The Long Road Ahead - Chapter 35

This novel was posted on cntranslationss [dot] blogsp0t [dot] com, by anasiana. If you’re not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

He had no idea what time it was when he had finally fallen asleep, but all in all, Xiao Ning did not sleep well that night, and the next morning when he was awakened by his alarm his head felt weighted and foggy.

Lu Yan: I bought the tickets for our flight. They’re for 8:25 p.m. on the 30th, so pack your bags before work and take them with you. I’ll pick you up when you’re off work and we’ll head straight to the airport.

When he picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, he saw two messages on the screen in passing. Opening them, one was message was advertising if he wanted □□, while the other was a credit card offer.

This remark of his left Xiao Ning utterly speechless, he had no idea what on earth was going on in that kid’s head. He took a good look at the Xia Li before him, he couldn’t help but remember the young boy whose face was beaming with joy upon their first meeting, but those once joyous eyes were now saturated with nothing but fear and sadness.

They were both just ads.

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

When he got to his office and stared at the cactus, he remembered that he still hadn’t asked Shan Haiming about the apartment matter. But Wang Hua must’ve mentioned it to him, right?

Xia Li: “Xiao Ning… I really hate you.”

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Shan Haiming had sent a simple message in reply: Wait for me after work.

Xiao Ning again thought of there only being two tickets left, and that if there was none when he refreshed the page, he would just forget about this matter.

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

Shan Haiming’s expression was calm, as he then instructed Xiao Ning, “Toss his luggage in the trunk.”

Xiao Ning: “…”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

But as he clicked and went through all the steps to buy the ticket slowly, a congratulatory message window of his successful purchase appeared, and his ticket information was already sent to his phone which he requested to check.

After deliberating for a moment, he typed up and sent a message reading: If you’re you have the time, would you like to have a meal with me? I heard from Wang Hua that you’re the one who rented the apartment I’m living in to me, and that really helped me out a lot, so please give me a chance to formally thank you.

Xiao Ning wanted to refund the ticket immediately. What did I even buy it for? It’s pointless…

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

They were both just ads.

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Shan Haiming had sent a simple message in reply: Wait for me after work.

He then thought to himself, that if Wang Hua didn’t know it, or if he didn’t tell him, he was planning on just forgetting all this.

Muttering a sentence that even he himself couldn’t understand, Xia Ning sent Wang Hua a message: Do you know Shan Haiming’s ID number, by chance?

“It’s not like that, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning sighed. “You’re still young, and in the future, you’ll experience a lot more things and meet a lot more people, so there’s no need to be so extreme.”

When he was done reading it, he didn’t put his phone away, however, because another message had come in.

He then thought to himself, that if Wang Hua didn’t know it, or if he didn’t tell him, he was planning on just forgetting all this.

Lu Yan: I bought the tickets for our flight. They’re for 8:25 p.m. on the 30th, so pack your bags before work and take them with you. I’ll pick you up when you’re off work and we’ll head straight to the airport.

Xiao Ning: “…”

When he was done reading it, he didn’t put his phone away, however, because another message had come in.

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

Lu Yan: I bought the tickets for our flight. They’re for 8:25 p.m. on the 30th, so pack your bags before work and take them with you. I’ll pick you up when you’re off work and we’ll head straight to the airport.

Xia Li jumped back on his feet, his gaze moving to and from Shan Haiming and Xiao Ning, his expression erratic, with him then suddenly blabbing, “Are you his boyfriend?”

Xia Li’s tone, just like before, did not sound good. It was flat and monotonous, like a brick wall. “You off work?”

Xia Li’s tone, just like before, did not sound good. It was flat and monotonous, like a brick wall. “You off work?”

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and pulling along a suitcase in the crowd, Xia Li’s form stood out prominently as he made his way towards Xiao Ning. Once Xia Li stood before him, aggression filled the gaze that guy used to eye him up and down. Xiao Ning had a good temper, and he was accustomed to being considerate towards others. But even he couldn’t help but find the person showing him obvious hostility time and time again loathsome, and truly could not afford to be kind. “What is it? Why did you come here to see me?”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

With him saying that he had bought their tickets together, Xiao Ning had no choice but to send a message thanking him in return, and then quietly buying them both tickets to return.

When Shan Haiming slammed the door shut, luckily, Xia Li had leaned backwards to avoid it, otherwise, he would’ve collected a door to the face.

What on earth is wrong with this kid’s head? Did he watch too many dramas or something? Xiao Ning did his best, helping as much as humanly possible, and he had no more patience left, so he turned to leave. Sadly, to the contrary, Xia Li had no interest in letting things go, and he got the idea in his head Xiao Ning had a guilty conscience, so he strode forward to pull Xiao Ning back by the arm.

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

“Are you happy now?” Xia Li’s expression was thirty percent him feeling wronged and the remaining percentage was just obstinacy. He still carried a sense of superiority as he looked sigh helplessly and say, “I think that no matter what I say to you right now, you won’t want to hear it, so what time is you flight? This place isn’t far from the airport but it would still be best for you to get there early.”

For a moment, Xiao Ning found himself in a daze. Again, he opened up the ticket website and saw there were only three tickets from A-City to C-City for the 8:25 p.m. flight left.

But even though he took some measures to protect himself, Shan Haiming was still able to drag him up by the arm with ease and bend that arm around his back before saying to Xiao Ning, “Help him bring his luggage.”

“Yes, sir.” Wang Hua got the signal and without delay had driven the little crybaby away.

