Chapter 11
1592 Words
For a moment, the two of them were locked in a standoff on the bed.
Years of working as a detective had accustomed Ava to "invading" others, but she was rarely the one being "invaded."
The fire in Ava’s eyes was unmistakable: “Can you please stop being so hands-on?”
Under normal circumstances, Liam would have released Ava by now—not just released her, but embraced her, showering her with hugs, kisses, and tender touches…
Seeing that Liam was impervious to her assertive approach, Ava decided to try a gentler tactic. After all, if a confrontation ensued, she wasn’t certain she could outmaneuver Liam.
"I’m not meeting another man; I’m going on a blind date."
Liam’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily.
She actually had the audacity to mention a blind date!
"I have a bit of a fear of blind dates. I’ve been on a few over the past three years, but none led anywhere. Those men avoided me as if I were a ghost… They might dislike me, but that doesn’t mean I liked them! This time, though, my uncle and aunt have chosen a young white-collar worker they’re very fond of, and I can’t refuse."
Liam’s tone became deliberate, emphasizing each word: "No, means, no, way, to, refuse?"
Ava almost responded affirmatively but reconsidered: Why should she explain so much to Liam? At this point, he was little more than a stranger to her!
"Please leave my bedroom immediately—"
Ava needed only one sentence to make Liam surrender: "Otherwise, you leave my house right now!"
Liam: "…………"
Liam was expelled from the bedroom by Ava.
The dining table was cluttered with dishes and leftover food; he had no appetite.
He quickly cleaned up the table—seeing the remnants only deepened his frustration.
He had prepared a meal solely for Ava, and now it was being consumed by others…
Liam sat by the table, fiddling with his phone.
He swiftly edited and sent two emails. Just as he pressed "send," the bedroom door opened from the inside.
Ava emerged and saw Liam, forlornly staring at his phone. Her heart felt a pang of regret: "Um… are you hungry?"
Before Liam could respond, Ava moved closer: "Would you like me to cook you some noodles?"
Liam: "…………"
He had expected Ava to scold or even hit him, but he never anticipated her offering to make him noodles…
He was taken aback!
Utterly astonished!
Liam stared at Ava in disbelief, his thoughts condensed into a single word: "Okay…"
Ava rarely cooked; in fact, she seldom used the stove at home.
She usually had her meals at work or relied on takeout and instant noodles at home.
When she reached the kitchen, she found there were no noodles available.
So…
Ava rummaged through the refrigerator, finding only a few packets of instant noodles and some cans of beer.
Well, instant noodles it was.
Ava found an unfamiliar stainless steel container, filled it with water halfway, and set it on the stove with two packets of noodles to boil. She added a couple of eggs for good measure.
Watching Ava’s busy figure, Liam remained seated, but his thoughts had already flown to her behind—holding her close.
There was a time when she had cared for him in such a clumsy yet endearing manner…
Even if fate could erase her memories of him, it could never take away the time they shared and the warmth they once knew.
During his imprisonment, he had endured countless long, dark nights by thinking of her—her smile, the dances she had performed for him, the noodles she had cooked…
Thinking of her.
Thinking of her!
Thinking of her…
Now, everything was returning to him—
He couldn’t help but marvel at the favor of the heavens.
A few minutes later, Ava turned off the heat for the noodles.
She placed the stainless steel container in front of Liam: "The noodles I made might not taste very good… If you find them unappetizing, just throw them out and order takeout…"
Liam’s gaze never left Ava.
Although it was merely instant noodles, they were made by Ava herself—could anything surpass that?
No!
Liam not only finished every last noodle but also drank the soup to the last drop!
The next day.
Before dawn, Ava rose to begin her preparations.
She moved quietly past Liam, who was sleeping soundly on the makeshift bed in the living room.
Despite her own lack of enthusiasm for the blind date, she dressed up out of respect for her date and to heed her uncle’s numerous reminders.
Normally, she wore a police uniform or simple casual sportswear to and from work.
