OVL 03 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Gao Chifei nodded and said: "It is indeed him. With the new official taking office, how could we dare to be negligent?"

He had probably arranged everything long ago, but a few minutes later, someone came in with dishes to guide them to sit down in the living room

Unbeknownst to her, the hall had undergone some visual treatment, making it surprisingly spacious. It felt much larger than usual. Luo Yao stumbled as he pulled her, and they ended up standing together in the corner. Looking out, there was a vast expanse of brightness, so intense it could hurt the eyes.

Fortunately, her clothing was unbuttoned, and her strength was slight; in just a moment, her clothes were thrown to the ground, leaving her wearing only a thin base layer, forcibly held in his embrace.

Luo Yao shook her head: "I will not go"

Red plum shrimp, silver vegetable eel strips, jade crab meat... Each dish is indistinguishable from the real thing, yet Luo Yao held the chopsticks, hesitating to make a move.

The corners of his mouth formed a very slight arc, yet it allowed everyone to see that Zhan Zecheng was smiling, feeling quite pleased. The flashlights flickered chaotically once more, as everyone vied for a good angle, inadvertently stealing the spotlight back from that artifact.

twofold meaning

Wang Minchen could hardly close her mouth along the way, and when she first heard the amount of the sponsorship, she was so overjoyed that she almost jumped up. She pulled Luo Yao and said, "Hey, I will reserve a spot for you."

Luo Yao clearly knew how precious it was, with its two sheep connected at the back, each reaching out in opposite directions... The sheep's horns were curved, and their backs supported a ceremonial vessel, while strange scales grew on their bodies... She had also wanted to look for a long time... However, her gaze was uncontrollably fixed on his cufflinks, made of rainbow single-eye obsidian, resembling the pupils of a spiritual black cat, which he was still wearing.

His ink-like pupils narrowed slightly as he gazed at her distant silhouette, shivering as if afraid of the cold, almost shrinking into a tiny dot amidst the moonlight that resembled water

I am not sick ... ... but I get nervous when I see you ... ... I am scared ... ... you make me want to go back ... ... " Her voice was tinged with a slight sob, and her body trembled slightly, " Can you let me go back, please? "

As Luo Yao was lost in thought, in the blink of an eye, the car had already arrived at the entrance of the community. She did not say goodbye and directly pushed the door open to get out. When Zhan Zecheng looked down, the back seat was filled with scattered pieces of tissue paper, which had been blown everywhere by the gust of wind created when she opened the door to leave, resembling a flurry of falling snow.

He chuckled a few times and said, "It's all right, there's nothing to worry about. I still have the invitation."

When Gao Chifei finally left, he couldn't help but pinch his philtrum, doubting whether he had misheard the questions and answers just now... Zhang Zecheng...? Could he really be so stingy? Even a small sponsorship had to be meddled with? And he had to ask so many detailed questions?

It was merely a fleeting moment when someone stepped forward, respectfully handed him the documents, and obstructed his line of sight

Zhan Zecheng looked at her like this, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter, unable to help but speak up to stop her: "If it can't be cleaned, then forget it"

A waiter passed by, and Li Zhijin ordered two drinks. The waiter appeared somewhat skeptical, perhaps because Li's gesture of ordering drinks was too casual. Nevertheless, he stopped and smiled at them.

He had known Bai Luoyao for such a long time, yet he had only seen her cry once. That was in her mentor's hospital room, where she watched the doctor cover her teacher's face with a white cloth, crying as she knelt on the ground. From that moment on, even when she was sent to the hospital for gastric lavage by her classmates and saw him rushing over in a daze, she stubbornly held her gaze and forcefully uttered a single word: "Get lost"

Just after sending off two junior sisters, a phone call came from the office on the twenty-seventh floor, notifying Gao Chifei to go up for a visit. As he ascended, he was still trying hard to recall whether he had dozed off during the meeting earlier or if he had recently committed some grave mistake. How could he have the honor of being invited to the twenty-seventh floor?

He smiled faintly and took a sip of water: "Aren't you working overtime? After finishing your overtime, you will probably go home, right? I will come to pick you up"

Zhan Zecheng merely leaned back, seemingly surprised by her moment of loss of composure, furrowing his brow as he took her hand: "Luo Yao, what is wrong with you?"

