Chapter 16: Pursuing You Is My Personal Choice

Ruan Liuzheng was slightly stunned.

She wasn’t naive. She had already felt a vague premonition yesterday at the hospital.

But it seemed too unbelievable, so she dismissed that fleeting thought as nothing.

After all, they had only met three times. Apart from knowing each other’s names, they knew almost nothing else.

How could he possibly…

Even now, Ruan Liuzheng still found it absurd.

She pressed her lips together and asked,
“Why? Mr. Xie, I’ve always thought of you as a rational person. What Chengcheng said was just childish nonsense—it shouldn’t be taken seriously.”

“I know.”

Xie Qingcen nodded with a smile.
“But pursuing you is my personal decision. It has nothing to do with anyone else. From the very first time I saw you, I knew.”

Only she could match him—only she was worthy to stand by his side.

Staring at the warm smile in his eyes, Ruan Liuzheng felt uncomfortable.

To be honest, she was no stranger to suitors—and she was never short of reasons to reject them.

But no one had ever pursued her so directly.

He was so straightforward—it made it difficult to handle.

She took a deep breath and said,
“From yesterday until now, I doubt we’ve spent even 24 hours together. Mr. Xie, don’t you think you’re being a little impulsive?”

“I trust my instincts, and I trust my judgment of people.”

Xie Qingcen raised his eyes, his pitch-black gaze locking onto Ruan Liuzheng like a hunter locking onto his prey.
“Don’t let it bother you. I’m just letting you know. Whatever your answer is, it won’t change my decision.”

Ruan Liuzheng opened her mouth, but couldn’t find anything to say.

Her temples throbbed with pain.

He had completely cut off her escape route.

After a long pause, she sighed and said,
“You probably heard it yesterday already. Things between me and Chengcheng’s father ended badly. But do you know how long we were together?”

She glanced briefly at Xie Qingcen, her eyes calm.

“We were together for nine years. We knew each other, committed to each other, and loved each other. But in the end, we still couldn’t withstand the test of time. I loved him for nine years, yet we never even had the most basic trust between us.”

“Xie Qingcen, nothing in this world is absolute. If nine years couldn’t guarantee anything, how can two short days?”

Xie Qingcen frowned, visibly displeased.
“Then how can you be sure I’m the same as him? Are you seriously comparing me to that scumbag?”

He clearly didn’t understand what she meant.

Ruan Liuzheng rubbed her temples in frustration.
“Yes, that’s my fault. I shouldn’t have compared you to him.”

“But to be honest with you—I’m not ready to start a new relationship. Right now, I just want to raise Chengcheng well. Please think this through carefully.”

With that, she stepped past Xie Qingcen and walked toward the entryway without looking back.

Building a relationship was exhausting. She didn’t have the energy, nor the courage, to touch love again.

At this point in her life, she only wanted to live well, earn money, and pursue her dreams.

As for everything else—she was done.

Xie Qingcen stared at her retreating figure, but showed no signs of anger at being rejected.

Because he had already anticipated her answer.

And he didn’t care about her refusal.

Whatever her attitude, he would continue his pursuit—it had nothing to do with her opinion.

In the end, he wouldn’t even give her the right to say “no”—because she could only belong to him.

Xie Qingcen lowered his eyes, the corners of his lips curving slightly.

In his deep black pupils shone a light of absolute determination.

—

After that day, Ruan Liuzheng started consciously avoiding Xie Qingcen.

Whether it was dropping Chengcheng off earlier in the morning or staying out a bit longer in the evening—it was all part of her escape strategy.

But in reality…

None of it worked.

Because she had a very helpful son.

“Daddy! What did you make today?”

At 7 AM, as usual, Ruan Liuzheng left home with her son—only to once again run into Xie Qingcen at the elevator.

He held a thermos lunch box in his hand, smiling warmly at them.

And before she could stop him, her son—who had just been standing beside her—had already darted up to Xie Qingcen like a little bunny, grinning brightly.

Ruan Liuzheng sighed and rubbed her forehead helplessly.

She didn’t know what tactics Xie Qingcen had used, but in less than a week, he had completely won her son’s heart and trust—even becoming his godfather.

That cold, proud little boy from the Beishan Villa was nowhere to be found.

She sighed again and walked over.

“Good morning. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Here—take this.”

Seeing her approach, Xie Qingcen straightened and handed her a sandwich from the lunch box.

Ruan Liuzheng looked down and pressed her lips together.

These days, Xie Qingcen had almost entirely taken over breakfast and dinner for both her and her son.

At first, she resisted.

But he was so persistent she had no choice.

His reasoning? She couldn’t argue with it.

Ruan Liuzheng closed her eyes briefly and slowly reached out to take the sandwich—but didn’t open the paper bag right away.

What a despicable man!

He had exploited her aversion to owing people. If she didn’t accept, he’d casually bring up saving her that day—or worse, follow her around all day under the excuse of “worrying about your stomach condition.”

For peace of mind, she could only endure it.

“Mommy, try it! Today’s sandwich is super yummy!”

Before Xie Qingcen could say anything, Fu Jingcheng was already urging her excitedly.

Little traitor!

Ruan Liuzheng gave her son a sharp look.
“I got it!”

Now he’s even using her son against her!

She was utterly defenseless.

“I’ll be home a bit late today, so I won’t have time to make dinner. Take Chengcheng out for something simple.”

Xie Qingcen smiled warmly as he spoke.

His tone was so natural and familiar—it felt like they were already a married couple.

Ruan Liuzheng paused in unwrapping the sandwich, frowning slightly.

She gave a soft “mm” in response.

Even though she was unhappy with his approach, she couldn’t bring herself to be cold toward him.

Because he never crossed the line.

His control of boundaries was unnervingly precise.

Which made it… all the more frustrating.

—

Fu Group Headquarters

After a full morning of meetings, Fu Yanci stepped out of his office and received a call from the family estate.

The family gathering had been moved up—it would be tonight.

The old man was unpredictable as ever.

Frowning, Fu Yanci hung up the phone.

Suddenly, he realized—he hadn’t heard from Ruan Liuzheng in days.

He paused, turned to his assistant Jiang Ze, and asked,
“Has Ruan Liuzheng contacted you recently?”