Lin Qinghe stopped, her small face as indifferent as ever. "If you're here to apologize, then fine, I accept your apology. You don't need to feel guilty, it's no big deal. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. My dad is waiting for me back home."
Seeing Lin Qinghe so distant and cold, treating him like a stranger, You Rong felt a bitterness like swallowing bitter yellow herbs.
Lin Qinghe made a move to pull her hand away from his grasp, and You Rong's heart clenched.
Was he just going to let Lin Qinghe walk away like this? Would they be strangers who exchanged polite greetings from now on? Would she never again look at him with a smile in her eyes?
No!
He couldn't let that happen!
You Rong tightly gripped Lin Qinghe's wrist and said urgently, "Qinghe! I'm sorry! I misunderstood you that day. What I said to you was harsh, and I'm truly sorry. I... Today, besides apologizing, I also want to tell you... I like you! It's because I like you that I was so incredibly jealous when I misunderstood your relationship with Director Zhang. I..."
When he met Lin Qinghe's still indifferent gaze, You Rong felt as if something was stuck in his throat, and the words he wanted to say wouldn't come out.
She must have decided she didn't like him anymore...
It was no use for him to explain, right?
You Rong's face turned pale. His grip on Lin Qinghe's hand slowly weakened, and he let go little by little.
Seeing You Rong's pale face as he let go of her hand, standing there dejectedly, Lin Qinghe felt an inexplicable discomfort.
Lin Qinghe sighed softly, then suddenly took You Rong's released hand. You Rong trembled, looked up at her with a face full of shock, and asked with a mix of joy and uncertainty, "Qinghe, you..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted him, "You just said you liked me? Is that true?"
"It's true! I... I like you!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Qinghe didn't hesitate. "Okay, then from today onwards, you'll be my boyfriend. Is that okay?"
Even You Rong was stunned for a moment, wondering if his ears were playing tricks on him.
"Qinghe, did you just say... I should be your boyfriend from today? Are you... not angry anymore?"
Lin Qinghe pouted and said irritably, "Angry! Of course, I'm angry! You misunderstood me and said so many hurtful things. But what can I do? Who told me I like you so much? The moment you apologized, I couldn't bear to stay angry. The moment you said you liked me, I couldn't wait to have you as my boyfriend."
You Rong's pupils contracted, and his heart soared with joy. He gripped Lin Qinghe's hand tightly, "Are you serious? You forgive me? You're not angry anymore? And you want me to be your boyfriend?"
"Mhm. Do you want to or not? If you don't, then forget it, pretend I never said anything..."
Before Lin Qinghe could finish speaking, You Rong said urgently, "I do! Of course, I do! Qinghe! I want to be your boyfriend! I... I'm just too happy, I can hardly believe it's real..."
Just now, he had prepared himself for the possibility that Lin Qinghe no longer liked him. Who would have thought things would turn around so quickly, bringing him overwhelming joy that he could barely process?
Lin Qinghe pursed her lips and smiled, "Hmph... That's more like it."
You Rong gazed at Lin Qinghe, a surge of emotion overwhelming him. Forgetting about being outdoors or the possibility of reporters or other people around, he suddenly pulled Lin Qinghe into a tight embrace, holding her as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.
At the same time, Lin Qinghe heard a system prompt: "Progress bar increased by 10%. Total progress bar is 92%."
The two embraced on a deserted balcony. Just as Lin Qinghe was about to push You Rong away slightly to say something,
You Rong saw a figure approaching. It was Xiao Tian. His eyes flickered, and he suddenly cupped Lin Qinghe's cheeks and kissed her.
Lin Qinghe was stunned and instinctively pushed against You Rong's chest. But You Rong had no intention of letting go, deepening the kiss and making it hard for her to breathe.
Xiao Tian, who had arrived at the balcony, stopped in his tracks. As You Rong kissed Lin Qinghe, he looked up and met Xiao Tian's gaze. He didn't loosen his grip; instead, the kiss became more passionate, a hint of masculine provocation in his eyes.
Xiao Tian didn't step closer; he turned and left. Only then did You Rong release Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe, almost dizzy from the kiss, leaned weakly against You Rong's chest and glared at him resentfully, complaining, "What was that for... I almost suffocated!"
You Rong's lips curved upward. He brought Lin Qinghe's hand to his lips and kissed it. He didn't tell her about his little stratagem and said, "It's my fault. It won't happen again."
As You Rong spoke, Lin Qinghe heard another system prompt: "Progress bar increased by 5%. Total progress bar is 97%."
Lin Qinghe pouted, pressing her face against You Rong's chest.
Hmph, considering the increase in the progress bar, she wouldn't hold it against You Rong.
The consequence of not holding it against You Rong was that he whispered, "Are you not angry anymore?" As Lin Qinghe nodded, her chin was lifted, and her mouth was sealed again as she was forced to endure You Rong's possessive and forceful kiss.
After the kiss, Lin Qinghe leaned against You Rong, her breathing uneven, "You Rong, you... mmmph..." Before she could finish, You Rong kissed her again.
This repeated countless times. Lin Qinghe was so lost in the kisses that she forgot to push You Rong away. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck, and they kissed passionately.
After an unknown amount of time, a ringing mobile phone brought Lin Qinghe back to her senses. She was already sitting on the balcony railing, held by You Rong. Both were breathing heavily, and You Rong's usually cool eyes were filled with intense desire.
Lin Qinghe placed her hands on You Rong's shoulders, pushing him away slightly, and managed to calm her ragged breathing before answering the phone.
"Dad, I... I'm just getting some fresh air outside. It's fine, it's fine... I just walked a bit too fast... I'm heading back now. Don't worry about me. Okay... I understand. Bye."
After hanging up, You Rong rested his forehead against Lin Qinghe's, kissed the corner of her lips, and asked hoarsely, "Director Zhang is looking for you?"
Lin Qinghe nodded. "Mhm... You Rong, let go of me for a moment. I have something important to tell you."
You Rong still held Lin Qinghe's slender waist, not letting go. "Mhm, tell me, I'm listening..."
Lin Qinghe sighed. Since You Rong wouldn't let go, she had no choice but to tell him while being held.
"Regarding asking my dad to help you get on the show before, and terminating your contract with Guangming Entertainment, I did all of that by asking my dad behind your back. I hope you won't be upset. As for the audition for 'Breaking the Cocoon,' my dad did get you an audition opportunity, but he didn't pull any strings. You passed the audition purely on your own merit. I hope you won't act impulsively and refuse to perform, okay?"