She almost forgot where this was, those specks magnified infinitely right before her eyes—she casually grabbed a tissue and wiped it off her sweater, the paper nearly crumpled to pieces, yet the spots remained—Luo Yao found herself at a loss in that moment. There was still a napkin under the plate, and she simply yanked it, with a loud crash, the two stacked gilded bone china plates fell to the ground, shattering into countless tiny fragments. Yet she seemed completely oblivious, continuing to wipe as if she wanted to tear her sweater apart.

How could she possibly bear such words

If I do not go there and you do not see me, what do you plan to do

It is truly a case of saying one thing while meaning another. However, Luo Yao felt a warmth in her heart and reached out to hold his hand. He was turning the steering wheel without furrowing his brow and said, "Don't make a fuss." She became even bolder and simply rested her head on his arm

He could see clearly that it was a man dragging her away. At this thought, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upward, as if a bowstring had been pulled tight, the smile cold and chilling

As he lowered his head, he noticed that there were still tears at the corners of her eyes, as if she had been wronged by him, truly a picture of vulnerability. Thus, he gently stroked her long hair, his lips lightly brushing against her ear, as if softly nibbling: "When did you fall ill like this?"

However, this time, she sobbed, resembling a child deprived of candy: "Zhan Zecheng... please let me go... can you let me clean myself up, please?"

She did not hear

He drove her, the speed of the car was very slow, because she did not like to ride in fast cars. After passing the intersection, it was large.

The senior brother is in a meeting, and they are just sitting and waiting. Because the indoor temperature is as warm as spring, even with both shoes completely soaked, Luo Yao surprisingly finds that she can still lean on Min Chen's shoulder and doze off.

As those hands gently pulled, the velvet texture was exquisite, cascading to the ground like flowing water. The light perfectly illuminated from the base, bestowing a subtle golden elegance and mystery upon the ancient bronze vessel resembling a mythical beast. Everyone's gaze was drawn to this wine vessel, and for a moment, silence reigned.

She was about to reply to him when her lips suddenly trembled slightly, her voice quickly becoming hoarse. Her hand was being pulled by Li Zhijin, leading her in another direction

It was as if she had been pushed to the limit, and she reluctantly got out of the car. In the fleeting moment they brushed past each other, the back of his hand grazed her fingers, warm and tingling, which caused him to momentarily freeze. A powerful impulse surged from the depths of his heart, an endless wave of desire; he wanted to take her hand, but in that brief moment, she had already hurriedly walked ahead.

Their location was precisely in the banquet area. A glance around revealed many acquaintances. Everyone was dressed formally; the gentlemen were at least in well-tailored suits, and even the old curator, who usually rejected suits, was wearing a Zhongshan suit, which still exuded a dignified presence. As for the ladies, some were in evening gowns, while others, like Sister Lin, were dressed in formal suits, adhering to conventional standards.

Her head lifted unconsciously, gazing at the corners of his lips, where she saw the familiar smile, just as he displayed at that moment, handsomely breathtaking.

Luo Yao found it hard to believe that she would see him here. Just a moment ago, he had been all business, with a stern expression and an air of aloofness that kept others at bay. Yet, in an instant, he smiled at her, giving a barely noticeable wink. This familiarity felt like a little secret shared between the two of them, bringing a sense of joy and excitement due to the complete ignorance of those around them

She cannot help but count, and then halfway through, she forces herself to forget. Thus, each time she turns back to look at the steps she has walked, it feels as if a handful of nails has been scattered on her heart.

Luo Yao looked at herself and Li Zhijin, letting out a silent sigh

After being distracted for a while, the assistant walked over to him and reminded him that it was time. He nodded, handed the wine glass in his hand to the assistant, murmured something quietly, and then turned to leave

Oh dear, everyone is rushing to sign up. There are so many handsome guys from other schools, really. You study religion, are you really going to become a nun?

Her hand was held by him, still warm and soft, and the familiar intimacy struck her in an instant. Bai Luoyao instinctively withdrew her hand, looking down at her sweater, which was speckled with yellow juice. The vegetarian dish was so realistic that she could even smell the flavor of crab roe.

