Mister Li, the Heart Bandit

"Actually, the reason for this invitation is that there is something we need to discuss."

Yu Xiangnian turned towards Li Shaoling, putting down his own knife and fork and folding his arms at him.

Ji Weixi finally had a good look at Yu Xiangnian then: charming but self-indulgent, his gaze seemed to exude a sinister side even if he wasn't smiling. The tip of his eyebrows pointed upward, and the lines on his face were both stiff and cold.

His mannerisms made it clear he was confident, and he spoke with the ambition of men.

A dangerous leader.

Ji Weixi rested her chin on her hand and turned to Li Shaoling.

In the end, her man was better in looks, and was so handsome there would rarely be any man as good looking as he is in centuries

She even bedded him, too… ahem. Manners, manners.

"The rookie contest has to be delayed for two months." Yu Xiangnian calmly took a sip of red wine. "Problems in Europe."

Li Shaoling wiped his lips elegantly as his eyelids twitched. "The Qiao family?"

Yu Xiangnian grunted a yes. "I trust your company and mine have the same problem. Either way, the contest would be knocked off schedule."

"It's perfectly normal for the Qiao family to stir trouble." Li Shaoling played it down. "Although this time, it's a little more serious than imagined."

Yu Xiangnian cracked a rare smile then, although it was more a threat than a smile.

"May your trip to Europe be productive then," he said, raising his wine glass.

Li Shaoling lifted his own and clinked it gently with his.

The two men downed their drinks, an unfathomable meaning shared in their traded glances.

Ji Weixi had the feeling that they had planned something that should not be known ahead of time, and even shameful.

After dinner, Yu Xiangnian took another look at Ji Weixi.

Aside from his mysteriousness, there was a deeper meaning in his eyes.

***

On the way home, Ji Weixi asked Li Shaoling. "Are you saying that you are heading to Europe with Yu Xiangnian?"

"Yeah." Li Shaoling grasped the steering wheel with one hand and patted her head with the other. "I will be gone for a few days."

Ji Weixi frowned, feeling a little upset. "Why would you tell me only now? You could have been keeping it from me if Yu Xiangnian didn't invite you to dinner."

Although she didn't understand, she knew that the matter was something very important if it took the president of a company to solve it.

And yet, Li Shaoling was having a good-natured chat with his bitter rival at the dinner table just now, acting as if he was unruffled at all.

Ji Weixi felt that he really could hide his emotions then.

"Things had turned upside-down in Europe after Qiao Biluo returned to her country. Still, I don't think it's important and didn't want to worry you."

Ji Weixi caught the point. "You mean that Qiao Biluo has something to do with it."

"Yes."

Ji Weixi leaned into her seat and folded her arms. "I knew she's no good."

However, Li Shaoling ruthlessly stabbed her in the heart. "You did not think so at first."

"…"

Don't go exposing others, please!

When they reached home and after Ji Weixi turned on the lights, Li Shaoling embraced her, smelling of alcohol as he nestled into her arms.

"Don't turn on the lights, it's too bright." He said quietly.

Ji Weixi inhaled sharply. Did that even count as acting cute?

Li Shaoling started to approach her then. She retreated, and both of them eventually fell on the sofa.

He bit her ear. "I'll be away for just a few days, you don't have to miss me… we're getting married when I come back."

She flushed and nodded tamely.

And the night was still long.

***

Omitted.

***

She only let her go at five in the morning.

Ji Weixi pressed him down firmly into the bed when she saw that he wasn't sleeping. "Don't you have a flight at seven? Sleep a wink. I'll wake you up."

Li Shaoling held her then, and so firmly like never before.

As if he would embed her in his bones.

Ji Weixi was a little breathless. "Let me go… are you trying to kill me and then commit a lover's suicide?"

She was joking, but Li Shaoling's look suddenly turned somber.

"Jiang Cong will protect you when I'm gone. You and the kid aren't going anywhere. Hear me?"

Ji Weixi's smile slowly faded when she saw that he was being serious.

She nodded. "Got it… and you take care of yourself."

"Your safety is my greatest happiness." Li Shaoling held back a smile even as they embraced each other.

Your safety… is my greatest happiness.

The overbearing president was talking love.

Ji Weixi nestled inside his arms and wrapped around his body like an octopus. "Shaoling, tell me the truth: will it be dangerous in Europe?"

Li Shaoling's heart softened at how she tenderly voiced his name, again and again.

"It's not dangerous." He said softly.

"Still…" He then paused deliberately. "I'm just afraid that you'll miss my… skill."

Ji Weixi promptly flushed and threw her fists at him. "You're such a jerk!"

"Will you marry this jerk, then?"

"Nope!" Ji Weixi pouted.

Both of them leaned into each other quietly then, and the atmosphere became quiet.

Ji Weixi yawned, her eyes becoming watery in fatigue.

Li Shaoling wiped it off. "Sleep."

"Can't do that… you're leaving soon…" She sounded a little upset.

"Be good, sleep. It's not like I'm not coming back."

Ji Weixi was very sleepy too, but it was after another yawn that she yielded. "Fine…"

She wrapped her arms over his neck and kissed him. "I like you the most."

Li Shaoling stared at her sleeping face and chuckled quietly.

I… like you the most too.

Ji Weixi's fell sound asleep soon.

Li Shaoling got up, got dressed and pulled the blanket over her, and left after branding her forehead with a kiss.

He went to Jiang Cong's place to fetch the little one, and then Tian Miaomiao.

Then, as the group saw him off, he boarded the plane.

***

Ji Weixi had assumed that Li Shaoling had left only for business.

Her confidence quickly lost ground, however after days of missed calls.

Tian Miaomiao and her little one would try to calm her down each day that they might be busy and unable to get away from work.

Still, Ji Weixi started to feel a strange panic.

In the past, Li Shaoling would call her no matter how busy he was.

Why didn't he call her after reaching Europe? Worse, she was calling, and he wasn't answering.

At first, Ji Weixi tried to assure herself that Li Shaoling was too busy and pressed for time.

It was until the news came three days later, enshrouding the very air of River Town.

There had been armed violence in Europe. The casualty count was 120 dead, 300 injured.

Ji Weixi could no longer sit around.