Qiao Huanxuan got up from Li Yan's lap and weakly sat down nearby. Hearing this, although she still couldn't fully accept such an explanation, her rational mind had started to believe a little.

"What's your... relationship status?"

"Hmm?"

"You, Zhang Yurong, and Yu Xiaodi."

Li Yan pondered for a moment. If he didn't tell her the truth, she might confirm it with Xiaodi when she goes to S City, or she could verify it by calling once she leaves here. If he did tell her the truth, it might make her think differently, and it would still delay her.

"Since you've decided to reveal it, you might as well tell me everything. Don't lie to me, let me know all the details so I can give up." Qiao Huanxuan seemed to see through his hesitation.

Li Yan nodded. "Okay, actually, there's not much to it. As I just said, I was with Yurong because of our parents' arrangement; initially, our feelings weren't great. But after a few months together, as we interacted more and various things happened, we slowly began to understand and like each other. Around that time, due to certain reasons, I met Yu Xiaodi, and she fell for me. I originally..."

He stopped, feeling this part was inappropriate. Although it was true, saying Xiaodi chased him to another woman felt a bit excessive.

"...I originally wanted to tell her I was already married. But she didn't believe it, then she liked me very much, and I liked her too, so I agreed to be her boyfriend. But ultimately, things couldn't be hidden; later she found out about my relationship with Zhang Yurong. It hurt both her and Yurong significantly."

Speaking these words in a low voice so those outside wouldn't overhear made them appear more genuine and pathetic.

Qiao Huanxuan paused, "And now? You haven't separated from Yu Xiaodi, nor have you divorced Zhang Yurong. Are the two women serving one husband?"

"How could that be!" Li Yan wiped sweat away, thinking if it were that simple, things would be much easier.

"Then it's just... dragging on?" Qiao Huanxuan added.

"Sort of! Anyway, Xiaodi is still young, and Yurong and I... had post-marital love, and our feelings are still developing. Perhaps they're all waiting, waiting for me to choose one or give up one first!"

Qiao Huanxuan sneered, "Speaking of waiting, who has waited longer than me?"

Li Yan was at a loss. If they were to compare qualifications, no one could compete with her. But feelings aren't a matter of qualifications, nor just time.

"So you're now breaking it off with me?"

"You could say that, as you've seen, my parents have recognized her, she came to spend the New Year at my home, everyone knows now, you..." Li Yan looked at Qiao Huanxuan, trying to express himself, but unable to speak.

"You mean to say... you're unworthy of me, not worth my sacrifices; you can't handle the relationships with two women already, so I shouldn't get involved, shouldn't hold myself back, and should pursue my own happiness, right?" Qiao Huanxuan asked softly.

"Mm, basically that's it." The same sentiment spoken by her made it easier for Li Yan to confirm, though he felt a slight bitterness. "I can see my parents like you too, but things are already this way, and they don't want to harm you."

Qiao Huanxuan gazed at him, "But I've already fallen into this long ago, since Yu Xiaodi was just a child. I've sacrificed so much and gained nothing, and you ask me to leave. What do I do?"

"..." Li Yan hesitated, wondering if he should tell her.

"It's not just that you have unclear relationships with two women; it's the same with me. You have a wife and a girlfriend, yet you still slept with me. Am I a mistress to you, or just convenient to use?"

Since she said so, Li Yan no longer hesitated, avoiding her gaze. Instead, he spoke firmly, "Huanxuan, you probably already see me as quite hypocritical. So now I'll be straightforward and share my thoughts!"

"Speak."

"You all... I don't want to give up any of you! I'm not using you for convenience; I also like you and don't want you to leave. Can you accept someone like me?" Li Yan earnestly expressed.

Discussing this topic now was risky; if Qiao Huanxuan raised her voice, those outside would hear and inquire. Then his parents would surely scold him.

Qiao Huanxuan wasn't overly agitated but instead asked, "Can Zhang Yurong and Yu Xiaodi accept it?"

Li Yan shook his head, "Not at the moment, but I'll keep trying."

Qiao Huanxuan closed her eyes and after a while, sighed lightly, "Actually, whether they accept it or not, this is the reality... one is still your wife, and the other is still your girlfriend, and they both know each other's existence. So no matter how it's spoken, it's indirectly accepting the reality."

Li Yan was struck. He had always felt they couldn't accept it yet, but hadn't considered that from another perspective, their lack of departure was temporary acceptance!

