Without a second thought, Cheng Xiran shook her head. "I'm not interested in this at all," she said.
As soon as she said this, Xiao Qi inexplicably felt a surge of anger, and her tone became a bit harsh. "Then why do I always see you with him? It was the same in the past, and it's still the same now. You're always lingering around. What on earth do you want from him?"
"I was just too young and naive back then. As for now, we're just ordinary friends. If you still think there's something more between us, you might as well go and ask him. I really can't think of any other explanation," Cheng Xiran replied fearlessly, raising her eyebrows. Then she continued, "Besides, if I tell you what I want, will you fulfill my wish just to be with him?"
Under Cheng Xiran's scrutinizing gaze, Xiao Qi felt a bit scared, afraid that the conditions she proposed would be beyond her means. But for the sake of Helian Duo, she still responded, "Tell me. Are you getting close to him now for fame and success or something else?"
Cheng Xiran answered straightforwardly, "Naturally, it's for my own interests. I'm not a self - sacrificing person."
Just as Xiao Qi was about to press further, Chu Liyin's excited shout came from not far away. "I've caught a fish! A big one!"
As she shouted, she looked in their direction, specifically at Cheng Xiran.
"Sister, look! Such a big fish. The prince is so amazing!"
Cheng Xiran nodded as a response.
Seeing Xiao Qi's face turn even more unpleasant, Cheng Xiran felt that she might suffocate if she stayed any longer. So she stood up, clapped her hands, and said, "As for other matters, Miss Xiao can ask the prince in detail."
She slipped over to Chu Liyin and helped her gather firewood, leaving Xiao Qi alone sitting in the pavilion. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn't figure out the meaning behind Cheng Xiran's words.
Then Xiao Qi's gaze fell on the sparkling lake. Suddenly, several images flashed through her mind.
She tried to console herself. The situation was so chaotic at that time. Cheng Xiran couldn't have seen that it was her who pushed her into the water, nor could she have known that she had put the sleeping pills in the tea that day.
Even if she did know, she had lost her memory now. The doctor said she might never remember. Why was she worrying for nothing? Anyway, nothing would ever lead back to her.
So she stopped thinking about it and actively ran to Helian Duo's side, asking him how to fish.
Helian Duo had no intention of dealing with her, so he kept winking at Xue Lianyu.
Only then did Xue Lianyu realize that he had been called out today just to be a shield. At the same time, he couldn't help but be confused. If Helian Duo didn't like Xiao Qi and didn't want to be with her, then why did he agree to go boating with her?
He really couldn't figure out what was going on in his head.
Even though he thought so in his heart, on the surface, he still tried to deal with Xiao Qi on Helian Duo's behalf.
Helian Duo's gaze fell on Cheng Xiran without restraint. It was really strange. The Cheng Xiran who he had scorned in the past now had his heart. But every time he thought of the nonsense she had said before, he was even more determined to confirm her identity.
After catching one or two big fish, everyone started roasting them.
On the distant lake, a boatman gradually appeared, rowing towards them.
"Did you arrange this too? You've really put a lot of thought into this," Xue Lianyu said, excited about the new fun. Helian Duo just smiled and didn't reply.