Mrs Fox Heinous Revenge: Can You Love A Villainess like Me?
Chapter 39: Cold Boundary

Chapter 39: Cold Boundary

AiLin stared at the beautifully cooked golden brown chicken lying right in front of her face. She gulped upon seeing it glistened along with the fragrant scent of jasmine rice that was so sweet that it could make anyone’s stomach rumble even if it was the demon lord himself. She wouldn’t go so far as to call herself a demon lord but this ginger chicken really does seem divine.

"Seems like you love the ginger chicken in front of your eyes," offered Li ZiChen.

Yes. Her food would have tasted even better without the taunting smile that Li ZiChen had across his lips.

He successfully dragged her into his house with her consent. Although at first she was wary, he didn’t actually push her inside his car with full force, only nudging with one index finger touched on her back and his words haunting a temptation to her ears. He also warned how there were so many cars that were held back and the traffic they had caused. So she only agreed because of the traffic. Not the ginger chicken which had been her favorite since her birth. But the traffic. She is after all a good citizen. If you don’t count her criminal record that is.

"I only came because of the traffic," AiLin answered as she slowly drew out her chopstick to take one of the ginger chicken. She hadn’t eaten anything ever since seeing Lu Ping this afternoon. She had been too busy being delighted seeing an old enemy in such a state that she didn’t realize she was missing her entire breakfast, lunch, and almost dinner if not for Li ZiChen.

Her stomach was about to let out a large grumble so she picked her chopstick and took a bite. The taste of ginger and sweet spicy sauce melt on her tongue. She felt her own eyes widening and her feet dancing underneath the table.

Li ZiChen watched as AiLin’s eyes were filled with stars that even the starry sky above felt defeated by its brilliant brightness. He could hear the sound of tapping from her feet as well as her two hands that were dancing slightly above the floor out of happiness for the taste of the ginger chicken. She then picked a large amount of rice into her mouth, shoving it at once and seemingly died for a moment out of satisfaction.

Li ZiChen chuckled and offered her a glass.

Upon seeing the glass offered to her, AiLin’s face suddenly appeared startled. She then took the glass and placed her chopsticks down briefly with a stern expression.

Seeing this, Li ZiChen cocked his head, "Taste bad?"

"No. It tastes good. It’s similar to what I often ate in a shop near my high school but that’s not what made me stop picking the chopsticks," AiLin sucked in her breaths and held it in her lungs. She looked again carefully at Li ZiChen and said in earnestness, "Li ZiChen."

"Zi Chen," he insisted.

"Fine. Zi Chen," AiLin looked into his eyes and she denied again the emotion that wrapped her heart. Steeling her words, she felt terrible she would have to do this but she simply couldn’t hold it back anymore. "I want our relationship no more than a transaction. You helping me and I help you in return, that’s all."

Li ZiChen wasn’t a fool that he didn’t notice what AiLin was implying.

Work. Business. That’s what she wants. No emotions. No love. No care. No concern. A cold and simple work relationship where they both achieve what they need from one another.

AiLin studied the emotions that passed by Li ZiChen’s face. He had been oddly too close, too kind, and that kindness made her feel uncomfortable. After all, all sort and form of love will always need a repayment in exchange. No matter what it is.

"What makes you drop this warning to me, AiLin?" He was still relax, his tone loose.

"I just thought you were a bit too kind to me. Feeding me, finding for me, those sort of things makes me feel a little foreign. I don’t like being on a receiving end you see. They’ll expect something from me so I want to make sure that you know I will not and cannot offer you things that I didn’t promise to give you in our contract. I don’t have the time for it."

"Time for it? You sound as if you are rushing," Li ZiChen commented. "Did I get too personal and you didn’t like that?"

AiLin nodded her head. "You must have a lot of business partners don’t you? Do you treat all of them this way? Or did you treat me differently because I can offer you more than those business partners that you have?"

Li ZiChen’s smile seemed to have faded. He didn’t look angry or upset. He was staring at her and studying her as she did on him. Shifting his position, he stood like the mighty business emperor, Li ZiChen. His hands clasped, his jaw locked, and his eyes seemed pushy.

"Indeed there is a lot that I need from you. But I don’t feel that I have treated you any differently. Maybe you’re the one who is reading too much to it, AiLin."

"I hope you’re not trying to gaslight me here," AiLin smiled with a faint chuckle. "So you bring home all your business partner home? Such a dangerous man you are."

Li ZiChen sighed, "You have to know that this isn’t my home. It’s just one of my houses. I never brought any business partner home before but I do want to make sure my precious employees are working in their best possible state. I can’t have my plans flopping on my laps like a dead bird can I?"

This is what AiLin needed to see. Not the sweet and overly friendly kind of attitude that Li ZiChen had been giving to her so freely. She didn’t want him to come to her with an expectation.

This heart is broken. It cannot love anymore. No one can change that not even him. She had to make sure that came across to his head.

"I see," AiLin nodded her head firmly, "I’m glad to know that this is merely a business exchange then. I don’t have to worry you expecting something I cannot return."

Cold words. Oh so cold.

Li ZiChen grasped his palms too tightly that he had blocked his own bloodstream and caused his entire hand to turn white. He wasn’t mad to AiLin but her actions and words really drive him insane.