Spellbound Hearts - Chapter 97 - You Never Saw Me as a Friend

Ji Xuan was neither a good confidant nor a good listener.

Over the years, the burdens of life had weighed on her so heavily that she could barely catch her breath. She seldom complained to others, and rarely listened to others’ woes.

She was too rational, too clear-headed, and understood that these things were all pointless.

You walk your own path step by step, swallow your own hardships bite by bite, and earn your own money bit by bit.

If you confide in someone and they’re a true friend, maybe they’ll feel sorry for you; but if their friendship is fake, they might just laugh at you behind your back.

Friends are like RMB—some are real, some are fake. Unfortunately, we’re not counterfeit detectors; most of the time, we can’t tell the difference.

After Song Zhaoli finished speaking, a brief silence fell in the car.

After a few seconds, Ji Xuan’s fingers curled slightly on her lap. She steadied herself and spoke, “No, I wouldn’t.”

Song Zhaoli looked up, as if he didn’t believe her. “Really?”

Ji Xuan lifted her lips. “Really.”

After speaking, worried that Song Zhaoli wouldn’t believe her, she took a shallow breath and added, “Whether a person succeeds or not is indeed related to whether their family provides support, but it’s not a definite connection.”

How many rich second-generation kids use their family as a stepping stone, only to end up in utter failure?

So Ji Xuan truly believed that Song Zhaoli’s current achievements were mainly due to his own abilities.

Ji Xuan’s words were sincere, and Song Zhaoli’s thin lips curved slightly. “Mm.”

As he spoke, the traffic light turned green. He turned the steering wheel and stepped on the gas.

By the time they arrived at Ji Xuan’s community, an hour had passed.

Ji Xuan went to the supermarket to buy groceries while Song Zhaoli stood outside the car making a call.

On the other end was Qiu Lin, who said that Xie Yao had lost her temper at her birthday party and even hit someone.

Song Zhaoli’s expression was cold, his tone flat and unruffled. “How did the Xie Family react?”

Qiu Lin answered honestly, “Old Master Xie has always spoiled Xie Yao, so there wasn’t much reaction. But her half-brother found her embarrassing and scolded her in front of everyone at the party.”

Xie Yao’s half-brother was Xie Zhengqing, who had quite a few business dealings with Song Zhaoli. Their relationship was decent.

Hearing this, Song Zhaoli gave a soft, derisive laugh. “Xie Zhengqing is usually good at keeping his cool—seems he was really furious this time.”

Qiu Lin said, “He was indeed furious. The person Xie Yao hit at her birthday party is someone Xie Zhengqing’s latest business partner is very fond of.”

Song Zhaoli raised his eyebrows but didn’t say more, only commented, “Stupid.”

Song Zhaoli could call Xie Yao stupid, but Qiu Lin didn’t dare echo that.

Qiu Lin paused, then continued, “Elder Song just called me, asking where you were. I said I didn’t know.”

Song Zhaoli replied, “Mm.”

Qiu Lin asked, “Will you be going back to the old house tonight, or…?”

Song Zhaoli glanced toward the supermarket entrance. The wind lifted the hem of Ji Xuan’s dress, outlining her slender waist in a perfect curve. He replied in a deep voice, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Qiu Lin was curious. “Then where will you stay tonight?”

He needed to know where to pick him up the next morning.

Song Zhaoli replied, “At Ji Xuan’s place.”

Qiu Lin, “……”

Before Qiu Lin could react, Song Zhaoli had already hung up.

Hearing only silence on the line, Qiu Lin suddenly realized something belatedly.

Wu Rui’s been cuckolded!!

Meanwhile, after hanging up, Song Zhaoli strode forward and took the groceries from Ji Xuan.

Ji Xuan wanted to refuse, but just as she was about to pull her hand back, she changed her mind and handed them over. “Thank you.”

Song Zhaoli raised an eyebrow. “Would you say thank you to Wu Shu over something this trivial?”

Ji Xuan was briefly taken aback, then realized he meant, “Now that we’re friends, you don’t need to thank me for such small things.” She smiled awkwardly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They went upstairs together, carrying the groceries. In the elevator, Ji Xuan suddenly felt that once Song Zhaoli set aside that cold and aloof air, he wasn’t so unapproachable after all.

He was easygoing and quite the gentleman.

After getting out of the elevator, Ji Xuan pulled out her keys and was about to unlock the door when Song Zhaoli’s phone rang in his pocket.

Hearing the sound, Ji Xuan turned back, about to take the groceries from Song Zhaoli’s hand, when he said naturally, “Can you get my phone for me?”

Ji Xuan looked up, slightly startled.

Song Zhaoli lowered his head, meeting her gaze with composure. His voice was low and deep. “Right pocket of my suit pants.”

After speaking, seeing Ji Xuan remain still, he took a step forward and frowned, staring at her, “Ji Xuan, do you not see me as a friend at all?”