Chapter 104: Xiaodong’s Confession

Chen Shi held his hand against the box Lin Dongxue had pushed back. “Why won’t you accept it?”

“I told you, it’s too expensive.”

“Are you afraid that if I give you something, I’ll expect something in return? Don’t worry, I don’t mean that. To be honest, Tao Yuanyuan was hospitalized for a long time, but she’s better now, and I don’t need the money as much. I saw this and thought it looked nice, so I bought it.”

“Didn’t you once say friendship is about mutual benefit?”

“Then you can give me a gift next time. My birthday is on October… no, March 18th.”

“Who forgets their own birthday?” Lin Dongxue laughed, accepting the box. “I’ll take it with thanks.”

“You’ll look great wearing it.”

Lin Dongxue thought, is he starting to pursue me? After that kiss last time, she had thought a lot. Being with Chen Shi was easy and enjoyable. He had a mature charm and took good care of people. If he was really interested in her, she wouldn’t mind giving him a chance.

But she glanced at Chen Shi. You jerk, could you be a bit clearer?

Xu Xiaodong walked in, saying, “You scared me. He went to the bathroom… Dongxue, why is your face so red?”

“Oh, the air conditioning is too warm here.”

“Brother Chen, I’m still playing that game from last time…” Xu Xiaodong didn’t notice anything, sitting down and chattering away.

Hours passed. Couples walked by outside the window, and Wang Shilun stomped his feet in the cold wind. It was already nine o’clock. Chen Shi said, “It’s too late, I should go home.”

“Could he have been stood up?” Xu Xiaodong asked.

“Let’s go check.”

Outside, Wang Shilun said, “Officers, I called her at seven and she said she was on her way, but she hasn’t shown up.”

“Did she stand you up?” Xu Xiaodong asked.

“No way, we’ve met before. She seemed to like me.”

“Don’t kid yourself. If she didn’t have other intentions, why would she meet you?” Lin Dongxue said.

“Did you call her again?” Chen Shi asked.

“I did, but she didn’t answer… Oh, at seven, I heard a knocking sound on the phone, very urgent. I thought she said she was on her way, but maybe she never left.”

“Call her again!” Chen Shi’s tone turned serious.

Wang Shilun dialed Kong Tingting’s number. The phone kept ringing. “See, no one’s answering.”

“Could something have happened?” Xu Xiaodong asked.

“Maybe she’s in a car and didn’t hear it?” Lin Dongxue suggested.

“We don’t know her address. I need to go home.” Chen Shi said.

“Let’s wrap up!” Xu Xiaodong went to tell everyone to wrap up. Chen Shi pulled Lin Dongxue aside. “Sorry, I planned to take you to a movie, but it looks like that’s not happening. With the traffic, I’ll probably get home by eleven.”

“It’s fine. Didn’t you give me a necklace?”

“One more favor.” Chen Shi took out a gold-plated pen. “This is for Captain Peng. We’ve troubled him a lot lately. Just say it’s from you.”

“Why don’t you give it to him yourself?”

“Please?”

Lin Dongxue sighed, “Why does it have to be on Christmas Eve? Are you a cartoon character?”

“There’s a sale going on!”

“Fine… But won’t he think it’s weird if I just give it to him out of the blue?”

“He won’t. He’s not the type to overthink it.”

“And you are?” Lin Dongxue smiled, taking the pen.

After Chen Shi left, the police started wrapping up. Peng Sijue was also there, drinking coffee alone in a café. Lin Dongxue informed him about wrapping up and completed Chen Shi’s little task.

Receiving the gold pen, Peng Sijue didn’t seem overly surprised. “Do me a favor, I have something for Chen Shi.”

Lin Dongxue laughed, “You two grown men are so sentimental.”

“So, this pen is from him?” Peng Sijue calmly exposed the truth.

Realizing her mistake, Lin Dongxue covered her mouth. “Captain Peng, it’s a token of appreciation. Just accept it.”

“Feeling guilty!”

“Did something happen between you two?”

“None of your business… Thanks.”

Lin Dongxue left the café, puzzled, and bumped into Xu Xiaodong. “I’ll take you home,” he offered.

“I’ll take a cab.”

“You won’t get a cab tonight. Let me drive you.”

Lin Dongxue had no choice but to agree.

Christmas Eve was lively but the traffic was terrible. It took nearly an hour for Xu Xiaodong to get Lin Dongxue to her place. She thanked him and was about to get out when Xu Xiaodong said, “Wait, I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

Xu Xiaodong took a box from the back seat and opened it, revealing fresh roses with dewdrops on the petals.

Lin Dongxue was surprised. What’s with today? Everyone has “ulterior motives.” Oh, right, it’s Christmas Eve, a holiday with many functions despite not being an official one.

“What is this?”

“Dongxue, I want to confess my feelings to you.”

“Confess?” Lin Dongxue was shocked.

“Don’t be nervous. We’ve known each other for a while.”

“I just don’t want to be the bad guy.”

“It’s okay. Actually, I know you like Brother Chen. When you’re with him, your expression changes.”

“Re-really?” Lin Dongxue touched her warm cheeks.

“I’ve had a crush on you for a long time, but I know you don’t like me. Gradually, I lost motivation. But the whole office knows I like you, so it’s a bit awkward. So, just formally reject me, and I’ll give up.”

“No, who said I don’t like you?”

Now it was Xu Xiaodong’s turn to be shocked. He stammered, “Do-Dongxue, are you a tsundere?”

“No, I’m saying I like you as a friend, not as a romantic partner. Friends like each other, that’s normal.” Lin Dongxue felt like she was talking like Chen Shi, splitting hairs.

“So, is there any chance this ‘like’ could develop into ‘love’?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Okay.” Xu Xiaodong smiled bitterly. “Let’s get it over with.”

“Go ahead.”

Xu Xiaodong held the flowers. “Lin Dongxue, I like you. Will you go out with me?”

“Sorry, I can’t.”

“Alright…” Xu Xiaodong felt a pang of sadness despite expecting this outcome. “We’ll still be friends?”

“Of course!”

“Keep the flowers. I don’t have a place for them. If my mom finds them, she’ll ask questions.”

“No, I can’t accept them.”

“Should I throw them away?”

“Do whatever you want… Actually, I think Xiao Li likes you. She buys you food, water, and often goes on missions with you. You should pay more attention to her.”

“I… I hadn’t noticed.” Xu Xiaodong smiled awkwardly. “When did you start liking Brother Chen?”

Lin Dongxue immediately got nervous. “Who said I like him?”