Song Ze's eyes shone with boundless joy. Xia Qingqing's words rekindled his hope. He secretly took several deep breaths before mustering the courage to speak: "Qingqing, you should have noticed by now that I like you."

"Actually, I don't know when I fell in love with you, but by the time I realized it, you were all I could think about."

"Don't rush to reject me. Give me a chance to pursue you, okay? I'll definitely do my best."

Liking someone can indeed make you feel inferior. Song Ze didn't even dare to hope that Xia Qingqing would like him back at this moment.

After expressing his feelings in one breath, Song Ze became even more nervous, quietly waiting for Xia Qingqing's verdict.

Xia Qingqing and Song Ze's fair foreheads were covered in fine beads of sweat from nervousness, and they also felt a strange feeling that they couldn't explain.

She had never been in a relationship in her previous life, which lasted 22 years. In fact, seeing that everyone around her had a partner, she had thought about finding a boyfriend herself, but she had never met the right one.

She admitted that Song Ze's biggest attraction to her was definitely his appearance. Yes, she was that kind of vulgar person. One of the reasons she couldn't find a boyfriend in her past life was because she had high standards.

However, aside from his appearance, after spending so much time together, it's undeniable that Song Ze is a good person. Plus, he treats her very well, so it's understandable that she would be attracted to him.

Xia Qingqing suddenly smiled brightly: "I have received your feelings, and I agree to let you be my partner."

A look of intense surprise flashed across Song Ze's face. He stared at Xia Qingqing in disbelief and asked, "Really? Am I dreaming?"

"Of course it's true! Who would joke like that with you?" Xia Qingqing flicked Song Ze's forehead with her finger. What a silly goose.

Even though Song Ze is a bit silly, he's still so handsome that Xia Qingqing can't take her eyes off him.

She's a country bumpkin, but she just likes handsome guys.

Song Ze excitedly picked Xia Qingqing up and spun her around several times: "Qingqing, I'm so happy~".

Xia Qingqing was dizzy from being spun around by him. Just as she was about to tell him to stop, she heard Gou Dan exclaim in surprise, "You bastard, what are you doing to my sister?"

Upon hearing the sound, Song Ze felt a little guilty and put Xia Qingqing down. Before he could explain, Gou Dan pushed him away.

"Who gave you permission to hug my sister? This is indecent assault! I'm calling the police to arrest you!" Gou Dan glared angrily at Song Ze, his little face flushed with rage.

Song Ze was caught off guard and was pushed back two steps by Gou Dan, his waist slamming hard against the corner of the table.

The pain made him gasp instantly: "Hiss~".

Xia Qingqing, feeling dizzy, was shielded behind Gou Dan. Seeing that Song Ze was in so much pain that he couldn't even straighten his back, she rushed forward to support him anxiously: "Song Ze, are you alright? Can you still move?"

Song Ze forced a smile: "It's okay, I'll be fine after a while."

Gou Dan angrily tugged at his sister's arm: "Sis, why are you still concerned about this bad guy? He actually dared to hug you just now. You should have just hit him with a stool. Mom said girls need to protect themselves."

Xia Qingqing looked at her younger brother awkwardly: "Um, Gou Dan, there's something I need to tell you."

"Your sister is currently dating Song Ze, and he hugged me with my permission."

Gou Dan stared wide-eyed in horror. How could his sister date Song Ze? In his mind, Song Ze was a big bad guy who wanted to swindle his sister out of her money. How could such a stingy man become his brother-in-law? He knew he would never have a good life if he married someone like that.

"Impossible! I don't believe it! Sister, don't lie to me! I don't want him to be my brother-in-law!" Gou Dan shook his head frantically, refusing to believe this fact even if it meant death.

Song Ze had recovered by this time. Although his back was still sore, it was within his tolerance.

He was puzzled as to why Gou Dan was so resistant to him: "Little Gou Dan, why do you dislike me so much? What did I do to offend you?"

Dog Egg glared at Song Ze, annoyed: "You've offended me in every way. Have you forgotten what you've done?"

Song Ze choked, unable to speak. Could he say that he regretted it?

However, Song Ze's regret is predicated on Xia Qingqing now being his girlfriend. If he had saved a stranger, he wouldn't think he made a mistake by accepting payment.

Xia Qingqing watched the interaction between the two with amusement, patted Gou Dan on the shoulder, and gestured for him to look at her:

"Dog Egg, I know you mind that Song Ze accepted my thank-you fee, but what I want to tell you is that Song Ze really did save me, and I gave him the thank-you fee of my own free will. If it weren't for Song Ze, you might not be able to see your sister now. Do you really think your sister's life isn't worth 50 yuan?"

“It’s worth it,” Gou Dan nodded firmly. Just thinking about never seeing his sister again made his heart ache.

Thinking of this, Gou Dan's gaze towards Song Ze finally softened: "Brother Song, I was wrong before, I apologize."

"Good boy, your brother was wrong too," Song Ze picked up the roll of money that Xia Qingqing hadn't accepted from the table and handed it to Gou Dan: "Little Gou Dan, this is the pocket money I prepared for your sister. Can you accept it for her?"

Upon seeing the thick roll of ten-yuan bills, Gou Dan's eyes nearly popped out: "Pocket money?"

Song Ze smiled and said, "Yes, it's pocket money. You can ask me for more if you don't have enough."

"Don't talk nonsense. Take this money back. I can't accept it," Xia Qingqing said coquettishly, glaring at Song Ze. She was speechless at his nouveau riche behavior.

Who would take so much money from their partner right after confirming a relationship? But to be honest, Song Ze's attitude made her quite happy.

Song Ze forced the money into Gou Dan's hand: "Little Gou Dan, since your sister doesn't want it, then you can have this money."

Anyway, if it's given to Gou Dan, it'll end up in Xia Qingqing's pocket anyway.

"Qingqing, I'm leaving now. I'll come find you again tomorrow." Song Ze was afraid that if he didn't leave soon, he would have trouble explaining himself if he ran into Xia Qingqing's father again.

Moreover, he's not ready to meet the parents yet. It seems like he needs to prepare a gift for the first formal visit. He needs to brush up on his knowledge in this area when he gets back.

After Song Ze left, Gou Dan stood there, still holding the large roll of money, and asked, "Sister, what should we do with this money?"

Xia Qingqing's eyes twitched, and her voice carried a hint of helplessness: "I'll keep it for now and return it to him next time. Remember not to tell Mom and Dad about this."

Dog Egg nodded obediently: "Okay, it's our secret, right?"

Xia Qingqing patted Gou Dan's head: "Good boy."

Gou Dan looked at his sister hesitantly: "Sis, did you start dating Brother Song because he's good-looking?"

Xia Qingqing was surprised that this little kid knew so much: "That's part of the reason too."

Gou Dan revealed an expression of certainty: "But the aunties in the village all say that pretty boys are unreliable."

"What do you know at such a young age? Finding a partner requires looking at their appearance. Do you want to marry an ugly wife in the future?" Xia Qingqing pinched Gou Dan's little face. His face was a bit tanned from running around outside every day. If it were a little whiter, he would look even cuter.

Dog Egg shook his head frantically. He didn't want to marry an ugly wife. When he grew up, he wanted to find a wife as beautiful as his sister.