No Such Fetish (14)

Shi Che's voice was not too loud, however, it carried a swift fierceness and sent a quiver of tremor to the one who had heard it.

Even before Ling Chuxia was able to rejoice in her gladness, her short-lived elation was harshly suppressed.

She could not comprehend the motivation behind Shi Che declining Mrs. Shi's proposal. Shi Che had always shown his dislike and disdain for her. She had reckoned it was because she had taken her sister's place.

Like her, Mrs. Shi was perplexed. She raised her brow in surprise, "Why? You fancy Shu, don't you? She's always been the dream girl you've wanted to marry. Is she not?"

After a pause, Mrs. Shi suddenly became solemn, "Che, don't tell me that you have now taken a liking to those messy women out there…?"

Ling Chuxia's heart was plunged into suspense once again after Mrs. Shi had spoken. Her big round eyes were fixated at Shi Che. She was rather afraid that he would nod to affirm that he had indeed taken a fancy on other girls.

Perhaps it was the intensity and anxiety in Ling Chuxia's stare that had alerted Shi Che, he turned to glance at her.

That gave Ling Chuxia a fright. She couldn't be bothered with her elegant posture any longer. She retracted and her head hit the wall with a dull thud. Despite the unbearable pain, Ling Chuxia covered her mouth forcefully to stop herself from making a sound.

The corner of Shi Che's lips were lifted at a slight, yet barely noticeable, angle. He raised his dark eyes gently to look at Mrs. Shi, the icy coldness in his voice diminished. "Mother, do not worry about me. Those are just flirtations."

Mrs. Shi was relieved. She despised all the trashy women out there and was certainly, unwilling to allow her son to be besotted with those ladies.

Despite her fussiness to find faults with Ling Chuxia and Ling Yunshu, the two young ladies were after all raised and groomed by her. They were definitely a notch higher than those fair ladies and celebrities.

It would sadden her if the wife she had picked for Shi Che, could not enter and grow in his heart.

After all, she was a mother who had wanted his son to have bliss and happiness.

Mrs. Shi let out a feeble sigh. She deliberated and started slowly, "Che, if you're unhappy with either Xia or Shu, or if you've formed a liking for any lady from the aristocrat families, as long as we are matched in social ranking, and she's a virtuous personality, I'll not object to it."

Shi Che did not respond. His dark eyes scanned the location where the classical vase was placed.

-

After dinner, Shi Che ignored Mrs. Shi's pleadings for him to stay. He declined her offer with a pretext that he still had some work to do at the office. He was preparing for his departure.

Mrs. Shi walked Shi Che to the main door and issued repetitive reminders to him to come home more frequently. Shi Che responded obligingly.

Shi Che gave Ling Chuxia a casual look. She was keeping a distance from him and was standing by the side dutifully and respectfully. She was more like a servant than his wife.

At all times, she was able to keep a distance from him. At all times she had ignored him.

Shi Che's eyes dimmed as his facial expression took a turn to become icy cold. He reached out his hand and grabbed Ling Chuxia's wrist. She was instantly pulled to his side.