Now that, they are in front of each other and he is waiting for her to speak, Li Na felt a lot awkward.
She doesn"t know why but she finds herself walking on a thin line, struggling to be decisive about Lu Jianjun whether she should dislike him or not. Because it boils her blood to know how he has treated and ignored Li Na to the point that the dumb girl perpetrated suicide but at the same, she also appreciates how attentive and involved he"s as he had taken good care of Little Tiger"s well-being. Perhaps without his care and attention, the boy wouldn"t have survived and been dead by now due to his mother"s carelessness and stupidity. Either way, this feels so wrong.
While Li Na sat there comprehending where to begin from without making this conversation intricate, by delving into the past and have a decent talk, unlike how crudely she talked to him in the morning whereas Lu Jianjun sat there quietly his eyes on her and didn"t seem to be in rush either.
"Lu Jianjun, I"m sorry for being rude to you."
"Save it, Miss Li," he replied spontaneously as if her att.i.tude didn"t offended or bothered him at all.
Li Na glared at the man in front of her. Clearly, he was afflicted when she asked him his age yesterday night and the way she opposed him in the study room.
Li Na raised her brows and said, "Hm! Fine by me, it doesn"t matter to you so why should I care?"
Lu Jianjun leaned back and stated, his tone held a tinge of amus.e.m.e.nt. She doesn"t hold back her tongue in the slightest always speaking her mind out loud and clear. "Miss Li Na, You usually talk like this...or it is the medicines that are affecting your void brain. Lu Jun-hui never told me you"re such an outspoken woman."
"Your opinion and att.i.tude change more rapidly than the changing weather outside," he commented roughly but his temper contained for Li Na to see if he was pulling her into a verbal fight.
Li Na"s expression turned to sour, hearing his criticism. " What to say, you just noticed the change in my att.i.tude but failed to notice who prompted me to change? Mr. Lu, don"t you think you should also see yourself. Perhaps you"ll know why I"m like this?"
This woman has her own mind with a sharp tongue. No, doubt!
Lu Jianjun t.i.tled his head a little and thought for a moment before he replied, calmly. " I didn"t mean to push your b.u.t.tons. I was just looking for the mute mode you were popularly known for."
Li Na"s eyes narrowed her words and tone sharp like a blazing sword." I think the control panel has been modified."
"Hm, I can see that." He nodded. But the question is which panel has been installed to upgrade or change the whole system. "You wanted to talk about Little Tiger? What is it?"
Li Na let out a sigh soothing her wrecking nerves as she spoke, " I want your help concerning Little Tiger. He doesn"t want to see me and Lu Jun-hui told me Little Tiger always listens to you. So, will you please talk to Little Tiger and ask him to give me a second chance."
Lu Jianjun observed her closely if she was forging her concern. Surprised enough, that Li Na involuntarily wants to fix her relations.h.i.+p with Little Tiger. Very well, even if she didn"t ask it any way he was going to force her, but, if she is willing then it"s a relief for him.
Moments later, Lu Jianjun replied. "Of course, I will. But before that, let us...no / me and you, clear a few things."
He deliberately said that. Li Na felt like she was stumped even he became silent for a few seconds. Then, he began, his raspy voice held usual cold tone, "Since we had entered a registered partners.h.i.+p, and according to the agreement you have my money and I"ll have your guardians.h.i.+p and Little Tiger"s full custody. "
His brief words made Li Na frown. Although, she didn"t have to think deep to know the complexity of this custody matter she can sort it out with fact and little background known to her.
When Li Na was pregnant she was way below the adult age group. It made sense if Lu Jianjun held or paid for Li Na"s guardians.h.i.+p. Or Li Na and Lu Jianjun decide themselves as that will help him in many ways.
If it"s right as they say about Elder Li been a renowned and experienced lawyer of her time and being Li Na"s ward and only family member then to deal with Elder Li it"ll only possible if Li Na herself disowned her family before Lu Jianjun takes her guardians.h.i.+p. This way Elder Li won"t be able to interfere or accusing Lu Jianjun of making Li Na, an underage mother. But to think that what made Elder Li"s position strong and a threat for Lu"s family when both Lu Jianjun and Li Na agreed to hand Little Tiger"s custody under Lu"s family depends on Elder Li"s prominence and expertise in her profession.
In that case, even if Li Na opposed her grandmother to back Lu Jianjun yet Elder Li still held the strong position been Li Na"s only ward since her parent"s death and stepmother"s disappearance. Not only that Elder Li could undoubtedly manipulate the case laying the victim card as she also had Li Na"s mental illness and depression reports to prove the girl"s naivety and inability to take the decision on her own. By making Li Na incompetent and her words favoring Lu Jianjun will be judged. Thus in such a scenario demanding the huge compensation for misconduct and claiming for Little Tiger"s custody would definitely prolong the lawsuit.
There was a lot on stakes from both sides, family reputation, money and years of time if this case prolonged.
It was best and much suitable to settle the matter outside the court either by negotiations or through marriage and certainly, they did it outside. Since Li Na"s isn"t married then there must be a mutual agreement between Li Na and Lu Jianjun.
Li Na heard Lu Jianjun speak: "I hope Miss Li is smart enough to understand the complexity of the matter. You"re no longer an underage girl. Yet you initiated to break the agreement by attempting suicide and you had violated many rules such as doing drugs and ditching your consultant"s arranged sessions. I"m done paying for your empty sessions and loaded bills to see you lie in the hospital for months. Now that you"re an adult and according to later conditions you are capable of earning yet you did nothing. So been a provider party for five years and now, I have the authority to make decisions for you."
"You better take care of your actions and don"t you dare to run away. From today onwards, you lose to chose or to negotiate. You have to do as I say as I want..."
"What if I can earn and pay you back?" Li Na cut in.
Lu Jianjun: "You can"t, so don"t waste my time."
Li Na facepalmed: "..." "Where the f.u.c.k is this going? If I get a chance, I can pay Li Na"s debt with interest and fight for Little Tiger"s custody alone before which, I want my boy not to shun but to accept me first."
Lu Jianjun continued: " Li Na. This what you were expecting me to do all these years while signing that agreement then be prepared for the worst. Be proud! I"m granting your wish."
"But don"t think that I"ll tolerate everything. I won"t be repeating my words, so, get this straight in your floating head. I have given you the freedom you don"t deserve. Now you have to earn it. And if I found you doing drugs outside at any point then don"t let me catch you, because that will be the last day of you"re life. I"ve tolerated you and I"m tolerating you just because Little Tiger likes you."
Li Na was speechless and dumbfounded while listening to his words. His every word was scattering her expectations and plans she thought.
This person sitting in front of her is ruthlessly crus.h.i.+ng of it"s every possibility.
"Have to earn my freedom? Did I lose my basic rights too?
By this time, Lu Jianjun interrupted her train of thoughts, " I"ll give you two choices..."
"Two choices? Oh, I still have something to look forward to. How generous of you, Mr. Lu." Li Na remarked as her hand curled into a fist under the table.