Chapter 45 Affection and Sentiment (Part 2)

interactions with her mother because Schuyler's overly enthusiastic attitude made her a bit confused, leading her to suspect that she was trying to make up for the guilt of abandoning her fourteen yea...Chapter 45 (Part 2) - Love and Affection Emerge

Yan Luoxi leaned against Li An's chest, realizing that he really wasn't acting like his usual self with wild impulses or inappropriate behavior. She began to feel at ease and nestled into the warmth of his broad chest. Her eyes gradually closed as drowsiness crept over her.

Just when she was about to fall asleep, she felt a slight tremor in the person beside her, followed by a low chuckle mixed with mockery entering her ears, "Yan Luoxi, should I scold you for being heartless or lacking romance You can actually fall asleep under these circumstances! Are you some kind of pig"

Blushing and feeling slightly ashamed and annoyed at Li An's mocking tone, Yan Luoxi pouted and retorted with a soft huff, "So what if I fell asleep At least I didn't drool all over you!"

Li An pinched Yan Luoxi's little nose in amusement and frustration. His voice was filled with tenderness as he said, "How could I fall for such a mischievous brat like you."

Yan Luoxi smiled and tugged on Li An's hand, saying, "Are you hungry The Western food has already gone cold. Let me make you a bowl of noodles!"

"No need. I'll do it myself. Preparing instant noodles isn't difficult for me. Would you like one too" Like his brother Li Haonan, Li An's machismo wouldn’t allow him to let Yan Luoxi cook.

Of course, Yan Luoxi didn't feel at ease leaving Li An alone in the kitchen again. She followed behind him and remotely directed him—filling the water, putting the noodles, and pouring the seasoning packets. When he was in a good mood, Li An listened very well to Yan Luoxi's instructions, obediently following them with a gentle smile occasionally turning back at her.

Under Yan Luoxi's remote instructions, Li An cooked something properly for the first time in his life, so Yan Luoxi ate it with great enthusiasm.

Seeing how sweetly Yan Luoxi was eating, Li An felt a sense of accomplishment as if what he had before him wasn't an unpalatable instant noodle but the most exquisite delicacy in the world.

"Eat quickly. Once it gets cold and sticky, it'll be even harder to eat." Seeing that Li An kept looking at her, Yan Luoxi kindly reminded him.

Li An had been spoiled since childhood and was extremely particular about food and clothing; even a late-night snack needed to come from a five-star hotel. Yet now, facing the steaming instant noodles and hearing Yan Luoxi's gentle words, his heart inexplicably felt fulfilled by the quiet warmth around him, making him suddenly think of the word "fulfillment."

After spending most of the night arguing with each other, it was already 1 AM after they finished eating. Glancing at the quartz clock on the wall, Yan Luoxi asked Li An, “Do you still need to go out for a meeting tomorrow”

Having eaten his fill and feeling comfortable sitting on the sofa, Li An let out a long breath, "No more meetings are needed. I've finally completed all that had been scheduled. There is a chance I might have to go home once, but since it's close by, it would take only four hours round trip."

"Although it’s not far from home, the journey back and forth will still be tiring enough. You’ve been busy all day; you should go home early for some rest. Get a good sleep tomorrow morning, then prepare to head home..."

Li An originally wanted to say, "Luoxi, why don’t you come with me to celebrate the New Year at home" But seeing that Yan Luoxi didn't sit down and instead remained standing, along with her slightly unnatural demeanor and restraint, a heart previously basking in joy suddenly bristled with wariness.

This person, fearless in the face of everything else, is terrified when Yan Luoxi treats him with unfamiliar restraint. Such a her could easily create an insurmountable distance between them with just a gesture or glance.

Lǐ n admits that he tends to seek self-torment in front of Yan Luoxi, but couldn't this little girl change a bit slower Wasn't she fine just moments ago She was like an inseparable couple and a well-behaved wife. How did it suddenly become as if he were some kind of predator that needed to be guarded against

Lǐ n felt utterly defeated. He endured his frustration and resentment, glancing sideways at Yan Luoxi and said, "What's your intention Are you trying to get rid of me Haven't you seen what time it is I just sweated from eating, if I go out now, the wind will make me catch a cold!"

Yan Luoxi could clearly tell Lǐ n's meaning and blushed slightly as she said with some difficulty, "Well... there isn't any place for you to stay here."

"Don’t lie to me." Lǐ n’s attitude was not polite at all; he pointed toward the study. "There are a sofa in the living room and a small bed in the study, both of which can accommodate me!"

Upon hearing that Lǐ n didn't have any intention to force himself upon her or sleep with her on the same bed, Yan Luoxi felt slightly relieved but still tried to persuade him to go back to his own place. "The study only has a small bed, and the sofa is too short for you; both places can’t accommodate you well. You’ve been busy all day long, you need proper rest. It’s better if you return to your residence where the environment is more comfortable, allowing you to sleep better."

"I can also get a good night's sleep here if you allow it." Lǐ n used his eyes to gesture toward Yan Luoxi's spacious double bed in her bedroom. "That place will be very comfortable."

Yan Luoxi thought that she would be better off not speaking up right away. She chose not to communicate with Lǐ n, nor did she feel like making the bed for him. She turned around silently and entered her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Sensing that she had no way to deal with Li An, she thought to herself, "If I can't provoke him, does it mean I have to avoid him"

The moment Yan Luoxi tacitly acknowledged his overnight stay, Li An was so delighted that he almost wanted to shout in joy. This was a breakthrough!

He straightened up from the sofa with pride and walked around the empty living room several times like a king surveying his territory.

After walking around twice, humming a tune, Li An washed himself and happily lay on the narrow bed in the study. Thinking of Yan Luoxi’s cute appearance, he fell asleep while smiling.

The next morning when Li An woke up with a sore waist, he cursed softly, "What kind of terrible bed is this The design doesn't make sense at all."

At that moment, the restaurant delivered breakfast to Yan Luoxi on schedule. Busy in the living room, Yan Luoxi couldn’t help but chuckle when she heard Li An's muttering.

From that night onward, the relationship between Yan Luoxi and Li An changed subtly. They talked and joked as usual, but it seemed they were both aware of something unspoken. Li An no longer went back to stay in the hotel; instead, he had a large bed sent over and naturally moved into Yan Luoxi’s study. Yan Luoxi didn’t kick him out.

The reason Yan Luoxi didn't ask Li An to leave was that after observing him for several days, she noticed his attitude towards her was indeed different from before; he behaved very properly, never touched her inappropriately or mocked her sarcastically. He always smiled at her without being arrogant or frivolous.le her mother pleaded earnestly, Li An worried anxiously, and Li Yi waited impatiently with a frown, Yan Luoxi lounged on the couch at home with her legs crossed, watching TV.Liyi wasn't too anxious a...