Regarding her question, Li Yan thought that now should be a relatively good time to respond.

"Haha, don't think too much! Take it slowly, I won't just be considering this issue. Don't have any mental burdens."

Hearing these words, Huang Ying in the bathroom breathed a sigh of relief. Even if she was mentally ready, emotionally it was hard to accept such a sudden "sponsorship." She had just given her first kiss to Li Yan, which was already a big breakthrough for her, requiring some time to digest.

She silently walked out, looked at him for a while, and then said in a low voice, "Thank you... for still respecting me."

Li Yan really wanted to tell her that he wouldn't take advantage of this opportunity to sleep with her, and that for her, this problem wouldn't be a big issue in the future either. But considering that she might be overwhelmed by the huge burden of life now, she needed not just financial support but also emotional reliance! So, he didn't say it.

"Don't think too much, I won't look down on you because of this, I understand your hardships. You don't have to worry that I will demand you to do anything, whether as a girlfriend or a lover, that's just part of it. Dining and chatting together is also part of it. Relax, if you're uneasy, you can just think of it as temporary storage, and make it up at the right time. Remember, if there's a problem, come to me first!"

His comfort brought some reflection to Huang Ying, who had never dated but didn't consider it everything. With the aspect of sponsorship holding a larger part, his words made her feel like he truly treated her as a girlfriend! This made her silently remember, just temporarily store it! Whenever he wants it, she can give it to him...

Li Yan didn't let her see him downstairs; he said goodbye and left by himself.

Driving away, his mood was also a bit heavy. Tonight's events, although unexpected, weren't shocking. What he found hard to accept was that sponsorship, which he initially used to provoke and guide Huang Ying, was something she was more willing to accept, rather than his gift of help!

Is it because of the principle of not taking something for nothing? Is it because she couldn't bear to give back too much, promising herself? Or... does she simply not trust the current social monetary relationships?

At some point, urban people began to follow such concepts: Friends shouldn't talk about money, talking about money will surely hurt relationships; don't borrow money from people, and don't lend money to people! Perhaps it's because more and more people become "grandmasters" by being in debt, making many friends turn against each other in court or end up estranged over debts, so everyone sees through it and becomes precise with close family too.

Huang Ying might also have such thoughts, feeling that if she can't repay money borrowed from someone, it incurs not only a financial but also a personal debt. Furthermore, she might wonder why someone would lend you so much money in the first place?

In any case, at least she is now able to peacefully accept his help.

As Li Yan was preparing to drive home, another call came in. Picking it up and looking at it, he was a bit surprised—it was Hai Fu calling!

"Ms. Hai, what's up? Miss me?" Li Yan answered with a smile. Sometimes he liked to joke around with the serious and stern Hai Fu, gaining a sense of conquest, especially after teasing her in the office last time.

Upon hearing his voice, Hai Fu's voice could be heard on the other end, but she remained silent.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Having encountered incidents with Zhang Yurong and Huang Ying today, Li Yan couldn't help but feel a bit tense. Could something have happened to Hai Fu too?

This time, Hai Fu spoke, without her usual harsh tone, nor the unique gentleness she had toward Li Yan. Her voice was full of sorrow: "Do you think I'm annoying?"

"Why do you say that?" Li Yan found women really hard to understand. "Although we aren't officially dating, haven't you been saying everything's fine? And... when I'm with you, I feel pretty good... I mean, I feel very happy. Otherwise, I wouldn't have specially taken you to the beach or anything."

Hai Fu was silent for a while, "Then why didn't you come yesterday, not even a call? If I hadn't called today, you'd probably let me wait all night again without saying anything, right?"

Li Yan suddenly remembered something. On Monday, regarding being transferred to the security team, Hai Fu called that night to ask if he wanted company for a drink, fearing he might be in a bad mood. At the time, he had already agreed to meet Wen Qianyi earlier, so he changed plans to meet on the weekend. Later, Zhang Yurong and Yue Yao wanted to go out with him, and the next day he met Matsushima Kui and Shinohara Mirai, spending many days with them until today when Zhang Yurong called him back.

Since he hadn't had any free time, and like he hadn't contacted Yu Xiao Di, he forgot about this matter. So, when he received Hai Fu's call now, he didn't even think of this.

"Well... I'm sorry; I've been a bit busy lately, and I've been off work for the past few days due to some errands, only returned today... I didn't mean to stand you up. If you don't believe me, you can ask around." Li Yan said seriously.

