96 The Japan Trip 8 (1/2)

Xiu Ling was rather shocked that Joann would catch such a small detail and the surprise was obvious on her face. After some hesitation, she prevaricated, ”Joann, what do you mean? Nothing has changed on this front.”

Joann laughed but not in a mean-spirited way. ”Xiu Ling, we have been friends for how many years already? You really think I wouldn't know when you're acting dumb?” Joann tutted before continuing, ”Instead of letting you run me around in circles, I'll just have to be straightforward and ask you the question directly, do you like Lin Kang?”

Xiu Ling choked on the cake in her mouth and as she hacked up a storm, Joann quickly handed her a glass of wine to wash the food down. While Xiu Ling chugged the liquid down, Joann looked at her best friend and she smiled knowingly. 'To think that she would react in such a manner from an innocent question like that...'

After Xiu Ling recovered, she answered perhaps a little bit too forcefully, ”Of course, I like Lin Kang. He's my husband, why would I marry him if I don't like him?”

Joann looked at Xiu Ling deliberately and she said, ”Come on, that is not why you married him and let's not pretend that it is. Let's not kid ourselves.”

Joann paused to let the words that were left unsaid sink in. Both Xiu Ling and Joann knew the marriage was entirely based around Lin Xi. Without the little man, Lin Kang wouldn't have asked Xiu Ling to sign the contractual marriage.

Then, Joann said something that Xiu Ling had been having a hard time coming to terms with, ”Obviously, you like the guy.”

'Do I though?' Xiu Ling asked herself. 'Yes, I find the man less repulsive than before and I don't mind spending time in the man's company. I believe he is a good father and a trustworthy man whom Lin Xi can depend on in the future... but does that mean I like him? In other words, I like him in the capacity of Lin Xi's father but does that mean I like him as a romantic partner? Are the two even interchangeable?'

Xiu Ling thought back to the incident that happened at the public pool several weeks ago during Lin Xi's swimming class. She remembered how shy she felt when Lin Kang reached out to hold her to stop her from tripping. She remembered clearly the hastened heart rate due to their close proximity.

That was a feeling that she had not experienced in her marriage before. Did that mean anything? Did that mean what Joann was saying? She was starting to develop feelings for Lin Kang?

Xiu Ling was deep in thought but she wouldn't be for long because Joann proclaimed something that came as a complete shock to her, ”And obviously the man likes you too.”

Xiu Ling reared her head at Joann and gasped, ”What?!”