If a person had something on his mind and couldn't wait to get to a place, a target that was very close to him would still feel very far away. However, if a person subconsciously resisted going to that place, it would only take a blink of an eye to reach a destination that was very far away.
It was only a few hundred meters from the entrance of the residential area to the door of the rental house. Han Yan really wanted to walk down this path forever and never reach the end. However, things did not go as he wished. In just a few minutes, he reached the last corner of the stairs.
Slowly turning around, a face without makeup that could make a hundred flowers blush came into view. In the last few steps, Han Yan saw Lu Yunran's expression change from joy to shock, and then to pale. Han Yan had a hunch in his heart, but it was as if someone had drilled into his heart and then ruthlessly scratched it. The heartache did not lessen at all.
Lu Yunran was really, really busy with work. After she graduated from university, she entered a foreign company. Although the salary was generous, she worked overtime every day. Not only did she have to wake up early and work late, but she also had to work on her own vacation time.
However, wasn't this the model of foreign companies? They used a salary that was several times higher to attract outstanding graduates from China, and then desperately squeezed their value, helping them earn more profits from China.
Girls who entered foreign companies aged quickly. This was not a rumor. They worked for more than ten hours a day, and worked for more than twenty-eight days a month. Although cosmetics could support their noble and glamorous appearance at work, how could they get rid of the physical and mental exhaustion?
Not everyone could reach the management level of a foreign company, and this was even more so for women. Only a small group of women continued to work at the management level. Most of the white-collar women were approaching the age of marriage and children. They did not need to be fired by the company, as they could not persevere on their own. On the other hand, foreign companies continued to select outstanding graduates from the huge graduate market every year to fill the gap left by their departure, and then continue to squander the next batch of precious youth.
After working for a year, Lu Yunran felt that she could not take it anymore. She persevered because her boyfriend, Han Yan, would come over to accompany her during his holidays. Han Yan's thoughtfulness often made her forget about her physical exhaustion after a week.
Although her family had been persuading her to go back, saying that a woman would eventually get married. Her family could help her find a job. She didn't want to make a lot of money, but it was important for stability and not rushing around. Lu Yunran did not agree. She wanted to earn money for a few more years before coming to Yang Cheng to seek refuge with Han Yan. The two of them would buy a house in Yang Cheng and get married. After that, she found a job that wasn't too stressful. She worked hard with Han Yan to pay off her mortgage, pay for her car, and give birth to a baby. Just like that, she would live a peaceful and warm life.
Lu Yunran was such a traditional but strong girl. Her dream was simple, and that was to pursue her own happiness. After graduating from university, her family had tried to get her to go on blind dates. The other party was the son of a rich family. If she married him, she would be able to live in a villa and drive a luxury car. But Lu Yunran did not agree. She did not even give him a chance to meet. These were all things that Han Yan did not know!
Lu Yunran used to think that she was the luckiest girl in the world. Han Yan was truly good to her from the bottom of his heart. Although he was not as rich as that rich second-generation heir, Lu Yunran felt that as long as the two of them worked hard together, they would have everything in the future. So Lu Yunran foolishly followed Han Yan wholeheartedly. She did not let Han Yan play third base because she was reserved. She always fantasized about leaving everything good for the end.
But after the first of May, Lu Yunran felt that something was wrong. On the first of May, Han Yan did not come to Fu City to accompany her like before. He also did not fall asleep with sweet phone calls like usual. After the first of May, Han Yan did not speak much on the phone. Sometimes, he did not even call.
Lu Yunran had some close friends who used to talk to her about relationship problems. When their boyfriends had a change of heart, they would find out all kinds of clues from the phone calls they made every day. Lu Yunran did not dare to think about it. She would rather believe in her understanding of Han Yan. She knew that Han Yan was a person who was sincere and honest when it came to relationships. She did not believe that Han Yan would cheat on her.
But the uneasiness in her heart forced her to not sleep well for a few days. Finally, on the weekend, Lu Yunran did not work overtime. She took the earliest bus and the busiest subway. She crossed the crowded road and arrived in front of Han Yan's door.
But it seemed that she was really wrong! She saw Han Yan acting like a stay-at-home dad. She saw the baby lying in Han Yan's arms. She saw the hesitation and helplessness on Han Yan's face.
The one who should be at a loss was actually her! When Han Yan turned to face her, the self-comforting magic mirror in Lu Yunran's heart shattered into pieces. Along with it, her faith in love and her unquestioning love for Han Yan shattered.
A third party was involved in a melodramatic plot like this, which only appeared in TV dramas. Now, it had happened to her? Lu Yunran did not dare to believe it, but all the signs in front of her confirmed her guess.
At that moment, Lu Yunran's heart felt as if it had been hit by the big hammer in the temple. Her heart felt very painful, her head roared, and she felt so uncomfortable that she could not breathe. The blood on her face faded, revealing the pale face that Han Yan saw.
"Han Yan …" Lu Yunran spat out these two words with difficulty.
Han Yan did not respond. Lu Yunran saw this and felt a sharp pain in her heart. She walked forward and took his hand. "Let's go in first."
Lu Yunran was in a daze. Like a puppet, she let Han Yan lead her through the door. Suddenly, she sobered up. Two lines of clear tears flowed from her eyes. She wiped them away and said in a panic, "I'm sorry. I have to go." She did not know what she was saying. She just wanted to escape from this place.
Han Yan held her back, but she kept trying to break free.
Han Yan did not allow it. He said, "Xiao Ran, listen to me. Listen to me."
