Chapter 316
“There are too many people at the free fall ride right now. Let’s come back when there are fewer people. I see there’s not that many people at the carousel; why don’t we go and play there? Will you keep me company? Let them stand in line for us girls.” Lin Mengyao pulled her hand free from Xu Ke’s grip, seized Ely’s suggestion, and at the same time severed the connection between her and Sheng Wenhao.
“Please, he can’t accompany me on that ride, you go with me, let’s hurry.” Lin Mengyao didn’t give Ely a chance to refuse, pulling her by the wrist toward the carousel, her hurried steps betraying an enthusiasm as though she were a child visiting an amusement park for the first time.
Watching Lin Mengyao’s departing figure, Xu Ke’s gaze darkened as if a storm was brewing within. He restrained his impulse to follow, reminding himself internally not to betray Lin Mengyao’s sacrifice, before turning to Sheng Wenhao to discuss the matter at hand.
“Stay away from Ely, there’s something off about her. Today, don’t let anyone get close to you in the park, keep an eye on that Mario mascot. I suspect one of her accomplices is inside, though I don’t know how many there are here today. Just be cautious.” Xu Ke reminded his friend.
“I’m worried about Yaoyao, I’ll go over to watch her. Would you like to come with me?”
“Sure, let’s go together. Don’t worry, I know what that fake’s up to. I came to see what tricks she has up her sleeve.” Sheng Wenhao’s lips curled slightly, exuding a confident swagger.
Xu Ke’s steps halted because of Sheng Wenhao’s words, “You know she’s a fake?” Xu Ke looked at Sheng Wenhao in surprise, his gaze one of astonished scrutiny.
Seeing his friend’s look, Sheng Wenhao seemed a bit caught between laughter and tears, “Come on, what’s with that look and tone? I’ve been around in foreign countries for years, dealing with all sorts of people. If I couldn’t tell something like this, I’d be dead by now. Don’t worry about today, I’ve got it under control. I brought you guys along to back me up, just in case, just in case there’s an unexpected development, it’s reassuring to have you here.”
Sheng Wenhao then offered Xu Ke a sincere smile.
“Alright, I can’t argue with you, you’re my weakness.” Xu Ke rolled his eyes at Sheng Wenhao, just like in their younger days, draping an arm around his shoulder as they walked away.
Under the carousel, Ely shook off Lin Mengyao’s hand, her face showing impatience, “Play on the carousel by yourself, I don’t want to play such girly games. I want Wenhao to come play the free fall ride with me.” Ely shot Lin Mengyao a glare and was about to leave, but Lin Mengyao grabbed her arm again.
“The free fall ride looks dangerous and scary, why don’t we stick to the carousel? It’s safer, and shows a woman’s gentle side, maybe Wenhao will like you more if he sees it?” Lin Mengyao grasped Ely’s arm once more, smiling just charmingly enough.
If it were an ordinary girl here, she’d probably stay because of Lin Mengyao’s words, but unfortunately, Ely was once a man, now a man on a mission. He needed to complete his task as quickly as possible, not develop feelings with his target. Thus, he wasn’t interested in what Lin Mengyao had to say.
Ely gave Lin Mengyao a dismissive smile, forcefully yanked his arm away the next second.
“Are you alright?” Lin Mengyao, nearly losing her balance, was steadied by a firm hand on her back before she erected her defenses. Xu Ke’s voice came from behind, instantly calming Lin Mengyao.
“I’m fine.” Lin Mengyao turned and showed Xu Ke a reassuring expression.
“Please treat my wife with respect, or even if you’re a woman, I won’t be polite.”
“I didn’t mean to, I just gave her a slight nudge, who knew she’d be so weak, I didn’t expect you Hua Xia people to be so fragile, you should learn from us Americans.” Ely pouted as she fiddled with her curls, affecting indifference.
“Wenhao, let’s go have fun alone, not with them. Our ideas don’t match, can’t play together. They can’t even stand a touch, how can we have fun like this? Better for us to enjoy ourselves alone.” Ely cast Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao a disdainful glance, clinging to Sheng Wenhao’s arm coquettishly.
The previously silent Sheng Wenhao suddenly flashed a smile devoid of any true feeling, just when Ely thought he had agreed, Sheng Wenhao pushed away her hand from his arm.
“No, they’re my good friends; I won’t leave them. If you don’t want to join us, you can play alone, I won’t stop you. But from the moment you make that decision, our relationship ends. Don’t contact me anymore.” Sheng Wenhao gently patted Ely’s hair, speaking softly.
“Sheng Wenhao, what do you mean? You’re ending things over these two? What’s your relationship with them, and mine with you? Can they stay with you forever? You said last night I was the most important, how can you change overnight? Aren’t you Chinese all about trust?”
Ely looked at Sheng Wenhao in disbelief; her hand, previously pushed away, clung onto his arm again, tightly enough to cause pain.
“I thought you knew our relationship; we’re just bed partners, aren’t we? And a gentleman may keep his word, but I, Sheng Wenhao, am no gentleman, just a thorough scoundrel. What I said in bed, if you take it seriously, you lose.” Sheng Wenhao wore a roguish grin, again removing Ely’s hand from his wrist.
This time Ely didn’t argue further.
Lin Mengyao instinctively tightened her grip on Xu Ke’s wrist, the unease in her heart magnified immensely.