It was two months after the start of the school year. Luo Yao's roommate, Wang Minchen, was an active member of the student council, busy soliciting sponsorships for the annual Singles' Day party, which was well-known among universities in Wendaoshi. Until one rainy afternoon, Minchen insisted on taking her to the headquarters of Yiqin, saying that she had finally found a senior who was also from their hometown, and a substantial sponsorship was in sight.

At the end of his line of sight, Zhan Zecheng was quietly conversing with someone, but his gaze had crossed over the dense crowd and collided with that of a young girl.

Isn't the social gathering exclusively sponsored by you? You should make some arrangements, and then during the eight-minute date, you can sit across from me, that would be great

He passed by the school gate without a change in expression, the gate slipping out of sight. He saw her slightly lowering her head and felt inclined to speak to her: "The Singles' Day is approaching."

The person on the stage seemed to have sensed something, casually raising their gaze. Even from such a distance, they could still see her pale face, resembling a withered white rose. He inadvertently lifted his wrist, as if wanting to remind her of something. Yet, his eyes, as deep as ink, were even more profound than obsidian

Luo Yao could not help but turn her face and smile secretly, revealing a row of beautiful teeth

The weather that day was still poor, overcast and gloomy, as if even the heavens wore a long face. He scrutinized her from head to toe: a ponytail, a light blue sweater, jeans, and a pair of sneakers—so plain and simple, as plain and simple as could be, refreshingly unadorned. Suddenly, he smiled, the gloom dissipating, yet he couldn't help but hum a sound: "Well, at least you didn't dress up extravagantly."

He quickened his pace, then with a burst of energy, he jogged to stand in front of the car, breathing slightly heavily

He held his cup in his hand, raised his head slowly and said with certainty: "You will come."

She said, "You are really not a romantic person"

He is truly familiar with her gaze. Long ago, she was adept at looking at him this way, her eyes resembling a pool of spring water, gently filled with delicate flowers. Whenever he sees her expression like this, he is utterly helpless, his heart softening in an incredible way, allowing her to do or say anything without ever refusing.

On a chilly autumn day, Bai Luoyao suddenly felt warm. She carefully stepped over a puddle, then stuck out her tongue with a charming determination: "Why should I listen to you? I promised my classmate that I would definitely go."

The host is inviting him to say a few words, but he stands still, merely waving his hand gracefully and making a gesture of invitation towards his mother. It seems he is still unwilling to speak publicly.

Like water plants, she slipped out of sight in an instant, and Li Zhijin watched her disappear behind the door as if she were fleeing for her life, shrugging his shoulders

At this moment, he was only wearing a white shirt, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. She caught sight of his cufflinks, those obsidian pieces, and for some reason, her fingers relaxed, causing the silver-inlaid redwood chopsticks to fall onto the plate with a loud clatter, splattering some sauce. Yet, disregarding everything, her fingers stubbornly reached for those cufflinks, and in a flustered manner, she said: "You give it back to me. I don't want to give it to you. You give it back to me..."

At the moment of being lost in thought, that man stopped in his tracks, as if he had seen something, and glanced back faintly.

After exiting the light rail station, the two people walked back under an umbrella. They were already half-soaked, and at that moment, the phone rang at an inopportune time. Luo Yao answered the call, not surprised, but instinctively shifted slightly to the outer side and said in a low voice: "Why is it you?"

Zhan Zecheng's expression was even less pleasant: "Have you read too many novels? I really feel empty, and I even went to your place for socializing and networking." In the end, he emphasized once again, "I didn't come to find you on purpose. I just happened to have some free time, so I thought I would take you out for a meal."

After the sweater was cast aside, she had actually quieted down. Holding her like this is merely my own selfish desire. He had not held her so intimately for a long time, as if he were holding a child

After taking a few steps, due to her tall and slender figure, she easily spotted the exhibition corner filled with flower baskets, where she stood with her back to him, engaged in conversation with a young man. Among so many people, they were the only ones dressed so ordinarily; she was still wearing the long sweater from that evening. No matter how many layers she wore, she always appeared thin, as if a gust of wind could knock her over. Yet, this seemingly fragile person possessed such a stubborn temperament that even he always had to yield to her.

