"...Before the issue is resolved, I absolutely won’t have a relationship with her again."

Upon hearing Li Yan’s promise, Zhang Yurong felt relieved. Although she never admitted in front of Li Yan that Yu Xiao Di was a rival in love, she only said that his behavior was disrespectful to her. But fundamentally, she too regarded her as a rival. Moreover, she knew that Li Yan had good relationships with Wen Qianyi, with Huang Ying, and even an old first love female classmate. But the biggest rival subconsciously was Yu Xiao Di!

Because Yu Xiao Di’s background was similar to hers, and even better, possessing not only a grand family fortune. It’s not that they would use their family background to compete for men, but having such a background, Yu Xiao Di wouldn’t feel inferior in front of her. Although Yu Xiao Di’s ability was far inferior to hers, she was younger and had something she didn’t—love and initiative!

That’s also why she reached a seemingly unfair unequal treaty with Yu Xiao Di. Now, hearing Li Yan’s assurance, believing he thoughtfully agreed, he will surely follow through. And this, clearly, was also to respect her. These days, everyone got along very well, raising the relationship to a new level. She truly didn’t want any more issues.

"Alright... I trust you."

Hearing Zhang Yurong’s agreement, Li Yan also felt relieved a lot. Last time’s separation made him thoroughly realize that this ice beauty had long occupied his heart, transforming from a contractual name-like wife to the actual acknowledged partner in his heart!

"Promise me, you won’t mention anything about taking a break or divorce, right? It’s almost New Year, let’s try to keep things harmonious, okay?"

"Hmph!" Zhang Yurong snorted softly, secretly thinking: You realize that, huh? Then why still mess around?

Seeing her just snort and not oppose anything, Li Yan felt even more at ease and continued, "Actually, there’s no couple that never encounters conflict. Why are there old sayings like ’quarreling in bed, making up at the bed’s end,’ ’no overnight grudges between couples’? It shows that arguing and conflicts are normal. Respectful like guests is just what outsiders see; even the most loving couples face disagreements. Don’t split up or divorce just because problems arise..."

Zhang Yurong listened to his words, thinking there’s some truth in them. Her parents could be considered pretty loving couples, right? Especially after her father fell seriously ill, her mother accommodated him more. But didn’t they still have different views on collecting antiques recently? It’s just that they are old partners, familiar with each other’s boundaries, so they wouldn’t make a fuss.

"Wait a minute... What do you mean by saying all this? Trying to brainwash me?" Zhang Yurong thought it made sense but suddenly realized he was setting her up? So even if you were unfaithful, I must tolerate it?

Li Yan also feared her having an extreme reaction, so there was a bit of indirect persuasion, letting her understand that there are no couples without bumps. But he didn’t expect her to think so seriously. "I say, wife, you’re a Ph.D. student, I’m just a middle schooler, how can I brainwash you? Besides, brainwashing requires continual repetition to be effective. I’m just afraid you’ll dump me, asking you to stay calm, don’t put a big hat on me, okay?"

"Hmph..." Zhang Yurong felt awkward. What am I afraid of him for? Even if he intended to brainwash, I wouldn’t let him succeed. Hearing him say ’I just fear you’ll dump me,’ strangely made her feel an unexplainable sense of satisfaction, this should count as an expression of importance, right?

"You, Li the Great Casanova, loved by all, how could I dare dump you? I’m the one who should be currying favor with you!"

Seeing Yurong imitating his tone to mock him a bit, Li Yan chuckled. Her ability to joke at least indicated the situation wasn’t too severe. "Since neither of us is ’worthy,’ it means we’re well-matched, a match made in heaven."

"Who’s a match with you? What’s really going on? I gotta work if nothing else!" Hearing him start to babble, Zhang Yurong put on a serious face.

"I have something... Not sure if I should say..." Li Yan turned serious.

This format usually succeeds. Zhang Yurong straightforwardly said, "Speak!"

"You mentioned earlier, I’m not really a Casanova, nor do I attract everyone. But for various reasons, although I didn’t actively seek romance everywhere, I couldn’t completely suppress my feelings. Consider me a philanderer! But regardless of whether I have other feelings in my heart, you hold a very significant place! This is constant." Li Yan said earnestly.

Zhang Yurong fell silent.

She knew too, the various reasons Li Yan mentioned included because originally, they weren’t genuinely affectionate couples. Initially, there was no emotional foundation, and she didn’t treat him very well, nor did either think of long-term development, merely acting temporarily for their parents. Under those circumstances, he naturally had the right to pursue his own feelings! Having good feelings towards Huang Ying and Wen Qianyi at work was normal; Yu Xiao Di chasing after him and him accepting after long avoidance was also understandable.

However, understanding is one thing, accepting is another.

Li Yan was a "philanderer," which Zhang Yurong determined as fact, no need for him to pretend. Yet, his ability to express, "Regardless of having others in my heart, you hold a very significant place! This is constant," surprised her.

She sighed softly, "I can understand what you say, but feelings... should be unique."

Li Yan grinned, "Really? Should feelings be unique? Are you sure it’s not a form of brainwashing by concept? Do you love your dad? Do you love your mom? And grandpa, grandma, relatives like Jiang Xueyin? Maybe the feelings for relatives vary, but for parents, it’s equally deep. Loving your father doesn’t mean you can’t love your mother, loving your mother doesn’t mean you can’t love your father, nor does loving parents mean you can’t love your husband, children. Is love still unique?"

Zhang Yurong listened to his twisted logic and retorted, "That’s family love! I mean love should be unique!"

"Then does everyone only love once in a lifetime? If not successful once, does it mean genuine love can’t happen later? Wouldn’t that mean all those unsuccessful in first love are contemptible? And weren’t great leaders lovers of many?"

"..." Zhang Yurong didn’t expect him to have so many reasons, she had to concede again, "I mean simultaneously! A person can only love one at a time, having more is hypocritical, it’s being a philanderer!"

"Know Xu Zhimo? He loved Lu Xiaoman and Lin Huiyin while having a wife. Tang Bohu had eight wives and fell for Qiu Xiang. Yet, people still circulate their romantic tales, is it only because poets have the privilege? Can a poet’s love be divided more?"

Zhang Yurong couldn’t retreat any further, she could only answer, "Didn’t Xu Zhimo divorce later? Didn’t Lin Huiyin marry Liang Sicheng?"

"So, what’s unique isn’t love; actually, it’s marriage!"

"...!" Zhang Yurong was quite impressed by him. Is this guy really a middle school dropout? He’s like a street-smart debater! Not being a lawyer is a real waste!

(Brothers, do none of you have Monthly Passes? Only 5 votes today, not to mention top ten city fiction, we’re going to drop out of the Monthly Pass vote top 50, sob...) (To be continued, to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, more Chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!)