After Shan Song finished speaking, he fell silent and waited for a while before slightly rising to ask, "I'll go get a glass of water. Would you like something to drink?"
"Huh?" Tong Zhao was stunned for a moment, not yet reacting to the change of topic.
Dan Song smiled slightly and bent down to ask, "Juice? Coffee? Tea or plain water?"
"...Juice, please." Tong Zhao picked one without really thinking.
Shan Song grunted in response, straightened up, went to the island counter next to him, looked around, and then opened the refrigerator.
There was ready-made juice in the refrigerator, but Shan Song ignored it. He took some fruit to wash, and used this time to let Tong Zhao think things through again.
Tong Zhao had already turned around, with a tuft of hair sticking up on the back of his round head, which was quite rebellious, a stark contrast to his well-behaved image, but still adorable.
Dan Song lowered her eyes, her slender fingers feeling the water's flow, her gaze gradually softening.
On the other side, Tong Zhao shrank back into the sofa, hugged his legs that were bent to his chest, rested his chin on his knees, and felt his heart pounding like drumsticks. His gaze fell into the void as he pondered Shan Song's words.
He was surprised that he didn't feel the slightest reluctance towards Shan Song's suggestion, and even vaguely felt the emotions revealed in Shan Song's eyes, as well as his delight at his thoughtful consideration.
I'm definitely not averse to him, but to try spending time together, there should at least be some feelings involved, right? Does Shan Song's statement mean he likes him?
Does his current hesitation mean that he has developed feelings for Shan Song beyond gratitude?
Tong Zhao was in a state of turmoil. It had only been a few days, and they had only met twice, including the engagement. How could feelings develop so quickly?
Perhaps it's an illusion caused by the suspension bridge effect?
If that's the case, then nothing has happened yet, so why is your heart racing? Tong Zhao angrily pounded her uncooperative heart. Is it so hard not to refuse? Even if you refuse, Shan Song will still help you, or do you have some other motive?
Tong Zhao felt as if two voices were chattering and arguing in her head.
One of them spoke in a persuasive tone: "Shan Song has offered you these conditions, and you still haven't agreed? What are you thinking? Even if you don't like him, just put on an act. With Shan Song's character, he'll treat you well for life!"
Another angrily retorted: "You only helped them because you were after their conditions, and you only did a tiny bit of help. Do you expect to cling to them for the rest of your life?! You repay kindness with enmity!"
The first voice of dissatisfaction: "You said it's about getting to know each other. If they're willing, why are you being so dramatic? Feelings will develop eventually, you know? Besides, trying to get to know each other isn't like we're doing anything bad that would harm Dansong. Is it necessary to be so petty?"
Then another person said disdainfully: "Who doesn't know your ulterior motives? Didn't you also have an ulterior motive when you went to save people? Now you want to pull the same trick again? This is marriage! It's for a lifetime! Do you want your benefactor to live with someone who doesn't love him for the rest of his life?"
The first voice started shouting again: What's wrong with getting married? Even if you don't try to get along, you have to get married now. Besides, Shan Song didn't say he likes you. He only said he'd give it a try. If you're willing, you're willing; if you're not, you're not. Why all the nonsense about love?
The other one backed down, only resentfully saying: "I think you still want to use him."
The first one, not to be outdone, retorted: "If we don't see eye to eye, a single word is too
“…Right, he only said he’d give it a try, why am I so conflicted?” Tong Zhao murmured, though his tightly furrowed brows didn’t relax in the slightest.
It seems I've fallen into a stubborn mindset, determined to get an answer, questioning myself in a voice only I can hear: "Was it exploitation or love?"
Tong Zhao analyzed her own reactions to Shan Song almost frame by frame and sentence by sentence, like acting out her own reactions in different slow motions. She was certain that she was indeed somewhat overly dependent on Shan Song.
The memories of his childhood with his family have long faded, and he hasn't made many friends in recent years. Tong Zhao can't figure out where this dependence comes from, but he feels a strong sense of security whenever he sees him. He has never doubted a word Shan Song has said since they met, and even plans to fully support Shan Song's revenge.
If it were used, it probably wouldn't be possible to achieve that level of efficiency, right?
Then I still like it.
But why? Is it really possible to fall in love with someone after only meeting them a few times? He doesn't know much about Shan Song yet, judging only by appearances. It seems his feelings aren't entirely pure after all…
"Here, have some juice."