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

His hand trembled, moving to close the page that again opened two minutes later, unable to help himself. But now the number of tickets had fallen to two.

His phone then vibrated, the message had arrived.

Xiao Ning wore a fitting amount of shock. “You’re going home?”

Shan Haiming didn’t turn his head from Xiao Ning’s direction when Xia Li asked this question, but he did shift his gaze to glare at Xia Li from the corner of his eye, while his brows lifting in anger as he asked in reply, “What of it?”

With him saying that he had bought their tickets together, Xiao Ning had no choice but to send a message thanking him in return, and then quietly buying them both tickets to return.

But, also not knowing whether he just had that much faith in Xiao Ning’s character or some other reason, Wang Hua had sent Xiao Ning Shan Haiming’s identification number without asking for an explanation.

Xiao Ning was left speechless. He couldn’t decide if he should give his thanks for all that. The sound of Shan Haiming’s fingers snapping in front of his face got his focus to return, as the man before him then asked, “Where are we going to eat?”

Xiao Ning wore a fitting amount of shock. “You’re going home?”

Muttering a sentence that even he himself couldn’t understand, Xia Ning sent Wang Hua a message: Do you know Shan Haiming’s ID number, by chance?

I don’t think your hit was enough for that…

But before Xiao Ning could move, Wang Hua came over to take the suitcase there for him. Then, as if there was nothing strange to see, he dutifully got back into the car and started the engine. Xia Li, who was then pushed into the passenger seat by Shan Haiming, covered his face with trembling hands as he whined, “I want to call the police.”

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

He then thought to himself, that if Wang Hua didn’t know it, or if he didn’t tell him, he was planning on just forgetting all this.

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

He then thought to himself, that if Wang Hua didn’t know it, or if he didn’t tell him, he was planning on just forgetting all this.

Shan Haiming’s expression was calm, as he then instructed Xiao Ning, “Toss his luggage in the trunk.”

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

Xiao Ning wore a fitting amount of shock. “You’re going home?”

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

But, also not knowing whether he just had that much faith in Xiao Ning’s character or some other reason, Wang Hua had sent Xiao Ning Shan Haiming’s identification number without asking for an explanation.

His hand trembled, moving to close the page that again opened two minutes later, unable to help himself. But now the number of tickets had fallen to two.

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

“Are you happy now?” Xia Li’s expression was thirty percent him feeling wronged and the remaining percentage was just obstinacy. He still carried a sense of superiority as he looked sigh helplessly and say, “I think that no matter what I say to you right now, you won’t want to hear it, so what time is you flight? This place isn’t far from the airport but it would still be best for you to get there early.”

“Don’t you get tired of acting like this?” Xia Li sneered. “You pretend so well that even Lu Yan has completely fallen for all your tricks.”

With him saying that he had bought their tickets together, Xiao Ning had no choice but to send a message thanking him in return, and then quietly buying them both tickets to return.

Xiao Ning again thought of there only being two tickets left, and that if there was none when he refreshed the page, he would just forget about this matter.

“Get in the car and take this guy to the airport.” ShanHaiming opened the back door of the car, and stuffed Xia Li inside. But Xia Li was unwilling to go inside and furiously tried to get out, so by Shan Haiming he was grabbed by the collar, and in front of everyone, was struck with a swift slap.

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

“Hm, I see you. You’re at the entrance at your company, right?” Xia Li’s words have Xiao Ning a start, making him turn to look around at once.

iana: a slap for a slap. My favourite chapters are up next!

But as he clicked and went through all the steps to buy the ticket slowly, a congratulatory message window of his successful purchase appeared, and his ticket information was already sent to his phone which he requested to check.

Shan Haiming didn’t turn his head from Xiao Ning’s direction when Xia Li asked this question, but he did shift his gaze to glare at Xia Li from the corner of his eye, while his brows lifting in anger as he asked in reply, “What of it?”

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

Xia Li jumped back on his feet, his gaze moving to and from Shan Haiming and Xiao Ning, his expression erratic, with him then suddenly blabbing, “Are you his boyfriend?”

Only Xiao Ning could understand what Shan Haiming’s words had meant, and that made a wave of embarrassment suddenly overtake him. Again, he was reminded of Shan Haiming having seen him at his lowest point, and was picked up by him like a stray dog, who was then taken home and fed some milk. He was now far too embarrassed to look Shan Haiming in the eye.

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

Xiao Ning: “…”

When he was done reading it, he didn’t put his phone away, however, because another message had come in.

His phone then vibrated, the message had arrived.

“Hi? Hello, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning honestly did not like Xia Li, so there couldn’t be any sincere enthusiasm in his words, but he still kept things polite.

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

But as he clicked and went through all the steps to buy the ticket slowly, a congratulatory message window of his successful purchase appeared, and his ticket information was already sent to his phone which he requested to check.

Xia Li stared him down for half a minute before lifting his lips in a condescending smile. “I’m leaving.”

Xiao Ning was exhausted. “I’ll help you get a taxi.”

Xiao Ning: “…”

Only Xiao Ning could understand what Shan Haiming’s words had meant, and that made a wave of embarrassment suddenly overtake him. Again, he was reminded of Shan Haiming having seen him at his lowest point, and was picked up by him like a stray dog, who was then taken home and fed some milk. He was now far too embarrassed to look Shan Haiming in the eye.

Within the crowd of people coming and going, this act of dragging back had naturally caught everyone’s gaze. Being pestered so obstinately and in such a brash and absurd manner would make a even a clay statue be thirty percent mad, and for the first time Xiao Ning’s face darkened. “Let go.”

