Chapter 406: An Offer to Stay
Wen Nuan looked up at Dudi in surprise, not understanding why he was making such a request. The man’s eyes were like a pool of warm water, so gentle they could melt a person’s heart. They were sincere and held a depth of emotion that Wen Nuan had never seen before. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breathing stopped. When did Dudi start to feel this way about her? She had never even noticed.
She had always seen Dudi as a good friend. There was no awkwardness between them because Dudi treated her like a good friend and never crossed any lines. It was comfortable to be with him. Wen Nuan never thought Dudi liked her; she just thought they were compatible, and since they didn’t see each other often, she never thought anything of it.
But looking at Dudi now, he clearly liked her.
When did this start? She was completely clueless.
She knew Ye Feimo was very bothered by Dudi’s presence. She always thought it was no big deal to have a male friend and that Ye Feimo was overreacting. One time, she was on the phone with Dudi, and Ye Feimo said, "Just because you don’t feel that way about Dudi doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel that way about you." At the time, she didn’t think much of it, but now she realized that Feimo had seen it all along.
She was the only one who thought they were just good friends.
Dudi smiled. "Are you surprised?"
Wen Nuan nodded. He gave a gentle, elegant smile. He thought for a moment, and it seemed difficult for him to speak. "Wen Nuan, although what I’m about to say sounds like I’m taking advantage of the situation and not being a gentleman, I still want to say it. If you don’t want to stay in A City, then come with me. You are my fiancée, and I’m willing to take care of you. In a way, you’d be coming home. You want to go to the Long family’s home, don’t you? I can help you."
He would also be helping himself. He knew Wen Nuan loved Ye Feimo deeply, but he also knew that even the deepest love fades over time. Maybe he had a chance. This was the most difficult time for the couple, so what he was saying was definitely taking advantage of the situation.
However, Wen Nuan had already said that she wanted to leave Ye Feimo.
If Wen Nuan hadn’t said she wanted to leave Ye Feimo, if she was happy and could live a happy life with him, he would rather not say anything and would not care about the curse.
But now, Wen Nuan was not happy.
She wanted to leave. Since that was the case, he could be the one to take her away and save her from the pain.
"I’m not asking for anything in return, and I’m not asking you to be with me. I just hope that if you want to leave, I can take you away and take care of you like a good friend or a little sister," Dudi said, his words sincere. He felt more affection for Wen Nuan than he did for Du Yueying. He liked this woman. This liking had a subtle mix of love and a deep sense of family. Perhaps it was because of the belief he had since he was a child that he should find his fiancée and treat her like his wife.
Wen Nuan held the milk tea cup in her hand, her head down, lost in thought. Dudi was a little nervous. He was afraid she would reject him outright. He knew Wen Nuan’s personality, so he had never dared to show her any affection, afraid he would lose her as a friend.
"Dudi, I’m just your fiancée in name. You don’t have to do this," Wen Nuan said, looking up at him. "Honestly, don’t you think I’m a burden?"
"No!" Dudi’s eyes softened, and his voice was unusually gentle. "I think Wen Nuan is a ray of sunshine. She always brings happiness and joy to others. I really like being with you and I want to take care of you for the rest of my life. It has nothing to do with whether you are my fiancée or not. For so many years, I have always seen myself as a man with a family because my parents told me countless times that I had a fiancée and that I had to find her and that I couldn’t like any other woman. So I’ve always been looking for you.
For a long time, it’s been my subconscious thought to take care of and love my wife, just like my father does for my mother. Before I knew you were my fiancée, I was good to you because I liked you. I was planning on pursuing you, but then I found out you were married, so I gave up on that idea. If you weren’t married, I would have competed fairly with Ye Feimo.
But since you were, I wouldn’t have ruined your happiness. Later, I found out you were my fiancée, and I still felt the same way. That’s why I didn’t say anything to you at the time. Wen Nuan, all I want is for you to be happy.
It doesn’t matter who you’re with. Even if you come with me and then meet someone you fall in love with, you can leave me at any time. Right now, I just want to help you get out of this darkness and start a new life. I also know that you have a lot of questions that you want to be answered."
He spoke so logically, gently, and sincerely that Wen Nuan was a little moved. She had no idea that Dudi thought this way or that he had been loving and caring for her from a distance.
However...
"I’m sorry, Dudi, I can’t accept," Wen Nuan said with a gentle smile. "I’m going to leave Ye Feimo, but I don’t have to be with anyone else. Even if I leave him, I won’t hurt him like that. If I leave Feimo to be with you, how would he feel? Even if we’re not together, I won’t hurt him. I just simply want to..."
She wanted him to live.
She wouldn’t leave A City. This was the place where she was born and raised. This was where all of her happy and sad memories were. All of her happiness and pain were in this city. She would not leave.
"Dudi, I need to make something clear. I might be from the Long family, and that’s probably been proven. But the love of the people who raised me is more important. I grew up with the Wen family, and they treated me like their own daughter. I love them very much, and I will always be the Wen family’s daughter. I won’t leave my home. Even after I divorce Feimo, I’ll still be a Wen family daughter. You’re right, I do have some questions, and there are some mysteries about the Long family that I want to solve. But..."
"I understand," Dudi said gently, holding her hand softly. "Maybe I was too hasty. I’ll support whatever you want to do. My offer still stands. Talk to Ye Feimo. There’s no need to get a divorce. The curse... Wen Nuan, even if it’s true, you can still have a few years of happiness, can’t you? If you really do get a divorce, my home will always be open to you. It’s up to you."
Wen Nuan gave a light laugh and sighed. "I can’t believe so much has happened in just two weeks. I can’t let go of everything right now—the misunderstandings, the hurt, the schemes, and even my feelings. Dudi, am I too incompetent? I’m always being tricked, and I’ve ended up in this situation. It’s a lot my own fault..."