As He Mo continuously rejected him, the atmosphere on-site plummeted to freezing point.
Even the bald man with the gold chain didn't expect the other party to be so stubborn and strong-willed, and for a moment, he widened his eyes, unsure of what to say.
On the outskirts of the crowd, Li Jing looked at the stubborn and composed He Mo inside the store, slightly raising his eyebrows, surprised at the other's fierce personality.
"Sorry, sorry, everyone, let me say something."
At this moment, a tall, slim young man appeared out of nowhere, wearing an Adidas T-shirt, walked to the crowd, spread his hands, piled on a smile, breaking the stiff atmosphere.
"Let me say a fair word, I can understand this big brother being angry, but the girl running a painting shop isn't easy."
The young man seemed to come up to smooth things over, speaking in Mandarin with a local accent, continued: "To be honest, I am also friends with the owner of this painting shop. She has always been very serious about her painting. It's really a matter of painting style, not intentionally painting you ugly.
How about you do me a favor, I'll refund you two hundred, and let's call it a day, okay?"
As his words fell, the onlookers were all surprised at the young man's behavior.
And the bald man seemed not to want to make a fuss, took the money, turned, and left without saying more.
Seeing the matter resolved satisfactorily, passersby couldn't help but praise the young man continuously.
And the young man also had a smile on his face, watching the crowd slowly disperse.
Although Li Jing found this farce somewhat strange, seeing the crowd disperse, was also about to leave when he heard He Mo's cool voice ring again: "Liu Da, have you watched too many TV dramas, or read too many novels and gotten stupid, is this kind of routine interesting?"
"Huh?"
Hearing this, the young man called Liu Da turned his head in surprise, facing He Mo, his eyes dodging: "He Mo, I don't understand what you mean."
"The guy just now, you arranged him on purpose, right? What, trying to play hero and save the beauty?"
He Mo's expression became extremely unpleasant, coldly glaring at the other: "Doing this won't change my view of you, instead, I'll dislike you even more."
"Oh, He Mo, you found out?!"
Liu Da's expression changed greatly, not rebutting a single word, hurriedly admitting and explaining: "I, I really didn't mean to trouble you, it's my couple of buddies who gave me the idea, that's why I..."
Seeing the other party's panicked appearance, He Mo's expression eased a bit, then seriously and sternly said: "Liu Da, if you want to pursue me, or pursue any girl, you need to not play such childish tricks and routines, but find a proper job, stop relying on your parents, improve your capabilities.
When you have the ability and money, good girls will naturally be by your side."
Seeing the other party's earnest manner, Liu Da, who had been full of smiles, was now extremely embarrassed, clutching the hem of his shirt, whispered: "I found a job, I'm leaving tomorrow, so I thought this last time to see if I could move you..."
"No, you didn't move me, instead made me think more that you are just a kid."
He Mo's words were very sharp, her eyes keen, staring at the other's shamefaced countenance: "I still say, go out and see, see the world outside, once you strengthen yourself, good girls will actively approach you. Otherwise, no one will ever fall for you."
After listening, Liu Da's expression kept changing, hands clenched and unclenched, finally raised his head, daring to look directly into her eyes, gritting his teeth, determined: "Fine, I'll go out and work hard, when I succeed, I'll come back to pursue you!"
"Success isn't about temporary passion, but patience, perseverance, learning, and opportunity, all indispensable."
He Mo coldly stared at the other: "I hope you can always remember this determination today, not come back within half a year seeking your parents."
Hearing these hurtful words, Liu Da's expression grew increasingly unsightly, said nothing more, turned, and sprinted back home.
During his run, he also fiercely kicked a stone, venting his anger.
The stone knocked over a roadside trash bin, litter scattered instantly.
Liu Da didn't even look back, disappeared at the end of the ancient town's path as he ran.
"What, haven't had enough of the show?"
At this moment, He Mo's cool voice rang again.
This time, the target was not Liu Da but Li Jing, who had been eavesdropping nearby.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..."
