Chapter 39: Unwilling to Be Defiled

r was no longer neatly styled and appeared somewhat disheveled, and the wrinkles around her eyes seemed to have increased rapidly.Yan Luoxi stared at her in disbelief, not having expected that Auntie...Chapter Thirty-Nine: Unable to Endure the Defilement

"It doesn't matter what. Yan Luoxi, flustered, said, "You choose then."

Zhou Guangtao didn't argue with her either and lowered his head to order dishes, picking out all of Luoxi's favorite dishes.

Luoxi took the opportunity while Zhou Guangtao was bowing his head to secretly scrutinize him. Previously, she had never dared to meet Zhou Guangtao’s gaze.

After going through those two days and nights with Li An, seeing Zhou Guangtao again felt like enduring a terrible cycle that left her ashamed to face him.

Zhou Guangtao finished ordering the dishes and the waiter took the menu downstairs. While waiting for the food, Zhou Guangtao once again cast a tender gaze at Luoxi and asked with a half-smile: "Luoxi, you won't leave after this return, right"

Luoxi picked up an underlying meaning in his words and remembered her promise to him earlier. Her heart grew more flustered as she didn’t know how to respond.

Zhou Guangtao noticed the changes in Luoxi's demeanor with care and shifted her hot drink closer, saying: "Luoxi, are you hungry First have a cup of milk tea; the dishes will be up soon."

Luoxi had something on her mind and felt an unshakeable restlessness. This even made her mouth feel dry. She nervously picked up the cup in front of her and drank several sips in succession, eventually finding that the milk tea tasted bitter from the start. After finishing the hot drink, she still held onto the empty cup tightly as if trying to draw some strength and warmth from it.

At this moment, the waiter brought two cold appetizers over.

Zhou Guangtao vaguely sensed that Yan Luoxi's faint smile seemed to hide an indescribable sorrow. This sorrow made him feel anxious when looking at her.

He didn't know how to calm his anxiety and quickly used chopsticks to pick some food for Yan Luoxi. "Are you hungry Have something to eat..."

Yan Luoxi had no appetite whatsoever, just holding the pair of chopsticks lightly poking around in the plate aimlessly.

Zhou Guangtao was naturally perceptive and also very familiar with Yan Luoxi. At this moment, he thoroughly noticed her unusual behavior. Her powder-free face looked pale and sorrowful. He asked carefully, "Luoxi, what's wrong Did something upset you outside Did you have an argument with your colleagues"

In response to Zhou Guangtao's concern, Yan Luoxi felt increasingly restless. She thought she couldn't pretend anymore, not even able to sit down and have a proper meal together.

Her emotions surged, suddenly raising her voice: "Uncle Guangtao, I'm sorry."

Zhou Guangtao was puzzled, looking at Yan Luoxi in confusion.

"Brother Guangtao, the company has given me an opportunity to work abroad. The salary is generous and the benefits are excellent. I have already accepted it." At this moment, Yan Luoxi did not care whether her lie was convincing anymore, just wanting to end her relationship with Zhou Guangtao as soon as possible.

"This is a good thing," Zhou Guangtao showed a look of relief. "It proves that you are excellent. We should celebrate."

"This time, I'm going to work abroad and need to sign a contract. The minimum term of the contract is five years. You've just come back, and I have to leave again. So... So we should break up," Yan Luoxi struggled hard before finally saying this.

Zhou Guangtao's eyes narrowed slightly as he frowned and looked at Yan Luoxi, thinking he had misunderstood her words. He asked in a serious voice, "Luoxi, do you know what you're saying"

Yan Luoxi dared not meet Zhou Guangtao's gaze and couldn't see his expression, but she could tell from the tone that he was unhappy. She repeatedly told herself not to be soft-hearted or hesitant. Clenching her teeth, she said, "I know what I'm saying and doing. Brother Guangtao, I want to seek better development abroad. We should break up."

"If you go seeking better development, I won't stop you. I'll wait for you, or find an opportunity to join you there. Why do we have to break up How can you easily say 'break up'"

Zhou Guangtao was very angry and his tone was cold, making Yan Luoxi feel a chill run down her spine. She instinctively forced herself to continue speaking harshly. "Our company has branches in many countries; there's no fixed place for you to find me. This trip will be at least five years long; much can happen within those five years. So I don't want you waiting or searching for me. We should break up."

"Yan Luoxi, is this how you view our relationship Do you think that our love cannot withstand the test of separation, or that I cannot endure it What makes you insist on choosing to break up"

The usually calm and composed Zhou Guangtao was so angered by Yan Luoxi's words that he seemed as if he would burst into flames. He stared at her intently, as if trying to burn her image into his eyes so she had nowhere to run or hide.

Yan Luoxi kept her head lowered and paid no attention to Zhou Guangtao's reactions, continuing to speak無情的話。“不是我們的感情經不起考驗，也不是你經不起考驗。問題出在我身上。是我怕自己耐不住寂寞，做出對不起你的事情，最後辜負了你的情意，耽誤了你的青春。”

Zhou Guangtao stood still, staring intently at Yan Luoxi. He could even feel his heart cooling down bit by bit in the icy words she spoke, eventually freezing over.

Yan Luoxi told herself that this time she must be ruthless and decisive; she couldn't let Zhou Guangtao get mired in this murky quagmire. After giving him an explanation today, she would leave this city.

Henceforth, their affection would come to an end. Zhou Guangtao would live his own happy life filled with sunshine, while she would go off to seek her own path. He was the prince she cherished forever as holy and noble; he should not be tainted by associating with Li An, the devil. Zhou Guangtai was the flawless lover in her heart; no one else had the right to sully him.

"Brother Guangtao, we'll part ways from now on. I need to go pack my luggage; I'm likely leaving for abroad within these two days."

Zhou Guangtao saw that Yan Luoxi's expression was anxious and vague, giving him the sense that she had some difficulty. He leaned forward and grabbed her hand, feeling it cold to the touch, with her body trembling slightly. Unable to help worrying, he asked, "Luoxi, what exactly is wrong Can you tell me the truth"

Yan Luoxi immediately pulled away from his grip and said fiercely, "There's nothing wrong. I'm fine. Everything I told you was the truth."

Zhou Guangtao was taken aback; he had never seen Yan Luoxi act so rude or out of character before. On closer inspection, her expression looked as if she wanted to cry, and his anger immediately turned into不忍 (unwillingness). He felt quite pained by it. Softening his tone, he asked in puzzlement, "Luoxi, what's really going on What happened during these days when you were out of town Is there anything that's troubling you so much Tell me, okay"

Yan Luoxi was pained by the question and her heart raced with fear. Her face turned pale. me like this and treat me like a thief, I would have made you the crystal long ago. Luoxi, I want to be with you; I really do. Even your appearance when you're old and toothless has crossed my mind....