Chapter 1400 - 1397: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Chapter 1400: Chapter 1397: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Zi Ruoxi looked at him, pursing her lips slightly.

"There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Even if someone is struggling with this and wants to see you, if you offer a free service, it might scare them away. The idea of paying for a consultation is just how it works." Zi Ruoxi said with a smile, "It’s all very commercial nowadays! The freer it is, the less professional people think you are. Even if you have a USA certificate, they might suspect it’s a knockoff. The pricier it is, the more prestigious it seems. Business will get better. Once your brand gets recognized, it’ll be extraordinary. Ha ha ha..."

Qiao Muyun couldn’t help but be impressed by Zi Ruoxi’s reasoning. People who have run a company and been a boss speak differently indeed. It seems that reading more books and having more ink in the belly really does make the mind sharper.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Zi Ruoxi, do you think I’m like you? Always talking about brands. Oh. Your Brother Qiao Muyun is poor! Not only is his pocket poor, but even here..." Qiao Muyun joked self-deprecatingly, pointing to his head. To be honest, he can’t compare with Brother Qiao Junlie; they’re just in different leagues. Although he was at Caesar Fei Manor by the age of ten, unfortunately, he didn’t study well despite having the opportunity. He didn’t know the preciousness of knowledge, and spent his childhood just wanting to play. He had a rebellious attitude towards studying, forgetting that lost time can’t be regained, and it’s too late to go back now.

Unlike Qiao Junlie, who was a genius from a young age, Zi Ruoxi was also talented, easily getting into prestigious schools. As they grew up, they became a couple with talent and beauty, and a respectable demeanor. He could only watch from the sidelines at best as a backup!

Zi Ruoxi listened to his gibberish while eating an apple. After she finished, she held the apple core in her hand, and Qiao Muyun reached out, palm facing up, smiling slightly at her. The meaning was clear. Zi Ruoxi obediently placed the core in his palm. A small gesture stirred her heart. Brother Qiao Muyun, he truly is thoughtful...

As Qiao Muyun got up to throw away the apple core, she watched his tall and strong back. Zi Ruoxi couldn’t hold back anymore, as she had already decided. Since today’s conversation veered onto this topic, she might as well speak openly.

"Brother Qiao Muyun, do you think the name ’Zi Ruoxi’ is valuable?" Zi Ruoxi asked at Cundu Gully.

Qiao Muyun turned his face back in surprise.

"Why are you asking this?" Although Qiao Muyun was perplexed about her intent, he felt a vague unease.

Zi Ruoxi’s eyes flickered slightly, she nodded thoughtfully, and then calmly expressed her feelings, "I won’t use this name anymore in the future, it’s just representative of the past. I don’t want this name to affect my life going forward."

Qiao Muyun listened but didn’t comment. Silence, silence is golden. He knew that what she said the day she fell into the water wasn’t a joke or impulsive. What should he do? Or should he tell Qiao Junlie...

"Brother Qiao Muyun, when are we leaving here?" Zi Ruoxi asked cautiously, her eyes unwavering.

Qiao Muyun paused for thought. The words she said that day. Thus, when she brought it up again, it didn’t feel sudden, but it still left him at a loss for words. He really hadn’t figured it out.

Seeing Qiao Muyun hesitate for a long time without speaking, Zi Ruoxi’s eyes darkened.

"I’m sorry, I was too presumptuous and didn’t consider your wishes." Zi Ruoxi said, turning away, and sighed softly, "To you, you grew up here, you’re so familiar with this place, you have feelings for every tree and plant, you have many relatives here, you must be reluctant to leave them... Besides, outside, everything won’t be as stable as it is now... So, you don’t want to leave... and don’t want to take me away!" Her sadness subtly transformed the "okay" tone of her sentence into an exclamation mark. But just as those words fell into silence, Qiao Muyun picked them up.

He didn’t know why, but upon hearing her saddened tone, he couldn’t bear to disappoint her.

"It’s not that, Zi Ruoxi." Qiao Muyun quickly denied it. At this point, one could say he was momentarily spellbound.

Clearly, Zi Ruoxi glanced over to him, her eyes flickering, reignited with hope. She knew he wouldn’t be that cruel.

"..." Her big eyes were full of anticipation, listening to his response.

Qiao Muyun pondered at Cundu Gully. He spoke. Bracing himself, he continued.

"You know, if we really intend to leave, we need to make preparations. Moreover..." Qiao Muyun paused, gradually moving closer to Zi Ruoxi, sitting on her bed, softly but seriously saying, "If you follow me in the future, rushing around, I’m afraid..." He knew what she was about to say, and just grasped her hand firmly, so she indeed didn’t say anything, just waiting quietly for him to continue. Qiao Muyun quirked his lips slightly, slowly saying, "I’m afraid I won’t be able to take good care of you, and you’ll resent me."

In Zi Ruoxi’s wide brown eyes, there was a slight pause.

"Will you not be able to take good care of me?" Zi Ruoxi asked with a smile, very cleverly.

Resolute. Perhaps, subconsciously that’s the truth.

"No." Qiao Muyun affirmed again. He answered very muddledly. Even his own feelings were a bit chaotic.

"Then that’s settled." Zi Ruoxi smiled again and said.

"..." Qiao Muyun was speechless. After a long time, he finally blurted a word from the corner of his mouth, "Uh!"

As if reluctantly, yet also a certain answer. Against Zi Ruoxi, he could only admit defeat.

In this round, he lost again, wholeheartedly convinced, though if it were merely about verbal sparring, it wouldn’t matter much; as a man, he wouldn’t strive for a fleeting moment of verbal victory, and indulging her a bit was also reasonable. What worried him was another aspect, agreeing to Zi Ruoxi...

Oh, how could he agree to her? If he breaks his promise later... wouldn’t that be unmanly...

In his heart, choosing between family and love, if the feelings aren’t mutual, he’d rather choose the former than risk the latter. Furthermore, he witnessed her with Brother Qiao Junlie, she loves Qiao Junlie... When he left, the pain and tears in her eyes couldn’t deceive.

If he took her away, it would just be taking her physical presence, not her heart.

Her heart would still stay here, stay with Brother Qiao. If that’s the case, why not give Brother Qiao Junlie some time, give each other some space, an opportunity?

Thinking about it, Qiao Muyun indeed wanted to help them fulfill their wishes.

After all, two people in love being together is the happiest thing.