Chapter 203: Countermeasures

(Special thanks to the book friend "Snowflake Crimson" for being promoted to Guardian, here’s an extra Chapter as gratitude! PS: Starting from August, I decided to add an extra Chapter for book friends promoted to Squad Leader and above, not to encourage donations, but because those who spend over a hundred dollars to support the legal subscription are truly admirable, and I’m very grateful. This is my way to express thanks beyond writing good stories and keeping updates. However, I can only do this within my capacity; now there are nearly 80 Squad Leader brothers, continuing will be beyond my limit, and I owe many Chapters. Apologies and thanks to new Squad Leader brothers! In the future, extra Chapters will be added only for Hall Masters. But I remember every name of the top 200 fans displayed, all sincerely noted in my heart! Thank you so much!)

...

After a moment of emotional calm, Yu Xiaodi was less agitated and recounted recent events to Li Yan. Even though he could mostly guess, hearing her speak was still differently poignant.

Since neither knew when they could talk again after tomorrow, they didn’t want to hang up nor did they rush through the conversation.

Until they both expressed their longing, they began facing the current issue.

"Your parents... What’s their attitude? Are they just going to keep you confined like this?"

Yu Xiaodi fell silent for a moment. This question, even if Li Yan didn’t ask, she had to bring it up, as it was a major issue standing between them.

"My grades are average; to get into a local school, the admission scores can be quite low, but the local University isn’t considered first-class domestically. They say I won’t need a degree later, as they can arrange a smooth path for me, yet I need some credentialing. The local University might be good for ordinary folks, but isn’t much of a credential for me. So, they’re planning to send me abroad, circling in foreign universities, becoming a returnee." Yu Xiaodi said with a bitter smile.

This topic, Li Yan had seen in the news before. For instance, some foreign universities lack certification qualifications or are mediocre diploma mills, yet many domestic enterprises and managers hold these university diplomas or even doctoral titles.

Such situations arise not only due to a widespread cultural preference for foreign things but also due to domestic universities being less prestigious, while universities from Si Country are considered globally top-tier. Each year, in world rankings, Yun Country’s universities barely make it into the top 200, and most often they rank beyond 200, even trailing universities from Cloud Island and Lan Island. Whereas Si Country occupies much of the top 100 spots, with multiple branches of the University of California entering the top ranks. This creates an understanding of Si Country’s universities being superior, yet those aware of Ivy League still view domestic prestigious universities as better.

"Is this trip mainly for visiting Celestial Continent to check out universities, see which ones you like, and then they’ll think of ways?"

"Yes, but I don’t fancy any; I don’t want to go abroad alone. I reckon before New Year’s it’ll be a period of negotiation, and after the festival they might finalize plans." Yu Xiaodi was a bit dejected.

Li Yan thought for a moment, then asked, "And for me? Do they strongly detest me?"

Yu Xiaodi chuckled a bit, "Not quite detested, maybe they’re just pretending. If they liked you, they wouldn’t be cutting us off like this. Possibly..."

There was another reason she had long contemplated, but was unwilling to voice. Precisely for that reason, she felt somewhat guilty and dare not challenge her mother aggressively.

"Perhaps your father knows about me and Yurong..." Ultimately a reality, Li Yan spoke it out.

Yu Xiaodi acknowledged this gravity because, at a young age, her parents could indulge her playfulness, allow dating, even frivolously dating men without issue, while future marriage might consider family benefits, post-marriage she wouldn’t play around. However, no matter how she plays, being involved with a married man, engaging in extramarital affairs is off table! With her family background, playing around is seen with privilege, but being a third party in marriage would be publicly abhorred, forever detrimental to reputation.

She imagined, if parents truly knew, yet didn’t directly say it, they spared her dignity. But right now, she really doesn’t want Li Yan stressed too much, her perseverance being fueled by their bond, if he yields and retreats, she wouldn’t know what to do.

Staying firm for one makes grit possible; yet if such a one relinquishes, what purpose does persistence serve?

"No, I guess they wouldn’t investigate you... My guess is that it’s a test for me, for us. If there’s no alternative, I’ll study abroad on Celestial Continent, at least... surrendering to them avoids such confinement; we could call, chat online at any time."

Xiaodi made it sound simple, but deep down felt melancholy. Whether Celestial Continent or Si Country, they’d be worlds apart, on Earth’s other side, space and time defusing affections. Alone guarding one won’t ensure persistence, let alone bright like Zhang Yurong...

