(Thanks to the bibliophile [zjun971210] for becoming the Squad Leader, adding extra chapters as a token of appreciation!)

Even though last time, Li Yan had already let go of his grievances and even contacted Qiao Huanxuan proactively, calling her now to say he wanted to give her a surprise by heading to the hotel where she once stayed would still seem too fake. So after dialing the number, he simply asked if Qiao Huanxuan had returned to S City, and if she was there, he'd take her out for a meal.

Upon hearing his words, Qiao Huanxuan laughed exaggeratedly.

"What are you laughing at?" Li Yan was somewhat baffled.

"Haha… You must have thought I left S City and didn't come back, so you purposely said something nice, right? Let me tell you, I actually came back yesterday. Aren't you going to treat me to dinner? Go ahead, it's perfect timing, I'm off today. Staying at the same hotel as last time!" Qiao Huanxuan agreed delightedly.

Upon hearing this, Li Yan thought it was quite a coincidence, but if she was here, it was better; at least he wouldn't have to wait alone, and it was rare to get some time to spend with her.

"OK, I'm not far from there, I'll rush over and be there in less than ten minutes. That's it!" After Li Yan finished speaking, he hung up the phone, contemplating whether to buy a bouquet of flowers as well, as that would really be a surprise for her.

He hadn't decided whether to go back to the gift shop when his phone rang again; it was Qiao Huanxuan calling.

"Are you really coming over?"

"Of course! I had something to do nearby and just wanted to ask if you were around. Since you're here, I'll naturally come over, lest you think I'm stingy and all talk."

"…" Qiao Huanxuan was a bit embarrassed, not expecting to misjudge the situation, so she had to say, "Uh… Actually, I'm not in S City right now; I just wanted to test if you were serious."

Li Yan was speechless. "You're just playing me!"

"Tch! You're the one acting strange. You've never been this proactive with me; I'm starting to question your motives!"

"What motives could I have?" Li Yan was a bit flustered. Does she really have a tendency for being mistreated, preferring him to be cold and indifferent?

"Would you be in such a hurry just for a meal?"

Her exaggerated remarks made Li Yan unable to resist walking to a secluded place; it was really audacious, he reckoned she probably didn't have anyone around her, otherwise, that would be too…

"Fine, fine, think whatever you want. I'm going to find Little Di now!"

…

After hanging up the phone, Li Yan checked the time and decided to first have lunch, then decide whether to sunbathe by the seaside or rent a room to rest.

He didn't bother looking around, directly heading to the hotel's restaurant. Before reaching the restaurant, his phone rang again.

Thinking it was Qiao Huanxuan calling again, he considered going to the stairwell to tease her a bit, lest she gains the upper hand. To his surprise, it was Little Di calling! He had just been thinking about whether to go to Little Di's house; could it be a telepathic connection?

"Little Di!"

"Li Yan, are you alright?" As soon as the call was connected, Yu Xiaodi nervously inquired.

Li Yan was a bit perplexed, "I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"

Yu Xiaodi chuckled awkwardly, "It's my fault for not explaining. I just watched the TV, the finance news mentioned your Paradise Group, saying the chief lawyer held a press conference listing seven sins of your company, and there's talk about going to court. I'm worried about turmoil in your company..."

Li Yan was immediately touched; this girl… She normally wouldn't care about such matters, surely it was hearing Paradise Group that caught her attention; she knew little and comprehended even less, yet worried Paradise Group's turmoil would affect him, the newly transferred subsidiary manager!

"Little Di, don't worry. It's not a big issue; headquarters will handle it, and I'm fine."

His reassurance eased Little Di a bit, but she quickly added, "Headquarters? Isn't Zhang Yurong the President? Could this be her trouble?"

Her relationship with Zhang Yurong was very subtle and odd. They were merely acquaintances, then became like a mistress and lawful wife. Later, they turned into contractual rivals.

Though in the context of Li Yan, she and Zhang Yurong were competitors, outside of that, she very much admired Zhang Yurong. She might follow a similar path eventually, but admitted her abilities were not even comparable to Zhang Yurong. This could be seen from her learning progress, albeit Zhang Yurong couldn't rival her in playing, pranking, etc.

Now hearing Paradise Group and Zhang Yurong are in trouble, that's an external enemy; she still vaguely considered Zhang Yurong as her own, thinking the lawyer and competitor were the real enemies.

