Chapter 36 Heading Back Home

olored eyes wide in alarm, making her look more delicate and vulnerable. His heart softened instantly for the sake of his happiness; he decided to go all out even if it meant sacrificing his good look...Chapter Thirty-Six: Returning Home

"Right, this is what my brother should be saying. It's just a woman, so what She can go wherever she wants, there are plenty of fish in the sea... That naive little girl ran off with Zhou Guangtao, and that Zhou Guangtao doesn't seem like a good guy at all. He pretends to be virtuous but is actually deceitful. There will come a day when she cries for help but no one will come to her rescue..." Ming Zixi's expression was like that of an overzealous youth, his words cutting deeply into Li An's heart.

Li An couldn't bear with his sharp tongue anymore and covered his chest as he picked up the glass in front of him. "Brothers and sisters, thank you all for coming to see me today. Using this meal, I'll bid everyone farewell!"

"Where are you going" Ming Zixi stretched his neck and stared at Li An with suspicion, wondering if Li An was leaving because Yan Luoxi had attempted suicide.

Sao Junhe's expression visibly stiffened. "Li An, you... Where do you plan to go" His tone already sounded rather forced.

No one dared to speak at the table; the atmosphere was extremely oppressive. Everyone knew too well about Li An's impulsive behavior and assumed he wanted to take his heartbreak from losing Yan Luoxi to its extreme limits.

Li An didn't move a muscle, his voice dull as he replied, "Where can I go Back home."

This city held the most painful memories of his life and people who had betrayed him morally: Yan Luoxi, who despite living with him, still ran off with someone else; Ming Zixi, who claimed to be his best friend yet always belittled and mocked him; and Sao Meizhuo, who had been like a time bomb following him since childhood, ready to explode at any moment.

The land where these mutated species grow is enough to exhaust Li An.

"Brother Li An, are you going back home" Upon hearing that Li An was leaving, Wu Tiantian's big eyes involuntarily sparkled with emotion. The feelings of a quiet girl are like the deep sea filled with entangled seaweed—silent, lonely, and lush.

"Yeah, I'm heading home." Li An finished another can of beer and crumpled the empty can with his hand, making it rattle. "Tiantian, you should stay here and live well with them. I won't be accompanying you!"

Ming Zixi habitually retorted to Li An, "Why do you suddenly want to go home What are you going back for Are you afraid of seeing things that remind you of the past"

"Pfft, why are you so nosy!" Li An raised his eyes and glared at him.

Under Li An's angry stare, Ming Zixi chuckled awkwardly, trying to console him insincerely. "Going home is good too; there’s a solid foundation at home, and you can do whatever you want."

"It’s great to go back home! The capital city will soon get cold, and I really don’t like spending winter here." Upon hearing that Li An was going home, Shao Meizhuo was so delighted that she couldn't help herself. Seeing the sorrow in Wu Tiantian's eyes next to her, she felt guilty and tried to make up for it by inviting her, "Tiantian, why don’t you come with me to the south for a while It could be like escaping winter!"

"Going to the south to escape winter is such a good idea!" Ming Zixi jumped up before Wu Tiantian could speak. "Meizhuo's suggestion is so creative! The winter in Beijing will soon arrive, and we can all spend the winter in the south, enjoying warmth in winter and coolness in summer!

Lian Qiqi's head buzzed with thoughts. In fact, one of the main reasons he wanted to go home was to avoid Ming Zixi's poisonous tongue and prevent him from adding salt to his wounds.

Hearing that they were going back South with him, Lian Qiqi responded irritably: "It’s not even summer yet, and you’re already planning to spend winter in the South. Besides, I’ve only heard of people seeking coolness during summer but never anyone who seeks warmth during winter!"

Ming Zixi took a graceful step forward and approached Lian Qiqi, his mouth curling into a mocking smile as he began his rant: "Oh, Xiao Lian, you want to cut off your bridge now All this time, haven't I protected you from everything Now that I want to spend winter with you in the South, you find it repulsive. How petty can one be! Just because I plan to spend a winter there, you won’t accept me… You’re hurting my heart so badly; you make me suffer…"

Ming Zixi's voice sounded carefree and lively, showing no signs of distress or disappointment, but Lian Qiqi was still irritated by his complaints. He gritted his teeth, and the contrast between his pale white teeth and red lips stunned Shao Meizhuo for a moment before he snapped: "Fine, nobody minds you! Whether you plan to spend just one winter there or even hibernate in the South for your entire life, I’ll still take care of you…"

"Oh, I’ve finally found my retirement home!" Ming Zixi opened his mouth wide and laughed heartily at Lian Qiqi.

Afterward, he bounced over to the side and began seriously discussing plans for their southern journey with everyone else, including schedules, routes, and future leisure activities…

Lian Qiqi’s mood, which had been gradually improving, darkened once again as he looked at the group of people who refused to be left behind.

Zhou Guangtao's joint venture company was in full preparation mode. After renting an entire floor for office space in a prime location downtown, Yan Luoxi arrived with burning enthusiasm to assist Zhou Guangtao at his Southern Precision Joint Venture Company.

In order to save some money, Zhou Guangtao and Yan Luoxi discussed it and temporarily hired only two people: a male and a female who had just graduated from college. The male is called Gao Tiance and he works outside with Zhou Guangtao, while the female is named Yu Peike and she stays in charge of internal company affairs alongside Yan Luoxi.

The weather in southern China in September was still unbearably hot, making people feel as if they were smoking. Sitting inside her office, the high temperature caused Yan Luoxi's light makeup to quickly turn into sweat, leaving an oily layer stuck to her skin.

Yu Peike went out to retrieve documents from the tax bureau, leaving Yan Luoxi alone in the office. Afraid of spending too much on electricity, she didn't switch on the air conditioner.

Yan Luoxi had been diligently inputting data and typing up documents that Zhou Guangtao couldn't handle—such as hiring contracts, employee manuals, temporary worker ID card designs—and other essential paperwork needed for a newly established company.

In her busy work schedule, she forgot about the heat. When Yu Peike returned from outside with lunch, Yan Luoxi grabbed it and quickly ate a few bites before going back to work.

"Miss Yan, may we turn on the air conditioner" Covered in fine sweat due to the heat, Yu Peike looked at Yan Luoxi who was sweating profusely while working hard. Another layer of sweat immediately appeared on her back.

“Ah!” Only then did Yan Luoxi realize this and smiled brightly at Yu Peike: "Go ahead and turn it on, I’ve been so busy that I forgot about the air conditioner." She could be strict with herself but not to the extent of exploiting this female college graduate who was her peer.

Yu Peike had been around for three days now, yet Yan Luoxi hadn't really communicated with her properly. It wasn’t because she disliked Yu Peike; it was simply due to her being too busy and having no time.cleansing power, making one feel clear and clean from the inside out.Lian had arranged rooms here beforehand; after checking in at the front desk and reporting their names, someone immediately informe...