Though she was a comic artist who had her own studio and she had saved up some money after years of hard work, the food here was rather expensive to her. A simple dish here costs hundreds of dollars."See if there's anything you want," said Gu Lichen.Zhong Keke hesitated slightly and ordered two simple dishes. Hence, Gu Lichen ordered more.Once the manager exited the private room, she asked, "Are you rich?"Gu Lichen replied, "I suppose I have some money to spend. As for the price of dating me, I can satisfy anything you want as long as it's reasonable.""When you say dating, does it entail being affectionate in front of others?"He said, "Yes, it might involve holding hands and hugging, but nothing more. Of course, you can refuse me now if you find it inappropriate."'Refuse?'Zhong Keke gazed at the person in front of her. Moments later, she said, "Although you said it doesn't matter who you choose to be your girlfriend when I asked you why you chose me the last time, won’t
"Alright, let me know when you're free," he said.After Gu Lichen left, Zhong Keke only came to her senses when her phone rang. She could only hear Zhou Xinmian's deafening voice coming from her phone. "Keke, is the man in the restaurant today the fraudster boyfriend you mentioned?""Uh... I didn't say he's a fraudster," Zhong Keke said as she rubbed her ear."Anyway, is that him?" Zhou Xinmian asked."Yeah, it's him.""Do you really want him as a boyfriend? Do you know his name? Did you ever get to know him?" He was a good-looking man, but she still thought it was slightly risky for her best friend to do that."We're only pretending to date. It's not real. He must have some desperate reason. Besides, he said he wouldn't do anything inappropriate with me and told me his basic information," said Zhong Keke."Do you believe him when he said he wouldn't do anything to you? Have you ever heard the phrase 'don't ever buy a man's lies'?" Zhou Xinmian was afraid that her best friend wa
She should have broken up with Yan Luochu as soon as she heard this. If she were even more ruthless, she should have recorded it and exposed it so that others could criticize the shameless couple.However, she was foolish enough to think that Yan Luochu would have some affection for her, so she went to meet up with him with the last hope that he would not hurt her.In the end, she underestimated the evil of human nature and became the school's laughing stock.Yan Luochu eventually became a wound in her heart.However, it gradually recovered as the years went by. "Xinmian, don't worry. Yan Luochu is history to me. At most, I'm just a little disgusted by him." The disgust became even more obvious, especially when Yan Luochu grabbed her hand today."That's good." Zhou Xinmian was relieved.After ending the call, Zhong Keke looked through her phone contact list and looked at the words ‘Gu Lichen’ that showed up on her screen.It was rather ridiculous that she got a boyfriend in such
The cafe provided free drinks and cost ten dollars an hour. Zhong Keke often came here to find some new comics to read.Although the internet was advanced nowadays and one could read many comics online, she still enjoyed the feeling of flipping through paper books.Zhong Keke led Gu Lichen to an empty couch and said, "If you have a comic you want to read, you can go to the bookshelf and look for it. What do you want to drink? I'll get it for you.""Water will do," said Gu Lichen.Therefore, Zhong Keke got Gu Lichen a glass of water and a glass of orange juice for herself. When she got back to her seat, she found Gu Lichen reading a comic book in his hand.However, Zhong Keke froze when she caught a glimpse of the comic book cover. It was... the comic she drew.The problem was that she never told him her pseudonym was ‘Zhong Xinyue’!However, on second thought, it seemed natural that he would know her pseudonym since he was able to find out her name, occupation, and home address.
His eyes glimmered as he seemed to realize something. He asked, "What's the matter? You don't like me reading the comics you drew?""I draw... romance comics for women. Men like you probably won't enjoy them. You don't have to force yourself to read the comics I drew," she said lamely."I'm not exactly being forced to read them. I watch some romantic films too. I don't mind reading such comics. Besides, we need to get to know each other better," he said.'But the problem is that... there's a lot of intimate scenes at the back!'Watching his fingers flip the pages again, she grabbed his fingers in desperation."Hmm?" He raised his eyebrows and looked at her with those dark phoenix eyes. "You don't want me to continue?"She laughed drily. "Well... Some scenes at the back aren't that appropriate.""Even if there's something largely inappropriate, it should be impossible to publish it according to the country's current publishing standards," he said."What I mean is that... Uhh...
