Chapter 53: Let Me Go!

Ji Xueli sat expressionlessly in the passenger seat. She glanced at the man beside her, pressed her lips together, then spoke, confused, “Are you really this free?”

She truly didn’t understand—wasn’t Ji Yanzhou in love with Xie Yujun? Why wasn’t he spending time with her, and instead hanging around the hospital every day? Her mother was just as baffling. Even after being told she liked someone else, she still insisted on matchmaking, going as far as using the excuse of “too much luggage” to make them ride in the same car.

As the traffic light turned green, Ji Yanzhou slowed the car to a stop and looked at her. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying, if you’re busy, you should focus on your own stuff. You really don’t need to come to things like this. And you don’t have to take my mom’s words to heart,” Ji Xueli advised.

“You think I only came because your mom asked me to?” Ji Yanzhou scoffed coldly, a chill emanating from him.

Ji Xueli looked at him, her face written with “Wasn’t that the case?”

Ji Yanzhou’s grip tightened on the steering wheel just as the red light turned. He slammed the gas pedal, and the car accelerated sharply.

Ji Xueli quickly grabbed her seatbelt—what was with him again?

“You’re right. If your mother hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have come. Happy now?” Ji Yanzhou said coldly, his voice intentionally harsh.

To Ji Xueli, though, he was just stating the facts.

“Then next time just tell her no, say it was my decision. My mom won’t blame you,” Ji Xueli kindly offered. She didn’t want anyone to feel burdened because of her.

Veins popped on Ji Yanzhou’s hand gripping the wheel. He couldn’t hold back anymore: “What’s your relationship with Duan Qingyu now?”

“At the moment… friends.” Ji Xueli pondered, but decided not to openly mention she was pursuing him—anyone with eyes could see they were exes anyway.

His expression relaxed slightly upon hearing “friends.” “And later?”

Later? Ji Xueli shrugged. “Hard to say, but… we’ll probably end up together.”

If she couldn’t win Duan Qingyu over, she’d really be a failure. She still didn’t know how long the system had given her, after all.

“Together?!” Ji Yanzhou’s eyes darkened, his gaze locked on her, bloodshot. “What did you say? Say it again.”

“Hey, the car—watch out!” Ji Xueli shouted. She had no idea why he was suddenly so angry again, and now a car had just appeared at the upcoming turn.

Ji Yanzhou frowned and quickly turned the steering wheel. The car swerved and stopped at the roadside. Ji Xueli’s body lurched forward but was snapped back by her seatbelt, her hair now disheveled.

“Ji Xueli, who did you say you’re going to be with?!” Ji Yanzhou grabbed her wrist and forced her to face him, shouting.

The pain in her wrist made her struggle. “What the hell, Ji Yanzhou, let go of me! If you want to die, I don’t!”

One car crash was enough. She had no desire to go through another. Was he out of his mind?

“Answer me!” Ji Yanzhou roared, gripping her even tighter.

“With Duan Qingyu! Why, who I’m with is none of your damn business.” Ji Xueli was furious. Her voice turned cold.

Ji Yanzhou stared into her eyes, trying to find even a trace of provocation, but all he saw was pure anger.

“Absolutely not! Ji Xueli, over my dead body!” His chest felt like it was about to explode. He yelled.

“You’re seriously messed up. Let me go!” Ji Xueli glared at him, her tone fierce and furious.

“I’m with whoever I want—that’s my freedom. It has nothing to do with you, Ji Yanzhou! Let go of me now!” Ji Xueli’s voice was strong and filled with rage as she glared at him, struggling to break free. But the man’s grip was too strong—her struggles seemed completely futile.

Ji Yanzhou took a deep breath and softened his voice. “Xueli, I know you’re just mad at me. Those years we had—”

Before he could finish, searing pain shot through his hand like electricity.

Ji Xueli had bitten down on his hand—hard. Her white teeth sunk deep into his skin, leaving a distinct row of bite marks. Blood seeped from the wound, staining the skin around it. She looked like an enraged wild animal, eyes burning with fury and defiance.

Ji Xueli immediately broke free and opened the car door without hesitation, getting out.

Despite the pain, Ji Yanzhou quickly got out as well. But she was too fast—she hailed a taxi and got in.

“Ji Xueli!” he yelled.

“Drive, please!” Ji Xueli didn’t look back and told the driver urgently.

Red marks stood out clearly on her pale wrist, and her messy hair made her look like she had just been through something dangerous.

The taxi driver frowned. “Miss, do you need to report this to the police?”

Ji Xueli rubbed her wrist and shook her head. “No.”

She didn’t understand why Ji Yanzhou completely lost control when she said she might end up with Duan Qingyu. Could it be… he liked her? But wasn’t he supposed to be in love with Xie Yujun?

Whatever. The main story was about her and Duan Qingyu. She couldn’t care less about these side plots.

When Ji Xueli returned home, her parents were already waiting. Seeing her, her mother eagerly looked behind her, expecting Ji Yanzhou. But no one followed.

“Don’t bother. Ji Yanzhou left,” Ji Xueli said plainly as she walked to the dining table and poured herself some water.

“Didn’t he bring you home? Why didn’t you ask him to come in?” her mom asked.

“Because I didn’t want him to,” Ji Xueli replied bluntly.

Her mom eyed her, trying to guess, “Did you two fight?”

“Anyway, it’s absolutely impossible between me and him. Mom, stop trying to create opportunities for us to be together. I’m not interested.” Ji Xueli put down her cup and headed upstairs.

“Sigh…”

“Alright, alright, she already said it clearly. Stop pushing,” her dad tried to comfort her.

“But it’s obvious she still has feelings for Yanzhou…” her mother muttered, unwilling to give up.

“She looks nothing like someone who can’t let go. And she did say she likes someone else,” her father replied.

His words only made her more unhappy. “That person she likes isn’t going to last. What’s the point of being together?”

“She’s still young, and with her background, she’ll have no trouble finding someone good. Just let her make her own choice,” her father said gently.

Though clearly reluctant and unhappy, Ji Xueli’s mother finally gave in, slowly and grudgingly sitting down in her chair.