Chapter 729 - 730: I Like You
Di Mingzhe wrinkled his brows and rejected her without a second thought. "It’s late. Let’s talk tomorrow if there’s anything," he said, his eyes calm and unruffled.
Dan Lingling was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to reject her in public. Although the banquet was winding down, not all of the Empire officials had left, and Dan Youguo was still there.
Did he reject her in front of Dan Youguo?
Dan Lingling, a successful woman, had her pride. It was naturally hard for her to maintain her composure after being rejected.
She wanted to save face, but her anger was stoked by the alcohol she had consumed.
Stubbornly, she asked, "Can’t it just be right now?"
"I have other matters to attend to." Di Mingzhe adjusted his tie without showing any consideration.
Seeing the surprised glances of the several other officials, Dan Youguo could not help but intervene, "Mingzhe, just listen to what Lingling has to say. What could possibly be so urgent? It’s not like it’ll take more than a few minutes."
Dan Youguo was the sitting president after all. With him speaking out like this, Di Mingzhe could not say anything.
Not because it would be inappropriate, but because after saying these words, Dan Youguo actually left, even winking and ushering the other officials with him on the way out.
Di Mingzhe stayed silent for a moment before directly stating, "Say what you have to say."
"I have feelings for you, Shige." And with that, Dan Lingling blurted it out, looking him straight in the eye without any hesitation.
Di Mingzhe furrowed his brows and before he could respond, Dan Lingling suddenly hugged him tightly.
Di Mingzhe was startled, quickly trying to pry her hands off him, "Dan Lingling, stop this, compose yourself."
Dan Lingling almost let go at his words. But then she couldn’t bear to.
His scent was so intoxicating, his embrace so warm, the kind of warmth she had craved in her dreams for so long.
She loved him to madness, thought of him to madness, how could she bear to let go?
"I can’t!" The tears flowed from Dan Lingling’s eyes in an instant, "Shige, I’ve liked you for so long. Can’t you feel it at all?"
Di Mingzhe drew in a sharp breath. He realized he couldn’t pry Dan Lingling’s hands away; she was hugging him too tightly.
"Let go first." Di Mingzhe stated calmly.
Dan Lingling stubbornly replied, "No!"
"I’ll count to three." Di Mingzhe took a deep breath, "If you don’t let go, don’t blame me for not being considerate."
Dan Lingling was jolted by his words, but instinctively held onto him more tightly.
She lifted her head, tears streaming down her face, pleadingly looking at him. She asked, "Why?"
Di Mingzhe ignored her question, coldly countering, "One."
"Two."
When he reached two, Dan Lingling wanted to let go but found she couldn’t.
"Three."
When he counted to three, Dan Lingling finally had to let him go.
Deep down, she feared this man; she had never seen him so merciless, his voice so icy cold. She was afraid.
This was a man with a bottom line, who had areas you couldn’t cross. Otherwise, nothing could be salvaged.
"Shige..." Dan Lingling stared pitifully at Di Mingzhe, her eyes filled with despairing tears.
Confusion, heartbreak, longing, madness, obsession, and even despair...
Di Mingzhe’s brow imperceptibly furrowed. The scene was all too familiar; he had been in the same place when facing Di Xiaxia.
Though he wasn’t weeping, he had indeed been heartbroken.
Seeing Dan Lingling in this state reminded him of his past self, bringing a slight sense of calm to his turbulent anger.