When Ling Yiran finished work at the restaurant, she said to Zhuo Qianyun, her lady boss, “Sis Zhuo, may I take tomorrow afternoon off? I wish to visit my mother’s grave and pay homage.”Although the following day was Tomb Sweeping Day, a national holiday, holidays often meant that restaurants would be packed. Naturally, restaurant workers were usually not allowed to take leave on national holidays.Zhuo Qianyun was quite shocked that Ling Yiran’s mother had passed away. Hence, she said, “Okay, no problem. Since you’re going in the afternoon, ask the kitchen to prepare a few dishes for you to bring to the grave as an offering.”“Thanks but it’s alright. I will prepare them myself.” Ling Yiran wanted to cook the dishes for her mother herself.When Ling Yiran’s mother was still alive, she was still a young child. Now that Ling Yiran had become an adult and knew how to cook, she wanted to show her skills to her mother.“Then I shall go home now,” Ling Yiran said.“Okay.” Zhuo Qianyu
After Ling Yiran placed the ingredients in the fridge, she turned around to see Yi Jinli leaning on the kitchen’s door frame, pondering about something as he looked at her.Ling Yiran turned away in an attempt to avoid Yi Jinli’s gaze. The thing was, if she wanted to exit the kitchen, she would have to face the possibility of being pulled by the arm by him. “You haven’t said goodnight to me,” He said to her.Ling Yiran was taken aback for a moment but quickly replied, “Goodnight.”A smile broke out on Yi Jinli’s face while he was still staring at her. “Sis, your goodnight seems to be getting more perfunctory.”“...” Ling Yiran was speechless and did not know how to respond.“Someone suggested that if I want you to like me, I should try to please you.” Yi Jinli bent down and looked at the person in front of him at eye level. “What do you think? Would you like me if I pleased you?”Ling Yiran had the urge to bite her tongue. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. ‘What
“Have you forgotten what happened to your father?” The old man once again brought up the past.“I haven’t forgotten, and I’ve said it, I won’t walk the path my father did,” Yi Jinli said.“If that’s the case, you should chase that woman named Ling Yiran out of the Yi Residence and never let her appear in your life again!” Old Master Yi growled.“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Yi Jinli’s gaze darkened. His heart tightened momentarily when he heard the old man’s words and rejected the idea out of reflex. He would not even think twice about it.“You...” Old Master Yi choked on his breath as he stared at his grandson.“Grandpa, I will not walk the path my father did. I’ll make sure that everything is under control. I’ll make Yiran so used to my presence that she won’t be able to leave me at all.” Yi Jinli had a light smile on his face, but the threat in his gaze was evident. “Therefore, I hope that grandpa will not meddle with my affairs. If you do try to interfere, then I can’t gua
It was a hassle to visit the grave. Additionally, as time went by, the tombstone began to crack. It cost a huge fortune to repair it. Hence, it was a much better option to move the grave to a proper cemetery.However, Ling Yiran ended up in jail and thus, the idea was put on hold. After serving her sentence, Ling Yiran was left with not much money. Hence, not only was she unable to afford to pay for a place in a cemetery, but she could not even afford the labor fee for the workers to help her move the grave.When Ling Yiran arrived at the foot of the hill, she saw that the villagers had set up a registration counter under a makeshift tent. Many people were coming and going to visit the cemetery.When it was Ling Yiran’s turn in line, she gave her mother’s grave number. To her surprise, the person handling the registration counter immediately responded after hearing the number by saying, “That grave was moved. What are you still doing here?”“Moved?” Ling Yiran was stunned.“Yes, i
Shortly after, the neighbor next door informed her that her father and her stepmother had gone on a vacation and nobody was in. As for Ling Luoyin, according to the neighbor, she had bought a larger house and thus hardly came home.When Ling Yiran heard that, she knew that her father and stepmother had done so on purpose. They knew that she would be visiting her mother’s grave today and thus planned to be away at this time.‘50 million.’ Her scalp numbed at the thought of her father’s request.With her current situation, she had no way of producing 50 million for her father!After Ling Yiran bid farewell to the neighbor, she called Ling Luoyin, “Where are you? I need to meet you.”“I’m sorry, but I’ve been very busy lately,” Ling Luoyin answered lazily.“I only want to ask you one question, where did dad shift my mother’s grave?” Ling Yiran asked.“I don’t know.” Ling Luoyin’s tone was filled with mockery.“Then where are they having their vacation? You should know.”“Oh, how
At the same time, another pair of lips that had never worn lipstick before appeared in his mind in its natural color.That light pinkish tone looked so natural that it made him feel it was the best lip color.“Wipe it off,” Gu Lichen plainly said.“What?” Ling Luoyin was unable to process his words.“I said, wipe away your lipstick now,” Gu Lichen said.Ling Luoyin was dumbfounded. They were now... on the way to an event. She had dressed up to the nines because she wanted to shine amidst the crowd. If she were to wipe away her lipstick, her makeup would lose its attractiveness. Then, she would not stand out in the crowd and instead become the joke of the town.“Now? But we’re about to reach the location of the party...”“Now.” Gu Lichen interrupted her. There was an expression of displeasure in his phoenix-like eyes.Ling Luoyin had no choice as she dared not offend Gu Lichen. All she could do was bite her lip lightly, take out a tissue, and wipe her lips.On the other hand, G
