Chapter 107: Pure Intentions and the Guilt Card Part 1

After Luo Chaoxue finished expressing her feelings with such frank composure, a succession of exquisite dishes was served to their table.

Ming Li, however, was caught somewhat off-guard. She had come to find Luo Chaoxue today primarily for work—or rather, because she needed something from her. Now that Luo Chaoxue had confessed, should she agree or not?

Selling her emotions for the sake of her career was something Ming Li was absolutely incapable of doing now.

Yet, the atmosphere grew stagnant.

Before long, the melodious and soothing sounds of a piano echoed through the restaurant.

Luo Chaoxue placed a piece of snow-white fish onto Ming Li’s plate and said gently, “Let’s eat first. It won’t taste good once it gets cold.”

Ming Li remained silent. It was hard to find an appetite.

She didn’t even pick up her chopsticks. Her eyes held a trace of scrutiny, but Luo Chaoxue remained perfectly poised, allowing herself to be observed without reservation.

Sensing Ming Li’s discomfort, Luo Chaoxue curled her lips into a slight, apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I should have waited until after we finished eating. Now I’ve ruined your appetite.”

“It’s not that.” Ming Li tried her best to adjust her emotions, taking a deep breath. “It’s better that you said it early. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to digest the meal even if I finished it.”

“Even if it doesn’t work out, we still have enough of a bond to share a meal,” Luo Chaoxue said. “Just think of it as me treating my business partner to dinner?”

Ming Li slowly shook her head. “Even if someone is treating, it should be me.”

Originally, Ming Li wanted to discuss business, but Luo Chaoxue had shifted the mood toward personal matters. Now, professional talk felt difficult to bring up.

However, Luo Chaoxue was incredibly considerate. “I deceived you about that matter before, so it’s only right that I treat you to as many meals as it takes. Did you have something else you wanted to talk to me about today?”

“I did,” Ming Li admitted honestly. “But now… I probably shouldn’t say it.”

If she spoke now, there was an eighty percent chance Luo Chaoxue wouldn’t refuse, and Ming Li would then have to move forward burdened by the weight of someone’s feelings. That was an immense amount of pressure.

“It’s fine,” Luo Chaoxue said with a smile. “Let’s eat first, and we can talk after. This restaurant’s fish is excellent. I once came here every day for a week just to learn the craft. In the end, the chef looked at the fish I made, shook his head, and told me not to ruin good ingredients anymore.”

Her tone was light, her eyes full of smiles, as if she were casually brushing past what had just happened. It was as if she had done something perfectly ordinary and was now simply sharing an embarrassing story from her past with a friend.

Ming Li’s thoughts didn’t follow her lead. She had no desire for the delicacies covering the table.

Furthermore, her ex-wife was sitting at the neighboring table. Occasionally, when Ming Li glanced up, she would inadvertently lock eyes with her. That gaze seemed to be accusing her of one thing—betrayal.

After glaring back once, Ming Li felt it was unnecessary. Too many things were tangled together, clouding her judgment.

But Ming Li knew she had to give an answer.

A sincere love.

In the future, the partnership between Xingwan and Snowy Mountain Peak would only grow closer. Her relationship with Luo Chaoxue wasn’t the kind where they could just stop seeing each other. She had to calm down and think about where they were headed.

The piano music flowed like a gentle stream, helping Ming Li slowly steady her heart.

After a long silence, Ming Li lowered her eyes and gave her answer softly. “Right now, I haven’t sorted out my feelings. If you’re willing, give me a week. Once I’ve cleared my head, I’ll give you a response.”

Luo Chaoxue wasn’t surprised. With a smile, she asked, “Is a week enough?”

Ming Li was startled. “Huh?”

A week was just her estimate; she didn’t know if it would truly be enough. But she knew that waiting was agonizing. She tried to consider others’ perspectives as much as possible, and Luo Chaoxue was a good person who treated her exceptionally well.

Ming Li used to think she was very sharp, possessing a sixth sense that bordered on terrifying. But now she realized… she wasn’t all that.

Gu Fei’s confession had caught her off guard, and now Luo Chaoxue had done the same. While she had noticed some signs with Gu Fei, Luo Chaoxue had delivered a silent… killing blow.

If it hadn’t been for Luo Chaoxue’s completely different attitude at the subway station last time, Ming Li might still be in the dark about her intentions. Despite what everyone around her had been saying, Ming Li truly hadn’t thought in that direction.

But now that Luo Chaoxue had openly declared her feelings, Ming Li would consider the matter seriously. She wouldn’t just give a perfunctory, breezy rejection.

“It took me sixty-four days of thinking to reach this point, so you can take as long as you need. It’s fine,” Luo Chaoxue said. “Whether we are compatible is something we’ll only know by spending time together.”

Ming Li was puzzled. “Won’t it be agonizing for you?”

“It will be,” Luo Chaoxue nodded honestly. “But I don’t want you to be pressured by my emotions and make a decision in haste.”

Ming Li was slightly stunned. She had to admit, at this moment, her heart fluttered. From every dimension, Luo Chaoxue was indeed a very suitable partner.

She was gentle, tolerant, and loving. Even living alone, she kept her home spotless. She lacked neither money nor love, and she was emotionally stable and strong. Just sitting and talking with her felt healing. Even in a situation like this, she could still think of the other person’s well-being.

“Hurry up and eat,” Luo Chaoxue said with a soft laugh as she caught Ming Li’s searching gaze. “Don’t feel pressured, or I’ll feel guilty. With gourmet food in front of us, the right path is to fill our stomachs first.”

Ming Li lowered her head and tasted the fish. It was indeed fresh and tender, though she could make something similar herself.

“It’s not bad.” Ming Li had figured some things out, and she felt lighter. “Next time we have a chance, we can compare culinary skills. My steamed mandarin fish, braised fish, and fish with pickled mustard greens are all quite good.”

Luo Chaoxue was delighted to hear this, then said helplessly, “Us comparing skills? It’ll just be me embarrassing myself.”

“If you’re willing to do it, you’ll get it right eventually,” Ming Li said. “You look like someone who would be great at cooking.”

“Really?” Luo Chaoxue’s eyes lit up. “I’ve been working on two new dishes lately. I’ll make them for you to taste some other day.”