After the banquet, Zang Ling found time to drag Yu Tianran over to apologize to Yan Wenshu. She also discussed with Yu Tianran’s parents about how to deal with rebellious kids.

As she left the Yu household, she heard Yu Tianran crying his heart out. She smiled faintly, knowing that this time, he might finally learn his lesson.

This good mood lasted all the way until she got home, then came to an abrupt halt.

Two uninvited guests were waiting at home: Mr. and Mrs. Yuan.

As soon as Mrs. Yuan saw Zang Ling return, she immediately stood up with surprise and delight. “Lingling, you’re back!”

Zang Ling replied coolly, “Hello. Is there something you need?”

Mrs. Yuan’s smile stiffened slightly. Sensing Zang Ling’s indifference, she felt a little uncomfortable. But remembering the purpose of their visit, she forced herself to endure it.

Mrs. Yuan came over and took her hand. “I’m only here for the matter of you and Haolang’s marriage. Haolang is young and impetuous, a bit hot-tempered, but don’t hold it against him. He’s actually a pretty decent guy.”

Zang Ling pulled her hand back. “There’s no need to say anything. I won’t marry Yuan Haolang. If you’re here to apologize for him, I won’t accept it.”

Mrs. Yuan’s smile was on the verge of collapse. “Lingling, must you be so heartless? Haolang really likes you. Can’t you give him another chance?”

Jiang Qiongyin stood up, her gaze turning cold. “Xueqin, we’re all smart people here. I don’t think I need to spell it out. If the Yuan family and Tianhai still want to continue working together, then don’t bring up this childhood engagement again.”

Mr. Yuan couldn’t sit still any longer. He looked toward Zang Xiuming. “Brother, aren’t you going to say something?”

Zang Xiuming replied without a trace of warmth, “Whatever my family says is what I say.”

Mr. Yuan’s face turned red with anger. He abruptly stood up, glaring at him fiercely. “Fine! Zang Xiuming, I’ve really misjudged you all these years. I didn’t expect you to be someone who goes back on his word! There’s no need for us to associate anymore!”

Zang Ling added coolly, “So, Uncle Yuan, are you saying you want to become Tianhai’s enemy?”

Mr. Yuan looked at Zang Ling’s cold expression and suddenly remembered — this young woman before him had single-handedly pushed Tianhai Group to the top. Becoming enemies with someone like her would only lead to his own downfall sooner or later.

He opened his mouth, pointing at Zang Ling, but couldn’t utter a single word.

Mrs. Yuan quickly went over and swatted his hand down, complaining, “Lingling, your uncle Yuan was only joking! Why take it so seriously? We have things to take care of, so we’ll be leaving now.”

With that, she hurriedly dragged Mr. Yuan away.

After they were gone, Zang Ling immediately shut the door.

Slumping onto the couch in frustration, she grumbled, “Why are they so desperate for me to fulfill the engagement? Is Yuan Group about to go bankrupt and need me for charity work?”

Zang Xiuming explained, “Recently, Old Master Yuan brought his illegitimate son into the company. It’s said he thinks highly of him and made him the head of an important project right away. Yuan Chengde is probably worried that, even at his age nearing retirement, he might still get pushed aside. So he suddenly remembered this engagement and wants to use you as a stepping stone for his son.”

“On top of that, that illegitimate son’s kid is pretty outstanding too, graduated from a prestigious university and has already spearheaded several projects at a young age. Compared to him, Yuan Haolang is busy entangling himself with some girl, which has seriously disappointed their old man.”

Zang Xiuming sighed. “Lingling, it’s lucky you didn’t fall for him. Otherwise, I don’t even know what we would’ve done. Yuan Haolang is a beast in human skin. He already has someone he likes, yet still shamelessly lets his parents come here to push for the engagement.”

Zang Ling grinned mischievously, “Compared to him, don’t you think Yan Wenshu looks a whole lot better now?”

Zang Xiuming stiffened and turned his head away. “Hmph, so-so.”

Jiang Qiongyin chuckled. “Your dad’s just being stubborn, Lingling. Don’t mind him. How are things going between you and Xiao Yan?”

“Take a guess~” Zang Ling replied slyly. “I’m exhausted today, I’m going upstairs to sleep. Goodnight!”

Watching her happily trot upstairs, Jiang Qiongyin laughed and said to Zang Xiuming, “Does that look like she’s going to sleep? She’s totally going to chat with Xiao Yan.”

“Let her chat then.”

Jiang Qiongyin was surprised. “Didn’t you use to dislike Xiao Yan? And now you’re acknowledging him?”

Zang Xiuming replied meaningfully, “That’s because I didn’t know back then that Lingling isn’t dead set on being with him. She’ll get bored of him sooner or later.”

Jiang Qiongyin was speechless. Weren’t you the one anxious about your daughter being single before? And now that she has a boyfriend, you can’t wait for them to break up.

She really couldn’t understand how men’s minds worked.

——

“What are you doing right now, Yan Wenshu?”

“Reading? What kind of book?”

“How to Make Your Girlfriend Happy?” Zang Ling, lying on her bed, couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “What kind of weird book is that? Well, I’m actually pretty happy right now, but it’s not because of that book, it’s because I’m hearing your voice.”

Whatever the man said over the phone made Zang Ling’s smile widen even more. “I didn’t buy any relationship books. I’m just naturally good at talking, especially to someone I like.”

“How’s your injury healing?”

Zang Ling shifted her position. “It’s almost better. Once you’re fully healed, we can finally meet again.”

Staring at the ceiling, she paused before saying, “We haven’t seen each other for three days… I kind of miss you…”

“No, scratch that—I really, really, really miss you!”

