...

After coming out, Li Yan wasn’t aimless; he planned to find Wen Qianyi.

After the scene in Carefree Island’s guest room, their relationship became awkward. She had obviously been avoiding him in recent days, giving him a sense of crisis. Originally, she was a very rational person. Now that she realized his behavior of two-timing, it’s entirely possible she would be cold and distant.

It’s been half a month already, and if she needed time to calm down, it was more than enough time. If it continued any longer, it would become coldness, leading to more distance. Especially with a New Year’s holiday coming up, at least ten days of change could entirely overturn things.

Don’t forget, New Year is often the peak season for blind dates. Many people usually delay with the excuse of being busy with work. The New Year is a good chance for parents to seize the opportunity. Li Yan recalled Hai Fu being set up for a blind date by friends. Wen Qianyi may not normally enjoy blind dates, but if her parents requested during New Year, it’s possible she’d go through with it. With her current mood, meeting someone with decent conditions could be troublesome.

Afraid Wen Qianyi might refuse, he didn’t call first but went directly to her place, sending her a message to open the door once he was at Li Yan’s door.

After sending the message, Li Yan figured she might excuse herself for not being home, so he called her mobile phone immediately, waiting to hear the ringtone, not giving her a chance to turn it off.

He leaned against the door, listening to the phone. Wen Qianyi answered after a while, surprising him as there was no ringtone heard from inside the room. In the bedroom?

Wen Qianyi hung up, refusing to answer as before.

Li Yan knocked on the door.

After a while, Wen Qianyi actually called back, probably having just seen his message. "What are you doing? I’m not home."

Just as he guessed! Li Yan didn’t believe her response, thinking Wen Qianyi called back to avoid suspicion caused by knocking too long. "Haha, you don’t need to lie to me, I know you’re home. You heard me knock, didn’t you? I’m right at the doorway now, let me in. Otherwise, it’s not good if someone sees this."

"..." Wen Qianyi was speechless, not expecting him to use such a shameless tactic! "I’ll say it again, I’m not home! If someone thinks you’re a thief, don’t blame me!"

"I know you’re angry... let’s talk about it!" Li Yan put away his joking tone and said seriously.

Wen Qianyi didn’t respond, pausing before Li Yan heard a voice from inside: "Qianyi is indeed not home, I can vouch for that!"

"...!"

Li Yan was a little shocked. Why was it Hai Fu’s voice? "Uh, Sister Hai Fu, is Wen Qianyi with you? I’ll... come up right away."

Coming here to find Wen Qianyi without contacting Hai Fu wasn’t the first or second time, but usually, they avoided each other, just like when looking for Hai Fu, he’d avoid Wen Qianyi. But today they were together, making Li Yan feel awkward. However, compared to the awkwardness on Carefree Island, this was nothing.

"Wait a minute... she’s not at my place, we’re out shopping!" Hai Fu hurriedly said.

"I see. Where are you guys? I’ll come find you."

As soon as Li Yan finished speaking, he heard the phone return to Wen Qianyi’s hand, and she said somewhat coldly, "Do you believe it now? But I don’t want you to disturb us."

With that, she hung up the phone.

Leaning against the door, Li Yan pondered her meaning. There was no doubt Qianyi was concerned about him, otherwise, after avoiding for half a month and seeing (the message) him at the door, she wouldn’t have hung up and then called back to tell him; nor would she have had Hai Fu attest she wasn’t lying. But her deliberately cold tone indicated she was still angry or hadn’t resolved that emotional knot.

This reassured him; having her accept clearly wasn’t an easy thing. But having concern was good enough. Moreover... she was still friends with Hai Fu, and Hai Fu had a different attitude, which wasn’t necessarily a bad signal!

Perhaps Qianyi could accept, given Hai Fu’s example in front of her, she wouldn’t have the psychological burden of ’stealing Yu Xiao Di’s boyfriend.’ But after all, she was a girl, still needing to maintain some restraint. Let Hai Fu have some influence!

Li Yan shamelessly fantasized a bit, choosing not to pester at this moment, preventing damage to their harmonious atmosphere.

...

Since there was no direct progress with Qianyi and he could indirectly be at ease, Li Yan decided to go to Yu Xiao Di’s house!

Although Yu Hong wasn’t very considerate, there had been cooperation, and on the surface, things were harmonious. With the holiday approaching, a formal visit was feasible, having been a guest at their house a few times. The results might not be ideal; perhaps Chen Mingying would show her displeasure or prevent Xiao Di from meeting, but at least mentioning going back home for New Year would let them know he wouldn’t stay here, potentially making Xiao Di feel less constrained during New Year, allowing her some relaxation.

Having decided, Li Yan didn’t buy any gifts. With Yu Hong’s status, gifts were inconvenient—cheap ones unnoticed, expensive ones seen as bribes. He simply drove over.

Possibly out of guilt, or having time now, Yu Hong called personally while Li Yan was driving to his house!

"Mr. Yu, hello there." Li Yan initially wanted to tease him a bit, like ’I’m not asking for your reward, but at least a thank you is appropriate, right?’ However, going to their house wasn’t the right time for strained relations, so he simply greeted him.

"Little Li, about the last incident... thanks to you!"

Such a solemn yet nonsensical remark left Yu Hong speechless, thinking: Do you believe what you’re saying?

However, outwardly he habitually praised him: "Hmm, such high moral consciousness." Then shifted the topic: "Resting today? Come by the house for a visit, it’s been a while since you were a guest, Xiao Di really misses you!"

Li Yan couldn’t help but curse in his heart: Isn’t this your wife’s doing? Perhaps you had a part too!

But Yu Hong’s hint of meeting Xiao Di made him a bit excited. "Since you said so, I’ll fly right over! Is it okay to drink? I’ll buy some white wine."

"Just come, no need to buy anything, we have plenty at home." Yu Hong said truthfully. Not just him, even Chen Mingying received a lot of good wine. How much could their family of three drink?

After hanging up, Li Yan accelerated, thinking that after nearly two months, he’d finally see Xiao Di again, feeling excited. Yu Hong seemed to indicate a lifting of restrictions, which was great news. Hopefully, he truly didn’t share Chen Mingying’s attitude!

Excitedly, his phone rang again. Li Yan slowed down, pressed the answer button, and looked at it. To his surprise, it was Li Chengfeng, Li Jie’s father, calling!

After recognizing the caller, he had already pressed the answer button, so he could only listen.

"Son-in-law!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

(Thanks to the brothers who tipped in the last two days: kipagod, I love Ronaldinho, henrydog, harve10, Feng→Flying with the Wind, Cp Pampas, dongmin8061, Yagami Light II, Cp Pampas, Rain Tree Breeze, Unnamed, and Book Friend 36135440)(To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com. More Chapters to support the author and genuine reading!)