Chapter 91: Don’t Bother Me Again

Chapter 91: Don't Come Bothering Me Again

After about a year, Xu Moxing was back to his longed-for peaceful and simple single life in Shencheng.

He got a raise, and even though he still wasn't making as much as he did in auditing, the work atmosphere was pretty good, and he was satisfied.

In the past, he always forced himself to hold onto a relatively higher-paying job that drained him. He always felt that if he gave up those "better jobs," his life would somehow be a failure.

Now he thinks that working a miserable job just for money—for him, it's simply not worth it.

During lunch break, when he saw Xiao Ke had brought her own meal, Xu Moxing went out to eat by himself.

After the New Year, Xiao Ke stopped eating with Xu Moxing as often, and he didn't bother wondering why.

A lunch buddy is just a lunch buddy—just someone to eat with at work. If they suddenly drift apart, it doesn't matter; keeping things civil on the surface is fine. Digging into the reasons would only make things awkward.

So yeah, for relationships that don't matter, aren't important, and don't involve conflicts of interest, there's no need to communicate at all. That's what people call adult grace.

Xu Moxing walked to and from work. On his way home, he could stop by the grocery store and buy ingredients for dinner.

Living closer to the company meant no crowded subway and saved on commuting costs. Walking home alone after work gave his frayed nerves time to recover.

That way, when he got home, he didn't feel completely drained.

When Xu Moxing ate alone, he didn't even bother with a bowl.

With chopsticks in hand, a rice cooker in front of him, a frying pan directly on the table, and a phone stand to his left, Xu Moxing wasn't in a rush to eat. He had to find a good video to watch while eating first.

After two minutes of searching, he finally found a video he liked and started eating.

After finishing, he washed the dishes, took a walk to digest, occasionally played some games, watched more videos, or studied for another certification, then took a shower and went to bed.

Xu Moxing saw the notification that the WeChat transfer had expired after 24 hours. He chose not to message Su Lichen about it.

Whatever—he'd already sent the money. If Su didn't accept it, that was his problem.

Did he have to force him to take the money? What a hassle. If Su wanted to play hard to get, then he could just forfeit that amount. Xu Moxing wasn't obligated to play along.

Take it or leave it. As far as Xu Moxing was concerned, he no longer owed Su anything in that regard. Their relationship was now down to just one last favor.

Su Lichen also got the notification. Using that as an excuse, he immediately sent Xu Moxing a message.

— Mo, I forgot to accept it. But I didn't want to in the first place—it was my treat. If you feel bad about it, are you free this weekend? How about we catch a movie? I don't want your money; I'd rather watch a movie with you.

After sending the message, it was met with silence. Su Lichen didn't get a reply from Xu Moxing before he fell asleep.

The next morning, the first thing Su Lichen did was check if Xu Moxing had messaged him. Still nothing.

Around noon, while eating, Su Lichen couldn't help sending another message.

— Mo?

Xu Moxing still didn't reply.

That evening, after finishing his takeout, Su Lichen hesitated for a while, then couldn't help calling Xu Moxing.

Xu Moxing had just finished cooking and was eating. When he saw Su Lichen's incoming call, he frowned and hung up immediately.

He opened WeChat, saw Su's messages, and replied with a string of dots.

At the same time, Su Lichen frowned deeply and was about to call again—but before he could dial, he spotted Xu Moxing's message.

What did those six dots mean?

Before Su could figure out how to reply, Xu Moxing's second message came through.

— I already sent the money. It's your problem if you didn't accept it. If you still need it, I can transfer it to you again. I don't want to watch a movie with you. When you need to call in the favor for taking care of me, just say the word. Other than that, there's no need for us to meet. And no need to stay in touch either.

Xu Moxing also wanted to say that Su was really getting on his nerves, but out of politeness, he held back.

He really didn't want to see Su Lichen anymore, didn't want his emotions stirred up, and didn't want any contact with his ex.

When Su Lichen read that message, his heart sank. Did he really have no chance left?

— Okay, I understand. Sorry. Your ID card is still at my place. Let me know when you can come get it, or I can mail it to you.

Xu Moxing saw the message, frowned in confusion, and checked his wallet. The ID card was indeed missing.

Xu Moxing was very careful with important items—he always put them back in their designated spot after using them. The last time he used his ID card was when he had amnesia and traveled with Su Lichen by high-speed rail.

Xu Moxing strongly suspected Su had stolen it while he was packing. After all the years they'd been together, how could Xu Moxing not see through Su Lichen's little tricks?

Besides, when Su Lichen was pursuing him in the past, he acted the same way—flirting with him and playing all kinds of mind games.

But whether it was courtship or reconciliation, the prerequisite had to be that Xu Moxing didn't dislike him.

If Xu Moxing didn't mind Su Lichen's advances and was willing to give him a chance, then his goodwill might be accepted.

But right now, Xu Moxing only wanted to reject and avoid. Although it hadn't yet reached the point of disgust, Su's constant messages and manufactured encounters—all his actions—felt more like "harassment" than "effort" in Xu Moxing's eyes.

If he kept it up, it would definitely turn into disgust, because Xu Moxing felt that Su Lichen wasn't respecting his feelings.

The same "mind games," when you like someone, you think "he cares about me." When you don't, you see "he's scheming against me."

The games were the same—it was his heart that had changed. This wasn't double standards; it's that emotions determine perspective.

"Just mail it to me. Cash on delivery."

Su Lichen was now even more certain that Xu Moxing really wanted nothing to do with him.

They stopped talking. Xu Moxing transferred the money again, and Su Lichen still didn't accept it, but he also stopped bothering Xu Moxing with messages.

He had no choice. He didn't want to give up, but he couldn't win Xu Moxing back like this anymore.

The other person was now completely resisting any connection. If he kept playing tricks, it would just be selfish.

Ignoring Xu Moxing's feelings would warp this love.

Feelings are a two-person matter. The other party had already made up his mind. No matter how hard Su tried, he couldn't win him back.