Chapter 220 - Arbitration (2/2)
Doctor Lou nodded, ”Okay, I'll take it back if still want, but first, sit down.” Lei Xing frowned and remained standing before she could speak, Doctor Lou folded his arms and then said, ”If you don't sit, then I'm not taking it. Don't think that your little guard there can do anything to me or the tens of men outside. Not even your Emperor can force me. No one in this world - No, no one in the entire universe can force me to do something I don't want to do, so you best sit down.”
Lei Xing glared at his stubborn face and he glared back at her, he was not going to be moved. After a bit, she let out a breath and then begrudgingly sat down and frowned off to the side. She could be stubborn too, but she was not someone to be pointlessly stubborn.
This whole thing had clearly confirmed her initial suspicion that this old man was not ordinary. It would even be worse if he disappeared again and just decided to terrorize her remotely forever. Being stubborn here would get her nothing. Still, cooperating did not lessen the infuriation she felt for being fooled. And being at his mercy, was even more infuriating and demeaning. He had played with her and played with her intelligence and she wanted nothing more to do with him.
Doctor Lou observed Lei Xing's angry face for a bit and then sighed, ”I am not your enemy and will never be. I am on your side, always.”
Lei Xing scoffed.
{...My side?...Bullshit ( ≖_≖)...}
Doctor Lou narrowed his eyes at her, ”I mean it. Aren't you a lot happier these days?”
Lei Xing glared at him with a raised eyebrow, ”And you think that's thanks to you?”
”Not at all...But I am happy to have been part of the process.” Doctor Lou responded with a little smile.
Lei Xing rolled her eyes, completely unamused and then her eyes landed on Tung Mei and then she asked, ”And what's your role in this?”
”Nothing at all, I randomly got pulled into it in the middle.” Tung Mei immediately explained, shaking her hands to show her innocence. Lei Xing's eyes moved to Doctor Lou and he smiled and confirmed, ”It's true, her only interest these days is Yong. Tsk, tsk no good...” Doctor Lou finished shaking his head in disappointment.
Lei Xing turned back to Tung Mei, ”So you knew about who I really was from the beginning? So your whole story was a lie, wasn't it?” She could not dare deny it now, Doctor Lou pretty much just confirmed that he had been feeding Tung Mei information about her with that lawyer bit.
Tung Mei hesitated for a bit and then awkwardly explained, ”Not entirely...When I approached you at the lantern festival I did know who you were - really are...I did get to know you through him.” She said pointing at Doctor Lou, then she knit her brows and quickly added, ”But we had met before, briefly, when Ah Jin said.” She paused again and then timidly added, ”But the whole traveling together bit was a lie, I just wanted-” Tung Mei then pouted.
”You just wanted to get close to me. You had used me as an excuse to get close to the Lei family and so you needed to consolidate your story by showing we were close. So you approached me with some made-up story because you knew I wouldn't be able to confirm or deny anything.” Lei Xing flatly finished for her.
Tung Mei lowered her head and then sheepishly mumbled, ”I'm sorry...I shouldn't have.”
”Hey! Don't bully my baby!” Doctor Lou barked frowning at Lei Xing as he pat Tung Mei's head. Lei Xing glared at him and then he smiled and said, ”She's young and so she is allowed to be impulsive.”
Lei Xing rolled her eyes and sarcastically said, ”I'm glad we had this heart to heart...Now take off the bracelet.”
Doctor Lou stared at her and then said, ”Your mother-in-law is coming back...She should arrive by nightfall. She traveled all night to get back here...After hearing your happy news.”
Lei Xing immediately froze.
{...O_O) Tonight? Traveled all night?... I can't imagine she's eager to congratulate me...Ah, f**k! I knew this whole thing was not a great idea-...}
”It's too late to change your mind!” Doctor Lou immediately barked out. Lei Xing frowned at him and then he folded his arms, puffed out his chest and chuckled, ”But don't worry, I am here to ensure you have your happily ever after~ hehe~”
Lei Xing rolled her eyes, Doctor Lou frowned and added, ”Think about it. You now know the ring, precious as it is, has its limits. Without that bracelet, I would not have been able to help you during that flower poison incident. I was not even here then and you would not have been able to find me even if you tried. There's also the second incident, I was able to find you in time before anything bad happened to you. I even braved the dangers of you attacking me. I am obviously a friend, not foe...With this ring, I can always enlighten you and help you without you even lifting a finger, isn't it great?”
Lei Xing knit her brows as she considered things. It was true, the bracelet as annoying as it has been, it has proven itself incredibly helpful and useful when she needed it most. But still, to find out it was all just for a joke was still grating to her senses.
”It was not a joke.” Doctor Lou defended squinting at her, ”Just because it was fun does not mean it was a joke. One should find joy in the activities of living, otherwise, what is the point in living life?”
Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at Doctor Lou and then he sighed, ”Tch, always so difficult. Fine, since you can't just take things in stride. I once sad your life experience was good enough payment for the ring...Since you have failed to come to visit me to share, then consider this the method of repayment.” He said with a pout.
Lei Xing frowned and then asked, ”And the whole wedding ceremony thing?”
”All part of the life experience.” Doctor Lou responded with a smile and then his smile dimmed, ”As an old man, so many luxuries have been denied to me and so I enjoy living life through the lives of others. The universe is filled with so many stories, each with its own nuances. Each tale is unique. Some end sadly, others happy and some just exist...” Then he chuckled, ”I like the happy endings~”