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

It reminded him of the time when he was at college and had used the money it took him a very long time to save up to buy the same model of phone as Lu Yan. He was nervous, he was also excited, but there was also a slight feeling of regret in his heart.

“Yes, sir.” Wang Hua got the signal and without delay had driven the little crybaby away.

“Get in the car and take this guy to the airport.” ShanHaiming opened the back door of the car, and stuffed Xia Li inside. But Xia Li was unwilling to go inside and furiously tried to get out, so by Shan Haiming he was grabbed by the collar, and in front of everyone, was struck with a swift slap.

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

Shan Haiming didn’t turn his head from Xiao Ning’s direction when Xia Li asked this question, but he did shift his gaze to glare at Xia Li from the corner of his eye, while his brows lifting in anger as he asked in reply, “What of it?”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

A Slap

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

Xiao Ning wanted to refund the ticket immediately. What did I even buy it for? It’s pointless…

With him saying that he had bought their tickets together, Xiao Ning had no choice but to send a message thanking him in return, and then quietly buying them both tickets to return.

“What are doing?” Xia Li asked wearily.

“Hi? Hello, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning honestly did not like Xia Li, so there couldn’t be any sincere enthusiasm in his words, but he still kept things polite.

“Don’t you get tired of acting like this?” Xia Li sneered. “You pretend so well that even Lu Yan has completely fallen for all your tricks.”

“Hm, I see you. You’re at the entrance at your company, right?” Xia Li’s words have Xiao Ning a start, making him turn to look around at once.

Shan Haiming didn’t turn his head from Xiao Ning’s direction when Xia Li asked this question, but he did shift his gaze to glare at Xia Li from the corner of his eye, while his brows lifting in anger as he asked in reply, “What of it?”

When he was done reading it, he didn’t put his phone away, however, because another message had come in.

That ticket made Xiao Ning feel awkward for the rest of that day. After work, he didn’t stay back at the office and instead went straight down to wait for Shan Haiming.

For a moment, Xiao Ning found himself in a daze. Again, he opened up the ticket website and saw there were only three tickets from A-City to C-City for the 8:25 p.m. flight left.

His hand trembled, moving to close the page that again opened two minutes later, unable to help himself. But now the number of tickets had fallen to two.

But even though he took some measures to protect himself, Shan Haiming was still able to drag him up by the arm with ease and bend that arm around his back before saying to Xiao Ning, “Help him bring his luggage.”

His phone then vibrated, the message had arrived.

They were both just ads.

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

Xiao Ning’s arm was marked red with a scratch formed when Xia Li instinctively tried to latch onto him as he fell. Then turning around, he saw Shan Haiming, who had his gaze trained on Xia Li while his brows twisted into a frown. Afterwards, Shan Haiming turned to Xiao Ning and asked brusquely, “Who’s this?”

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

Xia Li stared him down for half a minute before lifting his lips in a condescending smile. “I’m leaving.”

“What of it?” Xia Li emotionally pointed a finger at Xiao Ning and accused, “Do you even know what type of person he is? Even if he’s dating you, he’ll still shack up with another man and play dirty tricks to steal other people’s boyfriends!”

In his entire existence on this earth, Xiao Ning never wanted to find a hole to crawl into any more than he did in that moment. With his head lowered, he dragged Xia Li’s case along as he followed behind Shan Haiming. From a few metres away, Wang Hua got out from the car. He looked at Shan Haiming restraining the ranting and raving young man he was bringing over with confusion. “Director Shan?”

Xiao Ning didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, it had been a long time since he was last in contact with Xia Li, and having being called like this made it impossible to give his best regards. A while ago I ran into Ye Zixin, and it seems today is Xia Li’s turn. At this rate, he was planning to change his WeChat signature to “the professional scapegoat.”

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

Xiao Ning was left speechless. He couldn’t decide if he should give his thanks for all that. The sound of Shan Haiming’s fingers snapping in front of his face got his focus to return, as the man before him then asked, “Where are we going to eat?”

His reddened eyes burst into tears, completely filled with accusation but he kept his words at bay, completely giving the impression he had suffered some great injustice. Looking at him directly gave Xiao Ning goosebumps all over. In the beginning, he got the feeling that Xia Li was a bit girlish, but he never expected for him to be so to such a degree.

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

After deliberating for a moment, he typed up and sent a message reading: If you’re you have the time, would you like to have a meal with me? I heard from Wang Hua that you’re the one who rented the apartment I’m living in to me, and that really helped me out a lot, so please give me a chance to formally thank you.

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

“Hi? Hello, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning honestly did not like Xia Li, so there couldn’t be any sincere enthusiasm in his words, but he still kept things polite.

It was just a break-up with a man, it was nothing more than that.

Xia Li’s tone, just like before, did not sound good. It was flat and monotonous, like a brick wall. “You off work?”

“What of it?” Xia Li emotionally pointed a finger at Xiao Ning and accused, “Do you even know what type of person he is? Even if he’s dating you, he’ll still shack up with another man and play dirty tricks to steal other people’s boyfriends!”

What on earth is wrong with this kid’s head? Did he watch too many dramas or something? Xiao Ning did his best, helping as much as humanly possible, and he had no more patience left, so he turned to leave. Sadly, to the contrary, Xia Li had no interest in letting things go, and he got the idea in his head Xiao Ning had a guilty conscience, so he strode forward to pull Xiao Ning back by the arm.

After deliberating for a moment, he typed up and sent a message reading: If you’re you have the time, would you like to have a meal with me? I heard from Wang Hua that you’re the one who rented the apartment I’m living in to me, and that really helped me out a lot, so please give me a chance to formally thank you.

