"But why?" I teased her with a smile.
"If he marries me without loving me, then he'll regret it sooner or later. I can't have him sacrifice his whole life to me because of debt!" Mai Qi said.
"Mai Qi, you're worth the sacrifice. Trust me!" I said affirmatively.
Mai Qi shook her head violently. "Love doesn't work like that. It's true that I love him. I've looked deep inside my heart. My love for him hasn't changed. However, that also means I want him to have true happiness and not be bogged down by debt! That will be very sad."
I placed my hand on her knee and smiled. "Silly girl, he's not going to marry you for debt." I looked into the pavilion and raised my voice. "Mr. Tong Le, can you please come out to explain yourself?"
Mai Qi tightened her grip on my hand, and her face turned pale and then red.
With one hand in his pocket, Mr. Tong Le walked over slowly. He coughed lightly. "Why aren't you with Jing Tian? Aren't you worried about that woman?"
I crossed my arm. "Speaking of that demonic woman, you are not allowed to plead for her mercy!"
Mr. Tong Le raised his hand in surrender. "Fine, I'll stay out of it."
I glanced at Mai Qi. "Girl, you shouldn't worry yourself too much. Even though my parents and grandparents are no longer around, it doesn't mean the Tong Family has no decision-maker anymore. I can officiate this wedding for you!"
Tong Le rubbed my head. "Shoo!"
I ran away giggling. "Mai Qi, I'm going to visit Jing Tian then!" I ran past the bushes and stopped. I crouched behind it. Tong Le stopped before Mai Qi, and Mai Qi tilted her head to one side. I sneaked past the bushes and hid behind the pavilion pillar.
Tong Le cleared his throat and said unnaturally, "I was busy settling everyone down, so I didn't come to see you right away."
Hah! Is this really the Tong Le I know?
Mai Qi nervously rubbed the corner of her shirt. "It's okay. I'm... I'm fine now."
Mr. Tong Le sat down on a stone bench. He didn't have to look down, and Mai Qi didn't have to look up. It saved their necks from strain.
Mai Qi's face turned redder, and her eyes turned away.
Tong Le thought about it and said, "I heard what you and Nanxing said earlier."
Oh, he's admitting to eavesdropping? What is he going for?
Mai Qi was embarrassed, but Tong Le was unfazed.
"Mai Qi, I heard from that Nanxing that you fell in love with me at first sight."
Tong Le, what are you doing? Are you trying to embarrass my girlfriend even more? Oh my God! Can someone save Tong Le?
If I were Mai Qi, I would have wanted to find a hole to hide in already!
I wanted to rush out to drag Tong Le away and then apologize to my good sister. "Mai Qi, I'm sorry. This pighead has brought shame to the Tong Family. I'll feed him to the dogs. I'll deal with him, and we'll still be good sisters!"
Tong Le continued. "Honestly, I thought that was just a joke between you girls, and I never really considered it seriously. Mai Qi, my family is deep in the underground, but you are a well-cherished princess. I never thought you would like someone as uncouth as me.." Tong Le's tone was calm but gentle.