CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74 JIU CITY JOURNEY 6_1

When she woke the next morning, the sun was still as brilliant as ever. The sky over Jiuzhaigou was an astonishing blue.

Seeing her in such high spirits, Wan Donglin suggested, "Xixi, how about we visit Sha City again?"

She hesitated slightly. "Do you have time for that?"

He paused. After a quick mental calculation, he realized a road trip was indeed out of the question.

She mused aloud, "A lot of artsy folks say that a trip to Sha City can cleanse the soul. Is that true?"

Wan Donglin burst out laughing. "That’s not fair. I’ve been in West City for several years and I’m still the same rogue."

She was taken aback for a moment, then smiled too, and asked curiously, "You’ve been to Sha City?"

He casually replied, "I served in the army there for several years."

She had never known about his past; this was the first time she learned he had even been a soldier.

Just then, his phone rang.

He gave her a look and walked out of the room to answer the call.

Yan Xixi immediately understood. It was Zhou Ting calling.

The trip to Sha City never materialized, and the two of them set off for home that same day.

The day after they returned home, Wan Donglin flew overseas. For a long time after that, there was no news from him.

She had searched for news about Zhou Ting a few times, but all she found were official announcements about her participation in United Nations activities. There was never any mention of her personal life.

Yan Xixi guessed that Donglin had gone abroad to prepare for his wedding. Of course, she was also relieved that once the semester was over, she would finally graduate. Her long-desired diploma was already beckoning to her.

Time flew by. One day, Yan Xixi returned home to find Wan Donglin back. His face was flushed as if he had been drinking. Seeing her, he grinned, strode over, and embraced her, booming, "Xixi, you’re back too late!"

It was only a little after five in the afternoon. In late March, the days were already long, and the sunshine outside the window was still brilliant. Yan Xixi didn’t argue with him, merely turning her head away with faint disgust at the strong smell of alcohol on him.

She was allergic to alcohol and disliked the smell of any liquor.

Her subtle recoil didn’t escape Wan Donglin’s notice, and his eyes darkened.

That night, he was unusually wild, his fervor seemingly endless. By the end, Yan Xixi was merely gritting her teeth to endure it. Finally exhausted, he lay beside her, clutching her hand tightly. His breath, reeking of alcohol, puffed against her lips.

Yan Xixi suddenly wished he would leave quickly after they were done, just like he used to. But he didn’t. He held her tightly. Soon, he fell into a deep sleep.

Several times, she tried to pull her hand free, but his grip was like an iron band. She was powerless to escape and afraid of waking him.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Despite a sleepless night, she rose at her usual time when she saw the morning light filtering through the window.

Just as she stirred to get up, he pressed her back down, mumbling, "Xixi, stay home with me today."

She hesitated. "Mr. Wan, how about tomorrow? I have an important class today."

It was an elective, unrelated to her major but highly practical and crucial for her future plans. The professor was a leader in the field, and the class met only once a week. Yan Xixi had never missed it.

He was displeased. "What course could be that important?"

"Mr. Wan," she replied, "can I please take the day off to accompany you tomorrow? I really can’t today."

Wan Donglin sullenly released her hand, turned his head away, closed his eyes, and ignored her. When Yan Xixi finished her morning routine and said goodbye, he remained unresponsive.