Chapter 222 I'll Always Be Here
"And what about you now?" Ji Wanqing asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Now that you've achieved success and fame, do you think you're worthy of me? So you can disregard my wishes and forcibly intrude into my life in this way? Zhou Xubai, have you ever asked me if I still need you? Do I still want this kind of... belated dignified respectability from you?"
She practically uttered that last sentence through gritted teeth, her tone clearly defiant and hurtful.
Zhou Xubai's face turned ashen instantly, as if all his strength had been drained away by her words.
His deep eyes were filled with intense pain, as if a sharp blade had pierced his heart.
He clenched his fist under the table, his knuckles turning white from the force, but in the end, he simply loosened his grip slowly.
Instead of responding or explaining as Ji Wanqing had expected, he seemed to accept her accusation, a bitter smile curving his lips.
"you're right."
He lowered his eyes, avoiding her piercing gaze. "I was too arrogant. I thought that now that I have the ability, I can make up for the past and... seize another chance."
He paused for a moment, and when he looked up again, although there was a trace of pain in his eyes, there was also a stubborn calmness.
"But Wanqing, I did this not to show off or give charity after achieving success, nor to make up for my own regrets."
He met her gaze honestly, "It's because I still love you, and I've never stopped."
Ji Wanqing's heart felt like it had been suddenly clenched by those words, a mixture of soreness and bloating that made it almost impossible for her to breathe.
She hadn't expected him to say such things so directly, and her anger felt like a punch hitting cotton, with nowhere to vent. Instead, she was overwhelmed by the heavy emotion in his words.
"After seeing what happened to your family, I searched for you for a long time, but I couldn't contact any of your former classmates and friends... When I accidentally saw your live stream, I felt both heartbroken and... a despicable sense of relief, relieved that at least I could still see you in some way and know where you were."
He spoke slowly, each word seemingly carefully considered. "The existence of blank space was initially just to check if you were doing well, but seeing you struggle to stand up little by little in adversity, seeing you try to smile at the camera, seeing you persist in live streaming even when you were exhausted... I couldn't just watch anymore."
“I tipped you because I didn’t want you to worry about making a living. I played games with you because I wanted to spend more time with you, even if it was just a short time in the game.” He paused, his voice becoming deeper. “The birthday ad… it’s not childish, it’s not domineering. I just want everyone to know that you deserve the best wishes in the world. I want you to be the focus of this city on your birthday. I also want to help you regain the lost traffic. I want to offer you all the good things I can think of.”
He looked at her, his eyes filled with guilt, honesty, and even more so with deep affection and unwavering commitment.
Ji Wanqing was completely stunned.
All the sharp words she had prepared, all the armor she had built up for herself, seemed so pale and powerless in the face of his calm yet incredibly sincere confession.
The angry tide gradually receded, revealing the muddy and chaotic mudflats underneath.
There is heartache, there is emotion, there is relief for the past, and there is also uncertainty about the future.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but found that her throat felt like it was blocked by something.
What else could she say? Should she continue to hurt someone who offered their heart, admitted all their mistakes, yet still stubbornly insisted on liking them, with cold words?
She can't do it.
Seeing the anger in her eyes dissipate, leaving only confusion and struggle, Zhou Xubai felt a slight pang in his heart, but also a faint glimmer of hope.
He stood up, walked over and sat down next to Ji Wanqing, tentatively approached her, raised his arm, and pinned her against the wall.
He softened his tone, with unprecedented patience and restraint, "You used to buy me a year with money, now I'm using my entire fortune to buy you a lifetime, is that enough?"
Ji Wanqing avoided his overly piercing gaze, hurriedly pushed him away, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest.
Zhou Xubai didn't use any force; she just pushed him gently, and he let go of her hand.
He smiled bitterly, "Wanqing, I don't ask you to respond immediately, and I won't force you. Between us... we've missed too much time, and there are too many problems standing between us. I know you need time to process things and space to think. I only ask that you don't completely deny the meaning of the blank space just because you're angry, and don't... completely close that door of possibility, okay?"
Reason told her she shouldn't be so easily swayed; there were too many unresolved issues between them, and besides, he wasn't the only person in her life now…
The images of the other people flashed through her mind, making her even more confused.
Emotionally, she could not deny the warmth and support that the months-long companionship had given her, nor could she remain indifferent to Zhou Xubai's unreserved honesty and the deep pain hidden in his eyes.
After a long time, so long that Zhou Xubai almost thought she wouldn't answer and was about to leave disappointed, he heard her extremely soft voice.
"Let me think about it."
Zhou Xubai was shocked, and his eyes instantly flashed with disbelief.
She didn't refuse outright!
He almost couldn't resist taking her hand, but he managed to restrain himself, his voice trembling slightly with barely concealed excitement, "Okay."
Ji Wanqing still didn't look up, her voice muffled, carrying a hint of barely perceptible awkwardness.
“But… Zhou Xubai, things between us aren’t that simple, and besides, my life right now… is a mess.”
She was referring to her situation after bankruptcy, her job as a livestreamer, her mother's illness, and perhaps... also vaguely including the existence of those other people.
Zhou Xubai immediately understood her implication.
His eyes darkened for a moment, but quickly brightened again, his tone firm and steady.
“I understand. I will wait, no matter how long, no matter what choice you ultimately make.” He paused, then added, “As for your life, live it however you want, I won’t interfere, but… if you need me, I’ll always be here.”
He didn't assert his dominance in an overbearing manner, nor did he urgently demand that she clean up her relationships. This respect and tolerance made Ji Wanqing's tense nerves relax a little.
She finally raised her head and looked at him.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his profile and outlining his handsome features. His beautiful eyes were filled with a tenderness that was both careful and incredibly persistent.
"The coffee shop... is too stuffy." She looked away and stood up somewhat awkwardly. "I should go back."
Zhou Xubai also stood up, not trying to stop him, but said gently, "Shall I see you off?"
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