Qiao Xi took a deep breath, the cold air slicing into her lungs.
There was an itch in her throat.
She turned her head and met his deep-set eyes, seeing the turbulent waves beneath the calm surface of a lake.
"I..."
"You don't have to decide right now."
The man rolled up his cuffs slowly and methodically, his movements graceful as he took off the Patek Philippe watch from his wrist and placed it on the center of the dashboard.
"You have half an hour. If you change your mind, I'll have Old Chen turn around and head home."
Qiao Xi glanced at him, then at the watch on the center of the dashboard.
The second hand moved.
The minute hand shifted slowly.
Qiao Xi's heart lifted.
She recalled that Du Juan once told her that Mr. Huo was a very proud man with a strong sense of self-esteem. He couldn't bear anything that seemed demeaning, so was this his way of trying to hold on?
Qiao Xi's back stiffened.
Her brow furrowed as if two little people were fighting in her head.
