Hearing her mother’s praises was like music to Li Xiu’s ears. 

“Yes mother. Now I just need to prepare, reapply some light make up and then I am good to go. He won’t be able to resist doing business with us when he sees Li Jing’s slides and my appearance.”

“I never doubted that. Now, I should take my leave and let you prepare. You must win this client so that whenever your father returns, he would see that you can handle things without him.”

The best thing Ding Jiaying could do for her daughter now was to only advice her and hope things went according to plan, else, they would both be in soup when Mr. Li returned. 

“Absolutely.”

Saying all she needed to say, Ding Jiaying stood from her seat and picked her bag up. 

“I would leave now. I need to get something’s from the grocery store and prepare for your success tonight,” Ding Jiaying announced. 

“That would be great. I would order an exquisite wine to be sent home. This would be spectacular.” She clasped both hands together and lifted them up in a show of celebration before seeing her mother out and went to prepare for her meeting. 

****

Meanwhile, the car already pulled up in front of the big building where Li Jing’s condo unit was. 

Magnificently, Ye Cheng steps down from the car and asked his driver to wait for him before proceeding into the building. 

He had not seen her since the previous day and felt the need to check up on her personally and see what she may be in need of before going for his meeting with Han Qing Qing. 

In no time he was already at her floor and walked straight for her room number. 

Even though he had a spare key, Ye Cheng still thought it nice to actually ring the bell and not intrude on her privacy. 

The doors swung open with a depressed Li Jing at the door way. 

Ye Cheng raised his head to look at her and was shocked by her appearance. 

His brows furrowed at the thought that something bad might have happened to her. 

Without giving her room or a chance to explain, he bombarded her with questions while still standing at the hallway. 

“Li Jing, what is wrong? Did anyone harm you? Did you have an accident while at home?”

After all the questions, the only thing Ye Cheng got was a small smile that barely reached her cheeks. 

Although Ye Cheng wanted to feel good about it but the sadness in her eyes made his heart feel troubled. 

He did not know why he felt that way seeing her like that, considering he hadn’t known her long irrespective, the last thing he wanted was to add more suffering to her life than the stress he had caused her. 

“Hey.” Li Jing’s small voice broke him out of his reverie, bringing him back to the present. “Welcome.”

“Answer me, Li Jing, what is wrong?” He asked her again but this time he lifted his hands to raise her chin so that she could look him in the eyes. 

“It is nothing serious. I am just sad. Please, do come in.”

“Thank you.”

“You do not need to be courteous. This is yours,” Li Jing corrected. 

“Technically, no. I got this place for you,” Ye Cheng countered as he made his way into the house. 

By the time both of them were fully inside and seated, Ye Cheng threw open the question again and Li Jing had no choice but to answer him this time. 

“Well, my best friend, the one that was to come visit me today,” Li Jing started to say and then looked at him to get a clarification that he remembered. 

“Yes, what happened to her? Are you sad because she did not come?”

“No. She came but was called that her grandmother was rushed to the hospital, so she had to leave.”

“Then why are you sad?”

“Yin Lifen is feeling down and I want to be there for her as well.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. I want to go and visit her grandmother at the hospital.”

“Okay. I would arrange for someone to take you there.”

“Thanks.”

“Anything else you need before I leave?”

This was the question Li Jing had been waiting for. The golden opportunity to as for that which she truly needed. 

“Yes.”

“State it and I would get it done.” Even as he spike, he still exuded a fearsome yet calm and authoritative aura. 

Li Jing could not help but feel like she was in the presence of some god and all. 

Swallowing hard, she prepared herself to state het petition. 

“I also want to meet up with a friend tomorrow at lunch. I need your permission to leave the house.”

“You do not need my permission for that Li Jing.”

“But you said… “

“I know what I said. You are a free woman, an adult. I have no right in controlling the things that you do or not. I can only advice you. The danger is still out there. They know we escaped, you just have to be cautious.”

His warning was sound and clear and she knew better than anyone how real the threat was. 

This was for her own good but then again, she could not remain locked up till God knows when. 

Slowly, Li Jing let out a deep sigh and straightened herself on her seat. 

“I know. Then again, I do not think they would act so quick. They may need to lie low for now. I just want to get on with my life.”

“And you will. I promise, nothing bad would happen to you,” Ye Cheng assured her. 

“That reminds me. I would want to go out and look for a job and move on, so I would be staying out more from now on. I just thought I should let you know.”

“Okay. Whatever you decide is fine with me.”

“Thanks very much.” Her face lit up as her request was granted without any effort and she flashed him her charming smile to show her appreciation. 

“Oh that reminds me, I have something for you.”