Chapter 289: Everything Has Changed

Yurong didn’t move, watching his back, contemplating his words in her heart.

No matter how rational a woman is, there is always a sentimental side. In Yurong’s situation, all the words before this were merely one-sided explanations, hard to touch one’s heart. To Yurong, perhaps the last words were even more impactful...

’At the beginning, I didn’t have feelings for you or her. But as time went on, now I find it hard to let go of both you and her...’

No feelings from the start? To now finding it hard to let go?

He didn’t say the word "love," not even "like," but to Yurong, it felt the same because she felt the same way!

At the beginning, everyone was indifferent and uninvolved. What connected the two already married individuals was nothing but the dining table and the weekly ’acting’ trip to her parent’s home. Initially, everyone felt awkward and unnatural, but later everyone got used to this lifestyle, and due to various events, they gradually became more concerned and learned more about each other.

But... do I really feel that I can’t let go of him?

Yurong couldn’t answer this question to herself, but from the anger she felt today, it was clear that he no longer held the irrelevant position he once did in her heart; he now had a certain, even significant, place.——Nobody would be angry over someone they don’t care about!

Yet what made her slightly annoyed and faintly uncomfortable was that Li Yan’s words just now weren’t meant for her alone! They applied to Yue Yao as well. And his so-called "other people," including Wen Qianyi, who knows if he hasn’t developed feelings over time as well? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

This damned man is so fickle...

After cursing silently, she faced a long-standing issue once again——the future of her and Li Yan!

’Of course, I might not be suitable for you, so we keep our distance; I might not be suitable for her either, so we’re also keeping our distance without crossing the line.’

Because they both felt unsuitable for each other, maintaining their marriage superficially, eventually, they were going to part ways, which was their previous understanding. Now what Li Yan means is obvious. Because he might not be suitable for her, he keeps his distance from her. And with Yue Yao, besides the identity gap, there’s also the age gap, which makes him even more unsuitable for her. Thus, he maintains his distance without crossing the line.

Yue Yao’s reaction earlier annoyed Yurong, but now after hearing Li Yan’s words, she believed him. Because they’ve been married for over half a year, he hasn’t done anything to her. She knows very well that while Li Yan is a lecher, he is a principled one, able to restrain himself from taking things he’s not supposed to.

Thinking carefully about all this, Yurong slowly calmed down, recalling Li Yan’s expression just now, she began to try to consider things from his perspective.

Although he seems carefree and dissolute, with a nonchalant attitude, deep down he may not be without insecurities. Perhaps, in his view, I am ultimately not the right match for him, this marriage has no future. Even if Yue Yao actively and passionately pursued him, her status is no less than mine, and the age gap is even greater, for him, there’s even less of a future...

If he and I may not have a future, and he and she even less so, why should I trouble myself?

Yue Yao is still young, she can maintain enthusiasm for a month or two, but can she do so for a year or two? They will part ways sooner or later, so why should I make myself suffer? Why should I wrongly behave like a petty person?

As for us, we never anticipated a future to begin with. Now, being able to coexist more harmoniously than before is already progress. It gives our parents more peace of mind, and whatever the future holds, let it be. No matter what, he has helped me, and he bears more pressure than I do, so why should I give him a hard time?

After pondering for a long time, she saw the clock had reached two in the morning. Even for someone as disciplined as Yurong, who used to stay up late for work, had never stayed up this late. She hurriedly took a shower and went to bed.

...

Yurong found it hard to sleep, and so did the others. Li Yan only fell asleep much later, and Yue Yao, having shed her public persona of confidence, also felt disheartened when alone. Competing with two or a few others for someone’s affection is fair competition, but when someone already has a girlfriend, it’s interfering, not to mention he has a wife.

Cooled down, thinking about Yurong’s standpoint, if it were her husband being taken away and such words were spoken, would she be in a good mood? She couldn’t help but feel ashamed for her shameless ’third person’ attitude.

On the other side of the wall, Yue Yao also tossed and turned, finding it hard to sleep. She wasn’t monitoring Li Yan and Yue Yao, she was troubled by feelings too! She had always kept her emotions wrapped up, only helping Li Yan in the name of a partner, an assistant. Except for that adventurous attempt at a threesome bed, she had never explicitly expressed anything.

Thinking about Li Yan’s words today, and Yue Yao’s bold and determined pursuit, she began to reflect inwardly, daring to kill, daring to die, why not dare to pursue him? Even if it doesn’t result in anything, loving like Yue Yao would at least be a beautiful memory, wouldn’t it?

But she was still conflicted because, for her, this was already a good result. Being able to stay by Li Yan’s side, silently watching him and helping him, was a cherished memory. She didn’t want to give up on these days that were as bland as water but could flow longer, just for the possibility of once having something more.

