The Tender Beauty is Sweetly Doted in the 20th Century Novel!-Chapter 165 - 164: Manman, Don’t You Want to Touch Me?

Chapter 165: Chapter 164: Manman, Don’t You Want to Touch Me?

Ye Manman felt very complicated after leaving the hospital.

"Do you think I should help her ask Liu Jitong?"

She tugged on He Chen’s sleeve, feeling that no matter what choice she made, it would be wrong.

He Chen pondered for a moment, "Let’s first see what Liu Jitong thinks about Jiang Yuan. I heard from Jiang Tianrui that Liu Jitong rejected her again yesterday. If he really doesn’t like her, it’s better not to contact him."

In this situation, the two of them were just neutral characters; both sides were friends, and it was not suitable for them to help make a decision for either side.

But if they only go as friends to understand the true thoughts of both parties, they can help a bit.

Whether helping Jiang Yuan move on quickly or helping them get together requires knowing what Liu Jitong really thinks first.

However, when they managed to get Liu Jitong to come out, this man, who usually kept himself clean and confident, shockingly had a face full of bruises, and stubble visibly covered his chin, clearly not having shaved today.

"What do you think about yesterday’s incident?"

Ye Manman was still deliberating on how to ask him, but He Chen went straight to the point.

The question was so direct it nearly asked him whether he felt guilty or liked Jiang Yuan.

But maybe it was better this way; the relationship between these two men was better, their mode of interaction was straightforward, and more efficient than her roundabout questioning.

Liu Jitong appeared quite dejected, even started smoking.

"Yesterday’s matter was my fault, I harmed her, I owe her an apology, yesterday I shouldn’t have let her go back alone."

He Chen didn’t show any particular expression, "Do you have feelings for her? Like or dislike? Or do you simply feel too ashamed to see her because you hurt her?"

Ye Manman once again admired He Chen’s straightforwardness, though she was also curious about this question, with both of them looking at the tired-looking man in front of them.

"I don’t know, I truly don’t know. I’ve never fallen in love before. I grew up focusing only on studying hard for college and succeeding in business to ruin the Xie Family. I’ve never thought about these matters."

Liu Jitong quickly finished a cigarette, but he didn’t seem to be a skilled smoker, constantly coughing, yet stubbornly lit a second one.

He Chen frowned, but didn’t stop him, only listening as he continued talking.

"I just know yesterday when I saw her kidnapped and beaten, my heart ached, I felt tender about her, wanting to hug her. I’m not sure if that’s love; if it were someone else, I might not feel the same."

"I usually enjoy watching her play around shyly, yet I always feel such an innocent girl is too distant for me, so I don’t know if I like her or just her innocence. Do you understand, He Chen? I’m not sure what I truly like."

Logically speaking, Liu Jitong is two or three years older than He Chen, others at his age would have been married with children, and wouldn’t be stuck grappling with such dilemmas.

But Liu Jitong’s life has been filled with hatred for a long time.

He studied hard, got into college, should have a great life, long been married with children, but it was ruined by the Xie Family.

He was forced to take over the family business, with daily busy work not knowing whether he was really busy or using it to escape reality and avoid pondering life.

For him, Jiang Yuan, a girl who grew up carefree, able to do anything on a whim, seemed out of another world, someone he might like but was unsure if he could touch.

Ye Manman roughly understood his meaning but couldn’t offer him any advice in such a situation.

As Liu Jitong was still immersed in confusion about life and pursuits, even if she now told him what he described represented affection, it held no substance.

He wasn’t out of his self-imposed cage.

"I don’t understand."

He Chen suddenly spoke, serious and earnest.

"Liu Jitong, you’re a man; a man should strive for his goals, biting the bullet even if it’s tough. Your previous goal was to destroy the Xie Family. Didn’t you succeed well? Now that the Xie Family’s gone, you’re momentarily lost, right?"

"You’re confused, unsure about your feelings, but everything you said suggests you like her; think it through, if you truly like someone, don’t let them wait too long. You’re a man, having accomplished one goal, you’re able to set a new one. Life only goes forward, your daily despondency is meaningless."

"I won’t say much, just think about it yourself; consider if you would accept Jiang Yuan marrying someone else. If you can handle it, then keep focusing on your work, it means you don’t like her. But if not, you’d better act fast while she still likes you."

After speaking, He Chen took Ye Manman’s hand, "Let’s go."

Ye Manman turned her head once more, glanced at Liu Jitong who was smoking and coughing persistently, held by He Chen as they walked far away before suddenly realizing.

"He Chen, what you said just now made so much sense, why didn’t I think you were so articulate before?"

He Chen awkwardly coughed, "Some are my heartfelt words, some learned from the way you speak previously, sounding reasonable so I said it, after all whether he understands depends entirely on him, meddling in this matter isn’t good."

"Indeed."

Ye Manman shook his hand, rubbed his fingers and palm, suddenly sighed.

"Your hands seem less calloused than before, indeed not doing farm work is better."

As she spoke, she lifted his hand to examine it.

"Look, you’re much fairer than before, your hands look better, and once the calluses are completely gone, it’ll be even better."

With long fingers and distinct knuckles, veins bulging with exertion, guided by her advice, He Chen’s nails always well-trimmed, his hands had become gradually more attractive.

He Chen spread his hand out, letting her stroke the calluses in the center of his palm.

Her finger poked at it softly, ticklishly, He Chen couldn’t help himself, suddenly gripping her little hand.

"Let’s go home, let you have a good feel."

Ye Manman didn’t expect him to suddenly say that, her face flushed with shyness.

"What are you doing, I was just casually touching, didn’t plan on doing it forever."

She tried pulling her hand back, but He Chen wouldn’t let go; not only did he refuse, his fingers even intentionally brushed against her hand.

"But I want you to keep touching..."

His voice very quiet, he purposely glanced around while speaking to ensure nobody was paying attention.

Ye Manman’s ears turned red instantly, muttering something softly.

Not hearing clearly, He Chen bent down to ask, "What did you just say?"

Seeing him cheekily leaning closer, Ye Manman’s face reddened further.

"I said you’re shameless!"

They never said such things outside their room before. He didn’t know what got into him today, being so brazen.

He Chen paused a moment, noticing her flushed cheeks, with her looking so lovely, as if discovering a new world.

Almost reaching the store entrance, Ye Manman’s face still blushing, He Chen swallowed, gathered courage, and leaned down to carefully ask.

"Manman, don’t you want to touch me?"