Pursuing Her Best Friend after Confession Failed

Chapter 497 - 189: Bestie’s Surprise, The Pretty Daughter-In-Law Is Also Afraid of Meeting the Parents-in-Law?_3

One was a first love, the other a Cinnabar Mole.

It’s just that I, his first love, deeply hurt Li Yuan, while several Cinnabar Moles, at different times, ended up saving him...

Zhong Tingyue glanced at Bai Weixi from the corner of her eye, feeling a bit peculiar. She replied softly, "Hmm, I have something to do!"

The other three weren’t suspicious. After all, just a few days ago, Tingyue had openly declared in the dormitory that she was bowing out. Surely they couldn’t have reconciled this quickly, could they? It had only been a few days. Even if an old flame were to rekindle, it would still take time.

Wang Lisha smiled and replied, "Go on then, Tingyue. Don’t let us keep you!"

Zhong Tingyue nodded lightly and walked past them as if they were just ordinary classmates she had happened upon.

After Zhong Tingyue left, Deng Meiqi asked with sudden curiosity, "Tingyue seems to be in a better mood today. I even noticed she’s wearing a diamond necklace."

Wang Lisha’s eyes lit up. She also found it miraculous. Just yesterday, Tingyue had been so lost in sorrow that she had no appetite, yet today she seemed radiant. For such a dramatic change to happen overnight, there could only be one explanation.

Could Tingyue and Li Yuan really have gotten back together? That seems impossible. Tingyue is a very proud person, and she made a promise to Weixi...

Wang Lisha murmured to herself. Just as the words were about to escape her lips, she stole a glance at Bai Weixi, who was staring blankly into space, and forced herself to swallow the question.

「At the university’s north gate」

Li Yuan sat in the driver’s seat of the BMW X6, his mind occupied with thoughts of the Zhihu website’s launch tomorrow. He was also contemplating subsequent business strategies, which included moving into the university-approved entrepreneurship incubator.

He had already tasked Lin Yuwei with purchasing the necessary office equipment—computers, printers, desks, a coffee machine, and so on—all of which should arrive in the next day or two. Once the Zhihu website was officially launched and operational, some of the maintenance tasks could be transferred to the university’s incubator. He also needed to start recruiting part-time staff from Daxia University, a task he had delegated to Xie Zheng, who would liaise with the temp agency.

Starting a business really isn’t easy. As the company grows, I’ll definitely have to face all the deceit, scheming, and ruthless competition of the business world. It would be so much simpler to just be an angel investor, putting money into stocks and companies destined to soar...

Li Yuan grumbled inwardly. He sometimes regretted his decision to start a business. It was incredibly time-consuming. Datang Technology Company was only in its infancy, and he had to personally oversee everything from R&D and procurement to operations, recruitment, and even finances. Given his current romantic entanglements, he felt completely overwhelmed.

Suddenly, a voice calling, "Senior," pulled Li Yuan from his thoughts.

Li Yuan looked up to see Zhong Tingyue standing prettily before him. Her appearance made his eyes light up. A departure from her usual cool and sexy style, today’s Tingyue radiated the unique, vibrant youthfulness of a university student. Every inch of her seemed to broadcast the invincible charm of youth.

"Little Moon, you were quick. Come on, get in."

"Mhm!" Zhong Tingyue expertly opened the passenger door and slid into the seat.

As soon as she was settled, Li Yuan’s right hand instinctively reached across the center console and rested on her leg, stroking it gently.

Zhong Tingyue’s face flushed crimson. She shot him a shy glare, slapped his hand away, and huffed, "Senior, can’t you just focus on driving?"

Li Yuan laughed heartily, unconcerned. "Don’t worry, my driving skills are very steady, and I have perfect control. I’ve driven all kinds of cars over long distances and never had a single accident."

"Senior, for some reason, what you just said sounds a little... strange," Zhong Tingyue replied, puzzled.

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Could she have picked up on my subtle innuendo?

"Oh? What’s strange about it?"

Zhong Tingyue hummed softly. "I don’t know. It just feels strange."

Li Yuan chuckled and changed the subject. "We’ll be seeing my mom soon. Are you nervous?"

Zhong Tingyue nodded with a smile. "Yeah, a little."

"What kind of feeling is it? Tell me," Li Yuan asked.

"It’s... it’s a mix of fear and anticipation. I’m afraid Auntie won’t like me."

Zhong Tingyue’s beautiful eyes met his. "What about you, Senior? How did you feel when you went to see my mother?"

"Me?" Li Yuan answered earnestly. "Same as you. I was a bit nervous too. You know, when I went to Sucheng to find you that day, I was fully prepared for your family to beat me up."

Zhong Tingyue giggled, then let out a light snort. "Hmph, if my dad found out, he would definitely give you a thrashing."

"Before I left for university, my dad sternly warned me that I was absolutely forbidden from dating. I’m actually terrified of him. He’s been incredibly strict with me my whole life, always forcing me to learn all sorts of things: dance, yoga, music, zither, Go, calligraphy, painting...

"To be honest, I resented all of it back then and had no desire to learn. But I had to work hard so he would visit my mom more often. As long as I performed well, he would come to see my mom and me...

"Sometimes, I feel like he just sees me as a tool, one that he personally crafted..."

As she spoke, her voice grew low and melancholic.

Li Yuan’s right hand stilled. He gently took her small hand in his and spoke seriously.