Chapter 230: We Really Are Completely Innocent

At this moment, Xu Youyu had completely lost the arrogant demeanor she displayed in Li Luo's room, becoming a complete ostrich with her head buried in the sand, trembling behind Li Luo.

Her mind was utterly blank; she had no idea how to explain things to her father to have any chance of getting away with it.

But fortunately, Li Luo remained calm.

After all, he had already met Xu Rongsheng at the morning symposium and even collaborated seamlessly on the topic of online novels.

So when Xu Rongsheng walked up to them, Li Luo's mind instantly raced, then he put on a slightly surprised expression, turned to look at Xu Youyu, then at Xu Rongsheng:

"Uncle, didn't Senior Sister tell you she was coming here?"

"What? You didn't know?" Xu Rongsheng raised an eyebrow, surprised, then regarded the two with a meaningful gaze. "I'm also surprised—why is Youyu with you?"

"Oh, it's like this," Li Luo cleared his throat, paused briefly, then explained seriously, "I received an invitation from the Online Novel Association to attend the symposium."

"But I'm still a minor, and my parents have to watch over the breakfast shop, so they couldn't come with me—I was a bit worried."

"I'd never traveled far on my own before. The city isn't exactly close, but it's not extremely far either, and I'd have to stay here for several days."

"After hearing about it, Senior Sister volunteered to come with me. Two people looking out for each other is better than coming alone."

"I thought Senior Sister had already told you and your wife, so I contacted the editor, got approval, and came here with her."

In the brief moment of thought, Li Luo barely came up with a somewhat flimsy excuse.

Xu Youyu's heart was pounding as she listened to Li Luo's explanation, and a flicker of hope surged within her—praying her father wouldn't dig deeper.

After hearing Li Luo's explanation, Xu Rongsheng was half-amused, half-frustrated.

He looked at Xu Youyu, then at Li Luo, thinking: You really went to great lengths to cover up my daughter's secret.

He actually came up with an excuse this flimsy.

After all, with Xu Rongsheng's status, he could simply ask any member of the association and immediately learn Xu Youyu's situation.

But seeing his daughter's fearful expression, Xu Rongsheng sighed softly: "I knew it—she just got home a few days ago, then said she wanted to return to Bihai Lanting, and turns out it was to sneak off here with you."

Hearing this, Xu Youyu's face lit up—she thought she had a chance!

Sure enough, Xu Rongsheng continued sternly: "Xu Youyu, what are you smiling about? Do you realize how serious this is?"

"Li Luo's parents know he's coming to the symposium, so it's fine for him to come. What about you?"

"Li Luo is a minor—aren't you? You didn't even tell your parents clearly, yet you came alone. Do you think that's appropriate?"

Although Xu Rongsheng usually treated Xu Youyu with leniency, discovering that she had secretly traveled to the city to attend the symposium still made him angry.

After all, she was still a minor—traveling far without reporting it would make any parent break out in a cold sweat.

Only because Xu Rongsheng had seen more of the world and understood better how to communicate and interact with children did he refrain from immediately confronting Xu Youyu upon learning the truth, instead choosing to let things unfold naturally.

If Qianzhou hadn't just called Sun Jingchun and lied, claiming Xu Youyu was sick and in the hospital, Xu Rongsheng wouldn't have planned to seek them out at all.

This "chance encounter" in the hotel lobby was purely because Xu Rongsheng was worried about his daughter's health and had been waiting in the lobby for them to return.

Otherwise, he had no intention of exposing the fact that his daughter was secretly writing Online Novels.

But now that Li Luo had provided a convenient opening, and Xu Rongsheng had confirmed Xu Youyu's physical condition, there was no need to expose his daughter on the spot.

"I'm sorry," Xu Youyu said, her face suddenly brightening as she realized Xu Rongsheng had believed Li Luo's story, yet she put on a pitiful expression and whispered, "I'm sorry—I'll definitely tell you next time."

"You should tell your mother," Xu Rongsheng shook his head.

"Huh? Dad~ You're the best~ Don't tell Mom about this, okay?"

