She agreed to rebuild the Xu Family. Han Qing did not expect her to make up her mind so quickly. His eyes shifted briefly before answering the call.
Xu Yanwan watched as Han Qing turned into a different person in front of her—his voice did not sound any gentler but the way he spoke was more affectionate and empathetic. He, who was always cool-headed and reserved, seemed to also become a regular young man in front of the woman he loved. He knew how to laugh, to get angry, and to be gentle. “Yes. I just got off work. I’ll head over later. Mm-hmm. Okay.”
He put his phone away after the call ended then grabbed his car key and stood up. “Since you’ve made up your mind, I will have someone start on the preparation work in the next few days. Also, because you knew the Xu Group best, write up a proposal for me as early as possible.”
Suppressing the anguish inside of her, Xu Yanwan nodded and stood up with him. “Sure thing. I’ll write a proposal and send it to you soon.”
He gave a slight nod and got ready to leave.
“Han Qing,” she called. When he turned back around, she smiled and continued, “I think I need to explain a bit about the whole fiancée situation. For years, I was certain that we would end up together eventually because of what my elders always told me and because I did have feelings for you. The first time I went to look for you, the receptionist wouldn’t let me in initially. I only identified myself as your friend at the time and not your fiancée. But the receptionist must have found that odd and proceeded to ask me more straightforward questions. I wasn’t aware that you already had a girlfriend. Under those dire circumstances that I went to look for you, I just answered the receptionist’s questions without much thought. I really didn’t think it would cause such a big misunderstanding. Please tell your girlfriend that I’m sorry. I really like you, but as you said, we have never actually been engaged before so it doesn’t count. I just need to wake up. Rebuilding the Xu Family is what I have to do now. At the very least, you are still willing to help me in my father’s name. Thank you.”
Han Qing looked at her speculatively as though he was trying to figure out how much of what she said was sincere. She seemed to have noticed and forced another smile. “You don’t have to look at me like that. Of course I’m sad, but I’m Xu Yanwan after all. Even if it weren’t for Yan, I wouldn’t force you to like me.” She meant that. All those years, she had never said anything and just kept her feelings to herself.
Meanwhile, he responded with a nod, then turned around to leave.
“Han Qing,” she called again. “Are you getting off work and going home now? Can you give me a ride? My house is not too far away so it should be on the way.”
He pursed his lips then said, “Get in the car.”
…
Yan went and bought some things at the supermarket that day so she called Han Qing to have him pick her up and drop those things off at his villa. Since she had some time to spare after calling him, she went to a store nearby and got two cups of milk tea. Then, she sat down on a bench at the side of the road and drank her milk tea while waiting for him to arrive. When she finished half of her milk tea, she looked at the other cup on the bench next to her and was unable to resist. I’m sure he doesn’t like these sugary things. Nonetheless, she held back so they could drink it together.
After waiting for some time, Yan spotted Han Qing’s car. The car came to a stop. Han Qing opened the door and went over to help her with her bags when he realized that she had bought a lot of things. “Why did you buy so much?”
She chuckled. “Why did you let your refrigerator get so empty? When I was there for a couple of days, I couldn’t find any fruits or drinks. So, I got you some wine, beverages, and some fresh fruits and vegetables.” She pointed at the bags around her feet to show off. “Just how caring am I?”
He could not resist brushing a finger over her nose at how proud she looked about herself. In a low voice, he asked, “You bought so many things to bring to the villa. Are you planning on living there now?”
She was caught off guard by his question. He then added, “Is this your answer to my proposal?”
Her ears started to turn red. “I haven’t decided yet. What are you in a rush for?”
“I thought you weren’t going to make me wait for too long. How many days has it been? Hmm?”
“Oh, stop it. Let’s bring these home first.”
With that, she went around him and toward the car with the two cups of milk tea still in her hands. She did not want to debate over that topic with him anymore because it was making her blush. Yan opened the car door to the passenger seat. Then, she froze when she saw who was sitting there. X-Xu Yanwan? What is she doing here?
Their eyes met. Xu Yanwan let out a smile and nodded. “Yan.”
Yan simply stood there, stunned, and did not respond. Han Qing did not expect Yan to open the passenger door right away. He went up to her and explained, “She wanted me to give her a ride on the way home after work.”
Xu Yanwan’s expression changed slightly. She did not think he would be so blatant. The spark of joy in Yan’s eyes quickly faded and turned gloomy. She looked at Xu Yanwan in silence. Xu Yanwan looked back at her and asked, “Yan, do you mind if I sit here?”
Yan pursed her lips. She thought of the message Xu Yanwan had sent to her on the night that she left. ‘Did you find out? Don’t think too much about it. I might be set up with him, but the both of you are together now, so he will take responsibility for you.’ Yan felt unsettled when she saw that message. It felt like Xu Yanwan said that on purpose so I would take it the wrong way. Additionally, everything she said to me in the past, when I was still oblivious, may have seemed like it was nothing, but it still made me uncomfortable. I have to speak up.
Xu Yanwan was in Han Qing’s car. Moreover, she was sitting in the passenger seat. When Xu Yanwan asked whether she minded, Yan blatantly replied, “I do, actually. If you don’t mind, can you move to the back?”
Now, Xu Yanwan was stunned. She did not think that Yan would not give her face.
Seeing that she had no intention of moving, Yan thought for a moment then continued, “Do you like sitting in the passenger seat?”
Xu Yanwan explained awkwardly, “That’s not it. I just get motion sickness easily, so I sat here without much thought.”
“Oh.” Yan pushed the milk tea into Han Qing’s embrace and pulled out her phone. “I’ll get a car for you then. There should be quite a few available at this hour.”
“W-What did you say?”
