She should be happy, right? But then, why did she feel like there's a gaping hole in her heart after rejecting Tang Beixuan again? Perhaps this time, the boy—the man would finally stop pestering her and would move on with his life without her. However, the flowers still continued to come, waiting on her desk every single morning without fail.

  Li Meili knew that she had no one to blame but herself. She didn't want to hurt him, but she also didn't want to put her relationship with Tang Moyu at stake. She cannot afford to lose the only person who loved her wholeheartedly, without asking anything in return.

  Pushing the unwanted thoughts away from her mind, she forced herself to focus on the task she had at the moment. The faster she could finish Gu Yuyao's wedding dress, the better.

  Meanwhile, after he was done with work, Tang Beixuan immediately went to Li Meili's boutique. He needed to see her, talk to her, even if that meant that it would be the last time. He had to find a way to convince her to accept him and to find out what she truly felt for him.

  He stood there, outside, at the back of her building where the staff exit was located. Since it was only accessible to her and her employees, he has a higher chance of catching her here. Li Meili wasn't answering his calls nor any of his messages, but he knew she was there, considering her car was still at the parking area. Or perhaps she was ignoring him as usual, but he didn't care. He wasn't going anywhere until he knew where he stood in her life, or until he confirmed that he truly needed to move on.

  Several people walked past him as they went in and out of the building, giving him curious glances, wondering why he was standing outside, under the rain. The end of summer season was approaching fast and while the searing heat tormented the citizens of Shenzhen, it also brought heavy rain in the late afternoons.

  With an umbrella in one hand, Tang Beixuan stepped aside and didn't block the way for Li Meili's employees. His eyes trying to spot Li Meili at the exit, only to be disappointed with every minute passed without her showing up.

  What if she truly didn't want him in her life? That his years of effort was for naught and he wasn't able to move her heart at all??How was her relationship with that man she went out with a week ago? Was he her fiance?

  So many questions flooded his mind, but none of it were answered so far. Had he come too late?

  "What are you doing here?" His thoughts were put to a halt when he heard Li Meili's voice.

  Tang Beixuan rushed to her, folding his umbrella before facing her with a stiff expression on his face.

  "Meili, let's talk." He said with such tone that made Li Meili think that he was up to something.

  "What's there to talk about, Beixuan? I thought I'd already made it clear?" She crossed her arms over her chest and hardened her jaws. She had to strengthen her resolve and stop herself from making a mistake that she would regret later.

  "Everything." Tang Beixuan said almost pleading, "If… If you tell me right now that you don't feel anything for me, I'll stop." He could feel every inch of his body stiffening, as the tension in the air became palpable. "Tell me you don't love me, Meili and I will stop."

  Li Meili's heart shivered at his flat tone. "I-I…"

  "Don't lie to me, Li Meili." Tang Beixuan held her arm and begged her. "After all these years, I should at least deserve the truth, Meili."

  When she didn't say anything, he released her and stepped back. Her silence was like a knife stabbing right in his chest. His hope dwindled with every second that passed in her silence.

  "Say, if I wasn't Tang Beixuan… if the empress…… Tang Moyu wasn't my sister, would you accept me?" He asked again.

  "Don't be silly, Beixuan. This isn't just about you being Moyu's brother." Li Meili replied.

  "Then what else are your reasons? Because I'm younger than you? That you prefer to date and be seen with older men than be with me? Li Meili, you're being unfair to me." He bit out.

  It was unfair that she was only rejecting him because of his identity, and not because she didn't feel anything for him. He dipped his head, his long eyelashes glistened. Whether it was because of the rain earlier or not, Li Meili wasn't sure.

  "Tell me you don't love me and I will stop." He repeated. "Tell me you don't feel the same and you'll never see me around you anymore."

  Li Meili felt her heart clenched painfully in her chest. Was she really ready to let him go? Would she really deny herself the chance to be with Tang Beixuan?

  His lips grazed against hers as if testing her. Li Meili shivered at the contact, but didn't push him away. Instead, she tilted her head, pressing fully against his lips, accepting him.

  Tang Beixuan cupped the side of her face and kissed her with the intensity of longing he'd been holding back for years. Couldn't she feel his sincerity? His intention to prove that he could be a man worthy of her affections?

  Li Meili moaned softly at their kiss, her hand reaching up to hold his arm. She couldn't believe how much she wanted him. She felt guilty that she wanted her best friend's brother, but what else could she do?

  "Beixuan? Meili? What's going on?"

  The moment Li Meili heard Tang Moyu's voice, she felt like she was electrified.