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32: How Easily Can One Repay a Debt of Gratitude?
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Bab terkait
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 33: No Desire to See Him Again
Mentioning Oliver triggered Lillian to recall the scene from the bar last night. Where was he? Clearly, Serena had taken him home. Considering what might have transpired and his absence from Mrs. Qin's side until now, Lillian felt the situation was painfully clear.She was perturbed deep inside but couldn't display her frustration in front of Mrs. Qin. So, she softly fabricated a plausible excuse for Oliver, "He stayed up late last night and couldn't wake up on time."As she spoke, Lillian realized she was stating the truth – Oliver indeed had stayed up late, but what he did, no one else knew.Mrs. Qin immediately showed a look of exasperation, "At his age, still staying up late."Lillian just smiled, not wanting to continue the dialogue.Mrs. Qin sighed at Lillian's good temper, "Only you can put up with his ways.""Not really," Lillian said quietly.Desiring to change the subject, Lillian suggested they take Mrs. Qin out in her wheelchair for a stroll in the garden, and she agreed.
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 34: Did You Come Looking for Me?
Upon seeing the message, Lillian instinctively lifted her gaze to Oliver, meeting his deep, dark eyes. He was staring intently at her. After a brief eye contact, Lillian pursed her lips and turned her head away, ignoring him.Oliver: "…"The phone vibrated again, and upon checking, Lillian saw another message from him. "Come here."No, she didn't want to."After Grandma's surgery, you can do as you please, but for now, behave and work with me. Didn't you say we're in a transactional relationship?"Reading his words, Lillian snapped back to reality. Indeed, theirs was a transaction. This whole time, theirs was a willing deal. Why was she being so sentimental about it?Taking a deep breath, Lillian slowly walked over to him. Despite mentally preparing herself, each step towards Oliver felt incredibly heavy.By the time she finally reached his side, Oliver's expression was as dark as the bottom of a pot. He gazed at the girl in front of him, utterly speechless.Suddenly, Oliver reached o
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 35: Pretending to be in Love
Lillian denied it subconsciously. "No." Then she counter-questioned, "Who told you that?"At her words, Oliver narrowed his eyes, "If it's nothing, why does it matter who told me?""Oh," Lillian spoke nonchalantly, "I just want to know who has such strong rumor-spreading skills. Gu Yanxi? Ji Qingbei? That's right, Ji Qingbei did call me, saying you were drunk and asked me to come over. I didn't get a chance to refuse before he hung up."Oliver's brows furrowed as he watched her speak without emotion."I was going to have the butler pick you up, but it was late, and I didn’t want to wake him given his age. Considering Ji Qingbei and Gu Yanxi were there, I thought they would take care of you. So, even if you were drunk, you'd be fine.""So what happened?"Her story was seamless, apparently without issues."So, after I thought it through, I went to sleep."Lillian finished, fixing him with a stare, "So, who told you I went to look for you? Thank him for me, for setting up such a positive
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 36: Your Feelings Are Not Wrong
Mrs. Qin paused for a moment, then asked, "Surgery earlier?""Yes."After that, Mrs. Qin fell silent.Lillian watched and thought for a moment before speaking up, "Grandma, surgery might sound scary, but the process isn't as dreadful as it seems. You just have to take a nap, and when you wake up, you'll find yourself all better."Her tone was light and playful when she said this.Even Oliver couldn't help but glance at her. It had been a long time since she'd looked so spirited.Perhaps her mood infected Mrs. Qin, as the older woman chuckled, "You just know how to cheer me up.""Not at all, Grandma. I'm telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the doctor tomorrow.""Alright, alright, I know you're worried about me, but I'm not scared."When they left the convalescent home, it was already 8 p.m. Lillian had wanted to stay with her longer, but Mrs. Qin needed to rest, so they had no choice but to leave.The two, seeming inseparable, clung to each other until they were a d
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 37: Let's Call a Truce
