"I’ve already pushed you to marry someone you don’t love; I couldn’t possibly go further and trap you by my side, could I? Wen Jiao, everything I said to you before was sincere; my concern for your happiness and sorrow weighs even more on me than anything else." Wen Jiao’s movement in her hands unconsciously slowed to a stop. She looked at Shen Zhaoli for a long time before saying, "Shen Zhaoli, do you like me?" The man did not speak. Outside, there were subordinates coming and going, but Shen Zhaoli, as if no one else was there, gently clasped Wen Jiao’s neck. His posture was gentle, but his nature was forceful. "Jiaojiao, I am a businessman; businessmen only engage in profitable endeavors. Other than you, what else do you think there is at the Wen Family that I would covet?" Wen Jiao was not fool either, "Nothing." Her frankness only made the smile in Shen Zhaoli’s eyes gentler. He said, "Indeed, from beginning to end, I have only ever been after you. Wen Jiao, I like you." "Which kind of like?" "The kind a man has for a woman." He was so straightforward that there was no room for Wen Jiao to misunderstand. Wen Jiao gazed into Shen Zhaoli’s darkened eyes, which were tinged by the night, and filled with an emotional depth like indissoluble ink. Wen Jiao found it hard to breathe. Only at this moment did she seem to finally understand what all of Shen Zhaoli’s scheming up to this point had been for. Follow current novels on N0velFire.ɴet "What about me do you like?" Shen Zhaoli sighed lightly, and with a smile, his handsome brows and eyes swept clear of all emotions, as if he were patiently hinting to a child. Word by word, he said with extra patience, "Jiaojiao, if you could pinpoint why you like someone, then you could choose not to like them; love is a risk, and I don’t normally take risks." I don’t normally take risks. But if the endgame involves you, then all the tumult of the journey... is not so unacceptable after all... When Bian Yue woke up, it was already the next day’s morning. She had slept very well. Shen Jinci was sleeping right beside her, holding her in his arms, his posture full of protection. Bian Yue saw the sinuous curve of his collarbone disappear under his clothing, his fair skin alluring. Shen Jinci was born with a splendid appearance. Bian Yue raised her eyes within his embrace, looking at his sleeping face, so clear that everything that had happened these past days felt like a nightmare that never really took place. For no particular reason, a sourness hit her nose. Shen Jinci was a light sleeper, and as if sensing something, he slowly opened his eyes, meeting Bian Yue’s gaze filled with complex emotions. He chuckled helplessly and softly whispered, "Why are you about to cry? Are you feeling unwell?" Bian Yue shook her head, "Seeing you makes me happy." What she really wanted to say was, "Shen Jinci, can we never part for the rest of our lives?" But such words were too sensational, and the answer too certain. So, there was even no need to say them out loud. She hugged him tightly, her soft hair brushing over his neck, like a docile and harmless little creature in his arms. "If the snow eases a little today, I’ll accompany you out. Let’s walk around, shall we?" Bian Yue agreed, her voice trembling at the end, lost in a tender kiss. Li Sihe, however, had spent the entire night awake. After drinking some alcohol and seeing Bian Yue come downstairs, he realized he had lost his composure and suppressed the despondency on his face. The scent of alcohol still lingered around him, his peach blossom eyes looking down, filled with uncertainty. He stared at Bian Yue with a smile, his voice hoarse: "Yueyue, you’re awake..." Bian Yue sat down in front of Li Sihe. Her complexion was much better than it had been a few days ago; perhaps it was because Shen Jinci was by her side, bringing her back to life. Li Sihe thought to himself, feeling a dull pain as if being cut by a blunt knife. But Bian Yue did not notice his emotion. She spoke softly, "I know you gave all your assets to Li Tingmo in order to save me." "It was my own decision, it has nothing to do with you." Li Sihe spoke indifferently. Since Bian Yue knew this, Shen Jinci must have told her. Li Sihe was surprised by Shen Jinci’s openness, and at this moment, he didn’t want to appear weaker, "Yueyue, for all these years, this is how I’ve always been. If it concerns you, no matter the cost, I’d do it." She smiled genuinely, "Thank you." Li Sihe’s heart ached, his complexion turned a shade paler, "I don’t need your thanks." He paused, wanting to say more, when Bai Xu suddenly ran inside, his body covered with snow and with a disheveled appearance, he said gravely: "Miss Bian, Mr. Li, Zhuang Jie Ning is missing." Bian Yue’s last memory of Zhuang Jie Ning was from yesterday, with her sharp, scolding words. And now, Bai Xu was telling her she had disappeared. "Where could she go in this blizzard?" Bian Yue frowned, "Regardless, she came here with Jinci, and we need to safely bring her back to Xiangjiang." "I know, I’ve already sent out people to look for her." As Bai Xu said this, his urgent expression was replaced by guilt. Bian Yue showed no interest in settling scores, instead, his guilt surged, and his eyes grew uneasy, "Miss Bian... I’m sorry." Bian Yue knew what Bai Xu was apologizing for. That apology was for the past when he had schemed against her on behalf of Li Sihe. But now, Bian Yue did not want to probe into all this anymore. She shook her head, her voice steady, "That’s not important. The priority is to find Zhuang Jie Ning." Bai Xu reined in his feelings of guilt, looking at Bian Yue with determination, "Don’t worry, I will." When Shen Jinci came downstairs, he saw Bai Xu had once again charged into the snow. Bian Yue was sipping hot water, her head down, while Li Sihe sat opposite her, watching her. His gaze was calm, yet somehow it seemed desolate to an outsider. Shen Jinci looked elsewhere, stepping beside Bian Yue with ease. Bian Yue, seeing him, put down her cup and announced, "Zhuang Jie Ning is gone." "No worries, I’ll handle it." Shen Jinci paused, then touched Bian Yue’s hair gently, "What would you like to eat?" Bian Yue said she wanted to eat something he had cooked personally. Shen Jinci’s smile was gentle; such an indifferent man showing warmth like a gentle spring day to Bian Yue, "Then I’ll go make it for you now." Li Sihe’s temples throbbed watching Shen Jinci walk away. This time, Li Sihe stood up and followed. The kitchen felt cramped with two tall men standing there. Li Sihe watched Shen Jinci take fruits and vegetables out of the fridge and started, his voice hollow, "You don’t seem to mind my being alone with Bian Yue." "As long as Bian Yue is happy." Li Sihe was stunned, and then his voice deepened, "When do you plan to take Bian Yue away?" The question was sharp, and Li Sihe had wanted to ask since the night before. The snowy roads were difficult, but if Shen Jinci really wanted to leave, he would not be truly out of options. Shen Jinci washed the vegetables clean and looked at Li Sihe, "I’m not willing to take the risk."