The next morning, Qing Yan was preparing to leave when she heard Aunt Lan say, "Miss Qing Yan, Young Master has been waiting for you for two nights in a row."
"Big brother?" Qing Yan was somewhat surprised. "He's back?"
"Yes, Young Master finished all his overseas affairs and hurried back to see you, but you've been leaving early and coming back late these past two days, so he couldn't meet you," Aunt Lan explained gently.
Aunt Lan then asked, "Can you come home for dinner tonight?"
Qing Yan could tell that Young Master really wanted to see his younger sister. However, Qing Yan remembered that she had to study professional knowledge for Yan Panpan after work. "It'll be after dinner, but I'll try to come back early."
"Great!" Aunt Lan smiled. "Young Master will definitely be happy to see you."
These past two days, Qing Yan had been extremely busy, allowing Li Yusha to seize the opportunity and constantly please Li Yihan...
As Qing Yan walked out the front gate, she saw Si Yechen standing by the car, talking on the phone. His figure was slender and straight, exuding an incomparable elegance and nobility in every move.
As Qing Yan approached, she overheard him say, "Hmm, I'll go in the afternoon."
After ending the call, Si Yechen opened the passenger door for her, and his entire aura naturally softened. "Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes," Qing Yan raised her gaze and asked, "Do you have something to do this afternoon?"
"There's been a sudden situation, and I have to go abroad," Si Yechen explained. He leaned down to fasten her seatbelt. "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon. Take good care of yourself during this time."
"I'm not a three-year-old child," Qing Yan replied.
Si Yechen's eyebrows raised slightly. "I'll finish up as soon as possible and come back."
"Okay."
"Remember to eat three meals a day on time and not just focus on work and neglect your health," Si Yechen advised as he drove. "Be careful on your way to and from work. If there's anything, call me immediately..."
"You'll only be gone for a day..." Qing Yan knew this man couldn't let her go. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
Hearing her words, Si Yechen's ink-black eyes softened. "The bag next to you is for you. Open it and take a look."
Qing Yan opened the bag and found not only some items for her menstrual cycle but also a hot water bag, warm patches, snacks, and other things. Si Yechen didn't know when she would have her period and was worried that the Li family hadn't prepared these for her when she arrived.
"If they're not suitable, I'll prepare something else for you."
Qing Yan naturally understood what he meant, and her cheeks grew slightly warm.
"The ginger brown sugar tea comes in individual tea bags. If you have your period, just brew one bag and drink it."
"If you're uncomfortable, use the warm patches on your abdomen or warm your lower abdomen with the hot water bag."
"Those snacks, you can eat them even during your period."
...
Si Yechen drove Qing Yan to the vicinity of the company, and as he opened the car door, he embraced her reluctantly. "The Gesang flowers have bloomed, I'll take you to see them when I come back."
"Okay."
"There's a competition tomorrow, just do your best and don't put too much pressure on yourself." Si Yechen looked at her with a tender and indulgent expression. "I'll try to come back before the competition."
"Alright, no rush."
"See you tomorrow." Si Yechen cupped her face and gave her a kiss before leaving.
Qing Yan spent a busy day at the company. After work, she unintentionally spent more than eight o'clock in the evening sharing design techniques and tips with Yin Panpan.
"President Qing, let me treat you to a meal?" Yin Panpan felt guilty in her heart. "You've taught me so many methods and tips, and the competition is tomorrow. I must treat you tonight."
"Let's just have something casual." Qing Yan checked the time. She still had to go and meet her elder brother. "What's nearby to eat?"
"There's only a barbecue stall nearby, but the food there is delicious. They not only have skewers, fried rice noodles, and fried rice, but also..."
Yin Panpan was happily talking about it when she suddenly realized something and hurriedly changed the topic. "Never mind, let's go somewhere else..."
"Let's go there." Qing Yan picked up the bag prepared by Si Yechen. It looked like a cute little rabbit.
Unexpectedly, when President Qing held it, it looked exceptionally good.
"President Qing, what's in that bag?" Yin Panpan had never seen her carry such a cute bag before. It looked like an adorable little rabbit.
Qing Yan thought of that man, her expression softened. "Everyday items."
It only took about ten minutes to walk from the company to the barbecue stall. At this time, there weren't many people eating barbecue. Yin Panpan asked about Qing Yan's preferences and ordered quite a lot of food. They sat at a small table, and Yin Panpan took out two napkins. She wiped Qing Yan's side of the table first before wiping her own.
"President Qing, I'm feeling a bit nervous about tomorrow's competition..." Yin Panpan was afraid of performing poorly and embarrassing Qing Yan.
"Just approach it with a calm mindset." Qing Yan raised her eyebrows gently. "You'll definitely do well."
After a while, the owner lady came over with several small plates. "Miss Yin, your skewers are ready."
"Thank you, Aunt Wang. President Qing, do you smell how good they are?" Yin Panpan picked up a grilled chicken wing and handed it to Qing Yan. "This is yours."
"Thank you." Qing Yan reached out and accepted it. "Do you come here often?"
It seemed like she was quite familiar with the owner lady.
"Yeah," Yin Panpan smiled and said, "Sometimes I'm busy at the company until eleven or twelve o'clock, so when I pass by, I have a few skewers to satisfy my cravings and pack a portion of fried rice noodles as a late-night snack for my mom."
Aunt Wang has been running her stall here for nearly half a year. Qing Yan often comes to visit, and they chat and talk, gradually becoming friends.
During many bleak and hopeless days, it was these little moments that helped them endure.
Qing Yan was about to mention her background when suddenly five or six cars parked by the roadside. Over twenty thugs armed with clubs quickly rushed out of the cars, surrounding them.
"Who are you?" Yan Panpan was taken aback, instinctively grabbing onto Qing Yan's clothes. "You've got the wrong people, right?"
The leader glanced at Qing Yan, then at Yan Panpan, confirming that it was indeed them. He waved his hand, and his subordinates, each wielding a club, charged forward as if intent on causing serious harm.
In the blink of an eye, Qing Yan swiftly pulled Yan Panpan up, evading several swings aimed at them. Fortunately, they got up just in time; otherwise, their heads would have been cracked open.
"Are you sure you've got the right people?" Yan Panpan held onto Qing Yan, watching helplessly as the table was overturned, and grilled skewers and drinks fell, dirtying Qing Yan's bunny bag.
Qing Yan was about to pick them up when several wooden clubs simultaneously swung down towards their heads. Thankfully, she was nimble, pulling Yan Panpan away to avoid the flying danger. She even took the opportunity to teach a lesson to a few of the young thugs.
"Stop, please stop..." The old lady running the stall was terrified, hastily coming forward to plead, "I'm just trying to make a living here. Good sirs, please show mercy. Don't harm them. That chair is brand new, and the table too... They're just two young girls. I beg you, have mercy on them, please?"