inspire-indiana Chapter 180 is difficult to understand
Chapter 180 is difficult to understand
Wu Hai stood in front of the photo wall, his thoughts churning. A question kept pounding in his mind: he and that butler seemed to have met Bai Li around the same time, but why was their treatment so different now?
She went to great lengths to find Bai Li, carefully approaching her, trying to break down the barriers, and creating various opportunities, but all her efforts seemed insignificant in front of this photo wall.
That butler had easily gained what was once unattainable for her—Bai Li's trust, and had even long since entered Bai Li's inner circle, integrating into every aspect of Bai Li's life.
Although it's not a particularly intimate photo, the smiles on the two people's faces are quite jarring.
In particular, the photos he had personally taken for them were like a sharp arrow that had been drawn up and ready to strike, finally releasing its power and hitting the most vulnerable spot in his heart.
Wu Hai had not felt frustrated or resentful for a long time. This feeling of pride and confidence being shattered was an emotion he rarely experienced, and at this moment, these emotions almost overwhelmed him.
He raised his hand and slowly touched his heart, where a sharp pain was shooting through him—a sensation that was both unfamiliar and novel to him.
It seems that only here with Bai Li can I truly experience even a fraction of what she has been through.
[Wuhai's favorability +2]
[Wuhai's favorability rating: 37]
Bai Li was completely baffled to suddenly receive Wu Hai's favorability points.
Looking at Wuhai and then at the photo wall, a thought began to linger in my mind:
Can looking at a photo really increase your favorability rating?
Bai Li would find it strange if this happened to someone else, but she wasn't surprised at all when it happened to Wu Hai.
This man has always been eccentric, so she wouldn't be surprised if anything happened to him.
Bai Li realized that she really couldn't see through Wu Hai's thought process, and she was too lazy to bother thinking about it anymore. She felt that if she thought too much, her rationality would drop.
Moreover, Wu Hai's favorability value has never been very cost-effective. Others gain favorability value by twenty or twenty at a time, but Wu Hai only contributes a little bit each time. She has long been used to it.
Instead of worrying about how to improve Wuhai's favorability rating, you should think about improving others'.
She had already given up hope of improving her favorability towards Wuhai.
As long as he behaves well and doesn't cause trouble, Bai Li is very satisfied.
Before turning around, Bai Li called out, "Let's go, it's just some photos. Have you had breakfast yet?"
Wu Hai quickly concealed the darkness in his eyes, his previously furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing his signature charming smile, as if the loss and pain he had just felt had never existed.
She resumed her composure as if nothing had happened, smiling broadly as she followed Bai Li: "Haven't eaten yet, Little Pear, do you have breakfast here?"
He's lying; he's already eaten.
Bai Li led Wu Hai into the restaurant, then glanced at A He who was standing against the wall and said, "A He, bring another breakfast."
There is always an extra breakfast in the kitchen, just in case.
While waiting for breakfast to be served, Wu Hai sat down at the table next to Bai Li.
He leaned forward slightly, propped his head up with one hand, his slender fingers gently supporting his chin, tilted his head, and stared intently at Bai Li with his bright eyes.
Wu Hai's eyes are really bright. Bai Li had that feeling when she watched him perform on stage on the cruise ship.
Later, when faced with Wu Hai's other disguises, Bai Li was sometimes able to discern his identity simply by looking at him.
Wu Hai's eyes are somewhat different from others; the color of his pupils is not a pure black, but a lighter gray.
Being stared at by such eyes always gives Bai Li the feeling of being watched by an inhuman being, making her feel uneasy. She reached out and blocked Wu Hai's gaze from her.
"What are you looking at?"
When Wu Hai heard Bai Li's question, he did not answer immediately, but he still looked away and narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was recalling something.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "I feel that Little Pear has become much prettier."
Wu Hai's words were not a compliment.
The woman sitting in front of him now had undergone some noticeable changes compared to when he first met her on the cruise ship.
This change is not merely superficial; it is a transformation of one's inner qualities that emanates from within.
Can a person change so much in such a short period of time?
If appearance can be altered through cosmetic surgery, what about temperament?
The first time I met Bai Li, she was more like a fledgling bird. At the slightest disturbance, she would immediately notice the hunter drawing his bow and run away.
Now, Bai Li could easily be called a female eagle, exuding a unique aura and becoming more composed in the face of herself.
She seemed to have matured overnight, as if she had mastered some kind of survival rule in the game. Her "weight" increased imperceptibly, and her magnetic field changed accordingly, radiating to more people invisibly.
Wu Hai roughly understood why A Jing had become interested in Bai Li.
—She has the ability to draw others into her magnetic field.
Bai Li was well aware that Wu Hai's words were not simply a compliment or a polite remark.
