Free Web NovelChapter 380: Chapter 380: Yue Ming 30
As for Liuu Yuming, everything was under control.
The moment Tan You left, Liuu Yuming felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She sat up straight and patted her cheeks, trying to bring some warmth back to her face before resuming her work on the suit.
But as she sewed, Liuu Yuming found her mind wandering. Finally, she stood up in frustration. "What’s all this platonic nonsense? Is she trying to mess with my head? I wasn’t thinking about any of that!"
Luu Min witnessed this and couldn’t help but smile. "The older she gets, the more innocent she becomes. I remember when I was little, she knew quite a few men."
Tan You chuckled. "You remember things from that long ago? It’s not surprising she made those choices back then. She was dirt poor, under immense pressure, and had no one to support her. With no means of her own, it was only natural for her to want to rely on a man."
"But you see, once she started earning her own money, she stopped thinking that way."
Luu Min said, "I get it. That’s why we have to have our own money and our own skills. You can’t rely on anyone else."
"Of course, my grandma is the most reliable one."
Tan You glanced at Liuu Min. ’In real life, we’re about the same age, yet you keep calling me "Grandma,"’ she thought. ’It gives me a strange sense of disconnect.’
Luu Min asked, "Now that you’re back, aren’t you worried she and Xu Jia will actually get together? From what I’ve seen, Xu Jia is a very forward person."
Tan You sounded like she was enjoying the show. "He can be as forward as he wants, but your mom doesn’t want anything from him. There’s strength in wanting nothing. Xu Jia has his work cut out for him."
Luu Min nodded. "That’s good. I’m not against my mom remarrying, but I can’t let her be won over so easily. A woman like my mom... if she’d had any interest in it before, she would’ve been married long ago. Why else would she still be single?"
"As for now, she’s probably not that interested anyway. Who’s to blame when you’re her role model, the queen of singles?"
Tan You mulled over the term "queen of singles" and had to admit Liuu Min’s assessment was surprisingly accurate.
"That’s your mom’s life; let her be the one to decide. If you ask me, she doesn’t need to choose a divorced man. A woman like her could have her pick of young, fit guys, from the sweet, puppy-dog type to the wilder, wolfish ones. After all, your mom is gorgeous."
Luu Min replied, "Who knows what her type is? But my guess is that because Chen Wei was young, slick, and unreliable, my mom now subconsciously avoids men like that."
"But Xu Jia... he looks like the type who is exceptionally steady and reliable, someone who makes you feel safe. Didn’t you describe him as being ’solid as a mountain’? He and Chen Wei are polar opposites."
Tan You considered this. "True. You can’t fall into the same pit twice."
Of course, Liuu Yuming had no idea this conversation between Tan You and Liuu Min was happening. She hated being indebted to anyone, so as soon as she finished Xu Jia’s two suits, she contacted him.
As it happened, Xu Jia had just flown back from overseas. He had wanted to contact Liuu Yuming more, but he had been swamped. A normally stable business partnership had unexpectedly hit a snag, requiring Xu Jia to fly out and handle it personally.
Tan You was the secret mastermind behind this, of course. She wouldn’t make things difficult for Liuu Yuming, but making things difficult for Xu Jia was another matter entirely.
Xu Jia, who was at home recovering from jet lag, was overjoyed to receive Liuu Yuming’s call. They arranged to meet at a teahouse near her training school. By the time Liuu Yuming arrived, Xu Jia was already waiting in a private room.
Seeing Liuu Yuming arrive carrying two bags, the corners of Xu Jia’s eyes crinkled. "You’re here. Are those heavy?"
Liuu Yuming smiled, handing the bags to him. "It’s fine. I’ve already pressed the clothes. Try them on when you get a chance. If they don’t fit, I can alter them for you."
Xu Jia took them. "Have you been busy with these this whole time? I wasn’t in that much of a hurry."
’Normally, you can’t get a custom suit in just half a month. It was as if she’d been sitting in front of her sewing machine nonstop.’ freeweɓnøvel.com
Liuu Yuming looked a little embarrassed. "I haven’t been that busy lately, so I just pushed to get it done. I hate the feeling of owing someone something. Besides, I don’t really like going out much. I prefer to stay in and have some quiet time."
As she said this, she glanced at Xu Jia. "You look tired."
Xu Jia was frank. "I am. I just flew back last night and I’m still jet-lagged. Work has been hectic lately."
"I’m sorry," Liuu Yuming said reflexively. "I must be disturbing your rest."
"Not at all," Xu Jia reassured her. "It’s boring sitting at home alone. If you hadn’t called me, I was going to call you. I brought you a gift."
As he spoke, he slid a small box across the table. Liuu Yuming smiled. "Weren’t you busy with work? And you still bought me a gift? You shouldn’t have."
"It was no trouble," Xu Jia smiled as well. "There was a shopping mall near my hotel. I was passing by one evening when I saw it and thought it would suit you perfectly."
Liuu Yuming opened the box and her eyes widened slightly. ’This man is frighteningly perceptive,’ she thought. ’He’s only met me a few times, but he’s already figured out my tastes.’ She had a weakness for bold, dazzling accessories.
Just like the rose necklace in front of her. If Liuu Yuming had seen it herself, she would have bought it without a second thought.
Just one look at Liuu Yuming’s eyes told Xu Jia that his gift had hit the mark. He was, in all honesty, in an excellent mood.
Liuu Yuming loved the necklace, but she remembered what Tan You had told her: don’t just accept things from a man. So, she pushed it back toward Xu Jia. "I can’t accept this. Our relationship isn’t at that stage." free𝑤ebnovel.com
Xu Jia was an expert at finding loopholes. "So, if we were together, you would accept it?"
Liuu Yuming thought for a moment. "Of course. But not right now."
The words were barely out of her mouth before she snapped to her senses and glared at Xu Jia. "I... I didn’t say I wanted to get together with you! You... you’re far too cunning."
Xu Jia took it as a compliment. Honestly, he adored her personality. She was a little naive and sometimes didn’t catch his teasing until a moment later. Once she realized it, all she could do was glare, but being a bit clumsy with her words, she would just end up sulking by herself.
"Don’t be angry. See? You’ve relaxed now, haven’t you?" Xu Jia poured her some tea as a peace offering. Liuu Yuming wasn’t one to stay mad for long, and she soon laughed again.
"It’s fine if you don’t want to accept it," Xu Jia said softly after they had a cup of tea. "I just wanted to let you know my intentions. Whether you accept them or not is up to you."
Liuu Yuming looked at him. "I understand. But right now, I don’t really like you all that much. The most I can say is that I don’t dislike you."
Xu Jia wasn’t the least bit disappointed. "’Not disliking’ is a great start."
Liuu Yuming fiddled with her teacup. "I heard you’re divorced. Why, if you don’t mind my asking? What kind of woman would be willing to leave someone like you? You’re rich, handsome, in good shape, and you’re steady and reliable."
The smile on Xu Jia’s face grew wider as he listened to Liuu Yuming tick off his good qualities. "Am I really that outstanding in your eyes?"