This time, Ava dug out a long-stored—short in the front and longer in the back, playfully cute white chiffon dress—the dress itself was beautiful, and Ava was naturally elegant, but the style of the dress and her own temperament seemed incongruous…
From a distance, it appeared angelic, but up close, there was an odd sense…
Yet, these small incongruities were easily overshadowed by her beauty.
As Ava left her home, Liam lay motionless on the makeshift bed beside the sofa, looking contentedly asleep.
She had no intention of waking him.
The moment the door closed, Liam slowly opened his eyes.
It was impossible for Ava not to be anxious.
As she stepped out, just as she neared the entrance of the neighborhood, her uncle called: "Have you left?"
"Yes."
"Good. It’s important to avoid being late for a first meeting. Try to arrive early. But remember, Ava, it’s not just about how well we see things; you must also pay close attention. After your meeting, Lucy will pick you up, and we’ll have dinner at your grandparents’ place in the evening."
"Alright…"
Ava left early; even taking the bus would give her plenty of time.
While changing buses, a vintage sedan sped by outside the window—
A young man seated next to Ava had been glancing at her, but when the car passed directly in front of him, he immediately shifted his entire focus to the window, exclaiming repeatedly, "Wow!" "Wow, wow!"
When Ava looked out, only the exhaust fumes remained in the air.
The young man pulled out his phone and called his friend, passionately discussing discontinued, limited edition, and rare models, mentioning brands and specifications that Ava couldn’t comprehend.
Arriving at her destination, she had ten minutes to spare.
Ava took a deep breath.
As the revolving glass door of the café spun open, a man with refined features and a clean, upright appearance walked out and headed straight for Ava.
Ava looked at him in confusion.
"Are you Officer Yu?"
Ava nodded. She could already guess who the man was.
"Hello, I’m Xu Yinian, but you can call me Xiao Xu."
Ava smiled and extended her hand, shaking his firmly: "Hello, Xiao Xu."
"Shall we go inside?"
"Sure."
A match made in heaven.
Lucy’s description was indeed accurate.
This Xiao Xu was genuinely handsome.
"—Just not a patch on Young Master Li…"
Across from the café, a car was parked.
The keywords: limited edition, rare.
The speaker was Dr. Tom, a renowned physician from Purle City Private Hospital.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Tom glanced through the rearview mirror, catching sight of a man whose face had never been overshadowed by anyone.
Tom’s expression was one of amused anticipation.
The other man in the car, however, was less amused, his gaze fixed firmly on the café’s entrance—
What seemed a perfect match to outsiders was a painful sight for him.
His furrowed brow seemed destined never to relax.
"Yingxiu, why persist?"
Even Tom, who had been eagerly watching, was growing tired: "After all these years, you still can’t be straightforward. Despite Ava’s stunning beauty, no one dares to pursue or touch her, all because your dark forces intimidate anyone with a bit of interest—"
"Are you afraid Ava will find out you’ve been meddling behind the scenes? That’s on you, Yingxiu. A man should own up to his actions. What have you not done for her? Even if she learns the truth, she won’t hold it against you. She might even be moved to tears."
After a long silence, Liam finally spoke: "I don’t want to see her cry."
Tom sighed in exasperation: "Oh, spare me, you romantic fool…"
"Oh?" Liam glanced casually at the rearview mirror, "Give me back the car!"
Tom: "…………"
"You can’t buy it even if you wanted to now. It’s been seven years!"
"…………" Tom smoothly changed the subject, "Since you’ve been at it for years, now that you’re out, why let that pretty boy get close to Ava? You should seize the opportunity and win her over yourself."
Liam smiled softly: "Last night, I reconsidered. Perhaps my previous actions weren’t right. I was too afraid that Ava might be deceived by other men, or see other men in her eyes, so I cut off all possibilities. But now… I believe contrast creates beauty—only by letting her interact with other men can she truly appreciate my worth."
"…………" Tom muttered, "All tactics and schemes!"
Liam made no reply.
"Well, Young Master Li," Tom said with a mischievous grin, "Aren’t you afraid someone truly skilled might steal Ava away?"
Liam, with a half-smile, pushed open the car door: "If they have the skill, let them try."
With that, he exited the car and strode briskly towards the café.
- Writer
