Li Mochan said, "Almost, it should take another day or two, missing me?"

"Pull the other one, don’t flatter yourself. I have my kiddo to keep me company, why would I miss you?" Over the phone, Ye Jiuliang comfortably lay on the couch, her lips curving into a smile.

Li Mochan’s eyebrows raised slightly, "So, should I come back a few days later?"

"That’s what you said, and a person who backs out is a puppy." Master Jiu fearlessly declared.

Li Mochan, "..."

"Is it raining over there?" Ye Jiuliang’s ears pricked at the sound of water, reminded of the weather forecast she had seen that day.

Li Mochan laughed softly, "Your ears are really sharp."

"Are you out in the rain?" Ye Jiuliang asked without thinking.

He said, "No."

"Yeah right." Ye Jiuliang didn’t believe him one bit.

If he said no, then it surely was yes; this guy was just too stubborn to admit it.

"I won’t chat anymore, hurry back and take a shower and rest."

After the call was hung up, Li Mochan’s lips curved upwards slightly.

The little rascal, is it that hard to say she misses him?

When he got back, he would surely give her a proper talking-to, Li Mochan shook his head with a smile and stepped forward into the fighter jet.

...

At the Ye Family home, the atmosphere was gloomy.

With Ye Yan unable to manage the Ye Group, the Ye Family was in complete disarray, forcing the old master to personally handle the affairs of the Ye Group.

As for Xiang Zhen, she stayed at the hospital to take care of Ye Lei. Ye Jiuliang had kept her promise; though Ye Lei had awakened, his injuries were so severe, he unavoidably needed more time to recuperate.

Just awake, Ye Lei learned from Xiang Zhen all that had transpired while he was unconscious; shock was followed by even greater disappointment and sorrow.

Anyone would struggle to accept the fact that their own father tried to kill them.

"Brother, you need to recover quickly. Now the Ye Group only has Grandpa holding it up, Dad is not around anymore, and you need to take over the company soon so it doesn’t end up in Ye Jiuliang’s hands," Ye Xin said.

Ye Lei did not speak, his gaunt features filled with a sorrowful and lost expression, as if lost in thought.

"Bro, your injury is also related to Ye Rui, and once you’re better, you definitely need to give him a good beating," Ye Xin chattered on.

Xiang Zhen glanced at Ye Lei and interrupted, "Ye Xin, don’t bring that matter up again, and stop provoking Ye Rui."

Now all she wanted was for Ye Lei to recover quickly and take over the group. She didn’t want to deal with anything else. Besides, that tricky Ye Rui was now involved with Ye Jiuliang, and it was better to provoke him less.

Ye Xin frowned, unable to understand Xiang Zhen’s words, "Why?"

"I heard from your grandfather that Ye Rui is going to study abroad and will not be coming back," Xiang Zhen said.

"Going abroad to study?"

"Yes, and he also signed a contract, saying he won’t claim a single penny of the Ye family’s fortune."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xin froze; Ye Rui was going abroad?

"Ye Xin, you need to contact Jingjie right away. We must get the certificate in these next couple of days," Xiang Zhen abruptly changed the subject.

If the pregnancy gets too noticeable, it will certainly cause a laugh.

Ye Xin nodded, and just then her phone in the bag suddenly rang.

She took out her phone and saw the name, her lips curving into a smile.

Stepping out of the ward, she slid to answer the call, her voice soft and sweet, "Jingjie."

"Xinxin, I have to go on a business trip for a while and won’t be in Y country. If you need anything, just call me. Don’t make a wasted trip," Li Jingjie said warmly.

Ye Xin’s expression changed, "What about our marriage registration then?"

Li Jingjie said, "Let’s postpone the registration for a few more days. Once the affairs at my company are sorted, we’ll go register."

"I can wait, but our child can’t. Once the pregnancy gets too obvious, it’ll be impossible to hide, and then everyone will know that the distinguished Miss Ye got pregnant before marriage. Are you trying to embarrass me?" Ye Xin’s face showed annoyance, her tone full of discontent.

"Xinxin, I have no choice, you know my company is still growing, and I’m working so hard for our future. You’re always so understanding," Li Jingjie coaxed, speaking sweetly.

"Once I’m done with this busy period, we’ll go register immediately, okay?"

Ye Xin bit her lip, agreeing reluctantly, "Fine then, but don’t make me wait too long."

After hanging up the phone, Ye Xin stomped her feet, her expression gloomy.

...

Before leaving after completing his withdrawal procedures, Ye Rui made a trip to the Li Mansion.

Tie Shan led him to the garden, and from a distance, he saw Ye Jiuliang sitting in the pavilion.

Seeing the table full of snacks, Ye Rui couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Sit down." Ye Jiuliang took the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and placed it in front of him.

Ye Rui sat down opposite her and glanced at the teapot, which was filled with various herbs and flowers he didn’t recognize.

He asked curiously, "What’s this?"

"Beauty-enhancing and health-preserving." Ye Jiuliang said nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Ye Rui let out a light laugh and picked up the teacup, "Then I’ll have to drink more of it."

Ye Jiuliang gave him a look, a faint smile playing at her lips.

"Why did you have time to come today?"

"I’m going to Y country." Ye Rui put down his teacup and spoke softly.

Ye Jiuliang raised an eyebrow, "Doing what?"

"I’ve completed my withdrawal from school and am planning to study in Y country. I’ve found a school and a house there," Ye Rui explained.

Ye Jiuliang took a sour plum and put it in her mouth, "Not planning on coming back?"

"Maybe." Ye Rui shrugged his shoulders, smiling indifferently.

"I wanted to ask you something."

Ye Jiuliang’s cold eyes sparked with an insight into people’s hearts, "About Ye Yan?"

"You really can’t hide anything from you." Ye Rui shook his head and smiled helplessly.

Ye Jiuliang asked, "Do you hope he is still around, or is he already gone?"

Ye Rui shook his head, "It doesn’t have much to do with me anymore, just asking out of curiosity."

"Being alive can sometimes be more painful than being dead." Without elaborating, Ye Jiuliang said lightly.

Ye Rui smiled knowingly, not continuing the topic.

"It’s a bit cliché, but I feel I still need to say it, thank you truly."

If it weren’t for her, he might have spent his entire life suffocating under the shadow cast by the Ye family.

Ye Jiuliang took a sip of her tea, "Hmm, I heard you."

Still that nonchalant demeanor, she seemed to have always been like this since he first met her.

The smile at the corners of Ye Rui’s mouth deepened.

Ye Jiuliang picked up another plum and put it into her mouth, "I’m in a good mood today, if there’s anything you need help with, just say it."

Ye Rui shook his head, "You’ve already helped me a lot."

"Alright then, have a smooth journey," Ye Jiuliang said.

Ye Rui couldn’t help grinning, "Hey, why do I feel like you’re older than me?"

"I am older than you in terms of seniority." Ye Jiuliang’s eyes slanted upward, teasingly.

Ye Rui realized and let out a light laugh, "Okay, I can’t win against you."

He finished the tea in his cup, got up, "It’s about time I left, or I’ll miss the flight."

"Take this." Ye Jiuliang took an unopened bag of sour plums from the table and handed it to him.

Looking at the bag of sour plums, Ye Rui’s mouth felt puckered.

He hooked a smile and reached out to take it, "Thanks."

With that, he turned and left.

Ye Jiuliang watched his retreating figure, her lips lightly curled, "Don’t get yourself beaten up when we meet next time."

Ye Rui’s figure faltered, almost tripping.

He had a feeling she was somewhat cursing him.