Li Yu clung to him, sobbing until her tears and snot smeared his shoulder, finally driving Young Master Jian to distraction.
Li Yu sniffed and lifted his head, glancing at him with a hint of embarrassment. His bright red eyes contrasted sharply with his fair, delicate skin, made him look especially pitiful.
Li Yu nodded, went to the bathroom to splash water on his face, and came out without drying it, as if afraid Jian Suiying might escape.
Li Yu hastily stuffed his belongings into a suitcase. "Brother Jian, this needs to be resolved here. Going back to Beijing won't solve anything."
Jian Suiying frowned at him. " "What do you mean?"
Li Yu pulled out his notebook and opened it, letting Jian Suiying examine his ledger. Jian Suiying studied it roughly for over half an hour, growing increasingly alarmed the more he looked.
Li Yu sat on the bed, watching him. "I kept a backup plan. Why would I go to my death before we've even reconciled?"
Jian Suiying stared at him in astonishment. "Where did you pick up all this stuff, kid?"
Li Yu blinked. "When it comes to legitimate tax avoidance, I learned a lot from you."
Li Yu lowered his gaze. "Don't jinx me..."
Li Yu startled. "I won't leave." Jian Suiying turned to look at him.
Li Yu declared earnestly: "I won't leave. I'm staying with you."
Jian Suiying snapped, "You want me to rot in jail with you? Fat chance." Li Yu pleaded, "Brother Jian, I won't get into trouble. Trust me."
Jian Suiying shut his laptop. "Cut the nonsense." He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Li Xuan, instructing him to come
immediately.
Li Yu wrapped his arms around Jian Suiying's shoulders. "Brother Jian, I've caused you worry."
Li Xuan arrived that very afternoon. Upon entering, he first gave Li Yu a thorough beating. Later, Li Yu remarked that it was the first time his brother had ever hit him.
, and Jian Suiying admitted he found it quite satisfying to watch.
Li Xuan brought a reliable lawyer. The four of them stayed up all night in the hotel room reconciling accounts, plugging every loophole they could think of.
Li Yu's accounts were indeed flawless, and his money laundering methods were sophisticated. Although he had been under surveillance for several months
Li Yu was fined over eight million yuan for tax evasion and had his business license revoked, bringing the matter to a close. For over two months, everyone's hearts were in knots.
Unable to face his disappointed father or his elder brother who had compromised his principles for him, Li Yu stayed in a hotel upon returning to Beijing.
After finishing her tasks, Jian Suiying went to the hotel to find him. Having not seen her for days, Li Yu broke into a smile the moment he saw her.
Jian Suiying felt both anger and helplessness at the things he'd done, yet she couldn't abandon him.
"What are you planning to do now?"
Li Yu froze. "What?"
"Are you just going to hide in the hotel forever? What do you plan to do next?"
Li Yu shook his head. "I haven't figured it out yet."
Jian Suiying tossed the file folder at him. "Then get back to school. You're a student anyway."
Li Yu opened it to find his academic records. He stared blankly at the red university seal, feeling as if he had been transported to another world.
a lifetime had passed.
Li Yu held the file, his fingertips trembling slightly.
If time could be rewound, he wished he could be that Li Yu again—the one who cared about classes and exams, practiced boxing in his free time, and went on dates with
Jian Suiying. So many things had veered off course that he wanted to retrace his steps, yet felt too timid to do so.
What should he do next? What did he want to do? Jian Suiying had given him the best answer.
He should return to his studies, settle himself down, and become that Li Yu again—the one who attended classes, boxed, and spent his free time with Jian Suiying.
Li Yu tossed the files aside and threw himself at Jian Suiying, kissing him fiercely.