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Early the next morning, Ji Qingqing was awakened by the sound of her cell phone ringing sharply. As she squinted her eyes while still half-asleep, her hand reached out under the quilt toward the bedside table and felt around for her phone.
Ah, it’s sister Lin Zhen.
Ji Qingqing yawned softly and dazedly placed the phone next to her ear, mumbling a greeting, “Hello?”
Lin Zhen knew from the sound of Ji Qingqing’s voice that she wasn’t fully awake yet.
She didn’t want to take up too much of Ji Qingqing’s time so she asked, “Qingqing, did you finish reading the script I gave you?”
Ji Qingqing recently finished reading the script for an urban love drama, which tells a story about two sisters. What surprised her was that the story was full of heartwarming moments and unexpected twists, and did not have the cliche and vulgar plotlines that were often found in recent dramas currently out there.
If it had been like before, she would have agreed to take up the offer without hesitation even if it meant auditioning. But now, she was getting married to Lu Lixing.
Considering the different timelines, I might be too busy with the wedding to take on the project.
It was highly likely that their two schedules would clash, so she could only reluctantly turn it down with a heavy heart.
“I’m sorry, Sister Lin Zhen. I think the script is really really great, but there is no way I can rearrange my schedule.”
She also planned to go on a honeymoon with Lu Lixing after the wedding, with an indefinite return date. If the two schedules coincide, it would definitely go on to place a big burden on both parties.
Even if the crew agrees to it, it would be rather troublesome for them to change their schedules just for me.
Hearing her explanation, Lin Zhen had no other choice but to hang up helplessly.
After hanging up the phone, Ji Qingqing stared blankly at the empty pillow next to her for three seconds. Suddenly, she remembered the secret she planned to reveal to Lu Lixing last night.
Hit by a sudden realization, her drowsiness disappeared all at once, snapping her out of her daze.
She got up and searched the study and dining room. After a while, she found Lu Lixing sweating profusely in the gym.
Ji Qingqing knew that Lu Lixing went to the gym to exercise for an hour every day. But today, he was training to an extent that was totally beyond her expectations.
Why is he pushing himself to the point of exhaustion? Isn’t that just overkill?
Lu Lixing stopped when he saw Ji Qingqing at the doorway as he wiped the sweat off his forehead with a towel.
He then picked up a water bottle beside him and took a big sip. Turning around, he asked her, “What’s up? Is there something wrong?”
Ji Qingqing opened her mouth, but the words she had wanted to tell him all morning got stuck in her throat.
I really can’t say it! It’s too hard!
“Nothing! It’s just that Aunt Pei asked me to come and call you down for breakfast.”
Lu Lixing nodded in response and said that he would follow immediately, but his feet stayed put on the treadmill.
Ji Qingqing let out a soft sigh and turned around to go downstairs.
The speed on the treadmill was getting faster and faster. Huge beads of sweat slipped from his forehead, dropping onto the running belt with a tap and quickly disappearing.
Clack——
After a while, the treadmill was finally turned off.
Lu Lixing stood panting on the treadmill, bent over with his hands on the console to rest. Sweat slipped from his eyebrows, causing him to blink subconsciously.
Once he had caught his breath, sweat poured out of him at a visibly fast rate, drenching his entire body.
Last night, I had countless thoughts on what I wanted to say to her.
“What would she feel the moment I told the truth?” or “Will she believe me?” These questions kept me up all night as constant worries about what she might think of me plagued my mind.
He was unsure how she would react to his words and how their relationship would be affected afterward.
At some point, I even thought it would be better to keep her in the dark.
However, he didn’t want to lie to her, let alone hurt her.
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But in order to not hurt her, I have to deceive her.
Lu Lixing had always prided himself on acting decisively. But on this matter, he had reflected for a whole night and still couldn’t make a decision.
I could continue to deceive her and she would never know that I had lied to her. As long as I keep quiet about this matter, Ji Qingqing will never know anything and will never find out.
***
Today, Grandpa Lu was in very good spirits. After eating breakfast, he listened to some music and was in the mood to play Go. So he called Lu Lixing to the study room to play a game with him.
Grandpa Lu patiently taught Lu Lixing how to play Go when he was a young boy. Through his guidance, he was able to cultivate patience and a calm mind.
Usually, Grandpa Lu will play against Lu Lixing as a pastime, but Lu Lixing would always end up losing by a point. Grandpa Lu knew his grandson would purposely let him win, otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible for him to have such good luck every time they played together.
However, today was a bit strange.
From the game we just had, he made at least three wrong moves, which is why he lost.