(Does everyone have a day off on Sunday? Does any brother have a monthly pass? Today, still at 0 votes, tears...)

As for Li Jie's comment about making him crawl back to S City (sorry, the last sentence of the previous chapter had a typo again, my bad. Paradise Feather), Li Yan didn't feel any pressure. The real pressure would be how to get along once they returned.

Even though the specific environment and situation had allowed them both to give their all now, once they returned, would Li Chengfeng really just sit back and do nothing? What if he pushed for marriage or something...

However, those issues weren't something to worry about now, because there was a more immediate issue at hand—their stomachs were both growling!

Because they were concerned about Julian and his group's safety, neither of them had eaten much lunch. After the whole afternoon, Li Yan originally planned to have dinner after watching the movie, but because they had to rush back after dealing with those two people, that plan changed.

Hearing their stomachs growl almost simultaneously made them both a bit embarrassed, but when they looked at each other and saw each other's embarrassment, they burst into laughter!

Li Jie had always been cool, rarely showing a smile. To see her laugh heartily was almost impossible. To see her now with such an open, unrestrained smile, without a trace of hesitation, disguise, or mask, made Li Yan even happier, and he hugged her tighter.

What is happiness?

There is no single definitive answer.

But seeing your woman laugh heartily is undoubtedly a kind of happiness. And making your woman laugh without worries is one of the goals men pursue.

After laughing, Li Yan said, "Let me carry you to wash up! Then we'll go out to eat; if we wait any longer, it'll be midnight snacks."

Li Jie shook her head: "You go first! I want to rest a bit longer. Wash up and then get something for us to eat. I don't feel like going out."

"All right then." Li Yan got up and went to freshen up first.

After he left, Li Jie's expression changed slightly.

...

She had always thought she hated Li Yan; initially, she indeed did, very much so, especially after the incident at the swimming pool. Even later, when Li Yan defeated Kawada and saved face for Jie Rui at the company, it only stopped her from seeking revenge. She still didn't have much fondness for him.

Her feelings towards him changed during the concert, where he advised her on some emergency skills during the critical moment with a female assassin, reminding her with his words, and arrived just in time to save her. For her, this was a feeling of safety, something she usually provided for others.

But what truly changed her impression was that night when he carried her on his back!

In the eyes of the old man taking care of Nian Yufei, the only concern was Nian Yufei's safety. Although he expressed gratitude for Li Jie's efforts, since she was injured and had lost her ability to protect, he kindly told her to "take a vacation," not needing to work, and advised her to see a doctor and rest. Since it was an employer-employee relationship, and their first time working together temporarily, he certainly wouldn't arrange someone to take care of her or take her to the hospital while Nian Yufei was still potentially in danger.

Even though it was a bodyguard's job and they owed her nothing, since she had just fought hard to protect and save Nian Yufei, if Li Yan hadn't shown up, she might have had to use her body as a shield. Feeling a little desolate about such an outcome is understandable because, despite working as a bodyguard for years, it was her first time encountering such danger. People are more vulnerable physically and psychologically when wounded and fatigued.

When she cautiously hobbled out alone, feeling the warmth and coldness of human relationships, she saw Li Yan still there, which was incredibly moving for her. She hoped that Li Yan was waiting for her, whether he truly cared or not, at least someone remembered her!

When she proactively asked him back then, her heart was filled with anxiety, but seeing Li Yan smile and say, "I've been waiting for you," brought immense warmth to her heart! Although she habitually tossed her head and coolly thanked him, it was to hide her inner excitement.

Li Yan not only accompanied her but was also worried about her injury getting worse and even offered to carry her on his back! This made Li Jie feel the joy of receiving help in dire times. At that moment, she threw away all of Li Yan's perceived faults in her mind, disregarded his annoying behavior and personal style, and felt he was genuinely good to her. Previously pointing a gun at him seemed somewhat unjustified.

At that time, she thought of estimating Yu Xiaodi, but he said, "We're both surnamed Li, just think of me as your brother! What is there to avoid?" Although she didn't quite agree in her heart, she accepted his goodwill. When he carried her on his back, it felt like distant memories, reminiscent of being carried by her father.

From the time she started practicing martial arts, she was treated with expectations equal to those for boys. Her father's expectations of her and her expectations of herself exceeded those for boys, so she couldn't afford to slack off even slightly. After being injured, lying on Li Yan's back provided a sense of reliance, reminiscent of childhood memories of being carried by her father. It also made her think having a brother like this isn't bad. As a child, she envied others for having brothers, because after beating up peers, some would have brothers stand up for them, whereas she had to handle it herself. Telling her parents would just result in beatings... Having a capable brother to save you in times of danger and to carry you when injured is a truly wonderful thing.

Since then, her impression and feelings towards Li Yan had undergone a significant change.

Li Chengfeng saw her diary filled with the name of Li Yan, one time after returning from Yu Xiaodi's house, she was so angry that she wrote Li Yan's name over and over. At that time, she was venting, and with every name she wrote, she imagined beating up a version of Li Yan, experiencing the cathartic thrill of revenge akin to punishing a little villain.

