After a pause, he added, "I did save Ning Ranxue abroad because she looked like Yiran, but I know very well that she isn't Yiran. It’s just because she looks like Yiran that I didn't want her to suffer again and offered her a job."Zhong Keke did not expect Gu Lichen to say so much to her.He had never been one to explain, but he seemed to be explaining to her now.Gu Lichen easily saw the confusion on Zhong Keke's face and said, "I’m explaining this to you so that you won't get the wrong idea."Zhong Keke nodded blankly. "Oh. But she seems to know a lot about you." She sounded jealous when she said this."What about you? You can ask anything you want to know about me and I'll tell you." Gu Lichen caressed her head."If I want to know about what happened between you and Yiran, will you tell me?" she blurted out.After saying that, Zhong Keke felt the air freezing suddenly. The man in front of her only stared at her. His dark phoenix eyes were like a bottomless pool. People would
Gu Lichen's eyes glimmered as he muttered, "Yeah, I missed out on Yiran. At least I didn't miss out on you."Maybe God pitied him and let him meet her."Keke, I don't know how long it’ll take me to fall in love with you. But... even if I only like you and you still want to stay with me, we'll get married. I will make you my wife." His elegant voice said.She was stunned!"Get married? You... want to marry me?""Yes, I'll make you my wife if you're willing." As long as she did not mind that he could not love her, he would give her everything he could afford!...'Is this a proposal?' Zhong Keke was still thinking about the question in a daze after Gu Lichen left the studio.'Or is he trying to make things up to me because he doesn't have the confidence to fall for me? But will anyone sacrifice the rest of their life to make things up to others?’ Zhong Keke was confused.Fortunately, her two assistants were not in the studio today. Otherwise, today's incident would not have esca
Although her uncle still had some affection for her, it did not mean much in the face of her aunt's repeated demands. Eventually, she had a falling out with her uncle's family, and she stopped telling her uncle what was on her mind.Her aunt and cousin often asked her for money. Why did her uncle call her this time?She would find out tonight!Zhong Keke felt a dull pain in her heart when she thought of the happy times she spent with her uncle when she was a child.How wonderful it would be if everything were as it was!Zhong Keke went to her uncle's home that night. Her uncle's family of three had been waiting for her. Meanwhile, there were black and white photos of her parents, incense, candles, and some food on the living room table. It looked as if they had done a ritual.However, today was not her parents' death anniversary, nor was it a special day such as Tomb Sweeping Day and winter solstice."This is..." Zhong Keke stared in confusion.Zhong Qishan stepped forward and
"Really? You'd better hurry up, or else I don't know if I'll last till your wedding," Zhong Qishan said emotionally."Don't talk like that. Didn't the doctor say you can be cured if you continue to receive treatments?" Sun Cuimei said."But the treatment costs so much money. Let's forget it. Our family has so little money. It's better to leave what we have to you. I only hate myself for being incompetent and not earning much. I failed to give you a good life and caused Keke to suffer with us." Zhong Qishan gave a long sigh."Keke, persuade your uncle to get treatment," Sun Cuimei shouted to Zhong Keke."Is Uncle sick?" Zhong Keke asked."Yeah, Dad has been diagnosed with kidney disease. The doctor said he must be treated in time. If he delays his treatment, he'll probably need a new kidney to survive. But if he goes through treatment, he'll need imported medication for better results. But imported medication is expensive. One treatment plan costs half a million dollars. Our family
"I knew it’d cost money, but I didn't realize it would cost this much. The money probably adds up to several million dollars. Besides, you didn't give me any money except for the tuition fees after I got into university. I even earned my allowance by working part-time," said Zhong Keke."You're bringing up old scores, aren't you? Alright, if I had known, I wouldn't have adopted you. It would’ve been best if you had stayed at a welfare home," Zhong Qishan snapped.Sun Cuimei quickly comforted Zhong Qisha, while Zhong Haocheng said to Zhong Keke, "Zhong Keke, you're too stingy. Since you don't want to pay to save my father, who's your own uncle, what else is there to talk about? Let's pretend you're not a member of our family!""Did you bring me back today because of Uncle's illness or money?" Zhong Keke asked coldly."It's for his illness, of course, but the treatment costs money!" Sun Cuimei said."If it's for medical reasons, give me Uncle's medical records and examination report
With that said, he wanted to lead her into the mansion when she suddenly lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face deep in his arms.Gu Lichen stiffened as he looked at her with surprise."Don't... push me away. Just let me hold you for a while, okay? I want to hold you like this right now." Her voice was hoarse and choking."Did something happen?" he asked. The air around him seemed gloomy.She said nothing, but the arms holding him tightened slightly, and their bodies grew closer.Gu Lichen did not ask any more questions. He raised one arm and put it around her waist while the other caressed her hair.The two quietly hugged each other like two people needing comfort.Zhong Keke's face pressed on Gu Lichen's chest. All she could smell was his scent. It was as if holding him like this would make her feel safe and warm.When she was in university, she had told herself to be strong because all she could depend on was herself.However, she could not h
In the next few days, her uncle's family did not approach her again, nor did they call her. Zhong Keke found it a little strange. 'Has Uncle's family given up?'It seemed that her uncle's illness must be fake. Her uncle would have come to her with medical records and examination reports to ask for money if it were true. How could he give up so easily?The comic fiesta was approaching, so Zhong Keke also prepared some small gifts like drawings she had drawn for her readers.Two days before the comic fiesta, Zhong Keke sent Gu Lichen the address and the booth number of the booth the company rented for her.Though she thought he would come over after work if he had time, it sounded like he would come over during the day.On the day of the comic fiesta, the number of readers who attended the book signing was much higher than Zhong Keke had expected.While signing autographs, some readers asked about her relationship with Gu Lichen and whether she was the crown prince's girlfriend.Z
Zhong Haocheng said righteously. Zhong Haocheng even tried to push Zhou Xinmian away at the end of his speech.Zhou Xinmian tried hard to stop him. Zhong Keke was afraid that her best friend would get hurt, so she rushed to help her. As soon as she came forward, Zhong Haocheng slapped Zhong Keke in the face.There was a loud slap.Zhong Haocheng slapped so hard that Zhong Keke felt her ears buzzing and her cheek burning.Zhou Xinmian immediately scolded Zhong Haocheng, "How could you slap her? You've gone too far!"Zhong Haocheng said confidently, "She's heartless. Of course, I can slap her! I’ll still slap her even if you call the police. Don't you guys agree? Don't people like her deserve to be slapped?"Several voices in the crowd said, "Yeah!""Heartless ingrates deserve to be slapped!""How dare she works as a comic artist? The works of people like her should be banned."It was uncertain who started it, but someone began throwing things at Zhong Keke.Zhou Xinmian protec
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