Pursuing Her Best Friend after Confession Failed

Chapter 708: Chapter 245: Chu Yanyan’s Trouble, Li Yuan’s Counterattack_2

Li Yuan chuckled and launched his counterattack. "Well, who told you to be third wheels? If you’re going to be a third wheel, you need to accept the consequences."

Gao Xin, looking as if she’d had an epiphany, cheekily added, "I get it now. Director Li thinks we’re a nuisance getting in the way of his private time with Zhijin."

"Oh, is that it? Li Yuan, you should have just said so. We don’t want to be third wheels either," Li Lanrong pouted, waving over Liu Jia and the others who were trailing behind them.

"Hey, hey, hey! Liu Jia, Wu Hao, Qiang! You three need to read the room and stop being third wheels."

Hearing Li Lanrong’s voice, which was like the chiming of silver bells, Liu Jia felt as if ants were crawling in his heart—an itchy, indescribable sensation.

Wu Hao, looking at the lovey-dovey Li Yuan, cleared his throat. "Ahem, Yuan, sister-in-law, shall we get going then?"

Li Yuan laughed heartily and glared at them. "Scram. Go find yourselves a relationship instead of always being third wheels."

Wu Hao put on a pitiful expression. "Yuan, we just don’t have your charm. We can’t find anyone."

Li Yuan glanced playfully at Wu Hao, Liu Jia, and Qiang, then gestured with his eyes toward the three girls beside Xia Zhijin, teasing, "Well, aren’t there options right here? These three beauties are still single. If you guys put in some effort and take the initiative, wouldn’t love just come to you?"

"Am I right, Liu Jia? Love has already arrived, hasn’t it?"

Meeting Li Yuan’s playful gaze, Liu Jia’s heart skipped a beat. The tall young man’s normally tan face flushed red in an instant.

His eyes darted away as he stammered, "Yuan, it’s not like that... stop teasing me."

Li Yuan struggled to suppress a grin. Seeing Liu Jia’s expression was like looking at a reflection of his own once-shy, innocent self.

"Liu Jia, as a man, you have to be bold and take responsibility. That’s what makes girls like you."

After saying that, Li Yuan deliberately turned to Li Lanrong. "Rongrong, am I right?"

Li Lanrong was also startled by Li Yuan’s pointed words. She stole a glance at the flustered Liu Jia, her own cheeks flushing as she retorted loudly, "Li Yuan, why are you asking me? I don’t know anything."

However, anyone could see that her expression was a little off.

Gao Xin covered her mouth, her gaze shifting back and forth between Liu Jia and Li Lanrong. She was deep in thought when it was as if a fog had suddenly lifted, and she understood Li Lanrong’s strange behavior over the past few days.

"Hehe, so there is a story here! Rongrong, you even kept it a secret from us? I’m so heartbroken..."

"Rongrong, when did you two get together?"

Her face turning crimson, Li Lanrong muttered shyly, "What nonsense are you all talking about?"

"Oh! I just remembered I left something in the classroom. I’m going back to get it. You guys go on to eat without me."

With that, Li Lanrong ran off, her face flushed with embarrassment.

She left the rest of them standing there, bewildered in the autumn breeze.

「...」

After school that afternoon, Li Yuan drove Xia Zhijin to the Longyu Building. They went shopping for a while, and he bought her many new clothes.

Seeing that he was already carrying large and small bags but still wanted to keep buying, she repeatedly tried to stop him.

"Honey, don’t buy any more. I already have enough to wear."

Li Yuan rubbed Xia Zhijin’s head.

This silly girl. Even though she knew he was wealthy, she still insisted on saving his money, completely unwilling to splurge. Even the clothes she wore for their dates were all things they had bought together on their shopping trips.

"Zhijin, be good and listen. And stop always thinking about saving my money. We’re not short on it."

"Oh..." Xia Zhijin nodded obediently.

Li Yuan looked at her expression helplessly. He knew his words probably hadn’t truly sunk in.

Suddenly, Li Yuan remembered something.

"Zhijin, how has your cousin Yanyan been lately? That guy named Yin Sheng, he hasn’t continued to harass her, has he?"

Xia Zhijin hadn’t expected Li Yuan to suddenly ask about this. Her clear, bright eyes flickered as she stared at him, her gaze seeming to hold a trace of hesitation.

Li Yuan could tell at a glance that something was on her mind.

"What’s wrong? Is there something you can’t tell me?"

Xia Zhijin bit her lip, looked directly at Li Yuan, and decided to tell him the truth.

"Honey, my cousin told me that the guy, Yin Sheng, is harassing her even more aggressively now. He’s tried to get physical several times, and he’s using Professor Yin Jie to threaten her..."

Li Yuan’s expression froze, instantly turning serious. "Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?"

Xia Zhijin was frightened by Li Yuan’s stern expression. Her body trembled slightly, and she stumbled over her words. "I... I was afraid of... of bothering you," she explained in a small voice.

Seeing her so timid and cautious, Li Yuan sighed deeply in his heart. This precious girl... even after they had become so intimate, she was still so careful. At times, it felt less like they were a couple and more like a domineering CEO and his timid secretary.

Li Yuan affectionately stroked Xia Zhijin’s head and spoke in the gentlest tone he could manage.

"Zhijin, I’m your boyfriend, and I will be your husband in the future. I’m the most important man in your life. You can trust me unconditionally. Whatever problem you face, you can tell me, and we will face it together. Understand?"

Xia Zhijin gave Li Yuan a shy glance and nodded seriously.

Li Yuan looked toward the Tech University, and a trace of murderous intent flickered in his eyes.