Morax is dead, Liyue will fall into my hands.

After all, a young and handsome man like himself is indeed very popular with wealthy women.

Li Ye mentally complained. He didn't really think Ningguang had any feelings for him; he just felt that this woman was being too enthusiastic towards him.

As the saying goes, "Those who offer unsolicited kindness are either up to no good or are thieves!"

A wealthy woman like Ningguang, who is cold on the inside but warm on the outside and always keeps people at arm's length, suddenly approaching you on purpose makes it hard not to suspect that this woman has ulterior motives.

So make contact where you need to, but you still need to be on guard and not fall into her trap.

The floating stone landed in the center of the Moon Sea Pavilion's square. Li Ye stepped down the steps; this was his first time visiting the Moon Sea Pavilion.

As the office of the Seven Stars and Eight Gates, this place is not as luxurious as one might imagine, and there are even relatively few patrolling guards.

They planted quite a few flowers, trees and shrubs. After leaving the square, they followed the winding corridor and finally arrived at a large courtyard.

Bai Xiao asked, "Mr. Li, how are you feeling?"

Li Ye: "Perhaps because I visited Qunyu Pavilion last time, I found that Yuehai Pavilion is much simpler than I imagined."

Bai Xiao chuckled and said, "That's for sure. After all, Miss Ningguang built the Qunyu Pavilion with her own income, but the construction and maintenance of the Yuehai Pavilion were all funded by the output of the Golden House and the taxes of the Liyue people."

Therefore, every Mora must be used practically; how could it possibly compare to the luxury of the Jade Pavilion?

"We're here, let's go in."

As they were talking, Li Ye, led by Bai Xiao, entered the hall and then turned a corner to arrive at a study.

Bai Xiao knocked on the door, and soon Ning Guang's voice came from inside: "Come in."

Pushing open the door, Bai Xiao gestured for Li Ye to come in: "Please come in, Mr. Li. I won't disturb you any longer."

Hearing Bai Xiao's words, Li Ye couldn't help but think to himself: What do you mean by "not bothering us"? It's like we're doing something shady.

Upon entering the office, Li Ye discovered that the room was quite large.

The interior layout is relatively simple, with mostly bookshelves, filing cabinets, and "walls" covered with various small pieces of paper, in addition to office desks and chairs.

In addition to Ningguang, there was also an old acquaintance of Li Ye in the room, Beidou.

When Beidou saw Li Ye come in, he smiled, got up, walked up to Li Ye, patted him on the shoulder in a casual manner, and said, "Old Li, I've finished my business, so I won't stay and bother you any longer."

After saying that, she deliberately winked and a knowing smile appeared on her lips.

Beidou was suggesting that Li Ye should seize the opportunity; if he could cultivate a good relationship with Ningguang, his future in Liyue Harbor would surely be smooth sailing.

Unfortunately, her gaze seemed to take on a different meaning in Li Ye's eyes...

Chapter 126: Miss Ningguang Wants Me to Confess, A Battle of Love Minds Among Geniuses

Looking at the prompts given by Beidou, Li Ye is now very panicked.

Big Sister Beidou, let's talk this out. What's with that look and smile? Explain yourself before you leave.

When Ningguang saw Li Ye enter, she quickly put down her work.

On the night the banquet ended, Ningguang realized that Li Ye seemed to have many misunderstandings about her, so she had been looking for an opportunity to have a relatively pleasant conversation with him.

This made it clear to Li Ye that Ningguang was not a woman whose mind was only on Mora; on the contrary, Mora was just a tool to help her obtain some conveniences.

So she made up her mind that, in order to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, she must be as frank as possible during this exchange.

Beidou also gave her professional advice: talk more about everyday family matters and less about work.

Ningguang felt it was necessary, so she decided to focus on casual conversation today.

"The temporary office is rather simple, I hope Mr. Li will not mind, please have a seat."

"Miss Ningguang, you're too kind. I was inconsiderate this morning, please don't take offense."

Li Ye walked next to the chair, which Beidou had just sat on, and was less than a meter away from Ningguang, which was quite close.

Seeing Li Ye's awkwardness, Ningguang couldn't help but urge him, "Mr. Li, please sit down."

"Ahem, okay."

Li Ye couldn't help but move a chair back half a meter, trying to maintain a safe distance between men and women: "Ms. Ningguang, I'd like to interview you..."

Upon hearing that Li Ye wanted to talk about work, Ningguang immediately thought of Beidou's suggestion and took the initiative to interrupt, saying, "The interview isn't urgent. Actually, I'm more interested in Mr. Li's situation than the money exchange business."

Huh? What do you mean?

Miss Ningguang, you'd better make yourself clear. What do you mean by being more interested in me?

Li Ye felt a sense of unease, so he secretly moved his chair back a few centimeters: "I wonder which part Miss Ningguang is referring to specifically?"

Ningguang thought for a moment: "What are Mr. Li's hobbies? Besides making money, Mr. Li must have some other hobbies, such as reading, practicing calligraphy, or practicing martial arts."

Li Ye is becoming increasingly restless. He really wants to say: Don't ask anymore, I'm scared.

No, Ms. Ningguang, can you please just say what you mean?

