Not Returning At Night

Xu Lan's mind raced as she recalled what had happened at Tinglan Pavilion last night. She was about to speak when she heard Qi Mingyue's voice.

"Brother, who's calling?"

Then, there was a rustling sound. Qi Mingyue complained clearly, "Xu Lan, when did you leave yesterday? You left me alone at Tinglan Pavilion and I waited for a long time."

Xu Lan put down her chopsticks and left the dining room.

"Nothing, I'm at home. I left in a hurry, so…"

As she spoke, she went upstairs and passed by Yan Si's study. There was no movement.

After saying a few more words to Qi Mingyue, she hung up and went to her bedroom. She saw that Yan Si was tidying his clothes and walking out of the cloakroom.

Their eyes met, and Xu Lan suddenly became shy.

She blushed and stood at the door in a dilemma.

Yan Si was wearing a thick black windbreaker. He had his hand behind his back and his handsome face was glowing.

"Are you going downstairs to eat?"

He grinned at her.

Xu Lan looked up in confusion. She could clearly see that the skin on the corner of his lips, which was still smiling, had broken.

She did not respond, just stared at his mouth.

Yan Si did not mind and walked towards her with a faint smile.

"Mother called to invite us over for a meal."

As he spoke, he wanted to put his arm around her shoulders, but Xu Lan lowered her body and avoided him. She rejected him tactfully. "Stop, it's your mother. I'm not married to you. Also, I have something to do at the Xu Family."

Yesterday, she had run out to keep an eye on Xu Yan. In the end, he had taken her home and cleaned her up. She was still feeling unwell from the turmoil last night.

"It's the holidays, what can you do?"

Yan Si stopped laughing and looked indifferent.

Xu Lan ignored him and packed her things, preparing to leave.

At this moment, the sky was gradually darkening and the weather was exceptionally cold.

"It's only a matter of time before we get married. If you agree, we'll hold the wedding after the Lantern Festival."

"I don't."

She was in front while he followed her downstairs, chasing her out of the villa.

Xu Lan wore a scarf and wrapped her entire head until only her face was left.

He did not want her to go back, but she insisted on going back.

She went straight to his garage and waited by his usual car.

Yan Si was slow and did not know what to do with her.

He could not understand this little girl anymore.

"With Xu Qiaoshan's attitude, are you sure he will treat you well?"

Before getting into the car, he still tried to persuade her to stay and bring her back to the old residence.

However, Xu Lan had already opened the car door and sat in the front passenger seat, not wanting to listen to him.

Yan Si had no other choice. With a long sigh, he got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove out of the garage.

Xu Lan got out of the car a few steps away from the Xu Family's house. Yan Si was a little reluctant to part with her. He got out of the car and circled around her, holding her face and kissing it again and again.

"I really want to keep you by my side forever."

Xu Lan pursed her lips, too lazy to reply. "Drive slowly."

The two separated and he watched her enter the Xu Family's courtyard before turning around to get into the car and leaving.

At that moment, the Xu Family was peaceful. It was as if they did not care at all about her staying out at night.

Xu Lan went in and went straight upstairs. When she came down again, Li Meixiang, who was watching television in the living room, glanced at her and asked coldly, "Where did you go yesterday?"

"A friend's house."

Xu Lan did not want to anger herself during the new year. She calmly sat down on the sofa not far away from her and grabbed a handful of melon seeds.

She looked up at the television.

Li Meixiang did not look at her and said calmly, "Since you're back to stay, you must abide by the rules, especially at night."

Xu Lan turned around and the smile on her face disappeared.

She thought that no one cared about her, but now, this stepmother was using the excuse of caring for her to accuse her.

"I don't have a mother, unlike my sister who has someone to dote on her. You should care more about her. This way, everything will go smoothly for her."

As soon as Xu Lan finished speaking, Li Meixiang, who was not far away, suddenly turned around.