Ji Ting instinctively opened his mouth, but a thoughtful look suddenly flickered in his eyes, and he closed it again.
[This seemed like a good opportunity to clear things up with Ji Yanzhi.]
One second, Ji Yanzhi thought he was hesitating and flared up; the next, the voice in his head abruptly hit the pause button on his anger.
Explain? Explain what?
Ji Yanzhi narrowed his dark eyes. Was he going to explain just how much he liked Ling Xi?
[Now that Ji Yanzhi already thought that first love was shallow, those feelings fading over time could also be something inevitable and consistent with the principles of existence.]
Ji Ting nodded inwardly and, having organized his thoughts, looked at Ji Yanzhi, only to find him studying him with a puzzled gaze.
Thinking his silence had made Ji Yanzhi suspicious, Ji Ting went straight to the conclusion. "I don't like Ling Xi anymore."
Ji Yanzhi's expression became less icy, but his puzzlement remained. "Why?"
"Because I've grown up." Ji Ting looked calm, his reasoning clear. "As my horizons broadened, I realized there were plenty of people in this world better-looking than Ling Xi. Besides, the essence of love is being seen. He has no room for me in his eyes or his heart, and I don't want to give up my dignity just to pander to a love I have to force."
If he hadn't heard those thoughts, Ji Yanzhi might have snorted and said, "At least you've got some brains."
But now that he knew Ji Ting had given those words careful consideration, something about them felt oddly off.
Seeing him fall silent, Ji Ting thought he was mulling it over, so he added, "It's true. I'm not lying."
When no further thoughts followed, Ji Yanzhi finally said coldly, "Since