Spellbound Hearts - Chapter 99 - Overplayed

Some words sound fake.

You’ve doubted their authenticity, too.

But you just can’t find any evidence to prove they are lies.

That’s exactly the situation Ji Xuan is in now.

She believes that Song Zhaoli is at odds with Elder Song, and also that Song Zhaoli is being forced into a marriage alliance by Elder Song.

Even adhering to the principle that “human nature is inherently good, and people need to trust one another,” she’s willing to believe that Song Zhaoli only has one villa under his name and is now homeless.

But she simply can’t bring herself to believe that the dignified president of Song Group could be penniless, not even having enough money for a hotel room.

As Song Zhaoli finished speaking, Ji Xuan looked at his slightly upturned red lips, about to say something, but was choked off by the slight frown on Song Zhaoli’s face.

Ji Xuan didn’t even have to think to know what Song Zhaoli’s next line would be: “Ji Xuan, you don’t see me as a friend.”

Friend?

What a word…

Ji Xuan was pondering how to respond when Song Zhaoli spoke again, his voice low, “Am I making things difficult for you?”

Ji Xuan pressed her lips together, “……”

Song Zhaoli lowered his head, slipped the phone he was gripping into his pocket, and the mix of roguishness and sharpness between his brows faded away. “It’s fine, don’t put yourself out.”

Ji Xuan said, “President Song, I…”

Song Zhaoli said, “Don’t feel like you owe me just because I found a kidney donor for your mom.”

Ji Xuan’s words stuck in her throat.

Song Zhaoli continued, “And don’t feel embarrassed to refuse me just because I helped you a few times back when you were at Wansheng.”

Ji Xuan, “……”

Song Zhaoli pressed on, “And that Bi Sheng project, you—”

Ji Xuan took a deep breath, “I agree. Let’s eat.”

Song Zhaoli raised his brows slightly, “Hm?”

Ji Xuan forced herself to remain composed and turned to walk toward the kitchen. “After we eat I’ll go to the supermarket and buy you some daily necessities. Do you have any particular preferences?”

Song Zhaoli watched her back, his long eyes smiling, “No.”

Ji Xuan responded with an “Mm.” “The supermarket at the entrance is just a small one, so they probably don’t have any name brands. I’ll try to pick the best for you. If you have any special requests, text me. If I have time, I’ll go to a bigger mall.”

Having achieved his goal, Song Zhaoli strode to the kitchen to help Ji Xuan with the dishes and utensils. “Thanks, sorry for the trouble.”

Ji Xuan’s fair, slender fingertips landed on the cutting board as she spoke calmly, “Not at all. Compared to what you’ve done for me, this is nothing.”

The apartment Ji Xuan lived in wasn’t very big to begin with, and the kitchen was even more cramped.

When she and Wu Shu were both inside, they could barely squeeze past each other.

Now with Song Zhaoli, tall with long legs, standing behind her, there was a “danger” of him brushing against her with the slightest misstep.

Ji Xuan tried her best to avoid him, deliberately picked up two bowls and handed them to him, shooing him out the door. “Take these to the dining table.”

Song Zhaoli took them naturally and didn’t take the opportunity to take advantage. “Okay.”

During the meal, both were lost in their own thoughts.

After dinner, Song Zhaoli volunteered to wash the dishes. Ji Xuan tried to dissuade him twice, but failed, so she simply let him be and took her phone downstairs to the supermarket at the entrance.

There weren’t many people shopping at the supermarket at this hour. Ji Xuan pushed a cart, picking up toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and other daily necessities while pulling out her phone to call Wu Shu.

When the call connected and Ji Xuan briefly explained the situation, Wu Shu exclaimed in shock, “What does Song Zhaoli want?”

Standing in the men’s bath towel section, Ji Xuan said, “I’d like to know that too.”

Wu Shu said, “Maybe… he really doesn’t have any money?”

Ji Xuan casually picked up a dark blue bath towel. “That’s a pretty dumb question.”

Wu Shu couldn’t help but laugh at Ji Xuan’s words. “I just don’t want you to be scared.”

Ji Xuan replied calmly, “If it’s a blessing, it’s not a disaster; if it’s a disaster, there’s no escaping it.”

Wu Shu chuckled, “So what are you planning to do?”

Ji Xuan turned to the slippers section. “I’ll take things as they come.”

Anyway, she’d be on a business trip for a week starting tomorrow. She didn’t believe that when she got back, Song Zhaoli would still be hanging around her place.

Wu Shu had no idea about Ji Xuan’s business trip and was both gossiping and curious. “Do you think Song Zhaoli knows you’ve seen through him?”

Ji Xuan tapped her finger lightly on the cart handle, thinking of those lines he’d just said—“Don’t feel like you owe me because I found a kidney for your mom,” “And don’t feel embarrassed to refuse me just because I helped you a few times at Wansheng,” “And that Bi Sheng project”—and pursed her lips. “He knows.”

Wu Shu snorted, “You two really are sparring masters, every move deadly.”

Ji Xuan said, “To be honest, at first I really did believe Song Zhaoli’s bullshit.”

Wu Shu laughed so hard over the phone she nearly doubled over. “Can’t blame you, Song Zhaoli’s acting is just too convincing.”

Ji Xuan replied, “Men’s words are like those download links that pop up on web pages—no one dares to believe them easily.”

After finishing the call with Wu Shu, Ji Xuan went to the checkout.

When she left the supermarket with a bag of stuff, she suddenly saw Song Zhaoli crossing the street.

Song Zhaoli’s shirt collar was slightly open. Under the night, his expression was hard to make out, but she could vaguely see that he seemed to be holding a box in his hand.

Ji Xuan looked up. Behind Song Zhaoli was a 24-hour adult store with its sign brightly lit.