Yi Jinli knew that Ling Yiran did not like the dark; even when she went to bed she would always sleep with the lights on.In the past when they were still staying in a rental house, she was able to sleep with the light off for a while. However, she reverted to the habit of sleeping with the lights on later.He frowned slightly. Was she not in the room?However, just as he was about to turn away, he heard muffled crying.She was there!There was a sudden pause in his tracks and then his hand reached the wall to turn on the lights. Consequently, light poured into the room.All Yi Jinli could see was a thin figure that was huddled in the corner of the room. She was crouching with her back facing the wall; her face was buried in her knees, and her shoulders were twitching. The low, repressed sobs came from her continuously.Was she crying?His black eyes narrowed, and he quickly walked up to her. Crouching down and looking at her, he asked, "What's the matter? What happened?"Ling
"Yes," She choked, but she did not know how else to get 50 million dollars.All of a sudden, Yi Jinli chuckled. "I don't want to!"Ling Yiran’s body stiffened as a result, and all of a sudden, she looked like a deflated ball. Even the last gleam in her eyes disappeared.Yes, of course he would reject her. What made her think that if she stayed with him and granted him everything he asked, he would give her 50 million dollars?Ling Yiran laughed at herself. Was it because she had thought that she was worth that much or because she thought his interest in her was worth 50 million dollars?Ling Yiran lowered her head in silence. Her hand that had been holding Yi Jinli's hand seemed to have lost all its strength as it let go.Yi Jinli looked darkly at Ling Yiran and after a moment, stood up and said, "I think you'd better get some rest, Sis. I'll ask the servant to get you something to eat. Eat before you go to bed."With that, Yi Jinli walked out of the room and Ling Yiran was left
He clenched his jaw and felt his teeth ache. 'Yeah, she’s broken up with me. She has every right to find a new boyfriend, but... the thought of her smiling at another man, and kissing and hugging him makes me uncomfortable.’ Gu Lichen could not help feeling irritated."You can't find one! Do you think you can find another man like me to love when you love me so much?" he said.Zhong Keke retorted with a slightly red face, "You... You're too confident. Who are you to say I can't find one? I love you now, but I can slowly get over you. Besides, I don't need to find a man like you in the future. I just need to find an ordinary man with a good personality who treats me well! I’ll give him all my heart, and he’ll do the same!"It was more like she was telling herself that.'Yes, I can move on from him. I can do it!'However, her words seemed to have provoked him as he turned the steering wheel sharply, slammed on the brakes, and pulled over at the roadside.She was thrown forward and
The fact Zhong Keke accepted was that she feared she would love him more and more!When Yi Jinli and Gu Lichen returned to the ward, Ling Yiran was still chatting with Zhong Keke about the children, not only the new baby but also the triplets."Alright, Lichen and I are going home first. Yiran, have a good rest. I'll visit you and the baby again next time," Zhong Keke said and got up after seeing the exhaustion on Ling Yiran's face.Ling Yiran replied, "Okay. I'll let you meet my triplets next time.""Sure."After Zhong Keke and Gu Lichen left, Yi Jinli lay on Ling Yiran's bed and said, "If you're sleepy, sleep first. The doctor said you need more rest."Ling Yiran said, "I'm a little sleepy, but I had a nice chat with Keke today. Jin, you know what? I think it's great that Lichen has fallen in love with Keke. Keke's a wonderful woman, and Lichen has finally found his happily ever after."She said as she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.Looking at his wife's sleeping fac
"Thank you! It's a good painting, and I like it very much. I didn't expect you to draw my daughter like that.""I saw the baby when I came to the hospital that day, so I remembered," said Zhong Keke."I heard from Jin that you and Lichen both came to the hospital that day. I didn't scare you, did I?" said Ling Yiran.Zhong Keke smiled softly, "All that matters is that you're safe. Being alive is better than anything."The two women chatted while the two men looked at each other. Then, Yi Jinli said, "Lichen, let's go get some air."The two men got up and walked out of the ward.Zhong Keke looked uneasily at the ward door.Ling Yiran said, "They’ll be back soon. Don't worry. My Jin won't kidnap Lichen."Zhong Keke smiled, knowing that Yi Jinli probably had not told Ling Yiran about what happened that day."By the way, how are you and Lichen's relationship? Does he treat you well?" Ling Yiran asked."He treats me well." It was true. He treated her well. He would give her everyt
