CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: CAN YOU CLEAR HIM OUT OF MY MIND?

Back at the apartment, Su Lingzhi absentmindedly trimmed the lavender and placed it in a vase.

Her mind was completely occupied by Fu Yinli’s deep and dignified face.

He looked about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, but he gave the impression of harboring a profound soul, calm and deep.

Although she could feel that he was interested in her, given his status, there must be many women wanting to be with him. Besides, he was so good-looking, surely experienced in romance, and skilled in pleasing women.

The phone screen lit up with an incoming call, interrupting her thoughts.

Su Lingzhi raised her hand, swiped to answer, and put it on speaker, "Xiaoxi."

"What’s wrong, your voice sounds unhappy."

Su Lingzhi rested her hands on her chin, leaning on the bar, "Did I confess to my friend last night?"

"No." Zhuang Xiaoxi suddenly realized something, "You haven’t developed feelings for him, have you?"

"I called to ask about what’s going on between us, I knew something was up. Speaking of which, he must be much older than us, how did you meet him?" Zhuang Xiaoxi had a gossipy tone.

Su Lingzhi took a deep breath and said, "He’s a client of mine."

"Why look so worried if you like him, does he have a partner?"

"How do you know I’m worried, do you have a camera installed in my house?"

"Your tone gives me a vivid picture of your expression, no need for a camera. Don’t change the subject, answer my question."

Su Lingzhi stared at the lavender in front of her and said lightly, "He doesn’t have a partner."

Zhuang Xiaoxi thought for a moment, then asked, "How about his family background?"

"I’m not too sure."

"What about his romantic history?"

Su Lingzhi’s eyes darkened, "I don’t know."

"Then what’s bothering you?" Zhuang Xiaoxi calmed down, analyzing, "Still, for a mature man like him, I find it hard to believe he doesn’t have romantic history. Zhizhi, that’s what you’re concerned about, isn’t it?"

Su Lingzhi nodded, "Mm."

Clearly, he just offered her a chance to understand him, but she didn’t dare ask, afraid to hear something she didn’t want to know.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhuang Xiaoxi spoke seriously: "I have one thing to say, no matter how good-looking a man is, if he’s not a virgin, or deeply entangled with an ex, we shouldn’t consider him. Zhizhi, you’re so outstanding, there are countless men out there, no need to cling to one."

"I was initially planning to let things take their course, but unexpectedly, I’m falling deeper."

Hearing the phrase ’falling deeper,’ Zhuang Xiaoxi couldn’t help but frown, "For so many years, so many people chased you, yet you ignored all of them. Now suddenly, you insist on pursuing someone?"

Su Lingzhi lamented, "What can I do, can you remove him from my mind for me?"

"That man seems quite gentlemanly, why not interact with him more, purposefully get to know him, and leave if you can’t accept him? It’s better than overthinking it here."

By now, she really shouldn’t be overthinking.

Her heart was moved; she was already considering being with him.

The problem lay with her, unwilling to hear what she didn’t want to hear, thus choosing to escape.

Perhaps she was overthinking, much like Xiaoxi said, first interact and then judge his character, instead of guessing. Maybe her concerns were non-existent.

Su Lingzhi adjusted her mindset, smiled peacefully, "Xiaoxi, you truly are my guardian angel."

"As long as you understand, but sister, remember this: you are worthy, don’t compromise in love."

"Yes, yes."

"Rest early."

...

Afterward, Su Lingzhi didn’t see Fu Yinli for four consecutive days.

It wasn’t until the tailoring team brought the finished suit that she got a chance to reach out to him.

She arranged to meet him at seven in the evening.

After work, she headed straight to his manor villa.

Once there, she didn’t see him, and was led into the dining room instead.

The table was set with dinner intended only for her.

"I should wait until Mr. Fu returns before eating."

Housekeeper Zhao was serving by her side and spoke again, "Sir might not return soon, you should have dinner first."

Su Lingzhi felt slightly awkward, but she didn’t want to refuse their goodwill. So, under the housekeeper and maid’s watchful eyes, she forced herself to eat a few bites.

Seeing her put down her chopsticks after eating so little, Housekeeper Zhao asked, "Miss Su, do these dishes not suit your taste?"

"No, I’m just not used to it."

Housekeeper Zhao perceived her apprehension, "Sir regards you as a friend, you should treat this place like home. If he finds out we haven’t taken good care of you, leaving you hungry, he’d reprimand us."

Su Lingzhi was incredulous, "He would reprimand you?"

"Just a deduction in bonus, that’s all." Housekeeper Zhao added, "Miss Su, if you could eat a third of these dishes, it would help us immensely."

Upon saying that, Su Lingzhi realized he was coaxing her.

So she took the chopsticks again and slowly finished eating.

After the meal, Housekeeper Zhao led her to the yard, afraid she’d be bored and introduced the villa’s fun spots, like the piano room, indoor swimming pool, etc.

Su Lingzhi wanted none of it, she just wanted to stay in the yard.

If Fu Yinli hadn’t returned by nine, she planned to go home.

The moon was very full tonight.

In the spacious courtyard, Su Lingzhi sat in the half-moon swing chair, the moon unobstructedly reflected in her eyes, its edge diffused with a gentle glow, rendering the night serenely silent.

At that moment, a yellow-green light floated before her.

Su Lingzhi’s gaze followed it, watching it land on her sleeve.

Feeling idle, Su Lingzhi had the idea to catch the firefly, then noticed the bushes by the river were flickering with many yellow-green lights.

Su Lingzhi asked the maid in English, "Do you have a transparent glass jar? I’d like to catch some fireflies."

The maid responded, "I’ll get one for you right away."

Soon, the maid returned with a lidded glass jar and handed it to her.

Su Lingzhi took the jar, walked gently towards the bushes, collecting the fireflies one by one in the glass jar.

The jar was about six hundred milliliters, containing dozens of flickering yellow-green dots, like a dreamy and lively lantern.

"Miss Su, sir is back."

Su Lingzhi straightened up, holding the glass jar, and turned around.

Then she saw Fu Yinli’s figure walking out from the door.

He stood between light and shadow, nightfall upon him, exuding depth.

Though days had passed without seeing him, his appearance and build seemed unchanged, yet Su Lingzhi felt something was different.

She walked towards him, but then tripped over a root, the glass jar slipped and fell onto the grass without any defense.

The lid fell off, and the fireflies escaped, flying in all directions.