Everything is a misunderstanding. Mr. Li didn't mean it at all; otherwise, he would have acted on it long ago.

"Ah! So foolish, jumping to conclusions without clarifying the truth. Now, see what happened? You've caused Mr. Lin to be unjustly blamed."

Li Xiangmei was utterly ashamed, unable to face Lin Yifan.

Xiao Qing hadn't expected the truth to be like this, but wrong is wrong. Whether intentional or not, tarnishing a girl's reputation requires taking responsibility.

So she asked, "Mr. Lin, are you explaining so clearly because you don't want to take responsibility?"

"Not at all! I explained just to clear up any misconceptions about my character, that's all. If Miss Li sees this as a hurdle she can't get over, I'm willing to take this responsibility," Lin Yifan answered.

"So, you're saying, you will marry Sister Xiangmei?" Xiao Qing pursued.

"You could say that," Lin Yifan sighed in reply.

Since he had tarnished a young lady's reputation, how could he not feel compelled to take responsibility?

"Sister Xiangmei, Mr. Lin says he wants to marry you. Aren't you going to respond quickly?"

Xiao Qing was overjoyed; she had never been so happy.

This was the outcome she had always hoped for, and she didn't expect it to come true today.

"Mr. Lin, you don't need to take this responsibility."

To everyone's surprise, Li Xiangmei refused Lin Yifan's good intentions; because she heard reluctance and pity in Lin Yifan's words.

If it's not hers, she doesn't want to force it; similarly, if Lin Yifan doesn't want to marry her, she won't bring herself to him.

This is because forcing things won't bring happiness, and she doesn't need a pitiful marriage, nor does she want to bind a marriage with reluctance.

What she needs is willingness and genuine love.

"Why? Sister Xiangmei, why on earth?"

Xiao Qing was puzzled. This was such an excellent opportunity! Hasn't Li Xiangmei always yearned for this chance? Why, now that it's here, does she not cherish it?

Lin Yifan was also slightly startled, not expecting Li Xiangmei to respond so rationally, which was a bit beyond his expectations.

He thought Li Xiangmei would be overjoyed to hear this news, but it seemed she was still rational.

"It wasn't Mr. Lin's fault in the first place, so why should he take responsibility?" Li Xiangmei responded to Xiao Qing's question.

"But he took advantage of you?" Xiao Qing retorted.

"It was unintentional, and it was my doing entirely, so he shouldn't be blamed," Li Xiangmei explained.

"Aren't you being taken advantage of?"

Xiao Qing was bewildered; such a good opportunity to marry into a wealthy family for love was wasted by Li Xiangmei.

"Then so be it!"

Li Xiangmei seemed to be sulking with Lin Yifan, refusing his pity marriage.

"Oh dear!"

Xiao Qing didn't know what to say; everything was going well until Li Xiangmei messed it up.

Lin Yifan wanted to say something, but he didn't want romance, much less marriage, at this point, so Li Xiangmei's answer suited his current needs perfectly.

However, after everything settles, perhaps he will take the initiative to find Li Xiangmei and take responsibility.

So he replied, "Miss Li, will you give me the opportunity to take responsibility in the future?"

Li Xiangmei was stunned, not knowing what Lin Yifan meant by this.

Glancing at Lin Yifan's troubled eyes, she seemed to understand.

Right now, Lin Yifan is on the run, with no settled place, unable to make promises or bring happiness to her; moreover, he has a girlfriend to save, leaving no room for romance.

In Lin Yifan's heart, she's not the only woman; no matter how dissatisfied she is, this fact can't be changed.

So she seemed to understand why Lin Yifan didn't confess or propose to her, since even the "primary" wife hasn't married him, why should she?

After a long silence, she finally answered, "Let's talk about it when the time comes!"

She wasn't sure of the future; if she still likes Lin Yifan and cannot extricate herself, perhaps she will agree to give Lin Yifan the opportunity.

"Alright!"

Lin Yifan had no objections because this was the best answer.

Xiao Qing felt she'd done her best; if it still didn't work, no matter how much she tried to create opportunities, it was difficult to make the two of them a pair.

So, she gave up, letting the two develop naturally, as they were both adults and should know how to handle emotional issues.

After resting for a while and easing the awkwardness, the two continued learning how to swim.

Xiao Qing went ashore to rest, lying on a beach chair, enjoying a sunbath.

After what happened earlier, Li Xiangmei and Lin Yifan became much more distant. Even when supporting Li Xiangmei, Lin Yifan tried to do so with one hand, to avoid a similar situation from happening again.

Li Xiangmei also felt a need to distance herself from Lin Yifan, maintaining as much distance as possible.

Watching this scene, Xiao Qing, sunbathing on the beach, shook her head speechlessly, wondering what these seemingly loving two were doing.

Under Lin Yifan's patient guidance, Li Xiangmei gradually learned to swim freestyle. She was not only able to float but also swim some distance.

Lin Yifan went from assisting her to letting her go gradually. This feeling was like raising a bird; once its wings were strong, it could be let free.

Li Xiangmei tried to leave Lin Yifan's help, leave his protection, to swim freely in the sea, enjoying the liberty of swimming.

Gradually, she swam better and seemed to master the technique.

Success brings joy and can also spur ambition, so Li Xiangmei swam tirelessly and didn't feel tired at all.

Seeing Li Xiangmei swimming in the sea with decent skills, Lin Yifan felt he could let her handle it on her own, so he went ashore, lay on the beach chair next to Xiao Qing, enjoying a sunbath.

At this moment, Xiao Qing asked, "Mr. Lin, aren't you accompanying your sexy beauty?"

"She's basically got it down, doesn't need my guidance anymore," Lin Yifan replied.

"Is that so? Seems Sister Xiangmei is incredibly smart, learning swimming so quickly."

"Not quite, just managed a little. There's still diving, backstroke, breaststroke, and so on that she hasn't learned yet."

"With Mr. Lin around, it's only a matter of time for all that."

"Haha! I'm leaving tomorrow; the rest of the teaching will be up to you."

"Mr. Lin really doesn't plan to live a secluded life here?"

"My family is still in dire straits; do you think I have the leisure for that?" Lin Yifan retorted.

"Alright then, I hope you and your family can overcome the difficulties, and if there's a chance in the future, I hope we can live in the same place."

This was Xiao Qing's wish; she didn't want to be too far from Li Xiangmei, or it wouldn't be fun.

"Speaking of which, you're not getting any younger, do you want me to set you up, introduce you to someone?" Lin Yifan asked with interest.

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