Chapter 167 You Also Said One More Thing

If Wang Zhifang had heard those words, he would have been so startled that his reading glasses would surely have shattered. Having served as Lu Yan's superior for so many years, he had never once heard him utter those three words.

Even when Lu Yan was in the wrong, his response would always be a lofty, "Understood."

Shen Qingyi only felt a heavy dizziness in her head and a burning sensation on her cheeks. In a hazy daze, she mumbled, "I want to sleep. I have to take the train the day after tomorrow."

"Shall I have someone drive you there?"

"No, I get carsick. I want to take the train."

Lu Yan picked her up, placed her on the bed, took off her shoes, and pulled the quilt over her. He sat beside her for a long time before planting a gentle kiss on her forehead—void of any romantic desire, filled only with overwhelming guilt and tender affection.

"I'm sorry, Qingyi. I rushed into becoming your husband before I had even properly prepared myself, so I did a poor job and made you suffer through so many grievances. Back then, my heart and mind were entirely consumed by how to do my job well. I foolishly thought that as long as I provided you with food and clothing, it would be enough. I never considered that you would become pregnant, nor did I ever imagine you would endure such trials.

In the end, I couldn't even manage to provide you with a worry-free life.

You have no idea how happy I was when the professor entrusted you to me. I even thought that if your family background failed the political review, I would resign and go into business with Zhou Han, which is why I never once thought of casting you aside and ignoring you.

I asked Zhou Han to check on you, and he said that you... you hit him and threw away everything he brought."

At the time, Lu Yan could not fathom what Shen Qingyi looked like when she hit someone. Even now, looking at her tranquil sleeping face, he still couldn't picture it.

He paused, then gently retrieved her hand from beneath the quilt, cradling it in his palm. "It doesn't matter, though. He certainly deserved to be hit, and I deserve to be punished as well. I am willing to be punished until you are satisfied, alright?"

For a long time, she did not reply. Hearing only her steady, rhythmic breathing, Lu Yan finally placed her hand back under the cover.

After sitting a while longer, he returned to the table, clearing away the wine glasses, the peanuts, and the small dish of braised pork.

The peanuts and braised pork were put into the refrigerator, and the wine glass was washed and placed back in the cupboard.

When he returned to the bedroom and lay down on the bed, a profound sense of peace filled his heart.

As expected, his wife harbored feelings for him just as he did for her. Xia Xiyue stood no chance.

Early the next morning, Lu Caiqing got up and saw that Lu Yan had preempted her chores. "Second Brother, how is it that you're making breakfast today?"

Lu Yan was beating eggs in a bowl. "Hmm."

"An'an said she wanted to eat the fried rice I make," Lu Caiqing reminded him.

Lu Yan's hands did not stop moving. "I'll stir-fry it later."

There were very few dishes his wife truly loved. Although she ate whatever was served, she consumed very little, so Lu Caiqing mostly catered to An'an's preferences.

They had been eating egg fried rice for several days straight.

Gladsome for the leisure, Lu Caiqing returned to her room to organize her merchandise.

Breakfast was ready, featuring both An'an's favorite egg fried rice and green vegetable noodles with eggs.

When Shen Qingyi woke up, her head still felt somewhat dizzy.

Walking into the living room, she discovered that everyone had already left.

Glancing down at her wristwatch, she saw it was half-past eight. She had actually overslept! Why hadn't An'an made a fuss demanding that she and Lu Yan accompany her to school?

After washing up, she went straight to the kitchen to grab her breakfast as usual, only to find that today's breakfast was green vegetable noodles with eggs.

She carried the bowl to the table and began to eat. After days of egg fried rice, a bowl of noodles for a change actually tasted quite delicious.

Upon finishing her meal and returning to her bedroom, she caught sight of the bottle of red wine left on the table, which reminded her that she had been drinking with Lu Yan the previous night.

As she picked up her suitcase to pack her luggage, a flash of memory crossed her mind—she had grabbed Lu Yan by the collar and scolded him! A sense of impending doom washed over her. She surely hadn't said anything too outrageous, right?

