone too far. The emperor is a wise ruler, and he would never believe their fabricated stories."
Shen Bin didn't speak, only shook his head. Looking at Ji Meiqing's stubborn expression, he said with some heartache, "My father is old and doesn't compete or fight in the court. I don't want him to be so heartbroken because of me." As soon as Shen Bin finished speaking, Ji Meiqing fell silent. She had overlooked something and felt somewhat ashamed.
“You just want the restaurant to grow and prosper, and now that you’re almost there, don’t give up now. Let’s take it one step at a time.” Shen Bin’s persistence has finally paid off, but a mishap has occurred. If they give up now, today’s events will feel like a dream, and how cruel it would be to wake up from that dream, Ji Meiqing thought to herself as she spoke, glancing at Shen Bin. Shen Bin rubbed his temples, neither rejecting nor agreeing. Ji Meiqing could only stick to her advice: let’s take it one step at a time.
Rongcheng.
Rouge didn't know what was wrong with her. Ever since Li Ming took care of her all night after her fever, she had started to develop different feelings for him. She didn't know if she liked Li Ming or what, but seeing him made her happy, and not seeing him made her anxious. She went to see Li Ming almost every day. Although she was a courtesan, she came from a poor family and had never learned any skills, so she was unskilled. Before, she would just sleep, but now, whenever she had time, she would go to the shed to find Li Ming.
The weather was a bit chilly today. It had rained a few days ago, but the weather hadn't warmed up yet. Summer is over and autumn is coming. Early this morning, Li Ming didn't go to the factory but went to the street. He went to a tailor shop and bought some clothes, all women's clothes, which were slightly warm.
Just as he got home, he grabbed his things and went to find Yan Zhi. He knocked on the door, and Yan Zhi, who was quite surprised that someone would be looking for her so early in the morning, opened the door a crack and saw it was Li Ming. She quickly closed the door and said, "Brother Li Ming, I have something to do. Wait for me a moment." Li Ming, who was standing outside, knew from Yan Zhi's words that she probably hadn't gotten up yet, so he replied, "Okay."
Rouge dressed in plain clothes and did her makeup in front of the mirror. Then, she examined herself in the mirror, checking for anything that seemed amiss. Once she was satisfied, she opened the door. Taking Li Ming's hand, she said, "Brother Li Ming, did you miss me? You came to see me so early in the morning." As she spoke, she rested her head on his shoulder.
Li Ming seemed used to Yan Zhi's fiery personality and didn't mind. He went straight into the house, carrying a bundle. He placed the bundle on the table. Yan Zhi, seeing the bundle was bulging, happily opened it, unaware that Li Ming was about to stop her.
Rouge opened the bundle, saw the clothes inside, picked them up and looked at them from left to right, and said happily, "Brother Li Ming, did you buy this for me? It's so beautiful, I love it so much." Rouge said as she examined the clothes in her hands.
The clothes were originally bought for Ji Meiqing, but Yan Zhi seemed to really like them, and Li Ming didn't want to spoil her mood, so he simply nodded. Yan Zhi was even happier when she saw Li Ming's affirmative nod, even happier than when customers at the brothel had bought her things. Yan Zhi went back to her room, changed into the clothes, and immediately showed them to Li Ming. Looking at the clothes on Yan Zhi, Li Ming thought to himself how wonderful it would be if Ji Meiqing wore them. But seeing Yan Zhi's face, he realized he was overthinking it.
"Oh dear, Brother Li Ming, these clothes seem to be too big. If you're going to buy some next time, could you take me with you?" Rouge said with a look of longing.
Seeing the hopeful look on Rouge's face, he couldn't refuse and had to agree. Upon hearing Li Ming's answer, Rouge was overjoyed and danced with delight. Li Ming felt helpless; he thought how wonderful it would be if he could make Ji Meiqing this happy.
"Brother Li Ming, do you like me?" Rouge approached Li Ming, lifted his chin, and looked into his eyes as she asked. Faced with this sudden question, Li Ming was at a loss for words. A month had passed since Ji Meiqing left, and Rouge had spent almost every day with him. She had even fallen ill because of him last time. It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved, but saying he liked her wasn't entirely true either. Li Ming pondered this, unsure where to begin.
Rouge looked at Li Ming without any reaction and felt somewhat disappointed, but seeing his hesitant expression, she looked at him expectantly. Li Ming slowly said, "I'm sorry, I don't like you. I... I like Mei Qing." After saying that, he left without looking back. He didn't see Rouge behind him; her smiling face suddenly froze, and she gripped the clothes in her hands tightly.
"Meiqing, hehe...Meiqing...Ji Meiqing. Rouge, are you stupid? He doesn't like you, he likes Sister Meiqing." Rouge sat on the ground and cried, muttering to herself. Looking at the clothes in her hands, she knew they were too big, clothes she had bought for Sister Meiqing. Her heart ached with a tearing pain, but then she smiled foolishly. Back in the brothel, her mother had told her not to fall in love, and she had remembered it well. But she had forgotten, disobeyed, and made a mistake.
After running away from Yan Zhi, Li Ming recalled his heartless reply to her and felt something was missing. As he left, he inadvertently saw Yan Zhi collapse to the ground. He wanted to help her up, but he couldn't. He didn't know if he still liked Ji Meiqing or if he had slowly fallen for Yan Zhi.
And so, he returned to the factory listlessly. He seemed utterly listless all day; things he used to do now felt like he'd forgotten how, and he kept making mistakes. Everyone thought he was sick and came to check on him. Li Ming felt helpless and could only say that he had something on his mind.
When Li Ming got home that evening, his mother had prepared dinner. He sat at the table, lost in thought. His mother called him several times, but he didn't respond. Finally, she tapped the table, and Li Ming slowly came to his senses. His mother asked, somewhat puzzled, "Ming'er, what's wrong? Why are you spacing out?"
Li Ming quickly ate a mouthful of food and said, "Ah? Oh, it's nothing, Mother. I was just thinking about going into the factory." He lied. Rouge used to be a courtesan. If he were with her, his mother might get sick from the stress.