"There's definitely gratitude, but it's not the crucial part."

"Oh? Then what's crucial?"

Qin Ruojing turned her head to look at Chu Ge, with a somewhat helpless yet tender smile.

"It's a very complex feeling. I find it difficult to express it with words. In fact, I've doubted myself more than once, unsure if it's what people call love. Until you brought Long Kun during the board reshuffle and did what you did, I thought about it carefully, and that's when I made up my mind."

Chu Ge was taken aback. Even though today's unexpected occurrences were already quite overwhelming, hearing Qin Ruojing say that left him puzzled.

"Because of this incident? Impossible. You were clearly upset with me over this and if you hadn't brought it up, I certainly wouldn't have mentioned it. I thought you were still holding a grudge and would argue whenever this topic came up."

Seeing Chu Ge's surprised face, Qin Ruojing's smile grew even softer.

"Chu Ge, honestly, you always disapproved of my way of life, right? You think I'm a workaholic who doesn't know how to enjoy life, a strong-willed woman lacking in romance, am I right?"

Suddenly being diverted to this topic, Chu Ge was a bit confused, but since Qin Ruojing asked, he knew she had her reasons.

Although Chu Ge basically agreed with the statement, the atmosphere between them was so cozy now, he didn't want to ruin it, so he just smiled and shook his head, "Of course not."

"Come on now, no need to deny it. Don't I know you?" Qin Ruojing lightly patted Chu Ge's hand and coquettishly gave him a sideways glance, "You like free, uncomplicated, simple and peaceful days. You're not really drawn to money or power. It'd be strange if you were to agree with my lifestyle."

Chu Ge chuckled awkwardly; Qin Ruojing's words hit the mark. He scratched his head nonchalantly, waiting for Qin Ruojing to get to the real point — how did this incident solidify her determination to be with him?

Qin Ruojing didn't keep Chu Ge waiting long. She sighed softly and continued, "But even though you disapprove of my lifestyle so much, when there was a sudden change in the board, you still stood up for me. You even went against your beliefs to resolve the issue. Could you… tell me why you did that?"

"Why?" Chu Ge blinked with bewilderment and instinctively repeated.

Qin Ruojing burst into a laugh, "I knew you'd react like this. Actually, this is the main reason I want to spend my life with you."

Chu Ge felt even more baffled and instinctively asked again, "Why?"

"Because you care about me. When I needed you, you didn't even need to think about it. It was like instinct for you to protect and help me. Doesn't that prove your feelings for me?"

Qin Ruojing gazed into Chu Ge's eyes, "I think this might not — no, it certainly is what they call love. Entrusting my entire life to a man like you, what would I have to worry about?"

Listening to Qin Ruojing, Chu Ge felt warmth in his heart, yet along with the touching sentiment, he also felt a little guilty.

At that time, he didn't think about anything; it was mostly because he didn't consider it a big deal. Was it really as great as Qin Ruojing described? And yet, this became the real key to winning Qin Ruojing's heart?

As Chu Ge felt increasingly embarrassed, Qin Ruojing's gentle and soft voice continued.

"Actually, to you, even if I lost the chairman position, even lost Tianjiao Group, having a small but comfortable life together, free like idle clouds and wild cranes, might be the lifestyle you prefer, right?"

Chu Ge nodded; this statement indeed resonated with his true feelings.

"Now, can you think carefully and give me a well-considered answer why you did what you did?"

The more sincerity and expectation filled Qin Ruojing's eyes, the more Chu Ge felt embarrassed. He chuckled awkwardly, "Past is past; why waste brain cells on that? Why not… let me test your learning results to see if you can apply them?"

While talking, Chu Ge attempted to raise his hand, but as soon as he moved, Qin Ruojing caught it.

"Don't try to change the subject. Even if I'm not a Saint, you can't keep using the same tricks on me forever, right?"

Despite Chu Ge having the strength to easily break free from Qin Ruojing's grasp, sensing her increasingly obvious seriousness and expectation, he let her hold his hand, showing a sheepish smile of someone whose plot was uncovered.

"Isn't this kind of thing not that important? Do you have to be so serious about it?"

"How can it not be important?" Qin Ruojing glared at Chu Ge, "Don't try to dodge this, think about it seriously and tell me your answer."

Chu Ge knew he couldn't escape this question, so he smiled helplessly, "If my wife's things are unwanted by her, she can throw them away herself, but if someone else tries to take them, that's absolutely not happening. What's there to think about?"

