"I'm giving you one last chance: marry me. Once you're with me, you can only have me in your heart. Can you do that?"

Ji Zhuo's voice was deep and firm, his gaze fixed on Lin Xihe, his eyes containing both undeniable domineering authority and cautious expectation.

Lin Xihe looked at Ji Zhuo, who was so close to her, but his familiar face was now somewhat blurry in her eyes.

In that instant, a strong impulse surged within her, and she truly wanted to agree to his proposal regardless of everything and stay with him forever.

But reality presented itself like towering mountains, standing in her way.

Images flashed through her mind of the agonizing six months Gu Qinghuai had endured; that Tang Bao was not Ji Zhuo's biological daughter; and the truth behind her father's death.

As for Ji Zhuo, as the emperor's confidant, how much did he actually know?

And were they involved?

If Gu Qinghuai really wants to overthrow the man in front of him, how will Ji Zhuo respond?

The unknown nature of all this sent chills down her spine.

What made her even more uneasy was how much Ji Zhuo knew about the things between Mu Ruoyan and herself.

In Ji Zhuo's eyes, her hesitation, the doubt and struggle in her eyes, were undoubtedly irrefutable proof that she did not love him.

A bitter smile appeared on Ji Zhuo's lips, a smile full of self-mockery and loneliness.

"I even said I'd give you a chance. In your eyes, am I just a joke?"

Ji Zhuo's voice trembled slightly, and bitterness spread through his eyes like a tide, as if his heart was being deeply pierced by countless fine needles.

He weakly withdrew his hand, rested it on his knees, and tried to get up, muttering to himself, "What am I anyway..."

The voice was so soft it seemed a gust of wind could carry it away, yet it struck Lin Xihe's heart with tremendous force.

Seeing Ji Zhuo about to leave, Lin Xihe seemed to be struck by something, and subconsciously reached out and grabbed Ji Zhuo's arm.

Ji Zhuo's movement to get up was interrupted by this sudden tugging, and the two looked at each other.

“A-Zhuo..…”

Lin Xihe called softly, her voice carrying an emotion that seemed to be pleading for him to stay, yet also conveying endless turmoil.

"kindness?"

A glimmer of hope instantly ignited in Ji Zhuo's eyes, and his dim eyes regained their brilliance. He looked intently at Lin Xihe, as if at this moment, nothing else in the world mattered, and his eyes were only on the woman he loved to the core.

However, Lin Xihe's hand was still tightly gripping Ji Zhuo's arm, but she slowly lowered her eyes, no longer daring to look directly into Ji Zhuo's eyes.

Rainwater streamed down her forehead, dripping onto the ground between them and splashing up tiny droplets.

Ji Zhuo, however, would not allow her to escape.

He gently pulled Lin Xihe's hand down, then cupped her face in his large, warm palm, and said in a gentle voice, "Xi'er, look up at me."

Lin Xihe slowly raised her head, the mist in her eyes still lingering, as if veiled by a light gauze, making it impossible to see through the struggles and love deep within her heart.

"Do you love me?" Ji Zhuo's voice trembled slightly; these four simple words seemed to have used up all his strength.

"like."

Lin Xihe slightly opened her mouth, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet it resounded in Ji Zhuo's heart.

Upon hearing the answer he had been longing for, Ji Zhuo was stunned for a moment, as if frozen in place. Then, he could no longer suppress his emotions and suddenly pulled Lin Xihe into a tight embrace.

Lin Xihe let Ji Zhuo embrace her, her heart filled with complex emotions at that moment.

She greedily wanted to reciprocate the embrace, her hand hovering in mid-air, but she never let go.

During the days she spent in Moyu City, Ji Zhuo's silent companionship and protection gradually made her realize that the person she wanted to stay with was him.

But how can they overcome the obstacles that stand between them?

Lin Xihe was completely flustered. She was afraid that in that instant, she would be blinded by Ji Zhuo's deep affection and impulsively accept his marriage proposal.

At this moment, all she wanted was to escape this place that was stirring her emotions, to find a quiet corner, and let her burning thoughts calm down.

She simply couldn't easily accept Ji Zhuo's marriage proposal.

But she was also worried that if she spoke too decisively today, there would be no room for reconciliation between them.

The best course of action now is to calm down and separate for the day.

Just as Ji Zhuo was about to press his advantage and continue persuading Lin Xihe, he heard her say softly, "I want to go home."

Ji Zhuo was stunned for a moment, his face full of doubt. He asked again uncertainly, "Go home?"

He seemed unable to believe his ears; in his view, this sudden decision made no sense.

"Okay, I'm leaving."

Lin Xihe nestled in Ji Zhuo's arms, her voice calm and undisturbed, but only she knew that her heart was in turmoil.

"I hugged you, and you got angry?"

Ji Zhuo asked cautiously, trying to find a clue from Lin Xihe's reaction to understand why she suddenly wanted to leave.

"No, it's late and I need to go home. Can I come in tomorrow?"

Lin Xihe forced herself to remain calm and asked the question, her gaze darting away, not daring to look Ji Zhuo in the eye.

It's raining right now.

Ji Zhuo released Lin Xihe, pointed to the torrential rain behind him, and looked puzzled.

He couldn't understand why Lin Xihe, who had been able to stay alone in the rain just moments before, was now so determined to leave.

If she was in a hurry, that was even more impossible, since she didn't know the exact time, and there was no night watchman in her house.

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