Chapter 96 - "We Are Friends"

"Y-yes. D-dad used to make me hot chocolate when it's winter." Lai Jiayi nodded. She subconsciously smiled when she mentioned her father. 

Her smile was so gentle and genuine that Zhao Yang felt something stirring his heart. His chest tightened. 

'She looks so happy when she mentions her father. She must love him a lot.' 

"You...love your dad a lot, huh?" Zhao Yang tugged the corner of his lips.

'Her dad must be an amazing father. Unlike...mine.' 

Zhao Yang's eyes darkened. He shook his head and took the coffee cup as he waited for Lai Jiayi's answer. 

"Mmm...I-I really love my dad." Lai Jiayi grinned. The girl silently thanked Zhao Yang for bringing this topic. 

'From here on, it will be easy to mention my experience!' 

"H-he is the best father in the world." Lai Jiayi's eyes narrowed into a straight line. One could see she couldn't stop smiling. "H-he...is my savior." 

"Savior?" Zhao Yang paused. The coffee cup stopped right when it just touched his lips. The guy lowered his hand again because of the girl's words. 

"Y-yes. Savior." Lai Jiayi nodded. "H-he once saved me from an incident…" 

Lai Jiayi already planned to share her story with Zhao Yang, and the current conversation was smoothly heading there. But somehow, there's a small reluctance in her heart. 

Something blocked her throat, and it's hard for the girl to speak. 

'...do I not want to talk about this incident? But...I have to...so that Zhao Yang will tell me his..' 

Lai Jiayi's eyes shook. The girl subconsciously gripped her hot chocolate glass tighter, and Zhao Yang noticed it. 

He became even more curious about the incident Lai Jiayi mentioned. 

"Incident? A car accident, or…" he suddenly paused. Zhao Yang's eyes widened since he just realized one probability. 

'Could it be the incident is…' 

"N-no, not a car accident. I-it was when...I-I was harassed…" Lai Jiayi answered in a shaky voice. Usually, she wouldn't be too sensitive even when someone mentioned this. 

She would only calm her emotion and glossed it over. But the dramatic gas triggered a different reaction in her body. 

She suddenly felt overwhelmed. 

Lai Jiayi's face turned pale white. The girl shuddered, and her amber eyes reflected immense fear. 

Zhao Yang instantly noticed this. Something just hit his heart. 

"I– Sorry...I shouldn't mention it." Zhao Yang immediately apologized. He looked at Lai Jiayi with eyes full of worry. 

'What should I do? Did I touch her landmine? She looks scared. Did I trigger her bad memories?' 

"N-no, it's alright." Lai Jiayi bit her lips. She steeled her heart to share her story. 

'Whatever. I'll just speak.' 

"I-I don't mind telling others about my dad's heroic deeds." Lai Jiayi tugged the corner of her lips. The girl's eyes turned mellow. "U-uh...drinking buddies talk about things like this, right?" 

Lai Jiayi looked at Zhao Yang while wearing the most innocent face she could make. No matter how one looked at her, she was expecting Zhao Yang to say yes. 

Zhao Yang paused. He gritted his teeth and lied without batting an eyelid. "That's right. Drinking buddies talk about things they can't tell others." 

'As long as she is happy with it. I think she wants someone to talk to?' 

"Mm, mm, r-right. That's why d-don't feel bad about this, boss." Lai Jiayi sipped her hot chocolate again. She didn't forget to lick her lips after she gulped once. 

"I-if you want to ask me anything, f-feel free! I-I will answer you." Lai Jiayi looked at Zhao Yang with sparkling eyes. The girl really hoped Zhao Yang would ask her. 

'It's okay. I can talk about that incident. I'm ready. I have told my therapist too. This shouldn't be too hard.' 

Seeing Lai Jiayi is eager to speak about her father's heroic deeds, Zhao Yang couldn't ignore the girl's silent plea. He scratched his cheek and nodded. 

"I...want to know what things your father did to save you." The man's eyes softened. He didn't look like someone with a paralyzed face anymore. 

"Mmm…" Lai Jiayi rubbed her chin. She pretended to recall the incident when she remembered it well. She wouldn't forget that incident. 

"T-that day, I was playing with my dad's younger brother…" Lai Jiayi started her story without looking at Zhao Yang. She just played with her hot chocolate glass. 

The half-empty chocolate in the transparent glass shook when the girl played with it. 

"M-my uncle brought me to a place…" Lai Jiayi continued. But as she came closer to the main story, her body refused to speak. It was so hard for her to open her mouth. 

"A-and…" 

"If you are uncomfortable telling me, you don't have to." Zhao Yang suddenly interrupted. The guy took out a small grey handkerchief from his suit and pressed it to Lai Jiayi's forehead. 

"You are sweating a lot. Are you alright?" The guy gently wiped Lai Jiayi's forehead. The guy made sure Lai Jiayi looked at him since he couldn't leave her alone. 

'She looked like she's about to cry. She shouldn't force it!' 

"A-ah?" Lai Jiayi was taken aback. The girl stared at Zhao Yang with wide eyes. 

'I am...sweating a lot? How come I don't realize it?' 

The girl slowly took a deep breath and let Zhao Yang wipe her forehead. Somehow, even when the guy's hand was near her face, she didn't feel any nauseous feeling. 

"I-I am fine. I-I want to tell you…" Lai Jiayi bit her lips. "Because...we are...friends, right?" 

The girl's last sentence tickled Zhao Yang's heart. The man retracted his hand and placed the handkerchief on the table. 

'Friends?' 

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