Chapter 1097: Gu Yanqi's Confession

Ning Chen got out of the car, leaned against the front, and took out a cigarette to smoke.

Actually, Ning Chen hadn't smoked in a long time; at least he hadn't smoked despite the immense pressure over these years.

He knew cigarettes could make people relax, but he didn't want to; ultimately, one must force oneself sometimes.

He didn't know if it was because the person he loved was right beside him, but Ning Chen now felt an extraordinary urge to let loose just once.

The sense of emptiness brought by nicotine gradually invaded his brain, and his thoughts drifted within it.

Watching the smoke rise into the half-air and then dissipate, Ning Chen squinted slightly, looking at the azure sky; at this moment, the world was exceptionally quiet.

The people inside the motorhome watched Ning Chen smoking outside, and everyone felt a strange unease in their hearts.

These past days, Ning Chen had been far too tired; he could be said to have been dragging and pulling them along the whole time.

After finishing the cigarette, Ning Chen returned to the motorhome, intending to decide what to do next.

And as soon as he got on the motorhome, Lin Yi came over to ask about his well-being.

"Brother Ning, Brother Ning, are you tired? Let me massage your shoulders."

"Brother Ning, are you thirsty?"

"Brother Ning, what do you want to eat today?"

Ning Chen sat on the sofa, looking at Lin Yi's ingratiating expression in front of him.

"Speak up, what trouble have you gotten into?"

Lin Yi, who still wanted to say something, was suddenly choked up by Ning Chen; he looked at Ning Chen in disbelief. What? Did this mean he had gotten into trouble?

"Brother Ning, how did I get into trouble! I'm just caring about you, caring about you!"

Hearing this, Ning Chen looked suspiciously at Facing Huo Jinglin, his eyes seeming to say: Did he really not get into trouble?

Seeing the meaning Ning Chen wanted to express, Facing Huo Jinglin shook his head at him, indicating that Lin Yi indeed hadn't gotten into trouble.

Now, Ning Chen felt somewhat relieved, but he still refused Lin Yi's sudden attentiveness.

Rejected, Lin Yi looked at Ning Chen with a resentful expression. What is all this about?

He gathered everyone together, and Ning Chen told them he planned to circle the outer ring again tomorrow morning; if the situation remained the same, they would go check the middle of the forest.

After speaking, Ning Chen dismissed everyone, telling them to go back and rest well while waiting for tomorrow's action.

Returning to the driver's seat, Xiao Han was not there; Ning Chen looked back and saw Xiao Han sitting on the sofa reading a book.

Seeing this, Ning Chen didn't say anything.

Just as he was dozing off, he suddenly felt as if someone had covered him with a blanket.

Opening his eyes, he happened to lock gazes with Gu Yanqi, who was leaning close to him.

Gu Yanqi hurriedly stood up, her eyes daring not to look at Ning Chen, and her hands fidgeting together.

"Ning, Brother Ning, I, I saw you, just, I was afraid you'd catch a cold, so I brought you a blanket."

Gu Yanqi stammered, finally finishing explaining one sentence.

Seeing Gu Yanqi's flushed face, her panicked expression, and her stammering words, Ning Chen suddenly let out a light laugh.

This kind of Gu Yanqi, although Ning Chen had seen many times, always felt cute to him.

Moreover, in this moment, Ning Chen suddenly felt that everything seemed unchanged; she was still her, and he was still him, and they hadn't experienced so many things.

Thoughts numbered in the thousands, yet in reality, only one second passed.

Seeing Ning Chen laugh, Gu Yanqi gradually calmed down; she sighed slightly in relief. To be honest, she really didn't want Ning Chen to carry too much burden.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Yanqi looked at Ning Chen firmly and said, "Brother Ning, I think you shouldn't have so much pressure, and you shouldn't carry everything on your own."

In Ning Chen's slightly surprised gaze, Gu Yanqi continued, "Brother Ning, you still have me; we, we can help you. We are a team, so I also hope you can rely on us more."

All along, they had habitually relied on Ning Chen and habitually let Ning Chen solve all the problems.

Just now, when they saw Ning Chen smoking to relieve his sorrow, they were awakened; Ning Chen is human, not a god. He is indeed the leader of the team, but that doesn't mean he is the answer to every problem.

No matter what the matter is, they must struggle together.

Looking at Gu Yanqi's determined eyes, Ning Chen's heart softened.

He understood this was not just Gu Yanqi's own meaning, but also Lin Yi's and Facing Huo Jinglin's.

To be honest, how incredibly lucky he was to have the person he loved and brothers who silently supported him.

The gloom seemed to vanish completely; Ning Chen understood that no matter what lay ahead, there would always be people behind him guarding him.

"Mm, I know."

Ning Chen's response undoubtedly gave Gu Yanqi great encouragement; she gathered her courage and continued speaking.

"Brother Ning, I, I also want to say, can I get closer to you and take care of you?"

This sentence was already very direct; although not a confession, it was only one layer of paper away.

After saying this, Gu Yanqi didn't even dare to look at Ning Chen; she didn't dare to look into the other's eyes, nor did she dare to know what the other was thinking.

Suddenly, Gu Yanqi felt some regret. Why did she suddenly say these words?

If, if Brother Ning is unwilling, then everything before would have been in vain.

Gu Yanqi already imagined the scene where Ning Chen rejected her and avoided her afterwards.

How could she be so impatient?

Regret, unwillingness, fear, and various other emotions appeared on Gu Yanqi's face.

Ning Chen looked at Gu Yanqi in front of him; his feeling was mostly shock, and also joy.

Actually, he didn't think that Si Shiya, who had lost her memory, could fall in love with him again; after all, he was taciturn and had no interest at all.

After spending so many days together, Ning Chen even thought that Gu Yanqi might prefer the type like Lin Yi.

After all, they got along very well, didn't they?

Ning Chen had already seen the scene of Lin Yi and Gu Yanqi talking alone together more than once.

One is cheerful and lively, the other is charming and beautiful; no matter how you look at it, they are a perfect match.

Ning Chen felt very uncomfortable, but he did not stop her, because he knew Shiya had lost her memory; now she was Gu Yanqi. He could not restrict Gu Yanqi's thoughts; that would be unfair to her.

"You... do you mean it sincerely?" Ning Chen spoke, his voice even somewhat hoarse.

The imagined rejection did not come; instead, he was asked a question. Gu Yanqi raised her head and looked at Ning Chen.

She was somewhat surprised. What did she see? Too many emotions were revealed in Ning Chen's eyes: expectation, delight, nostalgia, and love.

Any one of these emotions alone could make her heart beat wildly.

Under such a gaze, how could she possibly say anything against her own heart!

"Brother Ning, what I say is my true heart in every word. I like you very much. From the moment I first saw you, my heart has been beating. Whether as a substitute or anything else, I can accept it. So, can you look at me? Let me, let me stay by your side."