Hearing this, Li Jing pretended to cough a few times, not feeling awkward or blushing for being discovered, but rather came over to shake his head at He Mo's behavior and remarked: "Your words were too harsh, that guy probably took quite a hit."
"Just an immature boy, protected too well by his parents, too naive."
He Mo replied as she tidied up the painting gear in the shop.
"But I saw he was quite sincere just now, since he's leaving tomorrow, you might as well encourage him a bit." Li Jing walked into the other's shop by himself, sat in He Mo's seat.
Originally intending to sit herself, He Mo forced herself to resist the urge to roll her eyes, could only take out another stool and sit beside him, frowned at Li Jing:
"You and I have both battled in the big city, you should know how fierce the competition is there, do you think my mere encouragement can help him succeed?
It's better to scold him awake, and he might stay a few more days there; otherwise, I don't think he can really endure it."
Hearing this, Li Jing recalled Liu Da's nature, shrugged without commenting, but deliberately teased: "If that guy truly succeeds and comes back to pursue you, would you agree?"
"Firstly, I don't think he can succeed. Secondly..."
Speaking, He Mo retracted her serious expression, instead looking at Li Jing with a playful smirk, retorted: "Where's your pretty girlfriend from yesterday?"
Li Jing paused, not knowing what the other meant, but still replied: "She's gone back, has to work."
"Ha, you seem not the least bit reluctant."
He Mo chuckled lightly, then answered the previous question: "If Liu Da succeeds, do you think he'd still come back to pursue me?
In other words, like you, once having money, beauties naturally keep offering themselves, if he, Liu Da, can enjoy that, would he genuinely pursue a girl?"
Upon hearing this, Li Jing blinked, unexpected how perceptive the other was.
But then he denied with a wave: "I can't speak for other wealthy men, but I'm not as you say, I don't accept just any woman; I have principles and boundaries."
"Is that so?"
He Mo squinted slightly, staring at Li Jing's face, slowly moved closer, her natural fragrance stimulating his nose, teasingly questioned in a soft voice: "If you're not a scumbag, why do you have your eyes on both your plate and the pot?"
"What plate, what pot?" Li Jing's upper body instinctively retreated a bit.
"Your pretty girlfriend is on the plate, while the pot..."
He Mo chuckled, raised her delicate and refined face: "Naturally it's me, if you weren't interested in me, why do you keep coming here often?
Is it because of my painting skills, or because I'm beautiful?"
Unexpectedly, the other spoke so bluntly, Li Jing was momentarily speechless, finding himself truly unprepared against this woman.
This woman, no wonder she recognized my relationship with Zhang Xinxin at first glance that night, she's sharp.
But dares to provoke me like this, really takes me as someone who doesn't retaliate?
Looking at her closing face, Li Jing didn't retreat but advanced, with a lightning-fast move, suddenly stepped forward, directly kissed her lips.
The two lips touching, seemed like a current instantly flowing through their bodies.
He Mo was instantly stunned, felt the warmth on her lips, her eyes that exuded rationality and calmness visibly opened wide.
Then she exclaimed, swiftly backed up, stood, anger and shyness: "What are you doing?!"
Facing the angry question, Li Jing leaned back on the chair, crossed his legs, grinned: "You said I'm eyeing the pot, now that the deliciousness in the pot is right in front of me, how can I resist?"
"You, you shameless!"
Seeing He Mo's shy angry look, Li Jing mimicked her previous composed demeanor, confidently smiled: "You said I covet your beauty, yet you always accept my flirting. Does it mean you...have no feelings for me?"
Hearing this, He Mo's expression changed, looking at the other's annoying appearance, seemed to be waiting to see her embarrassed breakdown, she gritted her teeth, competitiveness instantly rose.
Her earlier shy angry expression instantly vanished, replaced again with rationality and confidence.
He Mo slightly raised her chin, lightly smiled provocatively at Li Jing:
"You're right, I admit I find you a bit interesting.
What about you, dare to confess to me? Dare to make me your girlfriend?"