(Sorry for the late update. Took little Lai out to play during the day. There will be another update tonight.)

Li Yan hadn't been gone for long, but Zhang Yurong, Yue Yao, and Wen Qianyi were all a bit anxious waiting for his return. Especially Zhang Yurong, who, although not often faced with such situations, was good at analyzing them. When the first two tall men came over, Li Yan was still easily chatting and laughing, showing no concern. However, after the next two came, his demeanor changed noticeably.

Seeing him return unharmed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, losing interest in continuing to drink. Zhang Yurong and Yue Yao just looked at Li Yan without saying anything, while Wen Qianyi, who initially wanted to talk about being transferred to the security team for Li Yan, figured it no longer mattered since she remained in the business department.

Li Yan comforted them with a smile, explaining that he had merely run into someone he knew from before. In fact, he did not want to linger much longer. Although Li Yonghao had not shown any hostility, he had directly refused Li Yan's request for cooperation, which was a sign of disrespect, leaving Li Yan unsure of his attitude.

So, everyone tacitly finished the remaining alcohol quickly and left the bar together.

"Did you two drive here?" Wen Qianyi asked, looking at the two "twins" still wearing sunglasses as they came out.

The two shook their heads simultaneously, then both turned to Li Yan, apparently hoping he would give them a ride.

This left Wen Qianyi speechless. She had watched the entire time and hadn't seen Li Yan do anything to win their trust. They trusted him so implicitly, making her suspect that the two might have been brought by him.

"Haha, since neither of you drove, and I just happened to, how about I give you a ride?" Wen Qianyi offered warmly.

They shook their heads again. Being recognized by her was already a possibility, and being alone with her would make it even more likely.

Seeing both of them looking his way again, Li Yan had no choice but to say, "I'll give them a ride. I've just got one of those trustworthy faces, I guess. Haha, don't worry, I'll only be taking them home, nothing more."

"Whether or not anything happens depends on your skill, what's it got to do with me? I won't go tattle to Yu Xiaodi," Wen Qianyi conceded, suspecting the three of them might go to a room together, but, as she said, it was none of her business.

After Wen Qianyi left, they also got in the car and drove away. Taking off the sunglasses she had worn all night, Zhang Yurong asked quietly from the back, "Seems like Wen Qianyi cares a lot about you, worried you'd be off with some girl... not coming home."

On the surface, it wasn't her place, so Yue Yao said nothing and sat quietly to the side.

Li Yan was more concerned about the safety of their surroundings than Zhang Yurong's emotions. He had deliberately waited for Wen Qianyi to leave first and left only after ensuring they weren't being followed. Now as they departed, he was still cautious about any cars tailing them.

"Aren't you worried about me? Or do you enjoy seeing me off with other girls not returning home?"

Faced with his retort, Zhang Yurong snorted softly and said, contrary to her feelings, "Why should I care about you? Go with whoever you want; we don't need you to take us home."

Li Yan sighed inwardly, Women! Sometimes they're just unreasonable. It was you who wanted to come along, and I've been on my best behavior tonight, yet you say this...

Seeing them on the verge of bickering, Yue Yao quickly intervened, "Brother-in-law, you've had quite a bit to drink. Can you drive? Why not let me drive? I drank a little less, you and Sister Rong can take a break."

Li Yan did not need her help, knowing her intention.

Zhang Yurong also disagreed with letting him sit in the back with Li Yan. She would feel even more uncomfortable, fearing Li Yan might shamelessly agree. She quickly said, "Yue Yao, don't be polite with him. Once he starts driving, he acts like a maniac. What's a little alcohol to him? Let him drive."

Although her words weren't particularly pleasant or polite, to Li Yan's ears, they sounded quite... refreshing!

Yes, in the past, they had never interfered with each other, their relationship didn't resemble a couple's. They didn't even share a superficial harmony, only cohabiting rather than truly living together, their attitudes as distant as neighbors in a metropolis. But now, for Zhang Yurong's character and habits to speak such words, it was clear that in her heart, Li Yan held a more important place, prompting her to unconsciously care about his actions and words.

This was a good start...

Li Yan was in a good mood. In the past, whether it was purely drinking or seeking excitement, upon returning at the end of the night, both his body and mind always carried a bit of fatigue and emptiness, irritation. But tonight, although the drinking wasn't hearty, and despite being accompanied by three stunning beauties, there wasn't even any flirtatious banter. Yet now, driving the two of them home, he didn't feel the previous fatigue or emptiness, but rather felt fulfilled and warm.

Yurong and Yue Yao were chatting about something in the back; Li Yan wasn't paying attention. He was enjoying the tranquility of this journey.

At a certain age, or with a certain mindset, the excitement and stimulation of a heartbeat between men and women are no longer the main pursuit, or the only pursuit. A home, a partner, a duty, a responsibility... a tranquil harbor starts to become important.

