Do You Have a System?

With the money provided by Zhao Ruxi, Xiao Lingyan was able to do things that even the Cen Family didn't know about.

Zhao Ruxi's workshop in Beining remained undiscovered not because she was particularly secretive or secretive, but because others simply didn't know about her relationship with Xiao Lingyan and hadn't bothered to investigate. Otherwise, what couldn't they have found out? This is also why Zhao Ruxi was reluctant to meet with Xiao Lingyan often.

If they meet too often, they're bound to be caught eventually. Once this relationship is exposed, her peaceful life will be over, and she'll be dragged into a dangerous situation. Xiao Lingyan's financial support will also be cut off.

They couldn't even meet too frequently, let alone get engaged, which would have completely exposed their relationship to everyone.

Fortunately, both of them are determined, committed, and very rational. They both know what they want and what they don't want. Now that they have opened their hearts and confirmed their relationship, they won't easily change their minds. Whether they get engaged or not doesn't matter anymore.

That's just a formality, something done for show.

"So, we won't be able to see each other often anymore?" Xiao Lingyan said, looking displeased.

Zhao Ruxi glanced at him sideways. "Do you want to see me often?"

"I want to, but I can't." Xiao Lingyan's survival instincts were still quite strong, and he quickly stated, "I can't bring danger to you. If two people are truly in love, what does it matter if they are together every day? We're going to be together for a lifetime, maybe even in the next life. This temporary separation is for the sake of our long-term future. I can endure the loneliness."

Zhao Ruxi was finally satisfied. "That's right. It's okay to fall in love, but don't be love-struck."

"Then writing letters more often is fine, isn't it?" Xiao Lingyan. "From one letter every fifteen days to one letter every ten days. Is that too much to ask?"

Before Zhao Ruxi could answer, he raised his hand and swore, "I will make sure Wang Tong is especially careful."

"Alright then." Although Zhao Ruxi didn't approve of him doing this, she agreed after seeing his pitiful look.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "If you want to know any important information that you can't find yourself, or that requires a great deal of effort to find, you don't need to take action yourself. Just write to me and ask."

"Hmm?" Xiao Lingyan raised an eyebrow at her, not quite understanding what she meant.

Because he controlled Xiao Lingpu's intelligence network, Zhao Ruxi used to write to him to ask him anything she wanted to know.

Why are you saying this now?

"Don't ask why, just remember this," Zhao Ruxi said.

Xiao Lingyan had at least read online novels during his modern life.

Remembering how protagonists in online novels always have a system, he rolled his eyes and asked, "Do you have a system?"

The moment he finished speaking, the system popped up in Zhao Ruxi's mind. "Host, this is a secret. If he finds out, we'll both be wiped out."

"Don't worry, he won't know," Zhao Ruxi reassured the system in her mind.

After calming him down, she turned to Xiao Lingyan, "Stop guessing. Just remember what I said."

The two were rivals in modern times, so they knew each other perfectly.

Zhao Ruxi is an upright person, not to mention that the two of them are now boyfriend and girlfriend, practically family.

If she didn't have the system, she would deny it directly instead of saying it like this. Since she didn't deny it, then she must have it, but is restricted from saying it.

He nodded knowingly, then asked in a different way, "Xixi, are you the female lead now?"

Zhao Ruxi lightly kicked him. "What 'Xixi'? So cheesy!"

"Now that you've become my sweetheart, it's natural I should call you by a nickname. If you feel like you're missing out, you can call me Keke, I don't mind."

"Tsk, that's so cheesy." Zhao Ruxi moved her chair further away, without answering Xiao Lingyan's question about the female lead.

Xiao Lingyan her a meaningful look and didn't ask any further questions.

"The projects we've undertaken are all money-making machines; we have more than enough money. You don't need to risk making any more money. Focus on the imperial examinations from now on. Studying is hard work, but I know that if you're going to do it, you're determined to do it well. I won't try to persuade you otherwise," he said.

"Furthermore, if you want a title, I'll help you get it. You're a nobleman first, and a princess second. If I don't perform well, you can kick me to the curb and still be your nobleman. I understand all of this."

Hearing this, Zhao Ruxi gave him a sweet smile, "Keke, you're so nice." After saying that, she quickly rubbed her arms.

Oh my god, even she finds it cheesy. She shouldn't use this trick again.

Xiao Lingyan, however, thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, this guy was the type to push his luck; his goal wasn't to hear a kind word.

He brought his face closer. "Just this one sentence as a reward? Nothing else?"

Zhao Ruxi looked at him warily. "What else do you want?" She gestured with her chin towards the distance, "Your subordinates are still watching."

When Xiao Lingyan, his guards naturally followed. Although they were far away, they were sure to keep a close eye on the situation.

Zhao Ruxi was a straightforward person and a modern woman. Since she had agreed to accept Xiao Lingyan, she didn't mind the kisses, hugs, and piggyback rides. But she was unwilling to do these things in front of outsiders.

Xiao Lingyan said pitifully, "I don't know when we'll see each other again. Can't you give me even a little something extra?"

He also gestured with his finger to indicate "a little bit".

Zhao Ruxi reached out and pushed away the handsome face that was so close to hers, clearing her throat lightly. "No."

After saying that, she ignored Xiao Lingyan's pitiful look, stood up, and said, "I've been out for quite a while, I should go back." Without looking back, she swiftly stepped onto the wooden bridge.

Xiao Lingyan had finally won the heart of his beauty, and even if they didn't kiss or hug, it would be good to say a few words. He got up, intending to pull Zhao Ruxi back, but before he could reach out, he saw that Zhao Ruxi had already walked to the middle of the wooden bridge, quite a distance from him.

He assessed the time and distance, staring dumbfounded at Zhao Ruxi's retreating figure.

Upon returning to the Earl of Suiping's Residence, Zhao Ruxi was summoned to the main courtyard by Lady Zhu, who informed her of the marriage proposal from the Prince Jingping's Estate.

Lady Zhu was extremely efficient; in just one hour, she had found out the situation of the Prince Jingping's Estate and the Fourth Prince.

She told Zhao Ruxi, "The Prince Jingping's Estate has a total of four sons. The second and third sons are born out of wedlock, while only the heir and the fourth son are born to the Consort of Prince of Jingping."

"Consort of Prince of Jingping is a sensible and capable woman who manages the manor impeccably. There are no such shady dealings in the Prince Jingping's Estate. The Fourth Young Master is half a year older than you; he's always been studying and also loves painting. He watched you participate in the painting competition and particularly admired your work. The official matchmaker's proposal was only possible because he repeatedly begged the Princess."