Song Ning froze and looked up at Gu Zheng.
"Gu Zheng! I..."
But Gu Zheng raised a finger to his lips and smiled.
"I know! I know you're not thinking about that right now! But that doesn't stop me from getting in line first, does it? Before, I didn't even have a chance to compete fairly. I didn't even have the right to say this to you!"
As he spoke, he pulled Song Ning into his arms, closed his eyes, and held her close, savoring the embrace.
"Song Ning! Promise me! If you ever start thinking about it, consider me first, all right? And even if you don't choose me, you have to let me know! I never want to hear news about you from someone else again! Of course, it'd be best if you didn't consider anyone else! Just tell me what kind of man you like when the time comes... I can change to fit!"
Song Ning hurriedly struggled out of his arms.
Gu Zheng hadn't dared hold her tightly, either. As soon as she struggled, he let her go.
But the tips of Song Ning's ears had turned red.
"If you want to talk, just talk! Why do you have to get handsy?"
"Sorry! Maybe... I got a little too used to holding you before!" Gu Zheng said shamelessly.
"And you're still going on about it! You got your way, and now you're playing innocent!" Flustered and angry, Song Ning looked up and glared at him.
"I don't want to take advantage of you without giving anything back! I've wanted to take responsibility for ages! But you... wouldn't let me!" Gu Zheng actually looked aggrieved.
Song Ning hadn't expected Gu Zheng to adopt this sort of approach, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do.