You Owe Me, My Love

Chapter 380 I Need You By My Side

Liu Yan pondered for a brief moment. It is a cowardly act to cry in front of him! Quickly, she wiped her tears and rose to her feet. “What do you want to say? Hurry, I want to leave after you're done talking.”

Shen Yiyan frowned at the sight of her ferocious glower. “You aren't going to continue crying?” "Who said I was crying?” Liu Yan denied stubbornly. “I was merely draining the liquid in my body.” “Draining the liquid...” Shen Yiyan chuckled, “You should be draining your stupidity instead.”

Liu Yan had no mood to continue her conversation with him. She rolled her eyes and continued to head forward.

Left with no choice, the man reached out his hand to clasp her shoulder, bringing her screeching halt. “Why are you always so angry whenever we talk? For once in your life, can't you listen obediently?”

“It depends on what you have to say. You can't expect me to endure whatever you say like I'm a tree. Even the trees and flowers have feelings!” Liu Yan grumbled as she brushed his fingers away. “Earlier, Gu Mingchen asked me if Bai Rong is Wu Nian. What do you think I should say?” Shen Yiyan asked in a hushed tone.

A flash of shock flickered over Liu Yan's features.

The last time she told Gu Mingchen that Wu Nian and Bai Rong were the same person, he hadn't believed her words. He had even argued against her logic!

Now that Wu Nian and Aaron are in a peaceful relationship, I don't want Wu Nian and Gu Mingchen to end up together again! If that man finds out about Wu Nian’s identity, he'd never let her out of his grasp.

"What did you say?” Liu Yan questioned worriedly.

“What do you want me to say?” Shen Yiyan asked as he released his grip on her.

"Of course you should say she’s not! If Wu Nian wanted to reconcile with Gu Mingchen, she'd tell him herself. She's keeping her silence because she doesn’t want him to know!” Liu Yan exclaimed. Shen Yiyan shot her a secretive look. His lips curved upwards as his eyes gleamed with mischief. "Did you tell him?” Liu Yan asked tentatively with a feeling of unease.

“Did you think I would make the same mistake that you did? Gu Mingchen claims you were the one who told him Wu Nian is Bai Rong.” Shen Yiyan cackled.

Flabbergasted, Liu Yan could not form a reply.

A crimson blush painted her cheeks as the man continued to tease her. “It was a slip of my tongue because I had too much on my mind. So, did you deny or confirm his suspicions?” Liu Yan asked him softly.

“I denied it,” Shen Yiyan replied.

At that answer, she heaved out a huge sigh of relief as she beamed. “It seems the lying skills you've nurtured since you were young have paid off! You're an excellent liar!”

“Now that I've heard you talk, maybe I should have told him the truth after all. After all, Gu Mingchen is a useful pawn I can use,” Shen Yiyan pondered out loud with a twitch of his lips.

"How can you act like this!" Liu Yan clutched onto his arm in desperation.

“I might change my mind if you treat me a little nicer. Besides, Gu Mingchen will owe me a favor if I tell him about Wu Nian. It's a win-win situation for me,” Shen Yiyan stated with a languid air of satisfaction.

“Are you messing with me?” Liu Yan whispered fearfully.

“Come on. I want to hear something nice,” Shen Yiyan sidled closer as he cocked his head to the side and angled his ear towards the woman.

Liu Yan glared at his approaching figure with revolt. “Will calling you handsome suffice?” she muttered.

“It's the truth. Hence it's not good enough,” Shen Yiyan stated with a furrow of his brows.

Liu Yan giggled as she wrapped her hands around his neck to hug him. “You don't want the truth? Then I'll say I love you. I love you! I love you so so much. You are the only man I cherish the most. Hahaha! Isn't this what you want to hear? I can promise you it's a hundred percent fake.”

The frown that graced Shen Yiyan's forehead deepened. “It seems like you're not taking a step out of the gate today,” he said as he carried her in his embrace.

“No! Shen Yiyan, please put me down. I really need to go out today. It's the birthday of Mo Xue's daughter tomorrow. I need to buy a gift with Nian!” Liu Yan cried out as she tried to wriggle out of his arms.

"Gu Mingchen has already given me Stephen. With him out of the competition, I have nothing to fear.” Shen Yiyan continued towards the villa despite her pleas.

"Even if Gu Mingchen doesn't exist, there's still Su Xuyan! You are ruining everything! I don't care! I'll still bring Bao on a vacation!”

Liu Yan's grumpy face in the corner of his vision reminded him of his frivolous childhood.

Shen Yiyan had been immersed in the political war for such a long time. He was constantly surrounded by people who wouldn't hesitate to stab him in the back mercilessly. As a result, Shen Yiyan was no longer the man he once was. Instead, he now resembled a cunning and wily snake. He could not afford to make the slightest mishap in fear of falling for his enemy's political trap. Many people had become victims of these deadly plots.

In order to maintain his position, the man had sacrificed his freedom, happiness, and his chance at marriage.

Only Liu Yan could help him glimpse into his past self. She was his sole source of happiness and freedom.

Even when she was angry, crying, or being stubborn, Shen Yiyan found that he still liked her with his whole heart. She was the only person that saw him for himself instead of treating him like a prince. “I'll let you out if you kiss me,” Shen Yiyan told her gently.

Reluctantly, Liu Yan planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Don’t run around recklessly, alright?” Shen Yiyan said profoundly as he set her down and patted her head with affection.

Liu Yan stuck her tongue out at him in a childish manner before dashing off towards the gates. Shen Yiyan stared at her diminishing back as she ran away. There is no way I will let her leave my side. Without Liu Yan, I'll be trapped in the political sea and drift aimlessly amidst it. In her absence, my life will be lonely and bleak.

When Liu Yan arrived at the gate, she noticed Wu Nian walking over.

She couldn't help but feel guilty at the sight of her friend. After all, she was the one that leaked the information to Gu Mingchen.

What was I thinking! How could I have been so dumb!

“Nian... I'm so sorry,” Liu Yan apologized profusely.

"Huh? What are you apologizing for all of a sudden?” Wu Nian asked in confusion.

“I keep messing up. Every time I make a mistake, you are forced to clean up after me.” Liu Yan lowered her head in a mixture of shame and guilt.

“I'll forgive you no matter what you do. That's because I know that you were doing it for my sake. But sometimes, you don’t know what is beneficial for me. Occasionally, the end product might backfire as well,” Wu Nian said with a faint smile.

“I will be extra cautious of my words and actions next time,” Liu Yan promised.

“I'll be waiting for the day you change!” Wu Nian chuckled.

That remark made Liu Yan sigh. Sometimes, the grim reality was a stark contrast to her bright hopes. “Let's head to the hospital to change your bandages first,” she advised.

Unfortunately, the wound on Wu Nian’s shoulder had not healed as expected. Although the wounds had closed over, the area around the injury remained inflamed.

“You should rest instead of running around,” Liu Yan chastised her; the sight of Wu Nian’s injury broke her heart.

The injured woman smiled nonchalantly. “Exercise is an essential part of life. I'd say my wound is recovering nicely. I didn’t have any infections, pus, or feverish symptoms.”

“Doesn't it hurt?” Liu Yan asked as she wrapped the wound.

“I'm used to it.” Wu Nian shook her head. “As long as I ignore it, the pain is nothing but an itch.” Liu Yan understood that Wu Nian had suffered in the past. Hearing those painful words made her heart sink even further. “Nian, what if Gu Mingchen finds out you are Bai Rong one day? What would you do?” Liu Yan asked her with a deep sigh.