Chapter 339 - A gift

Lu Yin Ze always gave everything that he found 'good' to Xiong Zhi. 

Whether it was a delicacy that he came to know as the most delicious one in a country he was visiting, or a piece of jewelry that would look good on her, or a rare gorgeous flower. 

This gift was no different. He found it a week ago during his business trip. The moment he set his eyes on it, Xiong Zhi's image appeared in his mind.

He pushed the box gently to Xiong Zhi's direction. 

"I found it a week ago. This would surely suit you." 

His casual demeanor made it appear as if it was only natural to give her gifts. However, his heart was thumping fast. This happened every time he wanted to give her a gift. He hoped that this time, she would accept it.

Xiong Zhi glanced at the beautiful box. She has been studying religiously the matters between men and women. Naturally, she came to understand that gifts like this were out of the normal bound of friendship but more of that of a man giving gifts to the woman he fancied. Regardless of her friend's intention, she did not want to risk involving herself in an ambiguous relationship other than with Linfeng.

That was why, she stopped accepting Lu Yin Ze's gifts since months ago.

Xiong Zhi pushed back the gift box. "Thank you, but I can't accept it." 

Her voice was cold like usual. 

Lu Yin Ze already expected her rejection, but he still felt a pang on his heart. He swallowed bitterly. However, he was not the same weak Lu Yin Ze before who would simply watch her walk away and be with her man.

Xiong Zhi was a single woman and a very attractive one at that. Since there was no way she could end happily with her butler, he wanted to steal her heart and gain her affection. He did not want give Xiong Zhi to other men. 

His heart was filled with motivation and stubbornness.

As her grandfather said, love was war.

He believed that with his persistence and faithfulness to her, he would eventually move her. Just like how his grandfather moved his grandmother's heart.

This what he had been doing for the past two years whenever he had a chance to be with her.

So unlike the feeling of gloom in his heart, he showed a bright smile. 

His pearly white teeth were exposed, his beautiful face becoming more brilliant. With a playful look, he said, "Come on, Zhi. You didn't even open the gift yet. You will surely fall in love with this like I did."

Xiong Zhi shook her head. She admitted that the man in front of her was really a rare specimen. However, even if Lu Yin Ze used his face, it has no effect on her. There was only one face that could make her heart beat fast. 

"I have no desires in these kinds of things. You better give it to Xuantin, she'd appreciate it much better than I do."

Lu Yin Ze's smile faltered a bit. He looked down. If that would not work, then...

Lu Yin Ze's entire being became gloomy and sad. 

His long lashes drooped down and the silver-blue eyes turned a shade darker. The smile on his face faded and a pitiful look replaced it. The aloof, noble, and gentle immortal turned into a pitiful little puppy.

He slowly took the box into his palms and looked at it with disappointment and sorrow.

"What a pity... no one wants her. I am a man so I can't wear her. I can only give her to the person close to me. Yet—" His pale long fingers traced the box regretfully. His lowered head made his silver hair glow under the light, the fluffy hair moving slightly, like two drooping puppy ears. "—Yet, that person doesn't want her, doesn't even want to look at her." 

His voice was soft and sad.

"...." Xiong Zhi was speechless. This Lu Yin Ze brat, when did the jewelry became a 'she'?

Lu Yin Ze slightly peeked at her through his droopy fringe.

The customers nearby stealing glances from time to time saw the man looking pitiful and wronged in front of a beautiful woman. Their interest rose up. Were they breaking up? 

They looked at the woman in front of the princely man. The moment their eyes studied her, their eyes went wide.

It was the Xiong's heiress!

So the rumors that the two were dating were really true!

It was still different seeing it with their own eyes than simply hearing it from rumors.

Since Xiong Zhi and Lu Yin Ze met up usually every month after graduating from high school, they could not avoid being seen by the public. 

A lot of people saw them and were suspicious that they were dating. It was only a conjuncture, but as they were seen together several times during the past two years, a lot of people accepted their 'relationship'.

However, no news regarding their love affair came out. Not even a paparazzi was covering it, as they were afraid that if they said wrongly, the rage of both legendary families, the Xiong and the Lu, would rain upon them.

Xiong Zhi sighed. She could not really accept this. If she accepted this gift, was it not the same as accepting his feelings? 

Yes, she was educated by Song Xuantin and has also read a lot of books. She came to know a lot of things that she did not know before, more details about these things.

Lu Yin Ze still has not confessed to her. But with the gifts and subtle advances that Lu Yin Ze was doing, it was clear as day that he harbored some feelings for her. Not just as friend, but as a woman of interest.

Xiong Zhi wanted to reject him directly, but without a confession from him, what to reject him for?

Lu Yin Ze became more disappointed. Even looking pitiful did not work anymore.

His nails dug on the box, the same way Xiong Zhi's quiet rejection pierced his heart. 

He sighed.

"I've managed to get some news from Gu Zhen. He opened the sixth file." Xiong Zhi went directly to the topic and ignored his internal turmoil.

Lu Yin Ze composed himself. He had failed today. But there's still the next meeting. His former pitiful look vanished as he showed his business-like appearance.