"I'm so glad that you're okay!" Li Rui's tone was filled with joy, and his face showed relief at having survived a disaster. He looked at Lin Qingya's pale face, his eyes full of pain.

Lin Qingya smiled weakly, shook her head and said, "I'm fine, just scared." She looked up at Li Rui, her tone a little depressed, "I'm so sorry for you, otherwise, I would..." She paused, didn't continue, just closed her eyes helplessly.

Li Rui's eyes became more painful after hearing what Lin Qingya said. He held Lin Qingya's hand tightly and said firmly, "I'm glad you're okay. Don't do such risky things again in the future, understand? Your life is very important to me, and I can't live without you."

Lin Qingya looked at Li Rui's serious expression, and a warm feeling rose in her heart. She hummed softly, indicating that she understood.

"Why are you here?" Lin Qingya asked.

"I heard some noise outside, so I came out to check, and saw you falling from the window." Li Rui said in a low voice, his eyes full of worry, "I was really scared, I thought..." He paused and didn't continue.

"It's okay, it's okay now." Lin Qingya gently stroked the back of Li Rui's hand. His hand was a little cold, and she could feel the deep worry in him.

"Why are you alone in the room?" Li Rui asked, with a hint of blame in his tone.

"I came to see the new dress." Lin Qingya explained, "I told the maids to send it over tomorrow morning, but they kept putting it off and refused to let me go, so I came to see it myself."

"Lin Qingya..." Li Rui's tone was filled with helplessness. He couldn't help but shook his head. He really didn't know what to do with this woman who always loved to show off. Her care always made him feel warm, but her recklessness always made him feel timid.

Lin Qingya looked at Li Rui with a gentle smile on her face. She gently held Li Rui's hand and said, "Don't worry, I will pay attention to it in the future."

Li Rui looked at Lin Qingya. He couldn't help but reach out and touch her cheek. Her skin was still smooth and delicate, but there was still a trace of fatigue on her face. He said softly, "You have a good rest. I will stay here with you."

Lin Qingya looked at Li Rui, her eyes full of tenderness, and she said softly, "Okay."

Lin Qingya quietly leaned in Li Rui's arms, listening to his rhythmic heartbeats and feeling his warmth, but she felt bitter. She knew that Li Rui had paid too much to protect her, and she didn't want him to be dragged into the palace whirlpool because of her, but she couldn't escape her fate. She closed her eyes, and her thoughts drifted back to her past experiences. Those calculations, conspiracies, and power struggles were like a nightmare.

"Qingya, what are you thinking about?" Li Rui's voice was soft, but with a hint of worry.

Lin Qingya opened her eyes and looked at Li Rui's concerned gaze. She shook her head gently, forcing herself to smile and said, "Nothing, just thinking about something."

"You can tell me anything. Don't keep it to yourself." Li Rui stroked her hair gently with his hand, his tone gentle but firm.

Lin Qingya was silent for a while, and then she said, "Li Rui, I feel a little confused. What should I do?"

"Qingya, go after what you want, don't worry too much." Li Rui said, "As long as you are happy, as long as you are happy, I will support you."

When Lin Qingya heard what Li Rui said, her eyes flashed with emotion. She knew that Li Rui really loved her and he had been supporting her silently. She really didn't want to let him worry, nor did she want him to take risks for her.

"Li Rui, what about you? What do you want?" Lin Qingya asked. She looked straight at Li Rui, wanting to see the answer from his eyes.

Li Rui lowered his head, avoiding Lin Qingya's gaze. He was silent for a while, then whispered, "I want you, I want you to be by my side forever."

"Wow...Wow..." Lin Qingya was incoherent. She didn't know how to answer. She knew that her feelings for Li Rui went beyond friendship, but she was afraid that this feeling would become an obstacle between them.

Lin Qingya's mind flashed with Zhao Sisi's smug smile. She remembered that Zhao Sisi once said that she was just a chess piece, a tool used to fight for power. She remembered that she used her reading skills to see through countless people's conspiracies and tricks, but she could never see through herself. What did she want?

"Qingya, what are you thinking about?" Li Rui asked again, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

Lin Qingya came back to her senses, and she forced herself to calm down. She couldn't be so confused anymore, she had to find her own direction, and she had to make a choice.

"놖..." Lin Qingya took a deep breath and said firmly: "놖 I want to live놖, 놖 I want to protect myself, and I also want to protect you."

"I will always protect you, Qingya." Li Rui held Lin Qingya's hand tightly, his eyes full of determination. He would not let anyone hurt her. He would definitely protect her, even if it cost him everything.