Lack of Love

Extra Story 07

Lian Siqiao finished a day’s work and bid farewell to the last consulting client. As he was about to leave for the day, he suddenly caught sight of an unexpected visitor standing outside the door.

The moment he saw Li Qi, he knew that Zhong Qiran had betrayed him.

After resigning from Yan’s family, he rented a two-story house in the suburbs as his personal workspace, providing online psychological counseling and appointment-based consultation services.

He chose this location not only because he didn’t want to be too busy but also because he had been subconsciously avoiding Li Qi.

Now that Li Qi had found him, such avoidance had become meaningless. Perhaps since the moment Li Qi forcibly kissed him, he had anticipated this day, so he wasn’t too surprised to see him again.

Lian Siqiao looked at him for a moment and said, “Would you like to come in?”

Li Qi originally thought he would be turned away, which was something Lian Siqiao’s personality would indeed do. But since the other party was willing to talk, he had to seize this opportunity. “Okay.”

Lian Siqiao’s personal workspace was decorated in a homely manner, resembling a bookstore, a café, and a guest room. His work was, in fact, a type of service industry, so it was natural to create a relaxing atmosphere for clients to achieve good results.

Li Qi looked around the room before sitting on the sofa. “Do you live here?”

“No.” Lian Siqiao handed him a glass of water.

Li Qi looked at his slender fingers and couldn’t help but reach out to hold them, saying directly, “Don’t you plan to forgive me?”

Lian Siqiao wanted to pull his hand back but seeing that the other party didn’t let go, he glared at him. After a few seconds of eye contact, Li Qi voluntarily let go.

Lian Siqiao responded, “We’ve been apart for a long time. There’s nothing to forgive…”

“Then why…”

Lian Siqiao interrupted him, “Actually, you understand, don’t you? Our personalities are incompatible. We are both practical people who only value ourselves and cannot compromise for each other. Your decision to go abroad was just another difference between us. Even if it wasn’t this time, there would be another time. This vicious cycle would continue, and our separation would only be a matter of time…”

Li Qi denied his words, saying, “Maybe that was the case before, but things have changed now. Siqiao, I’ve thought a lot after going abroad this time. I was immature before and didn’t consider you. I… I still like you.”

Lian Siqiao could tell he was sincere but still smiled and shook his head.

“Don’t you believe me? Or are you unwilling to give me another chance?”

Lian Siqiao didn’t answer his question directly and only said, “Li Qi, I’m leaving the country next month.”

When Li Qi heard these words, he froze on the spot. The first thought that came to his mind was whether Lian Siqiao intended to seek revenge on him. But he was immediately shocked by what he heard.As Zhong Qiran had said, their way of getting along did have problems. They were too accustomed to hiding their true feelings and remaining silent during arguments, so when both sides stopped saying anything, they could only guess each other’s intentions, eventually losing even the most basic trust.

Due to his work, Lian Siqiao was skilled at observing people’s emotions. Just by looking at Li Qi’s expression, he knew what he was thinking. “Do you think I’m trying to seek revenge on you?”

Li Qi didn’t say anything.

Lian Siqiao didn’t necessarily need his answer and continued, “Actually, I had planned this half a year ago. I initially thought Yan Hao would be a good research subject. I accepted Zhong Qiran’s invitation during the gap before going abroad, without expecting to meet you again. I couldn’t understand you before, and it was my immaturity. Now I understand, and I think you should understand me too.”

Li Qi remained silent for a while and finally spoke, “Are you testing me with this?”

“No. It’s just how reality is. We didn’t wait for each other in the beginning, and now there’s no need to.” Lian Siqiao thought for a moment and added, “I know you used to have feelings for Zhong Qiran. I’m not here to blame you for anything, but I think you might have misunderstood. We only had a relationship, and we are not bound to each other. Maybe I was just one of the types you liked, not an absolute choice. Right now, you might be attached to the past because of being single, but after some time, I think you will dispel that idea. Besides… I’m sorry, but I have emotional cleanliness. We can’t reconcile.”

Li Qi looked up at Lian Siqiao, seeing his resolute expression, without any room for negotiation.

Lian Siqiao calmly stood up to see him off. Since this was his own workspace, he could still pretend to be working, just refusing a relationship that would end without any progress.

He had been contemplating these words in his mind for a long time, and when he finally spoke them, it went more smoothly than he had imagined. However, as Li Qi turned away, he couldn’t help but reveal a sad expression.

Li Qi saw it through the glass on the door but didn’t expose him.

When he obtained Lian Siqiao’s contact information from Zhong Qiran, he hadn’t thought about anything. Acting on impulse, he came over during the break. It was only after being doused with cold water that he realized how reckless his actions were.

They had long passed the age of recklessly indulging themselves. Lian Siqiao had always been cautious, and how could he allow himself to be hurt again?

Li Qi walked out the door but didn’t think of giving up.

He didn’t refute Lian Siqiao on the spot because he understood that anyone could say things with their mouth, so he needed to take practical actions to win him back .