Chapter 12: Feeling Disgusted

Three people?

Li Jiuwei’s expression changed abruptly, her voice trembling slightly. “Who were they?”

“One was Gu Rufeng. As for the other two, I didn’t recognize them—they were older men, I don’t know where they came from…”

Gu Rufeng?

Two old men?

A powerful wave of nausea crashed over her.

Her gaze grew sharp as she interrogated, “Yu Ruonan, if you dare lie to me…”

“I’m telling you the truth. I really saw it with my own eyes. I didn’t know you were there—I thought you had left. But when I went inside, I found you lying there, your clothes disheveled.”

“Leave. I don’t want anyone else knowing about this.” Her eyes bore into Yu Ruonan.

Li Jiuwei’s composure was almost too calm; Yu Ruonan, in contrast, felt a flicker of fear.

With Li Jiuwei’s threat still ringing in her ears, Yu Ruonan promised, “I won’t say a word. But you can’t contact my parents, either.”

“It’s a deal.”

“A promise that can’t be taken back,” Yu Ruonan replied.

After Yu Ruonan left, Li Jiuwei staggered over to the flowerbed and began to vomit.

She nearly retched up bile.

Three years ago, she had checked the surveillance footage, but it had yielded nothing useful.

Whoever it was, the thought made her sick.

“Jiuwei… Are you unwell? Let me take you to the hospital.” Feng Su, who had just come out, happened to witness her distress.

He patted her slender back gently.

“I’m fine—ugh—”

“You’re vomiting like this and still say you’re fine?” Feng Su insisted on taking her to the hospital. Unable to refuse, Li Jiuwei went with him, and after the examination, the results showed her stomach was perfectly healthy.

Feng Su stared at the report in silence.

“I told you, I’m fine!”

She was about to leave when Feng Su seized her wrist, his dark eyes locking onto hers, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Li Jiuwei waved her hand before his eyes, but he caught it and brought it gently to his lips.

“Jiuwei, I understand now.”

“What do you understand?” She was baffled.

Feng Su pulled her into his arms, his deep voice murmuring in her ear, “The child—I’ll take responsibility.”

“Wait, what child?” Li Jiuwei pushed him away, half laughing, half exasperated. “Don’t tell me you think I’m pregnant?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Of course not! Feng Su, I’m an adult. Having a child is part of my plan—and whose child it will be is also my decision.” Physically, she and Feng Su might be compatible, but emotionally, that was another matter.

Besides, she no longer had the confidence to invest in a relationship.

Standing behind her, Feng Su kept his gaze glued to her retreating figure.

He quickened his pace to catch up. Once they reached their “love nest,” Feng Su got out of the car first.

Li Jiuwei raised an eyebrow.

The puppy is upset!

She returned to her bedroom, aware of Feng Su’s brooding gaze following her.

As the bedroom door clicked shut, Feng Su slammed his fist against the table.

Inside, Li Jiuwei sank weakly to the floor.

Yu Ruonan’s words echoed endlessly in her mind.

Whenever she thought of Gu Rufeng, her thoughts churned with unrest.

She and Gu Rufeng had not only been university classmates but also attended the same high school. Back then, Gu Rufeng was withdrawn and isolated, often bullied by other students. Time and again, she had stood up for him, helping him out of many difficult situations.

At university, their interactions were little more than polite nods. The only time they’d had any private contact was at a high school alumni gathering, organized by an older schoolmate. That was the closest she’d ever been to Gu Rufeng.

Could he really have been the man from that night?

Li Jiuwei gripped her knees, tightening her hold.

“Jiuwei, open the door.”

“I want to rest.”

“If you don’t open it, I’ll force my way in.”

Li Jiuwei got up and opened the door. Feng Su stood there, holding a pillow in his arms. She frowned slightly. “Go back to your own room.”

“The forecast says there’ll be thunder and rain tonight. I’m afraid of storms.” Feng Su’s long, slender fingers gripped the pillow enticingly—the memory of those hands on her body was still vivid for Li Jiuwei.

She gave him a shove.

“You call yourself a man and admit you’re afraid?”

“So—will you feel sorry for me, Jiuwei?” he coaxed with a playful smile.

Li Jiuwei opened the door and stepped out, turning back with a raised eyebrow and a teasing smile. “You sleep here. I’m leaving.”

“Li Jiuwei, if you walk out that door tonight, don’t come back.”

She quickened her pace.

Feng Su, who had been suppressing his feelings, was furious: So she really would leave.

He didn’t understand.

Why did Li Jiuwei insist on severing ties with him?

Li Jiuwei went to Jiang Corporation.

The project that Jiang Huaiting had assigned her was already on the agenda.

“Jiuwei, when are we going to Li Group? While you were out, Mr. Jiang came by to urge us. If we can’t secure this partnership with Li Group, he’ll definitely promote Li Xinchun to chief jewelry designer.”

Zhang Bing was anxious—Li Xinchun’s qualifications didn’t warrant the position.

“I’m not worried, so you don’t need to be,” Li Jiuwei replied.

“Jiuwei, you’re too relaxed. Mr. Jiang is blatantly favoring Li Xinchun—she’s bound to win.”

At this point, Zhang Bing’s confidence was wavering.

Li Jiuwei smiled lightly. “All right, no matter what, let’s pay a visit to Li Group first.”

“Fine.”

After leaving the office, Li Jiuwei ran into Li Xinchun.

“Going to Li Group, sister?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I wish you success. Though I wonder if you have what it takes to secure the deal. Actually, if you admit defeat, I could help you out.” Li Xinchun patted her belly, flaunting herself.

“I’ll give those words back to you, dear sister… When you hit a wall at Feng Corporation, think carefully about how to beg me.” Li Jiuwei’s smile deepened, ignoring Li Xinchun’s pout.

They headed for Li Group.

Someone was already waiting to receive them.

In the large conference room, Li Jiuwei looked at the staff member assigned to greet them. “When will your President Li be available?”

“Please wait a moment,” the staff member said before stepping out.

Only Li Jiuwei and Zhang Bing remained in the room.

She swirled her glass of water gently.

“Jiuwei, I have a bad feeling about this visit.”

“Your instincts are probably right.”

“Oh no. So what now—did we come all this way for nothing? The people at Li Group are really arrogant.”

Zhang Bing couldn’t stop complaining.

Li Jiuwei smiled faintly—of course their visit wouldn’t be wasted.

Li Group was simply trying to make things difficult for her.

Ten minutes later, Li Jiuwei left the conference room, her tone cool. “Tell President Li that if he doesn’t have time to discuss the partnership, we’ll come back another day.”

“Wait, Miss Li, President Li will see you now.”

A young man hurried over from the distance.

Li Jiuwei let out a soft laugh and followed him to the CEO’s office.

The man bent over his desk, signing documents with meticulous care. When he finished the last one, he finally looked up.

“President Li, let’s talk business.”

“I’m your elder brother!” The man in his business suit was icy and severe.

“In the workplace, business and family should be kept separate. Besides, do you really want me to call you ‘Big Brother’ here?” She stepped closer, locking eyes with Li Jingchen.