The Female CEO Falls in Love with Me

Morality and the law, of course, are not just words on a piece of paper.

But in specific situations, it depends on the real circumstances.

In the eyes of family, friends, and others, already considered a couple, or have held a public feast, or have lived together for a long time, or even have children... such a man and woman, even without a marriage certificate, lack legal protection but still must bear the moral duties and responsibilities of a couple.

On the contrary, like Li Yan and Yurong, in the eyes of friends and others, no one knows they are married, have not publicly held a feast, reside together but not in the same room... such a man and woman, even with a marriage certificate, enjoy legal protection, but do they bear the same moral duties and responsibilities?

Their marriage agreement lacks witnesses or an emotional foundation. It's actually just a legal document with a signature. And for now, the play must continue, or if they suddenly divorce, Zhang Tianyi might end up in the hospital again.

As she peeled it back, Yurong realized that what once seemed complex, fragile, troublesome, and hard to untangle between them was actually quite simple.

She used to worry that Li Yan would refuse to divorce or demand exorbitant breakup fees, but now it seems unnecessary. However, will her future decision to request a divorce be superfluous?

She's uncertain.

Because she hasn't reached the point of loving him deeply enough that she couldn't live without him. Her and Qianyi's situation is just the beginning of a rivalry, not the final showdown.

If Li Yan were to choose, even if he chose to cut off ties with Qianyi to be with her, she might only grudgingly accept. Can a marriage with an insufficient foundation of love stay steady and long-lasting?

Since it would be a compromise, isn't maintaining the current state the same? That's why she said those words.

After hearing her words, Li Yan felt relieved. No matter what, she didn't demand or decide on a divorce, nor did she force him to make an immediate decision.

"Actually, you already knew about my relationship with Qianyi last time. Why weren't you so angry then? I remember you asking me... if I'd touched her, and if so, advised me not to provoke her, warning that abandoning a girl from such a family would have grave consequences. Even leveraging the Paradise Group wouldn't protect me..."

Recalling that time, Li Yan was quite moved because she was entirely concerned for him. The situation escalated to this point due to his own actions, but to be fair, this was an inevitable clash that he prematurely ignited.

Upon hearing his words, Yurong remembered last time, and she asked herself why her reaction was different this time. That time, it seemed Qianyi couldn't provoke me. Was it because last time it seemed like he was just playing around, and this time I realized Qianyi is serious? Or perhaps his importance in my heart has increased?

"Hmph! Last time was all playacting, but this time you've brought her home!" Yurong couldn't easily answer, not even knowing the real answer herself, so she expressed her dissatisfaction in the most straightforward way.

Indeed, Li Yan had no retort. And when she mentioned 'home,' it warmed his heart.

"Do you remember what I said back then?"

Yurong let out a light hum. "How could I not remember? I said I was willing to live with you, and you said I was out of my mind, affected by the gunfight and deaths, that I shouldn't compromise for you, and compromise brings no happiness..."

Li Yan was speechless. When did I say you were out of your mind?

"... I remember very clearly, so this time I won't accommodate the love guru in you. If you want a divorce, I have no objections either." Yurong said with a bit of irritation, recalling how she's also a girl, and having said such words, he rejected her, could that Qianyi be really that great?

"No need to be overly extreme, non-accommodation doesn't mean a breakup. At that time, I said... give me some time to pursue you. When someday you truly fall in love, and can't live without each other, then that's the time for a real decision! I haven't forgotten that promise!"

Hearing Li Yan's solemn words, Yurong's anger dissipated. She was so intelligent, how could she forget one of the rare serious conversations with Li Yan?

She remembered clearly, Li Yan had said then: Wait for me to love you properly, to pursue you, and one day when you love me deeply and can't live without me, that's when the decision is truly meaningful for you and for me!

And before saying that, there was another line: My wife, just for what you said, I'll always consider you my wife! No matter what our future may hold, as long as I'm alive, I'll always protect you and not let anyone harm you!

Honestly, back then, she was somewhat moved by these two sentences. This acceptance of sweet words from the opposite sex also reminded her of the many little stories between the two. Yet she remained rational and didn't forget to ask one crucial question.

Yurong said softly, "Then you should also remember that at that time, you hadn't fallen for me yet, so what are we talking about true love?"

She secretly smiled bitterly to herself; she had always been strong-willed, never losing to others in anything, yet in matters of the heart, she was destined to fail...

