When Li Nanchuan walked over in his black windbreaker, his handsome face and imposing aura that commanded respect instantly made Gu Zhiyuan feel a strong sense of crisis.
In others' eyes, Gu Zhiyuan was always the epitome of a gentleman, but in front of Li Nanchuan, he seemed to shrink several sizes.
A gentleman versus a warlord. Just from the aura, it was clear that Gu Zhiyuan was at a great disadvantage.
"Mr. Gu is here too." Li Nanchuan cast a deep glance at Gu Zhiyuan with his sharp eyes. He was carrying something in his hand. "Am I coming at a bad time?"
Gu Zhiyuan forced a smile. "It's good that Mr. Li knows that."
Li Nanchuan didn't respond. His gaze was fixed solely on Shen Youjin. The affection in his eyes was so intense that it seemed to be palpable.
With such a cold - looking face, yet such affectionate eyes, who could resist falling for him?
"Why aren't you at home resting at this hour?" Li Nanchuan looked at her tenderly. "I've cooked longan and bird's nest for you."
Shen Youjin didn't know why. While she could remain calm in front of Gu Zhiyuan, her emotions now began to churn.
"I'm okay. I'm not sleepy, so I came out for a walk."
As she said this, there was a slight nasal tone in her voice. Gu Zhiyuan could clearly sense the change in her. A shadow immediately crossed his eyes.
"Mr. Li, I remember your engagement with the Bai family hasn't been called off yet. It's not the right time to be so concerned about other women."
Li Nanchuan's expression remained calm. "It's already over. The news will be made public early tomorrow morning."
Gu Zhiyuan was stunned. He never thought that Li Nanchuan, who always abided by the rules, would actually break off his engagement with the Bai family.
Before he could react, Li Nanchuan had already placed his hand on Shen Youjin's shoulder and forcefully turned her around. "It's time to go home."
Since their reunion, this was the first time Li Nanchuan showed such a dominant attitude. For a moment, it felt as if they had gone back to the days when they were together.
There was no expression on her face, but inside, her heart was screaming.
"Xiaojin!"
Gu Zhiyuan called out to her unwillingly. How could he just stand by and watch Li Nanchuan take her away?
It was he who had saved Shen Youjin in that never - ending downpour. Why should the man who had brought that rain back now come and take her away?
Shen Youjin snapped out of her daze. She paused and looked back at Gu Zhiyuan.
The man in the white shirt stood by the sea. The dignity that usually surrounded him had faded away. At this moment, he was so vulnerable, just longing for her to return.
The moon hung high above his head, as if it was only there to highlight his loneliness. At this moment, he no longer seemed like the top - notch businessman from the century - old jewelry family.
It turned out that everyone had emotions. It was just that in the past, she wasn't worthy enough to see them.
"Good night, teacher."
Her voice was carried by the cold sea breeze to his ears. Gu Zhiyuan felt as if he had been shot in the chest for the second time.
Sitting in Li Nanchuan's car, Shen Youjin tossed her car keys to the bodyguards and told them to go back first.
"Let's go for a drive." Shen Youjin fastened her seatbelt and glanced at Li Nanchuan. "I'm not ready to go home yet."
Li Nanchuan didn't refuse. He drove Shen Youjin around the most prosperous city in the country, letting her enjoy the most magnificent night view.
The atmosphere was quiet yet harmonious, just like in the old days. No matter what she did, he would always be by her side.
It wasn't until more than an hour later that Shen Youjin finally spoke slowly. "What did your family think about calling off the engagement with the Bai family?"
"This matter has been dragging on for too long. They've been mentally prepared for it." Li Nanchuan's voice was as magnetic as ever. While waiting for the traffic light, he took the gift prepared by Li Beiyin from the back seat and placed it in her lap. "This is an apology gift from my sister."
This surprised Shen Youjin. Could Li Beiyin really apologize to her? Why?
"My sister has always hated people who break up other families. She watched your live - broadcast the other day and felt really bad about it." Li Nanchuan explained on behalf of his sister. "Don't blame her. I've spoiled her too much."
Shen Youjin looked at the high - quality jade bracelet in the box. Li Beiyin was really generous. She had seen this bracelet at an auction not long ago.
"It's okay. She didn't do much to me." Shen Youjin closed the box. "Besides, compared to the Shen siblings, she's still far behind!"
"Beiyin is not a bad person at heart." Li Nanchuan paused for a moment. As if afraid that she might feel pressured, he added, "I've thought about it. If you don't want to see her, I can send her abroad. She had a design school she wanted to go to, but my parents were reluctant to let her go, so it's been delayed."
Shen Youjin smiled. He was overthinking. She wasn't as sensitive as before.
There was no need to send Li Beiyin away. It wasn't because she was kind - hearted. She just thought that hatred couldn't be changed by simply leaving.
Look at Shen Qilin. After leaving for so long, nothing had changed.
"No need. It's good for her to stay in Kyoto."
The double - entendre made Li Nanchuan tighten his grip on the steering wheel. She was rejecting him gently.
"Don't be afraid of the Shen family's matters. I've already sent people to take care of them. Neither Shen Qilin nor Shen Tianzhen would dare to come after you." He hesitated for a moment but still said, "As for your mother's case back then, there isn't enough human or physical evidence. We'll have to wait a bit longer."
"Thank you." Shen Youjin's clear eyes flashed. "Li Nanchuan, you've already helped me a great deal. If only..."
If only the child in her womb was his.
First love was always special. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, the feelings were still there.
"What's wrong?" Li Nanchuan looked at her curiously. "Do you have any concerns?"
Shen Youjin's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Do you still remember that drunk night?"
"I remember." Li Nanchuan's expression changed noticeably. He could no longer maintain his calm demeanor. "I've said that I'll take responsibility for you."
Shen Youjin's slender fingers grasped the seatbelt tightly. There was a slight tremor in her voice that was barely noticeable. "Is it more out of responsibility or more out of love?"
Li Nanchuan turned his head. "Xiaojin, you should know that I won't kiss someone I don't love, let alone sleep with them."
His determined eyes seemed to pierce through her heart. Shen Youjin's pupils contracted. The traffic light started to count down the last ten seconds. She had an urge to tell Li Nanchuan that she was pregnant.
She took a deep breath and suppressed the pain in her heart. She shouldn't have too high hopes for something uncertain.
"I understand. Let's go home. I'm tired."
Shen Youjin lowered her head. Although his words were rather ambiguous, at this moment, coming from his mouth, she actually believed that he was the father of the child.
But, was it really so? She hoped more than ever that time would pass quickly so that she could get the result sooner.
Li Nanchuan didn't know what she was thinking. He just thought that she hadn't fully recovered from a certain emotion. He played a song that she used to like and then drove her home.