022, confess!
The second and third times, and all the way until the other party’s death, Qi Ran finally realized the true identity of the person—it was Song Chen, who died protecting her on the fourth day after the apocalypse began!
The last two times, seeing Song Chen disappear with her own eyes, Qi Ran felt as if someone had ripped out most of her heart, a pain so deep it was unbearable!
All three of Song Chen’s deaths were sacrifices made to protect Qi Ran!
In this life, Song Chen remained lively and vigorous before her eyes, acting increasingly like a wild wolf cub—his behavior growing more and more excessive!
Qi Ran was furious!
She wanted to push Song Chen away with all her strength!
But thinking of Song Chen’s fate in the previous life, even if her words carried a hint of reproach, Qi Ran couldn’t bring herself to say them aloud!
...
After much struggle, she finally broke free from Song Chen’s grasp!
Of course, Song Chen knew when to stop, worried that if he truly angered her, Qi Ran would remain upset with him!
Qi Ran had been well-educated by the Qi family!
Though she never showed a sour face in front of others,
when she quietly grew angry, Qi Ran was still quite formidable!
For example, Song Chen was probably still blacklisted in Qi Ran’s WeChat contacts, not yet removed from it!
...
Qi Ran buried her head in the crook of Song Chen’s neck, refusing to meet his gaze any longer!
No longer looking at the face that haunted her dreams and made her longing wild!
She greedily inhaled the faint lemon scent drifting from Song Chen’s body.
“I’m telling you all this—the only reason I help you awaken your talent, level up, and gain strength—is because I want you to protect yourself well!” Qi Ran said, her voice content yet tinged with both amusement and helplessness as she explained to Song Chen.
“Whether Qi Sheng lives or dies has nothing to do with you, Song Chen. You don’t need to concern yourself with him, and I won’t allow you to help him either!”
“The debt of gratitude I owe to the Qi family for adopting me was fully repaid before the apocalypse even began!”
“I will break off my engagement with Mu Jingchen! Song Chen, the apocalypse has arrived, and danger is everywhere. From now on, I will only be good to you!”
“The strength you have is only enough to protect yourself!”
Qi Ran’s soft lips brushed against the sensitive skin of Song Chen’s neck as she spoke words that surprised him greatly—but were nothing less than the most potent aphrodisiac.
Song Chen’s hands, wrapped around Qi Ran’s slender waist, trembled slightly.
“Are… are you really serious about what you’re saying?”
After a brief hesitation, Song Chen did not probe further into the incredible things Qi Ran said.
He only sought confirmation of one particular statement.
Qi Sheng, Mu Jingchen, and the like—
In truth, Song Chen didn’t care.
He was a reckless rogue with no sense of order.
He loved only one person—Qi Ran.
Therefore, the only one he cared about was Qi Ran herself.
The messy little characters around them were not within Song Chen’s consideration.
The one who cared about others’ opinions was always Qi Ran, the adopted daughter of the Qi family, living as a dependent—
Bound by the Qi family’s kindness, Qi Ran was always obliging to Qi Sheng!
Engaged to Mu Jingchen, she had to keep a distance from other blatantly scheming men… namely, Song Chen.
Now, Qi Ran promised Song Chen that she would actively sever ties with those people.
Naturally, Song Chen would no longer foolishly intervene and help Qi Sheng when he was in danger.
Though they had been friends for over a decade,
children from wealthy families in Rong City all knew each other from a young age.
The reason Song Chen maintained a friendly relationship with Qi Sheng was nothing more than his true intentions lay elsewhere.
He hoped to use this proximity to get closer to Qi Ran.
Song Chen was reckless, while Qi Sheng was a businessman focused on profit.
The two were hardly close friends with deep feelings.
After all, a businessman loyal to profit would only lose everything dealing with a rogue who disregarded contracts.
If it were up to Song Chen’s usual nature, Qi Sheng wouldn’t want to associate with him either.
Song Chen simply treated Qi Sheng as an elder brother-in-law, never turning his back on him.
Besides, Song Chen’s unruly personality was the result of being spoiled by his family.
But no family with a solid background would blindly spoil a fool.
In fact, Song Chen was very intelligent.
By nine, he had self-studied all the courses up to high school.
By twelve, he was already involved in the family’s scientific research projects.
Computer science, medicine, finance, physics, chemistry—there was nothing he didn’t master.
He was the undisputed genius of the Song family,
only his temperament was lazy and unambitious.
Qi Sheng, born after his parents’ meticulous and scientifically comprehensive prenatal care,
was certainly very smart.
But his intelligence could not compare to Song Chen’s.
When interacting with Qi Sheng, Song Chen restrained his bad temper and even gave him advice at critical moments.
Moreover, Song Chen’s reputation outside was poor, so any blame could quietly be pinned on him.
Maintaining a good relationship with Song Chen brought many benefits.
Of course, profit-driven businessman Qi Sheng was willing to maintain frequent contact with Song Chen.
Over time, outsiders saw them as inseparable good brothers.
But in reality—
Qi Sheng was cold-hearted and indifferent,
not close to his own parents,
and treated Qi Ran’s genuine care with coldness.
As for Song Chen, Qi Sheng never took him seriously despite his calculated flattery.
On the other hand, Song Chen felt uneasy whenever he saw Qi Sheng demanding things from Qi Ran without courtesy.
Song Chen was clever and could secretly cause trouble without being noticed.
As a result, Qi Sheng had suffered several major setbacks from Song Chen’s schemes.
Qi Sheng’s company was established in his freshman year of university.
He chose the right direction and held the core technology.
Its growth momentum was good.
A year ago, it should have been able to go public.
Unfortunately, Qi Sheng applied twice within a year but failed both times.
The Qi family was still waiting for Qi Ran to marry into the prestigious Mu family in the capital, completing their social climb.
Song Chen would never allow the Qi family to become so arrogant that they might change their minds.
Though unwilling to admit it, Mu Jingchen—the childhood companion who had seriously pursued Qi Ran for seven years—was indeed the best match for her in terms of character and family background.
If Qi Sheng’s company had gone public smoothly, the Qi family’s assets would rise, and their status would follow.
Whether the Qi family would then seek other matches remained to be seen.
Even if they didn’t find better suitors and still supported Qi Ran marrying Mu Jingchen,
Song Chen would only let Qi Ran marry as a charity case of the Qi family,
never as a favored flower blooming with their rise.
Otherwise, if the Qi family prospered on their own merits, and Qi Ran married into the capital family afterward without respect, she would also suffer reprimands from the Qi family.
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