22 You forced her into what?!

Upon entering the semester, Li Bingbing and Xia Meilin were now in their last year of high school and because of their grades, they had the same section, the special section for top students like them.

In that section, there were only twenty students and some would even skip because of the special treatment they receive. These were the students who had an average grade of over ninety-six.

It was the same routine in the school, the teacher would teach, the students would study then after a month, they would have their exams.

If not for Xia Meilin, Li Bingbing would have been skipping every class she had.

Li Bingbing noticed that it was different when Xia Sinian wasn't around, she felt empty and bored. She had already come into an agreement with Xia Sinian that she could visit him in the apartment he was staying near the university during weekends.

Li Bingbing couldn't wait to graduate since she was going to stay with Xia Sinian when she does.

Meanwhile, Mu Xijiu, Li Bingbing's mother received a message from her ex-husband and when she saw the message, her face darkened.

Why would Li Hua want to meet with her? Since Mu Xijiu wasn't going to run away from him anymore, she went to see him in the place that he gave.

Li Hua was surprised to see how Mu Xijiu changed. It felt like her younger self was sitting in front of him. The fire in her eyes was back and the wrinkles on her face were gone. Her skin now looked smooth and fine like a peeled egg.

She was wearing her office attire since she just came from her work.

"I would like some caramel frappuccino." Mu Xijiu said to the waitress.

"Is there anything else, ma'am?"

"None."

After the waitress left, Mu Xijiu turned to Li Hua. "If you are going to talk about taking my daughter away, I won't let you." She said seriously.

"I know, but that isn't why I want to talk with you." Li Hua said as he clasped his hands together. "I won't take her away from you, I know that would be pointless."

"Then why did you call me here?" Mu Xijiu raised a brow.

"I want to start anew with you and her."

Mu Xijiu laughed lightly when she heard him, "Start Anew? Stop joking around, Li Hua, you're already too late for that."

"I know but... can't we be friends?"

Was she hearing it correctly? He wanted them to be friends? Mu Xijiu scoffed at his words, "What made you change your mind?"

Li Hua didn't answer at once, he watched as the waitress placed the drink in front of Mu Xijiu. After she left, he opened his mouth and said, "You know that I have always loved you, Xijiu." Genuineness was seen in his eyes. "I did everything for our family."

"Did you? From what I remembered you did it for your selfish desire. You want to be rich and you want to be known by others, you couldn't be contented with our normal and simple family that's why you went and seduced some rich and younger woman, married her so that you can have a share of her inheritance. You did this all for us? Don't make me laugh."

"I know that my ways may be wrong but I wanted Li Bingbing to have a better life, free of worries." Li Hua explained.

"Then go ask her if she wants the life that you prepared for her or not, she has the last say in it." Mu Xijiu was confident enough that Li Bingbing won't leave the that was why she said these words.

Li Hua lowered his head, Li Bingbing has rejected him so many times already, even if he would keep on insisting his hard work to her, Li Bingbing won't even bat an eye toward it. "I am still her father, Xijiu."

"You were once the father she admired the most but after you left us, you crushed her. Even if I'll allow you to see her, even if I'll allow you to visit us, do you think that she would like to see you?" Mu Xijiu wasn't a vengeful woman, she was willing to forgive and let go even if she was the one hurting. She still loves him but because of the things that happened in their relationship, Mu Xijiu knew that they can't have their happy days back... it was already too late for that.

Li Hua was married to someone else and he already has a child with her. Even if she had the right on him as his first wife, Mu Xijiu preferred to avoid the problems that she can have if she does so.

To be friends with her ex-husband was fine but it would take time before she can accept him as one.

"If it's you, she will listen to you." Li Hua said softly as he looked at her. "She doesn't have to come with me, I won't force her into an arranged marriage-"

"You forced her into what?!"