Everyone exclaimed.
Li Tingshen’s pupils constricted.
He stood rooted to the ground, his back held by Ye Qingqiu.
Ye Qingqiu’s lips lingered on his for a while before she began to brush back and forth. There was only a soft touch on her lips, and there was no hint of intimacy.
Even Ye Qingqiu felt embarrassed by this kiss.
Looking at Li Tingshen’s expressionless face, she bit his lips angrily.
She only let go of him when she saw Li Tingshen frowning.
Her ears turned red.
However, she raised her head and said arrogantly, “Got it?”
Li Tingshen stood up slowly and watched as she pretended to be calm. His well-defined fingers slowly brushed past the spot where Ye Qingqiu had bitten her.
There was a clear pain and a faint moisture.
Seeing the red liquid on his fingertips, his thin lips twitched slightly.
“I did promise you something. If this is what you want, I can fulfill your wish.”
Ye Qingqiu smiled.
“But Ye Qingqiu…” Li Tingshen continued, “Do you believe in a man’s promise? Especially a promise that concerns your entire life? How many of those promises that they made about their true love will be carried out without any distractions? Moreover, I might not love you, and you might not like me forever. Don’t be too sure and leave yourself a way out.”
Li Tingshen had said a lot.
However, Ye Qingqiu heard the words “I don’t necessarily love you” clearly.
She paused slightly and her breathing paused for a moment. Her heart was probably aching from the lack of oxygen.
Her honesty made him grit his teeth.
She made him promise in front of everyone. She didn’t give him a way out and he didn’t show her any mercy.
She took a deep breath and smiled as she nodded in agreement.
“Yes, you’re right. Maybe I’m really just having an impromptu interest in you. That’s it then. Be my boyfriend. We’ll talk when I’m done.”
Li Tingshen watched calmly with a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Ye Qingqiu smiled again and said heartlessly, “Don’t feel aggrieved. Although you’re fulfilling your promise, I’ve always been sincere about this relationship. Don’t act as if I’m forcing you to give in. Other than the decision to break up, you won’t be the aggrieved party no matter what, right?”
Li Tingshen looked at her smile and felt that it was an eyesore.
There was almost no sound around him. He pursed his lips and suppressed the frustration in his heart. He looked up slightly to see two people standing on the stairs.
Ye Jianyun looked at him and shook his head gently.
She lowered her eyes again and looked at Ye Qingqiu, her jaw clenched tightly.
After a long while, his lips twitched. “…Okay.”
Ye Qingqiu smiled and held Li Tingshen’s arm. “This is the best adult gift I’ve received. Let’s go, I’ll bring you to eat.”
Yes, it was the best coming-of-age ceremony. The Autumn Villa that Ye Jianyun had spent a few years building for her could not compare to a relationship that she might not even have.
Old Master Ye was furious. “Isn’t that kid too outrageous? If my precious granddaughter doesn’t like him, who else can he like? He actually embarrassed Qingqiu in front of so many people…”
“Dad,” Ye Jianyun interrupted the old man calmly, “Let the children decide on their own. We can’t interfere too much and force them. It’s better to be honest than to lie. Besides…”
He paused and looked at the backs of the two of them. He said slowly, “…Tingshen isn’t as heartless as he said…”
The old man was silent for a while before he took a deep breath and said, “I’m afraid that like father, like daughter. When the time comes, Qingqiu will be like you. For that person, she can’t wait to disown her family and go crazy.”
Ye Jianyun smiled. “It’s a million times better than regretting for life.”
The old man said nothing more.
—
Ye Qingqiu ordered a few dishes from the kitchen, all according to Li Tingshen’s preferences.
Ye Qingqiu didn’t seem to care about what Li Tingshen had said in the living room. She sat down and ate with him happily.
It didn’t look like a disguise.
Her heartlessness made Li Tingshen feel that he was being too harsh on her.
However, he knew that Ye Qingqiu was not stupid. She understood some things better than anyone else.
