Lingering On and On

Chapter 14：Hurt (2)

Slowly looking up and seeing that familiar face, Tong Yuling was stunned.

"It's cold outside. Let's go inside the house." Xiao Zhenghua's eyes were full of concern and thoughtfulness.

"Mr. Xiao, why... why are you here?"

"I was invited to attend Old Lady Qiu's birthday banquet! You had your head down all night. Not to mention me, you probably didn't notice at least eighty percent of the guests. What about you? Why did you become Long Che's female companion?" Not wanting to talk to her from a superior position, Xiao Zhenghua sat down beside her.

Suddenly finding out that Tong Yuling was Long Che's female companion tonight, he was extremely shocked. He had thought Tong Yuling was a hidden rich girl. It was only until that scene just now that he was certain that she was truly an ordinary person.

"I owe him a favor. I came here tonight to repay his favor!" Tong Yuling replied faintly. Her clear eyes stared at a certain place in front of her, filled with sadness and melancholy, and her pretty face was also especially gloomy.

Xiao Zhenghua was slightly startled and then comforted her, "You don't need to take that ELLA's words to heart."

Tong Yuling didn't say anything and just smiled faintly, a smile with a sense of inferiority and self-mockery.

"By the way, are you free tomorrow night?" Xiao Zhenghua changed the topic, hoping on one hand to distract her from her sadness, and on the other hand...

"Hmm?"

"I... I want to invite you to dinner."

"Invite me to dinner?"

"I went on a business trip to Singapore a few days ago and brought back some special products that we don't have in China. I want you to have a taste." Xiao Zhenghua explained.

"Uh, Mr. Xiao, you're too kind. You can leave them for your family and friends."

"They all have theirs. Yours is specially reserved for you." Xiao Zhenghua said, looking at her with bright black eyes.

Tong Yuling suddenly felt embarrassed and quickly avoided his gaze.

"Miss Tong, to be honest, after the last dinner, I had a special liking for you and wanted to... make friends with you. I originally wanted to invite you long ago, but I had to go to Singapore for a meeting this week and couldn't call you in time. Our meeting today shows that fate is also on our side. I hope Miss Tong will do me the honor and spare some time to have a meal with me!"

His politeness and gentleness had already made Tong Yuling have a good impression of him. Now that he was so sincere and enthusiastic, Tong Yuling couldn't refuse.

Seeing her nod, Xiao Zhenghua was extremely happy. "Thank you for agreeing. Where do you want to eat? Are there any particular dishes you like?"

"Anywhere. You can decide."

"Then I'll call you again at noon tomorrow."

"Okay." Tong Yuling nodded again.

Xiao Zhenghua was still excited inside. Looking around and seeing some guests leaving one after another, he said, "Miss Tong, I have to go and say goodbye to the host. By the way, when are you leaving? Will Long Che take you back?"

"I..."

"Do you want me to wait for you? I can take you back."

Tong Yuling thought for a moment and declined gratefully, "No, you can go back first."

Xiao Zhenghua was silent for a while and then said, "Then I'll go first. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay. Be careful on the road."

After Xiao Zhenghua had walked away, Tong Yuling was still in a daze. After a long time, feeling the cold getting stronger, she got up and walked towards the house. As she was walking, Long Che happened to come out.

Tong Yuling paused for a moment and suddenly took off her earrings, necklace, handbag and other accessories and handed them to him. "If there's nothing else, I want to leave first!" She didn't call him Mr. Long or "Che".

Long Che didn't react. He just stared at her thoughtfully.

"I probably can't return this outfit for the time being. I'll change out of it when I get home, wash it, and mail it to your company." Tong Yuling said and was about to turn around. Originally, she could have changed back into her ordinary clothes, but unfortunately, they had been disposed of as "trash" by the employees of the beauty salon!

"No need. Consider it as your reward for tonight!" Finally, Long Che spoke.

"I don't deserve it without doing anything. I agreed to attend with you tonight to repay your favor. Also, I'm glad that I didn't cause you any trouble. After this, we don't owe each other anything. The clothes... naturally should be returned to their owner!" Tong Yuling had a cold expression.

For some reason, hearing the words "we don't owe each other anything" from her mouth, Long Che felt an inexplicable displeasure. No woman had ever said these words to him, not even Jiawen.

"I'm leaving first!" She didn't even want to say goodbye to him because she knew that they wouldn't have any more intersections in the future.

Seeing her turn around, Long Che suddenly got angry and unconsciously roared, "I don't want to keep the clothes that others have worn! If you insist on returning them, then take them off now. Otherwise, just treat them as trash!"

Tong Yuling paused but didn't turn around. She said in a low voice, "I understand!!"

Walking step by step, Tong Yuling's heart was in turmoil. She actually hoped that he would call her back and say that he would drive her home. However, she walked a long way, until she walked out of the big iron gate of the villa, and still didn't hear the expected call.

Long Che stood proudly in the wind, watching her go away and disappear with a sullen face. It was only when the servant called him that he re-entered the house.

The winter night was already cold. As the night got deeper, the temperature got lower. After leaving Qiu's villa, Tong Yuling couldn't help but tighten her coat and walked unsteadily on the gravel road in five-inch high heels. She cursed Long Che in her heart for being ungrateful, cold-blooded, arrogant, and without any sympathy. What kind of person was he! Even if he didn't deign to take her home, he should have ordered someone to take her.

Looking at the seemingly endless road ahead, Tong Yuling was both annoyed and depressed. She should have swallowed her pride and asked him just now. Maybe he would have sent someone to take her home. This was a wealthy area. People only used private cars to get in and out, and taxis never came here. If she kept walking like this, when would it end.

"Beep - Beep -" A sharp horn sound suddenly came from behind.

Tong Yuling turned around and narrowed her eyes subconsciously because of the strong headlights.

The car slowly came to Tong Yuling's side. The window was rolled down, and ELLA's face full of contempt and ridicule appeared. "I was right, wasn't I? You thought Long Che would take a liking to you? You're overreaching. Dream on in your next life after reincarnating into a better family! You really asked for it!"

The car sped away, leaving a trail of thick smoke.

Soon, there was another horn sound. This time, Tong Yuling didn't turn around. She just stepped aside.

As the car passed by her, a gentle voice came with the wind. "Miss Tong!"

It was him! Tong Yuling turned around and asked in surprise, "Mr. Xiao, you... are leaving now?"

"Get in the car. I'll take you home!" Xiao Zhenghua opened the door opposite him. "It's very hard to get a taxi here."

Of course she knew that, but...

Just as Tong Yuling was hesitating, there was another horn sound from behind, extremely loud, forcing her to turn around. Seeing the figure behind the car window, she was shocked. Then, she walked a few steps forward, preparing to get into Xiao Zhenghua's car. But as soon as she lifted her foot, she was pulled back in time.

Suddenly seeing Long Che, Xiao Zhenghua was very surprised. Noticing that Tong Yuling seemed to be struggling, he said, "Mr. Long, Miss Tong and I are on the way. Let me take her back. You don't need to trouble yourself!"

"I brought her here, and I'll naturally take her back! Also, whether it's troublesome or not is none of your business!" Long Che had a cold tone and held Tong Yuling's hand firmly.

Worried about causing trouble for Xiao Zhenghua, Tong Yuling had to wave to Xiao Zhenghua and then followed Long Che to the black Bugatti Veyron sports car behind.