Chapter 5, unable to advance or retreat

The two individuals lay quietly for a while; perhaps the effects of the alcohol had set in, as Xi Shuo-liang reached out to unbutton the collar and fell into a drowsy sleep

In a low, charming voice, he called out to her, and then sincerely apologized, "I am sorry, it was I who overlooked you"

An's mother was clearly unhappy, but seeing her daughter apologizing with a smile, she held back and said nothing more. An's father, however, could not bear to watch any longer and said: "Yue, you have been back in the country for more than three months, and Shuo Liang has not accompanied you to our home for a meal. No matter how busy he is with work, he should not neglect you."

Hmm! She responded unconsciously, gently closing her eyes

Hello, Mu Yan

He called the company and instructed the secretary to prepare the materials he needed. Xi Shuo Liang then returned to the room to wake her up. After they had washed up, the two of them sat in the dining room to have breakfast: "I will accompany you to the hospital to change the dressing first. I need to go to City B today and will be back in about two days"

She pinched her own face, considering it a punishment for her greed. Realizing that it was indeed late, she lay exhausted on the guest room bed and slowly fell asleep. In a state between dreaming and waking, it seemed she had a beautiful dream, in which she happily nestled in her lover's embrace, fully dependent and filled with sweetness. Unconsciously, she smiled faintly at the corners of her mouth.

After dinner, Father An sat in the study for a long time. When he came out, he asked her: "Yiruo, how did you and Miyu get involved with the case that is being investigated in the city?"

He rubbed her hair and said, "Uncle An called me a few days ago and mentioned that you haven't been home for a long time. He asked if I was free this weekend to have a meal together."

Xi Shuo-liang sighed, "You, this is your only flaw, you never say no." He affectionately stroked her cheek and lightly reproached, "It's just that helping out is not a good idea; how can one mess around with blind dates? What if you really end up being chosen?" His words were filled with concern

Mi Yu let out a gentle sigh, leaned back on the sofa with his eyes slightly closed, paused for a moment before saying: "Indeed, once provoked by Xi Shuo Liang, it becomes abnormal. Can't you show a bit of backbone?"

I think you should move back and live here; it's always concerning to have a girl out on her own. After she recounted the events, Father An made a phone call, then lowered his head, holding a piece in each hand, energetically engaging in a game of strategy. After a long while, he said: The drug enforcement team is still investigating the case; if anything comes up, you should assist them.

An Yiruo clung to her father's arm and said in a spoiled tone: "Dad, Shuo Liang is very dedicated to his career, I have to support him, besides, you also support mom's work without limits, right"

By the time she had finished arranging him, she was already covered in a light sweat. Letting out a long sigh, she knelt by the bed, watching him sleep soundly and peacefully, her heart overflowing with love

Hmm! She responded again, her slender arm tightening slightly

He chuckled softly, seeing the lovely person on the bed sleeping soundly. He affectionately kissed her small lips and gently stroked her face with his fingertip, tenderly caressing this face that he missed and cherished.

She smiled with a hint of reproach, somewhat surprised by his rare nagging, "When did Mr. Xi become my dad?"

Take out the most resolute heart and love someone without regard for anything else. In the past, she did not believe this, but upon meeting him, she suddenly realized that in love, what people lack the most is the rationality that should be present.

Reflecting on that inexplicable blind date, I inwardly scolded myself for being too willful. If it weren't for my momentary anger with him, I wouldn't have impulsively agreed to meet Mi Yu. Not only did I fail to gain anything from the meeting, but I also ended up causing a significant amount of trouble. I recounted the events to Xi Shuo Liang, deliberately avoiding the fact that I slapped Mu Yan. Seeing him silent and unresponsive, I felt my arguments lacked conviction. "If I hadn't gone, Uncle Mi would definitely have scolded Mi Yu again. You know her temperament; when she gets angry, she becomes reckless. I was afraid that this small matter would strain their relationship. At least I should show up to avoid being absent. When Uncle Mi asks, I can just say I wasn't interested and let it pass."

Do you know? An Yiruo was not surprised, scratched her face, and innocently said: "We also do not know what is going on"

"Please don't be angry anymore, okay?" He pleaded with her, "You said you needed some time to calm down, so I haven't disturbed you. But it's been over a week now; isn't that enough punishment for me, hmm?"

The world suddenly brightened, and she regained confidence in this seemingly ethereal emotion. During their romance, An Yiruo's resolute character was easily replaced by gentleness. She was always forgiving towards him, and in love, she was overly naive and too easily satisfied

An Yiruo was organizing the design drafts. After reading his message, he stretched widely, almost aggravating the injury on his arm, and called out to Mi Yu in the living room: "Mi Mi, let's go out for a feast tonight, it's on me."

Xi Shuo-liang, panting heavily, lifted his head, moved aside the body that was half-pressing on her, and his burning gaze pierced through the darkness to rest on her face. After a moment, he said: "I apologize"

The weekend passed in the blink of an eye. The day before the "New Silk Road" fashion design competition, Xi Shuo Liang returned from City B and arranged to have lunch with An Yi Ruo. During the meal, her phone rang. Seeing an unfamiliar number, she hesitated for a moment before answering, "Hello, An Yi Ruo."