The first time I saw Wu Hai was on a cruise ship. At that time, I had just obtained the Godly Rich System and had not yet achieved real growth. My transformation was only in terms of weight.
In the six months that followed, thanks to the various attribute points drawn from the Wheel of Fortune, such as [appearance], [flexibility], and [physique], many subtle changes occurred.
At the same time, as one's sense of self-worth is gradually realized, one's spiritual core also undergoes a tremendous reshaping.
The woman she is today is completely different, inside and out, from the person she was on the cruise ship.
It's not surprising that Wuhai could see it.
However, Shirai already had a solution to this.
In response to Wu Hai's words, she simply raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile, and replied with two words: "Thank you."
Bai Li didn't intend to explain anything. The more she explained, the more flaws she might expose. It was better to accept the change calmly.
The more open and honest she appears, the less suspicion she will attract.
People naturally change after experiencing many things, and their future will face even more unknown changes.
Upon hearing Bai Li's answer, Wu Hai did not press the matter further.
His gaze swept casually around the restaurant, and he found that the servants serving the dishes were all ordinary servants, but he couldn't find the butler anywhere.
In his mind, a butler as close as Jingye should always be by his employer's side. Moreover, judging from the intimate relationship shown on that photo wall, that butler would not leave Baili for long.
Wu Hai spoke calmly, seemingly casually inquiring, "Why haven't I seen your steward?"
Bai Li glanced at Wu Hai, who seemed to care a lot about Jing Ye, and asked cryptically, "He's not home lately. Is there something you need him for?"
Wu Hai's eyes flickered, and he denied it, saying, "It's nothing, I was just asking out of curiosity."
Breakfast was served quickly, with exquisite plates arranged on the table, and an enticing aroma instantly filled the entire restaurant.
The selection is diverse, including both Chinese and Western styles, such as Cantonese dim sum platters, Western crispy ham pancakes, carefully cut fruit salads, and a variety of drinks.
Each dish is designed to be small and exquisite, allowing Bai Li to enjoy as many varieties as possible, ensuring rich nutrition while avoiding overeating at one time.
Even the well-traveled Wu Hai couldn't help but be very satisfied with the meals at Bai Li's home.
Although he had already eaten breakfast before coming, he still enjoyed it thoroughly.
Every dish was of a very high standard, cleverly blending Chinese and Western flavors, which perfectly suited his unique taste for fine food.
If Bai Li's family maintains this level of quality every day, then I've certainly made the right choice in being their neighbor.
With the Wuhai Cape slightly raised, I felt that I would probably come here often to visit and freeload meals in the future.
Since the two families live so close to each other, surely Bai Li wouldn't be so heartless as to not even let her "good neighbor" have a simple home-cooked meal?
But Wu Hai had a strong premonition that if he made a request, it would most likely be rejected without hesitation.
So he decisively swallowed back the words that were about to come out, and planned to find an excuse to come over later, which would also give him more opportunities to spend time with Bai Li.
Having made this decision, Wu Hai stopped eating, then picked up a napkin and elegantly wiped his mouth, saying, "Thank you for the treat."
Seeing that Wu Hai had finished his meal, Bai Li stopped beating around the bush and asked directly, "Why did you suddenly move next door to me?"
Upon hearing this question, Wu Hai paused slightly, slowly put down his napkin, and looked up to meet Bai Li's probing gaze. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and his tone was teasing: "Little Pear, do you want to hear a lie or the truth?"
Bai Li snorted dismissively.
Wu Hai's personality is still the same, unpredictable.
Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion.
Sometimes telling the truth sounds like lying, but lies can also contain a touch of sincerity.
She had no interest in playing this game of deception with Wuhai.
"Go ahead and say it. I will judge for myself whether what comes out of your mouth is the truth or a lie."
Upon hearing this, Wu Hai gently spread his hands and replied with a relaxed expression, "It was purely a coincidence. There just happened to be a house here, and the environment was quite nice, so I bought it."
Bai Li: ...
Bai Li had lost count of how many times she had been speechless today. She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say for a moment. After a while, she finally complained helplessly, "This is so fake, Wu Hai."
It sounds like a lie.
The houses here are a valuable asset; while property prices fluctuate outside, they remain as stable as a mountain, and it's almost impossible for anyone to be foolish enough to sell them.
Unless a major upheaval occurs.
But how could it be such a coincidence that Wuhai bought it at this time?
Bai Li didn't believe it at all.
It's unclear what methods Wu Hai used to persuade his neighbor to sell him the house.
However, she only asked the question casually.
Bai Li coughed lightly, sat up straight, her expression becoming more serious, and finally brought up the real reason for finding Wu Hai: "Are you and Zhou Chengjing very familiar?"
