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Chapter Eighty-three

“This is the answer.”

That was Yan Li’s blog post, alongside five photos. Su Yuyang looked through the photos and understood what Ji Linxi had drawn. He’d made his and Yan Li’s story into a comic for all Yan Li’s fans to see.

“It’s straightforward, clean, and saves us trouble,” Yan Li said, yawning. “As for the rest, we’ll discuss it when I wake up.” Yan Li stumbled into her room. Su Yuyang picked Ling Miao up and prepared to go to bed, too, but then he remembered Ji Linxi was still here and said, “Ling Miao usually sleeps on the floor. His blanket and sleeping mat are over there—you can use them for tonight.”

“I thought you’d chase me away,” Ji Linxi said with a hint of teasing.

Su Yuyang looked down at Ling Miao sleeping in his arms and said mock-fiercely, “As long as you don’t have designs on Ling Miao, we can still be friends.”

“If I had designs on Ling Miao, he’d already be mine. Would you even have had the chance to get to him?” Ji Linxi said dismissively.

Su Yuyang huffed and went silent..

Aside from Su Yuyang, everyone else slept well that night. As for why Su Yuyang didn’t sleep well—the reason was evident from the look of resentment in his eyes.

Yan Li usually slept past noon, but she had to visit Feng Ji today so she woke up early and helped Ling Miao make breakfast.

Su Yuyang walked out, prominent dark circles under his eyes. Ji Linxi teased: “Did you sleep late last night? Or are you listless because some of your needs are unmet?”

Su Yuyang slumped on the table and said weakly, “Try being kicked for an entire night and see if you sleep well or not.”

Pah—

The sound of dishes hitting the table.

Su Yuyang raised his head. Ling Miao was looking at him threateningly.

“I’ll get rice.” Su Yuyang fled into the kitchen.

Breakfast was filled buns, steamed bread, and congee.

The table was silent except for the sounds of slurping congee. The atmosphere was so tense Ling Miao couldn’t keep eating. Su Yuyang looked at him with concern and Ling Miao sighed, “Hey, everyone. Can we not act like it’s the end of the world? It’s so miserable, I don’t even want to eat any more.”

Su Yuyang drank the last gulp of congee, then took a steamed bun, ripped off a corner, and tossed it in his mouth. He asked, “Yan Yan, what are you and Ji Linxi planning to do?”

“I’ve already announced that he’s my boyfriend, so he’ll go back with me.” Yan Li briefly explained their plans. “He doesn’t have a job now, anyway, so I’ve arranged for him to be my assistant. To everyone else, he’s my boyfriend and my assistant. To insiders, he’s just my assistant—insiders meaning the five of us, of course.”

‘Five of us’ meant Yan Li, Ji Linxi, Su Yuyang, Ling Miao, and Feng Ji.

“When are you leaving?” Su Yuyang asked hopefully.

Yan Li read Su Yuyang’s intent. She hemmed and hawed like she was still considering it. Ji Linxi had figured out Su Yuyang’s hopes too and smiled slyly. “Of course, we’re leaving next month. What do you say, A-Li?”¹

“A-Li?” Cough—Whether Ling Miao was shocked by Ji Linxi’s term of address for Yan Li or had choked on his congee, Ling Miao’s violent coughing made Su Yuyang sympathetic. He stroked Ling Miao’s back and said gently, “Are you all right?”

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