*******

CHAPTER 144

Without saying much, a charming smile appeared on Li Jing's face as her eyes came in contact on the owner of the lovely voice.

"Hello, Tang Zixin."

"Ye Cheng," he lightly dipped his head a bit low at the two of them, recognizing their presence in an ethical manner.

"Hello to you too, Tang Zixin."

"I see you came together again today." Tang Zixin stated. Even though it looked like a harmless word, that very much was nothing close to being harmless as Li Jing and Ye Cheng could pick the secret meaning to it.

"Yes, she did." Ye Cheng challenged his words with one of his, taking a step forward.

A sweet sound peeled out of Tang Zixin's lips as he chuckled at Ye Cheng's attitude. "Cool I like that, but can I still her away for some minutes? I have something to discuss with you on."

"Sure." She quickly agreed but when she realized that he was asking Ye Cheng and not her and she had given an answer without consulting him, she swallowed loudly and drowned in a glass of champagne.

"Hey." Ye Cheng quickly pried the glass cup from her slender finger. "I thought you had it figured now you are asking me?"

"Don't be like that."

"There is no being like anything. Tang Zixin, you may speak to her."

"Are you sure?" Li Jing and Tang Zixin asked at the same time.

"Yes. I would be over there to speak with some of my business partners. Find me when you are done."

"Okay." The look in her eyes gave her away. It looked as though she was now reluctant to leave him.

"Thanks." Ye Cheng waved them goodbye and left the duo to themselves. He had not wanted to leave Li Jing but then again, she needed to be free to do what she wanted and speak to whomever she wished to.

Apparently, Tang Zixin and herself were friends. So she coming with him should not be a barrier to her enjoying her time there.

"Shall we?" Tang Zixin offered her his hand, pulling her from her thoughts and she locked her arm with his and they proceeded to another part of the hall.

As they walked away, Li Jing's outfit did not fail to steal glances from others, making her the centre of attraction.

"You are extremely beautiful," Tang Zixin complimented. Li Jing smiled at him.

"Thank you." She knew she was beautiful but hearing someone else, especially the male gender say it out loud was still nice.

Up until now, Ye Cheng still had not complimented her looks the way she thought he would.

When she first came downstairs to meet him, he was stunned more or less. Yes, he picked the outfit but seeing her in it… oh boy. He was just too speechless to actually say anything and all she heard him mutter was wow!

Seeing the awkward state, Li Jing actually moved closer to him and then they entered the car. She knew he was lost for words and did not want to push him too much. The words would come out at the right time so she thought.

Making their way towards where the food and drinks were, Tang Zixin picked her some nice delicacies for dessert and handed it over to her before moving to the far end to sit own.

"So, how have you been lately?" Tang Zixin asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Just same, nothing much. What about you?"

"Umm, I am cool. Right where you left me." Even though he meant nothing by those words, Li Jing still felt bad for not reaching out to him at all since the last party.

"Hey, do not feel sad. I was just kidding about. I know you are busy. I on the other hand should have called you. I just felt with the news, you would want to be alone and not have people disturb you."

Li Jing felt touched by his thoughtfulness. "But you are different, Tang Zixin."

"Says the lady who got too busy to make out time for me, haha haa." He laughed softly and put a spoonful of small pieces of meat in his mouth and ate elegantly.

Li Jing could not help admiring his calm disposition and how well he was taking everything. He was not like Luo Jinhai who got jealous of everything and further caused much more chaos.

"You know it isn't that way."

"Stop defending and enjoy your meal. It is nice."

"Wow, I never would have thought you would even eat here." Tang Zixin raised a brow at her. "No, do not get me wrong. It is nice. I just did not expect it."

"I understand you. Most of us just get talking that we sometimes forget all the delicacies. Why waste a good meal when I can share it with you? Besides, I have not had time to be with you like this since our lunch together. I thought it was a nice opportunity to dine with Li Jing."

"You are right."

"Then again, I noticed how tense you were. I thought having to talk and eat would help relax you. The hall isn't biting you know."

"Okay. I know that she won't bite." She released a soft sigh and went ahead to pick up her cutlery and scooped a spoon of strawberry cake.

"So eat your desserts and we can dance?"

Li Jing stiffened at his words. 'Dance! Oh boy… nope.'

Tang Zixin's words just did the exact opposite of what he was hoping for because she was relaxing and easing up but when he mentioned the word Dance, she became tense again.

"Okay, there would be no dance if you do not want to. We would just talk." Tang Zixin quickly corrected himself and watched as she relaxed back.

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

Meanwhile, somewhere in the very gathering, Luo Jinhai and Jun Tai Hua manoeuvred their way through the crowd of people to get a drink and hopefully meet up with some friends.

~~~~~

Luo Jinhai's trouble? Hmm, what do you think, would he confront Li Jing or would he not? Comment your answers in the comment section bellow guys.