Shinohara Mirai and Matsushima Kui both rationally accepted Li Yan's decision, as it was an outcome they had long known. Their relationship was originally an impulsive accident, and having had a few happy days, they should feel content.

On the way back to S City, the two of them just leaned against each other in the back seat, watching the roadside scenery outside, not discussing joyfully like usual, with a tinge of separation lingering in the air.

Back at the hotel, as they got out of the taxi, the two looked at Li Yan and said softly, "Li Yan, you should go back."

Looking at them, Li Yan's emotions were also complex, so he forced a smile: "Here's my phone number. You can reach out if you need anything. Let me know before you leave, and I'll see you off. If you have a chance to come to Yun Country in the future, feel free to find me. I'd be happy to show you around."

The two of them understood Li Yan's meaning, which was not about holding onto them but rather accompanying them for fun. But… that's all! He couldn't go to Beihai Country for them, nor could he keep them here…

It was an accidental beginning, and this beginning was destined to have such a result. They both thought they could part with a smile, but now truly letting Li Yan leave, thinking about how opportunities to meet again might be slim, and perhaps after returning to Beihai Country, they might never come to Yun Country again in their lifetime, made their eyes brim with tears.

Tears that they didn't want Li Yan to see, as everyone just wanted to leave a beautiful, happy memory. The process was joyful, and the separation should also be happy. So, when receiving Li Yan's business card, Kui and Mirai bowed to accept it with a gesture of politeness to disguise the tears in their eyes.

"You, go back. We will remember you."

Although they tried to cover up their voices without revealing the sadness of parting, how could Li Yan's keen perception miss anything? Their expressions were also unable to deceive him?

However, he didn't unveil their disguise nor did he offer more comfort. Since ultimately there must be a parting, perhaps it was better as it is now, with everyone giving each other a smile.

He was also worried that if he talked more, he might hold them both, and they might collapse into his embrace, crying. Beautiful memories should not have such scenes.

"I'm leaving, we will meet again."

Li Yan turned and got into the waiting taxi, letting it leave.

Matsushima Kui and Shinohara Mirai kept their heads down until the car turned around, and only then couldn't resist raising their heads. Though they could no longer see Li Yan's figure in the car, they could clearly feel his presence there, gradually moving away.

No waving, no "goodbye," as they watched the taxi leave from the front of the hotel, the tears the two Beihai Country girls had been holding back fell like broken pearls…

"Kui… will we see him again?" Shinohara Mirai asked her best friend softly.

Matsushima Kui also felt a bit lost, but she still offered some comfort: "Who can say what the future holds? Just like before coming to Yun Country, or when we arrived, we never thought we would meet Li Yan, nor did we expect to have such an experience… Let's go back."

The taxi had long disappeared from sight, and Li Yan's presence seemed to have dissipated from around them. The two wiped away their tears and entered this familiar hotel, feeling as if they had just lived through a dream.

Perhaps it really was a dream!

If it wasn't a dream, how could things develop so quickly?

If it wasn't a dream, how could the two of them suddenly have a friend from Yun Country?

If it wasn't a dream, how could a week of happiness suddenly return to how it was before?

But whether it was a dream or not, after this journey and experience, both had grown. Not only physically from a girl to a woman, but also through an indescribable romantic experience straddling first love, a cross-cultural romance, and youthful abandon.

Impulsive and sudden, brief yet enduring.

Everything has turned into fragments of memory, engraved in the tunnel of time.

...

When leaving the hotel, it seemed Li Yan's vision improved, as if he could clearly see Kui and Mirai's emotions and tears through the taxi's rearview mirror.

After he could no longer see the scene around him, he closed his eyes. His heart was filled with a bit of regret, perhaps it was wrong from the start, assuming the girls from Beihai Country were more open, and thus didn't think much of it.

Investing emotionally takes effort, and yet sometimes love ignites without notice. Zhang Yurong was like that, and so were Kui and Mirai…

Thinking of Zhang Yurong, Li Yan secretly let out a sigh. No matter what, both Kui and Mirai could only be fleeting romances, once-had experiences. Zhang Yurong is the one who should be treated well and cherished because she is the legitimate wife—though not many people know about it.

"Young man, don't worry. After all, you're friends, so why create troubles for yourselves? If you want to meet in the future, just meet. What's the big deal?" The taxi driver suddenly spoke up.

During the trip back, spending two or three hours together, the driver felt a bit familiar with them, and having seen all sorts of human affairs, he could certainly see the problem among the three of them clearly.

Li Yan opened his eyes and laughed, "You're just a driver, don't try to be a relationship expert."

