QT: Against My Will

Chapter 41: 2.27 – Shopping Mall – Mr. and Mrs. Jelly

+— Author’s note —-+

Proofreaded by P.D Webb

+—————–+

One day before Bing Shi’s graduation...

‘How to make money if you aren’t a genius? Save more, spend less ??.’

Even though Bing Shi received a big sum of money every month from her parents, to save more, she lived frugally. Her school timeline was changed to three days, and for the rest of the week, she worked in the construction company. Instead of driving by cars, she used public transportation and stopped buying new clothes and handbags, with the exception of her first year, where she had to change the whole closet. Instead of deliveries and restaurants, she cooked her own food.

She wanted to put some money into Xuan Mu as an investment. But he refused, and instead, recommended her some stocks for long-term investment. With this girl, one never knew for sure. What if she was testing him if he would run away with her money?

.....

?Bing Shi:? Xuan Mu, I’m going shopping! *squeals loudly*

Like a self-titled obedient girl, Bing Shi would always inform Xuan Mu before going anywhere outside.

?Xuan Mu:?Alright, don’t forget to put your GPS on. *plugs ears*

Xuan Mu had an important meeting today, so he couldn’t accompany her during her shopping spree. But as soon as he was done with the business on his side, he would go together with Bing Shi’s parents and brothers to the airport.

?Bing Shi:? It’s on. Do you want anything from the mall?

?Xuan Mu:? I only want Bing Shi.

?Bing Shi:? *gives one Bing Shi*

?Xuan Mu:? What about two?

?Bing Shi:? *Gives two Bing Shi*

?Xuan Mu:? How much?

?Bing Shi:? 2 000 000 $ for two of them.

?Xuan Mu:? Deal. *Sending 2 000 000$ to Bing Shi*

‘How to make big money without saving? Find a rich boyfriend.’

Did he send her the money?

Of course not.

· · ———- · ???· ———- · ·

Before the shopping mall, stood Bing Shi, in her navy blue dress with a red ribbon under her shirt collar. Inspired by the sailors in the sea, she joined the carefree breeze as she sailed into the store full of skincare products.

‘Now, let’s buy something for Xuan Mu ??.’

‘I’ll need a new set of skincare for him, let’s buy him the same as mine, yup.’

‘These animal face masks are going to be perfect for him, haha, buying!’

Bing Shi ended up buying skincare for her whole family, which consisted of her mother, father, two younger brothers, and Xuan Mu.

‘What about Guan Lin? Nah.’

Bing Shi bought a lot; still, it was not heavy enough to grab a taxi. She walked towards the tramway station, and throughout the way, she was stopped by a man.

A handsome man around her age offered Bing Shi his help, “Hey, Bing Shi, what a coincidence. Isn’t it heavy? Let me help you.”

‘Huh? Did he call my name? Let’s pretend I heard nothing.’

“No, thank you,” Bing Shi smiled politely.

“You don’t remember me? We always greet each other in school,” he laughed in disappointment, getting closer to her.

‘I don’t even remember necessary things, not to mention unnecessary.’

“Sorry,” she said, refusing his approach. He was the student who tried to ask her out after she lost weight. Many years had passed since then. That man changed women like diapers, and avoided her like plague. So it was logical for her to answer like that.

“The only way to get through you is via social media. When I finally found you, you blocked me.” Ignoring her words, the unknown man said with his lips arching downwards.

‘Xuan Mu, good job!’

He sighed and stared into her eyes, showing his bizarre admiration, “You know, it started two years ago. I made a bet with my friend to make you sleep with me. But I fell in love instead.”

‘What? No way!’

Bing Shi refused to stay near him for any longer. Turning around, she walked towards the shopping mall, quickening her pace, “I have a boyfriend.”

He slowly walked alongside her, matching her tempo while engaging in a conversation, “Don’t lie. I never saw you with anyone before. Aren’t you always going home from your school and work? I always wanted to visit you, but why are there so many cameras around your neighborhood?”

‘Oh, my god. Oh, my god.’

Her whole body tensed. Though she couldn’t remember him, the traumatized soul inside of her recognized the other man’s soul. Without thinking, Bing Shi listened to her instinct and dialed Xuan Mu’s number.

“Who are you calling?” he smiled eerily.

Bing Shi’s face turned ashen, she quickened her pace towards the shopping mall, her shopping bags slowing her down.

He looked down at her red hands, “Why in such a hurry?”

When it came to touching her body, it’d react on its own. “Don’t touch me!” Bing Shi reflexively put her hands with her bags behind her back.

“Bing Shi?” Xuan Mu, who was in a meeting, called out her name, making the whole conference room go silent. Did she dial his number by accident? Bing Shi never called him first, afraid of disturbing him. Something must have happened.

Bing Shi hurriedly left her bags and ran towards the entrance of the shopping mall. She flinched when she turned her head back. The unknown male silently took her bags and followed after her at a slow pace, making sure not to catch anyone’s attention.

“Xuan Mu, save me, save me, save me,” Bing Shi repeated to herself as she panted. Her bangs were sticking to her forehead from her cold sweat.

“Bing Shi, breath! What’s wrong?” Xuan Mu tried to calm her down. With a shortcut, he sent a message to his underlings.

:: Prepare yourself, we are going to Sydney.::

Bing Shi tried to catch her breath by slowing down, “I think someone... Someone is stalking me. He...he... knows where I live and work,” whispering, she walked in a woman’s store direction, her eyes scanning her surroundings.

Here he was, sitting on the bench in front of the store; in his hands were her bags. She tried to avoid his gaze, but it didn’t stop her from feeling nauseated.

On Break