Seeing that Bai Li was no longer dwelling on the moving matter, Wu Hai turned to mention Zhou Chengjing's name. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the rim of the bone china cup, and the Longjing tea in the cup rippled gently with his movement, reflecting the dark undercurrent in his eyes.
“We were classmates before, and we were fairly close,” Wu Hai said slowly, his voice unhurried.
At this point, Wu Hai raised an eyebrow, his gaze probing as he asked, "Could it be that Little Pear is interested in my old classmate?"
Actually, Shirai wasn't really interested in it.
Although Madam Jiang Yanglin was very enthusiastic in acting as matchmaker for the two that day, Zhou Chengjing did not show any special attitude towards her, and everything seemed very ordinary.
Moreover, Bai Li's sixth sense has always been very accurate, so she deliberately kept her distance from Zhou Chengjing.
So the two only met once at the home of Madam Jiang Yanglin, and didn't even exchange contact information afterward.
Later, Bai Li heard that this person held a high position and spent most of his time in the capital. She felt that she and Zhou Chengjing would not have much interaction in the future, so she did not take Zhou Chengjing to heart.
But recent events, such as the overly fast review process at her own research institute and the smooth application for commercial adaptation rights, have made Bai Li slowly realize the truth.
Wu Hai suddenly returned to China this time, and even moved next door. Before returning, he emphasized Zhou Chengjing again, which made Bai Li care even more.
Now that we know about Wu Hai's relationship with Zhou Chengjing, it's easy to guess why Wu Hai returned to China this time. It's very likely because of Zhou Chengjing, this variable.
This series of events combined made Bai Li take notice, and at the same time, she inevitably developed some interest in Zhou Chengjing.
Bai Li didn't answer, but her eyes told Wu Hai the answer.
Wu Hai suddenly chuckled softly.
He could accept that the butler might get closer to Bai Li earlier than him because of his profession, but he absolutely could not accept A Jing.
The thought that Bai Li had already developed an interest in A Jing, and that A Jing might even get closer to Bai Li in the future, filled Wu Hai with endless resentment.
This was the first time Bai Li had ever seen Wu Hai, who always seemed so at ease, with such a melancholy expression, so she couldn't help but take a second look out of curiosity.
If everyone's aura is tangible, then what's enveloping Wu Hai right now must be that black, resentful aura.
When Bai Li heard Wu Hai's soft plea, "Little Pear, don't give him an admission ticket," the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. She leisurely picked up her fork and forked a piece of strawberry.
The strawberries are brightly colored and glistening with juice, making them look incredibly tempting.
Bai Li did not answer Wu Hai's question, nor did she eat the strawberry. Instead, she offered the strawberry to Wu Hai's mouth.
Wu Hai stared blankly at the strawberries handed to him.
Seeing that Wu Hai didn't understand her meaning, Bai Li picked at the strawberry in her hand again, like teasing a dog, gesturing for Wu Hai to open his mouth.
Wu Hai felt somewhat annoyed as he watched Bai Li's actions.
When did a young master like me get treated like an actor?
But he couldn't bear to refuse, and after hesitating for a moment, he finally opened his mouth and bit into the strawberry in a slightly ambiguous manner.
The moment his lips lightly touched the strawberry, Wu Hai looked up at Bai Li and saw the teasing look in her eyes. He felt his heart suddenly race.
The moment he bit down, strawberry juice splattered, staining his lips red and making his already stunning features appear inexplicably vulnerable.
Seeing Wu Hai's slightly narrowed eyes and the way his thick eyelashes trembled gently, Bai Li's throat bobbed.
This stark contrast made her feel...
I can't explain it...
It's a really great feeling.
[Wuhai's favorability +3]
[Wuhai's favorability rating: 40]
When she suddenly heard the system notification in her mind, Bai Li almost burst out laughing, but she quickly held it in.
But Wu Hai could still clearly see the smile on his face.
Wu Hai, with a strawberry in his mouth, glared fiercely at Bai Li.
Bai Li felt she should be scared, but she wasn't; instead, she found Wu Hai quite adorable.
This person may appear to be gritting their teeth, but their goodwill towards them is honestly increasing.
This young master of the Wu family seems to have some real problems.
Could it be that he secretly enjoys the feeling of being "forced"?
As for the topic about "admission tickets"...
With a gentle flick of her fingertips, Bai Li guided the silver fork down the man's Adam's apple.
The fork grazed the surface, sending a faint chill through Wu Hai, whose Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Bai Li moved slowly and deliberately, her fork sliding down until it finally rested lightly against Wu Hai's chest.
In the other person's suddenly constricted pupils, Bai Li clearly saw her own amused smile.
"As for the admission tickets..." Bai Li leaned closer and said, "It depends on whether you offer enough."