Li Tingshen didn’t eat much. Ye Qingqiu sat opposite him, her eyes never leaving him.
Putting down the bowl and chopsticks, he looked up at her. “Are you planning to get tired of me as soon as possible?”
Ye Qingqiu blinked and said, “I haven’t gotten tired of you for more than two years. Do you have some misunderstanding about yourself?”
Li Tingshen picked up a napkin to wipe the corners of his mouth. He put it down and pursed his lips. “You haven’t gotten tired of me after two years. Isn’t that your problem?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s probably because I like you too much.”
Li Tingshen stood up. “… Let’s go.”
Ye Qingqiu chased after her. “You’re not eating anymore?”
“Don’t forget that you’re the main character today.”
—
The two of them walked through the corridor and entered the living room through the side door.
Ye Qingqiu held Li Tingshen’s arm and appeared in front of everyone again. The smile on her face was obvious.
Ye Qingqiu finally understood the so-called protagonist Li Tingshen was referring to.
There were a few older people around Ye Jianyun. When they saw Ye Qingqiu, they called her over.
“Qingqiu, this is your Uncle Qian. He has been with the Ye Corporation for more than 30 years. Don’t be as rude as usual, understand?”
“Got it. Hello, Uncle Qian.” Ye Qingqiu was in a good mood and hugged Li Tingshen obediently.
However, the limit was limited to the few shareholders and partners in the company. Later on, Ye Qingqiu pulled Li Tingshen to escape.
Ye Jianyun couldn’t stop him and could only look at Li Tingshen. “Tingshen, look after her.”
Li Tingshen nodded.
She thought that she had finally left this superficial social interaction, but it was Li Tingshen who brought her into the crowd.
“That’s Chairman Gu of the Gu Corporation. The Ye Corporation is working with them on the amusement park project. Let’s go up and greet them.”
Ye Qingqiu frowned. “Today is my coming-of-age ceremony, not a social event.”
“Since you’re an adult, you should unlock what adults should do. Do you still want to live a carefree life?”
Ye Qingqiu blinked, her beautiful eyes shining brightly. “Unlock what adults should do?”
Her eyes were filled with excitement and shyness. Li Tingshen pursed his lips and reached out to grab her waist. He exerted some force and brought her to the chairman of Gu Corporation. His voice was calm.
“This is Chairman Gu. Call him.”
Ye Qingqiu immediately smiled. “Hello, Director Gu.”
“Okay, okay.” Chairman Gu beamed. “Happy 18th birthday to Princess Ye.”
“Thank you.”
After a short chat, Li Tingshen brought her to greet the others.
This time, even Li Tingshen and Ye Qingqiu’s expressions turned ugly.
“I don’t want to go. I’m tired.”
Li Tingshen lowered his eyes to look at her.
Ye Qingqiu’s face was indeed pale and there was a layer of sweat on her forehead.
He frowned slightly and lowered his gaze to her feet.
The first thing she saw was a pair of silver heels with diamonds. Her fair feet stepped on it, and her slender ankles were connected to her calves.
But now, he only had one foot to bear the weight, and the other side of his body was leaning against him.
Perhaps sensing that Li Tingshen had discovered her current situation, Ye Qingqiu turned around and buried her face in Li Tingshen’s arms. She reached out to hug his neck, her muffled voice filled with grievance.
“Li Tingshen, my feet hurt.”
Liang Xuer had just appeared at the door with Lian Lili in her arms when she saw Ye Qingqiu hugging Li Tingshen. She buried her head in his embrace and rubbed her forehead against his shirt. They were so intimate.
But Li Tingshen had no reaction.
Liang Xuer stopped in her tracks and stood there, her gaze fixed on the two of them.
She didn’t believe that Li Tingshen would let Ye Qingqiu get close to him in front of so many people.
However, she had been looking forward to Li Tingshen pushing Ye Qingqiu away.
However, he took a step back and bent down to hug her…
