Chapter 517: Chapter 517

Before, she had stayed by his side for the sake of her elder sister, and now, she would even do such a thing for her elder sister! What exactly did she consider him to be?

Ignoring his feelings, trampling on his feelings, she had always been this way from the past until now, and he had still harbored the hope that she would develop even the slightest affection for him?

How laughable, and how sad.

Shi Che looked into Ling Chuxia’s eyes and a hint of sorrow slowly emerged. He lowered his eyelids, and the hand resting on Ling Chuxia’s shoulder unconsciously grew heavier.

Ling Chuxia felt pain, the grip on her shoulder was hurtful, yet the pain at her heart was even more so.

It turned out that lying to the person you deeply loved was so unbearable that it made it nearly impossible to breathe. A sour sensation rushed up hastily; mist rose before Ling Chuxia’s eyes, and tears uncontrollably swirled in her sockets. She dared not let Shi Che see her and could only force herself to bow her head.

Neither could see the other’s sorrow, nor the tears in their eyes.

Neither of them spoke, and surrounded by silence, the air seemed to come to a standstill. After a long while, Shi Che slowly released the hand from Ling Chuxia’s shoulder and then started to step back, step by step, retreating several paces. He stopped, looked up at the woman before him, and gazed at her intently. Finally, he curved the corners of his lips and let out a cold laugh.

His search, his longing, his feelings, all were nothing but a joke.

He looked at her, let out two hollow laughs, then said nothing more, turned around, pulled open the door to the safety aisle, and strode past it.

As the door closed, Ling Chuxia’s strength seemed to be suddenly drawn out. She slid weakly against the wall and slowly wrapped her arms around herself, sobbing silently.

Manager Chen returned to the private room but didn’t see President Shi. After inquiring, she learned that he had gone to the restroom. However, she had waited for quite a while without seeing President Shi come back. Thinking it over, she decided to stand up and go look for him.

As she was walking towards the restrooms, she happened to see President Shi walking towards her. A smile immediately appeared on her face, and she hurried forward, respectfully saying, "President Shi, all the dishes are served, you..."

But Manager Chen couldn’t finish her words, as President Shi walked briskly by her without even a glance in her direction and didn’t head towards the private room but directly to the elevator instead.

Manager Chen’s heart sank with a thud. Was President Shi about to leave, just like that? But... the meal hadn’t even begun, and they hadn’t even started discussing the collaboration project!

Frightened, Manager Chen quickly chased after him. "President Shi, the private room is this way."

The elevator hadn’t arrived yet, President Shi stood there expressionless and spared Manager Chen a cold glance, saying sternly, "I’ve lost my appetite, you all eat."

"President Shi, is there... is there something we did wrong that dissatisfied you? Please tell me, I will do everything I can to make it right."

But President Shi didn’t pay her any more attention. As soon as the elevator arrived, he stepped in without hesitation and pressed the button to close the doors.

"President Shi, President Shi!"

Manager Chen could only watch helplessly as the elevator doors closed and President Shi disappeared from her sight.

She stood on the spot, stamping her feet in frustration. How could his demeanor change so abruptly? With him walking out , wasn’t the collaboration project doomed? How was she going to explain this to the company?

As Manager Chen paced around in a panic, Ling Chuxia was walking towards her, looking devastated and dispirited.