Li Yan looked at her, unsure of what to say.

To Huang Ying, this might have been her best first choice, but she didn't want Li Yan to look down on her. If it weren't for his persistent inquiries, she might never have mentioned it.

With this in mind, Li Yan held her hand and said earnestly, "Of course, I'm willing! If you silently marry a stranger like this, it truly hurts yourself, your mother, and your brother, and it would even hurt me!"

Huang Ying stared blankly at him. She had indeed been hesitating in the past few days. Her personality was rather passive. Even today, she called Li Yan on a whim to test fate. If Li Yan didn't see it or forgot to call back, she might have given up on contacting him again.

Staring at Huang Ying before him, Li Yan had already made up his mind. He saw through her personality long ago. She's more willing to make sacrifices than to accept charity. He could either help her in another form as he did last time, which she'd accept as a favor; or simply agree to her proposal to prevent her from seeking another solution.

"Huang Ying, I'll just be straight with you! I'm several years older than you, and marrying you like this, there might be suspicions of taking advantage of you, but we won't discuss that now. As for... saying it this way sounds harsh, even if I'm temporarily your secret boyfriend, I'll take responsibility and help you with anything you need. Once the situation improves and you meet someone you truly love, we'll end this relationship. I won't make it public or bother you," Li Yan said, suggesting a temporary compromise.

Huang Ying bit her lip, then nodded in agreement, a glimmer of tears in her eyes. Although this was her decision and the best one at that, if it was about marrying him, getting married would make her happier. Now, calling it a secret relationship compared to a kept lover is just a difference in wording, but the actual nature remains the same.

"Okay!" She nodded vigorously and then said, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not feeling wronged, I'm happy... I'm a bit shameless like this... If you don't want to accept it, I might really marry a stranger. Even if not found online, I'd go on blind dates. Thank you!"

Li Yan put on a serious face and said, "Let me say it upfront, since you're willing to be my girlfriend without worrying about status, I won't just be polite. There are some things I need to clarify first!"

Huang Ying's body trembled slightly, but she only hesitated for a moment before responding in unison, then moved to sit beside Li Yan. Out of curiosity, he watched her snuggle against him, whispering softly, "Rest assured, I said I am willing. If you treat me as a girlfriend, I will naturally fulfill my responsibilities as one..."

Looking at the delicate girl leaning in his arms, Li Yan was speechless. Great! Now I've really become a landlord bully taking advantage of the situation.

"Let me finish! What I need to clarify upfront is that since you agreed to this, it's like a contract, even if only a verbal one. As long as it's still valid between us, you have to listen to me!"

"Okay."

"I don't have many requirements; it's not about controlling you in everything, just one rule! No matter what difficulty you face, you must come to me first, don't wait until there's no other way or you're at a dead end to do so! Otherwise, I'll feel disrespected and I'll get angry!" Li Yan said seriously.

After hearing this, Huang Ying looked at him in astonishment. She had worried he'd first test her "sincerity," but his serious proposition turned out to be for her sake!

This made her quite moved inside, indeed he wasn't the wrong choice! Though he was mediocre and unambitious at work, he was genuinely good to her, a rare good man!

...

She used to have just a coworker, friend relationship with Li Yan. It was only after he accompanied her to the hospital and visited her mother that her mother repeatedly asked if Li Yan was pursuing her. Over time, she started to think more about it. Especially since the heart-to-heart talk by the seaside that shook her soul and changed her attitude left a deep impression, coupled with subsequent promotional help that truly brought her immense support.

Therefore, she was very grateful to Li Yan, this gratitude was almost as strong as her gratitude to Mr. He Zhengyuan from the Mortal Fund. From then on, that gratitude turned into attention. When Li Yan went to Wen Qianyi's office, she couldn't see his shortcomings, and under scrutiny, she appreciated him more. This evolved into a special kind of liking mixed with inferiority and gratitude.

