Chapter 96 - Was it her strength?

That day it was not his name she had called for. The words that escaped her lips shattered his heart.

"Su Liwei..."

Weeks of waiting and it was not his name but Su Liwei that she remembered.

Li Zhiqiang knew it was not her fault. He knew that if there was someone who should be blamed for this was only him. His affection for her attracted the ire of his enemies. But the fact couldn't do anything to alleviate the pain in his heart. It only made the suffocation worse.

Li Zhiqiang's heart was in chaos. A strong possessiveness clouded his heart. He was crazy for her. The thought of letting go of her suffocated him. That day he had wanted to barge into the room and hug her tightly. He would never let her leave. He wanted to make her his willingly... or unwillingly. Even if she hated him for that he didn't want to part with her. He wanted to keep her by his side ever and forever. No matter what the cost.

He wanted to eradicate that Su Liwei from her heart and mind.

His eyes were cold as he looked at her. His face was expressionless. He was losing himself and going to make a mistake he would regret for the rest of his life. He knew it but he couldn't stop himself. But then he caught the look on the face of that docile woman who laid weakly on the bed and he paused. Suddenly, his eyes softened a bit. "How can I bear to hurt you?" The Jing Lihua at that time didn't even recall who he was. She was obsessed with Su Liwei. Li Zhiqiang knew how strong-minded Jing Lihua was. It would be impossible to make her yield. It would cause endless suffering for him and for her.

He had no choice but to let her go. Because true love wasn't about taking. It was about giving.

"Even if you remember who I am, you will not forgive me for failing to keep my promise." Li Zhiqiang knew Jing Lihua better than anyone. She would never forgive him for being unable to keep Wu Xiuqin safe.

Jing Lihua admired Wu Xiuqin. Wu Xiuqin had always been a nice person. A warm and affectionate one who would sacrifice anything for her friends. In fact, it was Wu Xiuqin who had brought a broken heart Jing Lihua to Hong Kong. She was the one who had introduced her to Li Zhiqiang.

In the beginning, he used to think she was a weak woman. Li Zhiqiang had been very cold to Jing Lihua in their first meeting. He had even said something mean to her and made her cry. He looked down upon her. It was not until Wu Xiuqin had told him her story that he realized that he had mistaken a Jade for a stone. That night he had gone to apologize to her. He had seen her at the edge of the terrace. His eyes widened in fear.

Sharp winds were blowing at night. Her long hair fluttered in the air and created an enchanting view. Her eyes looked hazy. She was lost in the past, not even aware of where she was headed. Her slow steps were small but determined. Li Zhiqiang had given her a couple of calls confused and wondering what she was up to. But it looked like she wasn't listening to him or rather his voice couldn't reach her ears.

When he realized she wasn't stopping, he didn't wait to rush to her. They were far. Looking at the distance, he had felt like he wouldn't make it. And for some reason, it scared him. A reason more than normal human compassion. Only at the last moment he reached out his arms and wrapped them around her slender waist. Her body had just loosened when he had secured her waist and pulled her to him. He had hugged her tightly until she fell asleep in his arms.

"So naive. Why must you end your life for someone who doesn't deserve it?"

Jing Lihua had melted in his arms and gradually lost her consciousness. Li Zhiqing still remembered the cold warmth of her body against his chest in the chilly night. "You have been so strong until now. Why give up now?" He had whispered hugging her slowly.

As time passed he took the liberty to look after her. He made her warm up to him. It had been difficult for a guy like him who hadn't had any experience with women before. But he made it work. The truth was he had already fallen for him the day he had seen her standing at the edge of the terrace.

Wu Xiuqin grew distant from them noticing his excess favor to Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua didn't notice it. Jing Lihua of that time was naive unlike the cunning fox of the present. But Li Zhiqiang did. The truth was it didn't matter. He had always seen Wu Xiuqin as a sister. Even if he was aware of her feelings. he didn't want to hurt her. But his feelings for Jing Lihua were true. And he could never abandon her.

"Why must you do it?" Before the day Li Zhiqiang had proposed to Jing Lihua, Wu Xiuqin had confronted him. With tears in her eyes, she couldn't ignore Li Zhiqiang's affection for Jing Lihua anymore. It hurt her. "I have loved you since the day I knew what love was. Whatever I have done in my life, it had been for you. I have always wanted to become an idol woman in your eyes."

"It is not your fault Wu Xiuqin." Li Zhiqiang couldn't be harsh with her. He had known her since childhood. Besides she was important to his Jing Lihua. "Feelings can't be forced. It was Jing Lihua I fell for. I have always admired you but as a sister."

"Why!" Wu Xiuqin was already sobbing badly. She didn't care about anything anymore. "What id it in her that is not in me?"

Li Zhiqiang was silent for a moment. He glanced outside and with a smile he said. "I used to think it was her strength that made me fall for her. But it is not quite right."

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