When she finally drew the last stroke, she let out a long sigh of relief. Her expression returned to normal. "Done.""Is dating me boring?" he asked."Huh?" She froze. Then, she seemed to realize something and hurriedly said, "No, I didn’t draw you because it was boring. The image of you reading just now was so beautiful that I couldn't help… uhh... drawing it."With that said, her expression changed suddenly. "By the way, do you mind if I draw you like this?""There's nothing to mind. I promised you we would date and you could draw me," he said.Zhong Keke breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this.After the two left the comic cafe, Gu Lichen sent Zhong Keke back to her apartment."Next time, I'll pick you up on the weekend," said Gu Lichen."Can you come to my studio next time? There's no one at my studio during the weekends. I want you to model for me," said Zhong Keke. Though she had drawn him today, she did not find it enough.Gu Lichen said, "Okay, we'll do it at you
He stiffened. "I know I did a terrible thing back then. I've been wanting to apologize to you all these years."Zhong Keke said indifferently, "Okay, apologize."He froze as if he was a little stunned that she was this straightforward."Didn't you say you want to apologize? Now that I'm here, aren't you going to apologize?" she asked.Yan Luochu took a deep breath, and his thin lips parted gently as he spat out two words, "I'm sorry.""Okay, I heard you. Can you let go now?" Zhong Keke asked without any expression on her face."Do you forgive me?" Yan Luochu's eyes contained a rare look of eagerness."I've only acknowledged your apology. It doesn't mean I forgive you. I'm no saint. I'm not used to forgiving someone who used to hurt me, especially a man who hurt me to please another woman.” "Keke, I..."Zhong Keke said, "Don't call me Keke! Yan Luochu, whatever happened between us is over to me. I don't hate you, but it doesn't mean that I’ll forgive you for what you did. I on
He thought she was only a tool. After all, she was not the one he had fallen in love with at the time. He was only using her to complete a bet with another woman.However, when he saw her taunted at school and even humiliated in public, he felt a painful pang in his heart.A person who had once been cheerful in front of him had become tremblingly fearful of her surroundings.He knew she was being bullied and became the laughing stock of the school.He caused all this. It happened to her because he used her. However, he still did not explain anything at school even when he saw her so miserable.He hurried abroad as an exchange student half a year later as if to escape all this.However, the scenes of her being bullied by others still appeared in his mind from time to time even after going abroad. She had imperceptibly held a place in his heart.He would wonder how she was doing and whether she was alright.It never occurred to him that the woman he did not care about but only wa
He clenched his jaw and felt his teeth ache. 'Yeah, she’s broken up with me. She has every right to find a new boyfriend, but... the thought of her smiling at another man, and kissing and hugging him makes me uncomfortable.’ Gu Lichen could not help feeling irritated."You can't find one! Do you think you can find another man like me to love when you love me so much?" he said.Zhong Keke retorted with a slightly red face, "You... You're too confident. Who are you to say I can't find one? I love you now, but I can slowly get over you. Besides, I don't need to find a man like you in the future. I just need to find an ordinary man with a good personality who treats me well! I’ll give him all my heart, and he’ll do the same!"It was more like she was telling herself that.'Yes, I can move on from him. I can do it!'However, her words seemed to have provoked him as he turned the steering wheel sharply, slammed on the brakes, and pulled over at the roadside.She was thrown forward and
The fact Zhong Keke accepted was that she feared she would love him more and more!When Yi Jinli and Gu Lichen returned to the ward, Ling Yiran was still chatting with Zhong Keke about the children, not only the new baby but also the triplets."Alright, Lichen and I are going home first. Yiran, have a good rest. I'll visit you and the baby again next time," Zhong Keke said and got up after seeing the exhaustion on Ling Yiran's face.Ling Yiran replied, "Okay. I'll let you meet my triplets next time.""Sure."After Zhong Keke and Gu Lichen left, Yi Jinli lay on Ling Yiran's bed and said, "If you're sleepy, sleep first. The doctor said you need more rest."Ling Yiran said, "I'm a little sleepy, but I had a nice chat with Keke today. Jin, you know what? I think it's great that Lichen has fallen in love with Keke. Keke's a wonderful woman, and Lichen has finally found his happily ever after."She said as she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.Looking at his wife's sleeping fac
"Thank you! It's a good painting, and I like it very much. I didn't expect you to draw my daughter like that.""I saw the baby when I came to the hospital that day, so I remembered," said Zhong Keke."I heard from Jin that you and Lichen both came to the hospital that day. I didn't scare you, did I?" said Ling Yiran.Zhong Keke smiled softly, "All that matters is that you're safe. Being alive is better than anything."The two women chatted while the two men looked at each other. Then, Yi Jinli said, "Lichen, let's go get some air."The two men got up and walked out of the ward.Zhong Keke looked uneasily at the ward door.Ling Yiran said, "They’ll be back soon. Don't worry. My Jin won't kidnap Lichen."Zhong Keke smiled, knowing that Yi Jinli probably had not told Ling Yiran about what happened that day."By the way, how are you and Lichen's relationship? Does he treat you well?" Ling Yiran asked."He treats me well." It was true. He treated her well. He would give her everyt