He and Song Qingyao were not even friends."You don't have to explain this to me," said Zhong Keke. They had broken up, and she did not need these explanations.Besides, she knew better than anyone that he had always been in love with Yiran.Thinking of Yiran, Zhong Keke said, "I want to go to the hospital to see Yiran. Can I?" The last time she visited Yiran, Yiran was still unconscious, so she wanted to check on her.Hesitation flashed across Gu Lichen's face."Don't worry. I won't say anything to trigger Yiran. I’ll still pretend to be your girlfriend in front of Yiran. If Yiran asks you, you can say we're doing quite well. When Yiran has recovered, I can make an excuse to say we've broken up. Of course, I can take all the blame. For example, I thought being with you attracted too much attention, or I couldn’t get used to being with you, or I had fallen for someone else—"Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly pulled into a wide embrace.His hands held her tightly
Zhou Xinmian: [I said you were living with Gu Lichen now. Then they said nothing and left readily.]"..."Zhou Xinmian: [Did you block their phone numbers? They said you're not answering your phone.]Zhong Keke: [Yeah.]She should have blocked her uncle's family's phone numbers long ago. Even blocking them now was considered late!Zhou Xinmian: [Well done! But didn’t they try calling you using another phone number?]Zhong Keke: [They did. But as soon as they spoke and I heard their voices, I hung up and blocked their phone numbers.]In other words, she did not give them a chance to talk.She did not want to listen to what they had to say anyway. They had worn out the last of her affection.Zhou Xinmian: [Have you made up your mind this time?]Zhong Keke: [I’ll just consider that my grandparents only gave birth to my father!]In other words, she no longer considered her uncle and his family her family!Zhou Xinmian: [You should have done that long ago! They told me Gu Lichen
It was why he had said such things at the time to keep the woman from leaving!"Maybe I've liked you since then." It probably started earlier than he thought.Zhong Keke's eyes watered as tears were about to pour out. She raised her hands and covered her eyes, "Gu Lichen, stop telling me such things!"Such things would only make her waver when her resolution was hard-won. Did he know how much determination and perseverance it took her to ask for a break-up and keep her distance from him to stop loving him when she loved him so much?Though her hands shielded her eyes, they could not stop the tears.His fingers pulled her hands away. "Alright, I'll stop. I'll stop talking. Don't cry."Her tears had always left him flustered.He hugged her and coaxed her. The indifference in his phoenix eyes had become affection.Zhong Keke finally stopped crying, but she still sniffled occasionally.Holding a tissue, Gu Lichen carefully wiped the tears from her face. After a moment, he said,
"Do you care about me?" She smiled bitterly. "That word isn’t only something you say but..." She did not continue speaking after a pause.However, he already knew what she was going to say.Gu Lichen turned pale. He knew that the incident at the comic fiesta was something that bothered her.He was the one who caused it!"Also, I think we'd better talk about the possibility of me getting pregnant!" she said."Okay, go ahead," he said as he asked the others in the living room to leave."Will you insist that I have the baby if I get pregnant?" she asked, looking at him."If you’re pregnant, I don't want to lose the baby," he said. He had never longed for children even though his parents had always wanted grandchildren, even if it was out of wedlock.However, such ideas had never occurred to him.Now, he wanted to have the baby because they would be... his baby with Keke!"Even if I don't want the baby, are you still going to stop me from having an abortion?" she asked.He was s
Even though he did not love her, she still thought she was a better candidate than Zhong Keke.However, to her disappointment, the way Gu Lichen looked at her was still icy."I'm not interested in you. The Song family you're so proud of will no longer exist in Shen City a year later. Perhaps the Song family can keep some things if you start planning now. Otherwise, you'll have nothing left."With that said, Gu Lichen left the ward, leaving Song Qingyao standing where she was in a daze.Other than reluctance, resentment, and jealousy, there was more shock and fear on her face.'Does Lichen intend to eradicate the Song family within a year? Is... Is he going that far for Zhong Keke? He doesn't love Zhong Keke, right? Why is he doing it? Why?' Unfortunately, no one could give her the answer.Gu Lichen walked out of the hospital and got into the car. He slowly closed his eyes as Song Qingyao's last words flashed through his mind.'It doesn't matter... even if I don't love her?'Kek
Song Qingyao's heart sank. Sure enough, he could find out anything he wanted to."Why did you do it?" Gu Lichen said coldly.Song Qingyao suddenly laughed. "You're asking me why? Gu Lichen, I’ve loved you for so many years. What do you think?""I wouldn't love you even if Zhong Keke didn't exist. If I wanted to fall for you, I would have done so from the beginning," said Gu Lichen.Song Qingyao's mouth was full of bitterness. She knew that!However, knowing was one thing. Her being reluctant and unwilling to accept it was a different matter!She shouted, "Why did you choose Zhong Keke? You love Ling Yiran because Ling Yiran saved your life when you were a child. What about Zhong Keke? Why her?"She accepted losing to Ling Yiran because she had never saved Lichen's life.However, how could she accept losing to Zhong Keke? "Because she's the one who saved me from the messy relationship," replied Gu Lichen."What do you mean?" Song Qingyao was puzzled.Instead of explaining, he