Chapter 228 - Unwelcome Attention (1/2)

An Hao was actually checking to see if Lei Yong was still present. He immediately wanted to follow after Xiao Ting, but then he did not want it to be too obvious. So he waited for a bit and then followed after only to find Lei Yong ahead of him seemingly going in the same direction.

He had been avoiding Lei Yong quite a bit recently, and whenever Lei Yong saw him he always seemed to be glaring at him. Although that might have just been An Hao's imagination. But still, An Hao took precautions, he always came over when he knew Lei Yong had gone off to work and always made sure to leave the Lei manor before he returned.

Although, he was only going to be able to avoid an encounter Lei Yong for another day. After all, they will be working in the same defense department. What's more, he was likely to be assigned to the army camp with Lei Yong. But that was a problem for later, there was no need to go looking for trouble right now.

For now, An Hao had a simple mission and that was to give Xiao Ting her present. Lei Yong was for later. Therefore, An Hao quietly followed Lei Yong from a distance, hoping that he would change directions somewhere between the garden and the exit.

Now that Lei Yong was gone, An Hao quickly bounded for the group, where he was met with a silent welcome. He glanced from Lei Xing scrutinizing him to Xiao Ting pouting in his direction, obviously still upset with his cold reception earlier.

{...They really do alike -...}

An Hao shook those thoughts away and bowed to Lei Xing while covertly glaring at Bi Lo, who was observing him with a slight smirk on his face.

An Hao adjusted his expression and straightened up. He glanced at Xiao Ting and his hands tightened on the box and he quickly lowered his head as his face started to redden. There were too many nosy eyes here, they were in the way and were making him feel very awkward.

An Hao then glanced at Lei Xing, cleared his throat and hesitantly requested, ”Ahhh...Can I borrow her for a bit?... It'll be quick.” He finished lowering his head again.

Bi Lo snorted and Lei Xing glanced at him and he immediately straightened up and looked away, holding back his laughter. Lei Xing then noticed Xiao Ting looking at her with pleading puppy eyes. Lei Xing raised an amused eyebrow.

{...Um, am I supposed to be playing chaperone here or something? Why do these guys keeping asking me, why not just ask the girls themselves? Scared of being refused? Maybe hahahaa...}

”Sure...Go ahead.” Lei Xing awkwardly said.

Xiao Ting smiled at her and sweetly said, ”I'll be right back.” Then she turned to An Hao, narrowed her eyes at him and then walked off towards the inner courtyard on the side. An Hao hesitated for a moment before quickly following behind her.

Xiao Ting stopped, still in clear view of Lei Xing and the others, but far enough that they would have to strain their ears to hear a quiet conversation. An Hao stopped in front of her, glanced at the group who all had their eyes on them with keen interest and then awkwardly said, ”Xiao Ting...how about we move somewhere else?”

”No, there are guests around and if I'm seen wandering around with you. It could be a problem.” Xiao Ting flatly responded.

An Hao frowned.

{...Problem? Why would that be a problem?...}

”Why did you ignore me earlier?” Xiao Ting asked, cutting through An Hao's wandering thoughts as she pouted at the ground. She was not going to let it bother her and she did temporarily forget about it but seen him again reminded her.

She had thought that they had become good friends and he had come to her party, but then he ignored her? Naturally, she found it upsetting. Lei Xing had always pounded it into her head that it was better to be that direct and straightforward rather than to suffer in silence. And so she plucked up her courage and asked, despite feeling foolish.

An Hao blinked at her in confusion and asked, ”Ignore you? -” Then he quickly realized she was referring to their earlier encounter and jumped to clarify, ”I wasn't ignoring you, it was just your sister is -” He caught himself and closed his mouth, but he had said too much already

”What about my sister?” Xiao Ting asked with a frown.