The car door opened silently, and she, aided by the light, saw him sitting in the back seat, expressionless as he looked at her, making room for half of his body.

Luo Yao felt a bit embarrassed, unsure of what to say, and with the road being difficult to traverse, she could only remain silent

What if I am unwilling to come

Wang Minchen was almost drooling, but when he turned his head and saw Luo Yao still smiling, he nudged her and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

He lifted his gaze from the darkness to look at her, seemingly with infinite patience, and instructed the driver: "You get out of the car"

The butler entered to deliver the dishes, and upon seeing such a scene, raised an eyebrow at him, seemingly surprised, yet said nothing and quietly withdrew.

Luo Yao struggled for a long time, knowing that if she did not leave with him, he would not give up—yet she was unwilling to sit with him! She leaned against the car door, and after a long while, her tone was light yet firm: "I do not want to sit with you"

She clearly remembered his hands, beautiful like those of a pianist. In fact, he could indeed play. At that time, he was not without pride: "The teacher who taught me to play the piano said that my hands were born to play the piano." Yes, so long and strong, when he held her wrist, he could almost crush her bones.

However, Luo Yao sat still without moving. He stood for a while and opened the car door for her: "Get out."

Li Zhijin glanced over and smiled, saying, "Look, there are people over there dressed like us."

In the end, she was unable to go. That day, she had already packed her things and prepared the books, but when she reached the door, she was taken away by Zhan Zecheng. Sitting in the car, she began to call Wang Minchen: "I really have an urgent matter that came up suddenly, I can't leave, I truly can't leave"

Zhan Zecheng led her into a villa, while asking, "Have you had dinner yet?" He did not mention the subtle and complex exchange of glances between them at the museum, and continued, "Don't you love vegetarian dishes? I have invited someone over, it's at home, and I called you to come and try.

The elongated figure cast a shadow, almost enveloping her beneath it. Luo Yao remained silent, gripping the napkin tightly, struggling with all her might. He forcibly pried her hands apart, compelling her to look at him, his tone still restrained: "What is wrong with you?"

Luo Yao sat down on the sofa and said, "Alright"

He remained silent, only occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror. She sat quietly, without any display of aggression, without straining her voice, gentle and beautiful. Before long, they turned into a community, and he stopped the car, waiting for her ahead

Zhan Zecheng pressed his thin lips together, finally feeling that something was amiss. He placed one hand on her shoulder without saying a word, while the other hand began to peel off her clothes

His voice was slightly unsteady, as he tilted his head slightly, kissed her forehead, and softly said: "Luo Yao, what is wrong with you?"

In summary, the voice on the other end of the phone was very calm: "You have never asked me before." Then the tone slightly rose: "Is that sponsorship enough? Hmm? Is it for friendship or networking?"

The term "花枝招展" is not meant to flatter her, is it

He guessed that she would avoid him, and he also thought that she would definitely not come, but he never expected that she did not come alone

The Singles' Day is approaching... Luo Yao also remembered that after getting to know him, she no longer had to be dragged by her friends to attend singles parties.

The other party was a woman, dressed in a silver long skirt, her figure enchanting, and even her speech was as fragrant as orchids. However, he slightly leaned forward and said, "Excuse me, I must take my leave for a moment." As he walked past her, his gaze was firmly locked on the corner where he had first noticed her

Bai Luoyao was pulled out of bed during the autumn drowsiness, squeezed onto the light rail, and then stepped into Yiqin for the first time

A heavy red velvet draped over the rectangular glass cabinet, drawing everyone's gaze as if it were an invisible focal point. Even Li Zhijin and Bai Luoyao turned their attention towards it

She just wants to go home; it seems that staying by his side for even a moment longer will only worsen her emotions

Fang Liuyi walked up gracefully and unhurriedly. The microphone had been adjusted to the appropriate height. She saw her son walking down from one side, steadied herself, and began to speak

Senior Brother Gao Chifei greeted them with considerable warmth and politeness: "I apologize, I was just in a meeting. The boss came in person, and I really couldn't leave."

Leaving him alone in place, surrounded by a thin veil of despair, how can he and she return to the past

She did not have the chance to explain before the phone was deftly snatched away. He even stopped the car and asked her in a calm manner, "Are you really planning to go?"

