Chapter 180 - I Like You, Know You Know It

The dreary silence was eating the two's quick breathing.

"Was it you?" Lu Jin asked Gao Huan. 

Gao Huan did not look at him and sat on his usual chair.

"Why don't you seat? That man is gone."

"Why don't you come up an another way?"

Lu Jin ignored Gao Huan's remark and asked him again.

Gao Huan got pissed and finally looked at him. His expression was not good.

"Then what do you want me to do? Death to him was the easiest way. At least, he did not die in pain."

Lu Jin stared at him for a while. He then let out a heavy sigh and sat on one of the couch. He did not sit on where Ming Zhi Yin sat on earlier even it was his usual spot.

"You should have contacted me first."

Lu Jin said as he brushed his hair.

"It would go unnoticeable. That drug came from that man after all. "

"That's not-" Lu Jin sighed again.

This was the second time Gao Huan personally killed someone.

And it was all because of his mistake.

"-I'm sorry. " The cold Lu Jin said sincerely.

"It's alright. As I told you I will not be caught."

"I know. I'm sorry you have to dirty your hands." Lu Jin said in distress. 

Gao Huan was stunned. He could not really see Lu Jin's expression. But he smiled.

"Lu Jin, my hands had been dirtied since I was born. There's really no issue if I dirtied my hands more. So, don't you f.u.c.k.i.n.g blame yourself. That's not like you. " Gao Huan jokingly said.

Lu Jin had complex emotions in his eyes that was covered by his hands.

He was the one at fault. Not only this time but for everything...

*****

In the next morning, Xiong Zhi found out from Linfeng that the one who visited the funeral was Master Lu's ex-son-in-law. The two had a feud and at each other's throat.

So they being in the same place would result in a commotion.

It's not surprising though that not even an ounce of news about what happened leak out from the media or to the public despite of many people recording the scene. 

Master Lu's public communication was that powerful.

Xiong Zhi had a clear picture of the Lu family situation.

It was good that Lu Yin Ze was not there at that time. 

Xiong Zhi's mind was occupied by Mr. Luo's death and the things that he said to her. It was their first and last talk after all.

Days continued to pass by as she decided to stop thinking about it and focused on the play instead.

Xiong Zhi read the script again.

She opened her mouth to start reading her lines.

"My prince--"

"Oh god. Please stop. Can you try the clothes instead? " Gu Zhen who was quite silent than Xiong Zhi most of the time could not help but speak up. It was the third time already that Xiong Zhi read her lines. It was actually okay if she read it monotonously or with a cold voice like she usually does. But she read it with so much emotion and sometimes it was all over the top. Like a singer who was trying to reach high notes.

"Alright." Xiong Zhi agreed. Her throat was hurting too.

They were doing a general practice for their play next week. This weekend, Xiong Zhi had to sacrifice her visit for IHZHI and have to spend practice with their group.

Song Xuantin was really good at preparing everything they need for the play.

Even Xiong Zhi was amazed at their preparations. They had advertised both in school and outside the school. Lu Yin Ze helped a lot in advertising. Courtesy of Master Lu who was so excited to witness Lu Yin Ze first play.

The props and costumes were made by professionals. Gu Zhen and Song Xuantin had done a good job to look for these people. Of course, the budget came from Xiong Zhi.

They also hired some professional stage actors to act as extra's. 

Everything is complete.

Now, the problem was the main protagonists acting.

Song Xuantin was holding a megaphone. 

"Cut!!!" 

Her voice resounded in the theatre.

"Yin Ze! I expected Zhi'er to have poor acting skills. But I at least believe in you that you are more passable. How come you are worst than her?!"

Xiong Zhi who was playing dead at the side twitched her brow. Being pointed out that she was not good at acting was a bit embarrassing. But she still maintained her position and closed eyes. She might not be good at acting but she was adamant to do her role. 

This at least all she could do.

"I- I am sorry!" Lu Yin Ze stand up and bowed to everyone. It was really hard for him. Not only because they were being watched, or because of the embarrassing lines, but because of his current position. 

"Alright! Let's practice one more time so we can wrap it up!"

It was evening but the people in the arena were all lively that even time doesn't matter to them.

***

Linfeng was waiting outside the car. He was waiting for Xiong Zhi to escort her home. It was already evening but the group hadn't come out yet.

'What they have been doing?'

