CHAPTER 839: CHAPTER 839: KNOW SO LITTLE

Her heart wavered. She didn’t know what to say. She felt confused.

But before she could speak, Ou Lin and Yu Holea spoke at the same time.

"It’s not your fault, Qiao Li."

Ou Lin stepped forward and spoke in a calm voice.

"Yes... Part of the reason I avoided you was because of Xiaoxiao. I was afraid. Afraid she would harm you like she harmed others. I thought keeping you at a distance would protect you."

He looked at her with regret in his eyes.

"But that doesn’t excuse what I did. I never gave you a choice. You chased me for ten years while I ignored you. That’s not fair.

You have every right to be angry at me... to ignore me for the next ten years if you want. Even if you never forgive me, I’ll keep asking. I’ll listen to all your rants. I deserve it."

Qiao Li stared at him.

What he said made sense.

Even though Ou Lin had good reasons... he still hurt her. He made decisions for her.

She took a deep breath... and then flipped her hair with that classic haughty look.

"Well, at least you know you were wrong," she said, turning away with a "hmph."

Yu Holea chuckled quietly from the side.

She knew her best friend too well.

Just because someone starts chasing you... Begging for forgiveness... doesn’t mean you have to forgive them right away.

.................................

Qiao Li and Yu Holea were out with Mrs. Qiao on a full-blown shopping spree.

They strolled through the mall, arms linked, bags in both hands, and big smiles on their faces.

Every store they entered was like a candy shop, and both of them were kids set free.

As they admired a display of sparkling handbags, Qiao Li suddenly turned to Yu Holea and asked in a curious tone,

"Hey... where’s my second brother?"

Yu Holea blinked and raised her eyebrow. "You mean Qiao Jun?"

"Yeah," Qiao Li said. "He only ever sends me messages. It’s like he’s vanished from the planet or something."

Yu Holea gave a small laugh and leaned closer.

"He’s busy ending some kind of... organization. I don’t know all the details, but it’s a big deal."

Qiao Li looked at her sharply, but then glanced at Mrs. Qiao, who was busy checking the price tags of scarves.

She understood right away—Yu Holea didn’t want to say much because Mrs. Qiao was around. It might worry her. So Qiao Li just nodded and didn’t push further.

Soon, they passed by the swimsuit section, and Yu Holea clapped her hands with excitement. "Let’s take some photos while we shop!" she suggested.

"Totally!" Qiao Li grinned.

They began snapping selfies together, making silly faces, doing model poses, and laughing at each other’s expressions.

Then they reached the swimsuits and started picking out the boldest, most stylish pieces they could find.

Qiao Li picked up a black swimsuit and looked at Yu Holea.

"Hey, hey," she said slyly. "Do me a small favor."

"What?" Yu Holea asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Can you wear this black swimsuit and let me take a picture of you in it? Pretty please?"

"Why?" Yu Holea asked suspiciously.

Qiao Li smirked. "It’s just for fun. I wanna see if it looks good on you."

Yu Holea narrowed her eyes, but finally said, "Alright, alright. Just one photo."

She went into the changing room and came out wearing a sleek, black one-piece swimsuit.

It had a deep V-neck cut, a ribbon around the waist that tied at the side, and thin shoulder straps.

It hugged her figure just right and looked elegant yet bold.

Qiao Li gasped. "Wow, Lea. You look like a movie star."

Click!

She quickly snapped a photo before Yu Holea could stop her.

Secretly, Qiao Li sent it to Qiao Jun with a smug little message: "Your little wife is killing it today. Don’t faint."

Meanwhile, Yu Holea changed back into her normal clothes and sat on the bench outside the changing rooms.

A minute later, Qiao Li came out wearing the green swimsuit.

It had a shimmer to it, and the open back with a halter neck style made her look like she just walked off a beach photoshoot.

Just then, Yu Holea’s phone buzzed. It was Ou Lin.

"Click a picture of Qiao Li," he said. "And send it to me."

Yu Holea rolled her eyes. "Why should I? What do I get out of it?"