In the morning, everyone was yawning continually.

No one slept comfortably, but due to Yu Xiaodi’s presence, everyone got up promptly.

Was last night the first battle, and would the morning be the second?

Would the conflict escalate? Or would they continue to ignore each other?

Now that Yu Xiaodi knew Li Yan’s residence, would she linger or return again?

These were all mysteries, and the involved parties included Zhang Yurong and Yu Xiaodi, Li Yan counted as well, and Yue Yao was indirectly involved.

After washing up and exchanging greetings, everyone sat around the dining table.

Zhang Yurong was the first to sit there. Her spirit seemed slightly diminished compared to usual, but at least she wasn’t yawning indiscreetly like Li Yan.

"Why so much food?"

Looking at the breakfast on the table—bread, milk, fried eggs, egg drop soup, noodles, and side dishes—Li Yan found it strange. Even if there was one more person, just a girl, three people together didn’t amount to his appetite alone. Was it necessary to prepare so much?

Zhang Yurong casually said, "We’ve got a guest at home. I don’t know Miss Yu’s tastes, so I specifically asked Sister Liu to prepare a bit more. It’s a last-minute thing, so I’m afraid the hospitality isn’t perfect. Miss Yu, please bear with us!" Saying this, she served a bowl of soup to Yu Xiaodi.

Upon hearing this, Li Yan’s spoon fell into his bowl. He wondered if he hadn’t slept well and was hallucinating. Was this Zhang Yurong’s attitude? Last night, it was all tension and confrontation! A policy of appeasement now?

Yu Xiaodi and Yue Yao were equally surprised, but both felt considerably better because Zhang Yurong’s aura was strong. After last night’s events, her cold demeanor brought quite a bit of psychological pressure to everyone. Her friendliness reduced everyone’s pressure considerably.

Although Yue Yao didn’t know what caused Zhang Yurong to be so calm, she still felt gratified. Undoubtedly, having gone through last night’s issues, she became slightly more mature in terms of emotions. However, at the moment, she didn’t find it appropriate to speak much and waited to see Li Yan and Yu Xiaodi’s reactions.

Although Yu Xiaodi was astonished, she was undoubtedly the most relieved. After contemplating alone last night, she realized her attitude was unacceptable, being domineering even though she was in the wrong. Although Li Yan hadn’t criticized her, she herself felt uneasy. Therefore, she wanted to change her attitude this morning.

But she was still anxious, worried that Zhang Yurong might make things difficult for her, like not preparing her share of breakfast or asking her to leave. Although Li Yan might stand by her side, she would still feel embarrassed. Being direct, she might not be able to control her temper, potentially leading to another argument.

Yet, seeing her reaction made her slightly at ease. Regardless of Zhang Yurong’s intentions, at least they didn’t have to break off amicably.

Yu Xiaodi took the soup and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Sister Zhang. Last night... I was in a bad mood, said things a bit harshly, please don’t take it to heart!"

Li Yan’s spoon trembled again as he picked it up, looking to his left and right, finally turning to Yue Yao beside Zhang Yurong to see if she had the same surprise, questioning if he was hallucinating. If it were so, could she, with her feminine intuition, analyze what this signified?

What he saw, however, was Yue Yao’s face full of surprise and admiration. In her view, it was undoubtedly that Li Yan had communicated separately with both individuals last night, thus by morning, they were as good as ever, almost calling each other sisters.

Regarding Yu Xiaodi’s term of address, Zhang Yurong secretly frowned slightly. When they met at the Prince Hotel earlier, Yu Xiaodi didn’t know her relationship yet, out of courtesy, she called both her and Yue Yao sisters. But now the truth was revealed, last night she was trying to compete for her husband, this "sister" sounded awkward.

Nonetheless, Zhang Yurong kept it in, "It’s getting late. Soon you’ll need to head back to school, go on, eat! Don’t hesitate if you’d like more of anything."

While Yue Yao admired, Li Yan secretly chuckled bitterly. God knows, I didn’t do any communication work at all! Last night, I didn’t meet privately with Xiaodi, and explained things to Yurong without seeing a good face. How could everything change after sleeping? Both individuals had dramatically changed attitudes, as though they’d taken a strange tonic?

His surprise and inability to fathom it were all discreetly observed by Zhang Yurong, who finally relaxed. It seemed she chose the right approach this time, arguing wouldn’t let anyone step down gracefully. This way, it gave everyone more time. As for Li Yan’s reaction, she felt slightly pleased—what’s wrong? Think I’m that rigidly impartial, unable to tolerate any sand in my eyes? I can have magnanimity too! (Please support the author’s works by subscribing... Tonight’s Chapter three, is there a Chapter four? Anything is possible!) (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com, with more Chapters to support the author and support genuine reading!)