In the private room.
Guan Mingxu looked at Song Qinian, who was heartbroken and crying silently, feeling extremely distressed.
He picked up a tissue to wipe away Song Qinian's tears, but Song Qinian took the tissue from his hand and gestured a "thank you" in sign language.
Seeing her distant and polite demeanor, Guan Mingxu suddenly grabbed Song Qinian's shoulders.
His usually refined and handsome face was full of unwillingness and indignation. "Little Niannian, you saw it just now. Shen Chiyan doesn't care about you at all. Why are you still staying by his side? Come with me, okay? I will definitely make you happy and won't let you shed a single tear."
Many things, even if others don't point them out, Song Qinian understood.
But understanding was one thing, and being able to do it was another.
Under Guan Mingxu's astonished gaze, Song Qinian wiped away her tears and gently pushed him away.
"Thank you for your love and affection, but I'm very sorry, I can't go with you."
"Why? Do you want to continue to suffer like this for a lifetime?"
Song Qinian shook her head, gesturing sadly, "A lifetime is too long. I can't predict what my future life will be like, so I only want to seize the day. I'm sorry, I can't reciprocate your feelings. Please stop liking me."
Song Qinian was so gentle and kind even when rejecting someone. Guan Mingxu's eyes turned red. He was unwilling, but didn't know what to do.
Why?
Why did Shen Chiyan meet her first!
Why didn't he meet her first!
"Little Niannian, if... I mean, if you had met me first, would you have fallen for me first?"
Song Qinian sighed softly, "There are no 'ifs' in this world, and I can't give you an answer to this question."
Guan Mingxu was deeply hurt. He never expected that Song Qinian wouldn't even try to coax him.
But he was still not resigned, and anxiously asked, "What about the future? Can I wait until the day you stop loving Shen Chiyan? Can I wait until the day you fall in love with me?"
Song Qinian didn't understand why Guan Mingxu was so persistent. Her love for Shen Chiyan alone was enough to leave her deeply wounded.
Moreover, since it was about the future, it was all an unknown. She didn't have the ability to predict the future, and didn't know what would happen.
But one thing she was very clear about was that even if she and Shen Chiyan divorced one day, she would not be with Guan Mingxu.
By then, she would probably be in tatters. If she got together with Guan Mingxu out of pity or a need for a haven, it would be too unfair to him.
"I'm sorry, there's no possibility between us."
Guan Mingxu's tears could no longer be held back, and they streamed down his face.
His first crush, his first confession, his first desire to pour his heart out to someone, only to be rejected so thoroughly.
He wasn't even left with a sliver of fantasy or hope.
Song Qinian was so gentle and kind to everyone, yet so cruel to him.
Seeing Guan Mingxu cry, Song Qinian felt very sad too. She didn't dare to look at his red, wounded eyes. She lowered her head and gestured with difficulty, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry..."
"Don't..."
Guan Mingxu's heart ached as if it would break, but he felt more heartache for Song Qinian.
"I liked you first, you just don't like me. You don't need to apologize."
Love is so unreasonable.
Song Qinian loved Shen Chiyan so much, yet couldn't get his love.
Guan Mingxu liked Song Qinian so much, yet was rejected by her.
If love were something that always went as one wished, there wouldn't be so many lovesick men and women in the world.
To avoid putting too much pressure on Song Qinian, Guan Mingxu chuckled, "It's okay, I'm not that heartbroken. It's just my first confession and I was rejected, so I'm a bit embarrassed."
Song Qinian didn't know how to comfort Guan Mingxu. Guan Mingxu, on the other hand, seemed to have let go. He reached out and patted Song Qinian's head, "So, can we still be friends in the future?"
If it were in the past, Song Qinian would definitely not be friends with someone who confessed to her. Firstly, she felt it was unnecessary, and secondly, she didn't want to make things awkward.
But Guan Mingxu was her savior, he had helped her so many times, and the Guan and Shen families had a good relationship. She couldn't completely cut ties with Guan Mingxu.
She could only hope that Guan Mingxu could truly let go of everything and find his own happiness.
Seeing Song Qinian nod, Guan Mingxu felt a slight relief, but his heart was still very heavy.
He clenched his fists, suppressing his reluctance and pretending to be at ease, "Alright, three minutes might have passed. Then... I'll be going first."
Guan Mingxu didn't wait for Song Qinian's reply, turned, and walked a few steps towards the door.
Then, he suddenly stopped, quickly turned back, rushed over, and hugged Song Qinian tightly.
He didn't know why he did it, he just really wanted to hug her.
Whether it was to mourn his love that had ended before it even began.
Or a hug of concern and blessing for her.
Or perhaps, to satisfy his selfish desire.
In any case, he felt that if he didn't hug her, he might never have the chance again, and he would definitely regret it.
This hug was not long, perhaps less than three seconds. Because by the time Song Qinian reacted, Guan Mingxu had already let go of her and run out of the private room.
Outside, Shen Keqin watched the minutes tick by, like an ant on a hot pan, pacing anxiously.
She hoped the three minutes would pass quickly so she could know Song Qinian's choice and the final outcome.
At the same time, she feared seeing the result. In short, her mood was very complicated.
Although Shen Chiyan was constantly looking out the window, Shen Keqin felt that his mood must also be very restless.
Within the short span of three minutes, her cousin, who wouldn't panic even if the sky fell, had already smoked three cigarettes.
The door suddenly opened. Shen Keqin's nerves tensed. Seeing Guan Mingxu come out alone, she instinctively looked behind him.
Song Qinian did not come out with Guan Mingxu.
Shen Keqin let out a heavy sigh of relief. From a selfish perspective, she still hoped Song Qinian would not leave Shen Chiyan.
Seeing Guan Mingxu's unusually grim expression, Shen Keqin was still worried about him, "Guanzi..."
Guan Mingxu looked coldly at Shen Chiyan. His eyes were red, but his gaze was fierce. "Shen Chiyan, you'd better cherish Little Niannian. If I see her hurt because of you again, I will not let you off! You won this time, but I didn't lose to you, I lost to Niannian's love for you."
Shen Chiyan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Since you know that the person she loves is me, you shouldn't be asking for trouble and trying to poach her."
"Then you'd better love her well, and don't give me an opportunity."
After Guan Mingxu finished speaking, he left. Seeing that Shen Chiyan's mood had clearly improved, Shen Keqin immediately went up to flatter him, "Brother, Sister-in-law's favorite man is indeed you. You mustn't let down Sister-in-law's heart."
Meeting Shen Chiyan's cold gaze, Shen Keqin said aggrievedly, "I truly know I was wrong. I'll never dare to do it again. I will resolutely uphold the Brother-Sister-in-law couple's banner. From now on, anyone who tries to poach you, I'll be the first to rush up and beat him!"