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CHAPTER 155

"Uhh, what other things?"

Dang!

Tang Zixin felt like facepalming himself at her words. Just what… Oh, Li Jing! Sometimes he wondered if she really was the one who got her degree.

On the other hand, he couldn't blame her. She had been naïve about these things for quite some time, no… all her life.

"Relax. I was just kidding."

"Oh, Tang Zixin sure knows how to make someone confused."

"Should I take that as a compliment or not a complaint?" He asked her because he could not tell which it was that she wanted him to look at it from nor the angle especially with the way her face was marred with a small frown.

"Umm both."

"Both?"

"Worry not. It is okay."

So as not to allow him to ask more questions, Li Jing quickly picked back her cutlery and began to eat her food a bit faster.

"Calm down before you choke on it." She followed his advice with a smile on her lips and ate calmly.

By the time they were done with the meal, he decided to throw open the question that had been disturbing him.

"Your necklace is beautiful," Ye Cheng complimented.

Li Jing stopped wiping her hands clean and looked at him. When she saw he had his eyes fixed on her neck, she reached for it with her right hand and began rubbing it. "Oh this, thanks."

Tang Zixin could see the change in expression when she touched the necklace and even her tone of voice dropped drastically.

"What is wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I just… Nah, forget it."

"Li Jing." He gave her the warning stare and she resumed her former position, relaxing into the chair, releasing a soft sigh.

"Where did you get it, if I may ask? It seems to hold memories."

"Umm, I… do not really know much about the origin of the necklace. Dad gave it to me when I was much older in high school. He said it was mine in the first place and he took it from me when Li Xiu was trying to snatch it away and kept it."

"Oh, your sister?'

"Yes. You see, according to father, I was adopted but Li Xiu and mother keep saying I am father's illegitimate daughter and he just adopted me to cover it up."

"What do you believe?" Tang Zixin was not concerned about what those two mongrels thought but what Li Jing thought.

"For a long time I believed them but after some time I chose to believe dad too. It did not matter though as it never changed how I was treated by my sister and mother."

"IU am sorry about that."

"No, do not be. I am way past it but then, dad also told me to keep it hidden, perhaps it was to prevent my sister from snatching it and I did."

"So why did your expression drop when I mentioned the necklace? Was it reminding you of your sister or father?"

She looked at her necklace once then returned her gaze to him. "Honestly, no. Back then after Li Xiu had once more done something bad, I felt so angry and frustrated and was scattering my things in anger when I saw the necklace fall out of a book. I had picked it back up and somehow looking into it, I felt calm."

To Tang Zixin, that was definitely an interesting discovery. "Ever since then, whenever I felt sad, I would hold the necklace and subsequently I began wearing it. I always felt at ease when I wore it and it gave me the courage to move on."

"Wow."

"So, I feel attached to it and although I do not know how I got it, it helped me a lot. That was why I felt sad because a part of me wishes my biological parents gave me that, maybe that is why I am attached."

"That could be true. It is really pretty and one of a kind." Tang Zixin complimented again.

"Thanks."

"You are a bit flushed. I think you should go pour some water on your face to help calm you down. You are emotional now."

"Yeah, I feel hot just talking about it. Strange though. I would excuse myself and go to the ladies. Please excuse me."

"No worries dear. Take your time."

"Thanks." She pushed her chair back and stood up, taking her phone with her.

As soon as Tang Zixin was sure she had left, he quickly called one of the waiters over.

"Yes sir? Oh the dishes, sorry. I would clear them right away," the young waiter quickly apologized and leaned down to tend to the used plates.

Before he could do his work, Tang Zixin stopped him. "Wait. There is something I need you to do for me."

"Okay, sir, what is the problem?"

"Come close." He beckoned on the boy and whispered into his ears his instruction.

"Okay, sir. Understood." Tang Zixin open his wallet and took a big amount of money and handed it over to the boy. "Thank you, sir."

Meanwhile, Li Jing who had gone to splash some water on her face was standing in front of one of the mirrors by one of the sinks, intently.

She was looking at her reflection in the mirror and her gaze dropped downwards to the necklace. After some time, a small smile appeared on her face and she rubbed the necklace slowly.

She did not know why she had told Tang Zixin about her family so easily, perhaps a part of her felt like she knew he had checked out her family background and herself and knew a bit of her problem.

Also, another part felt a certain weight lifted off her chest at the fact that she told him. He was a good listener and he understood her.

She heaved a sigh of relief before turning away and walking out the door.

Immediately she got back, she noticed all the dishes were cleared including her previous glass of water and replaced with some chocolate desserts and fruit juice.

Her eyes held astonishment in them as she looked at their table in awe.

"I see you are back! Come seat and dine."