Xu Ningyan's first reaction was a triple denial: "I didn't, I didn't, don't talk nonsense—"
What a joke! How could she possibly covet and like such a powerful figure?
It's not like I'm courting death!
She transmigrated here to live a better life, not to become a love-struck cannon fodder, okay?
Her admiration for the big boss was pure and innocent, a genuine adoration from a lackey to his superior!
Gu Zhiyuan was surprised that Xu Ningyan denied it three times in a row. Not only did she deny it, but she also took several steps back and looked at him warily.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness: "You almost risked your life to save me! And you always told me that you would always stand by my side! You even gave up your job for me, always thinking of me first and putting me first in everything. Isn't all of this love?"
Xu Ningyan protested, "Big brother, I treated you like my boss, like an older brother!"
Seeing that Gu Zhiyuan didn't believe her, she quickly said that she absolutely had no improper thoughts: "Big brother, I treat you like a brother, you, you treat me like a wife? There must be a misunderstanding! I really treat you like a big brother! I absolutely, absolutely have no other intentions!"
"Besides, I know my place. I'm just a country girl, and I'm definitely not a good match for you, big brother! So I never even considered it from the beginning! I'm good to you and consider your needs because I treat you like an older brother, really! Look me in the eyes if you don't believe me!"
She tried to open her eyes wide, wanting Gu Zhiyuan to see her sincerity.
Gu Zhiyuan was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of how he felt.
Something was surging in my eyes, my blood was rushing through my body, there was shame and anger, embarrassment, but more than anything, self-loathing.
Yes! Ah Ning is just a little girl, not even eighteen yet, what could she possibly know?
It was only because he had saved her life that she felt grateful and regarded him as an older brother and her savior, which led to her subsequent care and concern for him.
It was myself who, amidst the daily care and concern, developed feelings for someone else.
His own thoughts were distorted, so his perception of the girl's care for him was also distorted.
Those who feel good about themselves assume that the girl has feelings for them and likes them.
Isn't this a form of arrogance and looking down on the young girl?
Gu Zhiyuan suddenly felt ashamed and didn't even dare to look Xu Ningyan in the eye.
He rubbed his forehead somewhat embarrassedly. "Ah Ning, I'm sorry! I misunderstood and overthought things! I was also presumptuous and rude! I apologize to you!"
As he spoke, he actually stood up and bowed to Xu Ningyan to apologize.
Xu Ningyan was startled and quickly waved her hand, "No need, no need! It was me too. I was too careless! After all, we live under the same roof and pretend to be engaged. Sometimes, in order to act in front of outsiders, we might lose our composure and cause misunderstandings! This matter can be cleared up once the misunderstanding is resolved. There's really no need to take it to heart!"
Seeing that Gu Zhiyuan looked somewhat down, Xu Ningyan quickly added, "Brother Gu, you are a really good person, and you deserve a better girl! Our family backgrounds, education, and life experiences are all very different, the gap is too big. Being siblings is more suitable than being husband and wife, really!"
Gu Zhiyuan gave a wry smile and rubbed his face: "A-Ning, you don't need to comfort me! I know my own limitations!"
After saying that, his expression returned to normal: "Over the past year, I'm so grateful for your care and help, Aning! Even this time, I was able to complete the mission thanks to you!"
“Ah Ning, even if you don’t have any romantic feelings for me, I still suggest you come back to the capital with me. After all, the conditions in the capital are better than in the county. Once you get to the capital, I’ll arrange a job for you. Don’t feel burdened; consider it my way of thanking you for taking care of and helping me over the past year, and also as a way of fulfilling the promise I made when we pretended to be husband and wife!”
“Once you have a job in Beijing and are completely settled, I won’t bother you anymore! Don’t worry, your brother Gu still has that much integrity.”
“If you, a girl, were to stay alone in Jingshan County, even if I sent you letters and things every month, if something were to happen, without a man at home, you might easily be taken advantage of! And over time, people would start to suspect you. Even if they called me a heartless man to my face, they would talk about you behind my back!”
"It would be better if you came with me to the capital, where no one knows you or me! If you don't believe my sincerity, we can go to the capital and I'll have you recognize my mother as your godmother, and we'll truly become brother and sister. That way, no one in the capital will dare to say anything against you, and when the time is right, it will be easier for you to find a like-minded partner—"
As he finished speaking, Gu Zhiyuan's expression was inscrutable, and his throat was dry.
Xu Ningyan couldn't help but be moved. Apart from misunderstanding that she liked him, Gu Zhiyuan was really a good person.
Based on these words, she believed that Gu Zhiyuan spoke from the bottom of his heart, that everything he said was for her sake, and that he had no selfish motives whatsoever.
However, Gu Zhiyuan didn't know what would happen in the next few years, but she did.
If she can just endure these few years, she'll be free and unrestrained from now on.
If you go to the capital with Gu Zhiyuan and get involved with his family, you will inevitably be implicated.
She didn't want to have too much personal involvement with Gu Zhiyuan.
Therefore, no matter how sincere Gu Zhiyuan was, she could only refuse.
"No need, Brother Gu, I appreciate your kindness! But I don't want to leave Jingshan County. I was born and raised here, I work here, and I have friends here. I don't want to go to such a faraway place as the capital and start all over again—"
A hint of disappointment flashed across Gu Zhiyuan's eyes, but he remained composed and nodded: "I understand! After all, this is the hometown where you were born and raised, and I understand that you don't want to leave!"
Yes, he could understand. After all, the little girl was still young, and it was indeed difficult for her to leave her hometown and go with him to a strange place where she didn't know anyone.
If it were before, the little girl would have been driven to the brink of despair and thought that leaving her hometown and going elsewhere would offer her a way to survive.
Now that the girl has a job and friends in the county town, it would be unreasonable to ask her to leave again.
The more Gu Zhiyuan understood, the more lost and sad he became.
He suppressed his disappointment and stood up: "Here's what I've said: it still stands! Think it over carefully! If you change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime. Even if I leave the county and return to the capital, your letter will still be valid! I have other things to do, so I won't be back tonight. Lock the door and get some rest!"
After saying that, he smiled at Xu Ningyan, hesitated for a moment, ruffled Xu Ningyan's hair, turned around, pushed his bicycle out of the yard gate, and rode away with a clatter.
Xu Ningyan closed the courtyard gate and sighed.
The boss is indeed a man of great taste.
There used to be talk of pretending to be a couple, so they lived in the same courtyard.
After things were discussed openly today, the big shot immediately became aware of the need to avoid suspicion. Even though he had already washed up, he still made an excuse to leave.
She was not immune to being attracted to a man who was so tactful, respectful, and capable, with a bright future ahead of him, and handsome to her standards.
She simply understood the importance of marrying someone of equal social standing! So she wisely and rationally nipped that budding romantic notion in the bud long ago.
After learning about the Gu family's messy accounts today, I'm even more hesitant.
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