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

This remark of his left Xiao Ning utterly speechless, he had no idea what on earth was going on in that kid’s head. He took a good look at the Xia Li before him, he couldn’t help but remember the young boy whose face was beaming with joy upon their first meeting, but those once joyous eyes were now saturated with nothing but fear and sadness.

What on earth is wrong with this kid’s head? Did he watch too many dramas or something? Xiao Ning did his best, helping as much as humanly possible, and he had no more patience left, so he turned to leave. Sadly, to the contrary, Xia Li had no interest in letting things go, and he got the idea in his head Xiao Ning had a guilty conscience, so he strode forward to pull Xiao Ning back by the arm.

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

“Hm, I see you. You’re at the entrance at your company, right?” Xia Li’s words have Xiao Ning a start, making him turn to look around at once.

The current situation before him was so unimaginably awkward that Xiao Ning could only reluctantly give a quick summarization in response. Shan Haiming nodded upon hearing it, then said, “I get it now.” After which, he strode over to Xia Li.

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

The current situation before him was so unimaginably awkward that Xiao Ning could only reluctantly give a quick summarization in response. Shan Haiming nodded upon hearing it, then said, “I get it now.” After which, he strode over to Xia Li.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and pulling along a suitcase in the crowd, Xia Li’s form stood out prominently as he made his way towards Xiao Ning. Once Xia Li stood before him, aggression filled the gaze that guy used to eye him up and down. Xiao Ning had a good temper, and he was accustomed to being considerate towards others. But even he couldn’t help but find the person showing him obvious hostility time and time again loathsome, and truly could not afford to be kind. “What is it? Why did you come here to see me?”

Xiao Ning: “…”

His phone then vibrated, the message had arrived.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and pulling along a suitcase in the crowd, Xia Li’s form stood out prominently as he made his way towards Xiao Ning. Once Xia Li stood before him, aggression filled the gaze that guy used to eye him up and down. Xiao Ning had a good temper, and he was accustomed to being considerate towards others. But even he couldn’t help but find the person showing him obvious hostility time and time again loathsome, and truly could not afford to be kind. “What is it? Why did you come here to see me?”

When he picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, he saw two messages on the screen in passing. Opening them, one was message was advertising if he wanted □□, while the other was a credit card offer.

Xia Li stared him down for half a minute before lifting his lips in a condescending smile. “I’m leaving.”

“What are doing?” Xia Li asked wearily.

“Hi? Hello, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning honestly did not like Xia Li, so there couldn’t be any sincere enthusiasm in his words, but he still kept things polite.

“What of it?” Xia Li emotionally pointed a finger at Xiao Ning and accused, “Do you even know what type of person he is? Even if he’s dating you, he’ll still shack up with another man and play dirty tricks to steal other people’s boyfriends!”

In his entire existence on this earth, Xiao Ning never wanted to find a hole to crawl into any more than he did in that moment. With his head lowered, he dragged Xia Li’s case along as he followed behind Shan Haiming. From a few metres away, Wang Hua got out from the car. He looked at Shan Haiming restraining the ranting and raving young man he was bringing over with confusion. “Director Shan?”

When he picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, he saw two messages on the screen in passing. Opening them, one was message was advertising if he wanted □□, while the other was a credit card offer.

Lu Yan: I bought the tickets for our flight. They’re for 8:25 p.m. on the 30th, so pack your bags before work and take them with you. I’ll pick you up when you’re off work and we’ll head straight to the airport.

Shan Haiming didn’t turn his head from Xiao Ning’s direction when Xia Li asked this question, but he did shift his gaze to glare at Xia Li from the corner of his eye, while his brows lifting in anger as he asked in reply, “What of it?”

Xiao Ning wore a fitting amount of shock. “You’re going home?”

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

“Are you happy now?” Xia Li’s expression was thirty percent him feeling wronged and the remaining percentage was just obstinacy. He still carried a sense of superiority as he looked sigh helplessly and say, “I think that no matter what I say to you right now, you won’t want to hear it, so what time is you flight? This place isn’t far from the airport but it would still be best for you to get there early.”

“Oh…” Shan Haiming had a sudden realisation, and so asked Xiao Ning, “He the hitter?”

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

Xiao Ning wanted to refund the ticket immediately. What did I even buy it for? It’s pointless…

“Don’t you get tired of acting like this?” Xia Li sneered. “You pretend so well that even Lu Yan has completely fallen for all your tricks.”

After deliberating for a moment, he typed up and sent a message reading: If you’re you have the time, would you like to have a meal with me? I heard from Wang Hua that you’re the one who rented the apartment I’m living in to me, and that really helped me out a lot, so please give me a chance to formally thank you.

“Oh…” Shan Haiming had a sudden realisation, and so asked Xiao Ning, “He the hitter?”

Xiao Ning was exhausted. “I’ll help you get a taxi.”

This remark of his left Xiao Ning utterly speechless, he had no idea what on earth was going on in that kid’s head. He took a good look at the Xia Li before him, he couldn’t help but remember the young boy whose face was beaming with joy upon their first meeting, but those once joyous eyes were now saturated with nothing but fear and sadness.

Muttering a sentence that even he himself couldn’t understand, Xia Ning sent Wang Hua a message: Do you know Shan Haiming’s ID number, by chance?

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

But as he clicked and went through all the steps to buy the ticket slowly, a congratulatory message window of his successful purchase appeared, and his ticket information was already sent to his phone which he requested to check.

