Pampered by My Billionaire Childhood Sweetheart-Chapter 30 Are you kidding me, boss?

"When are you leaving?" Already accustomed to his elder brother's composed demeanor, Xie Qikan continued with another question. Sitting beside his brother, Xie Qiyan, the man's upright figure leaned casually against the sofa, exuding an air of complete ease.

"I'm not leaving."

Gu Jingchen continued, his Adam's apple moving sensually as he spoke. His voice was flat, his sculpted features calm, as though he were discussing someone else's matter, not his own.

"Boss, are you sure about what you just said?"

"Big brother, you're not joking, are you?"

"Big brother, your future is limitless. Are you certain you want to give up your red-hot prospects now? Have you forgotten your dreams since childhood? Have you forgotten you once declined the offer from one of the best universities in the United States? If you decide this, all of your dreams will be gone!"

The once languid and unruly air of the brothers suddenly grew sober, their relaxed postures shifting. They even set down their wine glasses. Their deep, gem-like eyes shimmered faintly, waiting for Gu Jingchen's response.

Even these men, who normally wouldn't flinch if the sky fell, were, at this moment, thoroughly shocked—weren't they?

"Yes, you're all correct."

Gu Jingchen paused, his body slowly reclining against the sofa. His gaze hardened with clarity and a long-held resolve, and his voice rang out crisp and firm.

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"But none of you know why my ultimate goal has always been to protect Xixia. When Xixia was little, she was a chubby little doll, incredibly adorable, beautiful, with a little hair clip and long hair fluttering in the wind. She was breathtaking. Back in kindergarten, such a pretty little girl naturally attracted a lot of attention from the boys—but what did they know about love at that age? They often resorted to teasing and tormenting these little girls to express their affection. There were many such boys in Xixia's kindergarten."

"One day, a little boy tied Xixia's long hair to her chair. She cried the whole afternoon. At the time, I was already in elementary school. After my classes, I would always keep an eye on my little Xixia. Watching her cry so miserably, her eyes swollen like peaches, tore at my heart. I rushed over to confront that little boy and fought him. Although I won, I didn't feel happy, because I couldn't guarantee that, in the future, when facing stronger opponents, I would be able to protect her."

As he recalled the past, Gu Jingchen's jet-black eyes shimmered like glazed crystal under light. His sculpted features softened, radiating a tender and profound affection.

"It was then, precisely then, that my initial intention—to protect Xixia—took root."

He continued.

"But now, I've realized that my intentions have gradually strayed from their original path. For instance, today, I was briefly on the phone with Grandpa and didn't check the surveillance cameras. And in that short span of time, Xixia encountered trouble. When I hung up and realized Xixia wasn't where she was supposed to be, I went into a frenzy, retracing my steps to find her. Then I burst into the private room, only to see her struggling in despair, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. At that moment, I asked myself—who exactly am I protecting? Have I been truly protecting the childhood sweetheart I grew up loving?"

"From my private karaoke room to the room where Xixia was delivering drinks, it was only a short distance, but there was already such a significant gap in her safety. Tell me, under a sky a thousand miles wide, can I still protect Xixia?"

Gu Jingchen's voice carried with it an overwhelming emotional weight. The man tried his best to suppress his emotions, to make his voice steady, but it was evident that those efforts were in vain.

Only those who have truly loved can understand the depth of emotion. Over the past twenty-eight years, the gravity of this love—only Gu Jingchen could comprehend it. If one were to describe the little woman poetically, she would be the scarlet mark etched onto his heart.

"She has been in my heart for so many years, in my dreams. Everything about me exists because of her, everything has meaning because of her presence. Especially now, as she endures one of the most challenging phases of her life. Though the little girl is strong, as a man—seeing the person you love face so many difficulties—how can you not stay by her side to protect her? Tell me, what's wrong if it's just a title? I can give up everything, but if I lose her, I cannot live."

The spacious private room remained silent for a long time after the man finished speaking. Especially that last confession—seemingly weak and yet deeply emotional—it rendered the men who had grown up together completely speechless.

How could they not know their boss's devotion?

Birds of a feather flock together; people gather with those like them. Everyone present valued their emotions and treated them as their lifeblood.

"Boss, we wish you happiness!"

"Boss, we hope you'll win your girl soon!"

"Boss, you're the real deal!"

"Boss, invincible!"

...

No more words were needed; blessings were the best gifts.

Even Gu Jingxin, who usually abstained from drinking, picked up a wineglass to clink with the boss and downed it in one go.

After finishing up with his brothers, the man directed the attendant to drive him to the dormitory building of the little woman at Yun City University.

Gu Jingchen, resigned to his fate, knew that if he returned to his luxurious apartment in the city center, he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. Instead, he opted to wait beneath the little woman's dorm, watching the lights flicker on and off inside her room. Only then could he find some semblance of calm. Perhaps rolling down the car window, gazing at the moon in the sky, and breathing the air infused with her presence would bring him more peace.

Still, deep down, he was worried about the little woman, wondering if she had been overly frightened today. After all, she was always so pure and kind.

But the dorm remained silent, suggesting the little woman was already asleep. Only then did the man finally feel completely at ease.