His heart tightened suddenly, and he said unhappily, "You’re trying hard to repay, but what do you have to repay with? I’ve said it before, you only need to repay with your body! That’s what we agreed on back then. You stick by my side, and no matter what happens, you can’t leave even half a step. Without my permission, don’t even think of doing anything I don’t want to see!"

Seeing her cry so pitifully, he was on the verge of losing it. How did things come to this between them? Initially, he just wanted to treat her as a simple plaything. But after everything that happened, he started to change, even going so far as not wanting to hurt her anymore.

"Young Master, I don’t want to affect your future because of me." Thinking of Gu Ziqian’s words, they weren’t without reason. What he needed was someone who could help him career-wise, and she would only be a burden to him.

"Do you think a Xia Qingqian can influence my future? You’re overestimating yourself too much." He felt like he had heard an incredibly ridiculous joke, but then realized she was worried about him, and his anger dissipated quite a bit.

He cupped her cheek and softly asked, "What’s going on here? Tell me." He didn’t want her to suffer any grievances because of him. Only he had the right to bully her, no one else.

"I’m fine, thank you for your concern." Truly, the care and gentleness Beitang Yao showed at this moment, she knew they came genuinely from his heart, it couldn’t be faked. Yet, she didn’t want to trouble him. His work was already exhausting, and now he had to worry about her issues, which she couldn’t bear.

Moreover, was she to tell him it was Gu Ziqian who hit her? How could she ruin Gu Ziqian’s image in Beitang Yao’s eyes?

"Actually, the matter between Ziqian and me was the family’s decision, not mine." He leaned down to kiss her forehead, explaining.

Xia Qingqian shivered suddenly; she hadn’t expected Beitang Yao to tell her these things. Did it mean he had placed her in his heart? Otherwise, why would he explain his matters with Gu Ziqian to her?

This brought a sweet feeling to her heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by bitterness. People like them, coming from powerful families, all had their own lives, their specific marriages, and they valued social equality in alliances.

"Young Master, I know my status, I’ve always been clear about it. But rest assured, I’ve never had any improper thoughts about you, not before, not now, and I never will. I’m very grateful you bought me and helped me out of my urgent plight back then, really, Young Master." She cried, terrified of being misunderstood by others, especially him. She didn’t want him to see her as some greedy, insatiable woman. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

When she said she never had any improper thoughts towards him, his heart twinged! His eyes suddenly filled with loneliness—yes, how could she have feelings for him? Everything she had with him was not by choice; her heart belonged to Qiao Zhenyu.

"What on earth should I do with you?" His gaze grew distant, and he kissed her lips deeply, his hands wandering, caressing her chest softly, until a few delicate murmurs escaped from her lips, prompting him to intensify his movements.