She was right; the data she held did indeed show changes, indirectly proving that her instincts hadn't misled her.Lillian hummed in affirmation, then fell silent, neatly folding the papers and putting them away. Once she was done, something occurred to her, and she said to Oliver, "Actually, I think Grandma is afraid of the surgery. This afternoon, you shouldn't have told her about moving up the date."Oliver was taken aback at her words. "Is that so?""Yes."He looked over at her and saw the seriousness etched on her face, suddenly realizing that her words at the nursing home weren't just empty talk. She genuinely cared for his grandmother, not just for his sake. This revelation wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. She truly saw his grandmother as her own.With this thought, Oliver's lips curled slightly, "Alright, I understand. I'll reassure her later."Because they were discussing his grandmother, an unusual calmness settled between them. But once the topic of Grandma ended,
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 38: It Doesn't Matter At All
"Yes, a truce," Lillian nodded gently, "Can we go back to the way things were before?"The way things were before? Oliver felt his heart leap at her words, not even realizing his own stuttering response. "You mean..."Lillian glanced at him then lowered her gaze, speaking earnestly, "I've given it some thought on the way back. Grandma seems stable now, and those minor changes don't seem to pose a problem. But with the surgery only half a month away, we don't need to be fighting. It would only upset Grandma if she senses something is off."As Oliver digested her words, he felt he grasped her intent. "You mean...""Don't you understand yet? It's a critical time, so we need to cooperate. After this half a month, you can do as you please. No one, and nothing, will hold you back."Lillian thought she had made herself crystal clear. "You're a smart man, you should get what I'm saying."Oliver tugged at the corner of his lips; how could he not understand? Essentially, she didn't want to reco
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 39: Serena's True Colors
That day, Oliver breakfasted with a face so dark it could have eclipsed the morning sun. The servants, unable to see his expression from their angle, mistook the couple’s proximity for intimacy, assuming they had reconciled.Meanwhile, Lillian, with her annual leave to spare, avoided the company, choosing instead to visit Grandma Qin at the sanatorium daily. The old lady’s spirits had visibly soared, and Lillian herself felt a rare tranquility.Events seemed to be unfolding exactly as she had anticipated. The half-month interim was quickly dwindling, already three or four days in. Sometimes, in her quiet moments, Lillian found herself gently caressing her belly, her feelings evolving. Initially uncertain about the baby, she now felt a profound connection with the small life within her, a growing affection with each passing day. She even found herself confiding in her unborn child the words she couldn’t share with others.This secret communion only deepened Lillian's bond with her baby
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 40: No Fondness for Raising Someone Else's Child
Lillian needn't put herself in Serena's shoes to know the impossibility of acceptance. But Lillian was just that—Lillian, not Serena. And she could only view the unfolding events from her own perspective."Pity, I'm not as magnanimous nor do I possess such a spirit of self-sacrifice. The child is in my body; to birth or to abort lies within my liberty. Aside from myself, no one can decide the life or death of my child.""You...""If you wish for me to repay a favor, that's possible. Should you need help with anything else, command and I shall obey, but this matter is non-negotiable."Her baby was her kin. She herself couldn't bear the thought of termination, so how could she let an outsider dictate the fate of her child?"I command, and you'll obey?""Yes, as long as it's reasonable."Debts of gratitude must be repaid, but if Serena's demands were excessive, they were out of the question.Serena fell into thought. She had anticipated Lillian's refusal even before coming here. Who was
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Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 114: Just Hold Back for Now
The room fell silent at Su Qiao's unexpected suggestion. Everyone stopped to consider the possibility—Duan Ziye was a thug and literally a desperado, making him the perfect candidate for some dirty work.Lestari was shocked by Su Qiao's words and quickly tried to dissuade Duan Ziye from considering it. However, Duan Ziye was resolute in his conviction, indicating that he had never done anything significant for Lestari in the past but had sworn never to let anyone hurt her. If anyone dared, they would have to answer to him.Lestari's friends did not want her to speak well of Kartika anymore, asking Lestari what she had done to deserve Kartika's visit or any concern. The consensus was that since Kartika had not shown up for Lestari nor shown any remorse, she did not deserve any kindness in return.Lestari lowered her eyes in sadness, "I was just..."However, the others wouldn't let her finish. They knew of her kind nature, but they were not willing to be as forgiving if they were treate
