Softly taking his hand out of Chen Jingyun's grasp, Li Minghao took a moment to take a step back from the fiery tigress in front of him. He didn't want this to escalate into a real fight.
He also didn't have any more cards to play.
His cards were all out revealed on the table. Whereas her cards were still shrouded in mystery.
Taking his eyes away from her, Li Minghao acted as if nothing happened.
He took the boiling kettle and started to prepare tea serenely. He even prepared the table and put two teacups. One for him and one for her.
"Let's drink some tea first."
Looking at him with skeptical eyes, Chen Jingyun couldn't help but slowly take a seat.
After watching him turn quiet, she found the time to calm her anger and indignation. She didn't want to throw hands but search for answers.
One part of her was confused as to why he could be so undisturbed knowing she was a girl pretending to be a boy. She thought if there was a situation in which she was found out, calm was the least suitable word to describe it.
Another part of her was annoyed that she got caught only two weeks into her mission to stay hidden. She didn't think she was that lousy at sneaking around.
And, there was also a part of her wondered who else knew about her. This last thought made her the most worried.
Sure, she could deal with Fu Wang knowing about her secret. He was a friend, an annoying one, but he was a friend that didn't stop looking for her after her fall.
She could also deal with Li Minghao knowing. It was going to be difficult, but it wasn't impossible to buy his silence. He also didn't seem the type to break a compromise.
However... she could not go on like this. A third person couldn't know. Mouths ran faster than feet. If this kept going on, her life was going to be in jeopardy and she would once again prove that she was... a disappointment.
Taking the little cup into her hands, Chen Jingyun found its warmth comforting. Letting her shake the coldest and darkest of thoughts away. It made her feel better even though her situation was not the best.
"Can you tell me... just how did you find out?" Chen Jingyun asked, no longer trying to hide her original voice. It was much more light and natural. It was pleasant to the ears.
Li Minghao didn't flinch nor was surprised to hear that that feminine voice.
Deep inside, he always knew. No matter how hard he tried, or how many 'proofs' were given, It was too difficult to convince himself that the person who had been with them the last two weeks was a boy.
However, it was only until last night he was aware and willing to accept that truth.
"Last night you fell asleep on me. I was the one to carry you to your bed. What gave you away was your chest."
My chest...
Chen Jingyun held back from slapping herself. She had been too careless.
"Who else knows?"
Li Minghao arched an eyebrow and he leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. In his eyes, there was a meaningful glint.
"Better yet, What will you do now that I know?"
"That depends on what you decide to do with my secret."
Chen Jingyun gave a small smile.
Even though she didn't know Li Minghao's exact background, there was no way she would be intimidated by him. Not in this lifetime.
However, the same could be said by Li Minghao.
"What if I want you out?"
"I would prefer it if you let me stay."
Stay? She still wants to stay?
"What if I give you away to the authorities? You should know that what you are doing is quite illegal."
"It is fine." Chen Jingyun only shrugged.
With her situation and her backing, no one could get her on trials for false identity. She was similar to a witness on protection or an undercover agent.
What would harm her, was her being brought back on the radar for that organization to see.
She had to find a way to stay.
At least for a little longer so she could save her face...
To this response, Li Minghao only slightly furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why are you here?"
"Would you let me stay if I say it was for a good reason?"
"No." Li Minghao quickly dismissed it. He had no intentions of letting her stay.
It was already good enough he hadn't kicked her out forcefully.
"Is trying to stay alive not a good enough reason?" Chen Jingyun didn't give up.
"Trying to stay alive?" Li Minghao slowly repeated. "What do you mean by that?"
Chen Jingyun took a deep breath before revealing the truth.
"As you know, there is a new red envelope case... and the one targeted is me."