Chapter 17#

Zhao Rong did not stay at Lu Xingping’s house for too long.

He chatted with Lu Xingping for a while, but still couldn’t ask about the thread of the original story—whenever he tentatively asked Lu Xingping if there was anyone he liked, Lu Xingping would always evade it lightly.

But being unable to ask was, to some extent, an answer.

If there really wasn’t anyone, why was Lu Xingping so wary?

Knowing this, this trip was not in vain.

He always knew how to get along with people within the best measure. Lu Xingping obviously didn’t want to see guests that much today. Staying too long would cause resentment instead.

Anyway, he could start from Lu Xiaoyue later; there were still many opportunities.

Zhao Rong finished that cup of warm water and got up to leave.

Lu Xingping stepped forward a few steps and walked ahead to see him out.

When passing the decorative bookshelf made of rattan and bamboo, Lu Xingping’s steps paused.

His gaze stayed on the book “The Gods Themselves”.

“You said that people in one world are blinded by the immediate pleasure and desire to get free benefits from another world, but in fact, the price paid is huge—do the people in the other world know?” he suddenly asked, like an ordinary reader seeking knowledge.

Zhao Rong was stunned and was about to answer when Lu Xingping raised his hand to stop him.

Subsequently, Lu Xingping lowered his head and picked up the unopened science fiction novel placed on the very top.

Before Zhao Rong could react, Lu Xingping handed the book to him.

“I don’t read this stuff. You’ve read it, you take it away.”

This was the book the male lead gave to the white moonlight male supporting character; he didn’t want it.

He wanted to push it away, but as soon as he raised his hand, his mind turned, and he took the book instead.

How could Lu Xingping not know that this was given by Qiao Nanqi? It was precisely because he knew that he did it deliberately.

He almost forgot that he had only moved out of Qiao Nanqi’s house for a few days. Perhaps many people didn’t know that their marriage agreement could be ended.

He came to Lu Xingping’s house tonight to pave the way for proposing the fulfillment of the engagement in the future, but in Lu Xingping’s eyes, he might even have come to inquire about Qiao Nanqi’s attitude and news. Therefore, although Zhao Rong took the initiative to approach Lu Xingping these days, Lu Xingping didn’t suspect or think too much.

Giving him this book now was like an unspoken statement.

Lu Xingping was telling Zhao Rong that there was nothing between him and Qiao Nanqi.

Zhao Rong smiled.

He suppressed all the memories evoked by this book deep in his mind, took the book and held it in his arms, smiling until his eyes curved.

“Okay, thank you, Senior,” he said.

He accepted this statement.

Not because he cared about who Qiao Nanqi liked.

But because he cared that Lu Xingping didn’t have that kind of feeling for Qiao Nanqi, and that was enough.

When walking to the door, Lu Xingping glanced at him, and a scrutinizing look slowly appeared in the eyes under the lenses.

“I didn’t quite understand you before, and I don’t quite understand you now either—but the reasons for not understanding are somewhat different.”

He said word by word: “Actually, apart from Xiaoyue, few people can chat with me for so long. I haven’t sat down and chatted with you like this before. Except for occasions where a group of people were present, I mostly learned about you from Nanqi.”

Zhao Rong was stunned.

“People will encounter many deceptive appearances in their lives. Sometimes when blinded, one will plunge headfirst into the swamp,” he said, his tone better than when Zhao Rong first visited. “Zhao Rong, maybe you should let Nanqi turn his head and take a look.”

“No need.”

Zhao Rong said airily: “I have broken up with him—or rather, divorced. Senior, I am single now.”

This time it was finally Lu Xingping’s turn to be stunned.

Zhao Rong just smiled and said “see you next time” to him.

After leaving the door, his smile vanished instantly.

He got into the car with the book, slowly drove the car and stopped in front of a trash can in the community.

Slowly rolled down the car window.

Autumn nights were always chilly, with a hint of coldness. The wind was not strong, but it could chill people to the bone.

He shivered from the cold temperature and directly closed the car window and turned on the heater.

However, the book in his hand couldn’t be warmed up; it was icy cold, freezing his fingertips.

Just by looking at a book and reciting the short title, he could recall Qiao Nanqi’s appearance back then, and even remember clearly what clothes Qiao Nanqi wore sitting in the library.

Ending was always a matter of an instant, but to extinguish a light that had been chased for more than ten years from the heart was indeed like a blunt knife cutting into flesh, cutting slowly and painfully. Zhao Rong was not some great saint with a calm heart. If he were, he wouldn’t have been stubborn for so many years knowing the plot in the book “The Return”. No matter how great the determination was, looking at this book at this moment, there was still some dull pain.

There would still be habitual discomfort.

But he was indeed a stubborn person.

Stubborn enough to chase for ten years when he wanted to do something or wanted something.

Also stubborn enough that once a decision was made at this moment, no matter how painful or reluctant, he could be cruel enough never to look back.

What’s more, no matter how uncomfortable it was, was it more uncomfortable than the past? He would eventually become calm one day.

Zhao Rong raised his hand and threw this brand-new, unopened book into the trash can.