"Hmm?" Xu Rongsheng frowned, sternly reminding her, "Have you forgotten our family rule?"

Hearing this, Xu Youyu immediately shrank her neck and muttered softly: "Alright, alright—I'll apologize to Mom when we get home."

"Good," Xu Rongsheng nodded. "There's another manuscript award ceremony this afternoon, then free time after."

"There's a dinner tonight—Li Luo, you might want to attend? They're all your peers. I won't be joining, but Youyu, you'll come have dinner with me."

"Tomorrow at noon, after checkout, I'll treat you to a meal, then we'll head back together—how's that?"

Li Luo immediately nodded: "No problem for me."

Next to Li Luo, Xu Youyu said "Oh," and also agreed.

Thus, their subsequent plans were settled.

After taking the elevator upstairs with Xu Rongsheng, Qianzhou and Xu Rongsheng went to the eighth floor, while Li Luo and Xu Youyu returned to the ninth.

As Xu Youyu followed Li Luo back to his room, the moment he closed the door, he felt a sudden, forceful embrace from behind.

"Aaaaaaah!"

"I'm so scared! I'm so scared! I'm so scared!"

"Li Luo, you're my god!"

"Wuuuugh!"

"I thought I was totally exposed—thank goodness you were here."

"You're so clever! Aaaaaaah!"

"I love you so much!"

Li Luo, standing by the door, froze completely.

Feeling the soft, forceful pressure against his back, he was momentarily paralyzed.

Xu Youyu, having suppressed her emotions for so long downstairs, now fully unleashed them—she jumped and bounced on Li Luo, truly tormenting him thoroughly.

But for Xu Youyu, being able to get away with Li Luo's excuse and keep her father from discovering she was secretly writing Online Novels was already the greatest fortune.

Thinking of this, she felt even more grateful to Li Luo—she almost wanted to kiss him.

Fortunately, after her outburst, Xu Youyu gradually calmed down, released Li Luo, plopped onto his bed, and stretched out her limbs.

Li Luo turned around and saw this scene, instinctively rubbing his nose.

If this were in a manga, I'd already be bleeding from the nose.

"Do you have to be this excited?"

"I nearly got scared to death by my dad!" Xu Youyu stretched, then flopped onto Li Luo's bed with a long sigh. "Thank goodness you're so quick-witted—if not, I'd really be dead."

"At one-thirty this afternoon, the award ceremony will begin." Li Luo glanced at his phone, then said, "I have half an hour left—I'll rest a bit before heading over. You should stay in the room this afternoon."

"Got it~" Xu Youyu replied, then rolled around on Li Luo's bed. "So just in case, I'll stay in your room. After all, going to bed early to grow taller has already gone to the hospital."

"Do as you like," Li Luo said. "You might as well write more words during the extra time this afternoon."

"How can I possibly feel like writing right now? I just walked past the gates of hell—I only want to sleep and calm my nerves."

"…You actually plan to sleep here?"

"What else? I've slept in your bedroom at Bihai Lanting. You won't even let me sleep on this hotel bed?"

Li Luo's mouth twitched. "I'm afraid your dad might see you."

"Hahaha~ So you're actually afraid of that?" Xu Youyu burst out laughing. "Relax, why would my dad randomly come to your room?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Youyu pulled back Li Luo's blanket and crawled right in.

The hotel's sheets and pillowcases were changed daily; a housekeeper had already replaced them that morning, so there was no trace of Li Luo's scent on them.

But seeing Xu Youyu climb into his bed without a second thought still left Li Luo helpless. He stared at the senior lying on the bed, took a deep breath, turned away, and waved his hand. "I'll head to the conference hall first. You just sleep."

"Okay~ Don't forget to bring back my ten thousand yuan prize money~"

"Just leave it with the editor for now," Li Luo reminded her. "Otherwise, if your dad sees me carrying your ten thousand yuan, I'll have to come up with an explanation."

"That's true," Xu Youyu nodded quickly. "Then it's not urgent."

After discussing further and confirming there were no issues, Li Luo took his leave and hurried toward the conference hall to prepare for the afternoon award ceremony.