...

A new day arrived, and Li Yan didn't go to the security team but returned to the business department. Having stimulated them a little yesterday, he believed the security personnel at Jie Rui Company would be more cautious and diligent in their work for some time.

As for the security team leader, Yang Dalong, having seen Li Yan solve their troubles with his unique insights, he was impressed, especially after learning Li Yan was a friend of Li Jie, which dissolved any previous grievances. When he returned yesterday, he assured Li Yan that he would supervise everyone properly so Li Yan wouldn't have to worry one bit.

Huang Ying's complexion was much better now. Although she had always been strong, never showing vulnerability at work, Li Yan, who understood the situation, could see her struggling demeanor. Now that the Mortal Fund had taken her mother out, she could finally relax a little. Of course, she only relaxed her near-breaking nerves and long-held psychological pressures; she was more dedicated to her work. She needed this job, both for the upfront expenses and the subsequent care.

In the office, Wen Qianyi didn't inquire about Li Yan's follow-up with the two "twins" from last night. She immediately handed him a task, instructing him to get ready to go out with her shortly to meet an important customer with President Zhang.

Li Yan had already heard about this "pillow talk" situation at the dinner table last night and wasn't too surprised. In such scenarios, an average businessperson would undeniably be thrilled, eager to perform well in front of the president. Zhang Yurong, keeping him in mind, was limited by formality and couldn't explicitly ask to bring Li Yan. This decision was certainly made by Wen Qianyi, who, despite not being sure how much help Li Yan could offer and knowing he might be a burden, was still very commendable in bringing him along.

Ye Jiahong also took the time to visit Wen Qianyi's office, inquiring about Li Yan's standing in the security team, expressing praise, and congratulating Wen Qianyi on her recognition by the president. His words carried a hint of sourness; Wen Qianyi hadn't been with the company long, and in terms of position and seniority, today's treatment in co-receiving an important client should have been given to him, not Wen Qianyi.

However, he was no fool. For a little employee like Li Yan, he could slightly leverage his authority, but with Wen Qianyi, especially under Zhang Yurong's mentorship, any jealousy was subtle, and he wouldn't hinder her.

At around ten, after receiving a notification from Zhang Yurong's assistant, Ke Yunyun, Wen Qianyi called Li Yan along and went downstairs to the parking lot to wait for them.

Soon, the driver Xiao Yan arrived and prepared a car, quickly spotting the hastily paced Zhang Yurong and Ke Yunyun. Wen Qianyi and Li Yan were already waiting there.

Upon seeing them, Zhang Yurong maintained her aura as the icy beauty and president, merely nodding at them. Her gaze skimmed briefly over Li Yan's face without lingering much. Ke Yunyun handed a document to Wen Qianyi, instructing her to familiarize herself with it during the journey.

The three of them quickly got into the car. Wen Qianyi also grabbed the documents and got in, with Li Yan driving. She utilized the time to familiarize herself with them as much as possible.

Zhang Yurong's intention was to give Li Yan the opportunity to accompany and learn more; naturally, there was no expectation of him being able to assist. Wen Qianyi shared the same mindset, hence why she only had him drive while she focused on the materials.

Driving was not a problem for Li Yan. In the lead, Xiao Yan drove the executive car, heading directly to a five-star hotel. After meeting at the entrance, Ke Yunyun led everyone inside.

The important client was staying in a presidential suite! This made Li Yan suspect that the client might be a nouveau riche big boss, but since Zhang Yurong valued him, he couldn't be from a nouveau riche enterprise. There was only one possibility: he was a Crown Prince used to luxury from a young age.

Entering the room, Ke Yunyun pressed the bell and announced their group's identity. After a while, someone opened the door.

The person opening the door was a woman, confirming Li Yan's suspicions, but this woman wasn't particularly pretty or seductive, indicating she might be a true assistant, not just a pretty face. Perhaps because he was the only man in the group being polite, Li Yan felt the woman glanced at him a few more times.

After the confirmation, the woman let them in. As they entered the uniquely styled spacious living room, someone came forward to greet them.

"Hello, Miss Zhang. This is Miss Shinohara, and I am her... assistant, Matsushima Kui, pleased to meet you!"

Accompanied by two other women, the two girls smilingly introduced themselves, but it was Matsushima Kui who soon fixed her gaze on Li Yan at the back.

(Thanks to the brothers for their guaranteed monthly passes, allowing 'Mixed' to reach 33rd in the overall chart. However, with the fierce competition in the urban category, we are still slightly behind the top six. Please continue your support, and to avoid a late comeback at the end of the month, let's hit it hard at the start!)(To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com, where there are more chapters supporting the author, supporting legitimate reading!)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.