Chapter 272: Successful Breakthrough!
Zhao Dong stroked Jiang Nianyu's soft hair and looked into her eyes. "Do you think I love you?"
Jiang Nianyu smiled and snuggled into his arms. Looking into his eyes, she said softly, "Zhao Dong, I understand. We really haven't known each other for long—just a few months. Besides, we haven't been in touch all that often. At most, I helped you a few times, and you helped me. So," she continued, "I know you're just fond of me at best. It's still a long way from love."
Zhao Dong was silent. He didn't want to lie to her. Before tonight, he had truly seen her as just a good friend, never imagining any kind of romantic entanglement.
"Zhao Dong, you're a good man. At least you didn't lie to me or insincerely say you loved me. But... starting tonight, I am your woman. And starting tonight, you must love me," Jiang Nianyu said, looking into his eyes.
A strange feeling crept into Zhao Dong's heart. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered, "Nianyu, I don't want to lie to you. Before this, I was honestly just fond of you. It was a long way from love."
"But from this moment on... you are my woman. You are in my heart now... and I will do my best to love you."
Jiang Nianyu's body trembled and her eyes reddened slightly. She buried her head in his chest and said in a hoarse voice, "Zhao Dong... thank you. I'll love you with all I have, too. I believe our feelings will only grow deeper, because in this life... you're the only one for me."
Zhao Dong wanted to say something, but in the end, he just sighed softly.
Jiang Nianyu pursed her lips. Looking at him with her eyes welling up, she smiled. "What are you sighing about?"
Zhao Dong scratched his head, unsure what to say, but she just smiled faintly. "I know what you're thinking," she said. "You're thinking about the other women in your life, and how you can't promise to love only me. Am I right?"
Zhao Dong gave a wry smile. "How do you know everything I'm thinking?"
"Because I understand you..."
Jiang Nianyu snuggled closer in his embrace, hugging him tightly. She pressed her bare body firmly against his and whispered, "I know there are other women by your side. Women like Lin Qingyun, Xu Yafei, Song Qingwan, or even Han Chuxue... I know about all of them."
Zhao Dong coughed dryly, a wry smile on his face. "How do you know all of that?"
Jiang Nianyu gave a soft, silent laugh. "Honestly, I'm used to this sort of thing, and I'm sure Lin Qingyun is, too. In prominent families like ours, every man has countless admirers. Even if a man is determined to stay true to his heart, women will still throw themselves at him. One or two might be manageable, and for a day or two it might be fine... but you can't hold out when there are so many!"
Jiang Nianyu smiled. "I'm not going to use love to tie you down or force you to love only me," she said softly. "I just want you to always remember me, to keep me in your heart, and to always cherish and love me. Because I'm your woman, too. Understand?"
A wave of profound emotion and warmth washed over Zhao Dong's heart, and he held her tightly in his arms.
An intangible affection grew between them. Before they knew it, their body temperatures began to rise. Jiang Nianyu's breathing grew ragged and quick. Feeling the captivating woman in his arms, Zhao Dong felt a fire ignite within him.
"Zhao Dong..."
Jiang Nianyu's low murmur reached his ears.
"Hmm?"
There was no verbal answer. The next second, a tremor ran through Zhao Dong's body as her crimson lips brushed against his ear. She exhaled a puff of warm air, her lips grazing his earlobe.
Zhao Dong swallowed hard, his gaze falling upon the crystal-clear beauty before him...