Who would have thought that the crown prince of the entertainment industry would love a woman so much that he could go so far for her?"Will you? You can ask for anything if you're willing to do it. I’ll do anything for you as long as it's within my power!" Gu Lichen said.The simple sentence contained so much emotion.Other women would be elated to hear Gu Lichen make such a promise, but Zhong Keke's face contained no joy.She only squeezed her chopsticks harder, took a deep breath, and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't say yes."For some reason, disappointment flashed across Gu Lichen's heart after hearing the answer."You can tell me if you have any special requirements. I can—""It's not what you think." Zhong Keke interrupted him and raised her head. Her round eyes looked straight at the person in front of her. "I was willing to pretend to date you at the beginning because of sympathy. I thought you needed help. I wanted to help you just like how Xinmian helped me when I was in
'Yeah, Yiran will be relieved if I can fall in love with Zhong Keke. I won't be stuck in a hopeless relationship again, and my parents will be relieved too.'But can I really fall in love with the woman in front of me? She doesn't annoy me, and I even find my time with her relaxing.'Zhong Keke stared at Gu Lichen with a shocked gaze. She thought Gu Lichen would give up on the idea after she said this. She did not expect him to... say so."What... What did you say? You want to date me while considering marriage?" she asked, finding her voice slightly out of tune."Yes," he answered confidently."Do you want me to... love you? Will you love me too?" she asked again."Yes, I will try to fall for you," he said."But can you fall for me?" She was doubtful. After all, he was so in love with Ling Yiran. Could he fall for another person?He spoke honestly, "I don't know. I don't know if I can fall in love with you. It’ll be a gamble for you and me. No one can predict the outcome."Zh
She almost instinctively rejected love for fear of being hurt again.However, Gu Lichen had inadvertently barged into her heart, which also encouraged her to try again.Perhaps she could be happy too?The next day, Zhou Xinmian's eyes almost popped when she found out that her best friend and Gu Lichen were dating for real now."Are you and Gu Lichen dating on the premise of marriage now?" Zhou Xinmian asked in surprise."Yeah." Zhong Keke nodded."What's going on? Has Gu Lichen fallen for you?""No, no." Zhong Keke shook his head. "He probably wants to move on, so... he wants to date me for real."Zhou Xinmian frowned. "Why does that sound so strange?"Zhong Keke smiled drily. "It's a little strange, but he also said he’ll try to fall for me.""But sometimes, relationships don't necessarily work out just because you work hard," Zhou Xinmian said with worry, afraid her best friend would get hurt again.Zhong Keke said, "I know relationships don't necessarily work out just bec
"I gotta go. I'll bring Keke to see you next time," Gu Lichen said as he got up."Okay," said Ling Yiran.Just as Gu Lichen was about to reach the ward door, Ling Yiran suddenly said, "Lichen, when you came to the hospital yesterday, Keke... didn't misunderstand anything, did she?"Gu Lichen chuckled. "She knows I used to like you, but she also knows she's the one I like now!""That's good." Ling Yiran was relieved. "Keke is a good woman.""Yeah, I know," Gu Lichen said and walked out of the ward.Ling Yiran looked at the ward door, which opened and closed again. She was somewhat entranced."What's the matter?" Yi Jinli's voice rang as he handed another piece of apple to her lips."Nothing. I just hope Lichen can be happy," murmured Ling Yiran."Everything will turn out as you wish. Believe me," said Yi Jinli.Ling Yiran chuckled and looked at her husband. "Are you sure?"His deep peach blossom eyes were bright. "Yes, I'm sure."Even if it did not, he would try to make it t
Zhong Keke was considered the most intimate woman with him in the past few years.Gu Lichen fell into a trance as he watched Zhong Keke. Zhong Keke looked up and met Gu Lichen's eyes as soon as she finished her work.She could not help but suddenly blush.Her two assistants snickered. "Sis Zhong, you and your boyfriend are so sweet. He’s been looking at you since you were drawing earlier.""Yeah, he must really like you."Zhong Keke chuckled sheepishly. "Alright, let's call it a day. You only need to color them tomorrow.""Yes, yes. We'll stop being the third wheels." The two assistants laughed and got up. They packed up their things and bade goodbye to Gu Lichen before leaving.Zhong Keke went to Gu Lichen and said, "You must have waited for a long time. Don't mind my two assistants' nonsense."Gu Lichen raised his eyebrows. "What's there to mind? I'm your boyfriend. We should be sweet with each other. I should like you very much too."Zhong Keke pressed her lips together...
They replied with a smile, becoming friendlier with Zhong Keke.Just now, it seemed that Young Master Gu had decided to follow his girlfriend's advice, which showed that she was important to Young Master Gu.During the meal, Zhong Keke found out that the person she ran into was an important person in the city government. Now, she was dining with directors or assistant directors of the government office.She had only seen these people on the political news.It was rather like the last time she had accompanied Gu Lichen to the banquet and met people she would not normally meet."What do you do, Miss Zhong?" someone asked."Oh, I draw comics," said Zhong Keke."Comics? That's good. There’ll be a comic festival in the city soon. Miss Zhong, just let me know if you're interested in attending." The speaker was someone from the cultural affairs department."The magazine I work for has already signed up and applied for a booth," said Zhong Keke, who had attended all of the city's comic
She enjoyed coming here. Firstly, the prices were affordable, and she could bargain with the stall owners. Secondly, there would be some unique trinkets every now and then, like commemorative coins or handmade items. She would buy some when she saw them.Gu Lichen's car stopped at the parking lot next to the night market. Zhong Keke and Gu Lichen got out of the car and began to walk around the night market.Many couples came to the night market. Zhong Keke looked at the couples. They either linked their arms or were holding hands. People could tell they were a couple in one glance.'What about me... What do Gu Lichen and I look like to others?' Zhong Keke thought to herself as she glanced down at Gu Lichen's hand drooping at the side.His hands were pretty as his fingers were well-defined and slender. They looked just like the fingers of a comic’s male protagonist.Suddenly, she felt an urge to hold his hand but was a little timid. What if her touch made him uncomfortable?"What'
"But... But it might go viral if it gets on the news. Will our relationship be exposed?" she said worriedly."You don't want our relationship to be exposed to the public?" he asked.She said awkwardly, "I just think it’ll draw too much attention and..." She was silent for a moment before saying, "I have a dark history when I was in university. It’ll be bad if people use it against you and cause you trouble."Gu Lichen stopped and turned to look at the woman beside him. He thought she was afraid that the exposure would bring her trouble. He never thought it was him she was worried about."No matter what history you have back then, you don't have to be afraid of causing me any trouble. If we date on the premise of marriage, then our relationship will be exposed sooner or later. But I won't let my relationship go viral. I’ll suppress the news about it when it happens. Don't worry," said Gu Lichen.No one in the entertainment industry would go against the crown prince.Zhong Keke onl
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