22: Chapter 22 You don't actually like him, do you?

Wu Mengmeng clutched her face, looking at Zhao Kai in disbelief as her eyes quickly reddened.

The surrounding crowd let out low gasps and quickly gathered around, completely blocking the already crowded street.

“You... you dare hit me? Let's break up! I'm breaking up with you!” Wu Mengmeng's voice trembled with a sob as she suddenly hurled the two cups of milk tea she had just bought right at Zhao Kai's head!

Sticky milk tea and pearls splashed all over Zhao Kai, instantly staining his white polo shirt with large blotches, leaving him in a wretched state.

“What's wrong with hitting you? I've had enough of you for a long time!” Zhao Kai wiped the milk tea from his face. Looking at the pointing crowd and the phone cameras, he was both ashamed and furious. “Fine, we're breaking up. You said it, don't regret it!”

“Fine! Whoever regrets it is a loser!” Wu Mengmeng screamed through her tears. “Who do you think you are? Get lost! Get away from me!”

Zhao Kai glared at her fiercely, then looked at the mess on himself. He truly didn't have the face to stay any longer, so he pushed through the crowd while cursing and walked away without looking back.

Wu Mengmeng stood there, clutching her face, watching Zhao Kai's resolute departure. She suddenly felt a bit panicked.

She hadn't expected Zhao Kai to actually break up with her.

To be honest, Zhao Kai's circumstances were quite good; she just wanted to scare him a little so he would coax her.

She hadn't expected him to actually leave her behind and walk away.

In this unfamiliar place, watching the crowd pointing at her, she felt a wave of panic and hurriedly took out her phone, intending to call Zhao Kai to win him back.

“I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable.”

Wu Mengmeng didn't expect that Zhao Kai had actually blocked her number.

She quickly checked wechat, and he had blocked her there too.

Wu Mengmeng completely broke down.

She squatted on the ground and wailed loudly, not forgetting to curse: “You bastard! Zhao Kai, I hope you die a miserable death! And that slut too! You both deserve to die!”

The crowd buzzed with discussion; some shook their heads and sighed, while others held up their phones to record. It took a while before they gradually dispersed under the guidance of security guards.

Behind a snack stall not far away, Cao Kun and Ji Guangli had witnessed the entire farce from start to finish.

Cao Kun was dumbfounded. The slight frustration he felt from running into Wu Mengmeng had long been washed away by this brilliant drama, leaving only a sense of satisfaction and deep admiration for the woman beside him.

After the crowd dispersed, the two also quietly left to continue their trip to Cross Street, though their moods were now entirely different.

Walking out of the noisy central area and into a relatively quiet side road, Cao Kun finally couldn't help but ask curiously and excitedly, “Leader, what on earth did you say to that Zhao Kai? Why did he act like he'd swallowed gunpowder and just start swinging?”

Ji Guangli had a smile on her lips and her eyes curved; under the streetlights, she looked exceptionally vivid and bright.

She didn't hide anything and gave a rough recap of the conversation, including how she hinted at having feelings for Zhao Kai and how she successfully added him on wechat.

After hearing this, Cao Kun was both amused and touched.

He hadn't expected Ji Guangli to go to such lengths just to vent his frustrations for him, playing the role so convincingly.

Looking at the rare playfulness and pride Ji Guangli showed—as if she had shed all her armor to reveal a vibrant and spirited side—Cao Kun's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

He praised her sincerely, “Leader, you're really... amazing! I never knew you had such a... well, such a witty and mischievous side.”

He looked at Ji Guangli's profile, which appeared even more beautiful under the lights, and his affection for her grew like wild grass.

Hearing his praise, the smile on Ji Guangli's face deepened, but she also seemed a bit embarrassed. She gently turned her face away, her tone regaining some of its usual indifference, yet unable to hide a hint of lightheartedness.

“Stop flattering me. Let's go. We should head back after walking a bit more; we have to sign the contract tomorrow.”

“Yes, Leader!” Cao Kun replied with a smile, following by her side.

The cool night breeze seemed to carry a hint of sweetness. The lights of Cross Street gradually blurred behind them, while a certain sentiment quietly sprouted and spread between the two.

After walking a few steps, Cao Kun suddenly thought of something and quickly asked.

“But Leader, you don't actually like that guy, do you?”

Ji Guangli immediately showed a look of displeasure.

“What are you talking about? I was just playing with him to get back at him for you. Look, I've already blocked that man on wechat.”

At this, Cao Kun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The two lingered amidst the hustle and bustle and delicious food of Cross Street until after ten in the evening. Only then did they head toward the parking area, carrying bags of Flower Cakes with lingering interest.

Just as they left the lively area of Cross Street and entered a relatively quiet road, the sky suddenly darkened. Immediately after, large raindrops began to pelt down without warning.

The summer rain came fast and fierce, instantly splashing across the ground.

“It's raining! Run!” Cao Kun called out softly, quickly pulling the bags of pastries into his arms. His other hand instinctively reached out to grab Ji Guangli but then he felt it was inappropriate, so he simply urged her on.

Ji Guangli reacted as well, and the two quickened their pace, jogging through the increasingly dense curtain of rain.

The street was slippery and the light was dim. After running a few dozen meters, Ji Guangli tripped over some protrusion or pothole in the road. With a cry of “Aiya,” she lost her balance and fell forward.

“Watch out!” Cao Kun was quick to react. He dropped the bags in his arms and grabbed Ji Guangli's arm, but the momentum still caused her to fall to one knee, and the things in her hands scattered.

“Are you okay?” Cao Kun quickly squatted down and asked anxiously.

The rain quickly soaked both of their hair and clothes.

Ji Guangli frowned and tried to move her ankle; a burning pain shot through it, but she endured it. With Cao Kun's support, she stood up. “I'm fine, let's go quickly, the rain is getting heavier.”

She didn't want to cause a delay because of herself.

However, as soon as she took a step, the sharp pain in her ankle caused her body to tilt, and she stumbled, nearly falling again.

Cao Kun saw clearly and knew she must have sprained her ankle.

Seeing that the rain showed no sign of letting up and was instead turning into a downpour, he made a snap decision with an unquestionable tone: “Leader, don't force it! I'll carry you! Let's get to the car first, then go straight to the hospital!”

“No need, I can walk...” Ji Guangli still wanted to refuse.

“Forget about superior and subordinate at a time like this!” Cao Kun said firmly. He quickly gathered the scattered items into one bag, then moved in front of Ji Guangli and half-squatted. “Get on! If we stay out in the rain any longer, we'll really get sick!”

Looking at Cao Kun's rain-soaked back and determined attitude, and feeling the pain in her ankle and the pouring rain around her, Ji Guangli finally stopped insisting.

She leaned gently onto Cao Kun's back and wrapped her arms around his neck.

...