CH 70.1

“I only fell for you because I wasn’t clear-headed.” Song Shiyu’s eyes remained firmly on the road ahead. “All you wanted to do is control me. Are we even friends?”

“… Stop the car,” Ji Xinxin said with a quivering voice. 

Song Shiyu eyed the roadside and replied, “There’s no place to stop here.”

“Song Shiyu, stop the car right now!” Ji Xinxin slammed the glove compartment in front of her, causing the documents inside to scatter all over the ground. 

Something sharp nicked Ji Xinxin’s legs, causing her eyes to become teary. “Song Shiyu, have I ever mistreated you? What have I done to deserve such humiliation from you? Do you regret falling in love with me now? Have you forgotten that I was always the one turning you down? I never ask for you to like me!”

“But the kindness and intimacy you showed me led me into believing that you were just in a tight spot.” Song Shiyu tightly gripped the steering wheel. “You have been leading me on all this while. I was only able to see the truth when you left for Paris…”

“What truth? That you’re now in love with Ji Fanyin?” Ji Xinxin pointed to the road behind her and exclaimed, “Wake up, Song Shiyu! The Ji Fanyin you like is someone who has everyone dancing in the palm of her hands! She’s no longer the meek girl who doesn’t dare stand before you, only able to peek at you from afar! Can’t you tell that they aren’t the same person?!”

Song Shiyu felt hysterical at Ji Xinxin’s sudden outburst. “It’s normal. People change. Also, I ought to tell you that I’ve been meeting up with her, even in the past.”

Ji Xinxin felt a lurch in her heart. “The two of you… did what?”

“We have been meeting privately all along,” Song Shiyu repeated himself once more as he steered the car toward the right. 

“… Why? Were your feelings for me a lie all along?”

“No, my feelings for you were real. I treated her as your shadow back then.” Song Shiyu stopped his car at a temporary parking lot before turning to look at Ji Xinxin’s face. “… But now, I don’t know why, but I think you’re more like her shadow instead.”

Those innocuous words filled Ji Xinxin with terror, and she started trembling. 

I’m… her shadow?

Song Shiyu spent a moment in thought before supplementing, “But you don’t really resemble the current Ji Fanyin either.”

More like a warped and crude imitation. 

Ji Xinxin mustered all of her strength to fling her hand at the unguarded Song Shiyu, giving him a tight slap. Her manicured nails that she had done at the mall yesterday left two long cuts on his left cheek. 

While Song Shiyu was hissing in pain, Ji Xinxin quickly undid her seatbelt and scrambled out of the car. She didn’t forget to slam the car door in her wake. 

Barely after taking a few steps, she turned around to take a look, only to see Song Shiyu’s car moving out of the parking lot. She shot a sharp glare at his car before whipping out her phone to hail a cab. 

However, she changed her mind at the last moment and instead dialed Li Xiaoxing’s number. 

Secretary Fan received the call. 

Ji Xinxin was able to recognize the other party’s voice. It was the personal secretary who attended to Li Xiaoxing’s every need. She recalled that he had a below-average face and was balding despite his young age. 

“What’s Xiaoxing doing? Can I visit him now?” She made her voice sound slightly tearful.

There was actually no need for her to put on an act. Her voice was already nasally after her grievances with Song Shiyu. 

“My apologies, Miss Ji. You’re in the country at the moment, right?” Secretary Fan was polite in his response. “Mr. Li is currently in the UK for work.”

Ji Xinxin was disappointed to hear that, but at the same time, she felt a tinge of unease as well. Having lost Bai Zhou and Song Shiyu, she couldn’t help but wonder if Ji Fanyin had made a move on her other targets too. 

Isn’t it Ji Fanyin’s aim to make money? There’s no way she would turn a blind eye to Li Xiaoxing given how rich he is. If Li Xiaoxing chooses to defect to Ji Fanyin’s side as well, I’d really be doomed… 

“Since you called, Mr. Li has tasked me to consult you on a matter.” The sound of flipping papers could be heard. “… Are you free from 12th February to 15th February? Mr. Li would like to invite you to Japan for a change of pace.”

Ji Xinxin’s mood immediately lifted. “Sounds great! It coincides with my Spring Break, so I should be able to make time. Is there anything I’d need to prepare?” 

It was an overseas trip during a period that coincided with Spring Break and Valentine’s Day. There was no doubt in Ji Xinxin’s mind that Li Xiaoxing was preparing a surprise for her. 

“Everything will be prepared for. All you have to do is to hand me your passport so that I can apply for a visa on your behalf,” replied Secretary Fan.

After agreeing on a time for Secretary Fan to fetch her passport, they hung up the call. 

Ji Xinxin stowed away her phone and took two deep breaths before her usual smile returned to her face. 

It doesn’t matter. As long as I have Li Xiaoxing in my grasp, Ji Fanyin will be no threat.