Shi Xin Xin couldn't bear to look at him; her mind was in a mess.
"Shi Xin Xin, tell me, do you love me or not?"
Shi Xin Xin's body trembled slightly.
Love?
She didn't know.
What were her feelings for him? She only knew that she loved him very much, very, very much...
She loved him...
Loved how good he was to her, loved the roses he gave her on her birthday...
But she couldn't accept their relationship...
Their fathers were the heads of the Sheng and Shi families respectively. How could she, the Shi family's precious daughter, be involved with Sheng Chen Jin?
She and he were simply not from the same world.
However, he was willing to marry her. How could she repay this profound affection?
Was the distance between them really that far?
Shi Xin Xin fell into silence, while Sheng Chen Jin awaited her answer.
"Young Master Chen Jin, please stop bothering me."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger crossed Sheng Chen Jin's eyes. "You don't love me?!"
Shi Xin Xin bit her lip and nodded.
Sheng Chen Jin grabbed her slender shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Then why are you rejecting me? You know I like you! Why are you still rejecting me!"
Shi Xin Xin's heart leaped in shock, and she quickly explained, "I'm not rejecting you..."
"But you love me, don't you? You're just afraid of my father, aren't you?!"
"I, I'm not..."
"We can get married," Sheng Chen Jin said. "As long as we're married, you'll have enough reason to stay in the Sheng family and won't have to hide anymore!"
Shi Xin Xin's face turned ashen.
Married...
Could they still be together?
They wouldn't be happy together...
"I..."
"Shi Xin Xin, can you bear to watch me live in darkness my entire life, living a life in hiding?" Sheng Chen Jin's tone was laced with a hint of pleading. "Let's be together..."
As he spoke, he lowered his head, his thin lips pressing against Shi Xin Xin's soft, rosy lips.
Shi Xin Xin's body stiffened violently, her mind a complete blank.
She couldn't believe he would kiss her!
Seeing Shi Xin Xin's stunned expression, Sheng Chen Jin couldn't help but smile.
This smile made his handsome face even more captivating.
"I'm not joking, and you don't need to be shy. We'll be getting married sooner or later anyway," Sheng Chen Jin said, his eyes deep.
Shi Xin Xin looked at his handsome face, her heart pounding wildly.
Did he really, really want to marry her?
But they had no future together...
"Are you sincere? Are you lying to me, trying to make me happy?" Shi Xin Xin had too many doubts; she wanted to clarify.
"Of course, I'm serious," Sheng Chen Jin gazed at her without blinking.
His gaze seemed to pierce her soul, making Shi Xin Xin feel guilty.
"Okay..." she nodded gently.
A wave of joy washed over Sheng Chen Jin. He reached out and gently stroked Shi Xin Xin's hair.
"Thank you," he said softly. "Let's get engaged now."
Shi Xin Xin's body stiffened violently once more.
Did his talk of engagement mean marriage?!
"What kind of engagement are you talking about?" Shi Xin Xin asked.
"Our wedding," Sheng Chen Jin replied.
As soon as he spoke, a flash of inspiration struck Shi Xin Xin.
"We... getting engaged?" Shi Xin Xin sounded surprised. "But we're both so young..."
"I'm already twenty-six," Sheng Chen Jin narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you want to wait until you're forty?"
Shi Xin Xin was speechless.
She certainly hadn't planned to get married at twenty-five.
"Don't misunderstand..." Sheng Chen Jin interrupted her. "Although I'm a few years older than you, I don't mind."
A faint smile appeared on Sheng Chen Jin's face.
His eyes were as bright and dazzling as stars, seeming to illuminate the entire world.
Looking into those deep, warm eyes, Shi Xin Xin's heart skipped a beat.
"Are... are you afraid I'll delay your future?" Shi Xin Xin lowered her head, not daring to look into Sheng Chen Jin's eyes again.
His gaze was too beautiful, so beautiful that she could barely bear it.
His beauty was beyond words.
"I believe you won't disappoint me."
"Why do you trust me so much?"
Sheng Chen Jin curved his lips. "I never trust people I meet for the first time."
Shi Xin Xin pursed her lips, and tears suddenly welled up.
Sheng Chen Jin frowned and quickly reached out to wipe away her tears, asking with a hint of reproach, "What are you crying about?"
Shi Xin Xin sobbed and shook her head.
"Don't worry, even if you can't give me happiness, I won't force you to do anything."
Shi Xin Xin was stunned.
She looked at him incredulously. "Don't you hate me?"
"I do," Sheng Chen Jin said. "I used to hate you, but then I realized I couldn't hate you at all. In my heart, you are unique. How could I bear to hate you?"
His words, falling into Shi Xin Xin's ears, stirred a wave of bittersweetness within her.
She looked up at Sheng Chen Jin. "I understand. I will work hard. I will adapt to life in the Sheng family as quickly as possible."
She had to find her mother. She had to see her and let her see if she was worthy of her love.
Sheng Chen Jin looked at her, feeling a sense of loss.
He had thought he could succeed, but unexpectedly... he had failed.
He thought he could win her back, but who knew she would leave him...
"Xin Xin, I won't stop you," he said, standing up and walking towards the door.
His steps paused, and he turned back. "Xin Xin, don't forget, we still have to hold an engagement ceremony."
"I know." Shi Xin Xin nodded.
Sheng Chen Jin walked out of the living room and headed straight for the garage.
He got into the car, took out his phone, and dialed his assistant. "Find out what the old madam of the Sheng family has been doing abroad recently."
When the news of Shi Xin Xin and Sheng Chen Jin's engagement spread throughout A City, the entire city was in an uproar.
Such a significant event as Sheng Chen Jin's engagement was not even announced to the media.
Shi Xin Xin was also a little puzzled.
Didn't he worry that she would run away?
Shi Xin Xin felt that given Sheng Chen Jin's personality, he should be keeping a very close eye on her, not allowing her to escape.
"Miss, aren't you going to the company today?" Steward Wang asked Shi Xin Xin in a low voice.
Shi Xin Xin nodded. "Yes."
Steward Wang hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. He knew the young master wasn't going to the company today, but... for such a bombshell news, how could the young master not make an announcement?
Shi Xin Xin noticed Steward Wang's dilemma and smiled. "Uncle Wang, I know your concerns. Don't worry, I'll consider it carefully."
Steward Wang nodded and withdrew.
Shi Xin Xin checked the time. It was still nine in the morning, and she had half an hour before she needed to be at the company.
She walked over to the sofa, picked up the remote control from the coffee table, and turned on the television.