Chapter 999: She Is Not Acting Right

Cai Xiaotang was stunned upon hearing this, but she immediately regained her composure, hurriedly smiled, and shook hands briefly with Qin Yiyan.

Immediately after, Jiang Baobao and the others also walked over.

"Xinaijie."

Jiang Baobao greeted Liu Xin'ai.

Li Beijue and Li Xiao also nodded at Qin Yiyan.

Perhaps because Qin Yiyan was present, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat subtle.

After a pause of a few seconds, Liu Xin'ai was the first to break the silence; she looked at the three little ones and said, "Long time no see, these children seem to have grown a bit taller..."

"Yes, we were just discussing their height!"

Cai Xiaotang hurriedly chimed in, and as she spoke, she suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, Xinaijie, what have you been busy with lately? It feels like it's been a while since I last saw you..."

Cai Xiaotang had asked casually, but she didn't expect Liu Xin'ai to be taken aback for a moment.

"I..."

She stammered for a second, then replied with a somewhat unnatural expression: "Just the same as always. How about you? What have you been busy with lately?"

"I'm the same as always too, just busy with work. I only had time to rest a few days ago and went on a trip."

When Cai Xiaotang said the word "trip," the expression on her face also became somewhat unnatural, and she hurriedly changed the subject again.

"Since everyone is free during the New Year, why don't we go out and sit together in a couple of days? It's been a long time since the three of us chatted together! We could even go shopping while we're at it..."

Liu Xin'ai's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing this, and she opened her mouth as if she were about to agree.

But before she could make a sound...

"Sorry, Xin'ai hasn't been in good health lately. Aside from work, I'm not really at ease with her going out. The weather is cold recently, too. If you want to have a gathering, why not wait until it gets warmer?"

Qin Yiyan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up to take over the conversation, but he was refusing on Liu Xin'ai's behalf.

Cai Xiaotang was stunned upon hearing this and subconsciously looked at Jiang Baobao.

Jiang Baobao also frowned slightly.

Immediately after, they heard Liu Xin'ai say, "My health really hasn't been good lately. I might have to disappoint you, Xiao Tang. Let's wait until it's warmer. You should also be careful during this time and make sure not to catch a cold."

She still had that gentle tone, and she appeared to have a very good relationship with Qin Yiyan.

Qin Yiyan cared for her very much, and she was very obedient.

Yet, there was an indescribable strangeness to it.

Neither Cai Xiaotang nor Jiang Baobao spoke for a moment.

It was Li Xiao who reacted first, smiling and nodding as he said, "It really is too cold lately."

As he spoke, he deliberately poked Cai Xiaotang's forehead and said in a doting tone, "You, you finally have some time off, yet you'd rather think about going out to play all day long instead of spending more time with me?"

"What's there to spend time with you for..."

Cai Xiaotang couldn't help but blush at his words; she muttered a retort instinctively, but she couldn't hide the smile rising at the corners of her mouth.

Liu Xin'ai watched their interaction, and a flash of envy quickly crossed her eyes.

Then, she felt her hand being held by the person beside her.

"Sorry, we have some things to attend to and need to head home, so we'll be leaving first. Happy New Year, everyone. Xin'ai, shall we go?"

Qin Yiyan said this as he pulled Liu Xin'ai into his embrace.

The light in Liu Xin'ai's eyes extinguished instantly, but she did not refute him; instead, she nodded very submissively and replied softly, "Okay."

After saying goodbye to Jiang Baobao and Cai Xiaotang, the two turned and left.

Qin Yiyan kept Liu Xin'ai protected in his arms the entire time; to anyone watching, they were a couple with a perfect match in talent and appearance.

Not until they walked past a corner.

Confirming that Jiang Baobao and the others shouldn't be able to see them anymore, Liu Xin'ai immediately broke free from Qin Yiyan's embrace and said coldly, "They can't see us anymore."

Qin Yiyan didn't force her further; the polite smile on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a half-smiling expression.

He stepped in front of Liu Xin'ai, met her emotionless eyes in a provocative manner, and said mockingly, "What? Still unhappy? It's the New Year, and I've already gone out of my way to bring you out to watch fireworks, and this is the expression you give me?"

"And what else?"

Liu Xin'ai looked at the person before her, and emotions slowly began to brew in her previously calm eyes.

"You don't allow me to go out except for work, and I'm watched by people you've sent twenty-four hours a day wherever I go. Do you expect me to be grateful to you for watching a fireworks display?"

Her tone became increasingly sharp, and her thin lips were pressed tightly together due to long-standing repression.

Qin Yiyan, however, did not take her emotions to heart; instead, he chuckled upon hearing this.

"Heh..."

He stepped forward and used one hand to lift Liu Xin'ai's chin.

"Liu Xin'ai, who do you think caused all of this? If you hadn't been dishonest, why would I need to watch you like this? I gave you a chance, but..."

As Qin Yiyan spoke, his expression suddenly turned ruthless, and he said word by word.

"Do you dare to bet with me whether that ex-boyfriend of yours, who is so devoted to you, will send you a New Year's greeting message tonight? Perhaps it won't just be a greeting, but also concern and probing that cannot be put into words..."

"Shut up!!!"

Liu Xin'ai finally couldn't help but swat his hand away!

She then pulled open the car door and got in without looking back.

With a "Bang," she slammed the car door shut; she didn't want to look at Qin Yiyan, who was still standing outside the door, for even a second longer.

Only her chest heaved incessantly from anger.

But she already had the answer in her heart.

She didn't dare to bet.

Because... Jiang Chenghao would definitely send a message tonight.

Even if she didn't reply, the result would be the same.

But...

Everything really cannot go back.

Her life... no longer has any room to turn back.

Outside the car window—Qin Yiyan's expression was not much better.

Heh...

Doesn't she have a straight face every single day?

Why does she get emotional whenever Jiang Chenghao is mentioned?

It doesn't matter.

He has plenty of time to take it slow with her!

He doesn't believe he can't change this temperament of hers!

On the other side—Cai Xiaotang and Jiang Baobao were walking arm in arm toward the parking area, their minds still on what had just happened.

"Baobao, do you feel like that Qin Yiyan is acting weird?"

Cai Xiaotang asked in a low voice.

"Hmm..."

Jiang Baobao nodded, pondered for a few seconds, and then said in a low voice:

"I think Xinaijie wanted to agree to us just now, but..."

"But that Qin Yiyan actually refused!"

Cai Xiaotang took over the conversation, her brows furrowing as well.

The two of them were silent for a few seconds.

Jiang Baobao suddenly remembered something else and hurriedly spoke up.

"Right, speaking of which, I tried to contact Xinaijie before; it wasn't anything major, I just wanted to chat, but the calls didn't go through several times. I thought she was busy with important work, so I didn't call again later..."