Chapter 993: Cannot Help But Like You

As soon as these words were spoken, Cai Xiaotang instantly pressed her lips together even tighter.

Seeing this, Li Xiao couldn't help but chuckle softly, then sighed helplessly before continuing to speak.

"Have you ever thought about it? If it were me who had been kidnapped that day, and the other party asked you to come and trade places, would you agree without the slightest hesitation?"

"I..."

Cai Xiaotang paused abruptly; the words of agreement were almost on the tip of her tongue, and she didn't need to think at all.

But...

"Li Xiao, you said my hypothesis doesn't hold water at all, but aren't you the same right now? Who could possibly capture you and then use you to threaten me?

It's simply impossible, so the only one who could get hurt is..."

"So what if that's the case? I believe you already have the answer in your heart just now; at the very least, our feelings of considering each other are the same, aren't they?"

Li Xiao interrupted Cai Xiaotang again, saying this while kissing her again like a "punishment," his tone shifting as he did so.

"Besides, do you really think everything would be fine just because you ran away?"

He reached out his finger and tapped Cai Xiaotang on the forehead.

"What your status is right now doesn't matter at all. What matters is that anyone who wants to move against me knows that you are my Achilles' heel, the person I love, the person I care about, and even more so, my fatal weakness. If you don't want to be targeted and affect me, there is only one way, and that is... for me to stop loving you. But I'm sorry, I can't do that."

He spoke bluntly, his eyes full of unmasked, fervent emotion.

Cai Xiaotang, however, was suddenly stunned; in a daze, it was as if she had been enlightened, yet it also seemed she hadn't understood at all.

Seeing that she still had a bewildered look on her face, Li Xiao had no choice but to continue.

"If you still insist on leaving, then as long as I still love you for one day, I won't give up on finding you. By then, besides being hunted by me, you might also be hunted by enemies who want to strike at me. Thinking about it this way, isn't it safer to stay by my side? Who told me I love you too much? Wanting me to give up is simply impossible."

"I..."

For a moment, Cai Xiaotang didn't know how to refute him, but her heart couldn't help but become sour and soft, as if it had been thoroughly drenched in the sweetest honey.

What Li Xiao said... seemed to be correct.

The reason those people wanted to cause trouble for her was all to threaten Li Xiao.

Because even they knew how much Li Xiao cared about her.

"Still haven't figured it out?"

Seeing that she still looked like she hadn't come back to her senses, Li Xiao simply spoke again.

"Cai Xiaotang, let me tell you, those people have always been targeting me. If I hadn't fallen in love with you, none of this would have happened. Remember, it's not you bringing me trouble, but me bringing you trouble. That's why I should protect you even more. Letting you get hurt is my dereliction of duty, so even if I had to trade my life for it, I wouldn't have any complaints!"

"When you confessed to me, you said you weren't afraid of anything. I'm telling you now, I'm the same as you—I'm not afraid of anything, only afraid that I haven't protected you well. But it's too late to say anything now; you're already tied to me. I must have you for the rest of my life, so... are you willing to stay and face everything in the future with me?"

His tone was firm, his words as serious and solemn as a marriage proposal.

Cai Xiaotang was completely stunned by what she heard.

"I..." She opened her mouth, and her heart couldn't help but begin to waver.

Li Xiao's expression couldn't help but become somewhat urgent.

He was afraid.

He was afraid that even like this, he still wouldn't be able to persuade this stubborn little pufferfish in front of him.

"Let me put it another way."

Li Xiao met Cai Xiaotang's eyes, his gaze sinking.

"You should understand that even without you, danger is unavoidable by my side. If I really died tomorrow, the day after, next week, or next month! Cai Xiaotang, would you regret not being with me before that happened?"

His words were like a heavy hammer smashing hard against Cai Xiaotang's heart.

She almost didn't dare to think about such a possibility; just thinking of the word "die" made her heart ache with every throb.

The answer to this question also hardly needed any thought.

She would.

She would definitely regret it.

In the quiet room, Cai Xiaotang's answer still did not ring out.

Instead, a soft sob sounded.

Cai Xiaotang looked pitifully at Li Xiao, seemingly frightened by his words just now; the tears that had finally stopped welled up again, pattering down along her eye sockets.

"Why are you crying again?"

Li Xiao was startled, hurriedly pulling her into his arms with a heart full of pity, and soothing her in a low voice.

"I was just making a hypothesis just now, don't take it seriously. Didn't I say it already? Linke can no longer stir up any trouble, and I will definitely protect you well and not let you be in any danger. As for other things, no one can predict them. I promise you, besides protecting you well, I will also protect myself, so... come home with me, okay?"

Li Xiao asked cautiously, just intending to add, "If you don't agree, I can only keep clinging to you," when he felt the person in his arms nod slightly.

"Xiao Tang? You agreed?"

Li Xiao was full of disbelief, almost doubting if he had just had an illusion.

The next second—he felt the person in his arms nod clearly once more.

A muffled apology followed.

"I'm sorry..."

Cai Xiaotang's voice sounded apologetic and aggrieved.

Li Xiao finally laughed, hurriedly lifting her face to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, returning to his usual "sharp-tongued" self.

"You can actually apologize? Alright, for the sake of you crying so pitifully, I'll accept the apology. Next time you have any thoughts, you must tell me, do you know?"

Cai Xiaotang pouted with red eyes.

Immediately, her lips were "maliciously" pinched by someone, instantly turning into a little duck.

"Still dare to pout? Look at you, you look heartless, but you have so many little thoughts. Having many is one thing, but you use them all on me? Did I owe you in my past life?"

Li Xiao was finally able to "educate" the person in front of him, his tail swaying and perking up.

Cai Xiaotang couldn't stand his smug look, and upon hearing this, she immediately regained her "fighting strength," promptly slapping his hand away in a huff.

Then, feeling that her behavior just now was truly too embarrassing, she deliberately changed the subject and said, "Alright! This matter is over! No one is allowed to bring it up again! I... I am going to get up!"

As Cai Xiaotang spoke, she immediately struggled, wanting to break free from his embrace.

It didn't matter until she moved.

Once she moved, she suddenly realized—the two of them were still not wearing any clothes!!!

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward for a moment.

The sensation of skin pressed against skin suddenly became incomparably clear again, leaving Cai Xiaotang unable to move or stay still.

Immediately after—a familiar voice fell into her ear.

"Since we've made up, shouldn't we... celebrate?"