Chapter 7: Enchanting

ss to Yan Luoxi, which would give an account to your mother. This is a mutually beneficial solution.I didn't expect that you'd be so stubborn and irresponsible, causing another change midway. Your mot...Chapter 7: Enchanted and Bewitched

Yan Luoxi knew that she was like the young Sun Wukong, unable to escape from Li An's grasp. Since he didn't ask her to do anything illegal or disrespectful, such as killing people or betraying family, she decided to accommodate his request to keep her around for a few days as a 'handicapped' person.

With a self-comforting mentality akin to Ah Q's, Yan Luoxi hurriedly went downstairs. She didn't have any kind feelings towards Li An and bought him a bowl of porridge from a small eatery near the hospital entrance before rushing to a nearby phone booth to chat with her boyfriend Zhou Guangtao.

Zhou Guangtao's voice was clear, warm, and soothing to Yan Luoxi’s ears. However, his questions made her unsure how to respond: "Luoxi, where are you now Are you still with Li An"

"No, I'm not with him," Yan Luoxi denied, as she wasn't currently with Li An.

"Then have you started working Why does it sound so noisy around you Where exactly are you calling from" Zhou Guangtao was quite vigilant.

"Ah... I went out to handle some matters. Right now, I'm on the street. Yesterday when I had the accident, my phone broke. So, I’m using a public phone." Yan Luoxi evasively replied to Zhou Guangtao's questions. She didn't want to tell him that Li An was still coercing her into servitude; some things are better left unsaid as they could make matters more complicated.

"I see," Zhou Guangtao said, "Last night when I tried calling you, the line was busy. Since there's a lot of work at my office now, I'll buy you a new phone after work today and bring it to you tonight."

Whenever Yan Luoxi thought about her broken phone, she felt close to tears. However, when Zhou Guangtao offered to buy her a new one, she instinctively refused: "No need, Brother Guangtao. We’re getting paid soon; I can afford it myself."

"Why do you always act this way!" Zhou Guangtao's voice clearly showed his displeasure. "Why do you keep treating me as an outsider and making such a clear distinction between us"

Yan Luoxi hurriedly softened her voice, "No, I just don't feel comfortable accepting things from others."

"Do I count as a stranger to you" Zhou Guangtao's tone was cold.

"Of course not," Yan Luoxi became anxious.

Zhou Guangtao pressed further, "Then what exactly am I to you"

Without hesitation, Yan Luoxi replied, "You're my boyfriend and the person closest to me."

Zhou Guangtao chuckled softly on the other end of the call. Only then did Yan Luoxi realize he was teasing her, causing her to stomp her feet in frustration while a smile curled at the corners of her mouth.

"Alright, that's settled then. I'll wait for you downstairs from your dorm building when work is over tonight. Don't eat dinner, and I'll take you out instead." Zhou Guangtao was extremely considerate toward Yan Luoxi.

"Wait downstairs from our dorm" Yan Luoxi’s voice involuntarily rose a pitch; people who felt guilty were easily apprehensive.

“What's wrong Are you afraid your colleagues will see me Is our relationship something we can't show off to others” Zhou Guangtao feigned hurt, but in reality, since meeting Li An his heart had become overly sensitive. He always felt uneasy and yearned to get closer to Yan Luoxi and the people around her to reaffirm his existence.

Hearing that Zhou Guangtao was coming to wait for her downstairs from her dorm, Yan Luoxi felt a bit anxious in her heart, but upon hearing his tone again, she hastily appeased him. "How can our relationship be something we can't show others My boyfriend is tall and handsome; I'd love to showcase you to everyone!"

Zhou Guangtao laughed and said, "Just now when you spoke like that, I thought you didn't want to acknowledge me as your boyfriend!"

Yan Luoxi explained, "I've just started working and haven't accomplished anything yet. It's embarrassing for me to proclaim my boyfriend."

Zhou Guangtao chuckled lightly, "Why not bring me out sooner so that everyone in your company knows you have a boyfriend That way, I'll feel at ease."

Yan Luoxi suddenly recalled Li An's sinister-looking face and quickly changed the topic, asking Zhou Guangtao about his work. It was his first day back to work after returning from abroad, so she was concerned about him.

In love, couples always have endless sweet nothings to say; Zhou Guangtao didn't mind the busy first day at work and chatted softly with Yan Luoxi on the phone.

As she talked on the phone, Yan Luoxi observed the bustling traffic and people on the streets and enjoyed the vibrant scenery around her. Suddenly, she felt that life was so beautiful.

Swept up in this sweet atmosphere, Yan Luoxi didn't notice how quickly time passed; she accidentally glanced at the public phone screen which showed 23 minutes and 46 seconds had elapsed since she made the call. She then heard Li An's ominous threat reverberating in her ears: "If you're not back within half an hour, I'll immediately call Zhou Guangtao."

She was alarmed and hurriedly said goodbye to Zhou Guangtao, clutching a nearly cold bowl of congee as she raced back to Li An's hospital room.

Gingerly pushing open the door to Li An’s病房，顏落夕幸福地發現厲安正專心致誌地和幾個小護士說話，根本冇注意到她的到來。

Li An, being young and in good health, recovered quickly after surgery, looking refreshed and radiant with his charming and carefree smile. The few nurses were enchanted by him, treating him as if he were a president.

Yan Luoxi slowed her pace, holding her breath as she slid along the wall into the hospital room. Wu Tiantian, who had returned at some point without anyone noticing, turned to face her with a smile and said, "You're back! Li An said you went out to buy porridge!"

Li An instinctively chided her, "Why are you so late Where did you run off to Do you want me to starve"

"I'm sorry!" Yan Luoxi's mouth automatically responded. "I couldn't find a place selling porridge nearby and had to walk far away to buy it..."

A few young nurses likely mistook the bedraggled and demure-looking Yan Luoxi for Li An's housekeeper, chattering at her in unison: "How could that be There are several porridge stalls right outside the hospital entrance!"

"That's right. This place is never short of porridge vendors; there are four or five shops lined up right by the door. Even if you walked slowly, it wouldn't take more than 15 minutes to go and come back."

...

The nurse said loudly, "Hurry up and pour out the porridge! What are you standing there for" Li An raised his one arm and glared at Yan Luoxi with a look that was as clear and gentle as flowing water.

Yan Luoxi moved to the side in an obliging manner, but when she thought Li An wasn't paying attention, she secretly pursed her lips.

When she brought over the bowl of cold porridge, several nurses eagerly wanted to feed it to one-armed Li An. The great patient elegantly extended his slender fingers and pointed at Yan Luoxi, commanding like a prince, "Have her do it! I'm used to ordering her around!"rved. Li Haonan hired him at a high salary, thinking that when Gu Xiaobei grew tired of gourmet food, she could come over for some traditional dishes.The reason Li Haonan built this villa was purely t...