Gu Yan's eyes were filled with despair, and his voice was tinged with grief and indignation: "It's been more than ten years. I've long since considered her dead. No matter the reason or the hardship, I don't care."

Seeing his slightly trembling body, Li Peiyu continued, "Ask yourself honestly, do you really think she's dead? Meet her, say what's on your mind, what's there to be afraid of? There's no loss in it." Her speech quickened slightly, her expression urgent.

Gu Yan fell into deep thought. After a long while, he raised his head, a hint of relaxation appearing in his eyes, but still a deep sense of entanglement and hesitation.

“Be brave, Gu Yan. That girl's parents abandoned her, and she went to find them herself. And didn't your mother come looking for you? What's wrong with you seeing them? Are you even less courageous than a little girl?”

"Let me think about it some more." Gu Yan lowered his head, his voice sounding tired and weak.

As Gu Yan came out of Li Peiyu's office, Wang Boyang immediately followed him and asked, "What were you talking about?"

Gu Yan said, "It's nothing."

Wang Boyang was very disappointed, as if a piece of his heart had been torn out. Gu Yan's expression was so solemn. They had clearly talked about something heavy, but Gu Yan didn't want to tell him, and he had no right to know.

In other words, Gu Yan's matter is none of his business.

Wang Boyang took three steps back, turned around, and walked away.

Gu Yan followed; he didn't want to be alone.

Once inside the office, Wang Boyang suppressed the unspeakable sadness surging within him and went about his business, while Gu Yan, as usual, sat to the side playing games.

Wang Boyang read several documents but found himself completely unable to concentrate, and he couldn't understand them even after reading them several times.

He was overjoyed to have Gu Yan by his side these past few days, but Gu Yan was too good at controlling his emotions.

The feeling of powerlessness at not being able to participate in his life made him feel extremely frustrated.

I'd already resolved to stay away from him, but I just can't help but go back to him. This isn't right; it will only make me sink deeper into this mess.

After a long period of mental preparation, Wang Boyang slowly said, "Go back and rest."

Gu Yan looked puzzled. "Hmm?"

"I don't need to use the car these days," Wang Boyang said, feigning calmness.

Gu Yan frowned, somewhat puzzled. "Didn't you say you were going out this afternoon?"

"I'm not going," Wang Boyang replied decisively.

"Are you angry?" Gu Yan stared intently at Wang Boyang, trying to discern something from his expression.

"No, why would I be angry for no reason?" Wang Boyang turned his head away, his face revealing no emotion.

"Are you even a man? Wang Boyang, if I've offended you, just say so. Why are you acting so crazy and unpredictable?" Gu Yan's emotions became somewhat agitated.

“How could I be moody? Did I do something wrong by telling you to go back and rest?” Wang Boyang retorted, raising his voice.

"Don't you know in your heart that you think I'm willing to be your driver just because I'm bored?" Gu Yan said angrily.

He was living comfortably during the summer vacation, and when I told him to go back to his dorm, he said he wasn't familiar with me. If we weren't familiar, why would I cook for him? He must be out of his mind.

They begged him to be their driver, but then fired him at the slightest provocation. Gu Yan wasn't one to be bullied like that.

"If you don't want to do it, then forget it. Did I beg you to do it on my knees?" Wang Boyang's voice was low and his emotions were collapsing.

"You're insane." Gu Yan was furious. He grabbed his coat and walked away without looking back.

Wang Boyang was left speechless for a long time.

He's mentally ill, yes, he's mentally ill.

He couldn't even control his own emotions. He didn't know what he was jealous about or what kind of crazy behavior he was exhibiting.

Wang Boyang sat blankly in the chair, his heart filled with sorrow, yet he didn't know what to do.

Hearing a commotion, Li Peiyu quickly walked over.

Gu Yan, her face flushed, angrily pushed open the door to Wang Boyang's office and stormed off.

Li Peiyu then went into Wang Boyang's office.

Wang Boyang's face was extremely ugly. Li Peiyu shook his head helplessly and sighed, "I'm telling you two, you're always like this, one minute you're good and the next you're fighting. You're like two immature elementary school students. Can't you be more mature and steady?"

Wang Boyang knew he had lost his temper unnecessarily and was in the wrong, so he remained silent. He just stared blankly out the window. "Didn't you say you were going to see Guo Jiahe? Why haven't you left yet?"

Li Peiyu responded, "Lu Yuzhi didn't want me to go. I had no choice but to reschedule my trip."

"Jiang Shuchen's third song is almost finished. Have you listened to it yet?"

"Not yet, I'll go listen to it in a bit."

"A variety show has invited you to participate. Are you planning to go?"

"I'm not going." Li Peiyu figured out that they probably wanted to dig up some dirt on her and Xiao Fan on the show, but the episode she and Xiao Fan participated in was just to change public opinion.

Now that public opinion has shifted, she should gradually fade from the public eye.

In the adult world, ambiguity and breakups in relationships are commonplace.

It's perfectly normal that she and Xiao Fan stopped pursuing their relationship.

Fans will soon forget her, and forget Zhang Yuwen as well.

"What happened to Gu Yan? He's been in a bad mood lately."

Li Peiyu snorted, "Weren't you arguing just now? Now you're showing concern for each other?"

"I was just asking casually." Wang Boyang didn't want Li Peiyu to see through his thoughts.

"If you want to know, go ask him. That's his private matter, and I have no right to spread it."

Spread? That's the word used.

Wang Boyang deduced that Gu Yan must have encountered some trouble that was difficult to talk about.

He started worrying about Gu Yan in a cheeky way, looking extremely anxious.

Li Peiyu and Lu Yuzhi stayed at the Lu family's old house for several days. Time flew by, and soon it was the end of the twelfth lunar month.

Li Peiyu smiled and said goodbye to each of her employees.

Wang Boyang also packed his things in an orderly manner, preparing to go home for the Chinese New Year.

Li Peiyu smiled and said, "See you after the New Year, Mr. Wang."

Wang Boyang returned the smile with the same reply: "See you after the New Year, Mr. Li."

Just then, Li Peiyu's phone rang.

"Hey, Gu Yan."

Upon hearing Li Peiyu call out Gu Yan's name, Wang Boyang, who was about to step out the door, suddenly stopped.

"Hmm, it's great that you've come to your senses. Are you sure you can go alone? Or maybe your dad can go with you." Li Peiyu's voice came through clearly. "Have a safe trip."

Upon hearing Li Peiyu's words, Wang Boyang's heart leaped into his throat, and he quickly turned back.

"Gu Yan, where are you going? What happened to him?" Wang Boyang asked anxiously.

“Ask him, it’s his private matter,” Li Peiyu replied calmly.

Wang Boyang seemed a little anxious. "What private matters could a grown man have? Tell me quickly."

Wang Boyang hurriedly called Gu Yan, but no one answered the phone.

"Tell me quickly, Li Peiyu, where did he go?" Wang Boyang was completely flustered.

I had a bad feeling about it.

Where is he going during the Chinese New Year?