Chapter 1380: Are dates with other people this cheesy too?

Qin Yiyan said: "Let's perform well these two days and strive to plant the seeds of hope for love in Xiao'an's heart, then our mission will be complete."

"In other words, if I endure for two more days, I can return to the Laboratory?"

"……Mm."

This result moved Liu Xin'ai.

The painter had been waiting for a long time; seeing Liu Xin'ai still hesitating, he lobbied: "The two of you should get a portrait done. You look like stars; it would be a pity not to have one drawn."

Qin Yiyan poked Liu Xin'ai with his finger: "Look, they are even complimenting you on looking like a star, why not get one drawn?"

This was just flattery; who would actually believe it?

But Qin Yiyan believed it, and without further ado, he pulled Liu Xin'ai to sit in front of the painter together.

The sunlight at this time was warm and cozy.

From the moment Liu Xin'ai sat down, she kept yawning.

Seeing this, Qin Yiyan asked: "Why are you so sleepy? You wouldn't still be busy with work after getting home, would you?"

"I was just... busy for a while."

"If it was really just a while, how could you be so exhausted?"

"It's because I have a sense of security being by your side."

Qin Yiyan could feel that Liu Xin'ai was just using sweet words to block his mouth so he wouldn't keep asking.

But even knowing this wasn't what Liu Xin'ai truly felt... Qin Yiyan still felt soft inside.

And at this moment...

Qin Yiyan suddenly felt his shoulder sink.

Turning his head to look, he discovered that Liu Xin'ai had actually fallen asleep.

The painter was stunned by this turn of events and opened his mouth to call out: "This young lady..."

Qin Yiyan immediately stopped him: "Don't disturb her."

"Then what about this painting?"

"Just draw it like this."

Huh?

This scene...

Is quite a challenge.

However, the customer's request must be fulfilled.

The painter pulled out a sheet of drawing paper and began to sketch again.

A long time later—

Liu Xin'ai felt her cheek itching.

She reached out and scratched it.

Then she heard someone whispering in her ear: "Xin'ai, wake up."

No, Liu Xin'ai didn't want to wake up; she hadn't slept enough yet.

However...

Why did this voice sound so much like Qin Yiyan?

Qin Yiyan...

Oh no!

Realizing something, Liu Xin'ai hurriedly sat up straight.

At the same time, she tried hard to adjust the focus of her eyes.

And this dazed look of hers made Qin Yiyan feel she was very cute.

He helped Liu Xin'ai tidy her hair and then said: "Relax, it's already finished."

The painting... is finished?

Liu Xin'ai found it unbelievable: "I was asleep, and you could still continue drawing?"

"Mm, go take a look at the result."

Qin Yiyan was very curious about how it would turn out, so he pulled Liu Xin'ai's hand and walked over to the painter.

And at this look...

Liu Xin'ai was stunned!

She held up the painting and asked in disbelief: "You just drew me like this?"

The painter shrugged, then pointed at Qin Yiyan and said: "It was this gentleman's request."

Liu Xin'ai immediately looked at the person beside her: "Was it really your request?"

"Mm."

"Why? Other people's portraits are all beautiful, so why is mine just me dozing off?"

Liu Xin'ai was a little bothered.

But Qin Yiyan said: "Like a sleeping beauty, how pretty."

No, Liu Xin'ai didn't think it was pretty at all; she really wanted to crumple this painting into a ball!

Liu Xin'ai was struggling with whether to actually crumple the painting, not noticing that the Qin Yiyan in the painting was tilting his head, staring at her with deep affection.

But the painter knew.

He even reminded Liu Xin'ai: "For as long as you slept, this gentleman stared at you, but unfortunately my ability is limited and I couldn't capture his affectionate gaze."

Hearing this, Liu Xin'ai felt uncomfortable all over again.

She even whispered to Qin Yiyan: "Did you secretly give him money?"

"No, he was just moved by my deep affection."

What deep affection; it was clearly just mushy.

Is everyone else this mushy when they go on dates?

But...

This feeling is not repulsive.

On the contrary, the corners of Liu Xin'ai's mouth curled up uncontrollably.

Now, Liu Xin'ai didn't want to crumple the painting into a ball anymore, and even took the initiative to pay the fee.

Qin Yiyan didn't stop her, only saying, "Courtesy demands reciprocity; I'll treat you to something to eat."

Liu Xin'ai shook her head and said, "We've been out for a while now, I need to head back."

"Alright, then we'll keep it as a tab; next time you want to eat something, just tell me, and I'll treat you."

"Mm."

"Then from now on, let's go out on dates often."

Liu Xin'ai was just about to nod subconsciously, but she paused her movement and said hesitantly, "This..."

Qin Yiyan noticed Liu Xin'ai's hesitation and explained, "I don't have any ulterior motives; I just really enjoy this state, it's very relaxing."

"Then this shouldn't be called a date, but rather going out to unwind together."

"But I want to call it a date."

Qin Yiyan was very insistent, and Liu Xin'ai could feel it.

This made her feel strange, and she even asked, "Is this an obsession of yours?"

Qin Yiyan responded quite readily: "Mm, we never had a proper date before, and now, I want to make up for it."

Mentioning the past, Liu Xin'ai's curiosity was piqued, so she asked, "Why... did we never have a proper date?"

"... Because we had an arranged marriage, both of us were busy with work, and before we got married, we had very little contact."

An arranged marriage?

Liu Xin'ai shook her head and expressed her feelings: "It feels like we were just completing a task."

"Pretty much."

"And we're even teaching Xiao'an, yet our own relationship isn't even that solid."

Liu Xin'ai's words hit the truth.

But they also made Qin Yiyan feel a sting in his heart.

However, Qin Yiyan had his own realization: "In the past, we did experience some unpleasantness, but precisely because of that, I know how precious a sincere relationship is. Now..."

Qin Yiyan took a deep breath, then gripped Liu Xin'ai's arm, staring at her without blinking, his tone firm: "Both of us have changed, and we have feelings for each other now; I really want to protect this relationship!"

His gaze grew increasingly profound.

It was like an invisible net, tightly wrapping Liu Xin'ai up.

Leaving her nowhere to escape.

And Liu Xin'ai, having no way to avoid it, could only endure Qin Yiyan's deep affection.

And she felt this man...

Slowly leaning in.

Their warm breaths mingled together.

Their lips were also hovering close, yet not quite touching.

Liu Xin'ai knew what was about to happen, and her reason told her she should push Qin Yiyan away.

But... her body seemed as if it had been frozen in place.

She couldn't move at all.

Instead, her beautiful eyes gently closed...

But just at this moment—

"Mommy, wuwu, Mommy—"

The childish wailing broke the romantic atmosphere.

It also instantly sobered up the two people who had been intoxicated.

Liu Xin'ai even subconsciously looked toward the sound, and then saw a Xiaobudian running over while crying.

It was a little boy, dressed very cutely; because he was crying so hard, his snot was running out, and his cheeks were flushed red.