After listening to his explanation, Yurong finally understood, but she felt that maybe this guy was worried Yue Yao might mess with his car. Then she thought about how his salary wasn't much, he didn't have any academic degree, and his previous income wasn't high; this car was cheap, but he bought it himself with his savings, so it was normal for him to cherish it.

She wanted to buy him a better car, but she was worried he might mind, making it hard to bring up. "Let's talk about it when we get back!"

Li Yan hung up the phone. He hadn't driven long before the phone rang again. It was Qiao Huanxuan calling!

Holding the phone, he hesitated—should he answer it? What if Qiao Huanxuan wanted him to come over? That wasn't on the way home, and just going back and forth, even if they just said a few words without staying longer, would make it very late. Avoiding the call would seem like he was deliberately dodging.

While he hesitated, the phone stopped ringing but started again after a moment. It's said that patient people will let the call ring out if there's no answer. Impatient ones will hang up and redial repeatedly.

Might as well answer! Avoiding is not a solution.

"Qiao Huanxuan, what's up? I'm driving," Li Yan first emphasized his situation, explaining why he hadn't answered before and indicating he wasn't able to talk for long.

"You're driving, huh? Perfect, come over right away. Last time's hotel, last time's room." Qiao Huanxuan's words didn't carry much emotion; it was hard to tell how she felt at that moment.

"Uh... I'm not really free these days." As expected, she wanted to meet face-to-face, Li Yan secretly smiled wryly and tried to explain.

Qiao Huanxuan gave a cold laugh: "Not free these days? What, are you on your period? I'm just asking you to come over, not necessarily doing anything to you. Even if you are, I'm not going to force myself on you!"

"..." Li Yan didn't mean that; he was just implying he'd be busy these days, but her explanation twisted that around... Moreover, she mentioned forcing herself again! Suggesting if he wasn't on his period, would he be 'forced'? Being 'forced' by a beautiful woman you don't dislike is actually quite joyful, but a woman who has profound feelings for him, even to an unhealthy degree, would mean he couldn't just enjoy it. 'Forced this' or 'forced that' could easily distort the relationship between them! Li Yan had just been entangled with Hai Fu and didn't want Qiao Huanxuan to be the same. After deeper feelings developed, the relationship would be even harder to sort out.

Unluckily, Qiao Huanxuan didn't even give him a chance to refuse. After she finished speaking, she directly added, "Stop dawdling and just come here quickly!" To remove his excuses, she even repeated the hotel's name and room number and then hung up the phone.

After glancing at the phone, Li Yan just switched it off and then sped up to go home.

...

Yurong got home a bit earlier than Li Yan. Originally, Li Yan hadn't been home for over ten days, and Mrs. Liu had asked her at noon if she wanted to add more dishes to celebrate. She agreed, but neither of them ended up coming home for dinner. So when Yurong came back, Mrs. Liu, who had been taking care of her for a long time, didn't hold back and complained about it; now it could only become supper.

From Mrs. Liu's chatter, Yurong learned that the guest (Yu Xiaodi) drove away alone and later Li Yan also left alone. This brought her some relief. In hindsight, leaving her husband and potential rival alone at home was dangerous. But at the time, she was preoccupied with Yue Yao. Knowing that Yu Xiaodi was also worried about Li Yan's safety, she didn't have much time to think about these things. Finding out indirectly that they didn't stay at home together for long, nor went out together, improved her impression of both Li Yan and Yu Xiaodi.

Seeing Li Yan return, the slightly tired Yurong actively asked, "You're back, are you hungry? Should I ask Mrs. Liu to warm up some food for you?"

Li Yan shook his head, "I've already eaten. Are you alright?"

Yurong was a little baffled, "What's wrong with me?"

Li Yan sat down beside her, gazing at her, "You've been worrying about me for so many days, and these days worrying about Yue Yao. Today I came back safely, but she really got into trouble; you must be feeling very upset."

Hearing his concerned words, Yurong tried to smile, "It's okay. While I'm worried about Yue Yao's situation, at least now I know, and you've returned, which is better than having my heart hanging in mid-air."

"Turn around."

Hm? Turn around?

Hearing Li Yan suddenly say so, Yurong was a bit puzzled but immediately thought, could he be giving her a surprise gift? This thought made her a little thrilled; all he had ever given her were flowers once and a sachet from Beihai Country. Maybe in his days away, he still remembered her...

Obediently turning around with her back to Li Yan, she couldn't help but close her eyes, wondering what he would give her.

But instead of hearing him ask her to turn back, she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders!

"Don't worry, you're under too much pressure, let me give you a massage to relax." Li Yan's hands gently kneaded her shoulders.

Being suddenly touched by his hands, Yurong was a bit surprised, but after hearing his words, she understood his intent. She felt slightly embarrassed; she had thought he would give her a gift. It seemed she was overthinking; apparently, this guy still didn't understand romance!

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