Mei Ji's words struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Jiu Ge and Qin Sisi stunned as if turned to stone.
Qin Sisi instinctively glanced at Jiu Ge, who wore the same expression of astonishment, his eyes wide and mouth agape.
Qin Sisi stepped back in despair. She was already engaged to Ye You—if anything happened between her and Jiu Ge, how would she face Ye You afterward?
Jiu Ge also looked apologetically at Qin Sisi, seeing the shock and fear etched across her face as she staggered backward, her complexion turning pale.
A sharp pang stabbed through Jiu Ge's heart.
She didn't want this. She would never want this.
If she didn't want it, how could he bear to force her?
Jiu Ge took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and said to Mei Ji, "Mother, forced love bears no sweetness. Your son prefers mutual affection, not brute imposition."