The Young Miss Refuse To Love
Chapter 75: Can I like you?

Chapter 75: Can I like you?

Qi Jianyi said nothing, her gaze fixed on him as a flurry of thoughts swirled through her mind. Why did this man always seem to say things that, without warning, stirred something deep within her? It was as if he knew just how to reach the parts of her heart she’d buried away, even when he didn’t intend to.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Have you finally grown to like me?" Song Chengfeng teased, a mischievous glint in his eye as he leaned in, closing the distance between them.

They were so close now that she could feel the warmth of his breath, barely an inch separating their lips. Yet, Qi Jianyi didn’t flinch, nor did she move away. Her eyes stayed locked on his, searching for an answer she wasn’t sure she even wanted to find.

Song Chengfeng’s gaze held hers, unwavering and open, the deep black of his eyes no longer veiling his emotions but letting them show. It was rare for him to look this vulnerable, a contrast to the playful façade he usually wore.

A question, unbidden, surfaced in her mind as she studied him. Did he really mean to like her? Or was it the original Qi Jianyi he was supposed to fall in love with?

The moment hung between them, heavy with unsaid words and hidden truths, as if time itself were holding its breath.

"Can I like you?" she whispered breathlessly, her eyes still locked on his. The words barely escaped her lips, trembling with uncertainty.

Unbeknownst to Qi Jianyi, her seemingly simple question caught Song Chengfeng off guard. It was as if a torrent of emotions surged through his mind, leaving him momentarily stunned and at a loss for words.

’Can I like you while knowing I want to leave this world? Can I like you without being sure I’m ready to be loved? Can I like you knowing that giving you hope might only lead to pain in the future?’ Those were the unspoken questions swirling in her head, weighing heavily on her heart.

Yet, despite the turmoil within her, Qi Jianyi could only articulate those four words.

"If you’re hesitating, then don’t like me, Qi Jianyi," Song Chengfeng replied, his voice steady as he regained his composure.

"I want your love, not charity." His gaze fell, intensity softening as he continued, "I can wait for you to genuinely like me. So, don’t force yourself. I’ll put in the effort to chase you. Please, don’t accept me out of pity."

"Don’t overthink it," Song Chengfeng said with a reassuring smile, gently flicking her forehead to draw her out of her spiraling thoughts. "Just let it be. You’ll grow to like me if we’re really meant to be together."

"But what if we’re not meant to be?" Qi Jianyi retorted, rubbing her forehead where he had touched, irritation lacing her voice.

"Then I’ll make sure we are," he replied casually, leaning back with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

Not meant to be together? Huh! That was a laugh! He was determined to forge their destiny together, no matter the obstacles.

"How do you plan to do that?" Qi Jianyi asked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she regarded his reckless claim.

Flashing a playful smirk, he replied, "I’ll take you to get the marriage certificate with me."

"And what makes our esteemed Young Master Song so confident that I would agree to accompany you to get said certificate?" She leaned in closer, her voice low and teasing. Her boldness struck him as flirtatious, causing a rush of warmth to flood his cheeks as her heated gaze bore into him.

"You haven’t told me yet," Song Chengfeng said, swallowing hard as he gently guided the conversation back to their earlier topic. "What caught your eye to come into this place in the first place?"

Raising an eyebrow, Qi Jianyi couldn’t help but smirk. ’Ah, even the young master Song knows how to be shy?’

"I came here with a purpose," she replied, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "I’m seeking inspiration for my writing."

"Did you find your inspiration then?" he asked, curiosity piquing in his tone.

Turning her gaze to her two brothers, who were happily engrossed in conversation with others, Qi Jianyi nodded. "I did."

"Then when can I read this masterpiece of yours?" Song Chengfeng blurted out, his eyes following hers as he watched the twins laugh innocently.

Qi Jianyi turned back to him with a playful grin, feeling an unexpected sense of comfort in his presence. With him, she could be herself—not the original Qi Jianyi, but her own version.

