The alley wasn’t deep. On the left was a factory, on the right a library—not residential courtyards. Shielded by high walls, this narrow path was usually deserted.
Bai Xiaotong hurried through the alley, but even after reaching the street behind, she hadn’t seen Lu Ling.
She had clearly watched him enter—how could she have lost him?
Frustration welled up in Bai Xiaotong’s heart. Pouting, she muttered a few complaints to herself. Just as she turned to leave, the elusive man reappeared at the bend in the middle of the alley.
Bai Xiaotong froze in place.
“Looking for me?”
Lu Ling leaned against the blue-brick wall, tilting his head to lazily observe her.
The gloomy alley cast a melancholic aura over him, and his world-weary gaze looked utterly captivating.
The pent-up irritation in Bai Xiaotong’s heart vanished instantly. Unconsciously, the corners of her lips lifted, but then she complained, “Where were you hiding just now? I didn’t see you anywhere along the way.”
Lu Ling remained silent, watching her approach.
Bai Xiaotong’s cherry-blossom-like lips were slightly pursed. She stopped a step away from him and asked in confusion, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
If he were merely admiring her beauty, she wouldn’t mind, but his gaze held doubt and scrutiny.
Lu Ling chuckled softly, shifting his gaze to the moss growing in the cracks of the brick wall opposite. His voice was cool and detached. “Speak. What do you want?”
Was he genuinely unaware or just pretending?
Bai Xiaotong’s good mood evaporated instantly, replaced by embarrassment and anger.
For a woman to bring up such matters was truly humiliating.
If he wanted to take responsibility and valued their relationship, he should have taken the initiative to clarify things with her, not adopted this indifferent attitude.
Yes, you’re handsome, but I’m the factory belle too!
If not for last night’s incident, Bai Xiaotong would have been even prouder than him.
But now…
Remembering that she had been the one to administer the drug last night and that he had been forced into the situation, Bai Xiaotong swallowed her anger as much as possible, deciding not to stoop to his level.
Staring at her toes, she whispered, “What else could it be? It’s about last night—the thing between us. What are you thinking? Give me a clear answer!”
She wanted a resolution now—either yes or no. That way, she could prepare accordingly and make other plans if needed.
A clear answer?
Lu Ling tilted his head, observing her lowered brows and delicate nose. “What kind of clear answer do you want?”
Bai Xiaotong shot him a quick glance. “What else could it be? Will you marry me or not?”
Lu Ling: “You want to marry me?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“You’re sure?”
Ugh, I’ve humbled myself to come find you personally—how could I not be sure?
After all this talk, you think I’m joking?
Bai Xiaotong frowned. “I’m not a three-year-old child.”
Lu Ling chuckled softly.
In his eyes, she was exactly that—a clueless three-year-old.
Bai Xiaotong grew more frustrated, her annoyance intensifying. She glared at him discontentedly. “What are you laughing at?”
She had cast aside her pride and dignity, mustering the courage to seek an answer, and he was laughing?
Lu Ling’s voice was low. “Laughing at you.”
Bai Xiaotong was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly. Without pursuing the topic further, she stepped forward, ready to leave.
She had her answer.
Seeing the self-mockery in her eyes, Lu Ling’s expression turned more serious. “Don’t you know what my family situation is like?”
Bai Xiaotong scoffed twice, unwilling to engage.
Everyone in the factory district knew—his background was less than favorable.
In the old society, the Lu family had been major capitalists for generations.
But times had changed, and their former glory had turned into destitution in an instant.
Due to various circumstances, the family’s fate had been fraught with hardship, and nothing seemed to go their way.
Lu Ling’s parents divorced when he was just three years old.
His father was still in a rural farm, while his mother had remarried after the divorce and no longer kept in touch with this side of the family.
Currently, Lu Ling lived with his uncle’s family and his mentally unstable grandmother. In the compound, they were unwelcome and looked down upon by everyone.
In these times, anyone with a poor background was avoided even by relatives and friends. If people around them found out that Bai Xiaotong was actively seeking to marry into the Lu family, they would surely be shocked.
What kind of madness was this?
But others were others, not Bai Xiaotong.
Leaving aside the fact that Bai Xiaotong knew society would open up in a couple of years and the old system would gradually fade away, even before, she never had the mindset to judge people based on their background.
People avoided Lu Ling because of his surname.
Bai Xiaotong wasn’t close to him simply because they had never interacted and had no connection.
But now, none of that mattered. Bai Xiaotong continued forward.
Seeing her resolute back, Lu Ling spoke again, “Even someone like me, do you still want to marry?”
Bai Xiaotong stopped and decided to give him one more chance. She turned around and said, “After what happened between us last night, do you think I have a choice?”
Bai Xiaotong actually wanted to tell him she was pregnant—how could she not marry? But she had her pride. Coming to him for an answer was already her limit; there was no need to pressure him with the child.
If he was willing to marry, she would be happy, and all would be well.
If he wasn’t, then so be it.
She was Bai Xiaotong, kind-hearted and beautiful. Even without her innocence and carrying another man’s child, she was confident she could find a good man—one who wouldn’t look down on her or treat her poorly because of this.
So that’s how it was!
A flicker of disappointment passed through Lu Ling’s eyes before he smiled and said, “If you’re only marrying because of last night, there’s no need. Marriage is a lifelong commitment; it shouldn’t be taken lightly. As for last night, I can find a way to compensate you.”
Although he had been dragged into it, he hadn’t held out in the end and had ended up in bed with her, so he bore some responsibility too.
Compensation?
Bai Xiaotong let out a cold laugh and turned to face him. “Lu Ling, you just don’t want to marry, right? I, Bai Xiaotong, understand. Forget about compensation—it was a mutual affair. You’re good-looking and in great shape; I didn’t lose out.
If anything, I should be the one compensating you. After all, I drugged your teacup last night, or else you wouldn’t have been so easily seduced by me.
Of course, you weren’t my original target. I was just too foolish and got tricked, dragging you into it.
In short, what happened last night was my own fault; I can’t blame anyone else.
As for you, if you feel you were wronged, you can tell me and come find me anytime.”
With that, Bai Xiaotong left without looking back.
Huh?
Suddenly changing her attitude and standing her ground.
Lu Ling straightened up, shedding his previously lazy and casual demeanor. His gaze followed her, his expression inscrutable.
Outside, Bai Xiaotong quickly left the alley. Once she was sure Lu Ling couldn’t see her, she vented her frustration on a tree trunk, kicking it twice before feeling a little better.
How embarrassing!
Eagerly seeking marriage, only to be rejected.
Bai Xiaotong had been far too confident in her own looks.
She had thought that even without an emotional foundation, her stunning beauty would be irresistible to any man.
Who could have imagined that Lu Ling wasn’t a normal man—he had something wrong with his head!
Bai Xiaotong walked home, fuming with anger, and the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
That morning in the warehouse, she had already brought up the matter of marriage, and Lu Ling hadn’t agreed then, which had already made his stance clear.
Why did she still need a definite answer from him? She had only ended up losing face for nothing.
She shouldn’t have come to find him at all!