In an era where even the government began personally intervening to curb divorce rates, a love as rare as the dazzling starry sky above us, one signifying commitment and unwavering devotion, has become precious.

Yet, at the same time, it's something people yearn for deeply.

Lu Songgao was taken by the enthusiastic villagers to revel elsewhere.

Only Jiang Chen and Pei Yunxi were left sitting.

"Crackle, crackle..."

As the fire burned, the kindling continuously made soft sounds.

Pei Yunxi rested her chin on her knees, embracing her legs, and in a very relaxed posture, stared blankly at the brilliant bonfire.

Where was the sign of a superstar flush with fame?

"What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Chen asked softly.

He had an urge to capture this moment with his phone but resisted it.

"Is it worth it for the chieftain to do this?"

Pei Yunxi murmured to the bonfire, shedding all her auras of glamour, resting her chin on her knees, her voice surprisingly soft, seemingly forgetting the intertwined grudges and affections between her and this man.

Jiang Chen was silent for a while.

"I once saw a news story about a couple who got into a car accident on the highway. The car burst into fierce flames. The husband, who was driving, managed to escape, but his wife wasn't so lucky. As he saw his wife perish in the fire, the man, ignoring everyone's advice, ran into the blazing inferno, as if headed to a first date from years past, determined to die with her."

Pei Yunxi remained silent.

Jiang Chen picked up a stick and threw it into the fire.

"Us, who have yet to endure the torments of love and hatred, naively thought that dying for love was just an ancient myth."

"Can you sing?"

"What?"

Jiang Chen didn't quite catch on immediately.

Pei Yunxi continued to watch the dancing flames. "Sing for me."

"..."

Jiang Chen was speechless.

He indeed knew the song but the situation made him somewhat embarrassed.

"I only remember this one line of lyrics."

He said, evasively.

Pei Yunxi turned her head and looked at him for a while but didn't press him further.

"Walk with me."

???

Jiang Chen hadn't recovered before she stood up.

Jiang Chen, not understanding the situation but not pausing to think, swiftly followed.

The two gradually left the lively crowd.

Slanting shadows upon shallow waters, twilight shades subtly scented as the moon descends.

Together in silence, they reached the clear shores of Moon Goddess Lake.

Jiang Chen, always two steps behind, watched that enticing figure; he harbored no amorous thoughts, only realizing that her current state seemed unusually particular.

Suddenly.

Pei Yunxi stopped.

Thinking deeply, Jiang Chen nearly stumbled into her but managed to halt just in time to avoid a collision that would undoubtedly earn him the accusation of being a pervert.

However, why take him away from the crowd, to such a secluded place at this time? Was she not afraid he would lose control?

It seemed she did say one thing and mean another, regardless of how she belittled him verbally; in her heart, she was probably well aware of his character.

Jiang Chen walked beside her, standing shoulder to shoulder with the woman.

She did not speak, and he maintained his silence.

At such a time, whoever spoke first would lose the initiative.

Both the man and the woman had great patience and stood quietly, like statues, for four to five minutes.

"I can be with you."

Suddenly.

Pei Yunxi finally spoke.

Without speaking, she was quiet, but once she spoke, it was earth-shattering.

"What?!"

Jiang Chen's face was full of astonishment, not feigned but genuinely shocked.

Pei Yunxi did not repeat herself but continued to gaze calmly and indifferently at the peaceful and bright lake.

If the Moon Goddess were to descend, it would perhaps seem just like this moment.

"But you must promise me one condition."

Jiang Chen was internally tumultuous, waves of disbelief crashing within him. His first instinct was to suspect she was playing a joke on him.

Observing Pei Yunxi's expression carefully, he couldn't detect any sign of jest.

Even if he dared not believe it, finding it completely bizarre, Jiang Chen still subconsciously asked, "What condition?"

"You must swear by the Moon Goddess, that in this lifetime, you won't have another woman."

Jiang Chen was even more astonished.

This woman.

Has she lost her mind?

Or had the village brainwashed her too?

Swear an oath?

What good does swearing do?

This kind of rule could only bind the villagers.

There are plenty of people outside who trivially swear about their parents.

To some people, oaths are worthless.

Anyone else would probably have knelt already—this is Pei Yunxi, after all. It's not just about not having other women; if it were anything more grievous, they would probably do it without hesitation. Yet, Jiang Chen didn't do so.

Seeing him motionless, Pei Yunxi showed no displeasure and turned her head. "Don't want to?"

This was indeed a profound question.

For 99.99% of people in the world, having Pei Yunxi would probably mean no regrets in life.

Jiang Chen too instinctively considered this question in a moment.

If it were a year ago and he stumbled upon such an opportunity, he would not have hesitated for a second—like the girl Ling'er who had chosen him earlier, the name Pei Yunxi represented everything, no need for further understanding.

But it wasn't a year ago.

"Moon God above, now's not the time for jokes. I mean no harm. But if you purposely offend the Moon God, be careful that the Moon God might just inflict punishment."

Jiang Chen forced a somewhat unnatural smile.

"Do you think I'm joking?"

Pei Yunxi turned her head to face him, her intoxicating eyes calm and serene.

