Chapter 451: A Joyful Conclusion

In the president's office on the top floor of the Jiuding Building.

Xia Yu had just returned from visiting the newspaper company when he saw Li Qian staring blankly at the phone, her beautiful face full of anxiety. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Xia Yu had come back.

Noticing Li Qian's unusual behavior, Xia Yu gently called out, "Qianqian, what's wrong?"

Li Qian snapped out of her daze. Seeing Xia Yu, she relaxed and patted her elevated chest, murmuring, "You scared me!"

Xia Yu looked apologetic as he embraced her from behind and gently comforted her, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's my fault. I was lost in thought and didn't realize you were back," Li Qian said softly.

"What happened? Did something trouble you?" Xia Yu asked as he guided her to sit on the sofa, holding her in his lap.

Li Qian's smile faded, and she bit her lip. Under Xia Yu's curious gaze, she whispered, "I received a call just now. It was for you. She asked me to relay a message since you weren't here."

"Who called?" Xia Yu asked casually, gently caressing Li Qian's hand.

"She said her name was He Chaoyang and that she would be waiting for you at the usual place," Li Qian said after a few seconds of silence.

Xia Yu's movement froze for a moment before he relaxed, responding softly, "Oh."

The office fell into a quiet atmosphere.

"Qianqian, I..."

"Darling, you should go. Don't keep her waiting. It's not good," Li Qian said, her smile returning. Her eyes were calm and clear, showing no sign of impurity.

But Xia Yu could still sense her inner turmoil. She was deliberately pretending not to care, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable.

Xia Yu held her tightly and softly said, "Qianqian, I'm sorry."

Li Qian smiled brightly, turned her head, and looked at him with a loving gaze, saying, "I should be the one apologizing. If it weren't for me, it would be her lying in your arms now. I'm the one who came later; I stole you from her."

Xia Yu opened his mouth to speak but saw Li Qian struggle out of his embrace and encourage him, "Go quickly. Don't make the girl wait. It's wrong to make a girl sad."

Xia Yu gave a wry smile and did not immediately stand up. He looked directly at Li Qian and asked, "Is it right to make you sad?"

Li Qian showed no sadness, her smile even sweeter. She traced circles on Xia Yu's chest and softly said, "I know you love me, and that's enough."

"Go now. Remember to introduce us to each other when you come back!" Li Qian stood up and pulled Xia Yu up, urging him.

"I'll be back soon!" Xia Yu said, not saying much more. He embraced her in a long kiss before letting go and giving her a deep look before heading outside.

Li Qian watched Xia Yu leave and closed the door after he got into the elevator. She leaned against the door, her smile fading.

Her earlier behavior was all an act. The more she pretended not to care, the more she actually did. She just didn't want to put Xia Yu in a difficult position.

Li Qian had prepared for this scene. She knew it would happen eventually, and it occurring later than she had expected had already surpassed her anticipation.

Even though she had been with Xia Yu for three to four months, and was immersed in his tender care and love, she wanted nothing more than for this to continue forever.

But in her heart, Li Qian always felt a pang—she was the latecomer, an accidental lover of Xia Yu, and Xia Yu had intentionally avoided contact with He Chaoyang for her sake. He Chaoyang was the truly innocent one.

Moreover, the more she got to know Xia Yu, the more she became infatuated with him, but also increasingly self-conscious.

After all, Xia Yu and He Chaoyang were a well-matched pair, while she was just an orphaned girl from a poor background, not comparable to He Chaoyang.

Despite doing her best to handle everything, she knew she couldn't help Xia Yu much. She felt like a decorative vase, receiving his endless love while being unable to offer much in return. Everything seemed like a dream, giving her an unreal feeling.

She didn't know how to live without Xia Yu. 

And she knew how attractive Xia Yu was to women. Even if he didn't actively flirt, countless women would still flock to him, and she couldn't stop it. Expecting him to love only her was unrealistic and she didn't have the qualifications or confidence to demand it.

So, on many lonely nights, Li Qian would ponder this issue. But after feeling Xia Yu's love, she came to terms with it.

Since she couldn't leave Xia Yu, she would ignore this matter as long as he loved her. She felt like a wildflower by the roadside, lucky to get a ray of sunshine. After all, she had enjoyed the sun's care for four months now, and she was content.

As long as He Chaoyang didn't force her, she could remain indifferent.

---

"Stop the car!"

When the car reached the seaside, Xia Yu instructed the driver to stop. He immediately opened the car door and looked into the distance, spotting a graceful figure sitting on a large rock by the sea, facing the ocean. Her dark hair fluttered gently in the breeze.

In the distance, another car was parked, with two bodyguards standing beside it, watching the girl from afar.

Xia Yu glanced at the bodyguards and then looked away. He told Li Wu Ming not to follow and took a deep breath before walking toward the girl.

The sound of footsteps startled He Chaoyang, who turned around and, upon seeing Xia Yu, displayed a delighted smile. She stood up and said, "Xia Yu, you're here. Oh..."

"Be careful!"

Perhaps due to sitting too long, He Chaoyang suddenly stood up unsteadily. She cried out and lost her balance. Xia Yu, alarmed, shouted and rushed over, grabbing her hand and pulling her into his arms.

"Aw..."

Lying on Xia Yu's warm chest, He Chaoyang was momentarily dazed.

"Chaoyang, are you okay?"