Lu Yunran could not break free. Her tears flowed. She turned her head away, unwilling to meet Han Yan's eyes. She choked out, "Go on."
Han Yan forcefully pulled her away from the door. Then, he made her sit down on the sofa. The tears in his eyes showed signs of being unable to be suppressed.
Han Yan told her in detail about the drunken mistake during the graduation trip. He also told her everything that had happened in the past few days when Qiqi had found him before the Labor Day holiday but had only left him with a child.
Lu Yunran listened quietly. She did not reply, but her tears flowed like a broken dam. They did not stop. Han Yan felt terrible watching himself. As he spoke, he stuffed a tissue into Lu Yunran's hand. Lu Yunran did not want it. She hugged the tissue box in her arms. Throughout the entire process, Lu Yunran did not look at him directly.
After listening, Lu Yunran did not feel much better. She was still crying. She clenched her teeth. Her expression under her hair was still struggling and painful.
Strictly speaking, Han Yan's behavior was not considered cheating. There was also no third party between them. Because everything happened in a state of unconscious and almost disappeared in a situation where they did not know. However, Qiqi was the biggest variable during this period. She would also become the biggest obstacle in the relationship between Han Yan and Lu Yunran, or the biggest psychological obstacle.
In fact, it was not difficult to understand why Lu Yunran was so sad now. If it were a man, if his fiancée came back with a child the night before the wedding and said that she had given birth to the child with another man in a daze, how many men could bear the fact that they had been cuckolded, even if they knew that their fiancée would not betray them emotionally? Lu Yunran was the same. Although she had been deeply in love with Han Yan and had not changed her mind now, she still found it hard to accept the fact in front of her.
Lu Yunran knew Han Yan well, just as Han Yan knew Lu Yunran very well. Han Yan was a man who was excellent in every aspect (of course, he became excellent in every aspect after graduation). However, he was too emotional. This was a good thing, but it was also a bad thing. Lu Yunran believed that it was absolutely impossible for Han Yan to give up Qiqi. However, she could not accept Han Yan's child with another woman at all. She also believed that if she asked Han Yan to give up her, his real girlfriend, Han Yan would not be so cruel. Han Yan could only go back and forth between her and his daughter. He wanted both of them and was unwilling to give up.
Lu Yunran was silent for a long time. Han Yan was also restless. He was anxious but helpless like ants on a hot pan. The room was eerily quiet. Qiqi, on the other hand, was lying in her father's arms and sleeping soundly. She had no idea what kind of fierce struggle was happening outside.
Suddenly, a white light flashed in the room, causing Lu Yunran's face to turn pale. Then, there was an earth-shattering explosion of thunder outside. The wind howled furiously, followed by the sound of a heavy rainstorm. This was how it was in May. The weather was unpredictable and there were often thunderstorms.
Lu Yunran shrank on the sofa. She had been afraid of thunder since she was young. Han Yan knew this. He sat over and wanted to hug her and hold her in his arms.
However, Lu Yunran dodged his hug and shrank deeper into the sofa.
Han Yan's arms were empty, and his heart was empty. His nose was sour and tears flowed out. A few drops fell on Qiqi's little head. Han Yan quickly reached out to wipe them away.
Lu Yunran stared blankly at his actions. The tears on her face mixed with her hair. Her expression was very sad.
So what if I'm carried there? Lu Yunran thought to herself. That warm embrace no longer belongs to me alone. Even if I'm carried, there will always be a child between us. Someone else's child. As she thought about it, her heart ached again, and tears poured out.
"It's time for me to leave!" Lu Yunran thought to herself as she stood up abruptly.
Han Yan hurriedly stood up and said, "Xiao Ran, where are you going?"
Lu Yunran rushed to the door, but Han Yan quickly stopped her.
"Let go. Let me go back." Lu Yunran struggled with her arms.
"It's raining so hard and you want to go back? Are you crazy?" Han Yan refused to let go.
"Yes, I am crazy. Han Yan, let go of me!" Lu Yunran changed the way she addressed him.
"No, it's raining outside! Don't leave today. Just stay here. "Han Yan held her shoulders.
"I want to go back. My mind is in a mess. I want to go back and think it through!" Lu Yunran struggled relentlessly.
Han Yan was worried that her flailing arms would accidentally hurt Qiqi, so he only held her arms down.
"The rain is too heavy. Wait for it to let up, and I'll send you back, okay?" Han Yan coaxed earnestly.
"Let go, Han Yan. I'm telling you, if you don't let go, we'll break up right now!" Lu Yunran screamed.
When Han Yan heard this, he subconsciously loosened his grip. Lu Yunran immediately pushed Han Yan away, opened the door, and ran out.
Han Yan knew that if he let Lu Yunran leave today, he would not have a chance to make her stay. He did not have time to put on his shoes and rushed out barefooted.
However, Lu Yunran suddenly burst with speed. She opened the door downstairs first and rushed out into the rain. Han Yan stopped at the door. He still had a child in his arms!
Han Yan was worried. He quickly turned around and went back inside to carry Qiqi into the crib. He turned around and jumped down the stairs in three steps, then rushed out into the rain as well.
He ran to the entrance of the neighborhood. The rain was pouring down, and he could not see his fingers in front of him. Han Yan tried hard to open his eyes and looked into the distance. However, he could only see a world of white rain. There was no trace of Lu Yunran!
The rain washed over Han Yan. In a few seconds, his clothes and shoes were completely soaked. Han Yan searched for a long time, but in the end, he could only walk back in a daze.