Chapter 470 - 328: Who Is Prettier, Me or Gu Muxue? (Part 2)

How would this young woman, now all grown up, answer?

Lin Ruoxi gave Xue Rui a sweet smile and said in a light, cheerful tone, "I don’t mind."

Gu Muxue was very kind to Xue Rui, and to her as well.

In the past, she had been afraid of being abandoned by Xue Rui, forced to accept sharing his love. Even though she was unhappy deep down, she never said a word.

But now, her feelings for Gu Muxue were more of gratitude, sympathy, and even compassion...

If it was in Xue Rui’s nature to love two women, then she was willing to accept it.

But the other woman could only be Gu Muxue.

Xue Rui opened his arms, and Lin Ruoxi immediately took a step forward. He gently pulled her into an embrace, cradling her head. ’She’s changed,’ he thought, ’and yet, it’s like she hasn’t.’

The outcomes were often the same; it was just the process that had some minor differences.

In the past, Lin Ruoxi would have been naively forced to take the short end of the stick, or else been coaxed into it by him.

But now? As long as he pleaded with her, Lin Ruoxi would still agree.

For example, he only had to wrap his arms around her and whisper a few sweet things, and the young woman would still give him her phone.

It seemed like Lin Ruoxi was in control, but not entirely.

Xue Rui thought about it carefully. ’This is basically a honey trap, but with a guy as the bait!’

’What does that make me? Lao Ai?’

At this thought, Xue Rui couldn’t help but pull out his phone and check his reflection. He joked to Lin Ruoxi, "Who’s more handsome, me or Daniel Wu?"

He felt himself blushing as soon as he said it. The question had a classic, vain ring to it, like asking who was the most handsome man in all the land. After all, this wasn’t the old Lin Ruoxi he was talking to.

"Hmm, you’re the most handsome," Lin Ruoxi replied without a hint of hesitation.

Xue Rui broke into a smug grin. "Mhm, I think so too."

However, in the next moment, Xue Rui saw a smile playing on Lin Ruoxi’s lips. She winked at him, her long lashes fluttering. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with the vibrancy of a girl in the full bloom of youth...

Xue Rui was momentarily stunned. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her look than met the eye—it was as if her smile held a hint of mischief.

"Rui, who’s prettier? Me or Gu Muxue?" Lin Ruoxi asked.

Her heart pounded as the words came out. ’Why did I ask a question like that?’

’I feel like I’ve changed.’

But she just wanted to see Xue Rui’s stunned expression. She found him adorable when he was like that.

She watched as Xue Rui froze at her question. The smile on his lips slowly faded, and his eyes filled with utter shock.

’My head is about to split open,’ Xue Rui thought. ’Did *she* really just say that?’

’Even Gu Muxue has never asked me that question!’

Lin Ruoxi dropped the dog leash in her hand, reached out, and cupped Xue Rui’s face. Using her thumbs, she gently pushed the corners of his mouth upward into a smile. "Rui, I was just kidding. I don’t mind what you say. I just like to see you smile."

Xue Rui’s mind went blank. ’This scene is so familiar!’

He had teased Lin Ruoxi just like this the first time they went back to her village together...

’Have the tables turned after more than two years?’

He reached out and pinched Lin Ruoxi’s cheek. "Aha! So your sweet, obedient act was all just for show."

’I’ve been completely fooled!’ he thought.

"I would never deceive you," Lin Ruoxi said, slowly shaking her head.

She had never deceived Xue Rui. Subconsciously, she believed that he liked the naive, innocent version of Lin Ruoxi, so she always showed him her cutest side.

Over time, she could no longer tell what kind of person she truly was.

’What was I originally like?’

She didn’t know.

Whatever kind of person Xue Rui liked, that was the kind of person she became.

But now, she was realizing that her excessive dependence was putting pressure on Xue Rui.

She used to be so independent, going to school on her own, farming the land to make money...

But in the years she had been with Xue Rui, she felt she had grown more and more childish, always waiting for him to arrange things for her, wanting to cling to him every second of the day...

Xue Rui had already done so much; he must be exhausted.

Xue Rui had made her world whole, and she wanted to give him a world that he would love in return.

Lin Ruoxi stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed Xue Rui’s forehead. She then lowered her face, pressing her lips to his and trailing kisses down toward his chin...

She stared deeply into his eyes. "Rui, what version of me do you like?"

Xue Rui fell silent.

’A kiss on the forehead is a sign of protectiveness, usually something a man does for a woman. It completely clashed with Lin Ruoxi’s submissive nature, and yet, she kissed his forehead every day.’

He searched his memories, replaying every little moment he’d shared with Lin Ruoxi. He had to admit, he’d been slow on the uptake.

They had been together for so long, and deep down, he’d known all along. Lin Ruoxi had another side to her—that of a meticulous, caring older sister. It was just that her usual obedience and submissiveness had made him overlook that detail.

But no matter which side she showed, Lin Ruoxi was always gentle.

Xue Rui felt immense pressure. The Lin Ruoxi of today was constantly asking him questions, forcing him to make choices.

Lin Ruoxi stared intently into Xue Rui’s eyes, trying to find her answer there.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind. "Oh, I know! You want both."

’Xue Rui is greedy,’ she thought. ’He must want both.’

"Hm? I never said that. You did," Xue Rui said, taking Lin Ruoxi’s hand.

No matter how Lin Ruoxi changed, she was still the same to him.

She might talk about being independent, but she still knew so little about the world. She was still the one who needed to be looked after.

"Let’s go see Grandma," Lin Ruoxi said.

"Okay. Just don’t buy any of those custard pies. The old lady will have a fit if she sees them."

Xue Rui leaned his weight on Lin Ruoxi’s shoulder, making them walk in a wobbly, crooked line, but Lin Ruoxi didn’t say a word, simply letting him have his fun.

"But she has everything she needs. Buying anything else would be a waste. If we bring some snacks and Grandma can’t finish them, she’ll just make us take them home with us," Lin Ruoxi whispered.