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 113: Willing to Do Anything for Her
Su Qiao immediately stood up, ready to take action. "Is he still downstairs? I'll go send him away. What a toad lusting after a swan."Just as she was about to leave, Lestari stopped her. "Wait a second.""Let him come up," Lestari said quietly with an unexpected smile.The surprise in the room was palpable, voices raised in unison, "Lestari!?""Do you forget how he treated you before? Duan Ziye is a thug. If you let him come up, aren't you...""Su Qiao," Lestari's voice was gentle, "No matter how he treated me in the past, the fact that he found out I'm hurt and came to the hospital means he cares. Shouldn't I be touched by that? How can I send him away?"Others in the room were not convinced. "Lestari, he's not concerned about you; he's interested in you in that way. If you entertain him, he'll think he has a chance.""I know you're kind-hearted and think his visit is sincere, but if he had no ulterior motive, why would he come?""Don't be too soft-hearted. If he tries to do anythin
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 112: The Kiss Was Not Passionate Enough
Only Mrs. Qin was allowed to go inside for the check-up, while everyone else had to wait outside the examination room. Farhan, leaning against the window, absentmindedly touched his pocket and remembered it had been a long time since he last smoked. Though he had hardly been a heavy smoker, he’d completely quit just over a year ago, shortly after he and Kartika slept together by accident. Since then, he’d become almost addicted to her scent and the touch of her skin, and he began to kiss her every chance he got, at various times and places.After enduring a particularly grueling several-hour-long meeting that had left Farhan in a foul mood, he returned to his office looking to smoke for some relief. He had just lit a cigarette when Kartika walked in with some documents and, upon seeing him smoke, asked with concern, "Why are you smoking now? Are you feeling upset?"He didn’t respond, only staring at her with brooding dark eyes. At that time, Kartika and Farhan were on good terms, and
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 111: Can Also Get Hurt
Compared to Farhan's emotional upheaval, Kartika remained much more composed. "Just drive, we shouldn't delay Grandma's check-up."Without any outsiders around, Kartika didn’t feel the need to act, and her tone and expressions were genuine, no longer the performed warmth she'd held before. After asking him to drive, she noticed Farhan making no move to start the car, her brow slightly furrowing in impatience. She hadn't intended to confront Farhan so directly, but his words had been too aggravating, prompting her to snap...She scolded herself for losing composure especially when Grandma's check-up results were still unknown. Taking a deep breath to regain her calm, she was about to speak to Farhan when the car suddenly surged forward at high speed. Startled, Kartika turned towards Farhan and saw him driving furiously, his dark mood filling the car.Unexpectedly, Kartika felt a wave of immense grievance wash over her, and her nose tingled with the sensation of oncoming tears. Why, whe
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 110: Of Course We Give Her the Best
Mrs. Qin's embrace carried a refreshing scent of lemon, creating a relaxing atmosphere that made Kartika reciprocate the hug with warmth. Female elders always held a special place in Kartika's heart.Mrs. Qin noticed Kartika's affection and playfully tapped her nose. "Are you missing your mom?"Kartika was momentarily stunned by the reference to "mom" but then nodded in acknowledgment after regaining her composure. "Yes, I have missed you all.""Ah, sweet girl, we've missed you too," Mrs. Qin said, then pinched Kartika’s cheek, marveling at her soft skin. She grasped it a few more times before turning to Mr. Qin, "Did you bring the gifts for Kartika that we talked about?"Mr. Qin rummaged through his pocket and pulled out two small boxes. "I did."Mrs. Qin took the boxes and handed them over to Kartika. "Here, these are gifts from us on this trip."Kartika had always received gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Qin, even before marrying Farhan, and they had always been quite valuable. Mrs. Qin wo
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 109: Can You Bear to See Her with Someone Else?