At this moment, An Yiruo caught a strong scent of alcohol on him, suggesting that he had indeed consumed quite a bit tonight. Without waking him, she carefully moved his arm that was wrapped around her waist. Like a little kitten, she tiptoed to the kitchen to prepare a glass of honey water for him. Returning to the bedroom, she turned on the bedside lamp, propped him up, and poured the drink into him. Then she went to the bathroom, dampened a towel with warm water, and gently wiped the handsome face of Xi Shuo. After that, she thoughtfully helped him take off his shoes, laid his long legs flat on the bed, and spread the thin blanket over him.

The eternal and unchanging melody is the refuge she longs for

Xi Shuo-liang furrowed his brows slightly and spoke to her a few more words. An Yi-ruo merely smiled gently and finally said, "Understood, it won't happen again."

The kiss left both of them slightly breathless. Xi Shuo Liang gently released her lips, yet his arms did not loosen, still holding her close. His handsome face nestled against her neck, softly rubbing, while his nose lingered around her light and natural fragrance.

As the back of her head touched the soft pillow, when Shi Shuo Liang began to passionately kiss her collarbone, An Yi Ruo's rationality was instantly pulled back. She withdrew her hands that he had held and weakly yet firmly pressed down on the hand that sought to unbutton her shirt, "No, Shuo Liang!"

He looked at her and smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead gently, then turned over and pulled her into his arms, sighing with great satisfaction: "I don't want to drink honey water, I just want to hold you."

Since the beginning of their romance, compared to her fervor, he always seems rather indifferent, even his longing appears to be extremely subtle. However, she believes that besides her, there are no other women by his side, so what is there to worry about? In fact, he has always been by her side, is that not enough?

Under the moonlight, she saw the fine beads of sweat on his forehead. An Yiruo gently touched his soft hair, her tender expression fully revealed. "Is there honey at home? I will make you a cup of honey water to help with the hangover." Once she forgave him, she returned to her usual gentleness towards him.

She still loves him very much! For him, she is willing to throw herself into the flames like a moth.

Two days later, Xi Shuo-liang still had not returned. It was said that his work was not progressing smoothly. An Yi-ruo, being considerate, comforted him and did not urge him. As usual, she went home alone for dinner on the weekend. When her parents asked why Xi Shuo-liang did not come, she continued to explain for him, "Recently, the company has been very busy, and he has gone on a business trip."

In the moment when Shuo Liang's feet left the ground, An Yiruo instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and exclaimed. They were already a couple, and with Shuo Liang having consumed alcohol, the thought of drunken promiscuity suddenly surged into her mind the instant he lifted her. An Yiruo's face uncontrollably flushed red, filled with a mix of anticipation and a greater sense of bewildered panic.

An Yiruo seemed to be oblivious to her words, humming a cheerful tune while continuing to focus on her work.

"Seeing you sleep so drowsily, how can I feel at ease?" Xi Shuo-liang thoughtfully poured her a glass of milk and, with concern, advised, "You must insist on changing the dressing every day for the next two days, avoid lifting heavy objects, and absolutely do not take a bath. If anything comes up, please ask Mi Yu for help."

In the early morning, while An Yiruo was still in a dream, Xi Shuo Liang's thin lips had already landed on her rosy cheek. Hearing her softly moan, she hugged the blanket and turned over, saying, "Don't make a fuss, Mimi... let me sleep a little longer..."

Accompanying her to the hospital for a medication change, he then drove her back to the apartment. Xi Shuo-liang hurriedly returned to the company to preside over a brief meeting before heading to the airport with the business manager. Just before boarding, he sent a text message to An Yiruo: "Take good care of yourself, rest assured and wait for my return. Let's go home for dinner together this weekend."

He gently called out to her again, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and in the next moment, he had lifted her up by the waist

As he got into the car, he thoughtfully fastened her seatbelt and asked, "What happened the day before yesterday? Why did you go so far just to have a meal?"

"Alright, I will come to pick you up then." After she finished eating, Xi Shuo Liang draped a coat over her shoulders and took her hand as they exited.

She smiled, and suddenly felt a sense of relief in her heart. Perhaps the reason for their stalemate and refusal to meet was to wait for his apology. Finally, she acknowledged her own vanity; like all women, she wanted to be cherished, to have companionship, and to be coaxed. He loved her; otherwise, how could he humbly apologize to her? Yet, he might not know that her love for him was even deeper and more profound.

The elderly couple exchanged a glance, sighing helplessly; this child always manages to get away with it like this.

Upon hearing this, An Yiruo raised her eyes to look at him, "Dad has returned from a business trip, and I was also thinking of going home this weekend. Are you free?" Seeing him nod, her brows and eyes curved in a smile, "Then I will call my mom to let her know, we will go back for dinner on Sunday"

She obediently replied, "Understood"

In this familiar yet long-lost embrace, An Yiruo's heart gradually calmed down, as the chaos and turmoil settled like dust, slowly becoming as tranquil as water. Her delicate arms wrapped around his waist, snuggling closer into his embrace, as she leaned in to listen to the steady and powerful rhythm of his heartbeat

"You go about your business, I can just take a taxi, it's not a big deal." An Yiruo clearly had not yet woken up, rubbing her eyes and still looking a bit drowsy. That's just how she is; she doesn't sleep well in a different place.

A warmth surged from her heart, and a gentle smile appeared at the corners of her mouth as she reassured, "It's not that easy to be chosen."