He sighed and answered.
Li Xuan was practically furious on the other end. "Li Yu, you finally picked up! What kind of attitude is this? You don't even answer your family's calls? What's wrong with you?!"
Li Yu's eyes remained fixed on the number 12, his mind completely occupied by Jian Suiying, leaving no room for anything else.
"I have something to do..."
"I... Brother, I really had something to do."
Li Yu replied in a low voice: "Then I'll go home now."
Li Xuan snapped, "You don't seem too eager about it, do you? You... you're dating someone, aren't you?" The thought crossed Li Xuan's mind.
Li Yu remained silent on the other end, confirming Li Xuan's suspicion. "So you're heartbroken?"
"Brother, Brother!" Bai Xinyu called after Jian Suiying. Annoyed by the constant clamor, Jian Suiying snapped, "What do you want?!"
Bai Xinyu stammered: "Um, I didn't mean to eavesdrop... It's just that what you two were saying made it impossible for me to show myself..."
..."
Jian Suiying shot him a glare, turned to pour himself a glass of wine, and showed no intention of continuing the topic.
Bai Xinyu had long believed it was no surprise anyone would go crazy for her brother. Even in this unkempt, slovenly state,
seated there, he resembled a painting.
Bai Xinyu flopped onto the sofa and laughed, "Bro, if you like that kind of guy, I know a male model who's super hot
I can bring him out today for you to take a look. How about it?"
Jian Suiying took a drag on his cigarette. "Save it. What are you even doing here? If you have nothing to do, just go back."
"I just came to keep you company. It took me forever to get this leave. I might not be able to come back next year. I came to apologize and cheer you up. I can't let you stay so down all the time."
Jian Suiying glanced at him and said in a low voice: "Which eye of yours saw me being gloomy? I just have a cold and don't feel like talking."
."
"Fine, fine, fine. I'm dedicating all my time to you anyway." Jian Suiying paused for a moment. "Come with me to Qinhuangdao." "Huh?"
"To pay New Year's respects to my grandfather. You drive."
"Now?" Bai Xinyu glanced at his watch—it was nearly eleven. Jian Suiying stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. "Now."
That night, Jian Suiying dozed off in the car. When he woke up, Bai Xinyu had already driven them to his grandfather's house.
fragrant aroma of cooking.
As soon as Jian Suiying entered the room, he saw his grandfather smoking and reading the newspaper. Hearing them come in, he looked up and smiled,
"How did you sleep?"
Seeing the old man looking so alert and energetic, Jian Suiying suddenly smiled too. He walked over and sat beside him. "
"We slept very well."
"You didn't even call ahead. Driving over in the middle of the night isn't safe. What was the rush?"
Jian Suiying smiled. "I just missed you."
The old man chuckled heartily. "Has your cold cleared up yet?" He touched Jian Suiying's forehead. "Not much fever. It's nothing. Men of the Jian family don't fear minor ailments."
"That's right. Men of the Jian family don't fear minor illnesses or ailments."
The old man gazed at him with a smile. Both men tacitly avoided any mention of the company or Jian Suilin, instead leisurely
through their meal.
Grandfather and grandson chatted about family matters and the weather, while Bai Xinyu occasionally cracked jokes from the side. The meal unfolded in an atmosphere of
and joyful.
After the meal, the old man slipped a large red envelope into Bai Xinyu's hands.
The young man, well into his twenties, showed no embarrassment whatsoever, grinning as he tucked it into his pocket. Jian Suiying teased him, "Does that mean I have to give you one too?"
Bai Xinyu quickly clasped his hands in greeting: "Wishing you wealth and prosperity."
Jian Suiying snorted, rummaged through her pockets for a while, and then stuffed all the cash from her wallet into his hands.
It was here that Jian Suiying finally relaxed, the thick ice that had weighed on his heart beginning to show signs of thawing.