Chapter 144 - Wife Can't Take Away My Right To Pursue Her

"I did not know you were this hungry."

Of course, she was not hungry. For God's sake, she had a late lunch with Li Quang not three hours ago. But she needed something to distract herself from this overly romantic environment, alright?

Cut her some slack, okay?

Chen Yi realized this was going to be a bit more difficult to act indifferent towards the devil tonight. For all concerns, he came prepared for this fight.

"I just don't want to enjoy the dishes when they are still hot." She smiled sheepishly.

Li Luxian laughed before walking forward. Grabbing onto the seat, he pulled it out, and claimed it now sitting not far from Chen Yi, he commented. "Of course, I have not forgotten your love for food."

What? He thought she was being a foodie?!

She was just trying to distract herself!

She admitted she preferred food but she wasn't a glutton.

"Slowly, you might choke. We are away from medical help." To make her feel even worse, Li Luxian put a few items in Chen Yi's place all the while reprimanding her.

Chen Yi couldn't take it anymore. Angrily, she put down the utensils and glared at Li Luxian.

"Wh-What happened?" Did he say something wrong? 

"Nothing." Chen Yi spoke without any expression. "I'm not hungry anymore. I'm going to take a stroll."

Although Li Luxian could not understand what happened, he didn't get angry. After observing their deteriorating relationship for the past week, he had noticed that things only got worse when he got angry. 

He will just be an obedient puppy and follow his wife's wishes.

If he gave it his all, there was no way she would not falter.

"Alright, I'll accompany you." Li Luxian pushed back his chair and followed Chen Yi.

Chen Yi wanted to say there was no need. He had not eaten a late lunch like her, he needed to finish the dinner but stopped herself. She did not want to appear as if she cared for him. 

"The place is beautiful, isn't it?" He casually commented. 

Chen Yi hummed in silence. As they walked along the lake, Li Luxain tried to make small conversations a couple of times. However, he failed to get them anywhere.

"What's wrong?" He asked, not sounding angry or impatient. "If you are not feeling like it, we can head back to the rooms."

Chen Yi stopped walking.

When Li Luxian noticed her absence, he stopped and looked back only to find cautious eyes staring back at him, mesmerizing and complicated with complex emotions. 

It looked like she had something to say.

"I pushed you away." Chen Yi said as if she was confessing a sin. "After what happened between us, shouldn't you be angry? What are you trying to do?" It was purely her fault. Li Luxian had every right to be angry, give her the cold shoulder and treat her worse.

But why was he being so nice?

"What do you mean?"

"With this date and everything? You should have guessed by now I do not intend to get involved with you. Then why don't you just... stop." As she said, her eyes couldn't afront him anymore. Her gaze landed on her feet. 

Chen Yi expected him to ask why she was pushing him away, to blame her and question her. but he did none of this.

Instead, he got close to her. Raising her chin to make her look in his eyes, he said.

"You are free to push me as much as you want." He smiled as if a call for a challenge. "But I'm a man of determination. The person I have set my eyes on can't escape me no matter what." A mischievous hint evoked in his smile as he added all of sudden, his eyes dropping to her lips. "Especially since I have had a taste of how delicious said person is."

Chen Yi pushed away his hand or she tried to. His hold was firm, just like his resolve. "Just stop, it's useless."

"You can ask me to stop, you can go cold towards me but you can not take away my right to pursue you." Li Luxian replied with a heart-rending deep smile before letting her go. "So my wife, try whatever you want. Push me how hard you want. But you should know I never admit defeat. In the end, you are going to fall right back into my arms."

...

Li Luxian's words were a threat to Chen Yi. Under the aim of his persistent attacks, she knew better than him that it won't take long before she fell right back into his arms.

The night was long, sleepless, and uncomfortable.

She wanted to say it was because of the new environment but then she would be lying. It was Li Luxian's words that had her on the edge. 

Chen Yi turned and tossed in the bed. Li Luxian even breathes sounded close by her ear telling her he was in deep sleep. There was only one bedroom in the small cottage. Chen Yi didn't know if it was deliberate or not. But in the end, she had to share the bed with Li Luxian.

Turning her head slightly, she faced Li Luxian. His face was inches away from her, approachable and within the touch of her fingers, lips. Suddenly, her throat felt dry.

Chen Yi took her hand out of the blanket and poked him.

No response.

She did that three times. 

Yup, definitely fast asleep.

How could you sleep so soundly after putting me through Hell?

Sighing, Chen Yi got off the bed. Drabbing over a coat, she made her way out. Gently opening the door, making sure not to make a noise before slowly closing it back. 

Once the door closed, Li Luxian's eyes opened. 

Gleaming and beautiful in the dark. 

There wasn't a bit of sleep in them. 

...

The night was getting colder. In the city, the temperature was never this down. Surrounding by the wilderness and trees all around, the temperature drop at the cottage was akin to winter.

Cicadas were singing in an abundance, filling the background with a persistent buzz. There were occasional howls and rustling of leaves. Moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating the lake in a brilliant white hue.

Since it was late, the decorative lights were turned off, casting a dark over the whole establishment.

It was dark, lonely, and cold.

"Creepy." Chen Yi shuddered before turning back to leave. 

It was when she heard a crisp rustling of leaves behind her back.. Her hair stood, stiff.