Amp observed the man before her. “Don’t tell me that you’re into guys… Or else, I just don’t get it. I would say that I’m pretty good-looking, and our social standings are pretty compatible too. Moreover, our parents are good friends. We are literally made for each other- why do you always reject me?”
Tawan sighed helplessly. To him, liking or disliking someone had nothing to do with these extrinsic factors.
Instead, he reckoned affection as something that was pure and unaffected by such external concerns. Even if the other party were a commoner, for example, that would not have a bearing on whether he would like a person or not.
But he had learned that wasting his breath explaining all of these on Amp was futile. Instead, he decided to drop a bombshell on her- albeit it was a lie. “Maybe I do like guys.”
Amp took a step back, eyes widening in horror. “W-Wait, what?”
Looking straight at her, he reiterated, “I like guys.”
Amp was completely struck dumb at Tawan’s statements. For a moment, it felt as if her whole world collapsed.
“S-So, the rumors are true? Y-You don’t have a girlfriend because… Because you’re… “ Amp could barely finish her sentence.
Tawan simply nodded and made a silent prayer that the conversation would end soon.
Another wave of silence followed as Amp processed the situation.
For the lady, the revelation was not exactly an impossible truth to swallow. After all, she had never seen a notable female presence around Tawan all this while. The man was literally a clean slate when it came to such things.
But her feelings prevented her from accepting his words wholesale.
“You know what? Who cares if you’re gay- I’m going to make you straight.” She stepped forward and circled her arms around his. “Regardless of your preferences, it doesn’t change that I like you, and always will.”
Tawan realized he grossly underestimated Amp’s level of persistence.
“Amp… “
The lady covered her ears immediately, predicting that the man was ready to reject her again. “Don’t say anything! I won’t listen. Just know that I’ve liked you for many years, and there’s no one else who can replace you in my heart.”
Tawan pinched his brows in frustration. This is turning him nuts, and he really had no idea how to handle Amp’s fawning adoration anymore.
At this point, Sally made an appearance to announce that breakfast was ready.
“Got it. Please go and inform Sorn and Ms. Zong too.” Sally noted his requests and left. Once she was far away, Tawan returned his attention to Amp for the final time, stating his honest sentiments coldly, “What you feel towards me will be your own issue. My only reply to you is that I don’t like you, and never will.”
With that, he took his leave, leaving behind a heartbroken Amp.
For a long time, she froze in her spot as Tawan’s cruel words resounded in her head.
His parting syllables really shattered her heart.
Along the riverside, Zong Yanxi was having a delightful art lesson with Sorn. The subject of the session was a goose.
It was not their first art lesson- they drew many plants the day before.
After sketching so many plants, Sorn mentioned that she liked things that could fly. Noting that in mind, Zong Yanxi decided that the goose would be a good option for the next lesson.
Sorn pouted midway through the session and lamented, “But this bird doesn’t look pretty at all.” To her, the dull-colored goose came nowhere close to the vibrant parrots she had seen.
Her comment earned a chuckle from Zong Yanxi. Tenderly pinching the girl’s nose, she asked, “Sorn, do you prefer inner beauty, or outer beauty?”
Sorn blinked her eyes in bewilderment, evidently not understanding the question.
“The geese are an example of inner beauty. While they don’t look very pretty, they have a very strong team spirit. They would leave no man behind, so you wouldn’t find a goose that’s traveling alone. Moreover, when a goose in the pack dies, the others would actually kill themselves or die of sadness.”
Sorn considered that as she stared back at her drawing. Finally, she concluded, “If that is so, then I like the goose.”
Her adorableness made Zong Yanxi laugh.
And when she laughed, the little girl also joined in.
Tawan enjoyed the harmonious sight a stone’s throw away.
Sorn soon noticed him, threw her pencil down, and leaped across.
“Daddy, Daddy!”
Tawan patted her head gently. “Go and wash your hands. It’s time to eat.”
Mealtimes were meant to be joyous, but Sorn still wasn’t really happy. She whined, “But I don’t want to see Ms. Amp.”
Tawan squatted to her level and asked, “Is she not nice to you? Why don’t you like her?”
“She always pesters you even though you don’t like her. Moreover, it’s annoying that she keeps coming to our house.”
Tawan carried Sorn into his arms. “These are all matters that we adults will settle between ourselves. Don’t worry about me- you can just focus on being a kid.”
Sorn threw him a puzzled look, “But I’m a kid already.”
“As in, you don’t have to fret over such adult matters, alright? Otherwise, Sorn won’t be a cute girl anymore.”
As an obedient kid, Sorn readily nodded and acknowledged his words.
They really do look like a father and daughter, Zong Yanxi thought as she observed the pair from behind.
“Will Ms. Amp be joining us for breakfast again?” asked Sorn.
Amp had been so consistent with her morning routine of visiting the household that even the young Sorn caught on.
Tawan gave a vague reply in the affirmative, but realized upon entering the house that the living room was already empty.
Sally headed over and informed them that Amp had already left. “She said she would be back the following day.”
The news elicited a sigh of relief from Tawan. He carried Sorn to the bathroom to wash her hands.
“I’ll bring you out to play tomorrow,” Tawan announced as he wiped her hands dry.
But after so many broken promises, Sorn had learnt how not to trust Tawan’s words.
“Why don’t you sound excited?” asked Tawan as the pair made it to the dining table.
Zong Yanxi intercepted the conversation as she walked over, “She’s just wary that you’ll go back on your word again.”
Tawan shrugged helplessly. His job was way too hectic- he did not mean to ditch plans so frequently.
Over at B City, a storm was brewing.
Jiang Mohan managed to meet Wang through Chief Wu.
He was in his wheelchair, and Nan Cheng was behind him.
“How did you get Ling Wei out of there? Chief Wu’s shadow loomed over Wang.
Wang was seated, handcuffed.
“W-When you told me to retrieve the information, I coincidentally met her while she was in the middle of a physical education lesson. She flirted with me, said that she was pregnant, and begged me to free her. I didn’t expect her to really run away, and I have no idea where she is. I’m telling the truth, please believe me.”
Wang spoke with remorse and fear.
That day, he was still fuming over how Chief Wu refused to help his relatives out. Knowing that Ling Wei was an important captive to the man, he decided to take some revenge.
Moreover, Ling Wei was indeed very good-looking and had her ways. One thing led to the other, and he committed a grave mistake.
“That woman literally jeopardized my future, there’s no way I’m protecting her. Please trust me.” He was shaking as he continued, “I was also duped by her.”
