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Xiao Qian’s original plan was to take advantage of the New Year holiday and have a proper outing with him. After dating for so long, one could count the number of daytime dates they had on their fingers.

He was too busy, only sneaking out at night to be with her when he found himself free. She’d thought that he might at least have half a day off during the New Year.

Seeing her disappointed look, Yu Minglang also felt upset, but there was nothing he could do.

He was already squeezing out the time to come today, after working overtime. Fearing that Xiao Qian would be upset if she found out, he held back on telling her until they had to part.

“I still have work…”

“What kind of work can’t wait till after the New Year? Are they trying to kill their employees? Didn’t we settle this last time?” Xiao Qian rarely ever raised her voice.

“Business people don’t have holidays. There was a problem with the project we’re in charge of, and we have to deal with it now.”

“Yu Minglang, are you here to fool with me? You come to tease me when you feel like it, and then strut around like some righteous man when you’re ready to go. Are you hoping for some spirited speech from me, expressing support for your work?”

Xiao Qian wasn’t sure what she wanted to express.

This wasn’t the first or second time something like this had happened. She knew what he did for a living when she met him. All she had to do now was give him an understanding smile and remind him to be careful.

But being confronted like this, right after enjoying the past few hours so much —still savoring the sweet moment when the harsh reality struck so suddenly – it was hard for Xiao Qian, or any woman, to adjust.

Seeing that Xiao Qian was upset, Yu Minglang intended to explain the situation at his workplace to her. Unfortunately, it was a complex issue that he couldn’t explain quickly.

“Fine, just go. You can leave now.”

Xiao Qian pushed him away. Yu Minglang tried to hug her, but she pushed him away. He tried to hug her again, she pushed him away again. In the end, Xiao Qian gave him three consecutive pushes out the door and shut and locked the heavy iron door with a bang.

She leaned against the door, waiting for him to explain.

But he didn’t.

Just like in a past life, walking away didn’t need a reason. To hell with reasons.

Inside the room, Jia Xiufang was wiping Chen Zilong’s face with a towel; the drunkard still hadn’t sobered up.

“What happened? Came back drunk after going out for a while? He should be more responsible — eh, Qian’er, what happened to you? Did you have a fight with Minglang?”

“I’m fine.” Xiao Qian went upstairs emotionlessly and locked herself in her room.

Standing by the window, she watched his Cherokee Cherokee get covered in dust as he departed.

Xiao Qian closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to use emotional management to quell her irritation.

It didn’t work.

Only after she had washed her hands several times did her inner frustration subside a bit.

She went back to her room and took out a pen and paper, trying to use her profession to sort out her thoughts.

She was upset about something that she had known all along, and it wasn’t like her to let it get to her.

Xiao Qian didn’t understand most of the long string of words she wrote. She crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the waste bin, feeling upset for no apparent reason.

The moment she subconsciously planned their future, and he destroyed that setting with a single word.

He had been aware of the cruel outcome even before he arrived, yet still wanted to see her so invested, like a fool. And at the last moment, he cruelly tore it apart.

“Yu Xiao Qiang is a jerk.” Xiao Qian complained as she took a nightgown out of the cabinet to change into. She needed to find something for herself to do; she couldn’t keep focusing on their relationship.

Dating was a rather IQ lowering activity, and Xiao Qian felt that Yu Minglang’s impact on her had become too great. Some things, she needed to think carefully about.

With the sound of the window being opened, and the cold wind outside, Yu Minglang returned, holding a grilled skewer.

Xiao Qian glanced at him, and said coldly,

“Leave the grilled skewer and get out.”

Yu Minglang put the food on the table. Xiao Qian was applying lotion on her legs and did not look at him. Yu Minglang approached her, seemingly wanting to take over her task, but she kicked him away.

Yu Minglang reflexively grabbed her ankle, she kicked him again, but he didn’t let go.

“When did you get this anklet?”

Yu Minglang noticed a white crystal anklet on Xiao Qian’s ankle and curiously fiddled with it.

“My roommate gave it to me, don’t touch it!”

“This anklet looks ugly, when I come back, I will buy you a nicer one.”

Xiao Qian wanted to say, are you sure, I would always be waiting for you here? But when she saw his pleasing expression, she swallowed her words. His job was life-threatening; she didn’t want to disturb his focus.

“You should go.” They could talk when he returned.

Yu Minglang poked her face, “I’m leaving for real this time.”

He asked for a returning date but there was none.

He didn’t explain, only expressed the greatest care and reluctance within his capabilities. Any explanation or promise would exceed his capabilities.

Just as he was about to leap out of the window, Xiao Qian called after him.

“Yu Minglang.”

“Hmm?”

“Come back in one piece.”

“Yeah, and you don’t go running around during your vacation, be safe. I heard there have been some safety concerns lately.”

By the time he said the last word, he had already jumped down.

Xiao Qian returned to her room and sat down. She wasn’t as angry anymore, but she felt empty.

The winter temperature had cooled the skewers. She placed them atop the radiator, letting the aroma of cumin and charcoal waft through the room.

Xiao Qian stood up, feeling the need to wash her hands again.

The next morning, Xiao Qian bundled up thoroughly. Not only did she wear a down jacket, but she also put a fluffy hat over her head.

“Qian’er, where are you going?” Jia Xiufang asked.

“I’m going to work.”

“Doing what? Need money? What do you want to buy, I can give you the money.” Ever since Jia Xiufang received the first batch of resettlement payment for the demolition of their home, she was filled with confidence.

“I’m an adult, why should I still rely on my parents’ money?”

“You’re still a child in my eyes. Why are you going out in such cold weather — no, you need to explain. I’m worried about you.” Jia Xiufang had also heard some rumors recently that it wasn’t very safe with the New Year approaching, and Xiao Qian was still a girl.

“I’m taking Shuixian to look for a job. Our goal is to earn 20 yuan in a day.”

“Are you joking? That dog is a money pit, don’t let her freeze to death — hey, aren’t you going to have lunch?”

Xiao Qian had already gone out the door. Jia Xiufang shouted after her from the doorway.

“I’ve already eaten. I won’t be back for lunch.”

Just as Jia Xiufang was about to ask if Xiao Qian had any money in her pocket, she heard Chen Zilong scream from upstairs.

Jia Xiufang rushed upstairs.

She found her eldest son bare-chested, looking as if he had just woken up from a hangover. He was clutching his throat in agony, holding a skewer of grilled meat in his hand.

“Why are you screaming like you’re being killed?”

“My sister… poisoned… blegh!” Seems he saw a skewer of grilled meat on his sister’s desk and decided to sneak a bite.

Xiao Qian probably knew that he would steal it and had heavily sprinkled chili powder on top before she left. Chen Zilong had bitten down on it without looking, and it felt like his throat was on fire.

“Good! This serves you right! Always stealing your sister’s stuff, go do your homework now!”