As he looked at Roxy, who seemed on the verge of tears...
Every trace of anger in Cui Ciyou's heart dissolved in that instant into boundless tenderness and compassion.
Cui Ciyou knew it wasn't that Roxy didn't understand.
She was simply afraid, just as he was.
"Work?... A reason?"
Cui Ciyou stepped forward again, closing the distance between them until only a single step remained.
He looked down at Roxy's small face, flushed a captivating pink in her panic.
His voice grew unexpectedly softer, but beneath that softness, his resolve had not weakened in the slightest.
"Can't we do without a reason?"
"Roxy, I don't need you to use anything..."
"Any so-called duty, work, or anything else as an excuse to stay."
"Thank you, but Ciyou, I can't... I can't keep relying on your kindness and letting you take care of me..."
Roxy's voice was barely a whisper as she offered one last, feeble resistance.
Cui Ciyou reached out and, gently yet with absolute resolve, took Roxy's cold, faintly trembling hand.
Roxy flinched as though an electric shock had run through her.
She instinctively tried to pull free, but Cui Ciyou held her firmly, refusing to let go.
"If you're worried about making a living, I can support you for the rest of your life."
"Whether we're poor or rich, I think, in this world, I should... count as a wealthy man!"
"If having nothing to do makes you uneasy, you can keep studying the magic you love most. I can discuss those profound ancient spell formulas with you."
"You love labyrinths and adventures, so we can travel the world together. I can explore the most dangerous labyrinths with you and challenge the most powerful monsters at your side."
"Or, if you don't want to do anything and just want