"An outsider. A... former friend, but we're not in touch anymore," Ling Yiran said with a wry smile.Lawyer Gu said thoughtfully, "You'll have to thank your friend. Without this person, you wouldn't be able to go back to working as a lawyer now."Ling Yiran was relieved when she got out of Lawyer Gu's office. To be honest, she was worried that her new boss would insist on finding out who had helped her to reverse the case.Back at her desk, Ling Yiran started getting used to the task at hand.She had also worked as an assistant for half a year when she first joined the industry. She could adapt to the job quickly now that she was back at it. It may be a bit trivial, but it was not difficult.Guan Lili sauntered up to her desk to say hello and beat around the bush about Yi Jinli, which Ling Yiran ignored.At the end of the day, Ling Yiran was about to leave when Guan Lili said, "Hey, Ling Yiran has just joined us today. How about we hold a welcoming party for our new colleague?"
"Hear ye, hear ye. Here's to our new colleague, Yiran!" Some colleagues raised their glasses and began toasting.Ling Yiran, as the main character, was of course the focus of the toast.Ling Yiran was not a very good drinker. After a few drinks, she was already a bit dizzy.Therefore, she could only repeatedly decline toasts from her colleagues and made an excuse to go to the bathroom.In the bathroom, Ling Yiran leaned over the sink and washed her cheeks, which were steaming from alcohol, with water.Then, she gazed at herself in the mirror with her almond-shaped eyes. Her hair on her forehead and cheeks were dripping with water. Her cheeks, delicate nose, and lips seemed more rosy than usual.As her eyes blinked gently, her eyelashes would fan like a small fan.In the past, she had always felt that her eyelashes were quite long and beautiful. Sometimes when she put on light makeup, she did not even need mascara. However, after meeting Yi Jinli, she realized that one could forg
Seeing that his eyes were about to glance in her direction, Ling Yiran made a conscious attempt to avoid him.She had ducked to one side, but she accidentally bumped into another man instead."Sorry!" She hastened to apologize."Are you f*cking blind? How dare you bump into me? Do you know who I am?" the man Ling Yiran hit said drunkenly."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." All she could do now was apologize.At the same time, she could feel eyes on her. It was probably... his eyes.'He must have seen the mess I'm in right now.'A bitter and sour feeling spread in her heart.It was as if the last bit of her dignity and pride were getting in the way. Even if they had broken up and even if he had seen her in an embarrassing state countless times... She still did not want him to see her embarrassment and confusion.Her head seemed to have gotten dizzier.She wanted to get out of here as soon as she could.However, the man she bumped into was not going to let her go that easily."If
However, once she moved her body, there was a pain in the left side of her waist where the man had kicked her, making her brows furrow."Is it painful?" The cold voice once again rang in her ears. Then, the beautiful hand rested on her waist where it hurt.Ling Yiran's body stiffened immediately. She felt as though all the blood in her body was rushing to that one spot.His face got closer to hers. It was so close that she could see his long black lashes.'Sure enough... They're beautiful!'They seemed to touch people's hearts every time they quivered gently.That was probably how her once stagnant heart was touched, but now it had become stagnant again."I'm fine." Ling Yiran steadied herself and calmed down. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Yi. I... I'm alright."As she spoke, she raised her hand to pull the large hand on her waist away, little by little. Then… she let go and wobbled in the direction of the private room.However, Yi Jinli's hand remained in the air in the same
It was as if this was only a trivial matter."Yes," replied Gao Congming.At the same time, many people could not help guessing in their hearts. 'Who is that woman who just left?''Young Master Yi would even cripple one of Feng Lai Group's young master's legs for that woman! That would be like declaring war with Feng Lai Group!''Feng Lai Group is only a second-class family business in Shen City, but... is it worth it to just stand up for a mere woman?'…On the other hand, Ling Yiran had stumbled back into the private room. Perhaps the conflict just now had made her feel as if the alcohol was taking effect more quickly, causing her head to get even dizzier."Yiran, what's the matter? You don't look so well," said a colleague."No… Nothing." Ling Yiran forced out a smile."Alright, alright. Our welcome party today is almost over, so let's end it here. Let's pay the bill and leave. We should let Yiran go back and have a good rest," said Guan Lili. Then, she called the waiter fo
Guan Lili smiled like a winner while Ling Yiran was taunted by colleagues who had been enthusiastically welcoming her to the company not that long ago.That was what she wanted to see. The more Ling Yiran was embarrassed, the more relieved she was!If it had not been for Ling Yiran, how could she have gotten herself fired from her previous firm and even struggled to find a job since then?A male colleague could not take it anymore and said, "What's wrong with all of you? Ling Yiran never said that she would pay for the meal. Since everyone ate the food, let's go dutch."The others were embarrassed to say anything when he put it like this. After all, it was true that Ling Yiran had never said it. Besides, everyone in the room was working in the same firm. No one dared to say that they would not pay.The male colleague calculated how much everyone had to pay and asked the waiter for the bill, but they were told, "Someone has already paid for it, so there’s no need to pay any more.
'Who is it? Who said that?' It was so sweet but so sad that she wanted to shed tears."I'll protect you forever. I won't let you suffer the slightest injustice and let anyone hurt you anymore."'That's... Jin's voice... It's what Jin once said to me.'Ling Yiran squatted on the ground and felt that all she could hear were the words Yi Jinli had once said to her.'Don't think about these words. Don't think about them…' she kept telling herself in her head.Then... It seemed that there was the sound of footsteps. The pattering of footsteps sounded so clear.'Whose footsteps are these?'A pair of black leather shoes caught her eye.She slowly raised her head and caught sight of the familiar face.'It's Jin's face... Just like the one I saw in Drunken Days.'Is it because I'm drunk? Is that why I’m hearing voices and also hallucinating?'Ling Yiran staggered to her feet, half-crying and half-laughing at the figure in front of her as she said, "Don't… show your face to me again."
His thin lips were pressed together in a straight line, and he looked at her quietly."Jin, I... don't want to think about you anymore. I won't think of you anymore from now on..." she continued to mumble as if she was speaking out the words that were buried in her heart through her drunken state."It turns out… it’s so easy for you not to love someone."Tell me. Which of us… Uhh... Has betrayed the other?"I should also thank you… for today. Thank you for saving me... and paying the bill for me... but... I... I have nothing to offer you..."No, I... I can give you something in return... and that's... to get off your back. Don't worry. I'm not... Not someone who keeps pestering others..."She babbled, unaware that every word she said was hurting him.There was a tightness in his chest that made him feel uncomfortable.'We've broken up. I don't love her anymore, but why... does she seem to be controlling all my emotions?'Her words and silly smile were still able to cause him p
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