Jingxia Rose

Chapter 221 [Irresistible Sweetness 020] The Promise

Shu Tang was taken aback, her mind subconsciously starting to analyze the meaning of his words.

Finally, from all the chaos, four words emerged: unrequited love.

It felt as if an invisible thorn had pricked her heart, a sensation that was both itchy and painful.

Her curiosity and doubts surged up, and she could no longer contain herself and asked, "Is Ji Xian your type?"

Xiao Guxing was startled and slammed on the brakes. His body leaned forward due to inertia, then quickly rebounded, leaning back in his chair. He turned his head to look at the car, his usually gentle and smiling eyes now showing a hint of seriousness.

Perhaps the light was too dim, or perhaps the sudden braking caught everyone off guard.

She lost control of her body, and just as her head was about to hit the dashboard, Xiao Guxing quickly grabbed her arm.

Shu Tang stared at her blankly, his eyes wide with surprise; his previous expression had vanished.

"Are you okay?"

"No..." Shu Tang watched him withdraw his hand and complained, "Why did you suddenly stop the car? It was scary, you know."

He was definitely acting irrationally.

He gripped the steering wheel with both hands, stepped on the gas, and the car slowly drove off. "Sorry, I startled you."

The atmosphere in the car was tense for about half a minute before Xiao Guxing turned to look at her again, "Are you feeling better?"

Shu Tang didn't speak.

Xiao Guxing rubbed his fingers together for a moment, then noticed an ice cream shop by the roadside. He parked the car, got out, bought one, and handed it to her.

Shu Tang glanced at the ice cream in his hand, held on for more than ten seconds, and seeing that he was neither impatient nor did he intend to take it back, she finally took it.

"I'm sorry," he said to her earnestly.

Shu Tang took a bite of the ice cream; it was her favorite orange flavor.

The weather has been quite warm these past few days, so it's not cold to eat ice cream. If he hadn't been away on a business trip a few days ago, she would have wanted to have some long ago.

"So, you reacted so strongly because I just mentioned 'Ji Xian'?" she asked.

How do you know her?

“I drank too much at the last dinner party. When you were chatting with Celine, I vaguely heard that name, but I didn’t hear the rest clearly.”

Xiao remained silent as he walked.

Shu Tang then pressed on, "Was she your first love?"

"No."

"No?" Shu Tang pondered for a moment, "Then it must be the white moonlight you loved but couldn't have?"

Xiao Guxing did not deny it.

Shu Tang felt as if her heart had been stabbed several times. She took a few minutes to process the feeling before finally saying, "If you like someone, then go for it. Don't leave any regrets."

Her words were undoubtedly pushing him away.

But she also understood that since he already had someone in his heart, there was no need for her to go through the trouble of squeezing herself in.

She is the little princess of the Shu family. She has good looks, a good family background, and a successful career. She is young and beautiful.

She has many suitors; she's no less attractive than anyone else.

There's no reason why people might like the word "like".

If Xiao Guxing truly cannot be with the person in her heart, and they do not love each other, she can be brave for herself, but she will not do anything that would lower her dignity.

She has her own pride, self-respect, and backbone.

Xiao Guxing glanced at her in surprise, then shook his head with a smile, "She has a boyfriend."

His doomed fate was probably sealed from the moment he hesitated about whether to confess his feelings back in college.

Some things, once they're too late, are simply too late.

You can't force it. He told himself this over and over again.

"Huh?" Shu Tang was stunned. "She...you..."

Last time he said he had only been in one relationship, but he just said it wasn't his first love.

So this is what they call unrequited love?
Ok?
Secret love?

Thinking of this, Shu Tang suddenly sat up straight.

In that case...

"You wouldn't hang yourself from that tree, would you?" she asked tentatively, her eyes darting around.

"I'm not that stubborn," Xiao Guxing replied with a faint smile.

That means it won't happen.

I will choose to let her go.

Shu Tang was very direct, "So what do you think of me?"

Xiao Guxing seemed surprised by her directness. He paused for a moment, then said, "You're very good..."

"There's no need to say anything more," Shu Tang interrupted directly, raising her hand. "I know you should have seen how I feel about you. There's nothing wrong with admitting it; I like you."

"I had a good impression of you from the first time we met on the plane, and after spending time together these past few days, it has turned into love."

“If you and Ji Xian are in love, or if there is a possibility that you can be together, I will not force you or confess my feelings. But since there is no possibility between you, I think I should fight for myself.”

"Since you think I'm so great, then look at me from a different perspective. Maybe... I'm even better than you think now?"

Xiao Guxing pursed his lips. To be honest, this was the first time he had ever met a girl who liked to be so direct.

For a moment, he was filled with a very complicated emotion.

He himself couldn't explain it clearly.

After a long pause, she said, "I have no plans to be in a relationship right now, you..."

"Is it because you haven't let go of her yet?" Shu Tang interrupted him directly.

Xiao Guxing remained silent.

“Then I can wait for you.” Shu Tang murmured, “But not for too long, okay? It’s perfect… while I’m waiting for you and you’re putting her aside, let’s spend more time together, get to know each other better, and nurture our relationship.”

"If you fall in love with me during this time, that would be best..."

As she spoke, her voice abruptly stopped, and she looked utterly defeated.

Xiao Guxing wanted to laugh, "What if you don't fall in love?"

Shu Tang pouted, then said matter-of-factly, "That's your problem! Not liking someone just means you haven't tried hard enough, understand?"

Xiao Guxing found her behavior incomprehensible and couldn't quite grasp her logic.

If he understands correctly, this situation should be considered as her pursuing him, right?

How did it become a matter of him having to work hard?

He thought for a moment and decided he needed to make things clear, otherwise it would seem like he was deliberately stringing her along. "Shu Tang, you don't need to waste your time on me. The reason I'm taking care of you like this is entirely because of your parents' request and my grandmother's instructions..."

Shu Tang probably found his words a bit harsh, and immediately asked, "Then do you reject me, do you hate me?"

"Since you don't reject or dislike it, why can't you try to accept it?"

“There are many people I don’t reject or dislike, but I don’t have to accept everyone.” Xiao Guxing pursed his lips and explained when he saw her face fall. “I just feel that my current emotional state is not suitable for dating. I’m saying I need time to let go, but that’s not fair to you.”

"That's why I said we should give each other enough space and time to get along well. We'll only know each other after we've spent time together." Shu Tang took a tissue and caught the melted ice cream.

Suddenly, I don't think this ice cream tastes so good anymore.

"How about this? Let's make a deal?" She gave them one last chance.

Updates will resume today! There should be two updates tomorrow. Sorry for keeping you all waiting, muah!