She just had no idea... whether she could be happy.Zhong Keke continued to eat her breakfast with her head down. Just then, her phone rang suddenly. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was a call from her best friend, Zhou Xinmian.She quickly answered the call, and Zhou Xinmian's anxious voice rang. "Keke, have you seen the news today?""The news?" Zhong Keke froze slightly. "I just woke up and haven't watched the news. What's the matter? Has something big happened?""Hurry and have a look. Gu Lichen sent you to the hospital yesterday. The photo of you two kissing is now the top trending post!" Zhou Xinmian said.Zhong Keke almost spat out the porridge in her mouth as soon as she heard that. "What... What did you say?""I said the photo of you kissing Gu Lichen is now trending online. Though your face in the trending photo is censored, the original photo isn't. You'd better be mentally prepared. Many people will probably learn about your relationship with Gu Lichen," sa
A few hours later, the online gossip about her kissing Gu Lichen was removed, but her friends, assistants, and some people familiar with her had already found out that her boyfriend was Gu Lichen.Someone from the film set even called her to ask if it was true.Zhong Keke could only chuckle drily and answer vaguely.Li Yanqing rushed into Yan Luochu's office in a rage."CEO Yan, I'm sorry. This lady insisted on meeting you, and I failed to stop her..." the secretary said apologetically."It's okay. Go out first," said Yan Luochu.Then, the secretary left the office and closed the door. Li Yanqing and Yan Luochu were instantly left alone."Did you already know that Zhong Keke is dating Gu Lichen?" Li Yanqing barked. Her face that was covered with delicate makeup was full of exasperation. She was not at all calm like usual."Yes," Yan Luochu answered without hesitation.Li Yanqing instantly felt that what she said in front of Yan Luochu after their reunion was like a joke.She
Li Yanqing said and left. Yan Luochu looked down, bitterness all over the corners of his lips.'Pay the price? I've already paid a painful price!'What cost me is that Zhong Keke's eyes no longer contain love for me. I've missed out on the person I love in this life!'...In the following days, Zhong Keke could feel the people around her treating her differently. Even the two assistants in her studio would look at her from time to time at work, joking about whether she was getting married into a rich family soon!"What are you talking about? Lichen and I are only dating right now," said Zhong Keke."But if it goes on well, won't it lead to marriage?" one of the assistants asked."Yeah, I read online that the crown prince hasn't had a girlfriend in years. Sis Keke, you're the crown prince's first girlfriend after so many years!"Zhong Keke could not help laughing. Her two assistants thought Gu Lichen loved her, but only she knew he did not love her.Their relationship was only
"You may challenge me," said Zhong Keke."Challenge you? And tell me what?" A voice rang suddenly.Zhong Keke turned around to see Gu Lichen, who had arrived at the film set at some point. He was walking toward her, and the actress' expression changed as soon as she saw Gu Lichen. Then, she said guiltily, "It's... It's nothing. I was only joking with Miss Zhong just now. I have something to do, so I'll leave you alone."With that said, the actress hurried away."Did this person say something to upset you?" Gu Lichen asked.Zhong Keke smiled faintly. "She did say something upsetting, but I didn't let her take advantage of me. After all, I have you as my backup. Not many people in the entertainment industry will actually do anything to me.""Tell me if anyone gives you any trouble," said Gu Lichen.Zhong Keke hesitated for a moment. "Well, do you really not mind about what happened to me in university? Our relationship is in the open now. I don't want people to gossip about you."
"What happened?" Gu Lichen asked, looking at Zhong Keke's suddenly serious expression."It's about Sis Zhuo," said Zhong Keke as she held the phone between herself and Gu Lichen so they could both watch the news.Zhuo Qianyun was in some hall, surrounded by reporters who kept raising tough questions. All of them seemed to focus on ‘divorce’ and ‘illness’.Zhuo Qianyun's answered the reporters, "We're not divorced. Ye Wenming and I are in a stable marriage, and as to why he brought Ruan Manlo to the banquet you mentioned that day, it’s because Ruan Manlo is my husband's private nurse. I wasn't feeling well that day, so she attended it instead of me. I didn't think it would lead to a misunderstanding.""Does that mean Mr. Ye Wenming has a problem with his health?""My husband needed a nurse because he donated his liver to me twice. I probably wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been for my husband. He's doing well. Otherwise, the doctors wouldn't have discharged him. We hired a prof
Gu Lichen said, "Yes, we’ve met several times. Ye Wenming did love Zhuo Qianyun very much back then.""Back then?" She was stunned. "Doesn’t he love her now?""I'm not sure. I know that Ye Wenming left Zhuo Qianyun and returned to L City after he donated his liver to Zhuo Qianyun a second time. I'm afraid I don't know what happened between them, but Ye Wenming probably won't separate with Zhuo Qianyun if he still loves her," said Gu Lichen.He would never leave the person he loved most if it were him.Zhong Keke had only met Zhuo Qianyun once but had a good impression of her. "I hope Sis Zhuo has a happy marriage. They have two children together... And her husband has donated his liver to her twice. I don't think average couples can do that.""If she hadn’t given birth to the second child, Ye Wenming wouldn’t have needed to donate his liver twice. Zhuo Qianyun nearly died on the operating table to give birth to the second child. Do you think she was selfish or selfless?" Gu Lichen
"God will arrange for you to meet someone who’ll love you very much,” her gentle voice said.He trembled as his eyelashes quivered slightly. Then, he slowly looked up. His phoenix eyes saw her face that was pretty, cute, and amiable.Her expression was so serious. Those round eyes showed concern and... a more intense feeling for him."Do you love me?" His thin lips muttered."Yes." She was honest and did not shy away from it."How much do you love me?""I don't know how much I love you, but I want to be with you. I'm willing to do everything I can for that!""What if I never fall for you?"Zhong Keke said softly, "Then I won't force you. I'll only regret that I couldn't make you love me, so I’ll love you very much until then. I'll love you until you feel that my love has become a burden for you. I’ll put away my love when that happens so it won't affect you."His dark phoenix eyes stared at the person in front of him as if something had touched his heart.The woman was confes
"Old Madam arranged it,” a member of his staff replied.Ye Wenming instantly got up and instructed, "Prepare the car to return to the old residence!"Half an hour later, Ye Wenming arrived at the Ye family's old residence and met Madam Ye."Why did you arrange the press conference?" Ye Wenming asked as he looked at his mother."I did it for the Ye family and the company. It's the fastest way," said Madam Ye."I thought I told you I have nothing to do with her anymore. Why involve her with us again?" Ye Wenming asked through clenched teeth.Madam Ye explained, "Yes, I hope you have nothing to do with her as well. But with the present situation, it only works when she says it herself! Besides, I've made it clear to her that she'll only be saying that to dispel the rumors. You two are only delaying your divorce for a while. She’ll never be able to be the Ye family's daughter-in-law."Ye Wenming frowned. "So you're only using her?""Or what? What else could it be? You'll divorce he
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