Nan Yu had no intention of answering the phone and just let it keep vibrating.
Tan Linyuan was using the bathroom in the master bedroom, so she left the room and went to use another one.
While using the toilet, Nan Yu realized that she had gotten her period.
On a whim, she opened the cabinet under the sink. Sure enough, she found unopened sanitary pads inside, including various lengths, sizes, and types for both day and night use.
In a way, Tan Linyuan was truly considerate and thorough like an elder, even taking such a trivial matter into account.
Nan Yu couldn't help but wonder if he would be the same way when he was in a relationship with Qu Jiaran.
After freshening up, Nan Yu came out of the bathroom and saw Tan Linyuan on the phone in the living room.
Their eyes met instantly.
Assuming that he was probably calling Qu Jiaran back, Nan Yu turned around and was about to go to the kitchen to fix something to eat.
There were two simple sandwiches in the kitchen. Nan Yu guessed that Tan Linyuan must have made them just now.
She took them out and put them on the dining table, then waved at him, signaling him to come over for breakfast.
Tan Linyuan put his phone on the dining table too and pressed the speakerphone.
...Was he going to let her listen to their sweet phone call?
Nan Yu was speechless at Tan Linyuan's boring and childish behavior.
Qu Jiaran's sweet and coquettish voice came from the speaker: "Linyuan, I'm going to go play with Nan Yu later."
Hearing her own name, Nan Yu immediately became alert, thinking that Tan Linyuan would surely come up with some excuse to fob her off.
He couldn't just tell her that she and he were living together, a man and a woman alone.
"Don't bother. She's not at home," Tan Linyuan said casually. "She'll be living with me from now on."
Nan Yu: ...He never failed to disappoint.
She should have known better and not harbored any illusions about this old fox.
"She's at your place now?" Qu Jiaran also seemed quite surprised, but her tone quickly turned excited. "That's great! Are you guys free now? I can come straight to you!"
She didn't even ask why Nan Yu was at Tan Linyuan's place, as if she never suspected Nan Yu's character at all.
Seeing that Qu Jiaran was about to come over, Nan Yu shook her head desperately, her eyes pleading, hoping that Tan Linyuan would decline.
She just wanted a few peaceful days and really didn't want to be bothered by Qu Jiaran.
Tan Linyuan naturally noticed Nan Yu's resistant attitude. He paused for a moment and then said directly into the phone, "She's just about to..."
Nan Yu got a shock and immediately stood up and reached out to cover his mouth, but he grabbed her wrist instead. She quickly tried to cover his mouth with her other hand, but he dodged even faster.
"...She's free now," Tan Linyuan said slowly. Nan Yu's breathing suddenly froze, and her bright eyes glared at him angrily.
"Then I'll just..."
Before Qu Jiaran could finish her sentence, Tan Linyuan turned his face slightly, hiding the smile on his lips, and said casually, "However, I'm going to take her to give Niannian piano lessons soon."
Hearing this, Qu Jiaran immediately deflated. "Okay, then forget it."
Qu Jiaran finally gave up the idea of coming to find her. Nan Yu couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and glared at Tan Linyuan again.
This old man just couldn't stop teasing her, could he?
"I was going to spend the day with you and then go to the cocktail party together at night. Now it seems I'll just have to see you at the party tonight."
After hanging up the phone, Tan Linyuan briefly explained to Nan Yu that there was a business investment cocktail party in Jiangcheng that night and he had to show up.
He had tried his best to decline many unnecessary social engagements by using his identity as a disciple of Changuang Temple, but even so, there were still some necessary social interactions he had to deal with.
As a person in a high position, some social engagements were inevitable.
Tan Linyuan informed her about this, and Nan Yu nodded, thinking that it just meant she didn't have to cook dinner for him that night.
"You don't need to cook for yourself either," Tan Linyuan guessed what she was thinking. "You're coming to the cocktail party with me tonight."
"I don't want to," Nan Yu refused directly. "What would I do there? I'm not there to discuss projects or seek cooperation."
She wouldn't even go there just to eat and drink for free.
All the people at the business party were well - known entrepreneurs in Jiangcheng. She might even run into some former partners of the Nan Corporation. She didn't want to be humiliated.
Moreover, she vaguely guessed that Tan Linyuan, the mastermind, was starting to lay out another plan.
She didn't want to do as he wished and become a pawn on his chessboard.
Tan Linyuan also didn't intend to do as she wished. "You still owe me a favor from the last time I took you to the cemetery."
His voice was cold as he calmly brought up her past promise.
Nan Yu looked up in disbelief. "...You still remember something that happened so long ago?"
She had almost forgotten about it herself, but in her desperation at that time, she had indeed pleaded with him humbly.
"It was just on the tenth of last month," he remembered clearly.
Nan Yu blinked, thinking that Tan Linyuan's memory was really too good.
She protested and mocked him. "I really thought Uncle was kind - hearted. It turns out everything comes with a price."
Tan Linyuan ignored the sarcasm in her words and said casually, "I'm used to delayed gratification, and you're just fulfilling your promise."
Only with enough patience could one make the prey take the bait.
Although he hadn't completely given up his worldly desires, he had long learned to control his human desires.
Not being hasty in anything was the first compulsory lesson in his life.
But Nan Yu was too lazy to discuss the philosophical question of "how to achieve delayed gratification" with him. She was still thinking of reasons to refuse to attend the cocktail party. "I don't have suitable clothes."
"Uncle wouldn't want me to show up in a sweatshirt and jeans, would he? I'd be kicked out by the security guards."
Tan Linyuan curled his lips and glanced at her. "Someone will bring them to you later."
The hand that had been holding hers didn't let go. He tightened his grip even more forcefully. "Any other problems?"
"...Then thank you, Uncle."
She understood once again that whenever Tan Linyuan set his mind on something, she had no chance to bargain.
Since she couldn't oppose him, Nan Yu could only swallow her anger and nitpick. "The sandwich tastes mediocre. Uncle's cooking skills need improvement."
Tan Linyuan had just swallowed a mouthful. His expression was very calm. "At least I made one for you too. I didn't let you go hungry, and I didn't make you eat my leftovers."
...This guy really held grudges.
After a while, Liang Yi drove over. He was carrying two custom - made dress boxes in his hand. When he entered the door, he was still grumbling. "Tan, you're treating me like your assistant. You even made me deliver the suits?"
"You even made me pick up two sets. Are you planning to play a dressing - up game at the cocktail party tonight?"
He thought the person opening the door would be Tan Linyuan, but unexpectedly, he looked up and saw Nan Yu in her pajamas.
The two of them stared at each other in silence.
"...Damn it,"
Liang Yi couldn't help but curse. "Tan Linyuan! Why do you have a woman hiding in your room?"