It's hard for me not to overthink things when you're like this.

Li Ye swallowed and said, "Hobbies? I don't have any hobbies, and I don't usually have much time for them. What about Miss Ningguang? I wonder if Miss Ningguang has anything she particularly likes?"

"What do you like?" Ningguang thought for a moment and said, "What do I like? I prefer children."

Especially when children laugh, it always brings joy and makes one forget all about scheming and intrigue.

Ningguang believes that as long as she honestly says that she likes those chattering, energetic children the most, Li Ye will naturally change his impression of her.

Unfortunately... these words reached Li Ye's ears...

Ningguang likes children? Is this implying something to me?

Li Ye had just noticed that the inner room of the office was for rest, and it must have been Ningguang's place to rest during breaks from work.

I have to play dumb now, and I have to find a topic to steer the conversation away, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to leave this room today.

Li Ye chuckled awkwardly twice and said, "Haha...hahaha, with the heart of a tiger and the gentle touch of a rose, Miss Ningguang is truly unexpected."

I bet not many people would have thought that the Seven Stars of Heaven would be so interested in children.

After all, in the eyes of ordinary people, Miss Ningguang should be the high and mighty, unattainable Tianquan Star.

Ningguang's eyes lit up upon hearing Li Ye's answer.

Beidou was right after all. We should talk more about everyday things and hobbies, and not always talk about work. That way, Li Ye won't have any misunderstandings or prejudices about me.

Thinking of this, Ningguang asked again, "What about Boss Li? Does Boss Li like children?"

Upon hearing Ningguang's question, Li Ye realized that his palms were sweaty.

Miss Ningguang, as the dignified Tianquan of the Seven Stars, you should be more reserved.

After only exchanging two sentences, he asked me if I liked children?

Although I like children, I really don't plan to have any.

Moreover, someone as busy as me is destined not to be a qualified father. If you intend to spend a lot of money to have a child, you should find someone else.

Li Ye swallowed hard, his brain racing: "Of course kids like it."

Therefore, I hope that more children from disadvantaged families can not only have enough to eat and wear, but also have the opportunity to afford to go to school.

In my eyes, there is nothing shameful about this child in the future, whether he works in the fields or toils at the docks. These are things that need to be done.

But I believe that if conditions allowed, they would certainly want to have the same learning opportunities as other children their age.

It was this idea that led to the creation of the "Kilometer Charitable Foundation," which aims to establish technical schools to train professionals.

Let's talk about work! Let's talk about work!

Unfortunately, Ningguang was determined to talk less about work today, so when she heard Li Ye mention raising children, she subconsciously asked, "So, Mr. Li, what are your plans if you have children in the future?"

For example, should we groom him to inherit our business, or let him make choices entirely based on his own preferences, like the second son of the "Flying Cloud Chamber of Commerce"?

Li Ye thought to himself, "Can't I just be childless?!"

And raising children? I'm still a virgin, and whether I'll lose my virginity before I die is another matter entirely.

Li Ye pondered for a moment and said, "Who can say for sure what the future holds? Let's not think about it for now. After all, no matter what we think now, who can say for sure what choices we'll make when the time comes?"

I wonder what Ningguang would do in this situation?

Ningguang said without hesitation, "For me, this kind of thing should be a headache for the child's father."

The child's father?

This isn't just an implication, is it?

Isn't it practically a done deal?

So what should I do now?

Or should we just tell her frankly that we're not a good match?

If Ningguang feels embarrassed and then says, "If I can't have it, I'll destroy it," wouldn't I be wrongly accused and die?

No, I have to refuse indirectly.

Li Ye quickly came up with a solution: "I see. So Miss Ningguang already has someone she likes?"

Ningguang shook her head: "Not yet."

Li Ye understood and pretended to be enthusiastic, saying, "Oh? I wonder what kind of person Miss Ningguang likes? I have many friends who have long admired Miss Ningguang, and maybe they are the type that Miss Ningguang likes."

Upon hearing Li Ye's answer, Ningguang thought to herself: Is your friend yourself?

Chapter 127: Love is all about fate

Ningguang's guess was not unfounded; Li Ye's social circle was very narrow, and he had virtually no friends except Zhong Li.

Even if Li Ye is blind, he should have realized during their meal at Wangshu Inn that there was absolutely no possibility between him and Zhong Li.

As for his former dockworkers who carried sacks with him, Li Ye would never recommend them to him, regardless of whether they were friends or not.

Therefore, by process of elimination, it can be deduced that the friend Li Ye mentioned could only be himself.

Ningguang noticed the unease flickering in Li Ye's eyes and recalled Hu Tao's ramblings in the chat group that day.

Could he have taken those words seriously and wanted to pursue me?

Although you, Li Ye, are indeed very outstanding, although you, Li Ye, are handsome and have an extraordinary temperament, although you, Li Ye, have lofty ambitions and a firm will, I really haven't considered having a partner or anything like that for the time being.

Ningguang was inclined to refuse, as she hoped to be honest and open friends with Li Ye.

However, considering that the more capable a man is, the stronger his self-esteem tends to be, if she rejects him too decisively, will Li Ye feel embarrassed?