appropriate

The news spread quickly that the two were together.

Almost the next day, the news headlines were dominated by gossip. It seems that the world always likes to use gossip to relieve the pressure of daily life. No matter whose gossip it is, it will always make people amused. An Chi only cares whether anyone is saying bad things about Su Yao.

Su Yao herself didn't care that much. After sobering up, she leisurely ate the breakfast that Aunt Hong had made and slowly told An Chi not to pay too much attention to the public opinion. They were the focus of attention anyway, and these were all things that had to be experienced.

An Chi nodded, his eyes filled with a subtle warmth, adding a touch of leniency, unlike the anger he showed towards Pei Zhixi yesterday. "If there are any drinking occasions in the future, call me. I'll help you fend off the drinks."

An Chi understands Su Yao; she would never let Tang Pai drink on her behalf. She always worries about Tang Pai's young age and always takes care of Tang Pai's behavior in all aspects.

He heard that a new person had arrived, a man, and he figured she wouldn't ask him to help fend off drinks so early. Although she spoke of prioritizing interests, she actually considered everyone's thoughts in her actions. She was just that kind of "not good with words".

"You're already so busy, and you still want to be my assistant in shielding me from drinking?"

Su Yao's lips were stained with milk, and the milky scent lingered in the air, filling the space between them. His cheeks were puffed out, and he spoke hurriedly without swallowing. His nose moved up and down with his chewing, and his eyes involuntarily widened, his dark pupils reflecting his image.

"I resigned. I'm not going to be the COO of 'Yao' anymore." He said it calmly, as casually as if I were skipping dinner today. In fact, An Chi took out a tissue and handed it to Su Yao, "Wipe your mouth."

Upon hearing the first part of the sentence, Su Yao frowned as if she were getting angry. She was a little upset that An Chi had given up such a good job.

Upon hearing the second half of what was said, she took the tissue and wiped her mouth.

She demanded, "Why?"

An Chi raised his eyes and looked at Su Yao's angry expression. Her cheeks were no longer as puffy as before, and the milk stains on her lips had been wiped clean. Only her nose was still wrinkled, and she still looked angry.

He thought for a moment, "I'm too busy, I also have to go to school and date."

Unwilling to reveal the real reason, An Chi was afraid that Su Yao would feel guilty or ashamed after hearing it. She shouldn't have to bear so much, and besides, this resignation was a responsibility he was willing to take on, it was his choice, and it couldn't be blamed on Su Yao at all.

Su glanced at her and said, "You certainly know how to prioritize."

She was clearly blaming him for giving up his job but not the other two. An Chi just found it funny, a faint smile on his lips. When discussing his choices, he said, "Your affairs are the most important; nothing else matters."

“An Chi, I don’t want you to give up anything for me, it’s too tiring.” Su Yao’s brows seemed unable to relax, but even so, she was beautiful, bright, with her angular jawline taut.

An Chi maintained a gentle smile, showing no anger, as if everything was under his control. "This is my choice. How can it be considered giving up for you? My decision to resign may be related to you, but that connection doesn't matter. The final decision is still mine."

He did not deny that he had nothing to do with Su Yao, which was not a symbolic consolation, but he also admitted that he had the final say and did not use this matter to pressure Su Yao.

Su Yao's eyes slowly lowered. She understood An Chi's meaning and her good intentions. Since the person involved had said so, why should she be pretentious? As she took another bite of the still warm breakfast, she thought about the little things from yesterday and always felt that something had been missed.

Suddenly it dawned on me, it was Iceland.

"Were you in a bad mood when you were in Iceland?" Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.

An Chi frankly admitted, "I haven't been in a good mood since leaving you."

Su Yao thought he was joking, but when she looked up, his expression was serious, without a trace of teasing. It felt like there was a wad of dry paper stuffed in her throat, and the process of moistening it with saliva was difficult and painful. Her sobs were barely audible as she asked, "Have you ever thought about going back to China?"

"I haven't thought about it." In the past few years, he had thought about going to many places, but he never thought about returning to China. There are not many places here that he would miss, and the person he cares about most does not want to see him, so why should he make things difficult for himself?

Su's mouth was sealed shut, and she couldn't open it.

“It’s all in the past,” An Chi said.

Then she added, "It's none of your business, Su Yao. I was just being dramatic. If I had thought it through earlier, I wouldn't have had those thoughts in such a beautiful place."

Su Yao's eyes flickered. She understood An Chi's meaning but couldn't say more. However, she really didn't know An Chi very well. At this moment, she wanted to be a part of his past, at least when he was down, so that she could be there for him, just like he always followed her around in that "childish" way.

After breakfast, the two went about their own business. Su was going to work, while An Chi was busy with some thesis research and had to submit his work to the university. He wasn't spending all his time with Su, but he was certainly much more relaxed.

Su had just started work when she received a phone call.

It is Anmu.

There were many roundabout ways to say things, but Su wanted to be direct: "Auntie, you can just say what you want to say."

"Haha, Auntie, it's nothing serious. Auntie just wanted to ask if Lanlan could attend that foreign school that Xiaochi went to. Do you have any connections? You and Xiaochi are together now."

