But she still hasn’t decided whether to marry or not. If she gets married, what will happen to her mother? Her mother is no longer the Gu Qiyun of the past. To be precise, she is now the complete opposite of the gentle and kind Gu Qiyun she once was. Since Gu Yachen died, since she awoke from a coma and learned she was disfigured, she has become a silent, resentful Gu Qiyun, filled with intense hatred. Towards her daughter, she is no longer gentle and loving, but cold and resolute. But that’s her mother, and no matter how she changes, she still loves her mother deeply, loving her on behalf of Gu Yachen. Her mother is still being held hostage by Suri, waiting for her to find the Blood Tears Jade to exchange for her freedom. Moreover, Mo Qiyan is waiting for her to return to help him heal his illness; how long that treatment will take is unpredictable. So, how can she think clearly about whether or not she should marry in such a situation? If she were to marry, her mother should be there as a witness. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novｅlfire.net Gu Jiayin took a deep breath, turned her head to earnestly look at Sheng Qianchi, and slightly parted her lips. Her voice was soft yet calm, "Sheng Qianchi, do you really have to have me marry you to give me the Twilight Manor?" Doesn’t she understand that Twilight Manor is just a means to have her back by his side, and that place means nothing to him? He furrowed his brows deeply. After a few seconds of silence, he awkwardly smiled, "Don’t you want to marry me?" Gu Jiayin remained calm, bravely meeting his eager yet insecure gaze, "Sheng Qianchi," she said, "Since I chose to return here, I will quietly stay by your side and be your woman, fulfilling my role. But I’m really not ready to take on the position of Mrs. Sheng." In her clear black-and-white eyes, his handsome face was clearly reflected, "Can you give me some time?" Initially anxious, Sheng Qianchi suddenly smiled, tenderly holding her hand, "Why can’t I?" he said, "I have a lifetime to give you." His warm, large hand wrapped around her slender little hand, caressing her soft skin back and forth, "Marriage is just a piece of paper, a means for me to keep you by my side. Whether there’s that piece of paper or not, my only purpose is for you to be my woman." He said, "If you’re not ready, I’ll wait. After all, I’ll keep my marriage waiting there for whenever you’re ready to take it, okay?" Gu Jiayin felt she should be moved, "Then," she gently bit her lip, "can you give me the Twilight Manor?" Sheng Qianchi suddenly laughed, unable to resist kissing the corner of her lips, "Even if you want my life, I’ll give it." Gu Jiayin couldn’t say another word because she felt that the atmosphere at this moment was overwhelmingly sentimental and excessively cheesy. A sea rose in her heart, with a small boat drifting aimlessly, unable to find direction. Sheng Qianchi, in turn, was in the best of moods, planting kisses on her dazed little face, then slipped chopsticks back into her hand, "Let’s eat." Outside, the thunderstorm raged on, yet inside it was absurdly cozy, and this meal tasted sweeter than honey. After dinner, the rainstorm grew fiercer, but Sheng Qianchi’s spirits blossomed like flowers. Tonight, he wanted her to become his woman in reality. But he’s a gentleman, and he couldn’t just take her to bed right after dinner—that would be too crude and without charm. He took her to the music room. The music room was large, luxuriously decorated, exuding an artistic ambiance. Amber crystal lights spilled light across the room, reflecting off a pristine marble floor where a top-quality black piano sat quietly. Tonight, she finally agreed to be his woman, and Sheng Qianchi instantly recalled when he first felt moved by her. It was that piece, "Pear Blossom Thoughts," that tied his fate to hers. Seven years ago, that song made him feel her loneliness, and at this moment, he wished to end his solitude with it. Sheng Qianchi pulled Gu Jiayin to sit beside the piano, shoulder to shoulder, his smile as gentle as spring breeze, "I’ll play a piece for you." Gu Jiayin originally thought he would be eager to take her to bed, after longing for her for so long, eager to satisfy the desires he had restrained for two months. Yet, he brought her to play the piano, a favorite of hers. As a result, his words dispelled the gloominess that Zuo Qianhua had cast over her. Heavy curtains blocked the torrential rain outside, but the flashes of lightning penetrated, mingling with the lights, casting reflections on her face which shimmered like jade with a slight smile. She watched his long, delicate fingers begin to dance across the keys, gradually picking up pace, a lively melody flowing like notes into the room’s air. The sound delighted her cold eardrums. It was the familiar "Pear Blossom Thoughts" that everyone in Licheng City knew. She recalled that group piano lesson seven years ago when he said it was then that he became fond of her. She had never imagined that a casual gesture seven years back would lead to his years of obsession and relentless pursuit today. Seven years ago, she sat beside Pei Nianchen, believing in eternity, never seriously glancing at Sheng Qianchi, but now, she’d left Pei Nianchen, sat beside Sheng Qianchi, and promised to remain quietly by his side, being his woman. Life is unpredictable, fate turns, and who can predict the future in the next instant? He played earnestly, she listened quietly, the loneliness buried deep within his soul slowly dissipating like smoke from the depths of his body. He spoke not a word, eyes closed, immersed in the moment, letting the beautiful piano melody continuously flow from his fingertips, speaking to her through the music. He knew that someone as transparent as her would understand. His melody crafted a gorgeous vision in her consciousness. His piano notes were like magic, leading her until, finally, Gu Jiayin gently closed her eyes. In a pure white, clean world, a pear blossom bloomed brilliantly, petals dancing in the light breeze, the air filled with the fragrance of pear blossoms. There was a beautiful girl in a white dress, long black hair, standing under the tree, smiling sweetly. A tall, handsome, lonely youth gently embraced her, as if capturing an entire river of spring. At the moment of the embrace, the loneliness within him transformed into countless pear blossom petals, flying away with the wind, vanishing into endless oblivion. That scene perfectly explained one phrase: in the world of love, there’s only you and me. Gu Jiayin listened intently, indeed, she understood the world of love he constructed for her; she saw it in her awareness. She saw the handsome youth lower his head to kiss her, the kiss deepening tenderly. She could not deny she was captivated, unable to extricate herself. His fervor, his heartbeat and warmth, left her in a daze.