Until that time, the former business director Ye Jiahong tried to please a major client’s representative by offering Huang Ying as a sacrifice. Just returned from Beihai Country, Li Yan was extremely furious upon finding out. He barely managed to restrain himself from committing murder but teamed up with Duan Haibo to beat that representative into an eunuch, and made Ye Jiahong, who was an accomplice, stay in the hospital for over a month, after which he could no longer return to his position as business director.

Afterwards, Li Yan began to notice a shift in his feelings. Whether it stemmed from pity transforming into love or affection growing over time, he had already considered her to be his woman. The mere thought of her being bullied or living with another man in the future left him distressed, and he stopped avoiding the truth due to his arrogance. Although he didn’t completely act on his feelings and take her against her will, he no longer maintained a mere friendship’s distance, and became intimately close with her.

...

Their romantic path was different from others, so was their usual relationship. Apart from inviting Huang Ying to a music concert once, their dates mostly involved him visiting her home, keeping her company, and having meals together. Consequently, when Li Yan suggested going shopping, Huang Ying felt a bit surprised, excited, and nervous — joyful yet fearing to run into acquaintances.

As they left her house, Li Yan noticed she appeared guilty, acting somewhat furtive. He couldn’t help but laugh, "Did you owe someone money? Why do you seem afraid of being seen?"

Huang Ying, walking with her head down and frequently using her hand to cover her face under the guise of fixing her hair, felt a sudden surge of embarrassment and shame at Li Yan’s words. Fearing his worry, she quickly replied, "No... I didn’t owe anyone money, and no one’s bothering me. I’m just... I’m just afraid of acquaintances seeing us together... it wouldn’t be good."

Li Yan could easily guess her concerns, but to encourage her to be more confident, he jokingly covered his forehead with his hand and said, "True enough. A beautiful, filial, sensible, and talented Huang family girl found such a lousy guy — not good indeed."

Huang Ying was taken aback, then quickly explained, "No, that’s not it. How could you be lousy? I am not as good as you say, I’m just..." To show her state of mind, she rarely took the initiative to hook her arm into Li Yan’s and stopped acting furtive.

Li Yan reached over and gently patted her head, affectionately saying, "Just kidding. You’re just afraid of running into co-workers, afraid they’ll gossip and leak it back to my circle or even to my girlfriend’s ear, right?"

"Mm..." Huang Ying softly acknowledged. Seeing he wasn’t offended, but understood her concerns, reassured her greatly. It is rare to have someone who understands you and doesn’t jump to conclusions.

"Aren’t you also my girlfriend?"

"I..." Li Yan’s words left Huang Ying freezing a little inside, Am I counted as a girlfriend? No... I’m just...

She used to openly say she was "kept" by Li Yan, but as their relationship grew closer, she hadn’t thought of that word in a long time. Now mentioning it, she suddenly realized, yes, no matter how kind he is to me, no matter if it isn’t typical of keeping, our relationship’s nature is still the same: unfit for public and unspeakable.

With her holding his hand, Li Yan naturally sensed her body’s change and more importantly, her psychological change. He didn’t speak immediately, but instead got into the car at the parking lot with her.

The two remained silent. Li Yan didn’t start the car right away, instead, he turned to look at Huang Ying.

"Stop overthinking it. No one will find us being together strange, even Wen Qianyi keeps teasing us about having something going on. Even President Zhang once asked about the former staff who got along well with me..."

"Ah?" Huang Ying was aware of Wen Qianyi’s attitude. Back in the sales department, she often watched them together, even after she became a director, Wen Qianyi would take care of her and offer learning opportunities. But she didn’t expect even Zhang Yurong to have taken note of her!

Watching her attention shift a bit, Li Yan chuckled, though there was still hesitation within. This issue had to be confronted and revealed sooner or later. Huang Ying was a girl who would keep secrets; should he just clarify things to her first?

"I want to tell you a secret, would you like to hear it?"

Huang Ying found it odd, but replied, "If you want to share or unburden a secret, I’m willing to listen and will keep it confidential." She remained passive, not taking the initiative to ask.

"This secret..." Li Yan furrowed his brows, speaking with a heavy tone, "might affect our relationship, primarily concerning you. Do you... still want to hear it?"

Watching his expression and hearing his tone, her heart began to sink. After listening, her mind turned blank. What did he mean by affecting their relationship? Wanting to hear? Could he be thinking of leaving?

With her head down, biting her lips, she was well aware of her situation, knowing Li Yan couldn’t truly belong to her. He was entirely capable of finding a more competent woman. Being "kept" alongside him was always at his discretion. If he tired, he could easily cast her aside.

Realizing her position, she felt bitter, but also understood this was unavoidable. For him to care for her this long, urging her out of life’s shadows, regaining her confidence, and facing life courageously was already rare. As for the money Li Yan provided, she had hardly spent it, apart from the furniture and appliances he bought.

"I... want to hear it. You’re speaking up because it’s time... I’ll listen carefully."

Eh? Li Yan was shocked!

"Of course that’s not it! You’re in no way inferior. I’m deeply drawn; only wanting to cherish good things longer."

Good things? Huang Ying found it laughably bitter, yet somewhat comforted hearing him say that.

"It’s actually related to the secret I’m about to tell..."

"Hmm?" Again, Huang Ying’s heart sank, taking a deep breath, "Go on, I’m prepared."

Li Yan nodded, saying, "We’ve never discussed this topic, deliberately avoided it. But I don’t want to deceive you... The truth is... I’m actually married."

Huang Ying felt breathless, but under the pre-emptive heavy atmosphere Li Yan created, she could bear it. She forced a smile, "Not surprising... you’ve not... lied... Seemed like you mentioned it... we all thought you were joking... haha, haha..."

Seeing her choppy, unnatural laughter, Li Yan drew her in, tenderly holding her close. Speaking softly, he asked, "I already have a wife, but are you still willing to stay with me? Not a temporary arrangement, but a lifetime commitment with me!"

By saying it, Li Yan felt somewhat shameless. According to modern moral ethics, he wasn’t qualified to ask such a question. Yet he knew their situation was different, so he asked openly. (To be continued. For more, log on to www.qidian.com. Support the author, support legitimate reading!)