Dan Song walked over carrying two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and a plate of fruit platter with strawberries and mangoes.
Tong Zhao was startled by the sudden sound. He looked up at Shan Song, who had already sat back down on the sofa and was raising his cup to him.
Tong Zhao was stunned for a moment. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the juicer. He took the cup, took a sip, and said absentmindedly, "Thank you."
Shan Song raised one eyebrow and looked at him, but Tong Zhao was not in the right state of mind and did not react.
Dan Song chuckled, shook his head, stood up and squatted in front of Tong Zhao, resting his arm on Tong Zhao's leg, and said jokingly, "Don't overthink it. You can just say you don't want to, and I won't retaliate."
Seeing that Tong Zhao remained silent, he changed his tone and asked softly, "Is it because you're finding it difficult to say no?"
Tong Zhao shook her head.
"Then there's no need to overthink it. We'll get along. If you don't feel anything, just say so. I won't cross any lines."
Tong Zhao remained silent.
"Are there other concerns?"
Tong Zhao nodded.
"Why have you become a little mute?" Shan Song pinched Tong Zhao's cheek, then lifted his face to look at him, his tone carrying an undisguised command: "Tell me."
After hesitating for a while, Tong Zhao turned her gaze away and said, "I think we should probably pass."
The way he refused to communicate made Shan Song stop smiling.
The two faced each other for a while, seemingly locked in a standoff, when Shan Song noticed a glistening tear in Tong Zhao's eye.
Shan Song sighed: "We're supposed to be friends, but friends should always communicate, don't you think?"
After a long silence, Tong Zhao turned her head, her eyes reddening: "...I don't think my feelings for you are pure."
Dan Song's expression went blank for a moment, a rare occurrence: "Huh?"
Tong Zhao closed his eyes, with a sense of resignation and despair, and took a deep breath, saying, "I only like you because you're rich, kind, and can help me make movies!"
Dan Song was stunned for a moment, then a "ding" sounded in his mind, and he suddenly understood what Tong Zhao had been hesitating about. He then abruptly lowered his head, bent over and leaned against the sofa, trying his best to suppress his laughter but still his shoulders swayed.
Tong Zhao kept her eyes tightly closed, not daring to look at anyone. She vaguely heard a few breathy laughs before cautiously opening her eyes. She was stunned to see the unexpected reaction from this person.
Dan Song hadn't laughed like this in a long time. He thought it was some big problem that was troubling the child so much, but it turned out to be for this reason.
How can someone be so cute?
"Dansong?" Tong Zhao had been waiting for a long time, and finally called out softly.
Shan Song straightened up, leaned over and placed his hands on either side of Tong Zhao, and frankly said, "My feelings for you are not entirely pure. I thought you were beautiful the first time we met. If you weren't beautiful, I wouldn't have given you my contact information. The reason I want to try dating you now is because I'm attracted to your beauty."
"Does that seem fairer?" Shan Song asked with a smile.
Tong Zhao's eyelashes trembled, she swallowed, and her face showed innocent confusion: "Then do you like me?"
Shan Song nodded and said frankly, "I like it."
"Just because it looks good, does that mean you can like it?" Tong Zhao pressed on.
Shan Song suddenly remembered that he had mentioned the Qin family threatening him before. Under what circumstances would someone use their grandmother's neighbors to threaten him? This kid hadn't even gone to school in his teens and had started working, and he had never mentioned his parents. It seemed that Tong Zhao's experience was not much better than his.
Shan Song reached out and gently took Tong Zhao's hand, patiently explaining, "You can like someone for any reason, and as time goes by and you get to know them better, your liking will either deepen or decrease, and then you might fall in love or break up."
"Everyone goes from impure to pure. I like you a little right now, but not to the point of liking you too much, so you don't need to worry about it. Besides, not everyone thinks I'm a good person. I can't help you make movies right now either. As for money, all my money belongs to the Zhou family. In terms of my personal assets, I guess there are many people as rich as me. So, do you still like me?"
Tong Zhao nodded subconsciously: "...I like it." After a pause, she added: "A little."
"So, do you want to try it with me now?"
Tong Zhao hesitated for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Yes!"
Shan Song patted his little head: "Okay, then we'll get to know each other slowly. In the future, we should tell each other more about ourselves and not worry about things on our own, okay?"
"knew."
Tong Zhao belatedly felt a little embarrassed, and as if to cover it up, she took a few big gulps of juice and used the cup to hide her face.
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