209: Completely win over Gu Yingying

That day.

The carriage passed through a Peach Blossom Forest. It happened to be the season when the flowers were in bloom, and the petals were fluttering about, making it incredibly beautiful.

Cao Bu stopped the carriage and walked into the forest with Gu Yingying.

The petals fell on their hair and shoulders like snowflakes.

Gu Yingying looked at Cao Bu walking ahead of her. His tall and upright back made her unable to resist speaking: "Big Brother, thank you."

Cao Bu stopped, turned to look at her, his gaze deep: "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for coming to find me, and thank you for taking care of me during this time." Gu Yingying lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum: "And thank you for letting me see some people clearly."

Cao Bu took a few steps closer and reached out to gently brush away the petals from her hair.

His fingertips accidentally brushed against her ear, causing Gu Yingying to tremble all over.

"Silly girl, why are you being so polite with your Big Brother?"

"I said I wouldn't let anyone bully you again."

"Those words will always hold true."

Cao Bu's gaze was focused, as if she were the only person in his eyes.

Gu Yingying looked up and met his gaze. She felt her heart race, and the fluttering peach blossoms around them became nothing more than a background.

She knew that on this journey back, some things had already quietly changed.

Even if she didn't want to admit it, some things were already facts.

Cao Bu took in all of her reactions.

He reached out his hand, his smile incredibly gentle: "Let's go, Yingying. We're going home."

Gu Yingying looked at Cao Bu's outstretched hand but didn't place hers in it immediately.

As peach blossoms drifted down gently, she asked tentatively: "Big Brother, tell me... what exactly is love?"

A flash of understanding crossed Cao Bu's eyes.

He looked at the Peach Blossom Forest fluttering in the air, as if pondering a very profound question.

After a moment, he spoke in a low voice:

"Love?"

"The world always describes it as grand and passionate, unchanging until death."

"But in my view, love is more like an ultimate form of possession and protection."

He paused, turning his gaze back to Gu Yingying's face, locking onto her eyes.

"It's being unable to see her suffer even a little grievance; it's wanting to protect her in one's arms and block out all the wind and rain."

"Even if the methods aren't entirely honorable, even if one is misunderstood, as long as she can ultimately stay in the most rightful place, everything is worth it."

Gu Yingying's heart beat even faster.

What Big Brother said was exactly what she had felt during this period.

That feeling of being firmly controlled yet carefully protected made her heart race and, even more so, made her indulge in it.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson as she lowered her eyes, her voice tiny:

"Big Brother, I have a friend."

"She seems to have fallen in love with her own prospective brother-in-law."

"She knows it's wrong, but she can't control her heart."

"She feels sad when she sees her prospective brother-in-law being good to her sister; and when she sees him being good to her, her mind starts to wander."

"She's in a lot of pain and doesn't know what to do."

"Should I... should I advise her... to love him?"

She stared nervously at Cao Bu, her entire face growing redder.

There wasn't a trace of surprise or disdain on Cao Bu's face; instead, he showed a smile of understanding and encouragement.

He raised his other hand and gently stroked Gu Yingying's burning cheek.

"Silly girl, why be bound by the rules and conventions of the world?"

"Feelings themselves are neither right nor wrong."

"Since your heart is moved, why suppress it?"

"Life is short. If you don't even dare to face your own true heart, isn't that living too tiredly and too aggrievedly?"

He gazed into her eyes, enticing her word by word: "Tell that friend of yours that if she truly loves him, she shouldn't shrink back."

"The so-called prospective brother-in-law is just a title."

"As long as the feelings are mutual, why care about what others think?"

"Only by following your heart can you find true happiness."

"Follow your heart, find true happiness..." Gu Yingying murmured the words repeatedly. The confusion in her eyes slowly vanished, gradually replaced by a determined light.

Cao Bu's words had unlocked the final chains within her heart.

All her concerns and all her indecisiveness completely vanished at this moment.

She understood.

True love is selfish.

If she wanted it, she had to fight and grab for it, rather than run away.

Thinking of this, Gu Yingying really wanted to give herself two slaps.

Gu Yingying, you really are too stupid.

To actually try to use the foolish method of falling in love with someone else to escape your inner feelings—it was truly the height of stupidity.

Cao Bu saw the change in her expression and knew the timing was right. He reached out his hand gently once more: "Let's go, we—"

Before he could finish, Gu Yingying suddenly flung his hand away with force.

Under Cao Bu's stunned gaze, she abruptly took a step forward, pressing herself almost against him.

Gu Yingying tilted her head up. Her previous shyness had completely vanished, replaced by boldness and determination.

Her cheeks were flushed, and a burning fire blazed in her eyes as she shouted loudly:

"Cao Bu! I love you!"

This cry used up all of her courage, echoing through the quiet Peach Blossom Forest.

Cao Bu "froze" in place, looking at her with a complex expression.

However, before he could react, a light of burning bridges flashed in Gu Yingying's eyes.

Using all her strength, she suddenly gave Cao Bu a hard shove backward!

Caught off guard, Cao Bu stumbled back a few steps, his back slamming into a thick peach tree, shaking the branches and causing petals to cascade down.

In the next moment, Gu Yingying's warm, delicate body had already pressed up against him.

She stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his lips fiercely with a raw yet incredibly resolute force.

Petals fell upon their entwined figures, breaking the silence of the peach forest.

Cao Bu no longer restrained himself. He took the initiative, deepening this passionate kiss that Gu Yingying had started.

The peach blossoms continued to flutter, concealing the intimacy within the forest.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining everything from Gu Yingying. Inheritance degree increased by 5%, and you have gained 5 lottery chances.]

One hour later.

Deep within the peach forest.

Gu Yingying snuggled in Cao Bu's arms, her fingertips tracing gentle circles on his chest.

"Cao Bu, do you think my mother will agree to us being together?"

Cao Bu lightly stroked her smooth back, his tone certain: "Don't worry, your mother will definitely agree."

Gu Yingying suddenly looked up, a suspicious look on her face: "How can you be so sure?"

Cao Bu's eyes flickered; he felt a bit guilty inside.

How was he supposed to answer that?

At that moment, Gu Yingying spoke again: "Don't worry, I will definitely persuade my mother and get her to agree to our matter."

After a pause, she added: "If she doesn't agree, I'll threaten her with my own life."

Cao Bu quickly soothed her in a soft voice: "Don't overthink things. I believe Adoptive Mother will agree."

As he spoke, he patted her: "Let's go, it's time to head back."

Gu Yingying gave him a flirtatious, mock-annoyed look, her arms tightly hugging his neck: "It's all your fault. My legs are so weak I can't walk. Carry me back to the carriage."

The corners of Cao Bu's lips curled up slightly: "Alright, I'll carry you."

He leaned down and picked Gu Yingying up in a princess carry, walking toward the carriage.

Behind them.

The smear of bright red on the ground blended with the fallen peach blossoms, soon to be completely covered by the fluttering petals filling the air.

With a shout of "Jia!", the carriage gradually moved away, as if no one had ever been there...