Chapter 42

Fu Qingshan’s long fingers gently tapped the steering wheel, a slight smile curling at the corner of his lips, his laughter low and calm.

“Given our current relationship, I really am not afraid,” he said.

Qiao Xinyi adjusted her posture, turning half her body toward the driver’s seat. She smiled and looked at Fu Qingshan for several seconds before asking,

“Comrade Fu Qingshan, given our current relationship, what exactly is our relationship now?”

Qiao Xinyi touched her chin, surprised that Fu Qingshan had perfectly caught on to her little thoughts. But by asking this obvious question, she made Fu Qingshan glance back at her, then pull the car over to the roadside and decisively turn off the engine.

His expression turned serious.

“I am getting to know you with marriage as my goal. If we end up getting married, my money is your money. Use this money as you will.”

“If, in the end, we cannot marry due to uncontrollable reasons, I also believe that with your character, you would not fail to repay me.”

Although they had not known each other long, Fu Qingshan trusted Qiao Xinyi’s character deeply.

She was renting at the Li family’s place, who treated her well and often bought her food. Li Jun once said that Qiao Xinyi was especially unwilling to take advantage of others. If Li Jun’s mother bought something nice and invited Qiao Xinyi, the next day Qiao Xinyi would definitely buy something to bring back in return.

Even though Li Jun’s mother and sister repeatedly told Qiao Xinyi not to be so polite, she never once broke this habit.

Fu Qingshan also knew that after Qiao Xinyi returned to the provincial city, she had been thinking about buying local specialties to send to Chen Dachuan and the others.

Fu Qingshan spoke seriously, and Qiao Xinyi naturally stopped joking. She changed her tone and asked,

“What if in the end we don’t marry, and I still can’t pay you back?”

“This money isn’t urgent for me, so even if you can’t pay it back for years, it’s okay. It won’t affect my life,” he said.

“Besides, I don’t think you won’t be able to pay me back.”

Fu Qingshan continued, “Since I said I’d lend you the money, I won’t pressure you to repay it. Once your building is done, this money will just be like a year’s rent to you.”

Just as Qiao Xinyi was about to speak, Fu Qingshan went on.

“I’m an adult, and everything I do is carefully considered. This includes lending you money, and also includes my desire to date you.”

Actually, when they were still in the county town, Fu Qingshan had already sensed Qiao Xinyi’s little feelings for him—not because he was especially perceptive, but because Qiao Xinyi didn’t hide it at all.

If he didn’t have any interest or intention to get to know her better, Fu Qingshan would have immediately distanced himself from this kind of situation.

If he had no such intention and still kept seeing this girl, it would only mislead her.

Obviously, Fu Qingshan was not that kind of person, nor did he have the time or energy to play such emotional games.

Fu Qingshan’s expression was very serious as he spoke. After he finished, his dark eyes quietly stared at Qiao Xinyi, waiting for her response.

Qiao Xinyi did not expect Fu Qingshan to be so straightforward, nor did she expect him to be this direct.

He was definitely not naive—he was as cunning as they come!

Because she pretended not to know, he simply laid his cards on the table and spoke openly.

Was he afraid she would suddenly back out? Or afraid she was playing him?

But Qiao Xinyi had to admit that the personal charm Fu Qingshan exuded at that moment was irresistibly attractive.

His gaze was so intense that Qiao Xinyi turned her face away and tactically rubbed the bald back of her head.

Fu Qingshan suddenly smiled, reached out, and patted the back of her head, then started the car and continued driving toward the Li family’s home.

Their conversation seemed to end there. He had made his position clear but didn’t pressure her for an answer.

Qiao Xinyi was quiet for a long time but kept sneaking glances at Fu Qingshan.

Seeing that he showed no sign of displeasure, only a slight smile on his lips, she wondered what he was smiling about.

Suddenly, Qiao Xinyi remembered something.

“Fu Qingshan, you’re not pressing me for an answer right now—could it be that you’re waiting for me to get my elementary school diploma?” Qiao Xinyi looked at Fu Qingshan carefully and said, “If I can’t get my elementary school diploma, is that one of those ‘uncontrollable factors’ you mentioned?”

Fu Qingshan was a soldier who had attended a formal military academy, and a young battalion commander with a bright future ahead. If she couldn’t get her elementary school diploma, and he married her, wouldn’t everyone laugh their heads off at him?

“If I had that thought, wouldn’t it be better for me to say nothing today and just wait until you get the diploma?” Fu Qingshan asked back with a smile.

“That’s true~” Qiao Xinyi nodded gently. It seemed Fu Qingshan really didn’t care whether she got her elementary school diploma or not.

Seeing Qiao Xinyi’s expression as if she was thinking something again, Fu Qingshan continued, “My wanting to date you has nothing to do with your educational background.”

“If you want to talk about that, now I’m interested,” Qiao Xinyi’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Why don’t you just be open and tell me—what does your wanting to date me have to do with?”

Her feelings for Fu Qingshan were based on his character and personality, not just a passing fancy based on looks. But it was impossible that Fu Qingshan was only attracted by appearances. After all, she had been looking in the mirror a lot these days, and she definitely didn’t look very girlish right now.

Fu Qingshan could casually lend her four thousand yuan, so it wasn’t because of her building. After all, the combined value of her two properties was less than four thousand yuan, and Fu Qingshan came from a much wealthier family—and he had a good job.

So she definitely wasn’t someone he picked based on weighing pros and cons.

Thinking this, Qiao Xinyi couldn’t help but grin and sighed in a somewhat silly way, “Pretty faces are all the same, but interesting souls are one in a million. Ah~ my captivating soul~”

Fu Qingshan clearly froze for a few seconds, then burst out laughing heartily.

No arguing—Qiao Xinyi was right.

After laughing, Fu Qingshan realized he liked this girl even more. She was really interesting.

“Fu Qingshan, you really have good taste~” Qiao Xinyi couldn’t help but brag.

“Mm.” Fu Qingshan suppressed a smile but responded seriously.

This time, Qiao Xinyi was happy. Happy, she brought the topic back to borrowing money.

“I’ll write you an IOU, and I’ll make a will too. If something happens to me, the rented building will be left to you to cover this debt.”

Not just the four thousand yuan debt, but also the emotional debt.

Qiao Xinyi hadn’t forgotten she had a mission. If she didn’t find the villain, she would be eliminated. If luck wasn’t on her side, and she died before the building was finished…

She prepared for the worst. If she died, her building would go to Fu Qingshan as compensation.

Qiao Xinyi prepared for the worst, but also for the best. Even though a few months later elimination was possible, she would still do what needed to be done now.

Like buying the building to become a landlord in the future.

Like deciding she wanted to take Fu Qingshan as her boyfriend.

If there’s someone to date, date them. No matter how brief the happiness, happiness must be for oneself.

If she died, no matter how long the grief lasted, the grief should be left to others.

That’s life—one has to be open-minded. Only shameless people can live freely. Only by living freely can life be said to have been truly lived.