Chapter Sixty-Seven: Let Today Leap Out of Time

(Thank you to the book friend [Lin Qiufeng] for being promoted to Sect Leader, making up for the extra update with thanks!)

Little Di burst into tears for various reasons: one was the relief from worry, finally confirming that this was a love letter, not a breakup letter; another was because of Li Yan’s words, reflecting on how her feelings toward him evolved from dislike to acceptance, to fondness, to now saying she would never give up and would protect him for life; and one more reason was Li Yan’s direct declaration of "I love you," which made her feel that all the previous efforts, grievances, and pressures were worth it.

Her crying was suppressed, afraid that the sound would be heard by Li Yan. Very quickly, she also feared that her tears would make the letter wet and the words blurry, so she hurriedly repackaged the letter into the envelope with teary eyes, intending to cherish it.

After placing the letter on the bedside table, Little Di buried herself in the quilt again, sobbing softly for a while. She wanted to vent her previous worries and nervousness, to release the happiness and joy.

Unfortunately, she forgot the time, forgetting how much time she had wasted hesitating earlier.

But Li Yan had calculated the time, so he emerged in a bathrobe a few seconds before midnight. He gently approached Little Di, and at midnight sharp, placed his hand on her back and softly said, "Little Di... Happy Birthday!"

Little Di, noticing Li Yan’s presence, trembled slightly, immediately stopped crying, and forcefully rubbed her head against the quilt, disregarding her appearance, just needing to wipe the tears first.

From behind, Li Yan watched her behave like she was burrowing into the quilt, and couldn’t help but laugh, pulling her over. "Little pig, are you counting cabbages?"

Little Di didn’t want him to see her like this, but she didn’t have the strength to resist his arms and was immediately pulled over.

When he saw her red eyes and tear marks, Li Yan was slightly surprised, "What’s wrong? Did you get a call just now?"

To make Little Di cry, in his view, it had to be either Zhang Yurong calling him and being answered by her, leading to Yurong’s disdain; or her parents calling, knowing she was out with someone, and scolding her for it. Otherwise, no other reason could make the usually optimistic Little Di cry.

But both phones were clearly turned off.

Though her eyes were still a bit blurry, Little Di saw Li Yan’s concerned expression, and felt a surge of emotion. She snuggled tightly into his arms, "Nothing... Nothing at all, I was just... made to cry by you."

"Me?" Li Yan was a bit embarrassed, "Because you thought a love letter was too simple a gift?"

"Of course not... I was moved to tears by you." At this, Little Di blushed slightly but still gathered courage and softly said, "Can’t you say it out loud instead of just writing it?"

Li Yan understood her meaning, immediately lowered his head to kiss her face, and then whispered softly near her ear, "Little Di... I love you."

In Li Yan’s perspective, "I love you" didn’t necessarily have to be said out loud, which is also a traditional way for many Yun Country people. Love can be seen and felt through actions. Many modern experts advocate the Celestial Continent’s concept, urging expressions of love to enhance relationships. Though that’s not always the case. Look at Si Country films, where couples, lovers, and family members say "I love you" very naturally and frequently, but divorce and affairs are still unavoidable. Yun Country people don’t say it every day, yet their lives are just as natural.

Of course, for couples in love, expressing love verbally is necessary, as it’s still a stage of uncertainty. Not expressing it can lead to misunderstandings.

Hearing Li Yan say it out loud, the not-yet-stable Little Di’s eyes almost brimmed with tears once more. Li Yan patted her shoulder and in a child-coaxing tone said, "Don’t cry, don’t cry, later Uncle will buy you candy."

The words made Little Di laugh slightly.

Li Yan pulled her hand up and let her lie on the bed. "It’s late, let’s get some sleep! You sleep on this side, I’ll sleep on the other side."

Li Yan also picked up her bouquet and placed it on the table. Just as he turned back, he saw Little Di standing on the bed and, bouncing with the mattress’s elasticity, sprang toward him mid-air!

If she fell on the floor or hit the table, it could be troublesome. Even if she didn’t fall or hit, colliding with Li Yan would still hurt her a lot.

