"I don't like owing people favors, so you should give up on that idea, President Chen," Qiao Hua said calmly, concealing her emotions without letting anything show.
Chen Xingjian gazed deeply at her. "But I want you to owe me a favor. That way, we can see each other often."
Qiao Hua gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Then Gu Wenze might not let you off."
Chen Xingjian chuckled softly. "I'm going to say something presumptuous. Don't be angry."
When Qiao Hua looked at him in confusion, Chen Xingjian's expression grew more serious. "Honestly, I don't think Gu Wenze deserves you."
Qiao Hua didn't think Gu Wenze deserved her either.
But for some reason, hearing it from Chen Xingjian made her uncomfortable.
"He can't even protect the woman he loves. He doesn't deserve to be with you." Chen Xingjian watched her eyes, his tone laden with meaning. "If it were me, I'd never let you get hurt."
Qiao Hua calmly poured herself a glass of water. "Haven't you heard the saying, President Chen? Once you marry someone, you stick with them, for better or worse."
Chen Xingjian clasped his hands beneath his chin, his deep eyes so full of apparent affection that they seemed capable of drawing someone in. "But you can always choose someone else."
Qiao Hua finally looked him straight in the eye. "You?"
Chen Xingjian smiled confidently. "Of course. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."
As the old saying went, you could trust anything but a man's promises.
Qiao Hua shrugged. "No, thanks. I'd rather rely on myself than entrust my safety to a man."
Seeing that his words hadn't moved Qiao Hua at all, a glimmer of even greater admiration flashed through Chen Xingjian's eyes. "But women are meant to be protected. Clearly,