A Slap

The current situation before him was so unimaginably awkward that Xiao Ning could only reluctantly give a quick summarization in response. Shan Haiming nodded upon hearing it, then said, “I get it now.” After which, he strode over to Xia Li.

It was just a break-up with a man, it was nothing more than that.

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

His hand trembled, moving to close the page that again opened two minutes later, unable to help himself. But now the number of tickets had fallen to two.

The current situation before him was so unimaginably awkward that Xiao Ning could only reluctantly give a quick summarization in response. Shan Haiming nodded upon hearing it, then said, “I get it now.” After which, he strode over to Xia Li.

Within the crowd of people coming and going, this act of dragging back had naturally caught everyone’s gaze. Being pestered so obstinately and in such a brash and absurd manner would make a even a clay statue be thirty percent mad, and for the first time Xiao Ning’s face darkened. “Let go.”

“It’s not like that, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning sighed. “You’re still young, and in the future, you’ll experience a lot more things and meet a lot more people, so there’s no need to be so extreme.”

Xiao Ning wore a fitting amount of shock. “You’re going home?”

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

N/A

When he picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, he saw two messages on the screen in passing. Opening them, one was message was advertising if he wanted □□, while the other was a credit card offer.

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

“Hm, I see you. You’re at the entrance at your company, right?” Xia Li’s words have Xiao Ning a start, making him turn to look around at once.

Xiao Ning was exhausted. “I’ll help you get a taxi.”

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Shan Haiming had sent a simple message in reply: Wait for me after work.

“Oh…” Shan Haiming had a sudden realisation, and so asked Xiao Ning, “He the hitter?”

When he got to his office and stared at the cactus, he remembered that he still hadn’t asked Shan Haiming about the apartment matter. But Wang Hua must’ve mentioned it to him, right?

Xia Li: “Xiao Ning… I really hate you.”

Xiao Ning was exhausted. “I’ll help you get a taxi.”

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

It reminded him of the time when he was at college and had used the money it took him a very long time to save up to buy the same model of phone as Lu Yan. He was nervous, he was also excited, but there was also a slight feeling of regret in his heart.

Xiao Ning: “…”

Xiao Ning again thought of there only being two tickets left, and that if there was none when he refreshed the page, he would just forget about this matter.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and pulling along a suitcase in the crowd, Xia Li’s form stood out prominently as he made his way towards Xiao Ning. Once Xia Li stood before him, aggression filled the gaze that guy used to eye him up and down. Xiao Ning had a good temper, and he was accustomed to being considerate towards others. But even he couldn’t help but find the person showing him obvious hostility time and time again loathsome, and truly could not afford to be kind. “What is it? Why did you come here to see me?”

For a moment, Xiao Ning found himself in a daze. Again, he opened up the ticket website and saw there were only three tickets from A-City to C-City for the 8:25 p.m. flight left.

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

What on earth is wrong with this kid’s head? Did he watch too many dramas or something? Xiao Ning did his best, helping as much as humanly possible, and he had no more patience left, so he turned to leave. Sadly, to the contrary, Xia Li had no interest in letting things go, and he got the idea in his head Xiao Ning had a guilty conscience, so he strode forward to pull Xiao Ning back by the arm.

It reminded him of the time when he was at college and had used the money it took him a very long time to save up to buy the same model of phone as Lu Yan. He was nervous, he was also excited, but there was also a slight feeling of regret in his heart.

Within the crowd of people coming and going, this act of dragging back had naturally caught everyone’s gaze. Being pestered so obstinately and in such a brash and absurd manner would make a even a clay statue be thirty percent mad, and for the first time Xiao Ning’s face darkened. “Let go.”

Xiao Ning was left speechless. He couldn’t decide if he should give his thanks for all that. The sound of Shan Haiming’s fingers snapping in front of his face got his focus to return, as the man before him then asked, “Where are we going to eat?”

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

N/A

Xia Li jumped back on his feet, his gaze moving to and from Shan Haiming and Xiao Ning, his expression erratic, with him then suddenly blabbing, “Are you his boyfriend?”

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

“It’s not like that, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning sighed. “You’re still young, and in the future, you’ll experience a lot more things and meet a lot more people, so there’s no need to be so extreme.”

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

“Don’t you get tired of acting like this?” Xia Li sneered. “You pretend so well that even Lu Yan has completely fallen for all your tricks.”

Xia Li’s tone, just like before, did not sound good. It was flat and monotonous, like a brick wall. “You off work?”

Xiao Ning was exhausted. “I’ll help you get a taxi.”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

Before he could finish, he staggered unstably to the side by a couple steps then fell on his butt, and on the hem of his white shirt, an impressive footprint could be seen.

When he picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, he saw two messages on the screen in passing. Opening them, one was message was advertising if he wanted □□, while the other was a credit card offer.

His phone then vibrated, the message had arrived.

Xiao Ning’s arm was marked red with a scratch formed when Xia Li instinctively tried to latch onto him as he fell. Then turning around, he saw Shan Haiming, who had his gaze trained on Xia Li while his brows twisted into a frown. Afterwards, Shan Haiming turned to Xiao Ning and asked brusquely, “Who’s this?”

But, also not knowing whether he just had that much faith in Xiao Ning’s character or some other reason, Wang Hua had sent Xiao Ning Shan Haiming’s identification number without asking for an explanation.