Why insist on verbal agreement? Love matters greatly to girls, yet they also have dignity and need face. Asking them to openly acknowledge sharing a boyfriend or husband with someone else is very difficult. Since the reality is already so, why compel them to verbalize an answer? Isn't accepting with eyes open and closed better?

Qiao Huanxuan continued, "Actually, I'm no different. I saw you again, knowing full well you have a girlfriend, yet I haven't left. Isn't this a tacit acceptance?"

"I understand!" Li Yan couldn't help but give her a kiss, "I know what to do now!"

Qiao Huanxuan gave him a helpless look, "Then what should I do? Acceptance is only temporary, in the long run, you'll still need to come up with a plan."

"Hmm." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

She let out a breath and laughed self-deprecatingly, "All these years I've visited your home to inquire, but never knew where you were. This time, knowing you would definitely come back—it should have been a happy thing, yet I didn't expect you actually returned with your wife! Tell me, how should I face this later?"

Li Yan held her quietly; saying anything at this moment would be inappropriate, so he just comforted her silently.

The two of them remained silent for a while.

Qiao Huanxuan had waited twelve years, considering all possible outcomes. Moreover, when they reunited, she knew he had a girlfriend, so although shocking, she adapted quickly. She was impulsive and sometimes acted excessively. Just like on the first night of their reunion, she practically forced herself upon Li Yan. Now, this news provoked her once again!

Quietly sitting, Li Yan assumed her emotions had stabilized a bit, and suggested perhaps they should head out. But suddenly, she jumped towards him, pinned him onto the bed, and started passionately kissing him!

This turn of events made him break into a cold sweat. In different circumstances, Qiao Huanxuan's initiative and frenzy would have been welcome; however, in this setting, even just kissing made him nervous. If anyone outside saw—or even heard anything unusual—it would be a disaster!

Li Yan quickly analyzed; with Qiao Huanxuan's personality, confronting her head-on or trying to stop her would only fuel her fire. Her current actions were partly a result of being affected; perhaps allowing her to vent without reacting was the best approach. After all, she is a rational person and wouldn't disregard outside noises that could lead to a mess.

With this reasoning, he shut his eyes, allowing the situation to unfold.

After fervently kissing him for a while, Qiao Huanxuan indeed calmed down a bit but still lay on top of him, "What's wrong? Afraid to move? Scared they might hear?"

Li Yan sighed, "You've been wronged for so long; it's natural to vent however you need."

"Really?" Qiao Huanxuan's eyes darted.

"What do you want to do?" Li Yan glanced at the closed door.

Qiao Huanxuan chuckled softly, "She's your wife, right? Yu Xiaodi is your girlfriend, right? At least they have a status, but I've got nothing..."

"..." Status is exactly what Li Yan cannot grant.

"No problem! I can be the bad girl!" Qiao Huanxuan ran her hands over Li Yan's body, "For example, now Zhang Yurong can only be the lady and the good girl outside, but here, I get to toy with her husband!"

Li Yan was torn between laughter and tears—what was all this! "You used to be a good girl too..."

"'Used to' is in the past; the future will be different!" Qiao Huanxuan seductively looked at him, "Right now, I'm going to... take her husband! Any issues?"

Li Yan's wry smile said it all—how could he say there were issues?

"Afraid?" Qiao Huanxuan continued, "Afraid your parents would find out or your wife would know? Now I know about you and her, and you and Yu Xiaodi. Do they know about me? Will you tell them?"

A battery of five or six questions overwhelmed Li Yan—he could only surrender.

Qiao Huanxuan left his body and sat upright beside him. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you."

Li Yan also sat up, "Thank you." He genuinely appreciated it, knowing how hard it was for Qiao Huanxuan to face Yurong later.

"Let's go out!"

"Okay." Li Yan stood up; this awkward and troublesome dilemma was temporarily resolved.

Just as he reached the door, Qiao Huanxuan suddenly grabbed him, leaned towards his ear, and whispered, "I want you to do something tonight."

Li Yan turned to look at her, his eyes questioning what she meant. He was a bit apprehensive, fearing she'd ask him to visit her place tonight.

"Tonight, when you're with her, I want you to think of me!"

"..." Li Yan was speechless.

(It's the last moment for double monthly passes, don't forget to support before 24 o'clock if you've got any remaining!) (To be continued... To find out what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com for more chapters. Support the author; support legitimate reading!)