Chapter 7

After my repeated probing, Mi Duo fell into contemplation. She was smart; her defense of Li Bin was nothing more than being trapped by her feelings.

I sat with her in silence for a while. She looked up and asked me, “Does Li Bin really only love himself?”

“Did you come here today hoping to find proof from me that he loves you?”

“At first, yes.” Mi Duo gave a bitter smile. “Actually, I really hoped you were a terrible girlfriend. That way, at least I could blame you for everything, even though I have no grounds and know it’s wrong. But human nature can be so base sometimes.”

Mi Duo was laying bare her inner journey, and I listened quietly. When she finished, I called over the waiter.

“Ms. Chen, is there anything I can help you with?”

“I need to book a room for a client. The person has a stomach condition and mild OCD.”

“Of course. We’ll prepare brand-new bedding, toiletries, warm purified water, and one-on-one butler service. Will that be suitable?”

“That’s fine.”

“I’ll send the room number to your assistant’s phone shortly.”

“Alright.”

The waiter left with a smile.

I looked back at Mi Duo, saying nothing.

She was puzzled by my gaze. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t lack money. What you lack is meticulous care.”

She immediately understood my point and murmured, “With money, attentive care is everywhere.”

If emotional value can be bought with money, why does it feel so special when it comes from Li Bin?

It’s because Mi Duo thought Li Bin’s kindness to her was free of self-interest, not realizing her value had already been quietly calculated.

She was trapped, her reason swept away by emotion, torn by Li Bin’s tears.

Avoidance is undoubtedly a potent remedy for temporary pain, but it also prolongs the cycle of suffering, causing repeated internal conflict, eroding self-esteem and mindset, and leaving one unrecognizable in indecision.

I’ve said all I needed to say. What to do next is Mi Duo’s own decision.

I pushed aside the empty plates and stood up. “I have something to do.”

“I’m sorry.” Seeing me about to leave, Mi Duo said anxiously.

I stopped in my tracks.

She continued, “This ‘sorry’ is my apology for the malice I harbored at the very beginning.”

I didn’t reply, just looked at her bewildered face. The naivety of someone new to society was still in her eyes.

I had been through this myself. Without Li Bin, she and I would have been strangers-maybe collaborators due to our industries.

But we would never be like this, sharing deep words despite a shallow acquaintance. She would regret it later.

“Let today be just today.” I tapped her lightly. “Remember to eat well.”

Mi Duo’s sadness froze at the corner of her eyes. She hadn’t expected me to be so insistent about food.

I hadn’t expected myself to be so calm either. Walking out of the hotel, a familiar car slowly approached at the entrance.

I bent down to greet, “Boss Qi, out for a stroll?”

“Strolling with you,” Qi Dong shifted over. “Come on, let’s go home together.”

“I have my car.”

“Leaving it at the company doesn’t cost you anything.”

“Alright.” Ever since I started enjoying the company’s perks, my own car had been idle.

These days, no matter where I was, Qi Dong could somehow magically track my whereabouts.

We went to and from work together, and talked more intimately than in the past ten years combined.

I sometimes wondered if my usual work style wasn’t forceful enough, which made Qi Dong follow me so closely.

Once in the car, he asked candidly, “What did you two talk about?”

I rolled my eyes inwardly and gave him a rough summary.

After listening, he said, “You were cheated on, beaten, confronted, and you still have the energy to counsel her?”

“She was also deceived, became the other woman, and was forced to confront me. We’re both victims-I certainly can’t beat her up.”

“Do you think you managed to talk her through it?”

“Whether she gets it or not doesn’t affect Li Bin being ruined at work.”

“You don’t hold a grudge against her?”

I glanced at his meaningful expression. “Mi Duo’s dad is Mi Yang, right? The leader of their branch office.”