Chapter 1775: Chapter 1775: Confession

In the blink of an eye, the end of the year arrived.

Thanks to Luo Qiao’s careful nurturing, Luo Daoren’s health was quite good, though Yunyi mentioned that he mustn’t stop taking his medicine and should continue taking it morning and night.

That day, Yueyue returned from school with Qi Junrui following behind.

Luo Qiao was surprised when she came out to greet them: "Jun Rui is here. How did you two run into each other?"

Yueyue laughed and said, "Carrying so many things, I was worried about getting back when I saw Qi Junrui’s car. Wouldn’t you say my luck is pretty good?"

Luo Qiao glanced at her daughter and thought: Both of my daughters are quite intelligent, but their emotional intelligence is something else. It’s so obvious, yet she still thinks it’s just good luck; honestly, there’s no one like her.

But since her daughter said so, she let it slide.

She could only greet them: "Come in quickly and have a seat. Thank you for going to all this trouble to come out here."

Qi Junrui replied straightforwardly: "No trouble at all. I actually came specifically to pick her up."

The words left both mother and daughter momentarily stunned.

Yueyue lifted her head: "You came specifically to pick me up?"

Qi Junrui laughed: "Yes, I’ve got a favor to ask of you, so I needed to show some goodwill first."

Yueyue playfully tapped him with the book she was holding: "What could it be that made you come all this way yourself?"

Qi Junrui glanced toward the courtyard: "Can we put the things down first and then discuss the matter?"

Yueyue nodded: "Come with me first, help me carry these things back to my room."

Qi Junrui smiled at Luo Qiao: "Auntie, we’ll deliver the stuff first and then come back."

Luo Qiao nodded and waved them off: "Go ahead, come back once you’ve settled everything. I’ve just baked mini cakes, they should be done soon, perfect for tasting."

As they were walking, Yueyue asked: "What’s the matter? Why didn’t you say anything when we were in the car?"

Qi Junrui began: "I couldn’t figure out a good way to bring it up, worried you might not agree, so I was thinking about how to ask you."

They entered the door one after another, putting away the items, and Qi Junrui said: "You tidy things up first, I’ll get the remaining ones from the car."

His heart was pounding because he feared he might get rejected once he spoke up.

When he returned with the rest, Yueyue looked at him: "Alright, what’s the matter?"

Qi Junrui scratched his forehead with a finger: "Yueyue, in a few days, it will be my grandfather’s seventy-sixth birthday. There will be a grand banquet, and as you know, I’m at the age to marry. Many might have ideas."

After speaking, he looked at Yueyue, deciding to risk it: "Could you pretend to be my girlfriend then?"

Yueyue was taken aback by his reason for seeking her out, her face turning red: "Why me?"

Qi Junrui thought about how both were usually busy with school and work, leaving little time to meet, and feared she might be pursued by someone else without his awareness. Crying wouldn’t help then, so he decided not to hide his feelings anymore: "Because I like you."

The moment these words fell, Yueyue’s eyes widened: "What did you say?"

Qi Junrui didn’t back down, deciding to express his feelings early on: "You heard right, I like you, have for a long time."

Yueyue blushed even more: "Are you serious?"

Qi Junrui nodded: "More real than pearls, I didn’t say anything before to avoid affecting your studies as you were young.

But after the New Year, you’ll be twenty, plus this time my grandfather’s banquet will include many business partners and close family friends, and I don’t want them conjuring other ideas.

I want to introduce the person I like to everyone and let those with intentions of arranging marriages give up early."

Yueyue previously felt that Qi Junrui treated her somewhat differently from others but hadn’t considered it this way.

Now that everything was laid out, his sincerity was evident, and she didn’t dislike him, in fact, there was a slight fondness, making her consider giving it a try.

But the idea of being showcased before they started dating made her hesitate: "This feels too big, let me think it over before I reply."

Qi Junrui was pleased that the young girl didn’t refuse him outright: "Alright, I’ll wait for your good news."