In a private tea house.
Ling Qianhe looked at the middle-aged noblewoman before him and nodded gently.
He had brought gifts. Tea leaves, silk, all of the finest, top-tier quality, the kind ordinary people might never even see.
He spoke to Lin Cuiping, his tone earnest.
“I know you are well-traveled and come from a prestigious family, and have likely seen many fine things. These are just small tokens, not much to speak of.”
He faced his elder.
He was always respectful.
Moreover, this was no ordinary elder. This was Xiao Ci’s mommy.
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling person. Ms. Lin Cuiping took a deep breath, gazing at the young man opposite her. His face was indeed unparalleled in handsomeness, the kind that could easily captivate a young girl’s eyes.
Of course, what was even more striking was his aura.
If he possessed such looks,
He wouldn't need that kind of… charm.
On him, everything was perfectly balanced.
Impeccably fitting.
Truly creating a one-of-a-kind global superstar. Yet, Ms. Lin Cuiping merely raised an eyebrow slightly and said.
“You don’t need to flatter me. I know your true intentions lie not with the wine, but with Xiao Ci.”
“You like her.”
“Is that so?”
Ling Qianhe did not deny it; he admitted it outright, and admitted it with extreme conviction.
“Yes, I like her. However, to be more precise, I love her – I love her and am willing to give her everything I have.”
“I only hope you can consent to me being with her.”
Ms. Lin Cuiping let out a cold huff.
Although she felt a flicker of emotion deep within her heart upon hearing his earnest confession,
Xiao Ci was her daughter.
Her treasure, her most precious darling.
And this man, with just a few sweet words, wanted to take Xiao Ci away.
He was dreaming!
As she looked up at Ling Qianhe, her gaze sharpened in an instant.
Then Ling Qianhe heard Ms. Lin Cuiping say.
“Actually, I don’t like you.”
“The first time I heard your name from Xiao Ci’s mouth, I already felt that this young man was probably not a good person. When she was little, she liked you so much, liked you so obsessively, covered her walls with your posters, treating you as her sole pillar of support.”
“I was very angry.”
“I thought it wasn’t worth it. She should have focused on her studies.”
Ms. Lin Cuiping took a deep breath, remembering the lingering ache deep in her heart.
“I later learned that Xiao Ci was being bullied by others at school. I later realized that she… wasn’t happy.”
“I subsequently read many books on psychology and consulted some experts. They said that when people suffer in their childhood, they are prone to developing a kind of transference effect towards another person, treating them as a pillar of support.”
“This immense power, stemming from their spirit, can cause them to become fanatically infatuated with that person.”
“I believe Xiao Ci’s feelings for you are this kind of admiration, like a fan for an idol.”
Ling Qianhe listened intently to Ms. Lin Cuiping’s words.
He thought for a moment.
Then he said.
“So you think I am not good?”
Ms. Lin Cuiping scoffed.
“You are terrible! Think about it, a man like you, constantly surrounded by scandals, pursued by so many girls, followed by paparazzi, with every move making it onto the trending searches – how could you possibly be a good boyfriend?”
Her words were decisive, but she didn't expect Ling Qianhe to look at Ms. Lin Cuiping’s face with sudden seriousness and then respond with earnestness.
“I am.”
He pondered for a moment, then said.
“I will be the best boyfriend.”
He had that confidence.
“In the future, when we get married, I will also be the best husband in the world.”
“And after we have children with her, I will become the best father in the world.”
In Ling Qianhe’s view,
This was tantamount to a letter of guarantee to Ms. Lin Cuiping. However, he didn’t expect that after he said this, Ms. Lin Cuiping’s cheeks would turn red with anger, and she then said coldly.
“You wish!”
However, she hadn’t sought out Ling Qianhe to vent her emotions in front of him.
She was Lin Mūcí’s mommy.
She had to protect her.
She couldn’t let her be bullied, nor could she let her be disappointed.
So Ms. Lin Cuiping thought for a moment.
She couldn't be too harsh; after giving a slap, she had to offer a sweet. So she glanced at Ling Qianhe, let out a cold huff, but her tone involuntarily softened slightly.
“I know about you and Xiao Ci.”
Ling Qianhe smiled.
His incredibly handsome face showed no trace of flaw.
It revealed even less of his emotions.
His professional demeanor was displayed in full glory at this moment.
“Know what?”
Ms. Lin Cuiping glanced at Ling Qianhe, taking a deep breath.
“Of course, I know you like her. But didn't you have other people you liked before?”
“How can you guarantee you won’t fall for someone else in the future?”
This was clearly a question with deadly consequences.
But Ling Qianhe handled it impeccably.
“That was a misunderstanding. That is a secret between me and Xiao Ci. However, you can rest assured, I will absolutely not disappoint her. My life, from beginning to end, has only ever been about her.”
Those he had loved.
Those he was loving now.
He could admit to them with complete peace of mind and boldness.
He looked up at Ms. Lin Cuiping.
“I don’t need guarantees; I will use my entire life, even eternal life, to prove it to you.”
It could be said,
Ling Qianhe was truly confident.
Lin Cuiping fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked him.
“Have you looked for that orphan sister from your exposé later on?”
Ling Qianhe blinked.
His eyes were innocent.
“I don’t understand what you are talking about. Other than Xiao Ci, my eyes will not hold the shadow of any other woman.”
Lin Cuiping remained silent.
She pondered for a moment.
Then Lin Cuiping said.
“It seems you don't know.”
For the first time, a hint of confusion flickered across Ling Qianhe’s handsome face.
“What should I know?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Lin Cuiping found it difficult to discern whether his expression was a facade, but she didn't need to. She looked at him and said.
“Do you know that your enemy, Madam Ling, is a ticking time bomb? That woman is a lunatic. I have no doubt that if she had the opportunity, she would even hire someone to kill.”
“The yacht incident last time was an example.”
“But for me, I will stake my life, give everything, to ensure Xiao Ci’s safety.”
“I have already invited the world’s most formidable mercenary team, the Beast God, to protect her.”
“To guarantee she won’t be kidnapped or face life-threatening danger.”
“I want you to swear that you will also protect Xiao Ci with your life. If she encounters any danger again, even if it means her dreams are shattered, or she has to retire from the industry, I will never let you see her again!”
Lin Cuiping.
Her tone was resolute!