Chapter 350: Yan Li, the One Who Knows How to Comfort—Who

Haidian, Wanquan Xinxin Jiayuan

Yan Li hadn't come here in a while; he used to treat it as a secret base, but later grew accustomed to going to the woman's place, and since the house was relatively outdated in quality and decoration, it had been left unused.

When he first came in, Jiang Xin even had to do a quick tidy-up.

"Should we put her in the guest room or the next room?"

Yan Li looked at Li Lin, passed out on the sofa, and asked Jiang Xin's opinion.

Putting her in the guest room risked her hearing or bumping into something—Jiang Xin had a shrill voice, and if Li Lin woke up halfway, everyone would be awkward.

Putting her in the next room avoided that awkwardness, but Li Lin was drunk, and he couldn't fully relax his guard.

"Let her go to the next room; I'll check on her later."

Jiang Xin feared awkwardness and didn't want to inconvenience herself, so she decisively chose the second option; since the next room was barely used, she went to make the bed and set out water, so Li Lin wouldn't be thirsty when she woke up.

After arranging everything, Yan Li picked Li Lin up in a bridal carry and carried her into the next bedroom.

Just like in the car earlier, she clung to him, mumbling and refusing to let go.

Yan Li sighed helplessly; Jiang Xin had learned some of Li Lin's situation on the way, and now felt some understanding.

"She's a woman struggling alone in Beijing, and so much has happened to her—she must be exhausted. Probably missing her husband. I remember their relationship used to be decent."

Among the Seven Fairies, Li Lin's personality was gentle and family-oriented; otherwise, she wouldn't have married early and returned home.

When they filmed, promoted, and appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, Li Lin often talked about her husband, her words and actions full of sweetness.

"Missing your husband doesn't mean you can treat me as your husband!"

Yan Li sometimes fantasized about collecting the Seven Fairies, but it was just idle talk.

Yang Xue had signed with Yi'an for some time now, but he hadn't even met her, let alone done anything with her.

Whether Li Lin divorces or not is beside the point—key is, she has a child, and Yan Li had no intention of becoming someone's cheap stepfather.

So he never planned to get involved with Li Lin; today was purely because of Fan Xiaopang and their old friendship.

"Alright, take off her shoes and tidy her up. I'm going to take a shower."

Yan Li struggled a bit and finally freed himself, leaving Jiang Xin to attend to Li Lin, then returned to the next room.

Jiang Xin sighed helplessly, but what could she do? She couldn't make Yan Li do it.

She helped Li Lin take off her coat and pants, removed her shoes, arranged her body neatly, covered her with a blanket, turned off the light, and left quietly.

Faintly hearing the front door move, Li Lin, who had been lying still, slightly turned her side, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Jiang Xin, back in the next room, heard the sound of running water from the bathroom, her eyes lit up; she didn't change clothes, just walked straight to the bathroom and knocked. After a moment, the door opened and she stepped in.

"Don't tear it—I didn't bring a new one."

"Keep your voice down—the soundproofing is bad."

"..."

"If you won't go check, then I will?"

Yan Li was genuinely uneasy; being drunk wasn't trivial—it could lead to sudden death, or even if not fatal, vomiting all over the bed was miserable enough.

More importantly, Li Lin was in low spirits—drunk and heartbroken—who knew what might happen? If anything went wrong, he'd be the one who drank with her and put her to bed; a hundred mouths couldn't explain it away.

"Go then."

Jiang Xin was truly unable to move—this bastard was inhuman; she even suspected she was pregnant.

Seeing this, Yan Li could only go himself; he put on his clothes, didn't bother changing shoes, and went straight to the next room.

The bedroom door was closed; Yan Li didn't barge in, but knocked.

"Li Lin, Li Lin, are you awake?"

No response. Just as he was about to open the door, it swung open—Li Lin's face was flushed, unsteady as she opened it.

"Awake?"

Yan Li stepped back and asked: "How do you feel? Any discomfort? Should I send for some sobering pills?"

"A bit dizzy—drank too much. I'll be fine after a while."

