Ji Hanjiang was in inner turmoil and was struggling desperately against himself. On one hand, he hated the fact that she had lied to him. On the other hand, he couldn't help but worry about her well-being.
Even he thought that he was being pathetic!
Taking a deep breath, Ji Hanjiang answered her. "Drinking is something I can't avoid when entertaining my clients. Since you're alright, I can rest assured."
It seemed like he had called her as soon as he heard the news from the President.
His care followed her like a shadow. It was like a gentle spring breeze, softly caressing her.
Yan Yiren lowered her head, a small smile gracing her features as happiness radiated from her. "Get back to work then and don't forget to take care of yourself. And… I'll miss you."
Silence prevailed on the other line. Yan Yiren wasn't sure if he was still there. "Hanjiang, are you listening?"
"Mn? Mn, I'm listening. I better end the call now. I'm having a meeting soon."
A glint flashed in Yan Yiren's eyes as she bit her lip. "Alright, Goodbye."
...
When it was time to finish work for the day, Yan Yiren received a call from Yan Shudan.
She declined the call without giving it a second thought.
Yan Shudan wasn't someone who gave up easily. She kept on calling until Yan Yiren picked up.
"What?" Yan Yiren replied begrudgingly.
"Yan Yiren, just because Ji Hanjiang is your boyfriend, you've become a completely different person!" Yan Shudan spat out at her.
Yan Yiren chuckled, glancing over to Wang Lan, who kept her head down. Had she reported to her master already?
With her phone in her hand, Yan Yiren walked to the staff kitchen. "What has it got to do with you? You'll just have to wait and see whether I become a completely different person!"
"Hehe, don't be too pleased!" Yan Shudan had finished provoking her and now cut straight to the chase. "Grandma wants to see you. You need to come over tonight."
She hung up.
After finishing work for the day, Yan Yiren walked out of the building. Just then, an Audi A8 pulled up to the entrance.
The car window rolled down, revealing Ling Yunhuan's face. "Miss, would you like to have dinner with me?"
"Huanhuan?"
Ling Yunhuan tilted her head slightly. "Hop in."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Yan Yiren fastened her seatbelt as she curiously asked, "Huanhuan, this car…"
Her salary wasn't much. It was just a little higher than the average pay in Ning City. It definitely wasn't enough to buy an A8.
"Oh, it's my boyfriend's. He's going to be entertaining his clients tonight, so he might get drunk. He lent me his car so that I can go pick him up later." Ling Yunhuan focussed on the road, as she asked, "So where are we going to eat?"
"I need to drop by the Yan Family house." With her arm against the car window, she leaned into her hand. "I'm going to see Grandma."
Ling Yunhuan knew how things were in the Yan Family. After listening to Yan Yiren, she replied helplessly, "Forget it, I'll accompany you. If not, you'll get bullied by that infuriating mother-daughter duo again."
...
They reached the Yan Family house, and Yan Yiren got out of the car. A servant immediately went up to her and hurriedly informed her, "Miss wants you to go straight to her bedroom."
Going to Yan Shudan's bedroom would just mean that she'll have to tolerate beatings and those cynical remarks of hers.
Yan Yiren clenched and unclenched her fists. "I'll go see Grandma first."
"Miss said that you have to go to her bedroom first." After finishing her words, the servant led the way before giving her a chance to reply.
Ling Yunhuan tugged on her hand. "Don't go! Anyone can tell that Yan Shudan's up to no good."
Yan Yiren quietly moved away from her. "If I don't go, I won't be able to see Grandma. Would you believe me if I said I wouldn't be able to return to the Yan Family house ever again?
Yan Shudan was already in the bedroom, waiting for her arrival.
Once Yan Yiren made her way into the room, Yan Shudan got to her feet nonchalantly. Catching sight of Ling Yunhuan standing behind Yan Yiren, she began to chuckle. "You even brought a helper with you?"