Chapter 53 He loves to steal the blankets when he sleeps.
As the sun began to set, the courtyard was bathed in a warm golden light.
Their flight was at 8 PM, and Yan Tingnan and Su Ruan were preparing to leave for the airport.
Old Qin stood at the gate of the courtyard and patted Yan Tingnan's shoulder with his rough, large hand.
"Alright, I know you young people are troublesome, I won't keep you any longer!"
He waved his hand, his voice still loud and clear.
"Tingnan, drive carefully and be safe!"
Yan Tingnan nodded slightly: "Take care of yourself, and call me anytime if you need anything."
"I know, I know, stop nagging!"
Old Qin glared, chuckled and cursed, but his gaze softened when he turned to Su Ruan.
He handed Su Ruan a package wrapped in oil paper.
"Girl, I made this tangerine peel and hawthorn cake myself. Eat it on the way."
His tone was slightly teasing.
"If this kid bullies you, just tell me, and I'll whip him with my belt!"
Su Ruan was amused, and a warm feeling filled her heart.
"Don't worry, Elder Qin, I definitely will."
Old Qin suddenly lowered his voice.
"He likes to steal the blanket when he sleeps, you..."
"Old Commander!"
Yan Tingnan interrupted, her ears turning red.
"We're going to be late."
As Old Qin watched the two walking side by side toward the courtyard gate, he suddenly raised his voice again.
"Listen to Nan!"
Yan Tingnan stopped in her tracks and turned around.
"In life, there are some hurdles that you have to overcome."
"You stubborn mule, you need to change your bad habits! Are you keeping all the good things bottled up inside?"
The words may be rough, but the reasoning is sound, reflecting the wisdom of someone who has been through it all.
Old Qin's gaze swept over Su Ruan, who was standing quietly to the side, and he smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piled up.
"Don't follow my example. When you're young, you're always looking back and forth. When you're old, you'll regret it when you're facing an empty yard."
He waved his hand, as if shooing away two eyesores.
"Let's get out of here! It's annoying!"
After saying goodbye to Mr. Qin, the two got into the car.
As the engine started, Qin Lao's figure in the rearview mirror grew smaller and smaller until it became a waving silhouette.
The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the faint hiss of the air conditioning.
"Old Qin cares about you very much."
Su Ruan broke the silence.
"Is the old injury he mentioned serious?"
Yan Tingnan kept her gaze focused ahead and only gave a faint reply.
"It's an old problem, nothing to worry about."
He was sparing with words, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
Su Ruan didn't press the matter further, but changed the subject, a teasing smile spreading across her face.
"President Yan is very well-behaved today, listening to everything Old Qin says."
Yan Tingnan tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
He turned his head to the side, his gaze pressing down on her with a warning.
"Su Ruan".
His voice was deep.
"Is your skin itchy?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Su Ruan met his gaze, a smile curving her lips.
"I just feel that President Yan is particularly humane in front of Old Qin."
Su Ruan twirled the edge of the oil paper package, her gaze falling on his hand resting on the steering wheel, his fingers clearly defined and his wrist bony.
"Old Qin told me a lot about you today."
"He said you were very stubborn back then."
Yan Tingnan said calmly, "Once you've made up your mind, there's no need to look back."
"And you still dare to say that..."
Before Su Ruan could finish speaking, Yan Tingnan glanced at her and interrupted her.
"Forget those dark histories completely."
Su Ruan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"So President Yan still has an image to maintain."
Just then, Su Ruan's phone, which was on her lap, suddenly vibrated.
Two words appeared on the screen: 'Chen Yu'.
Su Ruan pressed the answer button, and Shen Yu's clear and cheerful voice immediately came through.
"Ruan Ruan, when are you leaving Hong Kong?"
"My flight is at 8 PM tonight, and I'm heading to the airport."
"Has everything been settled with Old Chen? Should I use my connections to find a few more experienced craftsmen to keep on hand?"
"Everything is settled. Old Chen has finalized all the details and is keeping a close eye on things."
Su Ruan answered fluently.
"That's good! You're lucky to have met such a great figure as Elder Chen."
Shen Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
"I just finished here and I'm free. Shall I take you to the airport?"
Just as Su Ruan was about to speak, a large, dry, and burning hot hand covered her.
He forcefully inserted his five fingers between hers, wrapping her hand in his palm and holding it tightly.