"Alright. There should be honey at home—I'll check if it's expired and make you some honey water; it helps with hangovers."

After all, she was a guest, and drunk—he took responsibility for her care.

He returned to the next room to get honey, and glanced at Jiang Xin, who seemed asleep.

Though rarely lived in, the house had all basic facilities; Yan Li boiled some water, Ma Deli Lin a cup of honey, and she thanked him, sitting on the sofa sipping slowly.

"A woman like you should drink less alcohol out there. Lucky you ran into me—if you'd met another man, he'd have taken advantage."

Seeing Li Lin was doing well, Yan Li went on lecturing; her behavior today was dangerous—other men weren't as upright as him.

Li Lin looked at Yan Li with a strange expression; he felt annoyed.

"What's that look for? I may be lustful, but I never take advantage of someone helpless."

Li Lin didn't dwell on the topic, but asked curiously instead.

"How long have you and Jiang Xin been together?"

"What do you mean, 'how long'?"

Yan Li denied it; some things were better left unspoken—he and Li Lin's relationship hadn't reached the point of discussing such private matters.

"I heard it all from here."

Li Lin took a big sip of honey water and looked at Yan Li: "You should be gentler."

Yan Li's forehead twitched—he'd said these two rooms had bad soundproofing, but Jiang Xin hadn't believed him.

Lucky we put Li Lin in the next room—if she'd been in the guest room, it would've been live-streamed.

Yan Li really didn't want to talk about this—it was awkward: "You're doing fine now, I'm relieved. It's late—go rest."

"Why the rush?"

Li Lin stood up, opened her arms, and blocked Yan Li, still smelling of alcohol: "Let's chat a bit. You afraid of me?"

Yan Li frowned; the woman was awake, but still drunk.

"You've had too much. Rest."

Feeling Li Lin was off, Yan Li sternly warned her, but she paid no mind.

"I've rested enough already—few roles, little work, half the month I'm idle at home. I'm practically moldy from resting."

Saying this, she took another large sip of honey water and savored it.

"Still, wine's better. Do you have any more wine at home?"

Well then!

Yan Li dared not give her any more wine—she was already acting drunk; if she drank more, she'd climb onto the roof.

Seeing Li Lin's state, Yan Li couldn't just leave; he had to steady her, soothe and comfort her.

"If you're short on work, I can help you find some. If that doesn't work, I can lend you money—can't promise much, but easing your financial pressure isn't a problem."

"You're so kind."

Li Lin stared blankly at Yan Li, then suddenly blurted: "No wonder they all like you."

"I used to think, it was pitiful and self-destructive for women to fight over one man—why rely on a man? Women can support a family too."

"Heh, later I realized how hard it is to hold a family together."

"…."

"Every little thing he turns into a huge issue—he thinks I look down on him. I shoot films all day, come home to care for the kids, and still have to watch my mood around him."

"…."

"They came to me for money—I didn't have that much. In the end, I sold the house and pawned my wedding gold jewelry. Last New Year, I borrowed money just for the plane ticket. This was the first time in my life I ever borrowed money from someone."

"…."

Li Lin poured out her grievances, though she didn't know why she was sharing these things with Yan Li.

Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe seeing this old acquaintance made her lose control—maybe she hadn't talked to anyone in ages, and her heart had piled up too much grievance.

Or maybe Yan Li had done well enough that she didn't fear he'd look down on her; today's behavior gave her respect and safety, making her unconsciously draw close and confide.

In short, Li Lin spoke many words long buried inside her.

Yan Li said nothing extra, playing the role of a perfect listener—his only action was occasionally handing her a tissue.

After speaking for a long while, Li Lin finally came to her senses and gave a faint, embarrassed smile.

"Sorry—I've been feeling down. I've troubled you."

"It's fine. You know my situation—I often play the role of a comforting big brother to others."

Yan Li made a joke, but it wasn't entirely a joke.

The women in Fan Xiaopang's circle couldn't have smooth sailing every day; sometimes they sank into low moods, and Yan Li was usually their first person to confide in and seek comfort from.

