Yun Zhen thought that the reason he gave Su Jingyi was decent enough to make her agree to his request. However, not only was it not as good as he thought it was, but every point he was trying to make suddenly didn't make sense to him as well. He suddenly felt like being an a.s.s, talking to Su Jingyi like this.

  Was this the best he could do for Su Jingyi who made such a large contribution to his life and career? Was there any other reason why she should marry someone like him?

  "Your tongue got caught?" Su Jingyi chuckled once she realized that this blockhead had finally understood the gravity of the situation they were in. Yun Zhen shouldn't treat her marriage life like a business deal he had to win.

  Yun Zhen felt ashamed for what he'd told Su Jingyi tonight. It wasn't his intention to offend her, but his sudden proposal indeed was tasteless in his opinion. Su Jingyi didn't deserve to be treated like this.

  "I'm sorry. It was out of the line…"—he started, letting the words flow with honesty—"but my offer still stands, Su Jingyi."

  "Then, you better tell me the reason for this marriage proposal, Yun Zhen." She rubbed her temples as the drinks she had earlier were starting to affect her senses. "But not now, you can tell me later. All of these talks are making my head ache."

  Yun Zhen nodded in agreement. They both deserved a break for now… and space to think what the best course of action was for this predicament they were in.

  "Alright. I'll leave you then. You don't have to show up at work if you aren't feeling well." He told Su Jingyi before turning to escape, leaving her flabbergasted with his recent actions.

  Darn this man. Even now that she wanted to be free, Yun Zhen still managed to get under her skin and annoy her. Su Jingyi shook her head and closed the door behind her. Her eyes slightly wandered when she saw her younger brother leaning against the wall, popping a bubble gum in his mouth. She didn't expect that he would be here or even awake at this hour.

  "Are you sure you don't want to marry Yun Zhen?" Su Jingli asked her as she strode past him, dropped her handbag on the kitchen counter, and took something to drink from the fridge.

  "Jingli, you are an a.d.u.l.t now. Shouldn't you know not to eavesdrop on someone's conversation?" She gave her brother a pointed look. In her eyes, he was just a young boy she needed to look after. Seeing the goofy grin he sported, Su Jingyi fought the urge to roll her eyes.

  Su Jingli huffed and took a seat next to the kitchen counter. He didn't mean to eavesdrop on his sister's conversation with Yun Zhen. The moment he heard the front door unlocked, he rushed to greet Su Jingyi—only to overhear Yun Zhen asking his sister for marriage.

  He knew that his older sister liked this man for as long as he could remember so he was curious… curious as to how his sister would respond to Yun Zhen's marriage proposal.

  Su Jingli had high regard for his older sister as she was the one who practically raised him when they were younger while their parents were busy working every day. From the moment he started being aware of his surroundings, it was his older sister who was always there to hold his hand and take care of him.

  As per their parents' intention for Su Jingyi to get married, Su Jingli wasn't pleased with it. He wanted his sister to have the freedom to choose how she should live her life since she had spent most of her prime years working and supporting their family.

  Also, how could he not know that Su Jingyi was head over heels for Yun Zhen? He only met the man a couple of times and understood the dynamics of the relationship his sister shared with Yun Zhen.

  Su Jingli wasn't sure how he should react to it, but as long as Yun Zhen wasn't being an a.s.s to his sister, he supposed he didn't have any right to interfere with their affairs. However, tonight was the first time he was itching to smack Yun Zhen's head.

  "I'm not. It's your fault having that conversation right outside your doorstep," Su Jingli said in defense. "But I don't blame you for shooting his proposal down. I don't think he understands why you did though."

  "It doesn't matter. What does he have to do with me getting married? As long as I can placate Mom and Dad's wish for me to marry, then it's fine if it isn't him," Su Jingyi said as a response while walking to the sink to wash the glass she used, as well as her hands.

  How could she accept Yun Zhen's proposal like that? Even if she held feelings for the man, she still held some respect for herself. Did they expect her to be grateful? To jump in joy as the man she loved proposes marriage to her? They must be taking her as a fool then.

  "Anyway, Mom said that she and Dad already made a list of your prospective husband in the future. You only need to meet them once you leave Yun Group. Are you sure this is what you want, Sis?" Su Jingli asked with curiosity. He had never seen his sister defy or act rebellious against their parents, unlike him who always did whatever he wanted.

  He followed his sister to the lounge area of her apartment. Su Jingyi sat on the couch and shut her eyes. She shouldn't have agreed to have a night out with her colleagues tonight so she could avoid Yun Zhen's probing.

  "I don't have any choice, right? As long as Mom and Dad can find me a suitable husband, I can only make the best out of it."