Jiang Chao returned after handling all the follow-up matters, so he was more than two hours later than Chen Lu.

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I saw a familiar figure. The girl stood there straight, wearing a white V-neck blouse and a gray high-waisted skirt, looking aloof and efficient.

It's Liu Yan.

It's often said that a profession can change a person's temperament, and it seems to be true now. She's increasingly fond of wearing simple, minimalist clothing.

"You're back?" Liu Yan looked away after seeing him and said coldly.

Jiang Chao was clearly surprised that Liu Yan would come to pick him up, and immediately grinned, "You're back."

Liu Yan didn't offer to help him with his luggage. She kept her arms crossed and snorted, "I thought you'd been tricked into going to the park. What a pity."

What will you do if my kidney gets injured?

"You're so unserious." Liu Yan rolled her eyes at him. "I'll drive."

"Why?" Jiang Chao remembered that Liu Yan had only gotten her driver's license at the beginning of this year; she was a complete female driver. Fortunately, she didn't like driving.

"You just got off the plane and haven't even had a chance to rest. I'm afraid of dying."

Once in the car, Liu Yan casually asked about company matters.

“Since Chen Lu has more ideas, you should have let him take the lion’s share from the beginning. Interests are interests, and feelings are feelings; these things must be considered separately. If you try to influence the distribution of interests with feelings, in the end, interests will definitely have to give way to feelings.”

Looking in the rearview mirror, Liu Yan said while turning the steering wheel, "It's a good thing you two get along and can go along with each other, otherwise you would have had a conflict long ago."

Jiang Chao was displeased and immediately retorted righteously, "What are you saying! I won't allow you to talk about my brother like that."

"That's just you polluting yourself, okay? It's fine, you don't need to pollute others, they might even find you disgusting."

"...You should scold Chen Lu instead of me." Jiang Chao couldn't take it anymore; this woman's mouth was too venomous.

Liu Yan couldn't help but laugh at his words, "Chen Lu must be incredibly unlucky to have met you."

"I really have to thank my dad. If he hadn't forced me to change my college application, I wouldn't have met you guys," Jiang Chao said to himself.

He often fantasizes about what would have happened if his father had supported him on this path, sent him to a proper school to study it, and given him more initial funding. Would he be where he is today?

The answer to the question is clear—it's impossible.

The truth is that Chen Lu really dragged him down, and he should be grateful to have such a brother in his life.

"It's been so long since this happened, let it go. Go home and visit your family when you have time," Liu Yan whispered, her tone slightly different from before.

Jiang Chao simply nodded, clearly not wanting to say more about the topic. It wasn't something he could easily let go of; he was now desperately trying to make a name for himself, not only because it was his dream, but also because he wanted to show his stubborn father what he was made of.

I just wanted to tell him that not everything he said was correct.

“I feel like I’ve aged before I even entered the workforce. I often think back to when we first met. Back then, Chen Lu left you, the third wheel, on the side, and I would go over and keep you company.” He said, laughing as he spoke.

Then he suddenly remembered something, "By the way, how is she now?"

At first, Jiang Chao was resentful because Mo Yuqing was causing trouble for Chen Lu, but now that time has passed, he is completely indifferent to her feelings, as if he were looking at a stranger.

Liu Yan, of course, recognized who "she" referred to, and said calmly:

"She has changed."

Liu Yan opened her phone and looked at the photos that Mo Yuqing had sent her some time ago. The various landmarks abroad were indeed fascinating, and many of the photos were of her and her mother.

She has a much more positive attitude than before, and in many photos she is seen with her arm around her mother's shoulder, wearing a captivating smile.

She never smiled this much before.

In other words, she approaches everything outside of love with a particularly positive and optimistic attitude, and the girl has learned to cherish everything she has.

This past experience was a blow to her, but it also clearly taught her a lot.

"Those things you buried deep in your heart, will they still suddenly appear in your mind when you toss and turn at night? Will you curl up in bed in regret, hugging your legs and crying... or will you laugh and cry at the same time, feeling like the second happiest girl in the world?"

Liu Yan sighed softly as she thought to herself, then turned to look at the yawning man beside her who looked like he was asking for a beating.

"Let's be good to each other from now on, and not fight, okay?"

Jiang Chao shuddered violently, shivering involuntarily. "If your attitude gets any worse, I'm scared..."

"Are you sick?" Liu Yan glanced at him irritably, the pleasant atmosphere from just moments ago completely gone.

"I feel so much better now. You're so good to me, it makes me feel like I have a terminal illness and don't have long to live," Jiang Chao said softly, letting out a sigh of relief.

......

The next day at noon, Chen Lu returned to his rented room to wait for lunch. He then worked overtime on his computer, dealing with work-related matters, with the handover process being the most troublesome.

Liang Zhirou sat obediently to one side, watching anime, which was unusual for her.

“nagisa!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Lu couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips; Peng Ye's voice was still as recognizable as ever.

This idiot is actually watching *Clannad*! Such an old masterpiece must have been recommended by a hardcore anime fan like Lin Miaomiao. I wonder if he'll suddenly exclaim halfway through, "This female lead seems just as idiotic as me!"

As Aunt Xiao gradually recovers, Liang Zhirou has been spending more and more time on leisure activities lately.

This is a very good omen.

While Chen Lu was still lost in thought, Liang Zhirou had already moved closer to him, pouting as she looked at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked curiously.

"You've been glued to your laptop ever since you came back at noon."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lu tossed his computer aside and said softly, "I'll go with you? We can work on these things later."

The girl shook her head and brought the computer back. "No, what I mean is, you've been holding the computer for so long, you should hug me too."

Liang Zhirou moved the computer on Chen Lu's lap to the side, snuggled up to the other side, and nestled into Chen Lu's arms. Then, like a cat, she closed her eyes contentedly.

Chen Lu suspected that this silly boy had grown up eating cuteness, which was a bit too unfair.

"Zhirou," he called softly.

"Um?"

"You're so cute, I could die from it."

After a while, perhaps because staying like this was too comfortable, the girl was getting sleepy. She turned her head quietly and asked, "Can I sleep like this for a while?"

I suggest not to.

"Why?"

Chen Lu looked troubled. "My health bar isn't enough..."