His Addiction - Chapter 42

“Chen Jing has never minded my relationship with you,” Liang Mushi said, his gaze cold. “Even that time I looked for you all night, she didn’t complain. She just asked if I had found you, saying it was dangerous for a girl to be out alone at night. She was worried about your safety.”

Xu Zhi stood there rigidly, finding his words absurd.

“I know you don’t like her. You’ve made it quite clear. That time in my car, she tried to be friendly, but you were cold and distant. She held your arm, and you practically shoved her away. Have you been holding a grudge against her?” He stared at her intently. “Or are you still mad at me for calling you a boring good girl, taking it out on her?”

Xu Zhi clenched her fists, her body trembling uncontrollably.

“I didn’t,” she said through gritted teeth. “Believe it or not, I didn’t push her away.”

Liang Mushi fell silent.

He saw the redness in Xu Zhi’s eyes, the paleness of her face. But all he could think about was Chen Jing, lying pale and lifeless in the hospital bed.

Xu Zhi said, “Liang Mushi, you’ve known me for over twenty years. Twenty years…”

Her throat tightened, as if clogged with cotton. She struggled to continue. “I thought you knew what kind of person I am.”

Liang Mushi remained silent.

Tears welled up in Xu Zhi’s eyes, but her gaze was still defiant. “Yes, I admit I don’t like Chen Jing. And I admit I didn’t grab her hand. Because she was holding my arm, I thought she wouldn’t let go. But she did. She let go herself and slid down. I didn’t push her!”

Liang Mushi suddenly laughed.

It was a mocking laugh.

Xu Zhi was taken aback. “What are you laughing about?”

She was explaining earnestly, desperately trying to prove her innocence. Was that so funny?

She felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“I’ve known you for over twenty years, and I always thought I knew you well. But lately…” Liang Mushi paused, his gaze deepening. “You’ve been doing things I can’t understand, things that Xu Zhi would never do. You went out drinking with a man and stayed out all night. You called Liang Jinmo ‘gege.’ You pick fights with me for no reason. I barely recognize you anymore.”

Xu Zhi tried to hold back, but tears streamed down her face.

Seeing her tears, Liang Mushi looked away. “Maybe I was wrong about you being a good girl. Whatever you’re unhappy about, take it out on me. Chen Jing is innocent.”

Xu Zhi couldn’t take it anymore.

Her vision blurred, and she couldn’t see his face clearly. Who was the one who had changed? Where was the boy who had always been there for her, comforting her whenever she was sad?

“Is it all my fault?” she said, tears streaming down her face, but she was laughing. “You know I don’t like Chen Jing, but you used me as a cover for your date, to deceive Uncle and Aunt Liang. You keep saying I’m your best friend, your little sister, but I feel like I’m just a tool! Did you ever consider my feelings when you used me?”

She was trembling with anger, her voice choked with sobs.

Liang Mushi stood there silently.

They were by the roadside, with people passing by.

Xu Zhi, usually so concerned about appearances, would never argue with someone in public. But she didn’t care anymore.

She was about to break down.

She wanted to ask him why he had joked about marrying her all these years. She wanted to tell him that she had taken those jokes seriously, that she had thought she would marry him, that she…

She had so much to say, but she was afraid.

Now that it was out in the open, even love became unbearable.

She was already humiliated enough.

Liang Mushi remained calm. He said, “I thought you wanted to come too. You said back in the summer that you wanted to come here when it opened. Was I wrong to bring you?”

Xu Zhi wiped her tears with the back of her hand and looked at Liang Mushi.

Unlike her emotional outburst, he seemed calm and composed.

It made her seem like the unreasonable one, the hysterical shrew.

She still had so much to say, but she didn’t want to argue anymore.

She closed her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. “No matter what I say, you won’t believe me, will you?”

After a long moment, Liang Mushi said, “I only believe what I see. I saw Chen Jing being friendly to you, but you were hostile towards her. I see your resentment towards me. You’re right. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you here.”

Xu Zhi wiped her tears with her sleeve. The rough fabric of her ski jacket scratched against her skin, making her eyes sting.

When she finally spoke, her voice was hoarse. “You didn’t give me a room key. Can I borrow yours? I need to get my things.”

Liang Mushi: “I’ll go back to the room with you. I need to get some things for Chen Jing.”

They walked back to the hotel in silence.

After swiping their cards and going upstairs, Xu Zhi went to her room, closed the door, and changed her clothes. She washed her face, packed her things, and came out. Liang Mushi was sitting in the living room, making a phone call to Chen Jing.

He only glanced at her briefly.

She didn’t say goodbye, simply pressing the elevator button and going downstairs alone.

Xu Zhi left the hotel and walked along the road towards the entrance of the resort.

It quickly grew dark.

The streetlights came on. It was cold, and there were few pedestrians. She walked alone along the roadside.

Besides the sound of her footsteps, there were also the sounds of her quiet sobs.

Tears streamed down her face.

Xu Zhi didn’t wipe them away. She walked on stubbornly, one step at a time.

A car approached, its headlights blinding her. She lowered her head. The car passed, then reversed and slowed down beside her, the window rolling down.

She glanced over, her vision blurry with tears, only vaguely seeing a man.

Liang Jinmo frowned. Xu Zhi’s face was streaked with tears, and she was still sobbing.

He opened the car door. “Get in.”

Hearing his voice, Xu Zhi felt a sudden surge of委屈. She opened her mouth, her voice hoarse. “Jinmo Gege…”

Liang Jinmo’s heart ached at the sound of her voice.

His tone softened. “It’s cold out here. Get in.”