"Forget it." Hai Fu's voice didn't reveal what she meant, whether she didn't care or believed his words.

"Are you at the bar from last time? I'll head over right away!" Although Li Yan wanted to go home at this moment, given that he had promised and seemingly let Hai Fu wait anxiously last night and possibly by herself again tonight, he still needed to go over, of course, ditching the friendly match for tonight.

"No need; I'm not interested in drinking anymore." After speaking, Hai Fu hung up.

Women! Li Yan smirked slightly.

——Women are like money, not having them makes you uncomfortable, even hard to survive; but having too much is troublesome too.

He had already explained, it was up to Hai Fu whether to listen and accept; Li Yan wasn't one to pester and explain repeatedly. How could he have so much time to coax everyone? Even his lawful wife, Zhang Yurong, hadn't been coaxed much!

...

Zhang Yurong and Yue Yao were still in the living room, though no longer practicing yoga and now wearing pajamas. Seeing Li Yan coming home early, which was rare, and seemingly without a hint of having drunk, Zhang Yurong couldn't help but be a bit surprised. Had this guy changed his ways?

Li Yan greeted them with a smile, walking over to sit on the other sofa. "Yurong, when are you practicing yoga again? I'd like to learn from you too."

"Go! Who has time for you?" Zhang Yurong rolled her eyes. Practicing yoga? Everyone knows your true intentions!

Yue Yao watched him with a smile but said nothing, yet without Zhang Yurong noticing, she used her eyes and hand gestures to convey a message directly to him.

In the afternoon, Li Yan had her arrange a meeting with all members of "the organization," and it was already conveyed with urgency, scheduled for tomorrow!

Seeing the time given by Yue Yao, Li Yan knew she was doing it for his benefit. In a hurry, even if there was an insider leaking information, other assassins would need time to arrive, and even if they managed to get there, there wouldn't be much time to prepare and arrange, which would save Li Yan some trouble.

Since she had arranged everything, he also needed to make some preparations. After chatting with them for a bit, he went upstairs first.

In two years, he hadn't appeared in front of "them," and as for gathering everyone together, it was something unknown how long ago it had been. Many things, if not done often, become unfamiliar.

But for Li Yan, the crucial factor was his own change! Others and the environment would always change, and so would he. As long as his "heart" was still in its peak state, even with a longer absence from "them," he wouldn't have any problems at all.

Is his heart still at its peak now?

At this moment, Li Yan was introspecting and questioning himself with his eyes closed.

Regarding his parents, Li Yan was hardly a dutiful son because he rarely stayed around them. He adhered to the philosophy of respecting and keeping a distance! He had no issues with them, but he wanted to protect them in this way! Only by minimizing ties with him would they remain safer.

However, in the past six months, he had gained new connections, and more seemed to be coming... and this connection was his wife Zhang Yurong! Although they both see it as a temporary arrangement to satisfy the elders' wishes, with no future, sleeping in separate rooms, and not interfering with each other, all prepared for the end of this not-so-lasting marriage. But regardless, she is still his wife and could potentially be implicated by him.

Now, Li Yan silently examined, not only is Zhang Yurong different from before, occupying a heavier place in his heart, but Wen Qianyi, Yu Xiao Di, Yue Yao, Huang Ying, and Hai Fu also all have tied to his heart. An assassin's heart, once tied, will create a chain reaction and butterfly effect, potentially causing unexpected situations. This is why the vast majority of assassins only lead ordinary lives and establish relationships after retirement; hence they also seek to earn more money for a quicker retirement.

With so many bonds, can he still remain calm and invincible?

This is also what Yue Yao is very concerned about. She doesn't know exactly how Li Yan lived for these two years, but after spending a few weeks with him, she has learned many aspects about him; he is now very different from before. This may not be a good thing for King!

Li Yan remained silently sitting for two hours, seemingly meditative and introspective, until his mind became extremely calm...

Indeed, he calmed down because he gained an epiphany and sublimation!

Love and emotions can become entanglements and obstacles for people; but on the flip side, if used well, they can become motivations and aids, making him stronger! Because he's no longer fighting alone! (Fourth update, asking for monthly passes, subscriptions, rewards, recommendation votes... Any support is greatly appreciated!) (To be continued, to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine 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.