"Back in the day, I used to be a love sage, too. Judging by your age difference, those two must be your little friends. Only by being friends could you reel in two of them; you can only have one girlfriend. Looking at you, it seems you want to settle down, but life is short. Since you all still have feelings for each other, why cut them off? When you go home, be good to your family, and when you're with your friends, treat them well too," the driver passionately shared his insights.

"Haha, looking at you, were you also balancing a stable home and colorful escapades outside back then?"

"What do you mean 'back then'? I still have friends now!" The nearly fifty-year-old driver said proudly. "Do you look down on me for driving a taxi?"

Li Yan gave a thumbs up, "Of course not, I'm just surprised at how vigorous and healthy you still are."

The driver felt a bit embarrassed, "Not as good as before; my wife's already menopausal and no longer taxes me for conjugal duties. But then again, men face a lot of pressure; although they might seek a bit of excitement and solace outside, I've never thought of starting a new family. I'm still very good to my family and my wife. It's like you can often go out to eat, try new dishes, but what you eat the most, for the longest time in your life, is still home-cooked meals. Outside meals are just for an occasional change and treat; too much and your health won't take it."

Li Yan only listened to the driver's theory with half an ear. It had certain reference value but wasn't necessarily influential. However, the driver's conviviality did lighten his slightly gloomy mood.

...

As the car approached the Houhai Villa District and passed the section where he encountered Yuxiaodi, Li Yan saw from the car, two cars stopped ahead with a crowd around them, as if a dispute had occurred.

This made him somewhat sentimental. That time, he just got out for a quick relief and was deliberately bumped into by Yuxiaodi. But upon reflection, with nothing around, no development plans yet, it indeed was a prone-to-problems section.

The taxi driver slowed down a bit, bypassing from the side without any interest in the commotion. Being an experienced driver, he was well aware of which places' commotion was safe to watch and which wasn't worth stopping for.

As the taxi approached and passed by, Li Yan observed the situation outside from the window. Although he didn't know the neighbors in this villa area, he wanted to see what kind of situation it was and whether it involved similar activities by Yuxiaodi's group of wealthy second-generation friends.

As the car moved, through the gaps in the crowd, Li Yan saw the situation inside. Instantly, his pupils contracted, and his heart trembled!

Apart from the group of men surrounding, there was a car he was very familiar with inside—a Mercedes driven by Zhang Yurong herself to work! They hadn't got out, being surrounded, it was unclear if she was in the car. But from the looks of it, it seemed like they were being deliberately targeted, unable to drive out because of the blockade.

The taxi didn't stop; by the time he saw this, they had already driven past by twenty meters, and Li Yan quickly shouted, "Master, stop for a moment!"

The driver hesitated a bit as he slowed down. "Is it... your family or friends?"

"Yeah!" By now, Li Yan had spotted a familiar face within the blocking crowd, Zhang Jing! An accident? No, it's deliberate, a conspiracy aimed at him!

"Better call the police! There are so many of them, and you're on your own." The seasoned driver, worried Li Yan might rush in impulsively and suffer a loss, didn't stop.

"Stop! I need to go take a look; we don't even know if this is a matter for the traffic police or the public security, there's no time!" As the driver slowed down, Li Yan quickly got out.

Since he had already paid when he booked the cab, the driver wasn't worried about him running off without paying. However, not being from here, he didn't dare get involved and didn't stop too close, parking fifty meters away.

"Young man, take this, just in case!"

Just as Li Yan was about to leave, he noticed the driver speaking softly, sticking his head out and handing over a large wrench.

Carrying around a hammer, wrench? Both to fix things and for self-defense—it's indeed old school. Li Yan accepted it without hesitation. "Thank you!"

Wielding the wrench, Li Yan ran over quickly. Noticing him even before he reached, two men stepped forward to block him, "What do you want?"

Li Yan didn't speak, raising the big wrench in his hand. This was no joke; getting hit by this would definitely lead to serious injury. Instinctively, the two jumped away quickly, and the others who heard turned around and, seeing him, stepped aside without him having to say anything, opening a path for him.

(Thanks to the brothers who tipped yesterday: ╰☆Golden Lion, Sai Clan's Little Fish, Rebel Z, Hanwei Bingden, Living Beside the Mountain and Water, CP Pampas, ^Ai Wen^, Ancient Dragon*Ranger, Wang Yu, Reader 100528123729312, Quietly Waiting for Your Trumpet, Zhuan Yao→Ni Bu Pei, I Love Washing My Feet, If Only~Snow, Dreamy Lan, Yagami Light II, jys0022, Hanwei Bingden, Eagle's Wind, Nether Emperor Demon Emperor, Xiao Xiao K09, Mei Lian Kui) (To be continued, to find out what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com, more chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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