Linfeng really wanted to enter the stadium and check on them but Song Xuantin did not want to let him enter. The group leader (a/n: unofficial but seems to be) insisted the play to be a secret and that he would have to see it on the day where the day occurs. 

"No spoiling!" Song Xuantin left these words to him as the door closed in front of his face.

So Linfeng had no choice but to wait outside. They told him he could go anywhere while he waits. But how could he? He has a responsibility to take care of his young miss. Besides, that Lu Yin Ze was there too. He might do something to his young miss like hugging her ( a/n: refer chap 155) or forced her young miss to go to the Lu Mansion (refer chap 151). So it was better to stay here. He needs to keep watch.

Then suddenly a strum of a guitar played in the background. A familiar tone that he always played before he sleeps or when he was thinking of a certain person, was played.

[ I like your eyes, you look away when you pretend not to care ???? ]

It was his ringtone.

[ I like the dimples on the corners of the smile that you wear ???? ]

Linfeng let it play as he listened to the song.

[ I like you more, the world may know but don't be scared

'Cause I'm falling deeper, baby be prepared ???? ~] 

Linfeng smiled as he listened. He searched this song and added to his playlist ever since Xiong Zhi sang it for him. He even made it his ringtone. 

[ Love you every minute, every second

Love you everywhere and at any moment

Always and forever I know I can't quit you

'Cause baby you're the one, I don't know how ????]

Linfeng leaned back as he immersed himself in the song. His mind was on that day when he let his heart enjoy for the first time.

[ I love you 'til the last of snow disappears

Love you 'til a rainy day becomes clear

Never knew a love like this, now I can't let go

I'm in love with you, and now you know ????]

Of course, his mind wandered to that cute girl who looked so cold and aloof on the outside but was actually a soft little kitten who was so passionate and bold inside.

He remembered her emotional and stubborn eyes. Those eyes were always looking at him with so many complex emotions that always left him overwhelmed and confused. 

But he got to like those eyes. He was actually afraid that those passion on her eyes when she looked at him would be gone. 

Beep. 

[You have one voice message. Autoplay. Beep.]

[Linfeng? Where are you? Please call me back once you got my message]

Linfeng expression suddenly changed. He fished out his phone and called his father.

After just one ring, Butler Zhou Min answered.

"Why are you not answering? I need you to come here right now." 

Linfeng heard the urgency of his father's voice.

"I'm waiting for young miss. They still not done yet. I have to escort her back at the Xiong Mansion."

"Don't worry. I'll send two butlers in place for you. It's urgent."

"Alright, Father. I'm on my way."

After he ended the call, Linfeng went to the car.

"Mr. Ji, let me borrow you for a while." 

Linfeng tried to call Xiong Zhi's phone. But no one was answering. He just left a message that he was summoned.

The car then drives to the Xiong Mansion.

***

~short episode ~

The night after Xiong Zhi confessed.

Linfeng arrived at his room. He took off his coat, then his necktie, and then he unbuttons his shirt one by one. His movement was natural. However, his mind was in chaos. His heart was still jumping lively.

[I like your eyes, you look away when you pretend not to care ???? 

I like the dimples on the corners of the smile that you wear ????

I like you more, the world may know but don't be scared ????

'Cause I'm falling deeper, baby be prepared ????]

His ringtone sounded in the room. An indication that someone was calling him.

But he doesn't care. No. His mind could not process that someone was calling him. It was his background music as he recalled Xiong Zhi's confession earlier. 

[ Love you every minute, every second

Love you everywhere and at any moment

Always and forever I know I can't quit you

'Cause baby you're the one, I don't know how ???? ]

His heart was beating loudly. He fell on the bed staring at the ceiling. He was half-n.a.k.e.d but he doesn't care.

[I love you 'til the last of snow disappears

Love you 'til a rainy day becomes clear

Never knew a love like this, now I can't let go ???? 

I'm in love with you, and now you know ????]

Linfeng then foolishly grinned.

"Is that so?" He asked while he stared at the ceiling.

That ringtone of his sounded multiple times before his battery died down.

***

On the other side, Jang Shin who was beaten to a pulp was cursing Linfeng.

'Linfeng! I need your help dammit!'

He tried one more time to call him. But in the end, his life-saving straw turned 'unable to reach'. Jang Shin had no choice but to face his doomed fate that night.