And the other time was during her recovery. At that time, her heart was in turmoil; knowing well that Li Yan was dating Yu Xiaodi, she thought that his rescuing her and sending her back might just have been out of humanitarian reasons, or simply because she was an acquaintance. But the fact that he hadn't visited her again or even called to inquire about her injuries filled her with disappointment and regret. Even if... even if he considered her as a younger sister, he shouldn't just forget about her, right? Even if you picked up an injured stray cat, you would at least care enough to check if it healed, wouldn't you?

In her dilemma, she once again filled her diary with the name Li Yan; the meanings behind those names varied—some of a particular sentiment, others of another, and some she herself couldn't even decipher...

She never took the initiative to contact Li Yan, but they still ran into each other by coincidence. When she encountered him at the airport, she was not just surprised but also a bit excited. Although maintaining her usual aloof expression outwardly, inwardly she was looking forward to this unexpected meeting, hoping they would be on the same flight, heading to the same destination. And when she found out it was indeed so, the word "fate" inexplicably flashed through her mind.

Despite harboring some resentment for his lack of concern post-rescue, when he inquired about her injuries, she quickly kicked her leg and assured him she was fine, afraid he might worry. Although she was generally not good at conversation, in the fortuitous circumstances of meeting him, she found herself even more at a loss for words. Li Yan also didn't seem inclined to engage in much talk, casually ending the conversation by encouraging her to leave, which left a hint of regret for her.

When she returned to see Nian Yufei, she was still a bit excited and couldn't help blurting out that she and Li Yan were on the same flight to D City. Upon seeing Nian Yufei's expression, she suddenly realized that the two of them seemed to be involved, and Li Yan appeared to have casually left to avoid Nian Yufei upon overhearing her protect her.

This realization filled her with regret, but regret was futile. Onboarding the flight, she had to focus on caring and protecting Nian Yufei. Unexpectedly, Nian Yufei had the guts to switch seats with the passenger next to Li Yan, something she could never do herself. Just before disembarking, another dumbfounding event happened!

Although later Nian Yufei explained that it was a misunderstanding, unfortunately, in Beihai Country, they didn't have another chance to meet. It wasn't until today that they met again.

Unexpectedly, it was once again in a perilous situation—could it truly be fate?

...

Today, in the restaurant, when she suddenly heard Li Yan's voice, she almost suspected it was an auditory hallucination. How could she possibly have expected Li Yan to unexpectedly appear in S City and so coincidentally sit behind her?

When they sat together to eat and chat, she could candidly speak more about herself, her father, and the matters concerning Jie Rui. These were topics she ordinarily didn't have the chance to discuss much, but wanted him to understand more about her. Hearing that he not only happened to be around but was also staying at the Intercontinental Hotel and followed them to dine… It was all too coincidental. At that point, Li Jie began to suspect his identity, suspecting it was connected to his mysterious aura and this mission.

Ultimately, she bravely entered his room and expressed the desire to stay with him, at least for one night. She seemingly faced it all with a cavalier attitude, maybe even appearing brazen, but in reality, her emotions were intricate and conflicted. She was afraid of what Li Yan might do to her, worried that he would think her too casual, yet she wanted to stay with him—craving both his acceptance and rejection simultaneously.

However, apart from this, all of Li Yan's maneuvers, including intentional or unintentional pranks and lessons, made her sincerely convinced. Later, venturing out like a couple on a date, Li Yan's purpose was to mislead the stalkers, to which she half-heartedly complied. This mimicked the essence of experiencing a romantic relationship for her, including watching a movie. During it, she was plagued with conflicting emotions—dreading he might grope her, and yet hoping he would take a more intimate step further.

...

With her mind racing, Li Jie heard the water stop running in the shower. Before Li Yan came out, she covered herself with the blanket again. By now, she understood clearly that her fixation on Li Yan being promiscuous or vulgar was a result of his surpassing her in other aspects. Whether it was his composure, rationale, strength, or adaptability, he outshined her in every aspect—those were her strengths, so she focused on his flaws instead. Being provoked or angered by his words was because she couldn't admit his superiority in her presence, but… her heart had long surrendered!

"What would you like to eat? I'll go buy it," Li Yan began changing clothes.

"Whatever! I'll eat whatever you eat," Li Jie said, adding a special reminder: "Besides, the situation outside is unpredictable… Why not call the hotel restaurant for room service?"

"Hehe, don't worry. I should also go out to see if there are any major developments," Li Yan replied, gathering his phone, wallet, and other items.

Li Jie felt a bit embarrassed, having not even considered this angle.

"Then be careful…"

"You're the one who needs to be careful. If I'm not back, don't open the door," he instructed.

Upon hearing their mutual concern for each other, they couldn't help but exchange smiles.

(Thanks for the rewards on the 4th from our brothers: dongmin8061, Tian Ling Feng Xiao, AǐR (Clear Sky), Jiu Liang Xiao Zi, zjun971210, Zui Ai Tao Tao, Stevenjiang, Cp Pampas) (To be continued, for the following chapters, please log into www.qidian.com for more content, support the author, and proper reading!)

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