Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qi Lei’s words were no doubt like a large rock that had been dropped into the peaceful lake, instantly startling it into many great waves.
Dongfang Liuyun’s hand that laid by her side suddenly clenched tightly as she looked at him. Moments after that, she lowered her gaze as she said calmly, “Did you hear what I said earlier?”
“Without a word left out, I heard it very clearly,” Qi Lei admitted frankly.
He had actually reached earlier than Dongfang Liuyun and had just gotten down the car when he saw her car arrive. Unexpectedly, someone from the car in front of him got down, so he sat down on a bench not too far away and heard the two discussing this.
He was not dumb either. From their conversation, he could vaguely catch a thing or two. From a certain perspective, it seemed like Dongfang Liuyun wanted to get married to this man, but he had rejected her and even said a bunch of nonsense.
For some reason, even Qi Lei himself got furious hearing those words. If he did not want to marry her, then so be it. Why did he have to drag out so many excuses that were all nonsense!?
However, he began to feel sorry for Dongfang Liuyun.
The Dongfang Liuyun he knew had always seemed so aloof and otherworldly. He never thought that she would be bothered by these matters too. That meant that all her free and easy composure from before once everything else had settled down was…
After a long while, Dongfang Liuyun looked straight at him and said in a calm tone, “Since we’re allies and friends, keep this secret for me. I want to die with dignity.”
It seemed as if there were no more of that bleakness from before. Was she trying to change the topic?
Qi Lei was not going to give her the chance to.
“Answer my question earlier. I’m proposing to you, Dongfang Liuyun.”
There was some determination between his brows as his gaze was locked onto Dongfang Liuyun. “Actually, we’re quite compatible, don’t you think? Whether it’s in the game or in life.”
When Qi Lei finished, Dongfang Liuyun asked, “What’s the reason?”
Her clear gaze was filled with a calm and seriousness like never before. “You’ll need to suffer a lot of stress if you marry me. Even I’m worried I won’t have the courage to. Besides, even if we really get married, I can’t guarantee that I won’t use you.”
Upon hearing that, Qi Lei only smiled and tossed his coat onto her lap. His intentions were clear while his dark eyes flickered. “The wind is quite chilly here. Put this on.”
“I’ll give you the right to use me openly then since I’ve just been living life alone anyway. You’re my ally, and you even bear the title of my wife in the game. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to turn something fake into reality.”
Qi Lei’s tone was filled with sincerity. When Dongfang Liuyun looked at him, she tried hard to catch something from his eyes, but she realized that this time, she could not read any of his emotions at all.
“The game is just a game, and reality is reality. After all, you’re my friend, and I don’t want to…”
“Don’t talk about wanting to or not. You should choose me even more actually because…I’ve got nothing to lose. Although reality is reality, my face is like Eastern Gust in the game. I’m all alone in the world, so I don’t have that many worries.”
Now that he said that, Dongfang Liuyun was quite speechless.
“Don’t hesitate too long. Tai Yu Corporation seems to need a lady boss to hold the fort down too. I’ll feel assured with you taking this spot. If you’ll feel better knowing that, that’s something I’d like you to know.”
“We don’t love each other, and we aren’t a harmonious couple. We’re both too rational.” Dongfang Liuyun lowered her gaze and said slightly bitterly, “I admit that the pressure from my family’s making it a little suffocating. I never thought of sacrificing my marriage to get any so-called benefits. You should know that this is the bottom line I have for my life.”
“That way…Well, how about this? If you meet someone you like in the future, as long as you say it, I will let you go any time. However, please do keep at it for at least a year or two. That way, everyone can settle down a little,” Qi Lei suggested with a smile, yet his eyes contained some bleakness.
“I can’t take such a huge advantage of you. At least, I wouldn’t do that with you,” she responded while her smile hid a hint of helplessness.
“If that’s the case, accompany me for a few more years then. Who knows? After we get married, we might just go on with our days and find ourselves with a lifetime.”
The corner of Qi Lei’s lips was decorated with his devilish smile that had not been seen for a long while now. He watched her and then looked up to survey around before he said, “Wait here for me.”
Then, his tall figure walked past her and went towards the center of the plaza.
Dongfang Liuyun took a look at him and then took a deep breath. Her fingers slowly combed through her beautiful long hair as she massaged her temples. The pain in her stomach seemed to have reduced. When she felt the chill attack, she pulled the coat closer and briefly put it over her shoulders.
After a few minutes, Qi Lei returned with a huge bouquet in his arms.
They were not blooming red roses but a bouquet of cape jasmines that seemed a little more refreshing and elegant, unlike those beautifully alluring red roses. Qi Lei liked this flower.
He carried the bouquet of flowers and walked up to Dongfang Liuyun before handing it to her.
“Let’s get married, not for love, but for an alliance. We can still be like we are in the game. I’ll let you have my back and you can safely let me have your back. Don’t reject me. I’m afraid of losing face too. If you reject me, I’ll have to commit seppuku.[1]”
Qi Lei’s eyes were filled with earnestness whilst his tone was exceptionally solemn too. Dongfang Liuyun actually felt quite moved by this.
She was not one to admit that she was moved, and she rarely accepted the good intentions of others, but right now, after hearing Qi Lei’s words, she had to admit that she felt grateful for him. At least, in such an embarrassing state, he had stepped up for her.
He was a good partner, a good comrade, and an ally…
She looked down at the large bouquet of cape jasmine. In that instant, she could feel the faint warmth flowing through her heart, but she only gave him a lonely smile. “Thank you. I know you have good intentions, but you’re finally living some peaceful days now. I hope that you’ll live well. I’m not a good person and I have my flaws too. We…”
“Do you have someone you like?” Qi Lei frowned and asked.
Dongfang Liuyun calmly shook her head.
“Then, what are you hesitating for? It’s me. Here, catch this.”