Chapter 149: Do You Really Like Me? (1)

Especially when she thought of Ouya, who was right beside him, completely forgetting her existence and thinking only of Qiao Xi, it filled her with even greater resentment.

No, Qiao Xi must not be allowed to stay at Yingran.

Yet, if her cousin found out, he would certainly be displeased.

No, what right does Qiao Xi have to compare with me? There is only one female cousin, but women are a dime a dozen. Cousin would never be angry with me over a Qiao Xi.

With this thought, Xu Jiayi's gaze grew a shade colder.

When school let out in the afternoon, Qiao Xi had just stepped out of the school gates when she received a call from Qiuqiu.

"Qiao Xi, how are things over there?"

"I'm doing well."

"Really? You're not lying to me?"

"Really."

"That's good. You have no idea, I worried the whole day, and I even got picked on by that stinking Ernan, it makes me so furious!"

"Do you think I'm someone who would let herself be bullied?" Qiao Xi asked.

"That's not what I mean, it's just... you know how you are, when people say things to you, you never talk back. I just feel it's so unfair for you! If we were at Fengyang, who would dare say a single harsh word to you!"

"I'm really fine. You just stay put at Fengyang."

"I know, I know. Oh right, in a little while we're going to go see Gu... Young Master."

"I know. We'll talk another day."

"Then I'll text you later?"

"Mm."

Qiao Xi gave a soft acknowledgment. Even after the call was disconnected, she remained still, recalling his words from that day: *I don't want to wait anymore. Xiao Xi, stay.*

It had been so profound, so earnest, yet in the end, she had not stayed.

"Miss Qiao."

The sudden voice pulled her back to her senses, and she realized that Yu Fan's driver was standing before her at some point.

"Miss Qiao, Young Master Yu has instructed me to take you home. Please." The driver was very polite and courteous.

"Tell him I don't need it," Qiao Xi said, and walked away directly.

The driver did not chase after her, but instead walked back, bent down, and repeated Qiao Xi's words to Yu Fan inside the car.

It was the expected answer; Yu Fan merely curled the corners of his lips slightly.

Qiao Xi hadn't gone far when she heard the sound of a car engine. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of that vehicle—it was Yu Fan's car.

She did not stop, and the car did not stop either, following closely behind her the entire way.

She completely ignored him. If he wanted to waste his time, that was his own affair.

Not far from her grandmother's house, she saw her grandmother standing by the entrance chatting with someone in the distance.

She did not want her grandmother to find out, even though it wasn't really a troublesome matter.

With no other choice, she stopped in her tracks, and the car that had been slowly trailing her stopped as well.

Immediately, the car door opened, and she watched as Yu Fan stepped out and walked right up to her.

"Aren't you going home?" he asked.

"Just how long do you intend to follow me?" Qiao Xi showed no impatience, her tone entirely aloof.

"Taking you home, it's as simple as that," Yu Fan said.

"I said I don't need it."

"You seem to have forgotten, I am pursuing you."

"To me, this is harassment," Qiao Xi stated bluntly.

"Once you accept it, it will be different," Yu Fan replied.

"Is this interesting?" Qiao Xi stared at him.

"I said before, whoever Yu Fan sets his eyes on cannot escape." Yu Fan leaned in closer, his voice low yet domineering.

Qiao Xi stepped back, maintaining a distance between them.

"Rest assured, for now I won't resort to force," Yu Fan said.

In other words, he might in the future.

Qiao Xi thought to herself, her expression remaining unchanged.

"Why must you pursue me?" she asked. Without waiting for his answer, she continued, "Do you really like me?"

"Do you think I don't like you?" Yu Fan didn't answer, turning the question back on her.