CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 373: WANT TO KEEP HER AT HOME, TIED BY MY SIDE

Every step closer to Mu Yunlie’s villa made Yan Qianyi feel she was drawing nearer to him.

But as she approached, her steps grew more hesitant.

Suddenly, electronic music blared from her earphones.

It was as if an alarm had abruptly gone off in her heart.

Yan Qianyi immediately snapped back to reality and halted.

It was a voice call from Yan Chuhua. She lightly touched her earphone to answer.

Chuhua’s cheerful voice came through, "Qianyi, I’ve sent you the location for dinner tonight. You can start heading out now."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Yan Qianyi looked up towards the distinctive villa of Mu Yunlie.

He seemed within her reach now.

If she bravely moved closer, she could see him.

But the sudden clarity reminded her of the complications between them, and she pulled him out of her world in an instant.

Just now, driven by impulse, she had wanted to tell him the reason for their separation unreservedly.

But now that she was clear-headed, she recoiled, afraid.

If Mu Yunlie knew that his father had died on her mother’s operating table due to a so-called medical accident, what would he think?

He would surely hate her more.

Yan Qianyi quickly turned to flee, but as she looked up, she froze.

Mu Yunlie was standing right behind her.

His breathing was heavy, as if he had run over quickly.

Yan Qianyi stared at him in shock.

He looked back at her.

Their eyes met, emotions swirling.

Mu Yunlie’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke first, "Why are you here?"

Yan Qianyi opened her mouth, but no words came out, as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat.

She took a breath to steady herself before saying,

"I... wasn’t sure how effective your medication has been lately, and I was afraid you wouldn’t respond if I messaged, so... I wanted to come and see for myself. If the medication isn’t working, I could give you an injection."

Mu Yunlie slightly narrowed his eyes, "Is that the only reason?"

His gaze held a mixture of loss and hope.

That wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear.

Yan Qianyi nodded and lowered her eyes to avoid his probing gaze.

Both fell into silence.

Mu Yunlie just quietly observed the petit woman before him.

He genuinely wanted to take a few steps closer, to hold her tightly in his arms, confine her at home, tether her to his side, and never let her leave again.

But he was also afraid.

Afraid she would coldly push him away again, mercilessly trample his dignity once more.

Yan Qianyi composed herself and broke the silence first, asking, "How has the medication been recently? Have you felt any fluctuation of toxins in your body?"

To prove that her presence was merely out of a doctor’s concern for her patient, she gathered her courage and approached him.

"I’ll check your pulse. If the medication isn’t effective, I’ll adjust it."

As she reached out to feel his pulse,

he pulled his hand back and turned his face away, his voice cold, "There’s nothing unusual, the medication is working fine, no need to trouble Dr. Yan."

Yan Qianyi’s outstretched hand stiffened mid-air.

After a moment of shock, she awkwardly withdrew her hand and forced a smile.

"That’s good. I promised I would remove the toxins from your body, so if you have any issues, please make sure to contact me."

Mu Yunlie said nothing, his tight facial expression making him appear extremely stern.

She also had promised not to speak of divorce anymore.

What was the outcome? Ha!

"Since I don’t need to give you an acupuncture, I’ll be leaving now."

Yan Qianyi took heavy steps, brushing past Mu Yunlie.

As she continued forward, her back to him, she sighed in relief.

Fortunately, he hadn’t complied.

Because she didn’t even bring a silver needle.

If he had cooperated just now, he would have exposed all the lies she told.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt he might have turned around and was watching her,

Yan Qianyi forced herself to keep walking forward, not to look back.

Mu Yunlie watched her receding figure, his heart aching ruthlessly.

He had just left home; he was supposed to return to the Nangong Family for dinner tonight.

Ah Chang, monitoring the exterior of the villa, saw her arrival.

So he hurried back.

He thought that her sudden visit meant she missed him, regretted everything.

But it turned out, she was here merely out of a doctor’s duty.

He was being fanciful.

If she had just said she missed him, he could have forgiven her previous ruthlessness, he could forget everything, and continue to love her like before.

But she didn’t.

Every time he thought he saw a glimmer of hope, she cruelly snuffed it out.

Yan Qianyi drove away.

She rolled down the window, letting the cold air rush into the car.

A bone-chilling cold washed over her face, spreading throughout her body, calming her gradually.

At that moment, she was thankful to Chu Hua for the voice message that had awakened her.

Though Mu Huaner was detestable, she was right about one thing.

There was no need for Mu Yunlie to know those distressing past events.

Even if he knew, it wouldn’t change what had happened, only adding to his pain.

After calming herself, Yan Qianyi arrived at the restaurant.

Everyone was already there, waiting just for her.

Xue Xiaoguang had also returned to normal, acting as if nothing had happened.

Actually, he wasn’t upset about losing to Yun Mu, but because Yun Mu hadn’t shown his true abilities during their usual training sessions, keeping secrets from his good friends.

Yun Mu explained, "I haven’t been hiding anything. It’s just that today I performed exceptionally well."

Of course, he couldn’t admit he had been concealing his true abilities.

As a member of the Reserve Dark Department under Mu Yunlie, he had undergone extremely rigorous training.

What he usually showed wasn’t his true strength.

Xue Xiaoguang rolled his eyes, "Stop playing the saint. Just drink up."

Yan Chuhua raised her glass, "Here, everyone. Let’s drink to Qianyi and Yun Mu scoring first place in the international fellowship race!"

Yan Qianyi lifted her juice glass, "Have a good time drinking tonight. I’m on medication, so no alcohol for me."

Xue Xiaoguang asked, "Sis, what’s really going on? You haven’t drunk with us in a long time."

"Just some women’s health issues, which you wouldn’t understand," Yan Qianyi replied evasively.

She was indeed craving a drink, wanting to get thoroughly drunk.

But for the sake of the baby’s health in her womb, she restrained herself.

"Then Qianyi will stick to juice, cheers!" Yan Chuhua immediately understood, no longer urging Yan Qianyi to drink.

Women’s health issues usually meant things like menstrual cramps.

Menstrual cramps indeed are painful and require gentle care.

Just as their glasses clinked, the door of the private room opened, and Mai Hunter walked in.

"I recognized the voices from outside; I didn’t expect it to be you guys."