Just as work was about to end, Sun Zhewen's phone suddenly rang. Li Zhiyan's name appeared on the screen. His heart tightened, and he quickly answered. Before he could say anything, Li Zhiyan's voice came from the other end: "Zhewen, come back for dinner after work. I have something to tell you."
Sun Zhewen nodded repeatedly, even though Li Zhiyan couldn't see him. He instinctively replied, "Okay, I'll be right back after work." After hanging up, he had been a bit worried about her health today and wanted to know if she could help her cousin. He was also curious about what she wanted to say.
As soon as it was time to leave work, Sun Zhewen quickly packed his things, not even hearing his colleagues' farewells, and plunged straight into the traffic.
When he opened the door, a tempting aroma of food wafted in. Sun Zhewen was stunned, thinking, This is really rare, Li Zhiyan can actually cook? He strode into the dining room and saw the table laden with delicious dishes. Li Zhiyan was standing to the side, smiling at him.
"You're back. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat," Li Zhiyan said gently.
Sun Zhewen nodded and quickly washed his hands, returning to the table to sit down. He couldn't help but tease, "I didn't expect you to cook. You've really opened my eyes." It was indeed a bit unexpected that this social butterfly could cook.
Li Zhiyan smiled, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes. "Really? Then you should eat more. I'll tell you what it is after you're done eating."
Sun Zhewen's curiosity grew upon hearing this, and he sped up his eating. Seeing this, Li Zhiyan gently patted his shoulder, "Don't rush, eat slowly. I won't steal your food." As soon as she finished speaking, Sun Zhewen choked, his face turning red, and he coughed incessantly.
Li Zhiyan quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to him, gently patting his back at the same time. "I told you to eat slower, you're just like a child."
Sun Zhewen took the glass, drank it all in one go, and finally caught his breath. He smiled sheepishly and slowed down his eating. They ate and chatted, and the atmosphere became relaxed. Li Zhiyan occasionally picked up food for Sun Zhewen, who nodded and praised her as he ate.
After finishing the meal, Sun Zhewen volunteered to clear the dishes, but Li Zhiyan stopped him. "You sit down, I'll wash them." Her tone was not to be argued with. Sun Zhewen had to sit down obediently, watching her busy figure, a warmth rising in his heart.
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In a little while, Li Zhiyan finished washing the dishes, dried her hands, and walked over. She sat down on the sofa opposite Sun Zhewen, her expression becoming serious. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if a heavy stone weighed on her heart. Seeing this, Sun Zhewen immediately put away his smile, looked at her seriously, and his tone also became solemn. "Do you have something to tell me?"
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Li Zhiyan was silent for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts. Her eyes darted around, but finally, as if making up her mind, she raised her head, looked directly into Sun Zhewen's eyes, and slowly began, "Zhewen, take me to Haicheng this weekend."
"Haicheng?" Sun Zhewen was stunned, then reacted, "That's the provincial capital, what are you going there for?"
Li Zhiyan took a deep breath, as if to exhale all her worries, "A leader in the province can help my sister with this matter, I have to go and ask for a favor."
Sun Zhewen's eyes lit up, his face full of joy. "Really? That's great! There's finally hope for your sister's situation!"
However, he didn't notice the complex expression that flashed across Li Zhiyan's face. It was a look of unwillingness, as if a huge whirlpool within her was consuming her emotions and reason. She lowered her head, her fingers clenched tightly together, as if engaged in a silent battle with her own heart.
Sun Zhewen, seeing her silence, couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, and his eyes revealed some concern and confusion. "What's wrong? Is there something you're uncomfortable with?"
Li Zhiyan raised her head, her eyes complex, and forced a smile onto her lips. "No, I'm quite happy to help my sister. I know she's been resenting me lately."
Sun Zhewen frowned, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Your sister doesn't know the full story."
Li Zhiyan shook her head, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes. "Don't let her know. I don't need her pity. She's always been better than me since we were little, and I've always envied her, but I don't hate her. She's really kind-hearted, but she's also been ruined by Liu Qunqi. We sisters really have a hard life."
Sun Zhewen sighed softly, his eyes filled with a hint of pity. "I told her roughly about your situation. She probably didn't expect you to jump into the same fire pit."
Li Zhiyan gave a bitter smile, her eyes filled with a touch of sadness. "Ah, it's fate, I guess. But I don't accept this fate. I will take back everything they took from me, and I'll take it back in spades."
As she said these words, her expression was contorted, and her eyes held a fierce determination. Sun Zhewen looked at her, and couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. Although this woman appeared weak on the outside, she possessed an indomitable strength within.
Li Zhiyan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Her tone softened considerably. "I'm sorry, Zhewen, for dragging you into this. But I believe we can get out of this, and I'll make it up to you. Of course, I know you might not think much of me, given my situation, but as long as we succeed, I'll do my best to help you rise."
Sun Zhewen smiled, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "Thanks, Zhiyan. But I don't have such lofty ambitions. As long as I can make a decent living, I'm good."
Li Zhiyan looked at him, a determined glint in her eyes. "Zhewen, if you don't strive for more, how will you marry my sister? Do you want her to keep sneaking around with you like this?"
Sun Zhewen sighed helplessly. "Alright, I'll try."
Li Zhiyan shook her head, her voice a little urgent. "Is just you trying enough? You have no connections; everyone will walk all over you, wouldn't you say? Forget it, let's not talk about this. What time do your parents arrive tomorrow?" Realizing the atmosphere had become heavy, she changed the subject.
Sun Zhewen took out his phone and called his father. "Dad, what time are you arriving tomorrow?"
His father's voice came from the other end. "Oh, around five in the afternoon."
Sun Zhewen nodded. "Okay, Zhiyan will pick you up then. I'll send you her number in a moment."
After hanging up the phone, Sun Zhewen said to Li Zhiyan, "I'll give you their numbers. Here are their photos, I'll send them to you too, just in case you don't recognize them."
Li Zhiyan smiled, "You're pretty thoughtful. I was just about to ask you for them."
Sun Zhewen also smiled, "Right, how are you feeling today?"