Li Minghao gave her a blank stare.
This little guy was actually... Chen Jingyun?
Looking at her up and down with a credulous stare, Li Minghao found it a bit hard to believe the girl in front of him was the girl he had been reading about this afternoon. He would have never guessed such a cute face was a former bully.
However, the more he looked at her, the more he found her resemblance to the long-haired girl in the picture. He had no choice but to quickly assimilate the idea.
Chen Jingyun was continuing her story.
"All I can tell you is that I am here not to harm nor to spy on you. I am just here to live a quiet and undercover life."
"If there's anything you want for your promise to keep silent of my secret, I am willing to give it to you. State your request."
Li Minghao didn't immediately answer.
He didn't need anything from her. He also wouldn't dare to jeopardize her life, especially since such an important case was going. He had to be insane first.
"Was this your idea or your grandfather's?"
Chen Jingyun raised her eyebrows with surprise. She didn't think Li Minghao would figure her identity that fast.
Just how much did he know about her? And why?
"This idea of course belongs to my Grandfather." She answered with an amused yet helpless smile. She didn't think any girl in her sane mind would put herself in such a situation willingly.
"How long do you plan on staying?"
Oh? Staying? He's not kicking me out?
Not letting her hopes show, Chen Jingyun calmly replied.
"Probably a year. Maybe less."
Leaning back on his seat, Li Minghao tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table as he thought. He remained still and expressionless. Taking his time.
With every beat that passed by, Chen Jingyun felt herself growing impatient. However, she did her best to hold herself back from urging him to speak up.
She couldn't afford to tip the scale against her, not when she was bargaining with the man who was cold towards girls and unreadable as a white letter on a white paper.
For a moment, this seemed like an impossible trial.
"You can stay." Li Minghao finally announced.
Breaking her frown, Chen Jingyun's face lighted up with hope.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Oh! You're the best Brother Li!" She threw her hands up reaching towards him to celebrate, but he quickly swatted her hands away.
"That's not everything."
Oh. Okay.
Chen Jingyun obediently pulled back and settled down, listening like a bunny in class. All ears up.
"This is not free."
"Of course." Chen Jingyun nodded understandingly. "What do you want in exchange?"
She was confident that anything he asked for, she could fulfill it. Nothing would be too difficult for her.
Nothing-
"Let me be your bodyguard."
Chen Jingyun's smile froze.
"What?"
"And, of course, maintain your distance. I don't want anything from yesterday's night happening again." Li Minghao casually stated.
Forget that!
Chen Jingyun waved her hand off at the last remark.
"You don't have to bodyguard me. I'm fine as long as you don't say anything."
Li Minghao only arched an eyebrow at her as if he was mocking her.
"Look at how fast you got found out."
Chen Jingyun turned red.
"...I was a little bit careless. It won't happen again. Besides, what are you going to do as a bodyguard?" She shot back.
How could he help her?
Li Minghao didn't explain. Instead, he went forward with his request.
"If you are not willing, I will just run my mouth off." Li Minghao shrugged as he stood up. "Take your pick."
Chen Jingyun only sighed.
Fine. Whatever this guy wants. She wasn't losing out either way.
"Sure. Anything else?"
"Just remember, no funny business towards me." Li Minghao heartlessly sharpened his knife without regard for her dignity.
"I don't want you to go trying to kiss me."
Chen Jingyun's eyebrows twitched. Whatever happened yesterday's night wasn't her!
Nonetheless, she still accepted.
"You don't have to worry about it." She tried to stab him back. "You are not even that handsome-"
But Li Minghao was quicker.
"I am not willing to marry you."
This time Chen Jingyun flared.
"I don't want to marry you either!"
┻━┻︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻
"Good." Li Minghao stated with a smile as he picked up the food Su Long and Luo Shao brought.
"Anyway, did you eat already?"
Who can have an appetite when they are looking at your face?
Chen Jingyun wanted to refuse him, she wanted to be annoyed at him, but the smell already lured her in and her anger was dying down.
Fine. She relented.
Next time she will be the one to have a card against him.
Just wait and see me collecting your dark history!