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

Only Xiao Ning could understand what Shan Haiming’s words had meant, and that made a wave of embarrassment suddenly overtake him. Again, he was reminded of Shan Haiming having seen him at his lowest point, and was picked up by him like a stray dog, who was then taken home and fed some milk. He was now far too embarrassed to look Shan Haiming in the eye.

“Hm, I see you. You’re at the entrance at your company, right?” Xia Li’s words have Xiao Ning a start, making him turn to look around at once.

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

Within the crowd of people coming and going, this act of dragging back had naturally caught everyone’s gaze. Being pestered so obstinately and in such a brash and absurd manner would make a even a clay statue be thirty percent mad, and for the first time Xiao Ning’s face darkened. “Let go.”

“Are you happy now?” Xia Li’s expression was thirty percent him feeling wronged and the remaining percentage was just obstinacy. He still carried a sense of superiority as he looked sigh helplessly and say, “I think that no matter what I say to you right now, you won’t want to hear it, so what time is you flight? This place isn’t far from the airport but it would still be best for you to get there early.”

But even though he took some measures to protect himself, Shan Haiming was still able to drag him up by the arm with ease and bend that arm around his back before saying to Xiao Ning, “Help him bring his luggage.”

Xia Li jumped back on his feet, his gaze moving to and from Shan Haiming and Xiao Ning, his expression erratic, with him then suddenly blabbing, “Are you his boyfriend?”

But before Xiao Ning could move, Wang Hua came over to take the suitcase there for him. Then, as if there was nothing strange to see, he dutifully got back into the car and started the engine. Xia Li, who was then pushed into the passenger seat by Shan Haiming, covered his face with trembling hands as he whined, “I want to call the police.”

Xiao Ning: “…”

“Are you happy now?” Xia Li’s expression was thirty percent him feeling wronged and the remaining percentage was just obstinacy. He still carried a sense of superiority as he looked sigh helplessly and say, “I think that no matter what I say to you right now, you won’t want to hear it, so what time is you flight? This place isn’t far from the airport but it would still be best for you to get there early.”

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

Within the crowd of people coming and going, this act of dragging back had naturally caught everyone’s gaze. Being pestered so obstinately and in such a brash and absurd manner would make a even a clay statue be thirty percent mad, and for the first time Xiao Ning’s face darkened. “Let go.”

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

Xia Li: “Xiao Ning… I really hate you.”

Shan Haiming didn’t turn his head from Xiao Ning’s direction when Xia Li asked this question, but he did shift his gaze to glare at Xia Li from the corner of his eye, while his brows lifting in anger as he asked in reply, “What of it?”

Xiao Ning didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, it had been a long time since he was last in contact with Xia Li, and having being called like this made it impossible to give his best regards. A while ago I ran into Ye Zixin, and it seems today is Xia Li’s turn. At this rate, he was planning to change his WeChat signature to “the professional scapegoat.”

It was just a break-up with a man, it was nothing more than that.

“What of it?” Xia Li emotionally pointed a finger at Xiao Ning and accused, “Do you even know what type of person he is? Even if he’s dating you, he’ll still shack up with another man and play dirty tricks to steal other people’s boyfriends!”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

Xia Li stared him down for half a minute before lifting his lips in a condescending smile. “I’m leaving.”

“Hi? Hello, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning honestly did not like Xia Li, so there couldn’t be any sincere enthusiasm in his words, but he still kept things polite.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and pulling along a suitcase in the crowd, Xia Li’s form stood out prominently as he made his way towards Xiao Ning. Once Xia Li stood before him, aggression filled the gaze that guy used to eye him up and down. Xiao Ning had a good temper, and he was accustomed to being considerate towards others. But even he couldn’t help but find the person showing him obvious hostility time and time again loathsome, and truly could not afford to be kind. “What is it? Why did you come here to see me?”

“What of it?” Xia Li emotionally pointed a finger at Xiao Ning and accused, “Do you even know what type of person he is? Even if he’s dating you, he’ll still shack up with another man and play dirty tricks to steal other people’s boyfriends!”

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

“Oh…” Shan Haiming had a sudden realisation, and so asked Xiao Ning, “He the hitter?”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

Xia Li stared him down for half a minute before lifting his lips in a condescending smile. “I’m leaving.”

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

Only Xiao Ning could understand what Shan Haiming’s words had meant, and that made a wave of embarrassment suddenly overtake him. Again, he was reminded of Shan Haiming having seen him at his lowest point, and was picked up by him like a stray dog, who was then taken home and fed some milk. He was now far too embarrassed to look Shan Haiming in the eye.

A Slap

Xiao Ning was exhausted. “I’ll help you get a taxi.”

Despite him wanting to console Xia Li, Xiao Ning knew it would be best to not say a word about Xia Li and Lu Yan’s relationship, otherwise, who knows what else Xia Li might say again.

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

Xiao Ning didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, it had been a long time since he was last in contact with Xia Li, and having being called like this made it impossible to give his best regards. A while ago I ran into Ye Zixin, and it seems today is Xia Li’s turn. At this rate, he was planning to change his WeChat signature to “the professional scapegoat.”

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

Xia Li’s tone, just like before, did not sound good. It was flat and monotonous, like a brick wall. “You off work?”

The current situation before him was so unimaginably awkward that Xiao Ning could only reluctantly give a quick summarization in response. Shan Haiming nodded upon hearing it, then said, “I get it now.” After which, he strode over to Xia Li.

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

“Hi? Hello, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning honestly did not like Xia Li, so there couldn’t be any sincere enthusiasm in his words, but he still kept things polite.

“Oh…” Shan Haiming had a sudden realisation, and so asked Xiao Ning, “He the hitter?”

