Chapter 38 Plotting a Breakup

hip with Ran Xu—what's the truthYan Luoxi, is it amusing to treat me like a fool"Yan Luoxi froze, tears hanging on her eyelashes. Zhou Guangtao’s outburst was like a resounding slap in the face, leavi...Chapter Thirty-Eight: Planned Breakup

If Yan Luoxi had not encountered Mr. Gu again in the hotel lobby and checked into a room with her own ID, she would have been immediately captured by Li An, who was searching everywhere for her. However, since she stayed in Mr. Gu's long-term suite, she narrowly escaped once more.

Yan Luoxi leaned back against the comfortable bathtub in the hotel, and tears that had been held back for so long started to fall heavily.

Her tears contained委屈 (grief), sadness, and even more, self-reproach.

It was only today that Yan Luoxi realized how irrational, sluggish, and foolish she had been in dealing with her relationship with Li An.

If she had confessed to Zhou Guangtao, He Yufan, and the others from the beginning about her relationship with Li An, she wouldn't have been threatened by this bully Li An. Without his threats, she would not have continuously suffered oppression, coercion, and assault.

In the end, it was still because of her own timidity, indecisiveness, weakness, and compliance that she allowed Li An to take advantage.

People say you learn from your mistakes, but after being tricked so many times by Li An, why haven't I learned my lesson

As Yan Luoxi cried, she sat in the bathtub and counted on her fingers, self-reflecting: "I like to lie, enjoy deceiving people. I am weak, I crave the small money Li An gives me, I live for the moment, lack rationality, courage... I hide my head..."

Only when she finished counting did she realize that she had so many flaws, making her truly unworthy of the upright, kind, and wonderful Zhou Guangtao.

Yan Luoxi slept for a while in a daze. After waking up, she carefully tidied herself up, then went downstairs to have a hearty, free breakfast before heading out to find a phone booth to call Zhou Guangtao.

She knew how powerful Li An was and decided not to use her mobile phone to avoid this devil.

Zhou Guangtao was extremely happy upon hearing Yan Luoxi's voice. He said in surprise when he saw the local number on his screen: "Luoxi, you're back so soon!"

"...Ah! Yes, I'm back!" Yan Luoxi gave two dry laughs.

"I've been trying to reach you on your mobile phone these past few days but it's been unreachable. By the way, why are you calling me from a public phone" Zhou Guangtao seemed slightly aware of Yan Luoxi’s odd behavior.

"W-Well... my phone got lost again!" Yan Luoxi felt embarrassed for her lame excuse; losing two phones within a month made her feel like a complete waste.

"Haha, never mind if you lose it! Being back earlier than expected is better than anything else!" Zhou Guangtao's mood sounded good: "Where are you now Wait for me to pick you up at lunchtime. We'll have lunch together and I'll buy a new phone for you after that."

Yan Luoxi listened to the gentle, caring voice of Zhou Guangtao and felt her nose getting stuffy as she tried hard not to cry: "You focus on your work! I don't need anything now. I'm heading towards your company right now. Meet me at the Chinese restaurant across from your workplace after you finish work for lunch!

"Alright!" Zhou Guangtao hung up the phone, satisfied and excited.

Yan Luoxi put down her phone but didn't feel relieved. She walked aimlessly on the street, watching cars coming and going, feeling an inexplicable urge to cry.

As noon approached, Yan Luoxi arrived early at a Chinese restaurant across from Zhou Guangtao's company. Sitting in a booth, she pondered how to break up with Zhou Guangtao.

The thought of breaking up with Zhou Guangtao left her mind blank; he was extremely kind and considerate towards her. Whenever she lived alone here while he was abroad, no matter how busy or tired he was, he would call every day. Knowing that she enjoyed egg tarts, he had a friend bring some back from Macau for her. Aware of her frugal nature and reluctance to accept his money, he asked He Yufan to secretly deposit money into her meal card.

Yan Luoxi knew breaking up with Zhou Guangtao would be excruciatingly painful, but what else could she do Could she use her imperfect body and immoral actions to tarnish Zhou Guangtao's reputation

Sitting there waiting for Zhou Guangtao while formulating the breakup speech, a sense of anxiety gnawed at her heart, as if a string was tautly pulled inside.

Just then, amidst her anxiousness, she heard Zhou Guangtao's cheerful call from nearby: "Luoxi!" He approached her with elegant steps.

Seeing this sight of Zhou Guangtao, Yan Luoxi felt even more ashamed. Her eyes met his, and she was struck by the depth in his gaze—filled with joy at their unexpected reunion and tenderness from their passionate romance... Yet he had never changed his feelings, while she had done something to disgrace him.

A sense of guilt nearly overwhelmed Yan Luoxi as a voice echoed in her mind: You are an immoral woman; how could you deserve Zhou Guangtao's love

"Luo Xi, when did you come back Why didn't you call me in advance so I could pick you up!" Zhou Guangtao greeted her while heading to the dessert counter nearby and fetching some desserts for her.

The cake was a blueberry cheesecake, served on a white bone china plate which made it look even more tempting. There was also a steaming cup of creamy milk tea beside it.

Placing these in front of Yan LuoXi, Zhou Guangtao sat down across from her and held her hand over the table.

Zhou Guangtao was a man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. However, his demeanor wasn't harsh; instead, he exuded an elegant charm. His black eyes were warm and serene, making Yan LuoXi want to shed tears just looking at him.

"I got notified by the company suddenly and came back together with my colleagues, so I didn't ask you to pick me up!" Yan LuoXi lowered her head, evading Zhou Guangtao's soulful gaze.

Seeing Yan LuoXi with drooping long lashes and dark circles under her eyes, Zhou Guangtao couldn't help but worry: "Luo Xi, have you been resting well these days"

"Ah! Ah! Yes, there were too many training programs. Sometimes I stay up late reading books so my sleep hasn't been very good!"

"When we buy your phone later, I'll also get some oral liquid to help you relax and sleep better. Studying is important but taking care of your health is even more crucial!" Zhou Guangtao looked intently at Yan LuoXi; the only words in his clear and gentle eyes were 'deep affection', nothing else.

Under Zhou Guangtao's gaze, Yan LuoXi didn't know how to place her limbs. Her eyes were trembling as she warned herself not to reveal any emotions and must remain calm. She subconsciously lowered her gaze but when she raised it again, her expression was relaxed, saying softly: "Brother Guangtao, let’s talk about those things after we finish eating!"leaded softly.“You like him that much” Li An smiled with amusement."Yes, I really do like him. I am willing to be by his side and drink with him, chat, go shopping, fishing... I am willing to wash his...