Fan Xiao Yao could feel her sweating palm, her heart was thumping like crazy and her cheeks were covered in pink. She was staring straight at Huang Li even if she wanted to hide.

'Be brave, Fan Xiao Yao. Be brave.' She kept telling herself in her mind.

Huang Li was looking at her, the expression he always had was gone. He was completely surprised.

Fan Xiao Yao was waiting for his reply and the longer he kept quiet, the anxious she got.

"Senior Huang..." 

Huang Li snapped out from his trance upon hearing her soft voice. Complicated feelings flashed in his eyes upon realizing that Fan Xiao Yao has just confessed to him.

The side of his lips slowly curled up, the smile earlier returning in his lips. "Thank you, Xiao Yao."

He turned back to his food and continued eating the rest of the food that was in his plate.

Thank you? Thank you?! That's all?! What kind of reaction was that?!

Fan Xiao Yao frowned deeply, "Huang Li, I like you! I have romantic feelings for you and I'm serious!"

Huang Li paused from eating, he maintained his calm smile, "Yes, I know. I am grateful for your feelings towards me, Xiao Yao."

d.a.m.n it... Huang Li was driving her crazy! 

"But I'm afraid I cannot reciprocate those feelings."

Fan Xiao Yao knew that well but it still hurts. She knew that he liked s.h.i.+ Enxi. "I know that. But that doesn't mean that I should give up. I will make you fall for me so please give me a chance!"

"I don't want to hurt your feelings but I should say this straight as well. Me falling for you... It's impossible. I am not interested at you, neither do I have feelings for you so please give up. I rather remain friends with you."

Huang Li's cold words clenched Fan Xiao Yao's heart. She felt as if an ice cold water was thrown at her.

She was instantly rejected. She lowered her head, tears were welling up on the side of her eyes but she refused to let it fall and let him see them.

"Alright." She stood up and took her plate, "I'm done eating."

"Xiao Yao... I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. I'm going to rest early to night so excuse me." Without waiting for his reply, she placed the dish on the sink before she rushed to her room.

Huang Li didn't follow her, instead he let her be. He rejected her so it was only normal for her to have that reaction right? It was not like it was a requirement for him to go and comfort her after he rejected her.

After eating, he went and washed the dishes. While he was busy was.h.i.+ng, he was suddenly reminded of the time where she suddenly gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Was she already liking him during that time?

Just remembering it, he could feel the softness of her lips on his cheek.

What made her like him?

He was used in rejecting women, even the women in his workplace. He was never interested in anyone. Was Fan Xiao Yao's reason on liking him the same as others?

After was.h.i.+ng the dishes, Huang Li was supposed to leave but he decided to check on Fan Xiao Yao.

He knocked at her door. "Xiao Yao?"

He didn't receive an answer from her. 

Was she already sleeping?

Since the door wasn't locked, he peeked in. He saw her all curled up on her bed and she was hugging a pillow. Soft sobs were heard from her.

She was... crying? Why was she so badly affected by his rejection? It was not like she has already loved him, right? She said that she just liked him.

He closed the door and turned away. Even if he was feeling guilty for hurting her that way, if he went to comfort her, it would just hurt her more after all, he was the man who rejected her.

He should give her some time to settle her feelings for him. Once everything was settled, should he make up for hurting her? Maybe he should treat her?

She was still a friend for him, plus she has helped him once in escaping w.a.n.g Ansheng's advances toward him.