Treasure Hunt: Tycoon's Priceless Runaway Wife

Chapter 392: The Compensation You Want, I Can’t Afford (One More Update)

Le Tong smiled and shook her head, "I already know how to make this dish."Although Le Tong resisted Ji Rui in her heart, she wasn’t oblivious to his kindness toward her.

At first, she indeed didn’t believe that such an outstanding and proud man like Ji Rui would truly like her. But now, after Ji Rui had humbled himself repeatedly to show his affection and gradually accommodate her pace, it would seem too pretentious if she said she didn’t believe it at all.

However, even the slightest disturbance between her and Ji Rui would involve Baobao, making her afraid to respond to Ji Rui easily.

The drawing Baobao made on the beach had actually touched her deeply, though she didn’t show it.

At Baobao’s age, she too had longed day and night for a complete family with both a dad and mom.

Therefore, no one understood Baobao’s feelings better than she did at this moment.

It was precisely because she understood too well that she didn’t dare to casually give Baobao any hope.

She hadn’t ignored the thought of just accepting Ji Rui.

Yet, her rational mind always reined her in with a heavy blow at the right moment.

To start with Ji Rui would be easy, she just needed to soften a little, give that man a hint, and that aloof yet cunning man would definitely escalate things.

But what happens after it starts?

She considered herself not a petty person, but not being petty didn’t mean she could forget all the unpleasantness of the past and start anew with him as if nothing happened.

She had tried to ignore the knots that Ji Rui had caused her before, but the human mind is so strange. The barrier is there, and if you can’t cross it, you just can’t. Ignoring it doesn’t make it disappear naturally.

Therefore, if she, still harboring suspicions about Ji Rui, forced herself to start something with him, she couldn’t guarantee or even imagine how far they could go.

And her relationship with Ji Rui was different from other couples because of Baobao. Other couples, if they like each other, could try to see if they are compatible. If not, they could bid each other goodbye amicably.

But if she and Ji Rui, in a moment of impulse, decided to start, and eventually found it inappropriate and wanted to separate, it might not be her or him who gets hurt.

It’s their mutual beloved treasure—Baobao!

If the bubble of hope that Baobao holds in his hands bursts someday, she would rather never have given Baobao hope in the first place.

Because of this, as Ji Rui pursued, she could only keep retreating.

She thought, with Ji Rui’s personality, he would certainly give up after she refused once or twice.

After all, given his circumstances, he didn’t even need to lift a finger, and those classy ladies would surround him endlessly in R City.

And she, Le Tong, is just an ordinary woman. If she weren’t Baobao’s biological mother, that proud man might not even spare her a glance. Thinking of how he used to dislike her, now because she’s Baobao’s biological mom, he focused his attention on her. He said he liked her, which might be true, but the bigger reason is that he probably wants to give Baobao a complete family?!

"So, is this dish specially made for me?" Ji Rui’s eyes flickered with a smoldering flame, and his cold demeanor seemed to soften a bit.

"Mr. Ji, you’re giving me a lesson; isn’t it fair that I make you a meal? There’s no need for such a grateful look!"

Le Tong’s words were like a cold bucket of water dousing Ji Rui, extinguishing not only the flame in his eyes but also the fire in his heart.

Ji Rui gritted his teeth and closed his eyes slightly, suppressing the disappointment-induced anger in his heart, "Le Tong, are you saying this dish is my payment for the lesson?"

Ji Rui’s unfriendly tone made Le Tong pause while serving soup. This man indeed changed just as suddenly as before, switching from clear skies one moment to frost and rain the next.

"Well, Mr. Ji, what other compensation would you like?" Le Tong’s clear, bright eyes locked straight onto Ji Rui’s.

She didn’t want to argue with this man, thankful that Baobao was still in the living room with his new models; otherwise, seeing them falling out over something trivial would surely worry him again.

"Are you willing to give any compensation?" Ji Rui’s deep eyes reflected some anger.

Le Tong didn’t respond, quietly put down the spoon, and sat down, her bright eyes fixed on him, waiting for what he had to say next.

"You!" Ji Rui was straightforward.

Le Tong didn’t expect him to be so blunt, slightly surprised before regaining her composure and replying calmly.

"Mr. Ji, I’m sorry, the compensation you want, I cannot provide."

After Le Tong finished speaking, not even looking at Ji Rui, she got up and went to the living room, lifting the engrossed Baobao lovingly patting his little bottom, "Baobao, go wash your face and eat."

At the dinner table, Baobao was chatty as usual, and Le Tong responded to him with smiles while eating, while Ji Rui was quieter than usual, only answering briefly when Baobao asked him something.

Luckily, Baobao was mostly preoccupied with the new models today and didn’t seem to notice the oddness of his father. As soon as he finished eating, the little one ran back to the models, following which Ji Rui also put down his bowl and habitually started to roll up his sleeves to clean the dishes.

"Mr. Ji, let me do it."

In Le Tong’s view, the man was quite upset by her earlier, and the lesson talk might be off the table.

Ji Rui gave her a long look and pushed her hand away.

"Go take a shower!"

Le Tong didn’t understand what he meant by this; what did her taking a shower have to do with him?

Meeting her puzzled gaze, Ji Rui grudgingly explained.

"First, take a shower; refresh yourself before continuing the lesson."

"Eh? Is there still a lesson?" Le Tong thought she misheard. With this man’s stinginess, after she said that, he actually was still willing to give her a lesson?

Ji Rui ignored her and picked up the cleared dishes, heading into the kitchen.

Watching him stride into the kitchen, Le Tong blinked and suddenly felt like laughing for some reason.

This man, is he really angry at her?

Yet, even though he was clearly angry, he didn’t resort to his usual sharp words or sarcasm but instead, like a wronged little wife, sulked and still did what needed to be done.

This version of Ji Rui, how come it seems a little familiar?