"You’ve got a point too." Li Yan shared his view, "If avoiding direct conflict with them, this might be a relatively better way. Spending a few years abroad, you’ll truly grow, decide life’s path yourself, free of their meddling. Likewise, few years’ length signifies goodwill, your parents might be more reassured."

"Do you think so too?" Yu Xiaodi felt saddened, despite Li Yan long being fond of her, publicly confessed love on her birthday, and directly through traditional love letters. Initially she pursued him actively, and should she not remain, Zhang Yurong more actively pursues, or other girls do so, he...

"Haha, rest assured! I won’t use this as a way to shake you off. Besides phones and online contacts, I can occasionally fly over to see you. During holidays you can sneak back to see me. Don’t fear I’d burden myself with airfare; your Uncle’s personal assets vastly surpass yours, including your friends’. Inexhaustible!"

"Bragging...!" Yu Xiaodi mumbled, feeling somewhat comforted. She certainly didn’t believe Li Yan could be wealthier than her and her friends. In her view, Li Yan’s wealth probably came from Zhang Yurong. If he was spending Zhang Yurong’s money to see her, she felt quite uneasy. But it wasn’t the time to say more, she would just spend some of her own savings to visit him later.

"Alright... if you say so, I’m relieved. If there’s really no other way, I’ll follow their arrangements. But you can’t fall for someone else, okay!" Xiaodi laughed, pretending to be relaxed, though she felt quite anxious inside.

Li Yan laughed awkwardly: "I promise I won’t fall for someone else, but as for others, whether they would give up is hard to say..."

Xiaodi thought he meant others, like Zhang Yurong, and said generously: "I know, just don’t leave me out in the cold. I can understand. I also have the confidence to keep competing in the future!"

"Alright."

"So..." Yu Xiaodi hesitated for a moment, then spoke out another concern weighing on her mind. "The things between us... it was me who broke the promise. I said I would confess to her and apologize, but all this time I... would you help me apologize to her?"

Li Yan recalled the chain reaction of this incident, which almost led to a breakup with Yurong last month, feeling a mix of emotions. However, he didn’t want to add more pressure to Xiaodi, so he didn’t say it out loud.

"My words might not be suitable. Anyway, it’s been so long, why not wait a bit longer? When you’re free, you can contact her personally, what do you think?"

Yu Xiaodi sighed inwardly, "Alright. Then I’ll speak to her myself..." This wasn’t about sincerity; the problem was the pressure! How embarrassing it would be to personally explain and apologize to Zhang Yurong.

But she also knew that this matter was indeed her not upholding the agreement, and she needed to bear the consequences herself. Yet given the circumstances over this period, she didn’t regret breaking her promise at that time; it made her feel connected with Li Yan.

"Let’s sleep. If we keep chatting until the battery runs out, we won’t make it till dawn." Li Yan suggested.

"Okay," Yu Xiaodi felt a bit tired too, having released emotions built up over the past twenty-odd days, which was quite exhausting physically. "Well... good night."

"Good night."

"Do you know what good night means?"

"Haha, I didn’t originally, but now I remember because someone told me what good night means. Good—night!"

Li Yan still remembered her previous explanation of ’good night’, since ’good night’ typed in pinyin, Wan could stand for both the character ’晚’, as well as a shorthand for ’我爱你’ (WoAiNi), while ’an’ stands for ’安’ and also ’爱你’ (AiNi). Put together, it’s a subtle expression between lovers, ’I love you love you’ or ’I love you, peace’.

Though, it’s typically used online. In phone calls or spoken language, there’s no issue of full pinyin or shorthand.

Hearing that he remembered, Xiaodi smiled in satisfaction: "Good—night!"

After hanging up, both of their phones felt a bit hot. Finally, they had spoken, and both felt much more at ease. Although the road ahead might still have twists and issues, their hearts seemed connected.

Sometimes, between lovers, it’s just so simple. A phone call, a brief contact, can bond their hearts together. They need to maintain a proper distance, while also keeping appropriate contact to sustain a relationship.

Though sleepy, once the call ended and the lights were off, his (or her) face, voice, and words still floated in mind, as if they hadn’t said much and there was still much left unsaid.

Both Li Yan and Yu Xiaodi thought of each other, unable to fall asleep quietly.

As night deepened, they finally drifted into slumber. Would they dream of each other? Not necessarily, but they hoped so. Perhaps they would meet in dreams, perhaps in the same dream, filled with past conflicts, helplessness, sweetness, and smiles. Or maybe things that have never happened...

(Still dealing with the contract for renaming the book today, won’t make the fourth update tonight, will do three tomorrow.) (To be continued, for more Chapters, login to www.qidian.com, support authors, support licensed reading!)