Su Ruan's breath hitched, and she turned to look at him.
He turned his head and glanced at her.
His eyes held a possessive gaze and a silent warning.
It was as if it was reminding her, 'Do you dare let him try?'
Seeing that Su Ruan didn't speak, Shen Yu on the other end of the phone started to press her for answers.
"Hello? Bad signal?"
"No need, Shen Yu."
She kept her voice steady, trying to ignore the disturbing touch on the back of her hand.
Yan Tingnan's palm was broad and strong, and his fingertips, covered with thin calluses, rubbed against her tiger's mouth, the warmth penetrating her skin and reaching her heart.
The tactile sensation is assertive and distinct.
"It's very convenient for me to travel with President Yan."
Just then, Yan Tingnan pressed his thumb on the most sensitive pulse point on the inside of Su Ruan's wrist.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The frantic rhythm of her pulse was clearly transmitted to his fingertips.
Shen Yu's voice returned to its usual languid tone.
"Oh, Mr. Yan."
"Alright, as long as someone can take me. Let me know you landed safely."
"Okay, thanks. See you in Beijing later."
Before Shen Yu could respond, Su Ruan swiped her thumb and ended the call.
As the busy sound rang out, Yan Tingnan released his grip.
Su Ruan turned her head and glared at him, her cheeks flushed.
"Yan Tingnan".
"Um?"
He looked completely innocent as he changed lanes and overtook the car in one smooth motion.
"Aren't you childish?"
Yan Tingnan tapped the steering wheel with his fingers.
"childish?"
The curve of his lips deepened, and he glanced at her from the road conditions.
"Compared to some people who used those savvy, unorthodox methods in the garage last time, what is this?"
The revisiting of the old topic instantly warmed up the atmosphere inside the car.
He brought up the garage incident in public.
Su Ruan's cheeks instantly flushed.
"President Yan has a really good memory."
"Just treat them the way they treat you."
Yan Tingnan continued her words.
"Next time you want to bite, let me know in advance."
He paused, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over her slightly heaving chest.
"I'll choose the location for you."
Upon hearing this, Su Ruan felt all the blood rush to her face.
This man, with his serene and aloof Buddha-like face, spouts nothing but vulgar nonsense that makes your legs go weak!
But we won't lose face.
Her almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile as she retorted sharply.
"Yan Tingnan, what kind of Buddhism do you practice? You're quite adept at reciting distorted scriptures!"
"Wicked doctrine?"
He asked back slowly and deliberately.
"You started the fire yourself, and it burned the scriptures crookedly, yet you blame the person reciting them?"
What a scoundrel!
He flirted with her subtly, then kicked the ball back into her arms with a backhand motion.
Su Ruan leaned forward slightly, her resentment at being outmaneuvered giving rise to an even stronger desire to conquer.
"President Yan, does it hurt when Old Qin whips someone with that belt?"
The voice was both soft and provocative.
Yan Tingnan didn't look at her, but let out a soft, ambiguous hum.
Want to give it a try?
Su Ruan said slowly, "I wouldn't dare."
"I'm just curious, when President Yan was being whipped, did he stand up straight and take it, or...?"
She paused deliberately, turned her head to the side, and let her gaze linger on his firm waistline before parting her red lips slightly.
"You have enough waist strength to dodge it?"
"Su Ruan".
Yan Tingnan's tone carried a warning undertone.
Su Ruan knew when to stop and smiled knowingly.
Just kidding.
She picked up a piece of dried tangerine peel and hawthorn cake from the oil paper package, took a small bite of the cake, and mumbled something.
"However, there's something Old Qin said that I think is quite right."
Yan Tingnan didn't respond, waiting for her to continue.
Su Ruan swallowed the pastry and turned her head to look at him.
"Kind words kept inside are indeed prone to rotting away."
"Especially some people, who clearly..."
She deliberately left her words unfinished.
Yan Tingnan's knuckles tightened as he gripped the steering wheel.
He was silent for a few seconds; the road sign ahead pointed towards the airport.
The car smoothly merged into the ramp leading to the terminal.
He turned to look at her.
His gaze was deep and somber, like a sea gathering a storm.
"Su Ruan".
"Um?"
"Talking too much makes you hungry."
He raised his hand, his fingertips naturally brushing away the bit of icing sugar that clung to the corner of her lips.
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