Saving the overbearing CEO
Chapter 84: First World: Lee Jie's Confession

The servant arrived at the once empty Lianhua Pavillion and informed the guild members who were guarding the main door of Lin Jingxie's arrival but because Qie Ranzhe had issued an order that he shouldn't be disturbed the guards naturally dismissed the servant. Dispirited the servant returned to Lin Jingxie who had at some point found his way to the garden and was currently standing under a cherry blossom tree with a flower on his ear.

Servant, "..."

Wen Qinxi hurriedly smoothed over the situation throwing the flower away saying, "l got bored," while nervously laughing. He peered behind the servant checking the direction he came from but he didn't see the person he was looking for. Dejected he asked, "Prince Ranzhe?"

The servant could tell this young master wasn't simple and wanted to help him but he was simply powerless saying, "His Highness is busy today. Would you like me to pass on a message?"

"No that's okay. He will come to replace me when his free. Many thanks," he said saluting the servant with a bright smile but couldn't help sneer within, 'his royal douchebag no longer has time for me. You see Jolie the dumbfuck is so ungrateful.' The system could only refute his words while making excuses for its boss as they walked back home feeling disheartened.

A week went by but Qie Ranzhe still hadn't appeared. Wen Qinxi almost grew mushrooms on the top of his head waiting for him. On the seventh day, he got an unexpected visit from Lee Jienjie which lifted his spirits a little. She had left town a month earlier to visit her relatives in the capital but Jolie knew all too well what this cute meimei was up to. She deliberately left earlier so it wouldn't make it seem like she had followed Lin Jingxie to the capital. In other words, it was a carefully orchestrated coincidence that way she wouldn't appear desperate. The rumours had already spread far and wide and it wouldn't hurt making it real.

Wen Qinxi welcomed her and invited his benefactor to have some tea with him in the beautiful garden. The two sat together and chatted amicably. "Are you nervous?" she asked while Wen Qinxi poured some tea for her.

"No, haha what makes you say that? I don't have panda eyes, do l?" he asked feeling his face in a playful manner. She was obviously referring to the imperial exam but given that this was Lin Jingxie's special skill, the guys wasn't nervous in the slightest. He could even write the exam in his sleep without studying.

Lee Jienjie smiled ever so beautifully while placing her hand over his in a coy manner saying, "No, Jin-ge is as handsome as ever." She propped up her tilted head with her hand while lovingly gazing into his eyes. From afar the onlooking servants couldn't help but praise the young master for replaceing such a dazzling beauty.

The servants were too engrossed in the pink bubble scene that they didn't notice when a group of young men entered the courtyard. In this group was Qie Ranzhe, Machu, Fourth and two other men with bruises all over their faces. For an entire week, Qie Ranzhe hadn't known that Lin Jingxie had come looking for him. He was too busy executing his plan that he only remembered that the imperial exam was taking place the next day. It's only then, did he enquire about Lin Jingxie arrival and found out from the servant that he had come looking for him a week ago but was turned away by his guards.

Upset he punished the two guild members for not informing him and dragged them to the Lin family home to apologize to Lin Jingxie. He was both nervous and thrilled to see Lin Jingxie after such a long time bringing along a full set of jade ink brushes to gift Lin Jingxie and wish him luck for his exam but didn't expect to witness such a heart-wrenching sight. Lin Jingxie was enjoying Lee Jienjie's company sitting so close to each other just like a harmonious couple. Her hand was rubbing against him in a loving yet possessive way as though marking her territory.

Everyone naturally paused in their tracks not daring to say anything. Lee Jienjie who had been ogling at Lin Jingxie soon glanced over only to see a flustered Qie Ranzhe watching them with his dark wolf-like eyes. For Lin Jingxie, she was willing to do anything and in a moment of impulse, she leaned in and embraced an unsuspecting Lin Jingxie by his waist burying her head into his neck.

Qie Ranzhe's breathing became erratic with his fingers digging deep into each of his palms till they drew blood. Machu pulled on his sleeve trying to calm him down but Qie Ranzhe could barely hear him struggling to keep himself sane. The guild members who had tagged along couldn't help but quiver being pressurized like this by a menacing Qie Ranzhe. It seemed as though Old Chen's teachings had been effectively engraved into his system that he managed to suppress his emotions and smashed the gift he brought on the floor with a loud bang before exiting the Mansion. The group naturally followed behind him with the loud sound snapping the servants out of their trance.

Earlier Wen Qinxi who had been embraced by Lee Jienjie froze in place as he was rendered speechless by her behaviour. He politely patted her back beckoning her to release him. "Miss Lee people will surely misunderstand if you hug me like this. Think of your repu-," he said before he heard a loud sound as though something had been smashed on the floor.

Lee Jienjie was tightly embracing his waist causing him to struggle to look over. With great difficulty, he finally managed to turn around but only saw the servants cleaning up and no one else. Lee Jienjie had held him tightly just now to stall for time, only loosening when Qie Ranzhe was gone. With a pouting face feeling wronged she said, "Jin-ge what reputation are you concerned about? Its already well known that you and I are in a relationship. It's too late to be concerned for my reputation," while completely letting go of him before sitting upright like a proper lady.

Wen Qinxi rubbed between his brows in frustration before saying, "What do you mean by that? Lee Jienjie wasn't this your idea to help me?" He seriously couldn't understand this girl who like a chameleon changed her colours so drastically turning the tables on him.

Lee Jienjie wore a downcast expression while nervously rubbing her thumb attempting to sum up some courage. "Jin-ge, l love you and was hoping that you and l can make it official," she said in a low soft tone before she fell into complete silence. The silence soon turned awkward with Lin Jingxie quietly kneading his forehead which made Lee Jienjie anxious. "You don't have to answer me now. I know you like Qie Ranzhe more than you like me but you two naturally can't be together. He's a prince now and you are from a prestigious family. It is expected of both of you to produce heirs. The emperor w-," she said before she was cut off by Lin Jingxie.

"I am sorry," he said before he stood up to leave. This thing had come back to haunt him only this time it was him being questioned. Was his relationship with Qie Ranzhe that close that people would naturally assume they liked each other the way a man likes a woman? Wasn't their interaction normal among friends? But why didn't anyone ask if Machu liked Qie Ranzhe in that way? Why was it different when it came to him?

All these questions flooded his mind as he walked out of the garden but he was soon embraced from behind by Lee Jienjie who was begging him to stay with her tears staining his back leaving a wet patch. Wen Qinxi felt emotionally unstable and could only squeeze out these few words, "I don't like Qie Ranzhe in that way neither do l like you that way. I am sorry but l can only offer you friendship. Hope you understand," before forcibly peeling off her arms encircling his waist and walked away. A distressed Lee Jienjie was left dejected in the beautiful garden as her servant wiped her tears before taking her back home.