After Kartika fell asleep, her breathing gradually became even and deep. Farhan moved to the other side of the bed, where she lay turned away from him, and discovered she was indeed sound asleep—not just asleep, but in a peaceful, deep slumber.Touching the cheek that Kartika had slapped earlier, Farhan's expression was somewhere between reality and doubt—was it not for a faint soreness, he would have thought the previous uproar was a mere illusion. After all, who falls asleep in one moment, deeply and without care, straight after being furious?Kartika's recent changes were so significant that Farhan felt he barely knew her. His heart was unsettled, his emotions with no outlet, yet as he watched her serene sleep, he found himself rendered speechless. When he finally left the bedside, he did so with an almost lighter step.Settling on the sofa outside, Farhan couldn't deny the wakefulness of his mind despite the late hour; Ji Qingbei's parting words at the bar repeated themselves in h
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 108: I Don't Really Like You
With these thoughts, Kartika let out a mocking laugh, her eyes looking at him with a cold intensity. "If you have needs, go to Lestari."Farhan's eyes darkened with a shadow of anger as he bit down hard. "I want you, no one else."Despite Kartika slapping him and telling him to leave, Farhan’s grip on her wrist tightened as he raised his voice in frustration. "Angry? Weren't you playing the role of the dutiful wife quite well these past days? Why stop acting now?"Furiously struggling against his grasp, Kartika no longer had any desire to reason with Farhan, her sole focus was to free herself.As he watched Kartika's vehement resistance, Farhan felt both irritated and pity. Recalling the recent conversations with Ji Qingbei and Mrs. Qin, he gripped her wrist tighter. "These were your own words before, so why are you angry now? Shen Nuonuo, what are you angry about?"He was trying to confirm something with his intense gaze. "Are you upset because I said you’re just a physiological need
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 107: It's Been a Long Time Since I Kissed Her
Gu Yanxi stormed off in a huff, leaving only Farhan and Ji Qingbei at the bar. Ji Qingbei glanced at Farhan, who seemed lost in thought, and thus refrained from initiating further conversation.After a short silence, Farhan asked in a low voice, "What did you mean by what you said just now?"Ji Qingbei's lips curved up slightly, "Don't you already know the answer?"Farhan looked up, his gaze heavy and dark, seeking clarification."What answer?""Farhan, do you remember the last time we were here I asked you if, after all these years, you still hadn't figured out what you really want?"Farhan paused, recalling that Ji Qingbei had indeed inquired the same. The question felt familiar from earlier in the evening with his grandmother. However, when Ji Qingbei had asked previously, Farhan didn't give it much thought and disregarded the remark.Observing Farhan's silence, Ji Qingbei sighed softly, "You've watched her grow up, you've seen her through every mood and phase, and you know her ins
Bump and Run: The Ex's Pursuit 106: You're Not Enchanted by Her, Are You?
The night was cool and calm as Gu Yanxi and Ji Qingbei made their way through the crowd towards the bar counter, following yet another call from Farhan in the dead of night.To their surprise, they expected to find a drunken Farhan but instead arrived to see him completely sober and immaculately dressed, sitting at the bar with a drink before him that had not been touched."What's going on? Didn't you call us here for a drink?" Gu Yanxi asked, puzzled.Approaching Farhan, Gu greeted him: "Farhan, what's up with you? Not a single sip yet?"Hearing the familiar voice, Farhan snapped back to reality, his eyes finding Gu Yanxi before turning questioningly towards Ji Qingbei as if to ask: Why did you bring him along?Ji Qingbei caught the look and quickly realized the situation. It seemed that Farhan had only summoned him, not Gu Yanxi, but by then it was too late to rectify the mistake. Both men, understanding the circumstance, chose not to comment any further.Gu Yanxi, ever the carefree