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

Xia Li jumped back on his feet, his gaze moving to and from Shan Haiming and Xiao Ning, his expression erratic, with him then suddenly blabbing, “Are you his boyfriend?”

“What are doing?” Xia Li asked wearily.

In his entire existence on this earth, Xiao Ning never wanted to find a hole to crawl into any more than he did in that moment. With his head lowered, he dragged Xia Li’s case along as he followed behind Shan Haiming. From a few metres away, Wang Hua got out from the car. He looked at Shan Haiming restraining the ranting and raving young man he was bringing over with confusion. “Director Shan?”

iana: a slap for a slap. My favourite chapters are up next!

They were both just ads.

But even though he took some measures to protect himself, Shan Haiming was still able to drag him up by the arm with ease and bend that arm around his back before saying to Xiao Ning, “Help him bring his luggage.”

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and pulling along a suitcase in the crowd, Xia Li’s form stood out prominently as he made his way towards Xiao Ning. Once Xia Li stood before him, aggression filled the gaze that guy used to eye him up and down. Xiao Ning had a good temper, and he was accustomed to being considerate towards others. But even he couldn’t help but find the person showing him obvious hostility time and time again loathsome, and truly could not afford to be kind. “What is it? Why did you come here to see me?”

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

Xiao Ning: “…”

In his entire existence on this earth, Xiao Ning never wanted to find a hole to crawl into any more than he did in that moment. With his head lowered, he dragged Xia Li’s case along as he followed behind Shan Haiming. From a few metres away, Wang Hua got out from the car. He looked at Shan Haiming restraining the ranting and raving young man he was bringing over with confusion. “Director Shan?”

His reddened eyes burst into tears, completely filled with accusation but he kept his words at bay, completely giving the impression he had suffered some great injustice. Looking at him directly gave Xiao Ning goosebumps all over. In the beginning, he got the feeling that Xia Li was a bit girlish, but he never expected for him to be so to such a degree.

For a moment, Xiao Ning found himself in a daze. Again, he opened up the ticket website and saw there were only three tickets from A-City to C-City for the 8:25 p.m. flight left.

This remark of his left Xiao Ning utterly speechless, he had no idea what on earth was going on in that kid’s head. He took a good look at the Xia Li before him, he couldn’t help but remember the young boy whose face was beaming with joy upon their first meeting, but those once joyous eyes were now saturated with nothing but fear and sadness.

When he was done reading it, he didn’t put his phone away, however, because another message had come in.

Xiao Ning didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, it had been a long time since he was last in contact with Xia Li, and having being called like this made it impossible to give his best regards. A while ago I ran into Ye Zixin, and it seems today is Xia Li’s turn. At this rate, he was planning to change his WeChat signature to “the professional scapegoat.”

Unexpectedly, it was Xia Li.

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

“Get in the car and take this guy to the airport.” ShanHaiming opened the back door of the car, and stuffed Xia Li inside. But Xia Li was unwilling to go inside and furiously tried to get out, so by Shan Haiming he was grabbed by the collar, and in front of everyone, was struck with a swift slap.

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

Shan Haiming then continued asking, “What’s going on right now?”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

The entire scene, in an instant, fell silent.

But even without him bringing up the matter, it appeared as though Xia Li was already provoked enough. “Are you satisfied now? You won again? You won. But you can’t keep pretending forever. One day, Lu Yan will see you for what you really are, you hear me? He will.”

Within the crowd of people coming and going, this act of dragging back had naturally caught everyone’s gaze. Being pestered so obstinately and in such a brash and absurd manner would make a even a clay statue be thirty percent mad, and for the first time Xiao Ning’s face darkened. “Let go.”

His phone then vibrated, the message had arrived.

Shan Haiming’s expression was calm, as he then instructed Xiao Ning, “Toss his luggage in the trunk.”

That ticket made Xiao Ning feel awkward for the rest of that day. After work, he didn’t stay back at the office and instead went straight down to wait for Shan Haiming.

But before Xiao Ning could move, Wang Hua came over to take the suitcase there for him. Then, as if there was nothing strange to see, he dutifully got back into the car and started the engine. Xia Li, who was then pushed into the passenger seat by Shan Haiming, covered his face with trembling hands as he whined, “I want to call the police.”

Xiao Ning: “…”

After deliberating for a moment, he typed up and sent a message reading: If you’re you have the time, would you like to have a meal with me? I heard from Wang Hua that you’re the one who rented the apartment I’m living in to me, and that really helped me out a lot, so please give me a chance to formally thank you.

Labour Day fell on the upcoming weekend, so Xiao Ning took out a list to calculate what he would be buying for the two Lu elders. As he calculated, he suddenly remembered that Shan Haiming had said he wanted to go to C-City.

“It’s not like that, Xia Li.” Xiao Ning sighed. “You’re still young, and in the future, you’ll experience a lot more things and meet a lot more people, so there’s no need to be so extreme.”

Xiao Ning again thought of there only being two tickets left, and that if there was none when he refreshed the page, he would just forget about this matter.

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

Xia Li: “Xiao Ning… I really hate you.”

His reddened eyes burst into tears, completely filled with accusation but he kept his words at bay, completely giving the impression he had suffered some great injustice. Looking at him directly gave Xiao Ning goosebumps all over. In the beginning, he got the feeling that Xia Li was a bit girlish, but he never expected for him to be so to such a degree.

N/A

His phone vibrated, and he thought it was Shan Haiming calling him, but when he read the name of the caller, the tumultuous feeling in his heart instantly calmed.

