After leaving Shan Song, Qi Yan first went back to the company to hand over some work. He was busy until the afternoon before driving to Y University. Luan Yining's guidance work at the school had come to an end, and she was moving home today. Qi Yan went over to help her pack. Because he hadn't figured out how to bring up the variety show, he was preoccupied the whole way.
Luan Yining glanced at him but didn't say anything. Qi Yan had changed a lot recently. Ever since he suddenly came back to apologize to her last time, Qi Yan had been in this state.
His expression was written all over his face, making it easy to understand. Luan Yining could even guess what he was hiding from her, perhaps related to that variety show he had mentioned so often before. Qi Yan probably wanted to bring him on the show in order to maintain their marriage...
Luan Yining didn't know how to feel: joy?感动? 怒?愧愧? In the end, she was still confused.
He was the one who brought up divorce first. Over the past six months, Qi Yan has gone from flying into a rage over a single wrong word to gradually becoming quiet and depressed. He has seen it all.
In this marriage that existed in name only, he was exhausted, and so was Qi Yan. The problem might be simple or it might be complicated, but it was a fact that they, as the parties involved, could not solve it. It was like a strange Möbius strip, and he and Qi Yan were two trapped beasts that could not find a way out.
Luan Yining felt that she had no less fault than Qi Yan in creating this situation. Marriage is something that two people work on together. Since he had agreed, there was no need to put all the blame on the unpleasant beginning.
Qi Yan spoke without thinking, his words were not what he truly meant. The problem was right in front of them, but due to various reasons, they had already missed the best opportunity to resolve it, and were heading towards the worst possible outcome. Continuing to torment each other would only be a drain on both of them.
Moreover, Luan Yining was keenly aware that the two of them had almost become slaves to their emotions, and the fear of losing themselves had taken hold. His remaining rationality led him to choose to cut his losses in time, thinking that at least this relationship could have a dignified ending.
But why are they so stubborn about not wanting a divorce?
Luan Yining leaned back in the car seat, pinched her brow, and looked down at herself with self-deprecation. She realized that she and he had nothing in common, she couldn't fit into his circle of friends, and she was also rigid and boring.
As he said, being with him meant that this young master had to accommodate her in everything she did, from food and clothing to housing and transportation, and even her daily routine had to be in accordance with her. There were plenty of other omegas of the same class and age who could go along with her temper. She was sacrificing so much, and she couldn't even have fun. What was so good about that?
He didn't want to think about it, but these self-pitying emotions would inexplicably fill his mind, making him feel particularly alien to himself at that moment, that he shouldn't be like this.
Qi Yan secretly observed Luan Yining's expression in the rearview mirror. Seeing his brows furrow, his heart tightened. "Wife, Auntie said she plans to make steamed sea bass and salt and pepper bullfrog for dinner. Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"
“Okay.” Luan Yining said calmly, coming back to her senses.
"My second brother went on a business trip and said he'd bring me some seafood back tomorrow, including crabs, which you like."
"Okay, please thank my brother for me."
Qi Yan wanted to say something more, but Luan Yining raised her eyes slightly and said, "Focus on driving."
"Oh." Qi Yan's gaze returned to the crowded lane.
During the evening rush hour, the journey home, which should have taken only ten minutes, turned into half an hour. The streetlights outside the window were already on, and although the days are getting longer, it was still not completely dark at this time.
Driving and stopping intermittently, they encountered a long red light at the next intersection. Starting from C9, Qi Yan's gaze involuntarily returned to Luan Yining through the reflection in the car window.
Luan Yining closed his eyes. To be honest, he wasn't used to this feeling. The way Qi Yan treated him with such caution made him feel powerless.
The red light time was stretched out indefinitely. Even though there were only 30 seconds left, it stopped there and started counting down again. Luan Yining could almost hear the complaints of the drivers around her. She sighed deeply and said, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Qi Yan was taken aback by the question, and subconsciously replied, "Yes, but what I wanted to tell you tonight, I haven't—"
"Now, tell me." Luan Yining stared at him intently.
"..." Qi Yan seemed to understand something from his gaze and turned off the engine.
After a long silence, Qi Yan spoke up: "Song-ge and his wife are planning to participate in that variety show I mentioned before. I'd also like to take you there for a vacation. Can you spare some time recently?"
As expected, Luan Yining wasn't too surprised: "When will we record, and how long will it take?"
Hearing that he didn't directly refuse, Qi Yan's eyes lit up instantly. He turned around and said excitedly, "Live streaming format, six to eight hours a day, for two consecutive weeks, starting at least half a month from now, but it can be postponed at any time."
Luan Yining thought for a moment and quickly replied, "I don't have that much vacation time. My work needs to be moved outside of the recording schedule."
Before Qi Yan could even feel happy, she understood the meaning behind his words and pursed her lips: "You can't stay up late. What kind of work do you need? I can help you with it."
"What's left is all that I need to handle personally." Luan Yining looked at Qi Yan: "Sleeping before midnight doesn't count as staying up late."
"Eleven o'clock."
"Can."
"..." Qi Yan frowned, but since they had already reached an agreement, it wouldn't be good to go back on his word. Eleven o'clock was acceptable. He could try to persuade his wife to go to bed half an hour earlier.
So he skipped that topic and looked at Luan Yining tentatively, "Wife, does that mean you agree?"
Luan Yining turned his head to look out the window. The traffic police had already arrived to direct traffic. He gestured for Qi Yan to drive first.
After the vehicle had been driving normally for a while, Luan Yining's clear voice rang out in the cramped car: "...If the variety show ends and there's still no way to resolve it, then let's get a divorce."
Qi Yan's lips twitched, and he remained silent the whole way.
After arriving home, Luan Yining went to his room first. Qi Yan followed his back until he disappeared, standing there for a while until the housekeeper finished cooking and said goodbye to him, at which point he came back to his senses.
When he reached the dining table, Qi Yan didn't rush to call Luan Yining to eat. He held his phone, wondering if he should ask for other people's opinions, but after staring at the blank screen for a long time, he finally put his phone away.
Feelings are something you have to experience for yourself. Qi Yan carefully recalled Luan Yining's tone and expression. Her profile in the car window was a little blurry, but she didn't seem very interested. Her tone was as calm and even as usual, but she hesitated for a long time...
I guess you could call it hesitation?
So it can be considered that she has thought it through carefully. If that's really the case, is Luan Yining agreeing to him also to give him a chance and give their relationship a chance?
If that still doesn't work...
Is there a way?
When Luan Yining came downstairs, she saw Qi Yan deep in thought, staring at a table full of dishes. She didn't say much, but ladled out two bowls of soup and pushed one in front of Qi Yan.
"Wife—"
Luan Yining lifted her eyelids.
"If the variety show airs, there will be some online discussion. Will you... as a university professor be affected?"
Luan Yining lowered her head again: "Aren't you the boss of the production team?"
These words naturally warmed Qi Yan's heart. He smiled and said, "I can't completely control public opinion either..." He paused for two seconds and then added, "When we're recording, can we pretend to be a little affectionate?"
Luan Yining nodded: "I will cooperate."
Qi Yan took a deep breath and mustered his courage to ask, "Does that include finding a solution?"
He knew this was outrageous. The other person clearly wanted a divorce, and he was the one begging to reconcile. What reason did Luan Yining have to cooperate with him? It was wishful thinking. She had already agreed to accompany him on the variety show, what more did she want?
But Luan Yining only glanced at him and said, "Okay."
"!" Qi Yan was afraid he had misheard.
"Let's eat," Luan Yining gently tapped the edge of the plate to remind him.
"well."
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