"Soon. I’m almost finished writing it. Young Master Song, you’ll soon be my first reader." She halted at the last moment, refraining from adding ’in this world’.

"And it is my honour to be your first reader, Miss Qi," he replied, mimicking her tone as he teased her back.

If his comrades could see him like this, they would probably faint from shock. The cold and ruthless General Song was capable of drawing out such a playful smile?

"Trust me, Chengfeng, you won’t be disappointed," Qi Jianyi said confidently, a proud smile on her face.

She believed in herself because, once, her novels had been popular and well-received. She still held onto that bit of credibility.

But in this moment, Qi Jianyi underestimated Song Chengfeng’s faith in her. He had never doubted her abilities—not once. Watching her now, as her face lit up with that familiar glimmer of ambition and determination, a subtle smile played at the corners of his lips. Seeing her so confident and excited made him believe in her even more.

Song Chengfeng, a dull man who usually didn’t care about books or stories, suddenly felt a spark of interest. He wanted to be her first reader, no matter how long it took for her to finish.

"I’ll wait for it, then," he said quietly.

Qi Jianyi glanced at him for a moment, then turned to her younger brothers, Qi Jinli and Qi Jinlu, who seemed to have forgotten why they were at the race event in the first place.

She could see Qi Jinli tugging on Qi Jinlu’s sleeve, clearly signaling his brother to stop talking. That’s probably the downside of having an extrovert twin brother. They always talk too much.

"Jinlu, sister is watching you," Qi Jinli whispered into his brother’s ear, casting a quick glance at Qi Jianyi. Her sharp gaze was unmistakable, and Qi Jinli seized the opportunity, tugging his twin away from the group.

Qi Jinlu, still caught up in his conversation with his new friends, followed his brother’s warning glance to meet their sister’s eyes. The look on Qi Jianyi’s face—a blend of scrutiny and silent questioning—made him freeze. He quickly covered his unease with a wide grin and walked back to his seat, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Am I really that intimidating?" Qi Jianyi murmured as she turned to Song Chengfeng, half-joking but genuinely curious.

Song Chengfeng’s eyes locked on her, intense and unwavering. Instead of answering, he leaned closer and said softly, "You’re beautiful."

She rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment at his unexpected romantic comment. "I’m being serious."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face before he nodded. "It’s normal to be a little scared of the oldest sibling," he said, shifting to a more thoughtful tone as he caught her irritated expression.

Her brow arched as she challenged him. "And how would you know that? You’re an only child."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "My dad has an older sister, and he’s always been a bit afraid of her," he replied, a glimmer of teasing in his voice.

"General Song? Afraid of his own sister?" Qi Jianyi laughed at the absurd thought of the stoic man being cowed by a sibling. The image was too unexpected, too amusing.

Song Chengfeng shrugged, raising an eyebrow. "Why not? A general is still human. Titles are just labels—recognitions of what you’ve achieved in the military."

Her smile faded as she studied him. "Young Master Song, you’re a general too. Don’t discredit yourself like that," she said, her tone firm.

How could he dismiss something earned with so much sacrifice? She knew he had overcome countless obstacles to rise to his rank, each step marked by dedication and hard work.

He looked down, his expression clouded as a shadow passed over his eyes, there and gone in an instant.

"What’s the use of it all?" he muttered, the question slipping out with the weight of a buried memory.

Qi Jianyi noticed the shift, the sudden heaviness in his voice. She stayed silent, sensing the boundary of unspoken pain she didn’t want to cross.

"Why don’t you ask?" Song Chengfeng said quietly, eyes drifting to the racing track just as the event began.

Qi Jianyi lowered her gaze, a faint, wistful smile touching her lips. "Because I know everyone has secrets they’d rather keep hidden," she said. Just like I don’t want you to know the truth about who I really am.

"If you ask, I’ll tell you," he whispered, his voice carrying a note of vulnerability.

The tone made her laugh softly. "One day," she promised, turning to meet his eyes. "One day, I’ll ask."

"Then, I’ll wait for that day," Song Chengfeng said, his voice steady but laced with something deeper.