When her mother passed, he was willing to visit and even talked to her alone for a while. Though he didn't detail it, Huang Ying guessed her mother regarded him as a boyfriend to entrust. After that, she almost saw him in the boyfriend role, only seeing Li Yan as more sympathetic than passionate, and thus she kept quiet. The real-life pressures and the online suitor's "proposal" battery finally propelled her to face it.

"I promise you..." Huang Ying snuggled closer to him, saying with heartfelt willingness.

Uttering this,

she felt a sense of relief. After her mother fell ill, she bore immense life pressures. If not for her young shoulders, which had shared burdens since childhood, unlike care-free girls nurtured in greenhouses, she'd have been crushed long ago.

For a long time, she longed for a mature man to descend like an angel beside her. Facing dangers, difficulties, and troubles, he'd protect her like a father. Facing setbacks, confusions, and grief, he'd comfort her like a lover...

Li Yan might be several years older, yet this wasn't an issue for her. To Huang Ying, who grew up lacking fatherly love, while not having a father-complex, a mature boyfriend subconsciously was just what she craved. Now listening to his sincere advice gave her a sense of being cared for, protected from all burdens.

...

Having just confirmed the secret girlfriend relationship, both felt slightly uneasy, sitting silently without speaking. Li Yan thought about future times, where he could only help her temporarily. Her issue was financial, and finding her a higher-paying job, or a genuinely compatible partner with financial stability could resolve it.

However, he wasn't too worried. Huang Ying was a recent graduate, younger, and can withstand a few years. After a few more years, her accumulated work experience would increase, raising her income. When her brother graduates, there'd be one less expense, and an additional income. Moreover, her mother's subsequent treatment costs would take one or two years at most, eventually it'd either be recovery or... it wouldn't always be costly.

So perhaps "support" her for two years like this; by then, problems would naturally resolve. If she felt bad, it'd be like lending some money to her. Of course, saying it's a loan now wouldn't be something she'd accept, as the amount is still uncertain.

After a moment of silence, Huang Ying got up to refill Li Yan's tea and tidy the dining table.

Originally, Li Yan should have left after dinner, but now their relationship had drastically changed. Even if he didn't treat her truly as a lover, leaving immediately wouldn't feel right for Huang Ying.

Thus, he stayed to watch TV with her for a while.

While watching TV, Li Yan sat on the sofa. After Huang Ying finished tidying, she sat beside him, then, feeling that wasn't appropriate for a girlfriend, too distant, she discreetly leaned against him. Yet, Li Yan maintained a demeanor of restraint, not taking advantage of the situation.

The TV was merely a distraction aiding focus. Neither of them paid any attention to its content.

Keeping her company for a while without much exchange, Li Yan prepared to bid farewell, believing it didn't make her feel ignored. "Wow, it's already past nine," he said.

It was an expression that it was late, typically a cue for leaving or bidding goodbye. Normally, Huang Ying would understand.

So now, hearing Li Yan's words, Huang Ying thought he implied: It's already past nine, it's late, time to rest and sleep...

She quickly got up, sweeping her slightly tousled hair behind her ear, obediently saying, "Wait a moment, I'm going to boil some water..."

Boiling water? Li Yan initially thought she'd make tea, intending to say there's no need, but then saw her heading to the bathroom. Only then did he realize she was going to prepare a bath!

Boiling water for a bath without waiting for me to leave, doing so in front of me, wasn't this indicating...?

Understanding this, Li Yan felt neither lust nor excitement, rather a hint of heaviness in his heart. Not because Huang Ying lacked attraction, but because he hadn't thought about taking advantage, only about helping her. Simultaneously, he felt a bit pained for her having to forgo dignity due to life pressures.

"Huang Ying, I'm heading back!"

"Huh?" Having turned on the water heater, Huang Ying hurried out.

At that moment, the TV went mute, and the room plunged into darkness. Unsure if it tripped a circuit or lost power. (To be continued, for the follow-up, please visit www.qidian.com, explore more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!)

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