Chapter 177: Brainwashing and Fallacy with Yurong

"Did Yu Xiaodi come back last night?"

Li Yan was feeling that his gesture of calling early in the morning to check in was unusually different from his normal behavior, and it actually seemed like a sign of guilty conscience. Yet, he didn’t expect Zhang Yurong to say such a thing!

What’s going on? Xiaodi did come back, but how did Yurong know?

Could it really be such a coincidence that she also went to the airport? But it was after nine o’clock, as per her routine she should have been at home already.

Li Yan’s hesitation brought a bitter sigh from Zhang Yurong, "I guessed right, didn’t I? You weren’t out for socializing last night; it was because Yu Xiaodi came back, and you were with her."

Turns out she guessed!

Li Yan also laughed bitterly to himself; a woman’s intuition is truly sharp. Even though she initially reacted by trusting him, given time to think, she’d find it odd. Zhang Yurong, being exceptionally brilliant, usually focuses her mind on work and career. She doesn’t use her intelligence for scheming or plotting, but that doesn’t mean she’s easy to fool.

"You guessed right..." Since she had figured it out, Li Yan didn’t conceal it.

In her office, Zhang Yurong felt slightly breathless. She had predicted this outcome last night, which left her unable to sleep well. But she managed to act as if nothing had happened, as long as it wasn’t directly exposed, she wouldn’t bring it up.

If Li Yan hadn’t called her this morning, after a day of work, she would have calmed down more and might not have mentioned it. But now, she had just started work and couldn’t help but think of Li Yan, wondering if he had come to work or if he would skip to spend time with Yu Xiaodi.

This thought unsettled her, as she was contemplating taking a deep breath to calm herself and start working, Li Yan’s call came through. He never calls especially to show concern (of course, mostly because they head out together most of the time, and already meet at home; no need for an extra call after going to work. It would be overly sweet.). Moreover, the tone sounded like it was from a guilty conscience, so she couldn’t help blurting it out.

Li Yan’s silence told her she was right, and since she had broken the ice, there was no point in continuing to conceal, directly confronting him about his whereabouts last night.

Li Yan’s admission was expected by Yurong. What complicated her emotions now was Li Yan’s attitude. Would he move out again? Live together with Yu Xiaodi?

"...She did come back; I got the information she returned on the nine o’clock flight last night." Li Yan continued, "I didn’t come home last night because I went to the airport. But, I wasn’t with her!"

"...?" Zhang Yurong didn’t speak, her mood was calm but not as oppressed as before. Whether his explanation was deceitful or not, at least this time he was willing to explain.

Li Yan didn’t expect her to cooperate by asking questions, fearing she would hang up, he quickly continued. "In reality, I only saw her from a distance last night, didn’t say a word to her."

"..." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"I previously told you, she came back last night, beside her mom. If I approached her, it might make things more awkward and worsen the situation. But I did follow them at a distance, ended up at a hotel near their house for the night. I didn’t have the chance to see her, nor the opportunity to call her. Sorry, I deceived you."

While apologizing and deceiving, this seems a bit like doing wrong and repenting at the same time. But what Li Yan said wasn’t a lie, he merely omitted parts to avoid expanding the conflict, skipping over Qiao Huanxuan’s information, following Yu Xiaodi’s direction, staying overnight at a hotel near her house was indeed true! Of course, his apology and admission of deception was about the aftermath of this section.

After hearing Li Yan’s explanation, Zhang Yurong felt his words were credible. If he intended to deceive, he could simply deny Yu Xiaodi’s return or having seen Yu Xiaodi, she wouldn’t have evidence to prove anything. Therefore, him providing detailed explanations made her believe his words.

And her mood improved a bit, because as his lawful wife, Zhang Yurong had the right to dignity and anger. If it was like last time, agreeing to separation and divorce right away, it would show he completely disregarded their relationship. But this time, hearing his explanation, even though it’s not a happy tale, at least it expressed his willingness to make amends.

"What’s your decision?" Zhang Yurong tried to keep her tone calm and free of impulse.

Li Yan sighed, "I know you’re not happy, being your nominal husband and flirting outside is inherently disloyal and disrespectful to you. If you want to scold me or hit me, I’d feel better. As for Yu Xiaodi’s matter...give me more time! I promise you, as well as on Yu Xiaodi’s behalf, last time with her was a special case..."

He wanted to say ’within the year agreement between you and Yu Xiaodi,’ but quickly realized this was an agreement between her and Yu Xiaodi, not to be disclosed to him. He had guessed and confirmed it from Yu Xiaodi initially. If he mentioned it now, she’d surely think Yu Xiaodi told him, making her perception of Xiaodi worse, and where would the harmonious space be in future?