"Yurong is not alone; there are many corporate leaders. Naturally, that lawyer is not alone either, backed by a whole group. In short, it's a corporate battle; you can't help, and neither can I." Li Yan sensed her concern for Zhang Yurong and comforted her once again.

"Oh… then…" Little Di hesitated, softly asking, "Uncle, if I call to comfort and support her, would she think I'm gloating?"

This question… Li Yan found it difficult to answer. Women's minds are unfathomable; it's really hard to tell. His concern for Yurong would naturally be welcomed, but Little Di's concern, what's the nature of that relationship? More likely, people would view it as mockery or sarcasm.

However, Yurong didn't have many personal friends and needed support. From his standpoint, he would be delighted to see them get along harmoniously, fostering a close relationship. So after hesitating, he cautiously said, "I know you genuinely care. If I pass on the message, she might be unhappy, but if you personally say it, mentioning you saw it on TV with a sincere tone, she probably won't overthink it."

"Really? I'll call later then!" With his words, Yu Xiaodi felt assured.

"Yes, by the way, why does your voice sound a bit off? Is it a phone problem, or something else? Where are you watching TV?"

Whenever discussing serious matters, Yu Xiaodi would seriously call him 'Li Yan,' only using 'Uncle' in a casual, relaxed state, and deliberately in jest, would playfully call him 'Yan gě gé' with a coquettish tone.

Now the serious talk was done; knowing he was fine and having decided to call Zhang Yurong shortly, upon hearing his concern, she immediately whined in a pitiful tone, "Uncle, I'm sick, on leave at home. Bored, I'm watching TV."

She should be at S University; otherwise, having detected something off in her voice, combined with her saying she's watching TV, things seemed unusual, prompting Li Yan to ask, only to find out she was indeed sick!

"Is it serious? I'll come see you right away!"

Upon hearing Li Yan's urgent words, Little Di was stunned. She indeed felt unwell, but it was merely the discomfort of a common cold, nothing particularly severe. Yet hearing Li Yan speaking with such concern and saying he'll come see her immediately, her heart warmed, while she hurriedly explained, "No need, you have work! I'm not at school, but at home; it's rather far for you. It's not that serious; I'm just being lazy, I'll be fine after resting."

"You should've taken sick leave yesterday, right? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Weren't you going to help Yue Yao with her discharge yesterday… oh, is she okay?"

"Nothing serious. I'm done with work; I'll come over in a bit, you just wait for me. By the way, you probably don't have much appetite, haven't eaten anything, right? Do you want me to bring you something?" Li Yan was already briskly walking outside, asking as he went.

Yu Family's cooks were still quite capable, but during a cold with no appetite, the more sophisticated dishes would further diminish her appetite.

Seeing him insist on coming, Yu Xiaodi was very happy, quickly saying, "No need! If you come see me, I wouldn't need medicine; I'd be cured instantly!"

"Alright then, wait for me. I was outside anyway, and I switched to a faster car, I'll race over!"

"Take care!"

Li Yan had to emphasize his speed since from the hotel, no more than a few minutes, even if he had to register entering the Seaside Villa District, it wouldn't take long.

After leaving, he contemplated buying her something, even if she lacked nothing, it would be a token of regard, a show of care to lift her spirits, aiding recovery.

Yet he soon sighed lightly, hurrying back inside the hotel then dashed to the gift shop. Under the smiley greeting of the shop manager whom he talked to earlier, he promptly bought a bunch of red roses. Cliché as it is, girls like them, and nothing suits couples better.

After buying flowers, he fetched his car and drove to a place selling pigeon porridge, picking up a serving with side dishes, hoping she might eat a little.

Despite being busy, it didn't consume much time; upon reaching Yu Xiaodi's home, barely over ten minutes had passed.

The security had received Yu Xiaodi's notice allowing him to drive in, but upon parking and getting out, carrying porridge in one hand and flowers in the other, he was blocked by Zhou Yunfei. Zhou Yunfei stared coldly at Li Yan, eyeing the items especially.

This made Li Yan wonder secretly whether his actions pertained to Jie Rui Company reforms, or had he learned of his relationship with Li Jie, intending to settle scores for both Li Jie and Yu Xiaodi?

(Fifth update, asking for Monthly Pass, seeking subscription!) (To be continued; for the sequel, please visit www.qidian.com for more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!)

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