Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Upon hearing this, Qiao Lian immediately shook her head in rejection. “There’s no need.”
Then, she turned to walk away.
However, Sun Linan tugged at her. “Qiao Lian, why not? I promise I will not interfere. Furthermore, I will transfer the team to you.”
Qiao Lian frowned. “One doesn’t deserve a reward for not having done any work. Why should I take anything from you?”
Sun Linan continued to look at her. “Because whatever belongs to me belongs to you. Why should we draw such clear lines between us?!”
“Why not?”
Still looking at her. “Why are you being so serious now? How much is the team worth—”
Before he could even finish his sentence, he saw that Qiao Lian’s expression had clouded over.
In an icy tone, she said, “First, to the Qiao Lian you knew long ago, the team indeed would not be worth much. But today, this Qiao Lian does not have that sort of money.”
Sun Linan immediately realized what he had said and that his words had probably hurt her. He said immediately, “Qiao Lian, I don’t mean that. I—”
“Secondly, if you gave me the team, what do I have in return for you?”
“I don’t need anything in return. I never wanted anything from you,” Sun Linan quickly swore.
Qiao Lian shook her head. “But you must have a reason for gifting me something.”
Sun Linan’s lips went dry with nervousness. “I- I only want to be good to you, I want to make you happy. And I don’t wish you to suffer hardships.”
It was simple and straightforward.
Qiao Lian was stunned by his words.
She reflected on these words for a while and she finally understood what they meant. She paused for a bit. “Sun Tzi, is it because you like me?”
Such an awkward and narcissistic remark. If she had said this in the past, Sun Linan would have given her an arrogant look. But right now, he held a troubled expression for a moment and said, “Yes, I like you.”
After he had said that, he quickly added before Qiao Lian could interrupt him, “Please don’t misunderstand, I had never thought of demanding anything from you. I only- only remember that you were Qiao Family’s pampered little mistress, and you would get whatever you desired. In Suzhou, you lived like a princess. But today, you have to bend to other people and even be subservient… and I feel bad for you!”
Qiao Lian’s heart softened when he said these words.
But he had only seen her hardships as a reporter. He didn’t understand that being subservient, being subordinate, was just a part and parcel of an ordinary life.
Unconsciously, her tone softened. “Sun Tzi, one does things according to their status. I’m now a person with nothing, and so I have to start from scratch. I don’t think I’m suffering hardships. But I thank you for your good intentions.”
Sun Linan sighed to hear her say these words. “I don’t understand the camaraderie you have in your team, but I saw you with them just then. Is it because you have a close relationship with them that you are reluctant to leave? Then how about you give your team’s boss’ number, I will buy it from him at a high price! Then, I’ll gift you the club and let you have the absolute say. How about that?”
Qiao Lian shook her head. “There is no need for you to do this.”
However, Sun Linan took a step towards her and held her hand. “Qiao Lian, eight years ago, when your family was in trouble, I was overseas on a holiday. I wasn’t there to help you. Let me help you now.”
Qiao Lian was about to speak, when a familiar deep voice suddenly came from not too far away, “There no need.”
Qiao Lian and Sun Linan froze and turned around sharply. They saw Shen Liangchuan standing quietly on the side, they had no idea how long he had been there.