Besides joy, Chu Ge also felt a bit melancholic. He once thought he could stay with Situ Ying for a lifetime, but in the end, he lost her, and even though she could reach Shi Tong, she never even called him again.

With a slight sigh, a bitter smile appeared on Chu Ge's face. Although he couldn't completely let go, he could only comfort himself with words like "let the past be the past."

Chu Ge was also a bit nervous. He wasn't entirely sure if he could be a good husband, and he was a little eager to know. What would Qin Ruojing's expression be when she saw him take out this ring?

All in all, with various emotions interwoven, Chu Ge's feelings were indescribably complex.

With the ring in his pocket, Chu Ge once again got into a taxi and reported the address of Qin Ruojing's residential district.

When he arrived at the bottom of Qin Ruojing's building, he hesitated a bit. Clearly, he had agreed to think about it for a day, but he came back so soon. Did he come across as particularly impatient?

Also, was he truly ready? Was there anything he hadn't considered thoroughly? Marriage... It's a lifelong matter.

"Buddy, we're at your destination." The driver reminded him as Chu Ge hesitated to move.

Chu Ge eventually got out of the taxi and stood at the bottom of Qin Ruojing's building, his fingers constantly rubbing the jewelry box with the ring inside. He wanted to go up but was unsure if he should, feeling incredibly conflicted inside.

Just as Chu Ge was feeling troubled, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from He Qing.

"Miss He, is there something you need?"

"Why? Can't I call you if there's nothing going on?"

Hearing He Qing's slightly reproachful tone, Chu Ge apologized with a smile, "Of course not. It's just that I have something to deal with on my side. Please don't mind."

"I already mind. What are you going to do about it?"

Chu Ge was a bit speechless. What's up with He Qing today? How come she's acting like a little girl, being so coy and playful?

Though it left him speechless, Chu Ge was under immense pressure at the moment. Joking around with He Qing for a bit wasn't a bad way to lighten the mood.

"How about I treat you to dinner?"

"Treat me to dinner?" He Qing's voice was tinged with both mock anger and amusement, and after two or three seconds, she continued.

"I remember when I came back this time, someone promised to welcome me back with a meal. So many days have passed, and I still haven't had that welcome meal."

Hearing He Qing say this, Chu Ge was slightly taken aback. No wonder He Qing's tone had a hint of annoyance; he had indeed promised this not just once or twice, yet due to various mishaps, he hadn't fulfilled it until now.

Chu Ge thought it over. The saying goes that concerns can cause confusion. Regarding the response to Qin Ruojing, he indeed wanted to discuss it with someone, and considering He Qing's wisdom, talking to her seemed like a good option.

"Hmm, it's indeed my fault. No time like the present, how about today?"

He Qing chuckled softly, "Sounds good to me."

"Alright then, I'll buy some groceries and head back."

"Didn't you have something to handle?"

"No matter how big the matter is, it's not more important than cooking for you. It's such an honor to cook for Miss He!"

Chu Ge joked around with a smile, not realizing that while he spoke without much thought, the listener took it to heart. A happy smile quietly blossomed on He Qing's face, slightly lifting her gloomy mood.

Amidst He Qing's pleasant laughter, Chu Ge hung up the phone, looked up at Qin Ruojing's window once more, then entered the parking lot, took the Maserati, and returned to the Yipin Spring City District.

Chu Ge carried a bag of groceries upstairs. Just as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw the door to the neighboring 110 room being opened, and a smiling He Qing walked out,

One had to admit, the title of "China's Top Beauty" was no exaggeration. Even in a very casual light brown loungewear, He Qing looked elegant and noble, breathtaking as ever when she appeared in Chu Ge's view.

As He Qing drew closer, Chu Ge suddenly noticed that although he hadn't seen her for a few days, she seemed to have lost some weight. Her clear black-and-white eyes now had slight red streaks, and her complexion wasn't as rosy as before, showing a hint of pallor and weariness.

Nevertheless, even so, it in no way diminished He Qing's beauty. It only made Chu Ge feel an urge to protect her, suggesting that the situation with the He Family was becoming increasingly bleak.

Chu Ge sighed inwardly, but He Qing, smiling, took something from his hand, "Today, I finally get to enjoy Chef Chu's welcome feast? There better not be any more unexpected events."

"Of course not." Chu Ge replied straightforwardly, pulled out the key to open the door, took back the groceries He Qing had helped him with, and said with a smile, "You've lost weight. Today, I'll make you a proper feast. Whoever interrupts your meal, I'll be mad at them."

He Qing was slightly startled. Did this guy actually notice she had lost weight? Was it really that obvious, or was he finally taking some notice of her?