Jiang Chen's forced smile stiffened.

"It doesn't seem like it."

Pei Yunxi locked eyes with him.

"Everyone has to go through this step. Although you're younger than me, you're not lacking in any aspect—wealthy and influential. To me, you are a good choice."

Jiang Chen's emotions were a complicated mix. He should have been overjoyed at this moment, but for some reason, he couldn't muster any happiness.

"As long as you agree, I can announce it to the outside world immediately."

Pei Yunxi seemed to be speaking from the heart.

Given her personality, or rather her public persona, once she made it public, there was no turning back.

Jiang Chen, who had just barely snatched a bit of the initiative, found himself completely defenseless. He opened his mouth but had no idea what to say.

A clever person would definitely have agreed at this moment.

After all, making a vow is as easy as eating and drinking.

But Jiang Chen seemed rather dull, remaining foolishly silent without uttering a word.

Pei Yunxi wasn't disappointed, nor did she seem surprised.

"My request isn't too much, is it?"

Jiang Chen's lips moved slightly, and finally, he let out a wry smile. "It's not too much."

Not to mention a big star, even an ordinary girl's basic expectation from her partner is wholehearted dedication.

Pei Yunxi suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Jiang Chen bewildered.

Before he could recover, he heard her sigh softly.

"It seems we're only destined to be friends."

Jiang Chen had no answer.

After enjoying the scenery for a while, Pei Yunxi turned and left.

Jiang Chen didn't follow.

After Pei Yunxi left, he stared at the serene Moon Goddess Lake for a good while before, like a madman, his eye twitched, and he slapped himself.

"Snap!"

The crisp sound carried far into the stillness of the night.

He had really put some force into it.

"Idiot!"

Jiang Chen cursed with a laugh.

The person he was scolding was none other than himself.

He had figured it out; Pei Yunxi had specifically arranged to meet him here and set up this charade, not really to be with him, but to turn the tables and checkmate him!

Pei Yunxi knew he had a girlfriend and that his relationship with Shi Qianxi was ambiguous. She probably bet on the fact that he wouldn't be able to make the vow and orchestrated this act intentionally.

It was all to make him feel morally inferior and, in the end, give her up.

A fine actress she was, not studying her craft, but instead, studying strategy.

Jiang Chen's face twitched, and he couldn't help but want to slap himself again.

What was he being so hesitant about?

Just make the vow!

Every second, countless people make vows, but how many really face retribution?

If he had unhesitatingly made the vow just now, it would probably have been the other party at a loss.

It's the high moral standing again, not shameless enough.

Jiang Chen stood alone by the lake, heaving sighs.

"Where's President Jiang?"

Seeing Pei Yunxi return without Jiang Chen, Ning Hui asked.

"He's cooling off by the Moon Goddess Lake," Pei Yunxi said nonchalantly.

Cooling off?

Ning Hui was slightly startled and glanced towards Moon Goddess Lake. "There are so many mosquitoes there."

"No problem, he said he drank too much and wanted to get some fresh air."

"Did something happen? You seem happy."

Ning Hui noticed her upturned corners of the mouth.

Pei Yunxi shook her head gently, "President Jiang really is a good person."

Ning Hui was taken aback, quite puzzled.

Weren't they just having a conflict earlier?

Why was she suddenly praising him now?

And "really is a good person"?

Why did that phrase sound so strange?

Pei Yunxi, with her lips slightly raised, didn't explain and sat back down by the campfire, picking up a piece of grilled meat to taste, her mood seemingly very good.

If Jiang Chen had really made that vow just now, she indeed wouldn't have known what to do.

But her judgment was not wrong.

Although he was flirty, he wasn't a bad person fundamentally.

Ning Hui, with her sharp senses, realized that something must have happened when the two were alone. She was itching with curiosity but did not want to nag, so she forcibly suppressed it.

After a while, Jiang Chen reappeared.

"President Jiang is back," Ning Hui mentioned, always keeping an eye out.

Pei Yunxi turned her head and saw that the guy, very considerately, did not come this way again but walked towards Director Fei instead, his figure looking somewhat desolate.

Pei Yunxi's eyes curved upward.

Ning Hui got up to meet him.

"President Jiang."

Jiang Chen stopped and then subconsciously glanced in Pei Yunxi's direction, noticing that she was looking over here as well.

Feeling dejected, he let out another round of sighs.

"President Jiang, your face... what happened?"

Ning Hui looked at his reddened cheek in surprise.

"Too many mosquitoes."

Jiang Chen explained nonchalantly.

Considering the redness of his face, it was probably not just one slap.

"Oh."

Ning Hui didn't think much of it and invited, "President Jiang, come and sit with us."

"No, thanks," Jiang Chen said, forcing a smile and shaking his head. Having just been thoroughly defeated, he didn't feel like joining them at that moment.

Leaving Ning Hui dumbfounded, he turned and walked towards the direction of the inspection team, but before he could settle down, he heard the sound of a mechanical alert.

[Pei Yunxi's fondness for you +5]

Jiang Chen paused in astonishment, then gave a wry smile.

Was this a consolation prize?

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