Xia Yu slightly loosened his embrace, looking down at her beautiful face with concern.

He Chaoyang, still a bit dazed, finally came to her senses. Her face turned red, and she shyly smiled, saying, "I'm fine. Just my leg fell asleep and I couldn't stand properly."

"Oh!" Xia Yu replied softly, not letting go of her, still worried she might not be steady on her feet.

He Chaoyang remained silent, resting quietly in Xia Yu's embrace. Her blushing ears showed her inner restlessness.

After a while, Xia Yu asked, "Is your leg feeling better?"

"Yes! Xia Yu, please let go of me!" He Chaoyang said reluctantly, moving away from his embrace and turning her head to look at the sea, not daring to face him.

Xia Yu smiled and said nothing. He sat down on the rock and waved to He Chaoyang, "Chaoyang, come sit here."

"Okay!"

He Chaoyang responded and sat beside Xia Yu.

"Chaoyang, how have you been recently?"

Seeing He Chaoyang still a bit flushed, Xia Yu smiled and initiated the conversation to accommodate her feelings.

"Mm!" He Chaoyang responded softly and fell silent again.

After a while, He Chaoyang mustered the courage to meet Xia Yu's gaze, her eyes overflowing with emotion.

"Xia Yu, do you remember what you said to me here before?"

He Chaoyang bit her lip, holding the pendant on her chest, looking at Xia Yu with both anticipation and nervousness.

Xia Yu nodded seriously and said, "I dare not forget! I told you that I like you!"

He Chaoyang immediately smiled, her eyes brimming with tears, and said with mixed emotions, "If it hadn't been for my brother's sudden arrival, I would have confessed long ago, and none of this would have happened."

"Chaoyang, don't cry. If you cry, your face won't be pretty!"

Xia Yu felt a mix of emotions and comforted her, gently wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. But as soon as he wiped, the tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Xia Yu, tell me, do you... still like me?" He Chaoyang asked with a tearful voice, tightly gripping the pendant on her chest as if it were her source of strength.

Xia Yu paused for a moment and, before He Chaoyang could become disappointed, nodded firmly, "I've always liked you!"

He Chaoyang burst into tears of joy, throwing herself into Xia Yu's embrace, holding him tightly and happily saying through her tears, "I knew it, you still like me. I knew it..."

"Chaoyang, don't cry. Be good..."

Despite Xia Yu's attempts to comfort her, He Chaoyang's emotions became even more intense, as if she wanted to release all her repressed feelings at once.

Unable to do anything else, Xia Yu held her tightly and gently stroked her back, trying to soothe her.

After what felt like a long time, He Chaoyang finally calmed down. Her eyes were red and swollen, but she didn't notice.

 She looked at Xia Yu with joy and affection.

"Xia Yu, am I now your girlfriend?"

Seeing He Chaoyang's hopeful look, Xia Yu nodded and smiled, "Of course, I'm your boyfriend!"

"That's great. It feels like a dream!"

He Chaoyang rested her head on Xia Yu's shoulder, happily murmuring.

Hearing He Chaoyang's murmur, Xia Yu smiled.

The two of them sat quietly for a while. Noticing that He Chaoyang's mood had calmed down, Xia Yu realized it was time to speak.

"Chaoyang, you should be aware of my current situation."

"I know. You mean Li Qian, right?"

He Chaoyang was initially surprised but then realized what Xia Yu was referring to, smiling as she said, "I know."

Xia Yu was surprised by He Chaoyang's reaction. Raising his eyebrows, he blurted out, "You call her 'sister'?"

"Isn't she older than me? If I don't call her 'sister,' what should I call her?" He Chaoyang replied.

"Ha, that's right, 'sister' it is!"

Xia Yu, not being foolish, guessed He Chaoyang's thoughts immediately and laughed, feeling quite pleased.

"Xia Yu, don't worry. Actually, I came to terms with this a long time ago. If it weren't for my brother suddenly appearing, I would have told you before that I didn't mind, as long as you liked me."

"Who would have thought that later, my father wouldn't let me contact you, and I was watched closely. Look, those two over there—they followed me everywhere. They'd pick me up right after school and wouldn't even let me make phone calls."

As He Chaoyang spoke, her face showed frustration as if she had suffered a great injustice, her lips pouting as if they could hang an oil bottle.

"By the way, Xia Yu, when I called just now, Li Qian's attitude was very good, but I'm still a bit worried. What if she..."

"Don't worry. She's very kind, just like you. Before coming here, she even asked me to bring you back with me!"

"Really?"

"Of course. Why don't you come back with me now and get to know her?"

Xia Yu asked with a smile, feeling a bit hopeful.

He Chaoyang seemed tempted but then calmed down. She looked at Xia Yu and said, "Maybe next time. I'm not prepared. Next time, I'll bring a gift. Xia Yu, what does Li Qian like?"

"She'll like anything you prepare with care. No need to choose something expensive or special."

Xia Yu said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll think about it carefully..."

"Xia Yu, the sun is setting. Look at that beautiful sunset!"

"The sunset is beautiful, but not as beautiful as you."

"Really? Hehe..."

---

A potential emotional crisis was easily resolved, leaving Xia Yu feeling like he was in a dream. He could only marvel at how fortunate he was that his romantic life had achieved such a resolution so effortlessly.

It was better this way, sparing him from worrying about his love life and allowing him to focus more on his career.

The future was bound to be bright...