Chapter 239: Chapter 239

"Alright!" Hua Xiaomo laughed, her gaze drifting from its intense focus on him to her own canvas.

This painting... it’s truly perfect. Why not just kill two birds with one stone? Capturing both the man and the painting would be much better, right?

Unknowingly, Qi Longbing had quietly approached her. Upon seeing the painting on the easel, his eyes lit up.

"Haha, your painting is really not bad! You’ve captured nine-tenths of my likeness!" Qi Longbing couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, seeing how she had even captured the spirit in his brow.

"Thank you." Hua Xiaomo gave a light smile, a dark glint hidden deep within her eyes.

"Xiao Mo, I didn’t expect you to have such talent in this area! It suddenly occurs to me, keeping you by my side as a secretary is truly a waste of your skills. How about I make you famous instead?" Qi Longbing smiled perfectly, one hand resting on the easel, the other casually placed on his hip, looking utterly content.

"You make me famous?" Hua Xiaomo felt a flicker of surprise deep down, but her face quickly resumed its unflappable smile.

It seemed that in front of him, this was her most common expression; she rarely even showed anger. This created an illusion, making it easy to misjudge and obscuring the true nature of many things. One could easily be deceived by such a facade. Moreover, Qi Longbing was already utterly enchanted by her.

"That statement... sounds doubtful. Don’t you believe that I, Qi Longbing, have the ability to make you famous?" Qi Longbing chuckled, looking at the young woman before him. She was smiling, yes, but how much of that smile was genuine? That was something he was truly curious to probe.

"You misunderstand me, President Qi. I just don’t want to waste your time," Hua Xiaomo said softly, her expression fleeting as she quickly averted her gaze. She walked over to the sofa and sat down on its generous expanse.

Why? Why am I still speaking this way? Haven’t I already decided to be unscrupulous? This was the worst-case scenario I had mentally prepared for. So why do I want to give up now that it’s come to the crunch? Hua Xiaomo, what are you really thinking?

Hua Xiaomo felt a turmoil rising within her, filled with confusion and agony. What should I do to stop feeling this way? I truly despise myself now, having lost my sense of self. I’ve become someone I no longer recognize.

All of a sudden, the voice deep within her stirred again.

Xiao Mo, Qi Longbing is fierce and aggressive. If he knows you’re with me, he won’t let us be. You must find some leverage on him! Only then can we be together forever!

Brother Long... Where are you? Why do I feel you drifting further and further away from me? I really want to hold onto this most genuine emotion deep in my heart, but reality has shattered me to pieces...

Hua Xiaomo turned her face to the side, not letting him see her current expression.

Qi Longbing stood up, looking at her silhouette. He found it resolute yet frail, which made him unable to resist the urge to cherish and favor her even more.

"You... you’ve already taken contraceptive pills, so why are you still feeling unwell?" Qi Longbing asked, a hint of cunning suspicion in his gaze.

She’s already my woman, yet she still hasn’t learned how to be adept and fetching in my presence? As long as she desires something, asks for anything, at this moment, I’m absolutely willing to indulge all her wishes. But she still asks for nothing, demands nothing. She doesn’t want money or material things—does that mean she doesn’t even want me now? No, that’s not entirely true. At least she expressed a desire to paint, which shows she still needs me. So, is she too nervous right now, Hua Xiaomo?

Startled by the question, Hua Xiaomo immediately turned her face towards him, her cheeks flushing in surprise. She then turned away again, a sensation she hadn’t felt since she started painting.

I’ve clearly become numb, so why do I still feel this way?

"You know everything... You really live up to your title as President Qi," Hua Xiaomo said with a light smile. How could I have thought he was so simple? Follow current novᴇls on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽

"I care about you, Xiao Mo," Qi Longbing said as he walked over to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and spoke with tenderness, "Since you don’t want to get married or have children so soon, I completely respect that."

"However, I think we should get engaged first. That way, you’d have some security. What do you think?" Qi Longbing said with a smile, his demeanor perfectly at ease. The discomfort in his shoulder had also subsided considerably, no longer as dull or intense as before.

"...I don’t want to think about this right now," Hua Xiaomo said.

"Then what... are you thinking about right now?" Qi Longbing asked teasingly, his handsome, angelic face radiating softness and allure.

Truth be told, after spending so much time with him, I hadn’t felt him to be all that bad, but... but I had never considered any emotional connection between us. Yes, he and I are impossible. The person I like is Brother Long. A month later, when the contract ends, I’ll leave this place, leave him, and bravely pursue my own happy life. So, to me, he’s just a transient passerby. A passerby, yes, Qi Longbing is just a passerby in my life. From then on, there will be no further contact.

Having realized this, Hua Xiaomo’s mood suddenly brightened.

Perhaps I should have always maintained such a state of mind. But why, at times, when I see the focused look in his eyes, do I feel a little dazed? Why? What exactly is this for? Is it out of pity for him? Pity for him... for he is destined to lose me...

Why? Why am I still talking ? Haven’t I already decided to stop at nothing? I had long prepared for the worst in my heart. But why do I want to give up now that it’s come to the crunch? Hua Xiaomo, what are you really thinking?

Confusion began to cloud Hua Xiaomo’s heart, and she felt utterly bewildered and pained. How can I stop feeling this way? I truly detest my current self, having lost my sense of identity. I’ve changed so much that I no longer feel like myself.

Suddenly, that inner voice spoke up again.

I like being with Brother Long. I feel a sense of security with him that I believe no one else can provide. Being with Brother Long brings such a comfortable and pleasant feeling—an enjoyment that Qi Longbing could never offer. Yes, I really detest Qi Longbing. I can’t be with Qi Longbing. I don’t know what else to say; I just feel no joy with Qi Longbing. The person I like is Brother Long.