A Billion Dollar Exchange

They sat over a well prepared meal, eating quietly. Liling occasionally stole glances at Liu Wei confusedly. His change of mood was extremely baffling. Twenty minutes after they started eating, Liu Wei finally spoke up for the first time.

"I'm sorry... "

Liu Wei apologized remorsefully. He didn't know why he felt so guilty, as though he had hit her when he had only raised his voice at her.

Liling was confused as to why he was apologizing to her. He had done nothing wrong.

She kept a puzzled face as she stared unblinkingly at the man who was looking at his unfinished plate of food as though it was what he was apologizing to.

Not hearing a reply from her, Liu Wei felt that she was really upset with him, he immediately lifted his eyes to look at her, they were filled with guilt and remorse.

He searched her expression, looking for any trace of anger or sadness, but the pretty lady in front of him was busy staring at him with a confused look.

Liu Wei couldn't tell if she was angry or not. He just went on to apologize once again.

"Liling, I'm really sorry for raising my voice at you earlier on;... I was... I was... "

Liu Wei didn't know how to continue his speech. He was really angry earlier on but he couldn't tell her because he had no right to.

He had no right to be angry, she had every right to decide if she needed his help or not. It was her choice and he had no say in it.

Even though that was the truth, Liu Wei didn't know why he got sadder. The more he agreed to the fact that she didn't do anything wrong by not telling him about her troubles, the more his heart squeezed in pain.

He adjusted on his seat and took in a deep breath before continuing his speech.

"What I'm trying to say is that... something came up at the company, and I was so mad about it that I unjustly transferred my aggression to you, I'm so sorry!"

Liu Wei quickly formulated a perfect lie which would not disrupt his apology. Even though the premises was wrong, it still arrived at a perfect conclusion and that was okay.

Liling coughed lightly as she heard him for the second time. Realizing that he was apologizing for shouting at her earlier on, she quickly shook her head and smiled at him.

"No no, I'm not annoyed at all. You shouldn't apologize for that, it's nothing at all. "

Liling replied immediately, it was really awkward seeing her boss apologize to her. She couldn't help but reduce her gaze to the plates infront of them.

Liu Wei watched her for a while before asking anxiously;

"That means, you're not angry with me at all?"

"No! not at all! I can't be angry with my boss, never!"

Liling smiled as she replied almost immediately. Her pitch black eyes were beautifully staring at Liu Wei. As her smile reached her eyes, Liu Wei felt his heart skip a beat, he couldn't keep his eyes on her anymore to avoid getting red infront of her.

"Alright!, hurry and finish your meal, it's almost cold. "

Liu Wei replied and motioned with his eyes for her to continue eating her food.

When they finally finished eating, it was almost six in the evening. Liu Wei drove Liling back home, since they were both tired. As they arrived at the garage, Liling turned to alight from the car as Liu Wei turned off the ignition.

"Liling... "

Liling stopped her movements. She instinctively turned to look at Liu Wei puzzled, or rather tried to look as puzzled as possible.

She knew that they had both avoided the main topic throughout the meal and even throughout the journey back home.

The last straw was to escape from the car but he had stopped her right in time.

She prayed that he was not going to bring up the issue that happened earlier that day.

But the devil had other plans...

"What happened in X?"

Liu Wei asked after sometime. He was staring at Liling straight in the eyes, unwaveringly. Liling knew at that moment that he was very serious and there was no need to lie about anything anymore.

She looked away from his piercing gaze and looked down at her hands which was toiling with her dress, contemplating how to begin.

After a while, she summoned courage and spoke up.

"I... I was not selected today;"

The hurt she had been trying to hide throughout the day came bursting out as she said the words. She felt tears well up her eyes and she immediately bit her lower lip to hold it in.

"I don't know what went wrong, but I know I put in my best. Liu Wei, I tried my best, but I was not qualified... "

"Shhhh... you don't say that... "

Liu Wei immediately stretched his arms and drew her into his embrace, hugging her tightly. He kissed the top of her head and patted her back lightly.

"If you're not qualified, no-one is qualified!"

Liling felt her breath hitch. Liu Wei's tone was gentle and comforting but at the same time, strong and resolute_ as though he was determined to go to any length for her.

Liling couldn't help but hug him back with her arms. She unintentionally nestled her head into his chest for comfort. His hug felt so good, and she couldn't help hugging him tighter.

Liu Wei felt his heart swell from her actions. He knew she liked him but he didn't know how much. This side of her was new to him.

Seizing the opportunity, he decided to tell her what had been pricking his heart all through the day.

"Liling... "

He called out in an endearing manner, still patting her back comfortingly.

"Mmm..."

Hearing her mild response, Liu Wei continued.

"You should tell me what's bothering you next time, okay?. Don't keep it to yourself. I was really sad to have heard it from your friend this morning. You should trust that I would go to any length to find a solution to your problems. Treat me as a friend, okay? "

Hearing his words, Liling let out a small smile.

"So I'm your friend? "

Liling was happy and at the same time anxious. This was the first time he had addressed her as a friend.

Liu Wei wanted to laugh when he heard her hilarious question. He released her and lightly pinched her cheeks.

"So you go about hugging random persons?"

They both burst into laughter at Liu Wei's joke.

Liling felt her pain and sadness dissipate that instant.

Right now, she didn't regret telling him about it.

He was a friend after all.