NOVPUBWhether Yue Ran said those words intentionally or unintentionally, she had helped him get rid of one of her suitors without much effort on her part.
Yue Ran was also happy to get rid of one of the three persistent male protagonists. Mu Chen was a really good partner in helping her do this deed!
She wanted to relax before the next part of the plot started, and having the three male protagonists hovering around her just wouldn't do the trick, especially when they clearly had no more will to fight.
Boring.
Sure enough, Mu Chen did not disappoint Yue Ran's expectations that were set for him. She only flashed an apologetic smile at Jiang Yi as he reluctantly left the room with a dejected back.
As for Jin Yao, Yue Ran doesn't even bother to give him a look.
There was an unspeakable pain in Jin Yao's heart, and he forced out a smile on his face before he stepped out of the room.
"Yue Ran, I am sorry…" There were so many words he wanted to say, but only a question escaped his lips. "Do I still have a chance?"
Does he still have a chance, even if just a little bit?
Would you still look at me?
Unexpectedly, Yue Ran answered him back with a laugh; her head tilted back and her smiling eyes sparkled with joy, as if she had heard the greatest joke of a lifetime.
Even at this moment, her heartless self still looked so beautiful.
Wiping a nonexistent tear from her face, she leaned her head on Mu Chen's shoulder and said with a soft sigh, "Why don't you be of use to me, then maybe I'll like you back again?"
Jin Yao felt a throbbing pain in his heart...
Then nothing.
"…Will you really like me back again by then?"
"I'll think about it," she said a little too carelessly, and she gave Jin Yao a perfunctory nod.
Jin Yao lowered his eyes. "That's enough."
His heart was sour and unbearable, and his eyes were a little red.
The past is really the past.
What has been done cannot be undone.
For now…
As long as he can still take up a little space in Yue Ran's heart, it's enough.
As long as she still thinks of him occasionally, it's enough.
As long as that is the case, he will do his very best to be of use to her.
It's enough.
He smiled depreciatingly at himself.
He wanted to give up, but he couldn't bear to part with that trace of sweetness.
He's really cheap.
"Then, I'll leave first."
Yue Ran only gave a small hum in response.
With a wave of Mu Chen's hand, his subordinates also leave the room. And now, there were only Yue Ran and Mu Chen left.
"Will you really like him again?" Mu Chen pinched Yue Ran's cheek and stared at her dangerously.
Although his look and his words sounded threatening, his actions were contrary to what he had shown outside. 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
The hold on her cheek felt so light and gentle.
"What do you think?" Yue Ran raised her small chin delicately. Although she looked proud, she didn't look annoying. Instead, it made people want to touch her head.
And so he did.
"You are so naughty." Mu Chen pulled Yue Ran close and patted her head. "Why are you provoking so many men?"
Yue Ran rolled her eyes.
"I didn't provoke them, but they are the ones attaching themselves to me; what can I do?"
After saying this, she stared pointedly at Mu Chen. Her eyes were saying: And aren't you one of them as well?
Mu Chen responded with a non-committal grunt and went silent.
"Is it possible to blame my beautiful face and charming personality?"
Yue Ran turned on the front camera of her phone and looked at the beautiful woman on the screen.
"Very beautiful indeed." She nodded to herself.
The corners of Mu Chen's mouth twitched, but he couldn't refute her words. After all, apart from Yue Ran's unpredictable temper, there was really nothing to say about her beautiful face and charming personality.
On her phone screen, he could see her beautiful features—vermillion lips slightly raised and long, curled eyelashes casting shadows on her sparkling eyes.
As if sensing his gaze, she gave him a wink through the screen.
Mu Chen's heart skipped a beat. He immediately pulled Yue Ran into his arms and said, "You look so attractive. If you plan to date a man, how about you consider me?"
"Just you?"
Yue Ran lifted her head to look at him with a raised brow, staring at his features in contemplation.
"What advantages do you have to ask me to settle down for you?"
She pressed a finger to his forehead and lightly pushed him away.
"Why should I give up the whole forest for you, a tree?"
Mu Chen smiled wickedly, but he was not angry at her words. He pulled her close to him again, their foreheads touching.
"Firstly, you saved my life," he said. "And second, I owe your mother a favor." He gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Isn't this a destined marriage?"
"You owe my mother a favor?" Yue Ran pulled her head back and looked at him curiously. "I know nothing about this."
"That's a story for another time, darling."
Yue Ran narrowed her eyes. "Right…"
"Besides, I'm handsome, rich, and powerful." Mu Chen began showing himself off as if he were a product for sale in an advertisement. "If you want the stars, I'll pick the stars for you; if you want the moon, I'll pick the moon for you; so why isn't this worth settling down for you?"
"What if I want the sun?" Yue Ran asked.
"Then I'll give you the sun."
"The rain?"
"The rain too."
"Mountains, rivers, and seas?"
"I will give you the world, all that you ask for, and even more." Mu Chen answered solemnly, as if he were stating an oath, a pledge, and a promise. "I will make you happy."
"Hmm," Yue Ran hummed in thought.
She tilted her head and looked at the man with a thoughtful expression, waiting for him to grow nervous.
Mu Chen's breath caught in his throat. His stomach unknowingly twisted into knots as he waited with bated breath for a reply to his offer.
Then she burst out laughing.
"You may be rich, handsome, and powerful, but do you really plan to be with me when you're already this old?"
The man was stunned for a moment before an ecstatic expression blossomed on his face.
"So, you've promised to be with me? I didn't hear a no!" His smile couldn't conceal his happiness. "Moreover, seven years is not too big of an age gap, darling; your husband is not old."
Yue Ran pinched the man's cheek with a look of disgust on her face.
"Husband?" She raised a brow. "Dream on!" She rolled her eyes.
"Not a dream."
"You're so clingy." She complained when she found herself once again brought into his embrace.
"You've promised me." Mu Chen hugged Yue Ran tightly and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead.