"I’ll let you pick the nickname of my and Qiao Li’s first child," he replied smoothly.

That was enough. Yu Holea was sold.

She aimed her phone and snapped the picture. "Say cheese!"

Then she sent it to her cousin.

Ou Lin thought that Qiao Li was just trying out some kind of dress, but seeing her in the sexy swimsuit, he fell silent.

What neither of them knew was... both best friends had just caused something that would soon explode in their faces.

Later that evening, the trio returned to the Qiao Mansion, bags in hand, feet aching, but hearts happy.

In the living room, Qiao Jun and Ou Lin were already sitting with cups of tea, talking like they owned the place.

Technically, Qiao Jun did own the place, so he had that smug older brother aura going on.

The moment Qiao Li walked in, she froze.

"Wha— Qiao Jun?! You’re supposed to be away for another two months!"

On the way, Yu Holea had secretly told everything.

Qiao Jun looked up, calm and cool. "Plans changed."

Then he turned to Mrs. Qiao, gave her a polite nod, and without another word, walked over to Yu Holea.

"We need to talk," he said softly and led her away to her room.

Meanwhile, Qiao Li peeked out from behind her mom and gave Ou Lin a suspicious glare.

"You’re staring at me like I’m your last meal and you’ve been starving for days," she said boldly.

Mrs. Qiao chuckled. "You two should really get together already. I want my grandchild soon."

But instead of saying it out loud, she just looked at Ou Lin and teased, "What are you up to this time?"

Ou Lin immediately raised both hands in the air, acting innocent. "Hey! I’m just sitting here! I didn’t do anything!"

Mrs. Qiao laughed. "Alright, alright. I’ll leave you two alone."

She stood up and walked to her room, locking the door behind her.

Qiao Li glared at the locked door. "Seriously, Mom? Traitor."

Then she turned to Ou Lin, crossing her arms. "Okay. What do you want now?"

Ou Lin stood up and slowly walked over. "So... what did you shop for today?"

Qiao Li smirked. "None of your business. I don’t have to show you."

But Ou Lin grinned and took out his phone. On the screen were a bunch of old love letters, written in Qiao Li’s childhood handwriting.

Qiao Li’s eyes went wide. "Wait—are you threatening me with those?!"

Ou Lin chuckled. "Nope. Just saying... whatever you do from now on will be voluntary. I won’t force you."

He started to walk away.

Qiao Li panicked and grabbed his arm. "Wait!"

.........................

Meanwhile, in another room, Yu Holea and Qiao Jun sat facing each other in silence.

Finally, Qiao Jun broke it.

"You can wear that swimsuit," he said seriously. "But only if we clear the whole beach first. And I don’t care if you post the pictures... just make sure you cover certain areas."

Yu Holea folded her arms, unimpressed. "Excuse me? You don’t get to tell me what I can or can’t wear. It’s my body."

Qiao Jun frowned. "I’m not trying to control you."

"Sure sounds like it," she said, her voice filled with sorrow. "You’re being overprotective."

"I’m being careful," he corrected. "I don’t want those eyes on you."

"Well, then maybe you should learn to trust me," Yu Holea said calmly. "Because if you’re going to be part of my life, you need to accept all parts of it, including what I wear."

Qiao Jun stared at her... and slowly nodded.

"You’re right," he said quietly.

He sighed and hugged Yu Holea,

"I am sorry. I just couldn’t control myself... You are so beautiful, but sometimes I just... feel scared."

"Jun, we are about to get married." Yu Holea said in a soft voice.

"I know," Qiao Jun nodded, but his face had turned slightly pale.

"You know... today I got to know that you are a director too. You have so many identities, but I hardly know any of them.

Even you, being the vice-president of the special forces, was something I got to know today."

Yu Holea paused.

"Holea... Have I lost too much in the past 4 years? Why do I know you so little? Just a few years ago, there was no one who knew you better than me... but today... I just feel how much I have lost.

I sometimes fear that one day, you will find someone else... someone who knows you better than me..."