44 Cruel twist of fate

Xia Lihua's cute gesture of scratching the side of her nose added a touch of charm to her response. "Oh, come on, I'm not that famous or exceptionally talented as a singer yet."

"If you consider yourself a bad singer, then what does that make the rest of us? Crows? You don't have to be so humble, you know!" Ding Feng said, his lips forming a pout.

"Oh? Ah! By the way, brother Feng, I still love strawberries." Xia Lihua smiled, her ethereal smile lighting up her face, causing her phoenix eyes to curl into small crescents, giving her an angelic appearance. Ding Feng couldn't help but feel his heart pound at the sight. "I'm glad that you remember, considering it has been such a long time since our junior high school days."

"How could I possibly forget? Your used to stop by Aunty Gao's shop after school everyday! Even if I were to forget my own name, your love for strawberries would forever be etched in my memory."

Xia Lihua's face flushed with a deep blush, caught off guard by Ding Feng's keen observations. His ability to notice even the smallest details about her always surprised her. The sight of his charming expression heightened her shyness, causing her to feel even more bashful. "That...Aunty Gao's strawberries tasted so good."

"Okay, I will have to agree on that." Ding Feng bobbed his head in agreement. "Have you paid a visit to the Yang family's residence since your return from abroad?"

"No, I haven't had the chance to do so yet," Xia Lihua confessed, shaking her head gently. "Things aren't exactly smooth between me and the Yang family, except for Grandpa Yang. However, I do intend to visit them soon."

"I believe you're already aware that Bing gege passed away while you were in America", Ding Feng's voice carried a tinge of sadness. "He missed you deeply."

Xia Lihua's bright face instantly fell.

"I know. I am sad that that I couldn't be there to see him one last time and wasn't there by his side. I had no choice."

Xia Lihua shared a deep bond with Yang Lingbing, having been close to him since childhood.

Their first encounter took place at a Yang family banquet, where Xia Lihua struck up a conversation with Lingbing. Despite his quiet demeanor, she found him likeable and silly, perhaps compensating for any insecurities caused by his disability. During that eventful party Xia Mengrui insulted her and she couldn't stop crying all night, but it was Yang Lingbing who provided solace and support by remaining by her side. Her little heart was touched.

In subsequent visits to the Yang household, Lihua often found that Lingyun wasn't there at home, leaving her with more opportunities to spend time with Lingbing. He would usually be found in his wheelchair, engrossed in literature books. She would take him to the back garden, brewing tea for both of them as they shared thoughtful conversations.

These moments of companionship and mutual understanding nurtured a deep friendship between her and Yang Lingbing, one that became an integral part of her life.

The news of Yang Lingbing's passing shook her to the core. She cried profusely, mourning the loss of her dearest friend. It felt like yet another cruel twist of fate. It seemed as though God always liked to take good things away from her.

"Don't be sad." Ding Feng coaxed Xia Lihua. "You had no choice but to pursue your studies at the best Music & Arts High School during that time. Look at where you are now—you've even made your debut as an idol."

Xia Lihua's melancholic expression gave her the appearance of a fallen angel, a stunning and delicate soul adrift in a sea of emotions which made Ding Feng's heartbeat rise once again. "Unfortunately my concert dates are over or else I would have given you a free ticket. I'll soon join an survival idol show, so please cheer on me Feng gege!"

"I promise to attend your concert in future. Do you mind sharing your contact with me?"

"No, of course not!"

They exchanged contact numbers before walking out of the cafe together. Xia Lihua pointed towards her company building and said, "That's my company. I'm at Hua de worl-"

"I heard you are the lady boss there."

Xia Lihua: "...!!"

Xia Lihua: "Just how much has Yang Lingyun told him."

As Xia Lihua's gaze fixated on him, Ding Feng instinctively raised his hands in a surrendering gesture. "He hasn't shared much with me," he admitted, "but I did hear from him that you own the company."

"It's true." Xia Lihua face-palmed, helplessly. "I trust that you'll keep this information between us, won't you?" Her plea carried a sense of vulnerability, as she hoped that Ding Feng would honor her trust and keep their conversation confidential.

"You can trust me, I won't tell a single soul about it!"

"Hmm, okay. Hope we can talk sometime later again."

Ding Feng stood by, observing Xia Lihua as she gracefully entered the company premises through the glass doors, her captivating figure swaying with each step. "This time, I won't let you slip away, Lili."