He finally stood up, walked to her side, and grasped her wrist firmly: "Are you out of your mind?"

It is truly a thoughtful effort

Luo Yao dared not look any further, taking a step back, murmuring to herself: "Its two sheep are connected at the back, each reaching out in opposite directions... The sheep's horns are curved, and their backs support a pedestal, with strange scales growing on their bodies..." It seemed that by doing so, she could control her own thoughts.

In such an occasion, Zeng Zecheng remains the highlight of the event, as if he were a magnet, attracting everyone around him. However, at that moment, he suddenly became distracted, and the person he was conversing with about the *illustrated* book awkwardly paused, waiting for his response

Until the door of the conference room swung open with a loud bang, Luo Yao was startled awake from her light sleep by the sound of footsteps. She sat up straight and heard Min Chen secretly tugging at her sleeve: "Wow, look, a handsome guy."

Then, quite naturally, he said something that left even Zhan Zecheng astonished, and he turned to look at her. In the past, he always dropped her off at that corner, where she would chatter away, her smile tinged with reluctance. In truth, he also felt a bit reluctant in his heart, so he leaned in to kiss her cheek. After he finished kissing her, she complained that he was always expressionless.

Even Li Zhijin noticed her unusual behavior: "Are you alright?"

He drove with complete focus, as if he had not heard her explanation, yet inadvertently leaned to the side, allowing her to rest more comfortably.

He now lives here, doesn't he? There is a familiar scent, the coolness of mint, the faint aroma of tobacco, and even the smell of leather. The light reveals his face so candidly before her, and she sees clearly that he must not have smiled at anyone for a long time. She used to always say that his nasolabial folds were quite charming, urging him to smile... But now, his smile seems so forced, and within his captivating gaze, there are even traces of concern. The light reveals his face so candidly before her, and she sees clearly that he must not have smiled at anyone for a long time. She used to always say that his nasolabial folds were quite charming, urging him to smile... But now, his smile seems so forced, and within his captivating gaze, there are even traces of concern.

Zhang Zecheng

He finally said, "Do not go."

However, this time, she forced herself to continue counting, as she did not know from which step she would see that car parked at the very bottom. Only by counting could she find some peace of mind. She knew she could not escape, even if she had chosen to exit through the side door just now, even if she turned back to the office at this moment— as long as Zhan Zecheng had made up his mind to see her, there was nothing she could do.

Luo Yao quickly shook her head: "It's nothing, it's nothing"

Luo Yao sighed, lowered her voice, and gritted her teeth: "Is it not good that I have a press card!"

Is there a mistake? There are only one hundred spots for girls, and everyone else has gone through a selection process. Bai Luoyao, I am short one person here, what should I do

Rest assured. Nothing will happen when I go. I am just going to gain some experience.

She did not break free from his hand; she merely attempted to move towards the corner, at least to avoid being so conspicuous among the crowd.

Wang Minchen just gossiped a bit: "Is it the person who just walked by?"

He sighed quietly, released her, but still felt uneasy and confirmed once more: "Are you really okay?"

As soon as she cried, she was taken aback, and the strength in her hands loosened. Luo Yao seized the opportunity to break free from him and began to wipe away little by little.

Luo Yao finally couldn't help but laugh: "Who said that? Do you understand religion?"

Luo Yao sat in the office for a while, collected her thoughts, and then stepped out. She took the side door but still had to ascend the stairs step by step. The museum's stairs are numerous and steep, and every time she walks on them, there is always a sense of grandeur. However, for someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder, this is not an enjoyable experience

She squinted her eyes and looked over; the person had already walked past, leaving only a familiar silhouette that was indescribably known to her

Finally getting into the car, Luo Yao leaned against the back of the seat, gazing at the familiar scenery rushing by outside the window. Suddenly, he felt a sense of sorrow; it seemed as though he had compromised, but in reality, it was always himself who compromised. Just like at this moment, he was being taken to an unknown place against his will.

Luo Yao felt as if she were in a daze, unexpectedly uttering the words "arrived"

She really cannot stay any longer. In a hurry, she placed the pastry in her hand back on the long table behind her and said, "I really have urgent matters to attend to. Please look for that assistant girl, goodbye"