“Yeah, I told you, once your face heals, we’ll meet again.”

“…”

After hanging up, Zang Ling still felt a little empty inside. Three days without seeing each other did feel a bit excessive. Who doesn’t want to see their lover just because they got a facial injury?

They were still in the fresh lovers phase.

Zang Ling had clearly overestimated her own patience. She found herself sighing endlessly, feeling like she couldn’t focus on doing anything.

Maybe… she should go find Yan Wenshu?

Give him a surprise?

But the next second, Zang Ling immediately rejected that idea. Going back on her word wasn’t her style.

She could endure it a little longer. Didn’t Yan Wenshu say he’d be fully healed soon? At most, it would just be one more day before they could see each other.

By then, she would—

Suddenly, her specially set ringtone rang.

Zang Ling sat up straight in bed like a startled fish and eagerly asked, “Yan Wenshu, what’s up?”

“Look down?”

Zang Ling was a little confused. Then she realized something and hurriedly jumped out of bed, running to the window to look down.

There was nothing there.

Zang Ling felt utterly disappointed. What was she even thinking? There’s no way Yan Wenshu would really be down there.

Just as she was about to leave, the man’s calm voice came through the phone. “I’m downstairs at your place. Can’t you see me?”

Zang Ling looked carefully again and finally spotted that familiar figure standing under the willow tree near the entrance.

“I see you! Yan Wenshu, I see you!”

Yan Wenshu chuckled softly. “Mm, I see you too.”

“Why did you suddenly come over?”

“I heard someone say they missed me…”

Zang Ling retorted stubbornly, “Sounds to me like you missed me more. Yan Wenshu, do you like me that much?”

“I do. That’s why I came to see you.”

The corners of Zang Ling’s mouth lifted uncontrollably, her tone brimming with happiness. “Then I’m coming down to meet you!”

“No need.” Yan Wenshu replied. “You said we’d wait until my injury healed before meeting. I also want you to see me at my best.”

“Just talking to you like this while looking at you is enough for me.” Yan Wenshu said seriously.

Zang Ling’s cheeks flushed slightly. “You really remembered, huh? Yan Wenshu, the way you talk is getting sweeter and sweeter… I’m starting to worry.”

“Worry about what?”

“Worry that I won’t be able to stop myself from jumping down to find you.”

The man seemed a little surprised. It was a long while before he spoke again, his tone dead serious.

“Then I’ll do my best to catch you.”

Zang Ling couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course you have to.”

The two of them talked for a long time until Yan Wenshu said he had to leave.

They fell silent for a while. Zang Ling forced herself to suppress the disappointment in her heart and managed a smile. “I’ll walk you out.”

But Yan Wenshu refused. “Don’t worry, I’ll be home soon. Once I hang up, you should go to bed. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow…”

It wasn’t until she watched Yan Wenshu’s figure disappear into the night that Zang Ling reluctantly looked away. Even as she lay in bed, she still felt unwilling to end the night.

See you tomorrow.

That was the sweetest thing she’d heard in a long time.

——

The next day at work.

Zang Ling was full of energy, as if she had taken ten tonics. Her face glowed with health, her brows and eyes carried a smile, and just seeing her made people want to smile too.

Jiang Qiongyin found it strange. It was just one night’s sleep, how did her daughter look even more radiant than before?

But no matter how she asked, Zang Ling wouldn’t tell her.

Jiang Qiongyin could never have guessed — this was the power of love.

Zang Ling remembered that she would be able to see Yan Wenshu today, and she was so excited!

Previously, she had told him not to meet until her injury healed, and he really took her words to heart. After work, he would go straight home, disappearing the moment she looked up. Even when submitting documents, he would leave them on the small table at her door and then call her to let her know.

The worst part was, even though she was the one who said those words, the one who ended up suffering the most was herself.

But today, this kind of life was finally going to end!

Zang Ling practically floated into the office, only to find that Yan Wenshu wasn’t there.

At first, she didn’t think much of it, but when work time arrived. Even an hour passed, he still hadn’t shown up, she started to feel that something was wrong.

He had never been late before. He was always early to work.

What happened today?

Could something have happened on his way home last night?

Her mind instantly conjured up terrifying scenes — car accidents, lightning strikes, falling into a river — and her anxiety grew worse by the second.

She hurriedly called him, but no one answered.

Not willing to give up, she called several more times, but still couldn’t get through.

Zang Ling felt terrible. Yesterday, he had traveled all that way just to see her. Why didn’t she insist on making him stay?

Why did she let him go home alone?

What if he had an accident on the way, and no one found him in time? What would happen to him then?

Her expression grew serious. She had to go check on Yan Wenshu at his home. But just as she was about to leave, she caught sight of a leave request on the desk.

The applicant was, Yan Wenshu.

He took a day off?

How come, as his girlfriend, she didn’t know?

Zang Ling immediately called Chen Wenting. She worked in HR and should know.

The call connected quickly, and the truth was finally revealed.

It turned out Yan Wenshu had caught a cold and was having a fever, so he couldn’t come to work.

Zang Ling let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she wondered, why didn’t he tell me he was sick?

Aren’t I his girlfriend?

She couldn’t figure it out. If it weren’t for her memories still being intact, she would have suspected that all of last night’s warmth was just a dream. She told the assistant manager to cover for her for the day, then rushed off to find Yan Wenshu.

However, when she arrived at her destination, she realized a very serious problem. She only knew that Yan Wenshu lived in this residential complex.

But she had no idea which building, which floor, or which unit he lived in.