Protect Wong Qifu?

What a ludicrous notion. What kind of status did Wong Qifu hold? Did she really need his protection?

But considering he had attempted suicide while kidnapped and had still stubbornly stepped forward—even knowing the immense disparity in their strength and that a single palm strike from the opponent could defeat him... Wasn't this the very manifestation of Xu Ke's determination to protect Wong Qifu?

A hint of longing appeared in Wang Qiya's eyes.

All women are emotional creatures. Who doesn't wish for her significant other to be brave and fearless? To be willing to risk life and limb for her?

Xu Ke was exactly that.

But in the next moment, Wang Qiya forcibly expelled her sentimentality and regained her rationality. She questioned, "But that doesn't prove he's capable of protecting you, does it? That's just recklessness! And if he continues to be this reckless after you're together, won't you live in constant fear every single day? How could a marriage like that possibly be happy?"

Wong Qifu looked seriously into Wang Qiya's eyes. "You're right. It is recklessness."

"That's why I'll have to settle the score with him later."

Wang Qiya was speechless.

I miscalculated. My sister has already thought this through.

After a moment of speechlessness, Wang Qiya scrambled to sort through her logic, searching for a key point she could exploit. She absolutely had to persuade Wong Qifu to give up.

"No, that's not right!" Wang Qiya abruptly changed her approach. "Sister, don't use words like 'safe haven' to distract me. First, he committed suicide? We still have to question how he managed that. Second, he talked a big game about being brave and fearless, but in the end, it was someone from the Huang Family who died, not him. Doesn't that prove he was the one in control of the situation all along? So, he was confident he would win from the very beginning. He just pretended to be heroically facing death to win your sympathy. In reality, he tricked you! How can you be with a liar like that?"

When Wang Qiya finished, she was convinced her logic was flawless.

But Wong Qifu was just looking at her with a faint, unreadable smile. The look made Wang Qiya's skin crawl. "What is it?"

Wong Qifu asked, "Wang Qiya, did you study abroad?"

"I did!" Wang Qiya replied, startled.

"Then you should think carefully about what you're actually trying to argue." With that, Wong Qifu shook her head and turned to enter the hospital room.

Wang Qiya's eyes widened. What does she mean?! Is my sister saying my argument was completely incoherent?

Wang Qiya stood frozen on the spot for a long while.

Finally, Wang Wu couldn't stand to watch any longer. "Second Miss, what are you thinking about?"

Although he hadn't wanted to overhear the sisters' conversation, the Second Miss's voice had been a bit too loud. He had heard everything.

"Uncle Wu, my sister told me to think about what I'm actually trying to say," Wang Qiya said, troubled. "Did I say something wrong?"

Wang Wu chuckled. "Perhaps, Second Miss, your initial objection was that Mister Xu would become a burden to the Eldest Miss, that she would bring disaster upon him. In that case, Mister Xu would inevitably be unable to protect himself and would also drag the Eldest Miss down. But you just argued that Mister Xu was actually in control during these last two incidents. Doesn't that prove he couldn't possibly become a burden to the Eldest Miss?"

As he finished, Wang Qiya's eyes widened in astonishment.

Did my sister's words really lead me to argue myself into a corner?

Wang Wu couldn't help but laugh again. "Second Miss, although the Eldest Miss isn't easily influenced by others, your words might have just strengthened her conviction."

Wang Qiya was speechless.

...

Wong Qifu entered the hospital room. As she looked at Xu Ke lying on the bed with his eyes closed, a complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

Her sister's question—*how could you be so selfish?*—was a thought Wong Qifu had already harbored in her own heart. The night Xu Ke was kidnapped, her heart had felt like it was being twisted by knives. She had been consumed with guilt and regret. If it weren't for her selfishness, how could Xu Ke, an ordinary person, have been pushed to the brink of death? He certainly wouldn't have defiantly attempted suicide just to keep her from having to compromise.

But that wouldn't be a reason for her to break up with him.

What's done is done. There's no point in regretting it now.

That night, she had resolved to protect Xu Ke. But it was also on that night, after Xu Ke woke up, that his words, "I want to protect you," had softened her heart. It had been so many years since someone had told her they wanted to protect her.

Wong Qifu smiled as she looked at Xu Ke on the bed. He was her safe haven.

Just then, Xu Ke opened his eyes. "You're here?"

"How are you?" Wong Qifu asked, walking over to the bedside.

"Not bad. I feel like I've recovered a lot," Xu Ke answered honestly. His recovery rate would accelerate significantly once he was conscious.

Wong Qifu recited, "Internal abdominal bleeding, fractured ribs, a poisoned needle to the neck, severe trauma... and you're telling me you've recovered a lot less than ten minutes after waking up? Are you trying to lie to me again?"

"I'm not lying," Xu Ke said helplessly. "You might not know this, but as a Martial Artist, my recovery ability is quite good."

"So what you're saying is that you're so incredible that it's beyond my comprehension, is that it?" Wong Qifu raised an eyebrow.

Her words sent a jolt of panic through Xu Ke. "No, that's not what I meant at all!"

Trouble really does come from a loose tongue.

"Then what did you mean?"

"I really didn't mean anything," Xu Ke said, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Wong Qifu smiled. "Well? Was that fun?"

"What?" Xu Ke asked, bewildered.

"When I came in just now, I overheard a young couple talking about one of those 'boyfriend survival tests.' It sounded fun," Wong Qifu said casually.

Xu Ke swallowed. "You weren't angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" Wong Qifu sat on the edge of his bed, watching him quietly.

Her faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils. He looked at her and said, "No, you don't need to be angry." He breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

If she'd actually been angry... I really wouldn't know how to calm her down.

"Alright." Wong Qifu picked up the seafood congee and glanced at his face with a smile. "What, were you worried I'd be angry?"

"No, no, no. I just feel very relaxed when I'm with you," Xu Ke said, shaking his head.

Wong Qifu scooped up a spoonful of congee. "Eat." She blew on it gently and brought it to his lips.

Xu Ke was taken aback. "I can do it myself."

"Now I'm angry," Wong Qifu said flatly, without even looking up.

Xu Ke obediently opened his mouth. The congee slid in.

He swallowed quietly, his gaze fixed on her. Exquisite features, skin as smooth as jade... A beauty that could topple nations. Is this woman really my wife?

"What are you thinking about?" Wong Qifu asked, noticing he was staring into space as she scooped another spoonful.

"Nothing," Xu Ke said, snapping out of his daze.

"Nothing? You were staring at me so intently." Wong Qifu's beautiful eyes locked onto his.

"I was just thinking..." Xu Ke swallowed the congee and, as if possessed, blurted out, "Are you really my wife?"

I have to see her reaction.

Wong Qifu's hand paused. She stared at him with that same unreadable, half-smiling expression. "Are you all better now? Good. Then let's settle our score."

Xu Ke was left speechless.

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