Such news spreads quickly, and even people who have absolutely no connection to going abroad started trying to curry favor with the authorities.

"Back then, An Chi's school had some requirements. Did Lan Lan obtain any certificates?"

"Can't we make an exception?"

They're so ruthless, they'd practically say it to your face.

Su understood immediately and politely asked again, "How about changing schools?"

"Okay! Our Lanlan doesn't have any special requirements, just that the Q ranking should be high, and it would be fine if it were in the US or the UK." Mother An said with delight.

"Sure, I'll arrange it. Would you like Lanlan to enroll sooner or later?" Su always delegated these kinds of matters to her subordinates, as the school would always meet her requests.

Mrs. An burst into laughter, "I knew Miss Su, you're the best person!"

"But I also have a request, Auntie."

"What are your requirements?" An's mother, filled with joy, didn't care whether the requirements were good or bad.

Su paused for a moment before speaking, "After An Lan enrolls in school, whether things go well or not, it's no longer my or An Chi's business. I'll only help her enroll; you can cover all expenses yourselves, okay?"

An's mother felt that her savings were enough for her and her daughter to live on for a lifetime. It was just a matter of going abroad. She heard that going to the UK or the US would only cost a little over a million. She gritted her teeth and could send An Lan abroad. "Okay!"

"I'll send the contract and application to them in a while."

Su suddenly thought of the fever An Chi had after returning to China, the burning forehead, the pain all over her body, the person who just wanted to be drowsy. Just thinking about it made her heart ache.

Why is this happening?

They are all children of the An family.

She was puzzled.

Perhaps An Lan was too weak, or perhaps An Chi was too distant. She didn't understand, and she couldn't understand why Su Qingye would spare no effort to cultivate Su Wenxie when she was so outstanding.

Love is a complicated thing, and they were children who were not favored.

Two people who lacked love formed their bond.

Su Yao didn't discuss this matter with An Chi either; no one wants their inner thoughts, which they don't want to talk about, to be dissected.

With that matter settled, they went back to their lives. Su Yao hadn't returned to Yuhai Bay for a long time, always staying in their shared apartment every night.

When the moon is high in the sky, Su Yao always likes to say things on purpose, sometimes to tease, sometimes to provoke.

Once, she asked An Chi why she liked being in this place with her, and whether she felt uncomfortable, since it was her and her ex-boyfriend's marital home.

An Chi rarely seemed to get angry. Even with this kind of question, his eyes were smiling, as if he were a cheerful person. He didn't know why, but he could never get angry with Su Yao. You could say that pets can never surpass their owners.

His answer was that they couldn't waste the house. If it couldn't be her and Bai Lutong's wedding home, then it would be good as a place for Su Yao to keep his mistress.

The words were elegant and meaningful. Su was truly impressed that he could say such things so frankly. Naturally, she wasn't going to be outdone and glared at him, "Didn't you have any fun abroad?"

"No, at that time, it's enough to have the energy to do well in my studies. I really don't have the mood or energy for romance."

"cut."

Su looked unconvinced, and An Chi didn't feel obligated to make her believe it; after all, she had said everything she could.

But he knew that Su Yao and Bai Lutong had some entanglements at that time, but he didn't mention it. He was focused on the present, which suited his mind best. He already had what he wanted, so why dwell on the past?

Bai Lutong has completely disappeared. It's unclear whether it was because Su Yao dealt him a heavy blow last time, or because Su Yao announced that An Chi was her boyfriend and made him give up. In any case, he has never appeared again.

Several months later, when Su was about to open her gift box, she found one without a signature.

Gifts like these are usually given with a carefully written blessing and the recipient's name, in order to build a relationship, so that Su will remember them.

The exquisite gift box was first covered with a layer of tissue paper; once the tissue paper was removed, a wedding dress was revealed.

It's all too familiar.

It was the first time she wore a wedding dress when they got engaged. Actually, calling it a wedding dress isn't quite right, because it was lighter and simpler than a wedding dress; it was more like a wedding-style gown.

Sue had to guess that this was a gift from Bai Lutong.

She put it aside and dialed the number she hadn't contacted in a long time.

"Su wants it."

Before she could even speak, the person on the other end of the phone couldn't wait any longer.

"Don't send me these kinds of misleading gifts anymore, or my boyfriend will get angry."

After saying that, Su hung up.

It's better to cut ties cleanly, it's better to cut ties cleanly.

Sitting at the table, Su Yao looked up and saw Ge Jin's gift. She had already arranged it. His gift was the first one she received, and the timing was perfect. On the morning of her birthday, she received her first gift from Ge Jin—a completed jigsaw puzzle and a note wishing her a happy birthday. He knew she didn't want to do the puzzle, so he had already done it.

The puzzle depicts a group photo of the company, featuring her, Ge Jin, Tang Pai, and many other colleagues who have been with them since the beginning of the Su family business.

He probably misses it too, misses the time he spent working with them.

Su should think this way.

She had a day off today, but An Chi didn't. He finally rushed back from school, and the question, "What do you want to eat?" was the one he had said most often in the past few months. He would grant her every request.

When it comes to life, what's the difference between people? It's nothing more than eating, sleeping, and working.

She replied, "I want to eat tomato and egg noodles again."

The End.