Li Yan saw that she remembered those words completely and reminded her, "But don't forget, at that time, I didn't truly like Yu Xiaodi either. Actually, we were all on the same starting line."

Yurong recalled him saying there was a generational gap between them; he was already considered an older man, and Yu Xiaodi was just experiencing a brief teenage infatuation, but...

She looked at him with some disdain, "So, you're saying, Mr. Li Yan is progressing on two fronts? And quite quickly too! How long has it been? Hearing your tone, you didn't like anyone back then, but now you've got genuine feelings?"

Li Yan said quietly, "But now, I truly like you..."

"Humph! Having one foot in two boats is shameless!"

Yurong avoided his gaze, finally hearing her husband say 'like'! For someone who just felt her romantic life was a complete failure, this was somewhat exciting. She didn't expect Li Yan's simple declaration of liking her would be so difficult; when it comes to other men pursuing her, they probably would have confessed countless times by now?

In the face of her disdain, Li Yan said helplessly, "Wife, it's not that I'm trying to juggle two relationships, actually, I'm in the water. I have an old boarding ticket for you, but you have yet to let me on board. As for Xiaodi..."

He initially wanted to express that he hadn't pursued her, and she was the one who pursued him, but he stopped himself, as it seemed too self-absorbed, almost bragging about being chased. So he held his tongue.

Yurong understood what he was trying to convey, knowing that Yu Xiaodi was proactive, which made her sigh inwardly. Perhaps both started at the same point, but one was passive and the other active, resulting in the current situation. Despite being so passive, she managed to earn Li Yan's affection, which brought her some relief.

"Forget it, let's not talk about the past. It's not easy for us to have this open conversation tonight. What I want to say is, even though I've fallen for you, I've also fallen for her, and I need time to determine who's more important right now. I appreciate you putting up with this. No matter what, you're still my wife now, so in the future, I won't bring other women home!"

Li Yan's last sentence was a promise, covering everyone, not just Yu Xiaodi. Of course, Yurong didn't know this, and he wouldn't add more fuel to the fire by saying it aloud.

Unable to promise not to interact with other women, he could only promise not to bring them home. Such a promise is like a discounted offer, unlikely to please a woman. And Yurong, being more perceptive, watched him remain silent, making him uneasy.

Undoubtedly, Wen Qianyi, who was there both times, had the biggest suspicion!

Seeing her silent, although it might appear he was trying to cover something up, Li Yan couldn't help but say, "Wen Qianyi doesn't count; she's just a friend. She's not a little girl like Yu Xiaodi, don't overthink..."

"Humph! I'm not overthinking. Whether I'm overthinking isn't important; what's key is how you think!"

Yurong finished and stood up, returning to the chair behind her desk, pretending to work, "I've said everything, now I need to get back to work."

Li Yan, helpless, extinguished his cigarette. Her words were ambiguous but carried a warning. He recalled the scene hours before at Wen Qianyi's house. Without the aftermath of this incident with Qianyi, without today's scene, he hadn't fully understood his feelings towards Wen Qianyi. But now, he clearly felt she had a piece of her heart involved too, and how could he easily put it aside?

Just like when rice is cooked, it reaches an appropriate point; if there's too much, there's the risk of it burning at any time! Of course, if balanced well, it's possible to cook a pot of eight-treasure porridge...

Since it's impossible to let go completely and settle for just plain porridge, he should learn how to make the eight-treasure porridge...

Feeling defeated and helpless, Li Yan suddenly ran to Yurong, surprising her.

"Wife, want some water? Let me pour you some water. Don't stress yourself so much; taking care of your health is the revolution's capital. Let me massage your shoulders?"

Seeing his sudden eagerness to please, Yurong was caught between laughing and crying. She tried to keep a stern face, "If this kind of flattery is your supposed pursuit, I'd rather you not pursue it at all, just be normal!"

Li Yan had already filled up the water and presented the glass directly to her lips. "This is care. From now, I'll take care of you more in life, work, and all aspects. Call it flattery if you want; you're my wife, I don't mind. Come on, darling, drink some water..."

Little darling... darling... Yurong felt a chill run through her, quickly grabbing the water glass. "Spare me, please..."

(Thanks to yesterday's rewards from brothers: Sai Clan's Little Fish, CP Pampas, Deng Jia Fuqiang, dongmin8061) (To be continued, if you're curious about what happens next, please login to www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)