The man's familiar scent, laced with a faint smell of alcohol, enveloped her completely.
Qiao Yimian instinctively struggled, but the other person just held her tighter.
The difference in strength between a man and a woman was evident at that moment.
Qiao Yimian lost her patience. "Let go of me!"
She reached out to pinch his arm, but he seemed not to feel it, remaining unmoved.
"I won't let you go!" Shi Yan pleaded desperately. "Yimian, I've never asked you for anything, but this time, I'm begging you, don't leave me. I really know I was wrong. Why are you being so heartless, insisting on breaking up with me?"
"This past year, when you worked overtime, I waited for you downstairs at the newspaper office. When you traveled for work, I was worried you wouldn't eat or sleep well, so I ordered takeout for you and upgraded your hotel room. When you finally had time to go on a date with me, I was so happy that I booked the entire restaurant to eat with you. Even when you had to cancel because of work, I still prepared everything for you every holiday..."
"Couldn't everything I did offset my foolishness and stupidity just once? Yimian, I really like you, I like you so, so much! Please forgive me, okay?"
Shi Yan's voice was a little choked at the end, making her feel even more vexed, and an inexplicable emotion welled up in her heart.
She knew all this, didn't she?
It was just that she was right about one thing: she was truly tired.
That engagement banquet was just a catalyst.
She had long wanted to end this relationship, which was so disparate in every way.
Seeing the gossiping gazes of the people around them, Qiao Yimian's earlobes burned: "I can't talk like this. Let go of me first."
"Then promise you won't leave!"
Shi Yan, unable to get her answer, reluctantly let her go.
Qiao Yimian sighed softly, turning to look at his pitiful eyes.
"I admit you've been very good to me, and I'm very grateful for everything you've done for me these past few months. But, the problem between us isn't just that engagement banquet."
Having come this far, she didn't intend to hide anything further, and decided to lay everything bare.
"Our family backgrounds are too different, to the point that our views on money, fame, career, and ideals are very different; you don't approve of my profession, you don't like me working late, your parents don't accept someone ordinary like me, and they feel I can't help your career at all…
Even if we barely maintain this relationship, these hidden dangers will erupt sooner or later, and it will become even more ugly then. You don't have to consider these things, because you are their pampered son, they can't do anything to you, but the pressure will fall entirely on my shoulders, and I don't want to accept these pressures that I shouldn't have to bear.
I just want to find a lover with shared ideals, who can accept everything about each other, and I don't want to waste my energy on unnecessary things. But you can't, the Shi family can't, it's not that you're bad, it's just that we're not on the same path."
Qiao Yimian spoke plainly enough, and Shi Yan was initially confused, then his face gradually paled.
After she finished speaking, he seemed to wake up from a daze and hurriedly explained:
"My mother really doesn't like your profession. She thinks it's unseemly for a woman to be running around outside all the time and not taking care of a family… She said that as long as you quit your job and come work for our family's company, as long as you can help me, she'll agree to us being together.
But I saw how much you liked your job at the newspaper, so I never told you. Yimian, why don't you come work at Yingshi? You're so capable. If you make some achievements for the company, they definitely won't stop us from getting married! Why be a miserable reporter! How much money can you even make!"
Qiao Yimian was speechless: "If I work for your family's company, then not only will you be controlled by others, but I'll also be controlled by your parents? Shi Yan, you're already 25, why are you still so naive?"
"I'm not naive!" Shi Yan was stung to the quick, and he hastily defended himself: "I just can't help it! Yimian, can't you put me first? Am I not as important as your job?"
Qiao Yimian looked at his anxious appearance, and her emotions instead calmed down.
"Let's say, if I join Yingshi, and your parents still don't like me working outside, and then they want me to quit my job and take care of you at home, be a good wife and mother, what do you think?"
Shi Yan paused, his gaze stubborn, "Isn't that good? As long as we can be together in the future, isn't that enough? Making money is a man's job, I'll definitely work hard and support you for the rest of your life!"
Qiao Yimian let out a soft breath, and her patience was finally exhausted.
A wisp of pale mist exhaled, drifting away in the cold wind and vanishing into nothingness.
"After knowing each other for so long, it seems you don't understand me at all."
Facing a man with such conflicting values, Qiao Yimian was completely devoid of any desire to continue the conversation.
Shi Yan wanted to say more, but suddenly heard someone calling him from behind: "Shi Yan?"
Both of them turned their heads at the same time, and it was actually Yu Wan.
Yu Wan had just gotten off work and, seeing Shi Yan appearing in front of the television station, her eyes lit up.
Then she caught sight of Qiao Yimian and couldn't help but let out a soft snort.
She walked over quickly, sizing up Shi Yan from head to toe, and smiled charmingly: "Long time no see, you're looking more handsome than ever! I heard you joined Yingshi Company, are we going to call you 'President Shi' from now on?"
Shi Yan was in a terrible mood and wasn't in the mood for her flattery, only nodding casually.
"Hello."
Yu Wan was clearly used to his coldness. Although she was unhappy, she still lingered, unwilling to leave.
She turned her head to look at Qiao Yimian, smilingly asking, "You two aren't fighting, are you? What, did President Shi do something wrong and get found out by Reporter Qiao?"
Qiao Yimian didn't bother to pay her any attention, but Shi Yan frowned and drove her away: "It's none of your business. Can you stop bothering us?"
Yu Wan's smile stiffened a bit, her face a little strained, but it was only a fleeting moment. Her smile deepened.
"Oh, back when you were pursuing her, you were very willing to listen to our advice! Why, now that you've caught her, you think I talk too much?"
Qiao Yimian eyed her suspiciously, not expecting there to be such a little episode.
How much did Yu Wan love this man? She pursued him unsuccessfully and was still helping him chase after someone else?
She was the ultimate "pure love war god," wasn't she?
But Shi Yan looked a bit uncomfortable when he heard this.
He didn't want to stay any longer and grabbed Qiao Yimian's hand, wanting to head towards the car.
"Let's talk in the car."
Yu Wan's eyes swept over their clasped hands, and a long-absent jealousy washed over her again.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and seeing a rare opportunity, she suddenly raised her voice and said, "Qiao Yimian, you wouldn't happen to know why Shi Yan pursued you back then, would you?"
Shi Yan's pupils contracted, and he sternly rebuked, "Yu Wan! Don't talk nonsense!"
Yu Wan quickly covered her mouth, as if realizing she'd said something wrong, and gave an awkward smile. "Look at me, seeing an old classmate makes me a bit carried away. I'm so sorry~"
She thoughtfully sized them both up, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.
"I won't bother you two then. See you later~"
She casually dropped a little bombshell, then turned and left with ease.
Qiao Yimian immediately picked up on the strange implications of her words.
She saw Shi Yan's eyes flicker, his expression tense, clearly affected by those words, and she grew even more suspicious.
"What did Yu Wan mean by that? Why... why did you pursue me back then?"
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