She shook her head. Oh well, if she scolded him, she scolded him. She was leaving anyway, and by the time she returned, he would probably have forgotten all about it.

After packing her belongings, she quickly finished two more draft designs.

Gauging the time, she glanced at her watch. She absolutely had to pick up An'an today.

When the time was right, she changed her clothes, wove a simple ponytail draped over her chest, and put on a pair of high heels before heading out. She cut an exquisite figure as she arrived at the entrance of An'an's kindergarten.

About five minutes later, kindergarten let out. The moment An'an came out, she spotted Shen Qingyi and ran over happily, calling out, "Mom!"

Shen Qingyi was the first parent to arrive for pick-up, but An'an didn't leave immediately. Instead, she said, "Wait for Dad!"

"How about we go wait at the entrance of Dad's workplace?"

Standing here blankly could mean waiting for another ten to twenty minutes.

And so, Shen Qingyi took An'an by the hand and headed toward the research institute.

Lu Yan had just finished work and was packing his things when Su Yang stepped into his office, leaning in to ask in a hushed tone, "Lu Yan, why did I hear someone say you submitted a divorce petition?"

Lu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Who did you hear that from?"

With Su Yang, neither confirming nor denying was usually the best approach.

Just then, Hong Zhou walked in after finishing his meal. "Director Lu, your wife and child are waiting for you at the entrance."

Since Hong Zhou was switching shifts to work overtime, he was allowed to go down for an early meal.

Lu Yan strode past Su Yang without looking back.

Su Yang scratched the back of his head in suspicion. Was this the behavior of a man about to get a divorce?

The moment Lu Yan stepped downstairs, he saw his wife. She was standing there holding their son by the hand, appearing refined, elegant, and looking like an entirely different person from the drunken woman of the night before.

He took a few strides forward, walked over to the other side, and took his son's small hand. "Let's go!"

As the three of them walked along the road, they occasionally drew glances from passersby.

Shen Qingyi glanced sideways at Lu Yan. "I didn't say anything too outrageous to you last night, did I?"

The corners of Lu Yan's lips curled upward. "No."

Shen Qingyi let out a sigh of relief, only to hear Lu Yan add, "Except..."

The heart that had just relaxed was instantly hoisted back up. Shen Qingyi hurriedly asked, "Except what?"

Lu Yan glanced down at An'an. "I'll tell you when we get back."

In this state of nervous trepidation, Shen Qingyi spent the entire walk home. Finally, they arrived, and seated at the dining table, all three of them leisurely sipped their chicken soup, though Shen Qingyi's mind was entirely preoccupied.

Lu Yan scooped a bowl of soup and placed it before her. "Drink it up, and come to my room afterward; I'll tell you then."

Lu Caiqing caught a hint of what was going on. As soon as dinner was over, she pulled An'an over to the sofa to watch television.

The moment Lu Yan turned around, Shen Qingyi followed him into his bedroom.

Feeling a guilty conscience, she quietly shut the door behind her. "Except what?"

A faint smile played at the corners of Lu Yan's lips. "You said you couldn't bear to leave me."

A look of disbelief crossed Shen Qingyi's face. "I actually..."

Well, it was the truth. Even though it felt somewhat mortifying, what was said was said.

Watching her lower her gaze and fidget with her fingers, Lu Yan slowly curved his lips into an arc. "You also said something else."

Shen Qingyi felt a headache coming on. "Never mind, I don't want to hear it!"

She had zero willpower; every time, she was the one who initiated things. It had been like that on their wedding night, and it had been like that yesterday, too.

Seeing her make a move to leave, Lu Yan stepped forward, braced his hand against the door to block her path, and hurriedly spoke up, "You asked me what you should do with the manuscript in your hands."

Shen Qingyi's mind went blank with a roar, and she was too shocked to utter a word for a long time. Alcohol truly ruined things. After a long moment, she slowly lifted her gaze.

His sincere eyes were filled with probing curiosity, not looking like he was lying in the slightest.