The current situation before him was so unimaginably awkward that Xiao Ning could only reluctantly give a quick summarization in response. Shan Haiming nodded upon hearing it, then said, “I get it now.” After which, he strode over to Xia Li.

“Don’t you get tired of acting like this?” Xia Li sneered. “You pretend so well that even Lu Yan has completely fallen for all your tricks.”

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Shan Haiming had sent a simple message in reply: Wait for me after work.

When Shan Haiming slammed the door shut, luckily, Xia Li had leaned backwards to avoid it, otherwise, he would’ve collected a door to the face.

When Shan Haiming slammed the door shut, luckily, Xia Li had leaned backwards to avoid it, otherwise, he would’ve collected a door to the face.

He had no idea what time it was when he had finally fallen asleep, but all in all, Xiao Ning did not sleep well that night, and the next morning when he was awakened by his alarm his head felt weighted and foggy.

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

For a moment, Xiao Ning found himself in a daze. Again, he opened up the ticket website and saw there were only three tickets from A-City to C-City for the 8:25 p.m. flight left.

It was just a break-up with a man, it was nothing more than that.

Shan Haiming then said to the driver’s seat once more, “If he gives you trouble just toss him out on the highway.”

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

“Hey, it was no big deal. Plus, we weren’t busy all into the night it was just that we had to travel a bit. In the morning we had to get to that town and have a video conference with some folks in Germany, and today there’s still talks about the development of a holiday village. I think Director Shan will be back this afternoon.”

When he picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, he saw two messages on the screen in passing. Opening them, one was message was advertising if he wanted □□, while the other was a credit card offer.

“Are you happy now?” Xia Li’s expression was thirty percent him feeling wronged and the remaining percentage was just obstinacy. He still carried a sense of superiority as he looked sigh helplessly and say, “I think that no matter what I say to you right now, you won’t want to hear it, so what time is you flight? This place isn’t far from the airport but it would still be best for you to get there early.”

“Yes, sir.” Wang Hua got the signal and without delay had driven the little crybaby away.

Shan Haiming then said to the driver’s seat once more, “If he gives you trouble just toss him out on the highway.”

“Get in the car and take this guy to the airport.” ShanHaiming opened the back door of the car, and stuffed Xia Li inside. But Xia Li was unwilling to go inside and furiously tried to get out, so by Shan Haiming he was grabbed by the collar, and in front of everyone, was struck with a swift slap.

But, also not knowing whether he just had that much faith in Xiao Ning’s character or some other reason, Wang Hua had sent Xiao Ning Shan Haiming’s identification number without asking for an explanation.

Lu Yan: I bought the tickets for our flight. They’re for 8:25 p.m. on the 30th, so pack your bags before work and take them with you. I’ll pick you up when you’re off work and we’ll head straight to the airport.

Xiao Ning’s brows wrinkled a bit, that question of his was really rude. “Uh, yeah. I’m off work.”

Xiao Ning again thought of there only being two tickets left, and that if there was none when he refreshed the page, he would just forget about this matter.

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

They were both just ads.

Xia Li, to the contrary, was so mad his face turned red as he argued, “You’re such a…”

This current moment was truly the most unsuitable time for explanations, and Xiao Ning was left mum, having no idea how to introduce him.

The entire affair was settled cleanly. Shan Haiming turned his attention to Xiao Ning, explaining, “I couldn’t dare beat him up because I was worried I would break his face. A slap to the face on your behalf is enough to teach him a lesson.”

Xiao Ning decided to give Wang Hua a call to make sure, and sure enough, Wang Hua confirmed it to be true. But he did not hang up the phone right away, going on to add, “Wang-ge, you guys seemed really busy last night, so I’m sorry for bothering you calling like this.”

What on earth is wrong with this kid’s head? Did he watch too many dramas or something? Xiao Ning did his best, helping as much as humanly possible, and he had no more patience left, so he turned to leave. Sadly, to the contrary, Xia Li had no interest in letting things go, and he got the idea in his head Xiao Ning had a guilty conscience, so he strode forward to pull Xiao Ning back by the arm.

But even though he took some measures to protect himself, Shan Haiming was still able to drag him up by the arm with ease and bend that arm around his back before saying to Xiao Ning, “Help him bring his luggage.”

I don’t think your hit was enough for that…

The entire scene, in an instant, fell silent.

Xia Li shouted as he was carried along, making the three of them become the focal point for everyone’s gaze. The security guards from Rihua also came running, but upon recognising the second young master of the Shan family, Shan Haiming, they went no closer.

His hand trembled, moving to close the page that again opened two minutes later, unable to help himself. But now the number of tickets had fallen to two.

Only Xiao Ning could understand what Shan Haiming’s words had meant, and that made a wave of embarrassment suddenly overtake him. Again, he was reminded of Shan Haiming having seen him at his lowest point, and was picked up by him like a stray dog, who was then taken home and fed some milk. He was now far too embarrassed to look Shan Haiming in the eye.

A Slap

Xiao Ning was left speechless. He couldn’t decide if he should give his thanks for all that. The sound of Shan Haiming’s fingers snapping in front of his face got his focus to return, as the man before him then asked, “Where are we going to eat?”

What on earth is wrong with this kid’s head? Did he watch too many dramas or something? Xiao Ning did his best, helping as much as humanly possible, and he had no more patience left, so he turned to leave. Sadly, to the contrary, Xia Li had no interest in letting things go, and he got the idea in his head Xiao Ning had a guilty conscience, so he strode forward to pull Xiao Ning back by the arm.