Ji Yanzhi's gaze flickered, as though he could see the loose end of that thread drifting back into his hand. Somewhere deep in his heart, a sudden heat flared.
He stared unblinkingly at Ji Ting, his voice softening. "You asked that because you don't like Shen Mu Lan, right?"
Ji Ting neither nodded nor shook his head, but he did not evade the question either. "But Mr. Shen is a good person. Besides, he's helped me before. By any measure, I shouldn't have any negative feelings toward him."
"So those negative feelings are..." Ji Yanzhi's heart pounded, and his Adam's apple bobbed. "Because of me?"
Ji Ting looked away somewhat awkwardly and said quietly, "Not quite the model answer, but you pass."
That tantalizing answer left Ji Yanzhi unable to contain himself. He strode around to the other side, determined to look Ji Ting in the eye. "Not just because of me, but also because..."
Knock, knock, knock-
Those three knocks were like a morning alarm, noisy and grating, irritating Ji Yanzhi to no end.
He had intended to pretend he hadn't heard them, no matter who had come calling, but Ji Ting said, "Come in."
Director Liao pushed the door open, followed by two unfamiliar people. "Ji Ting, we're not disturbing your rest, are we?"
"No. Is there something you need?"
Director Liao turned slightly toward the people behind him and introduced them. "This is Team Leader Sun from State Security, and this is Chen, the court clerk."
Ji Ting nodded in greeting. "Hello."
"Hello, Ji Ting." Team Leader Sun had noticed Ji Yanzhi's dark expression as soon as he entered, so he made a point of greeting him too. "Mr. Ji, we meet again."
Ji Yanzhi said nothing. Only when Ji Ting looked over at him did he