Qin Ruojing also shook her head helplessly, "You, you always know to brush me off. Can't you seriously think about it for a moment longer?"

Though she spoke like that, Qin Ruojing felt sweet inside. She hoped Chu Ge would seriously ponder for a long time and then express some passionate and heartfelt words to her. But... would that still be the Chu Ge she knew?

Besides, isn't such an unthinking and lazy response more indicative of Chu Ge's true feelings?

"Alright, no matter how many times I think about it, it's always the same. Can you stop being so hung up on this?" Chu Ge shrugged and chuckled, "Now, can we test the results of your study?"

Qin Ruojing panicked inside, this guy... no way, right? What should she do?

Just as Qin Ruojing was at a loss, trying to find an excuse to continue stalling, Tong Yaqi walked out from the bathroom.

"Yaqi, you came at the right time, this guy is at it again, please help me quickly." Taking advantage of Chu Ge looking at Tong Yaqi, Qin Ruojing finally escaped from Chu Ge's "clutches" and called out to Tong Yaqi for help.

Hearing Qin Ruojing's words, Tong Yaqi was speechless for a moment, and silently thought, "No way?"

Chu Ge looked at Qin Ruojing and Tong Yaqi's stunned and speechless expressions, and burst out laughing, "Okay, I was just joking. You really took it seriously?"

Both Qin Ruojing and Tong Yaqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Chu Ge's joke was really not funny at all, and it scared them a bit.

Tong Yaqi glanced at Qin Ruojing, then at Chu Ge, and laughed, "Of course we know you're joking, weren't we just playing along with you? Otherwise, wouldn't your joke be pointless? Right, Ruojing?"

Qin Ruojing quickly nodded, "Right."

Chu Ge scratched his head amusingly, "Right, what right? Like we're talking about something real. I wasn't planning on exposing you, but your acting was way too fake!"

Qin Ruojing gave Chu Ge a big "Byakugan" to conceal her embarrassment; she felt it was time to change the subject. Otherwise, if Chu Ge turned this joke into something serious, it would be troublesome.

Actually, even if she didn't deliberately change the topic, Qin Ruojing had some things she wanted to ask Chu Ge. But with Tong Yaqi there, she felt a bit shy to speak.

It's not a matter of trusting Tong Yaqi, it's just that in this matter, how to put it, she feels weird asking her husband in front of another woman.

Tong Yaqi sensed Qin Ruojing's strange expression and immediately realized that Qin Ruojing might want to talk to Chu Ge alone. After thinking for a moment, she smiled and said, "Chu Ge, Ruojing, I'm a bit tired. I'll go back to my room to rest. You two chat slowly."

Hearing Tong Yaqi's words made Qin Ruojing truly grateful. Tong Yaqi is very successful in interpersonal matters, her perceptiveness is remarkably strong, and she is always so considerate. In this regard, Qin Ruojing feels inadequate.

Originally, Qin Ruojing hoped Tong Yaqi would leave, but when Tong Yaqi proposed to leave, Qin Ruojing suddenly realized another issue: it wasn't that late yet, if Chu Ge had any ideas about applying her learning, that would be too troublesome. No matter how she looked at it, it was safer to keep Tong Yaqi there.

"Yaqi, there's nothing urgent now, why rush off? We seldom get to relax like this, how about playing some cards or chess together?"

Tong Yaqi was slightly surprised, a bit puzzled. From Qin Ruojing's previous expression, she clearly seemed to want to talk to Chu Ge alone, but was hesitant because Tong Yaqi was there?

She had proactively suggested leaving, why was Qin Ruojing now asking her to stay? It was really strange.

Tong Yaqi silently thought: "Did I misjudge the situation? Shouldn't be, I've been with Qin Ruojing for years, and I've always been quite accurate in understanding her intentions. Could it be that Qin Ruojing was just being polite and didn't really want me to stay? But... in this context, it doesn't seem necessary for her to do that?"

"Chu Ge, go look for the playing cards or something, there must be some here." Just as Tong Yaqi was pondering, Qin Ruojing looked at Chu Ge and pointed at a cabinet with drawers nearby, "Check inside there, entertainment items should be stored in this place."

Chu Ge nodded and opened the drawer, searching for the playing cards. Just like Qin Ruojing said, there was nothing urgent now, playing some cards and chatting was indeed a good idea.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.