Can't Take My Eyes Off You

C 190-191

The past was the past, what about now?

Chen Zhibin had confirmed it with the doctor. Even if his mother managed to gain consciousness and wake up, she could not take care of herself. Ultimately, she would need personal assistance round-the-clock.

He could always hire various caregivers and maids with the money, but where could he look for someone who would genuinely care for his mother?

Listening to Chen Zhibin, Lu Xingzhi gradually stopped talking. He could not find any other reason to persuade Chen Zhibin. The situation in the Lu family was vastly different from the Chen family.

Both his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lu, were in good health and had each other as company. He also had a sister who could visit them periodically as she lived in a city not far from his parents. They were free from any financial worries as both his parents were in a good place in their respective careers. Not to forget, the Lu family were also free from troubles as they enjoyed a special status in the city.

Therefore, Lu Xingzhi could not empathize with Chen Zhibin. He could, however, understand Chen Zhibin's thinking.

After a long silence, Chen Zhibin sobbed. "I am sorry, Sergeant."

Jiang Yao stood aside silently observing. In Chen Zhibin's teary apology, she sensed his reluctance to part with his platoon and his regret toward his Sergeant.

Lu Xingzhi stayed silent. He patted Chen Zhibin on the shoulder and said, "Take good care of your mother. Whatever choice you make, you will always be a soldier under my command and I will always be your Sergeant."

A brief pause later, he turned his gaze toward Jiang Yao and said, "I am going back to the platoon tomorrow. Jiang Yao is studying in Nanjiang City. Write down both our cellphone numbers and give us a call anytime you are having any troubles."

From his remarks, Lu Xingzhi assured Chen Zhibin that even if he left the platoon, he would always be Lu Xingzhi's soldier. Whatever happened in the future, he would always have Lu Xingzhi's support.

Before Chen Zhibin could respond, Lu Xingzhi called for Chen Xuyao and they left the hospital.

As the trio returned to the hotel, they saw the Qi still family lingering outside. Lu Xingzhi gave them the cold-shoulder and chaperoned Jiang Yao into the hotel room, slamming the door in their faces. He then dialed up Director Ye and requested for the former's assistance in dispersing the Qi family. To Lu Xingzhi, they resembled dogs who were standing guard outside his room.

"Sit down, my love." Lu Xingzhi's expression softened as he heard waning footsteps leaving their room. He poured Jiang Yao a cup of water and held her hand as he sat down next to her on the couch. "The Zhang family is gone but the Qi family is still here. Are you disappointed?"

Jiang Yao was not too sure what Lu Xingzhi's plans were, yet, she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that the Qi family would still be around.

She remembered Chen Xuyao saying that the Qi family was not an easy target, unlike the Zhang family. She was quite afraid that Lu Xingzhi would behave recklessly due to her rash actions.

"There is nothing to be disappointed about." Jiang Yao held on to her cup and smiled. She was not resentful as Qi Xiang did not harm her. Rather, she was merely tired of people like Zhang Xiqing and Qi Xiang.

Unlike an immature child who retaliated an eye for an eye, Jiang Yao was better than that.

If she hated Qi Xiang, she could seek revenge whenever she wanted. What was more, she was still looking for someone to experiment on with the various medicinal concoction formulae present in the complete herbology collection.

She mused at that thought.

There was a saying that went, "A lady's revenge is never too late." She could always try the medicinal concoctions on Qi Xiang one formula at a time.

Pondering these notions gave Jiang Yao a sudden rush of excitement.

Lu Xingzhi examined her face thoroughly. He did not see any unhappiness on her face. Rather, there was a strange look of expectancy that he could not follow.

He broke into a faint smile as he caressed her hair. Suddenly, he blurted out. "You know, you do not have to wear heels anymore when you go out, you are just the perfect height for me."

Jiang Yao did not expect that sudden change in the subject. Lu Xingzhi was just talking about the Qi family before he bent over and gently took off her heels. He held up her feet, wanting to see if they were alright after an entire day of wearing those new heels.

Jiang Yao came to her senses and glanced at him.

With her height of five-foot-six, she was considered rather tall among the ladies from the South. Yet, standing right next to a six-foot-one bloke, she looked like a timid little woman instead.

He was wrong, though. She did not wear her heels just to please him. Frankly, if it were not for that chance meeting, she had not in any way expected him to be in Nanjiang City. Such a self-absorbed man!

Lu Xingzhi was not a mind reader, but he somehow noticed Jiang Yao silently judging him.

"In the future, you have to let me know immediately whenever something happens. You are mine, do not ever forget that. Do not worry about offending anyone or getting into trouble, just do whatever you want to people that have upset you. Live your life how you want it, I will always be here giving you support!" Lu Xingzhi's tone became serious. "I cannot fight against everyone in the world, but I can fight off most of them. The ones that are left, I will deal with them one by one, until no one else is left standing."

He caressed her face fondly. "I am not afraid of getting into trouble for you. Even if you committed the most horrible crime on earth, I will always be here for you."

Hearing that, her brain turned into mush and her breathing slowed. The aggressive and overprotective guy standing in front of her seemed a little too foreign. She knew, however, this was nobody else but him.

"Remember, Jiang Yao, you do not have to endure anything silently in this world."

He allowed her to act to her heart's desire without any care. The day they had gotten together, Lu Xingzhi had vowed to protect Jiang Yao forever.

He was not the richest man on the planet, but he had enough money to spend.

He was not the strongest man on the planet, but he regularly improved himself.

That was why, even if she stabbed a big hole out of the sky, he would be there dealing with all the consequences. He just wanted her to be happy. He would rather the apple of his eye become the world's most immature person.

What Lu Xingzhi just said might sound like crazy talk to others, sounding like something he said just to make his beau happy.

Nonetheless, Jiang Yao knew that deep down, Lu Xingzhi meant everything he said. Those were words from the bottom of his heart. He wanted to pamper her like the little princess she was.

There was no doubt, Jiang Yao thought, if she wanted Qi Xiang dead, Lu Xingzhi would have it done no matter what. Consequences were meaningless as long as it was something of Jiang Yao's desire.

A man like him might be the most powerful man on earth, except, she would always be his weak point—his Achilles' heel.

Once he, the one and only Lu Xingzhi, had entered her life, he would never leave. His love toward her was unconventional and so different that he wanted her to be his spoilt little girl forever.