Chapter 153: Chapter 147: What Comes Next
Leng Yichen didnāt come home again last night, and Bai Yiran also stayed up all night. Leng Yichenās phone couldnāt be reached, which drove Bai Yiran to frustration.
Sister Liu arrived early and was surprised to see Bai Yiran lazing on the sofa in the living room.
"Yiran, why are you here?" Looking at the dark circles beneath Bai Yiranās dull eyes, "Have you not slept all night?"
"Hmm..." Bai Yiran curled up on the sofa, resting her head on her knees.
"Whereās the Mr. Leng?" Sister Liu glanced around but couldnāt see any sign of Leng Yichen at home.
"Didnāt come back," Bai Yiran answered sullenly.
"Didnāt come back again?"
Sister Liu subtly furrowed her brow, then smiled cheerfully, "Mr. Leng must be busy with something and couldnāt return. Yiran, donāt overthink it!"
Bai Yiran didnāt reply, tilting her head to the side and gazing at the gradually brightening sky outside, but her heart was clouded with gloom.
The company issues need to be resolved, the matters concerning the injured workers need attention, yet at this moment, Leng Yichen couldnāt be reached.
At this moment, Bai Yiran realized just how reliant she had become on Leng Yichen. She used to think she was doing quite well. But once something happened, she found she lacked the ability to handle it independently.
Perhaps she had indeed overestimated herself. She didnāt possess the competence to manage an enterprise, especially one with a fixed mode of operation. Because of Leng Yichen, her starting point was very high, but once she fell, it would be a shattering downfall beyond repair.
Thanks to this incident, Bai Yiran finally recognized herself.
Under Sister Liuās persuasion, Bai Yiran had some breakfast but truly lacked an appetite; her heart was dull and her stomach uncomfortable.
She laid down her chopsticks after a few bites, today being Saturday, she didnāt need to go to work.
Grandmotherās call came in at this moment, "Yiran, Grandma made dumplings, come with Yichen to have some later! They are your favorite fresh stuffing!"
"Alright, Iāll be back soon!" Hearing Grandmaās voice, Bai Yiran felt warmth spreading throughout her body.
"What about Yichen then?"
"Heās very busy; probably canāt make it..." Bai Yiran couldnāt even reach him!
Before heading out, Bai Yiran specially put on makeup, covering the dark circles under her eyes with foundation, ensuring no flaws showed before asking Li Sha to take her to Grandmaās house.
Her uncle, aunt, and Cheng Shishi were all there, the family gathered around to eat dumplings, with topics invariably circling back to Leng Yichen, Bai Yiran forced herself to engage with them about matters between herself and Leng Yichen.
Of course, not mentioning how Leng Yichen hadnāt been home these days and was unreachable.
Grandmother watched Bai Yiranās seemingly happy demeanor and felt content. Her greatest fear was her granddaughter being unhappy after marrying Leng Yichen, but it seemed she worried too much; Leng Yichen took great care of Bai Yiran.
"Next time, remember to bring Yichen back! Tell him Grandma misses him!"
Before leaving, Grandma packed a full lunchbox of dumplings for Bai Yiran, insisting she take them back for Leng Yichen to try.
Not wanting to dampen Grandmaās spirits, Bai Yiran gladly accepted the dumplings.
Upon returning home, she was surprised to find Leng Yichen already back.
Leng Yichen just came out of the gym and saw Bai Yiran carrying a big lunchbox, "Whatās that?"
Seeing Leng Yichen finally show up, Bai Yiran felt somewhat aggrieved and said coldly, "Dumplings, Grandma insisted I bring them back for you! Of course, you can choose not to eat them!"
Leng Yichen raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing Bai Yiranās anger, casually took the lunchbox with dumplings, and placed it on the dining table. Opening the box, he picked up a dumpling and put it in his mouth, the rich three-fresh flavor spreading in his mouth.
In a short while, the full box of dumplings was reduced to a few remnants.
"Grandma is... yes, the dumplings are delicious... okay, next time I will definitely go..."
Bai Yiran watched Leng Yichen pacing back and forth while calling Grandma. This man was particularly courteous, especially towards elderly people.
By rights, he wouldnāt need to call back, and Grandma wouldnāt have said anything, but making the call would make Grandma particularly happy.
Leng Yichen is a person with exceptionally high emotional intelligence, by comparison, Bai Yiran fell much shorter.
Leng Yichen put down the phone and walked towards Bai Yiran, raising his hand as if to touch Bai Yiranās cheek, but Bai Yiran dodged. Leng Yichen pouted and sat beside Bai Yiran.
"Where have you been these past two days? Why havenāt you answered my calls?"
"I was very busy, went on a business trip." Leng Yichenās attitude was rather indifferent, suggesting he didnāt feel it was a big deal that Bai Yiran couldnāt reach him.
"Business trip? Then why didnāt your secretary know?"
"Heh." Leng Yichen chuckled lowly, "Sheās just my secretary; I donāt need to report my whereabouts to her."
"Yeah, I am also just your wife; you donāt need to report your whereabouts to me either!" Bai Yiran faced Leng Yichen directly, his attitude making her angry.
Leng Yichen sighed impatiently, "Bai Yiran, youāre just being argumentative."
"Am I? Then shouldnāt you tell me the truth?"
"The truth is I went on a business trip!" After speaking, Leng Yichen stood up and no longer paid attention to Bai Yiran, heading upstairs to the study.
In the kitchen, Sister Liu heard Leng Yichen and Bai Yiran arguing and came out to mediate, "Yiran, the Mr. Leng must really have gone on a business trip, donāt overthink it."
Overthink? Overthink what?
Actually, Bai Yiran had nothing in mind initially, but hearing Sister Liu say so, she couldnāt help but start thinking.
After all, even Sister Liu noticed something wrong, how could there be no problem with Leng Yichen?
Bai Yiran followed Leng Yichen to the study, his eyes already showing impatience, "Bai Yiran, if you still want to inquire where Iāve been these past days, then letās not talk anymore! Iām very busy!"
Standing at the door, Bai Yiran looked at Leng Yichen with a sense of surrealism, just a few days ago in Suzhou, they were tenderly in love, now heās dismissing her with "Iām busy".
Could a personās emotions change so quickly?
Bai Yiranās expression turned slightly bitter, "Regarding the Bai Familyās matter, I want to ask for your help."
Since personal matters couldnāt be discussed now, they would talk about business affairs instead; after all, aside from being a couple, they were also project partners.