Whenever he had time, Yan Li would patiently listen, offering guidance and comfort.

But the latter often came with extra services—Li Lin didn't qualify; it was limited to words alone.

Yan Li's eloquence was unmatched; soon, he had lifted Li Lin's spirits and made her laugh.

"That's better—you look prettier when you smile."

"There's no obstacle you can't overcome. If you divorce, find someone else. With your looks, how could you lack men?"

"The debt isn't that much—friends can help out; work hard for two years and you'll pay it off. Your parents are healthy, your child is obedient. As long as you're well, everything else is minor."

"…."

Li Lin's gaze clung to Yan Li as she whispered softly: "It's like nothing ever troubles you."

"Mindset. Good mindset, everything's fine."

Yan Li felt it was enough—he was sharp-minded; Li Lin was looking at him more and more strangely. Staying longer might lead to trouble.

"Alright, rest now. I'm leaving."

"Don't go."

This time, Li Lin didn't block him—she wrapped her arms around Yan Li, her voice pitiful.

"Can you stay with me? I haven't felt this safe in a long time."

"Sister, it's inappropriate—man and woman alone together."

Yan Li resisted; Li Lin's situation was complicated. He feared getting stuck and unable to shake her off—money was one thing, but this was a mother and child.

And Fan Xiaopang wasn't someone to mess with. He could be flirtatious normally, but sleeping with her friend? That changed everything.

Li Lin seemed to sense Yan Li's hesitation, resting her head against his back.

"I don't want anything from you—I'm just exhausted. I just want to lean on you, to let loose for once. Don't worry—I won't cling to you, and I won't tell Bingbing."

Yan Li still hesitated. Seeing this, Li Lin suddenly had an idea—she rose on her toes and blew gently into Yan Li's ear.

"Jin Zha, you've hurt so many of my little sisters—you owe this big sister an explanation."

Got it!

The moment those words came out, Yan Li's resolve completely collapsed. If it's offered, why refuse? Any trouble? Deal with it after.

Seven Fairies (6/7)

After some time, Jiang Xin half-awoke, sensing someone beside her, and asked:

"You're back? Why were you gone so long?"

"She sobered up, was feeling down, cried and talked a lot—I comforted her, then we slept."

"Oh."

Jiang Xin didn't know how much she'd heard; she snuggled closer to Yan Li and hugged him, falling back asleep.

…

The next day, when Jiang Xin woke, Yan Li had already left. Her phone held a message he'd left.

Yan Li had plenty of energy, insisted on rising early to exercise, and was enthusiastic about going to work—this was normal for him.

Jiang Xin, accustomed to this, squinted again for a moment, scratched her head, washed up and got dressed, and was just eating breakfast when she suddenly remembered Li Lin; she finished eating and went next door.

The latter had indeed drunk too much and still hadn't woken up.

Jiang Xin shook her head, preparing to step forward and tuck the blanket around her, when she suddenly froze.

She remembered last night she had only taken off Li Lin's coat—how had Li Lin's bra disappeared too?

Hmm, maybe she took it off because it was too hot.

Jiang Xin thought that might be it, but turned to rummage through the trash—spotless, as if it had never been used.

But when she had put Li Lin to bed yesterday, she had definitely thrown away a few wet wipes.

"…"

Jiang Xin stood up, glanced at Li Lin, who was sleeping soundly, said nothing, and stepped out of the bedroom.

In a certain sense, the two now held leverage over each other.

Sitting on the sofa, Jiang Xin counted on her fingers: Shuang Bing, Dong Xuan, herself, Li Lin—five of the Seven Fairies were definitely conquered by that bastard.

Huo Siyan had no proof, but considering the bastard's character and that slut's personality, it was almost certain.

That left only Yang Xue!

No, Jiang Xin had once thought Yang Xue and Yan Li were clean-cut, but now she wasn't sure—maybe the two had been sneaking around behind her.

Yan Li wouldn't tell her about other women, and given Yang Xue's personality, she might well be hiding something.