Li Yan, having no choice, quickly adjusted his body angle and caught her.

"Okay, stop messing around."

Once hugged by Li Yan, Little Di quickly wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, ensuring she wouldn’t fall temporarily. "Hee hee... Uncle, you’re still quite strong, I didn’t manage to knock you down."

Li Yan patted her arm and then walked toward the bed like a kangaroo. "Growing up a year older, yet still like a kid?"

"Alright, time to sleep... hahaha!" As Li Yan was about to speak, Little Di quickly grabbed his words. "I can’t sleep, I want you to stay with me! It’s birthday time now, aren’t you supposed to listen to me?"

Li Yan glanced at the bed; Little Di quickly pulled the quilt open, then lay across the other half, making room for him. He shrugged and had to climb into bed. Just sleeping together should be fine. Last week at Wen Qianyi’s, it was the same.

Unfortunately, his wishful plan didn’t go through. Although the situation was similar, the person was different. Wen Qianyi is a rational person, and their relationship hadn’t been clarified to that extent, so they naturally handled it rationally. But Yu Xiaodi has always been enthusiastic and proactive toward him, and since he acknowledged her as a girlfriend and said he loved her, things are naturally different.

"Li Yan... give in to me!"

Suddenly hearing this, Li Yan, who was initially pretending to be motionless like a zombie, felt taken aback.

"Don’t joke around. Didn’t you make an agreement with Yurong... you wouldn’t want to break the promise, right?"

Little Di raised a finger and pleaded, "Just for today, usually you’re hers, but since you said by switching off the phone, you belong to me. Just let today be different from usual, let today leap out of time, alright?"

Li Yan smiled bitterly, struggling with how to explain to her that once this happens the first time, controlling the second and third times becomes increasingly difficult. Originally, with things like this between the two of them, giving everyone more time can maintain a relatively stable situation. Breaking the balance, however...

"Earlier, I cried... not just from being moved, but also from fear that you were giving me a breakup letter."

"Ridiculous! Why would I give you a breakup letter?" Li Yan frowned.

"Because of the agreement with Zhang Yurong, it’s a matter between two people, yet it involves various relations. While she seemed to give me a chance to compete, she also gave herself a chance. Because at that point, your relationship wasn’t solid enough, and she couldn’t be sure you wouldn’t divorce. So, the one-year timeframe also gives her a chance to deepen her relationship with you. This agreement restricts both sides, but the initiative is entirely in her hands. As long as your relationship improves, she can terminate the agreement by kicking me out at any time."

"Yurong isn’t that kind of person." Li Yan’s brows furrowed more tightly.

"I know she’s a good person; I’m not saying she has malicious intent. But don’t forget, your marriage involves two families, adding me means three families, sometimes she has no choice.

Currently, my life isn’t independent; I must be with you, but if my parents find out you’re already married, they’d certainly oppose it. If you and Zhang Yurong restore your feelings, would she tolerate an affair? Even if tolerating due to magnanimity, she would be worried for your safety, worried my parents would confront you. Out of concern for you, she would have to press you to make a decision.

Three families would put pressure on you. Can you divorce? That would anger and sadden both your parents and her parents. My parents might not accept or support it, so when it reaches that point, the least harmful choice for Zhang Yurong, and even for you, is to break up with me!"

Hearing her logically reasoned explanations, and seeing her tears overflowing, Li Yan hugged her tightly and softly consoled, "That won’t happen, you’re worrying too much. It won’t come to that..."

Little Di showed a slightly desolate smile, "After I read your love letter, I was very happy, realizing I was overthinking. But now I’m in an awkward position, even if I make an effort, the decision still isn’t mine. Tonight, you gave me the biggest surprise and joy; this birthday will undoubtedly be one I’ll always remember. Would you let us truly be together, give me a perfect memory? I don’t want to wait until such a parting day to make this request, by then you wouldn’t agree for fear of affecting my future... After today, we go back to our usual relationship, I’ll keep the promise, and never cross the line again!"

(Fourth update, requesting a Monthly Pass!) (To be continued, to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, for more Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)