Chapter 215: Chapter 175: Can I Call You Brother Cheng Now?
The bloody sunset at the horizon and the vermilion dougong under the eaves of the Grand Shrine, both reflected on Hoshino Mika’s slightly blushed face, making Chen Cheng montarily unable to distinguish where this flush ca from.
But the teary light at the corners of her eyes was shining.
Chen Cheng looked at the stubborn yet fragile girl in front of him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Her confession was so candid, so humble, yet so courageous.
He silenced for a mont, then slowly began to speak, his voice low and gentle: “i Xiang, I understand your feelings.”
He reached out, gently wiping the teardrops from the corner of her eyes, “You are a kind, brave, and beautiful girl, deserving of happiness.”
i Xiang’s heart rose to her throat as she held her breath, waiting for his verdict.
“But…”
Chen Cheng paused, then firmly said: “Matters of the heart should not be mixed with business dealings…”
Before he could finish, i Xiang’s tears fell like broken pearls, dropping one by one into the palm of his hand.
“I know, I’m not worthy…” she choked, voice trembling, “I just… I just…”
i Xiang suddenly looked up, staring directly at Chen Cheng, “Mr. Chen, I did not confuse business with personal feelings.”
“I like you, and it has nothing to do with your identity, status, or wealth!”
i Xiang’s voice was not loud, but exceptionally firm, each word as if bursting from the bottom of her heart, resonating deeply.
“I like your integrity and kindness, your sincerity towards people, your bravery and responsibility in the face of difficulties.”
“What I like is you, the person you are, Chen Cheng, completely you!”
i Xiang said this, her eyes teary as she looked at the man before her, in the light and shadow he appeared so tall yet so gentle.
“I know my suddenness has troubled you.”
i Xiang took a deep breath, trying to stabilize her fluctuating emotions, “I’ve never been in love before, I don’t know how to express my feelings. I was afraid of missing out, so I chose this clumsy way.”
She lowered her eyelids, “I also know that saying this now might seem ridiculous to you, but I still want to tell you, my affection is sincere.”
i Xiang looked up, “Mr. Chen, I just hope you understand, I like you, not for your money.”
She took out a stack of A4 paper from her briefcase, handing it over to Chen Cheng with both hands.
“Mr. Chen, I did not deceive you, my mother has already given all of her 1.1% share.”
Chen Cheng glanced at the cover page, which was titled Deed of Transfer.
i Xiang turned to the first page, under the sections for the parties involved in the contract, the nas: Transferor: Yahata Reina, Transferee: Hoshino Mika stood out prominently.
“What did you promise her?” Chen Cheng asked.
i Xiang pursed her lips, “The house in Shigutian District, give it to her. The money from selling her shares, also give it to her.”
“Additionally, I will pay 3 million yen per month as her living expenses. The cost of her food, clothing, and necessities will remain unchanged, maintained until she leaves this world.”
Chen Cheng looked at the readily available agreent before him, as well as the extravagant terms of the settlent, and took a deep breath.
He quickly realized that now that Yahata Reina had given her shares to i Xiang, she could fully handle them.
“These conditions…”
Chen Cheng paused, his gaze shifting away from the agreent onto i Xiang’s clear eyes, “are they not too harsh for you?”
i Xiang shook her head, her tone resolute: “Not harsh, not at all.”
“She is my father’s legal spouse, the house originally belongs to her, I never intended to take it.”
“As for the money, it’s much less than if she had asked for a 50% markup, right?”
i Xiang mustered her courage, “I just hope, by my sincere heart and actions, to exchange for an equal opportunity.”
“What equal opportunity?”
i Xiang answered, “An opportunity to be on equal footing with you.”
Chen Cheng looked at her earnest gaze, one hand pocketed, “i Xiang, you should be clear. I’m not exclusively seeing one woman.”
“I can’t give you the equality you seek.”
Chen Cheng stated frankly: “I’m not a cake, I can’t divide my heart equally among everyone.”
“Whether it’s Wen Shulin, Xiao ier, or either of them, each person holds a different place in my heart,” Chen Cheng spoke bluntly.
“I understand, matters of the heart can’t be forced, and I have never hoped to replace anyone.” i Xiang sincerely looked at Chen Cheng.
She paused for a mont, “I just hope, in my own way, to stand by your side, support you, accompany you. Just like… just like…”
She searched her mind for the right word, and after a mont, her eyes lit up, “Just like… a feudal warlord and his concubine from the Warring States period!”
Chen Cheng looked at i Xiang’s serious expression, at first slightly stunned, then he understood her aning.
He looked at i Xiang, “Are you sure? Can you really accept such a relationship?”
i Xiang t his gaze, her eyes steady, “I’m sure. I like you, so I’m willing to respect your choices and protect you in my own way.”
Chen Cheng’s nostrils flared slightly, “No, i Xiang. What do you like about ? From head to toe, from my bones to every inch of my skin, I’m not a good man.”
i Xiang took a deep breath, her head lowered, “I know, Mr. Chen.”
“I know you’re not a traditionally good man.”
“You have close female friends, you have your considerations and responsibilities, you are capable in the business world, and you have your own past…”
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