Chapter 101 - Explanation [1]

Shi Lian stepped out of the company, inhaling the air outside the company. The work is almost done and they are hopefully ready for the show tomorrow. After coming to the company, Shi Lian was welcomed with files and documents and she also needed to attend a meeting with the directors. The directors weren't fully sure about her but she did what she had to, to make them believe it will be worth it. 

She also encountered her uncle back in the company when she was going back to her office. He had the same nasty smirk on his face and the evergreen smoke smell coming out of him. Shi Lian was disgusted with him for smoking this much. She mostly ignored him and his comments. 

She last talked with Zichen is at the hotel and since he hasn't called her. she is upset about it and she wished he can bother her, make things explain, and do not let things hanging like this. Checking the phone for the last time, Shi Lian walks up to her car where the driver is waiting standing beside the car. 

But out of nowhere a black car stops and a man steps out dressed as if he is hiding from someone. He is wearing black sunglasses, mask and is in casual clothing. Checking to his sides, he makes his way to Shi Lian who has no idea why this man is approaching her. She first guesses he must be here for someone else but when he stops just inches from her, she assumes he is here for her. "Come with me," the man says. 

Shi Lian raises her eyebrow and is surprised as well as scowling at the guy who comes out of nowhere and orders like that. "Excuse me?"

"Please Shi Lian, get inside the car" he repeats his sentence again. He is cautiously looking at his surrounding as if he is afraid of people finding him. Shi Lian judges him for a moment and she cannot comprehend why this man is here. She has never seen him. 

"I don't know you, Mr. Please step out of my way," she says politely. But the man shakes his head and says the same things yet again. "Look, I told you I don't know you. Who are you even?" she scowls at him, crossing her arms before her chest. 

"The man sighs in annoyance and opens his mouth. "Zichen wants to talk to you. So please stop being pouty and come with me." her eyes narrows at him for calling her pouty but now gets it. he must be one of Zichen's men who come here to escort her. she still is angry with him and she does not wish to see him.

She licks her dry lips and says, "Don't bother Mr. Hedious. I don't want to talk to him." The man's jaw clenches and he shoves his hand in his chestnut hair, the same as Zichen when he is frustrated. 

"Come with me or else I have to haul you up on my shoulder" he threatens, his voice muffles because of his mask. Why is this man dressed this way? He thinks Shi Lian will get scared and agree to go with him but he is wrong. Si Lian is not at all scared, she didn't flinch as well. 

"Oh no! I am so scared. I should call the cops" she fakes her act of innocence, challenging him. His jaw clenches and he narrows his eyes at her. His honey color eyes are beautiful but the man is acting creepy. Giving him a look she says, "Move."

But the man stays rooted. He brings his phone from his pocket and dials a number. Shi Lian rolls her eyes in frustration. The driver looks at her worry but she assures him that it's fine. "Zichen! Fuck! What's wrong with her? She isn't coming" the man snarls to the person on the other line. Shi Lian cocks an eyebrow. "Well, just once, then I am done" saying he hangs the phone and returns his attention to her. 

"Look, Zichen needs to talk to you about everything that has been going on so please stop with the attitude and come with me," he says in weariness. Shi Lian thinks for a moment. She does want to know everything that is going on but at the same time, she does not wish to see his face. she is debating inside her head whether to go or not. 

She sighs finally making up her mind. "Fine. Lad the way." His eyes gleam and he mutters something under his breath which Shi Lian does not hear. Telling the driver to wait for her she follows the man. Reaching the car, he slides opens the door and gestures her to hop inside real quick. She shoots him a look but gets inside anyway. Zichen's face comes into view and her eyes widen. Her heart flutters at the sight of him and she realizes she misses him and hasn't seen him for long. The door behind her shuts and she flinches coming back to reality, looking away from his face. Shi Lian feels his eyes on her and she cannot help but look up to meet his. They do not say anything for a moment. 

The man gets inside the front seat and opens his coveralls- his mask and sunglasses and dramatically shaks his head. "Oh man, these things were killing me!" she throws the things somewhere without caring where it goes. He looks to him behind finding both of them looking at him with narrow eyes. "What ?"

"Who is this hideous man?" she asks Zichen instead, making a cringe face. 

Zichen smiles a little, his eyes softening. "He is Junjie, my so-called 'lover'" Shi Lian's eyebrow shoots up and she blinks twice, her eyes moving from Zichen then to Junjie. 

"You are him?" she asks in disbelief. The man says nothing and glares at Zichen for introducing him in this way. 

"If you are smart enough, you won't believe him. I am Junjie and I am a friend of his, sadly" he says, forcing a fake smile as h introduces himself. Shi Lian is still looking at him the way someone looks when they find something weird and ridiculous. "Oh for God's sake, I am not his lover!" he yells, rolling his eyes. 

"Fine, I believe you. Calm down" she says controlling her chuckle that escapes from her mouth. 

"So you don't believe it huh?" Zichen says, his voice deep and hoarse. She turns her eyes on him and gulps softly, her smile fading. She tries to bring the anger back which she had for him but it's getting hard when this man looks handsome and too attractive. 

"I have nothing to say" she mutters and looks away. 

"Still angry?" he asks and she can sense the taunt in his voice. She remains silent chewing her inner skin of the cheek. 

"She is definitely" Junjie chimes in. Zichen shoots him a look and signals him to get out of the car for a while. He protests but he knows what Zichen is capable of so he clicks open the door again and hops out. The door shutting with a loud bang making Shi Lian flinch. 

"I went with him to meet his fiancé" he starts explaining, "he had a plan that would help break the marriage and I had no idea what his plan was. I got to know about it on the spot. He planned to make her believe that we were a couple so she could voluntarily break the marriage."

Shi Lian listens but does not face him. She wants to laugh because the plan is funny and stupid but maybe it was helpful at last. 

He continues, "The plan was somehow got well but the paparazzi were there. I wasn't aware of that and I was angry at Junjie that I forgot to notify my men to stop the paparazzi. Things went in the wrong direction and it led to this." 

Shi Lian remains quiet, she is half relieved that he explain the news but she is still angry that he didn't pick her calls. He scoots closer when he says nothing. Holding her palm in his, he says softly, "Forgive me?" 

Shi Lian sighs because this man sure knows how to make things right. She turns her head to face him. "Not until you answer why you didn't pick my calls" she demands, her eyes searching his. Zichen's jaw clenches, his mouth is set in a thin line and his expression hardens. It reminds him of the night he fought with his brother. "Tell me" she presses, eagerly waiting for his answer. 

"I was busy with work and stuff" he lies, tearing his gaze from hers. 

Biting her lower lips, she opens her mouth, "Is it something that you cannot tell me? Is it that you don't trust me?"