Chu Ge entered the room and carried the groceries he bought into the kitchen. He Qing stood in front of the dressing mirror, carefully examining herself and touching her cheeks. As Chu Ge walked out of the kitchen, she couldn't help but turn around and ask, "Do I look very slim? Do I look ugly?"

As the saying goes, 'A man dies for the one who understands him, a woman beautifies herself for the one who pleases her.' He Qing could ignore what others thought, but she couldn't ignore Chu Ge's feelings.

Moreover, the bad news continuously reaching her ears over the past few days had somewhat affected the peace of her mind.

During such a critical time for the family, even she felt more vulnerable and her nerves were more sensitive than usual.

Chu Ge was opening the fridge and taking out a few eggs when he heard what He Qing said. He couldn't help but roll his eyes and shake his head with a laugh, "What silly talk is this? If you're ugly, then other women won't be worth looking at."

He Qing's mood instantly brightened, and she giggled, "Chu Ge, since when did you become so good at cheering up girls? I'm quite surprised!"

"You're surprised? Aren't you just teasing me? How could I have such influence?" Chu Ge laughed even more. "But speaking of surprise, what do you think of Qin Ruojing?"

"Qin Ruojing?" He Qing was taken aback for a second. "Why did you suddenly think of asking about her?"

Chu Ge carried the eggs into the kitchen and casually said, "Nothing much, just wanted to hear your assessment of her."

"To be objective, I don't know much about her, but from the few times I've interacted with her, she strikes me as very capable, very serious, and of course, very beautiful."

Hearing He Qing praise Qin Ruojing, Chu Ge was in a great mood. Seeing that it was still a bit early to cook, he cracked the eggs into a bowl and walked out full of cheer.

"Don't just talk about the good points, what do you think are her shortcomings?"

Earlier, when Chu Ge mentioned Qin Ruojing, He Qing found it odd. Now, seeing Chu Ge continue on this topic, she couldn't help but secretly frown.

He Qing quickly pondered in her heart but maintained a cheerful expression, asking, "Hey? Chu Ge, you're acting strange. Don't tell me you developed feelings for Qin Ruojing after pretending to be a couple and now plan to marry her?"

Chu Ge scratched his head and grinned, "Let's not worry about that now. Talk about her shortcomings."

If He Qing just felt something was off before, now her heart skipped a beat, as it seemed like Chu Ge tacitly agreed? Does he really intend to marry Qin Ruojing? How can it be... so sudden?

Realizing this, He Qing felt a huge shock, and this feeling was even worse than when she heard about the family's crisis. Even for a woman as composed and calm as her, there was a moment of distraction.

No, Chu Ge and Qin Ruojing absolutely cannot get married! She must find a way to stop them!

"Qin Ruojing's shortcomings..." After a brief moment of distraction, He Qing's mind raced, "Well, she seems to lack a little in life style?"

Chu Ge chuckled, indifferent, "Anything else?"

Noticing the dismissive smile on Chu Ge's face, He Qing's mood worsened.

Although she had long known there were many women around Chu Ge, she had never really concerned herself with it before he spoke of these things.

Because in her view, whether in terms of appearance, figure, intellect, family background, or various abilities, she was superior to any woman around Chu Ge. She believed she would be the one to eventually become Chu Ge's wife, the only one who could, but now, it seemed she might have been too optimistic.

"Anything else..."

He Qing's mind turned faster. She knew very well that if things were as she feared, this rare opportunity offered by Chu Ge's question was one she must seize!

At the very least, she must make Chu Ge feel that he and Qin Ruojing aren't a good match, and this all depends on whether she can provide convincing reasons.

She can't criticize Qin Ruojing's looks or figure; even though she's confident she is a bit better in these aspects, to be fair, Qin Ruojing is undoubtedly a beauty of the highest order.

As for wealth, although Qin Ruojing is just a chairman of a minor group, honestly, the money she earns is more than enough for her lifetime spending, as long as she doesn't indulge excessively.

Is Qin Ruojing the type to pursue extreme luxury?

Judging from her living in a hundred-square-meter house instead of a villa, the answer is clearly no.

Furthermore, He Qing knows very well that with Chu Ge's carefree attitude towards life, he doesn't care about money at all. Whether dining in a grand hotel or at a roadside stall, he enjoys the experience just the same.

As for family heritage, if He Qing brought this up to Chu Ge, she wouldn't be He Qing. Even thinking with her toes, she knows Chu Ge doesn't care, and her admiration for Chu Ge is largely because of his extraordinary freedom.

Moreover, even if Chu Ge cared, the He Family is already on the brink of turmoil.

This won't work, that won't work, how should she grasp this opportunity?

He Qing was very troubled.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.