---

Chapter 29: Got Blocked by Tan Qishen Again

The Maybach stopped in front of the villa. Chen Xin opened the backseat door.

Fang Hexun gently ruffled Yan Man’s hair and told her, “Go on in, get some rest early.”

This scene was seen by Tan Qishen from a distance. He clenched the gift box in his hand tighter, veins bulging on his arm, a clear sign of the anger he was trying to suppress.

Wen Bo sat in the driver’s seat, instinctively holding his breath and trying to minimize his presence.

He regretted it deeply—why did they have to show up at this moment?

It felt like President Tan had just grown a whole field of green grass on his head (a metaphor for being cheated on), and Wen Bo feared he knew too much to live.

Yan Man nodded. “Alright, let me know when you get home.”

Fang Hexun opened his arms and, as usual, gave Yan Man a goodbye hug.

Yan Man also patted him on the shoulder. Their movements were natural, clearly not the first time they had done this.

Wen Bo saw this and internally screamed a long string of curse words.

He didn’t dare look at his boss’s expression behind him.

Tan Qishen’s eyes were like a deep, bottomless lake. A shadow loomed between his brows. It felt like all his internal organs had been smashed; even breathing hurt.

No time to see him, but time to see someone else?

Fang Hexun said he was waiting for someone—so he was waiting for Yan Man?

Tan Qishen had the urge to get out of the car and question Yan Man, but his legs seemed frozen in place.

He was afraid of hearing an answer he didn’t want.

But Yan Man liked him so much. How could she be secretly meeting another man—especially a married one?

He held it in, barely managing not to get out of the car. His cold eyes were locked on Fang Hexun and Yan Man. He saw Fang Hexun get into the car, but not before gently knocking Yan Man on the forehead with his knuckle, clearly a doting gesture.

Yan Man cried out softly, covering her forehead. “Ow, that hurt.”

Fang Hexun chuckled. “Stop pretending. Just save me the worry and have a good relationship.”

“Got it, you’re so naggy,” Yan Man said, waving him off.

After the car drove away, Yan Man slowly walked back into the villa, her steps light and mood seemingly good.

Tan Qishen raised his wrist and looked at his watch. The hour hand pointed to twelve.

So, Fang Hexun had been in Yan Man’s home for nearly six hours?

He looked up. Yan Man had already gone inside, and the front door was closed.

Tan Qishen lit a cigarette, resting his elbow on the window frame. The smoke curled in the air, his expression unreadable.

Wen Bo didn’t dare speak, nor could he defend Yan Man. Anyone with eyes could see the unusual closeness between Miss Yan and this Mr. Fang.

He had never experienced such torment—those few minutes felt like hours.

Finally, when Tan Qishen finished his cigarette, he moved.

He picked up his phone and found Yan Man’s number.

In the silence, each ring sounded like a judgment hammer in a courtroom.

When it rang for a long time without being answered, Wen Bo began to feel anxious. His own heart was pounding audibly.

Tan Qishen held the phone to his ear and looked at the lights still on on the third floor of the villa.

The warm orange light on the third floor—that must be Yan Man’s bedroom, he thought.

He didn’t blink. His grip on the phone tightened until his palm turned red from the pressure, but he didn’t care.

Just as he was sure the call would be automatically disconnected, the other end picked up.

Tan Qishen’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. His Adam’s apple bobbed—was it relief or rising tension?

“Qishen? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Yan Man’s voice was still sweet. Tan Qishen could imagine the expression on her face as she spoke.

He leaned back in his seat. His slender fingers toyed with a lighter, clicking it on and off.

Click—a flame sparked.

Snap—the flame died.

Again and again.

The dim flame cast limited light, illuminating Tan Qishen’s chiseled features, which flickered between light and shadow, highlighting the coldness and gloom in his eyes.

When Yan Man got no response, she asked again, “Hello? Qishen?”

Tan Qishen clicked the lighter again but didn’t release it. The flame remained.

His voice was unusually hoarse as he asked, “What were you doing?”

Yan Man had just come upstairs when her phone rang. She was surprised to see his name and hadn’t expected him to call so late.

She had just walked her brother downstairs—but of course, she couldn’t say that.

Casually, she said, “Just took a shower and was getting ready to sleep.”

Hearing her answer without hesitation, Tan Qishen’s last bit of hope shattered. He let out a low, cold chuckle, his expression icy and terrifying.

He let go of the lighter. The flame vanished instantly, plunging the car into darkness.

“Yan Man, well done.”

His voice carried mockery and amusement. Before Yan Man could say anything else, he hung up.

Staring at the phone, Yan Man was completely confused.

“Well done”? That… probably wasn’t a compliment.

She didn’t understand what had just happened and tried calling him back. It was instantly rejected.

She called again.

This time, a mechanical female voice replied:

“Sorry, the number you dialed is currently on another call. Please try again later.”

Yan Man stared at her phone, speechless. She knew this message well.

She’d been blocked by Tan Qishen again.

Counting this time, it was the fifth time he’d blocked her.

Yan Man was used to it by now.

But this time… why?

Just a few days ago, Tan Qishen’s attitude toward her had clearly softened. Why had their relationship suddenly gone back to square one?

And with such force—it felt like she’d committed a serious crime.

She opened WeChat and tried messaging him anyway.

Though she had a hunch he’d blocked her there too, she wanted to try.

[Yan Man]: Did I do something wrong? 🥺

As expected, a big red exclamation mark appeared.

Yan Man let out a helpless laugh. She was completely calm now.

She immediately began reviewing their past chats, trying to figure out what went wrong.

First: Two nights ago, Tan Qishen had been… overly enthusiastic, and she was too tired to go along with it.

Second: This morning, she left in a rush and didn’t have breakfast with him.

Third: Tonight, she turned down his invitation and went home alone.

Yan Man nodded to herself. Yep, that must be it. The issues built up, and Tan Qishen finally exploded.

Once the cause is found, the problem becomes easier to solve.

She lay back in bed, tossed her phone aside, and closed her eyes peacefully.

To hell with men.

Nothing in the world mattered more than a good night’s sleep.

---