He and Song Qingyao were not even friends."You don't have to explain this to me," said Zhong Keke. They had broken up, and she did not need these explanations.Besides, she knew better than anyone that he had always been in love with Yiran.Thinking of Yiran, Zhong Keke said, "I want to go to the hospital to see Yiran. Can I?" The last time she visited Yiran, Yiran was still unconscious, so she wanted to check on her.Hesitation flashed across Gu Lichen's face."Don't worry. I won't say anything to trigger Yiran. I’ll still pretend to be your girlfriend in front of Yiran. If Yiran asks you, you can say we're doing quite well. When Yiran has recovered, I can make an excuse to say we've broken up. Of course, I can take all the blame. For example, I thought being with you attracted too much attention, or I couldn’t get used to being with you, or I had fallen for someone else—"Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly pulled into a wide embrace.His hands held her tightly
Zhou Xinmian: [I said you were living with Gu Lichen now. Then they said nothing and left readily.]"..."Zhou Xinmian: [Did you block their phone numbers? They said you're not answering your phone.]Zhong Keke: [Yeah.]She should have blocked her uncle's family's phone numbers long ago. Even blocking them now was considered late!Zhou Xinmian: [Well done! But didn’t they try calling you using another phone number?]Zhong Keke: [They did. But as soon as they spoke and I heard their voices, I hung up and blocked their phone numbers.]In other words, she did not give them a chance to talk.She did not want to listen to what they had to say anyway. They had worn out the last of her affection.Zhou Xinmian: [Have you made up your mind this time?]Zhong Keke: [I’ll just consider that my grandparents only gave birth to my father!]In other words, she no longer considered her uncle and his family her family!Zhou Xinmian: [You should have done that long ago! They told me Gu Lichen
It was why he had said such things at the time to keep the woman from leaving!"Maybe I've liked you since then." It probably started earlier than he thought.Zhong Keke's eyes watered as tears were about to pour out. She raised her hands and covered her eyes, "Gu Lichen, stop telling me such things!"Such things would only make her waver when her resolution was hard-won. Did he know how much determination and perseverance it took her to ask for a break-up and keep her distance from him to stop loving him when she loved him so much?Though her hands shielded her eyes, they could not stop the tears.His fingers pulled her hands away. "Alright, I'll stop. I'll stop talking. Don't cry."Her tears had always left him flustered.He hugged her and coaxed her. The indifference in his phoenix eyes had become affection.Zhong Keke finally stopped crying, but she still sniffled occasionally.Holding a tissue, Gu Lichen carefully wiped the tears from her face. After a moment, he said,
"Do you care about me?" She smiled bitterly. "That word isn’t only something you say but..." She did not continue speaking after a pause.However, he already knew what she was going to say.Gu Lichen turned pale. He knew that the incident at the comic fiesta was something that bothered her.He was the one who caused it!"Also, I think we'd better talk about the possibility of me getting pregnant!" she said."Okay, go ahead," he said as he asked the others in the living room to leave."Will you insist that I have the baby if I get pregnant?" she asked, looking at him."If you’re pregnant, I don't want to lose the baby," he said. He had never longed for children even though his parents had always wanted grandchildren, even if it was out of wedlock.However, such ideas had never occurred to him.Now, he wanted to have the baby because they would be... his baby with Keke!"Even if I don't want the baby, are you still going to stop me from having an abortion?" she asked.He was s
Even though he did not love her, she still thought she was a better candidate than Zhong Keke.However, to her disappointment, the way Gu Lichen looked at her was still icy."I'm not interested in you. The Song family you're so proud of will no longer exist in Shen City a year later. Perhaps the Song family can keep some things if you start planning now. Otherwise, you'll have nothing left."With that said, Gu Lichen left the ward, leaving Song Qingyao standing where she was in a daze.Other than reluctance, resentment, and jealousy, there was more shock and fear on her face.'Does Lichen intend to eradicate the Song family within a year? Is... Is he going that far for Zhong Keke? He doesn't love Zhong Keke, right? Why is he doing it? Why?' Unfortunately, no one could give her the answer.Gu Lichen walked out of the hospital and got into the car. He slowly closed his eyes as Song Qingyao's last words flashed through his mind.'It doesn't matter... even if I don't love her?'Kek
Song Qingyao's heart sank. Sure enough, he could find out anything he wanted to."Why did you do it?" Gu Lichen said coldly.Song Qingyao suddenly laughed. "You're asking me why? Gu Lichen, I’ve loved you for so many years. What do you think?""I wouldn't love you even if Zhong Keke didn't exist. If I wanted to fall for you, I would have done so from the beginning," said Gu Lichen.Song Qingyao's mouth was full of bitterness. She knew that!However, knowing was one thing. Her being reluctant and unwilling to accept it was a different matter!She shouted, "Why did you choose Zhong Keke? You love Ling Yiran because Ling Yiran saved your life when you were a child. What about Zhong Keke? Why her?"She accepted losing to Ling Yiran because she had never saved Lichen's life.However, how could she accept losing to Zhong Keke? "Because she's the one who saved me from the messy relationship," replied Gu Lichen."What do you mean?" Song Qingyao was puzzled.Instead of explaining, he