Because I Like You

"And me..." He patted his chest, "I'm a good socialist youth, born in the new China, raised under the red flag, and received higher education. I have absolutely no intention of having multiple wives and concubines. I will only marry you in this life; I won't take any concubines or keep mistresses. Let's work together in this Great Jin to develop the Industrial Revolution and make the most of our current technology to boost the Great Jin's productivity. What do you think?" "I think there's no better match for you."

As he said this, he looked at Zhao Ruxi, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhao Ruxi looked at him silently, without saying a word.

This made Xiao Lingyan even more uneasy.

He raised his eyes and met Zhao Ruxi's gaze.

Zhao Ruxi suddenly smiled at him, and in the instant he was stunned, she spoke, "Xiao Ke, did you have this thought before you transmigrated?"

Xiao Lingyan awkwardly withdrew his gaze, looking at the pond, his tone somewhat unfocused. "I just think it's quite fun to bicker with you. If you married someone else, I wouldn't be able to bicker with you all the time. It would be inconvenient for us fellow villagers to even meet up."

"I see." Zhao Ruxi stroked her chin. "In that case, I promise you..."

Before Xiao Lingyan could even show his delight, she continued, "... I won't argue with you anymore. I'll give you some time to adjust, so you won't feel uncomfortable after we get married."

Xiao Lingyan's expression suddenly cracked.

"That won't do." His words of denial blurted out, "You can only marry me."

Zhao Ruxi raised an eyebrow. "Why should I?"

Because I like you.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingyan scratched his head vigorously twice, seemingly somewhat annoyed.

Zhao Ruxi, who had been staring at him with wide eyes after hearing his confession, pursed her lips, leaned back in her chair, and said sarcastically, "Look at you, regretting it now? You misspoke, didn't you? Fine, I'll allow you to take it back. Don't be upset!"

Xiao Lingyan's face showed a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, and his tone was stiff. "Who's annoyed? I'm telling the truth." As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Ruxi, his eyes firm, but with unease in them.

Seeing Xiao Lingyan, Zhao Ruxi suddenly burst out laughing.

Xiao Lingyan's face flushed red and then paled. He suddenly stood up and strode quickly toward the winding wooden bridge.

Seeing that Zhao Ruxi behind him didn't call out to him, he became annoyed, turned around and walked back to Zhao Ruxi, asking, "Isn't it funny?"

He glared angrily at Zhao Ruxi: "I chased you from the modern era all the way to ancient times, even risking my life. I confessed my feelings to you, and you still laugh at me. Xu Xi, you really are a heartless woman." With that, he sullenly sat back down in his chair.

Zhao Ruxi turned her face to look at his face, which was even more handsome than in her previous life.

People say that girls change a lot as they grow up, and boys are no exception.

If a year and a half ago this face still carried a hint of boyish innocence, now it has been replaced by a straight nose, deep-set eyes, a strong body, and an overwhelming aura of adult male hormones.

This was a face that could captivate every woman in the capital. Even though Zhao Ruxi had seen countless handsome young men in movies and TV shows in her previous life, she had to admit that Xiao Lingyan was far superior to them.

She couldn't resist reaching out and lifting his chin with her fingers, her tone flippant. "Ke-ge'er, you've successfully caught my attention. Alright, I agree to your proposal."

With a "smack," Xiao Lingyan slapped her hand down, gritting his teeth and saying, "Be serious."

Zhao Ruxi withdrew her hand and let out a long sigh, "I'm serious."

Xiao Lingyan suddenly turned his head and looked at her.

Zhao Ruxi turned her head and looked at him. "I just find it strange, why didn't you just confess your feelings in your past life? Why did you have to go through all that trouble and have my aunt arrange a blind date for us?"

She didn't even realize it when she transmigrated. Now that Xiao Lingyan has confessed his feelings, she suddenly understands that Xiao Ke probably liked her back in modern times, but just never confessed.

Xiao Lingyan's ears turned slightly red, and he said awkwardly, "Aren't we always bickering? I'm worried that if I say something, you won't just not accept it, but you'll laugh at me instead."

He glared at Zhao Ruxi: "Just like before."

"Actually, if you had said that in your past life, I might have agreed to it just like I did," Zhao Ruxi said.

"Really?" Xiao Lingyan's eyes lit up.

Zhao Ruxi nodded.

In her past life, she didn't have that kind of sensitivity and didn't think about love. But looking back, she wasn't completely indifferent to Xiao Ke. If she could agree to be with Xiao Ke in this life, then she would have agreed to be with him before she transmigrated; it was just a matter of time.

This nod made Xiao Lingyan with joy.

He knew Zhao Ruxi wouldn't lie to him about this kind of thing. They were both proud people with their own bottom line and dignity. They liked what they liked and disliked what they disliked; they wouldn't deceive each other for any purpose or benefit. They were the same kind of people.

"I regret it." He stretched out his long, slender hand and grasped Zhao Ruxi's hand in his. "If I had confessed earlier in my past life, we wouldn't have been in that car accident and time-traveled."

Thinking of her grief-stricken aunt left behind in that world, Zhao Ruxi felt a pang of pain in her heart.

She didn't pull her hand away, and sighed, "I can only say that fate arranged for us to come to ancient times to make a name for ourselves."

"Yes. Luckily we traveled through time, so we can still be in the same space-time, leaving me with no regrets," Xiao Lingyan said.

The two sat quietly, holding hands, for a while before Xiao Lingyan said, "Let's talk about our relationship next year. I was just trying to persuade you like that because I was worried you'd run off with someone else."

Zhao Ruxi readily agreed, "Okay."

Needless to say, they both understood perfectly well that their relationship was not yet suitable for public disclosure.

It wasn't that Xiao Lingyan was afraid of implicating Zhao Ruxi, or that Zhao Ruxi was afraid of being implicated by him. Rather, the more secretive their relationship was, the more advantageous it would be for these two political struggles and Xiao Lingpu's later struggle for the throne.

Previously, Xiao Lingyan had to spend a lot of money to buy grain, manufacture weapons, and train capable subordinates and assassins. He would have to spend even more in the future.

He and Xiao Lingpu were too conspicuous; their every move was closely watched, making everything inconvenient and subjecting them to significant obstacles. Making money through business was simply impossible.

Xiao Lingyan's auction house and his silk shop seemed to be doing quite well, but the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince were secretly causing him a lot of trouble. All the money he earned went into these troubles, and he also had to spend energy quelling all sorts of emerging incidents.

Although the Cen Family would fully support Xiao Lingpu for the throne and provide them with financial assistance, the more support the Cen Family gave them, the more Xiao Lingpu would be hampered by the Cen Family after he ascended the throne. This was something the two brothers did not want to see.

Zhao Ruxi, as a hidden figure, is extremely important to them.