Chapter 1439: Chapter 1438: A Twist of Fate
“…Please, don’t misunderstand, okay?”
Seeing Li Wei’s serious demeanor, the chaotic images in Ariana’s mind seemed to get caught, her eyes flustered, inadvertently revealing her true inner thoughts.
Ariana tried to dodge, but ended up catching the teasing glint in Li Wei’s eye, and immediately reacted, raising her head to look directly into his eyes.
“You’re setting a trap!”
Li Wei raised his hands in surrender, striking an innocent pose, “Only the mischievous would fall for it. Miss Ariana Grande, never would have thought you were such an Ariana.”
Ariana pursed her lips, slightly bashful and shy, but unable to control her smile, which gently lifted, “Hmph, that’s exactly what I am, so what, is that a problem? It’s the modern age; we also have the right to admire those we like.”
Having said that, Ariana mustered her courage, confidently sizing up Li Wei, her eyes showing a hint of admiration.
Turning the tables!
Li Wei scratched his nose, “Ahem.” Clearing his throat, “Of course. Of course! As long as it’s not in the locker room.”
Ariana couldn’t believe her ears, her face full of surprise, “Li Wei! Didn’t think you were that kind of Li Wei, were you just flirting?”
For once, Li Wei’s eyes showed shock and chaos, clearly thrown off by Ariana’s counterattack.
Ariana didn’t give Li Wei time to respond, a thought impulsively emerged in her mind, “If you were, I like it.”
The words had just left her mouth when Ariana startled herself—
Quite by accident, a genuine subconscious thought had just slipped out like that.
But…so what?
Boldly and courageously expressing oneself, taking initiative to seize the chance to pursue one’s own happiness, isn’t that just the natural thing to do?
The true point is… liking.
She likes him.
A thought gradually became clear in her mind, her heart racing, the joy flooding her chest as if she were flying to the sky.
Carefully and seriously, Ariana looked at the man in front of her.
His build, his expression, his eyes—
She liked his eyes, filled with stars and the sea, the happiness in her chest almost overflowing.
“I like you, Li Wei.”
Ariana said.
“After the Super Bowl, would you like to go on a date with me? I know some date spots in Miami, it could be adventurous to try.”
Finally, the thoughts deep within were spoken out loud.
Ariana thought she would feel shy, nervous, awkward, but in fact, she didn’t.
Now, there was only joy and happiness, a smile creeping up the corners of her mouth, staring intently at Li Wei, shedding pretense and bashfulness, she began to be bold.
A sentence, crashing into Li Wei’s chest.
Caught him off guard.
Li Wei was about to head to the locker room, to start the first round of warm-ups, when he unexpectedly came across this nearly out-of-control situation along the player tunnel and instinctively reached out to help; but how did things develop into this state, it all happened too fast, like a tornado that comes unbidden, without warning.
Li Wei froze.
Yet, the first thing that flashed across his mind was the face of that little girl—
Thalia.
Slightly lifting her face, her bright eyes filled with sunlight, confidently and firmly looking at him, standing there with poise.
A thought flashed through Li Wei’s mind, why did Thalia confess at New York Airport?
Could it be… because the week prior she saw Ariana’s silhouette on TV during a live broadcast? With the media overwhelming the space with reports on their relationship, did all this fall into Thalia’s eyes too?
Only now did Li Wei understand the reason.
Ariana saw the arc at the corners of Li Wei’s mouth, so gentle yet so happy, but he remained silent, she looked at the turbulent noise on site, thinking Li Wei didn’t hear clearly, or perhaps doubted her sincerity, treating this all as a joke.
So.
Ariana placed both hands around her mouth, calling out loudly for the second time, “Li Wei. I. Like. You. Sincerely.”
Enunciating each word, Ariana ensured Li Wei heard completely and then, without looking away, locked eyes with Li Wei transmitting her true sentiments.
The sound echoed through the player tunnel.
Not far away, Swift, secretly watching it all, caught a bit of sound, hurriedly hidden her figure, heart racing.
Thump, thump.
The beating of the heart getting faster and more urgent, almost rushing out of her chest, Swift was entirely unaware, clenching her fist, she was even more nervous than Ariana, her gaze firmly locked on Li Wei, watching his lips, holding her breath, waiting for a response.
The world, a cacophony and clamour, Li Wei bathed in Ariana’s gaze, a storm of confusion roaring in his mind.
However, Li Wei became sober, standing firm, the voice deep in his mind becoming clearer and more resolute than ever, dispelling the fog.
He, finally recognized his true feelings.
Looking at Ariana’s eyes, Li Wei faced her with honesty, sincerity filling his eyes.
“Thank you, it’s my honor.”
Ariana’s smile paused slightly.
“But, Ariana, I already like someone else.”
The words, just spoken like that, Li Wei thought it would be difficult, he had been avoiding, denying, like an ostrich, as if if he refused to see it, it didn’t exist.
Yet, just like that, it was said with ease, the burden deep within dissipated in an instant, everything became clear, his mood brightening.
“All of this here is new to me,” Li Wei gestured towards the turbulence behind him, “Standing under the spotlight, things can easily spiral out of control, so I’ve been trying to protect everything I have, hoping to safeguard her, and hoping to protect a small happiness.”
“Hearing your words just now proves I must be doing alright. The guys in the locker room should be jealous to madness.” Li Wei cracked a small joke.
Ariana stood frozen, blankly staring at Li Wei, completely unprepared for such an answer, but she could see the clarity and brightness in his eyes, not only sincere but candid too.
The heart, slowly sinking, bitterness spreading on the tongue.
Ariana almost couldn’t bear such pain, instinctively wanting to turn and leave, flee in panic, she used all her strength to control herself, barely staying still, struggling to put on a smile, “What about her?”
Li Wei chuckled softly, “She should envy my luck.”
The happiness at the corners of his mouth, glaringly obtrusive in Ariana’s eyes.
Li Wei noticed, “I’m sorry, Ariana. I like you, as a friend, believe me, you are a very very good friend; not being able to return your feelings is my regret.”
“After all, in Hollywood, having seen so many handsome men and beautiful women, yet still being captivated by my charm, God, my confidence and pride has swelled to the limit, poised to explode at any second.”
A small jest, causing Ariana to lose all control, burst into laughter, her smile climbing up the corners of her mouth, fully blooming.