voluntarily. She leaned towards Zhang Chongguang and said, "I'll go to the restroom for a minute. You watch Mianmian, by the way, you have a meeting later, right I'll just take Mianmian back home dire...After Huo Yunsi finished speaking, the atmosphere was subtly tense.

At the entrance hall, Li Siqi's face was as pale as paper. She still held in her hand the gifts she had prepared for An Ran and the children.

Gu Yunfan watched her silently.

Ho Yunsi smiled again: "Oh, why are you still standing there It's been a long time... There's really a lot to talk about, let's chat while we eat!"

Li Siqi was momentarily unable to move, and An Ran gently patted her hand.

At this time, Huo An'an ran over.

She hadn't seen Li Siqi much these past few years, but she was very close to her. The fair and tender little girl softly called her "Auntie" and tugged her hand toward the dining room.

Gu Siqi's eyes were filled with tears.

The little guy glared at Huo Anna, his eyes blazing with jealousy, so Huo Anna worked even harder.

A long dining table that seats eight people was filled with a motley crew.

Huo Yunsi took out a bottle of wine from the wine cabinet and four small wine glasses, saying to Gu Yunfan: "I'll have the driver take you back later. It's rare for us to get together, let's have a drink!"

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, due to Huo Yunsi's arrangement, Li Siqi ended up sitting opposite Gu Yunfan.

Gu Yunfan originally wanted to refuse, but after glancing at the person opposite him, he changed his mind and smiled lightly: "Sure! A small drink won't hurt."

Four small glasses lined up, each filled with brandy halfway.

Anran softly said, "Siqi can't drink."

In previous years, Li Siqi would do anything for Gu Yunfan, often drinking to excess until her stomach was damaged. Now, she hardly touches alcohol.

Huo Yunsi lowered her eyes and smiled lightly, "A cup won't hurt!" She said as she still handed the cup to Li Siqi.

In mid-air, Gu Yunfan took the cup of wine.

His tone was flat: “She has a bad stomach, so I drank it for her!”

Huo Yunsi smiled lightly: "After so many years, Mr. Gu is still the same as before, compassionate and caring."

He let go, and Gu Yunfan was about to take the wine glass back.

Li Siqi gently grasped the cup, and their fingertips accidentally touched. The slight warmth sent a shiver through them both, especially Gu Yunfan.

Under the lamplight, Li Siqi's red lips parted slightly, her voice a soft murmur: "Mr. Gu, there's no need for you to bother! A single cup of light wine doesn't require anyone else's assistance."

Gu Yunfan's eyes were unfathomable.

He looked at her, his long fingers twitching, but he finally let go of her.

Li Siqi handed over the transparent glass of liquor, drinking it a bit too quickly and eagerly. She gulped it all down in one go. The spicy liquor slid down her throat, and the feeling was like going back to the past, choking her with discomfort and pain.

She didn't know why Gu Yunfan had to go back to City B.

He chose to live in H city, didn't he

Li Siqi couldn't understand, she simply didn't want to... After finishing her drink, she looked up at Huo Yunshi and softly said, "I'd like another one."

Huo Yunsi, however, put the wine away.

He smiled faintly: “Forget it! Anran won't allow it.”

Indeed, An Ran gently patted Li Siqi's shoulder: "Don't drink anymore! You'll have a headache later and have to go to the hospital again."

Li Siqi listened to her and stopped.

After a moment of silence, a few children began to play and chat, bringing the atmosphere back to life. Huo Yunshi also chatted with Gu Yunfan while eating, but the man always talked about business matters.

An Ran chatted with Li Siqi about women's affairs.

Suddenly, Gu Yunan softly asked, "How have you been these past few years"

Li Siqi was taken aback.

At the table there were seven people in total, six of them were staring at her. She didn't know how to answer so she just said softly, "It's alright, I've been studying a few niche languages... Hungarian."

Gu Yunfan stared at her as she spoke, his focus unwavering.

At that moment, he withdrew his gaze and smiled slightly: "That's great! I envy you for being so free and unrestrained, able to travel the world."

Li Siqi lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, saying, "I also envy Mr. Gu for having a wife and daughter, with a happy family... Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't bring up your sad things."

Gu Yunfan didn't answer, but his gaze toward her became deeper.

At this time, Xiao Siqi walked closer to her father, pressing her pretty little face against his arm and whispering softly, "I've never seen my mother! Sister, have you ever seen my mother I heard people say she is very beautiful."

How come she has never met Li Siqi

Not only has she seen it, but she's also been slapped by Mrs. Gu!

But when the person had left, she couldn't bring herself to be angry with the little girl. Besides, that pretty face reminded her of Gu Yunfan quite a bit.

But she didn't want to give the little girl a good look, making her fantasize, and then affectionately call her sister.

Then Li Siqi said stiffly, "I've never seen it!"

For a while, she lowered her thick lashes, her spirits utterly crushed: "My mother has passed away. From now on, my elder sister will never see me again."

Li Siqi: ...

Xiaoxiqi raised her eyes again, looking at her with dark and watery eyes. Although she was fair and tender, she was also small and frail, which made people want to protect her. At least Li Siqi couldn't bring herself to be truly cruel.

She stared blankly at the little one,

Not wanting to meet Gu Yunfan's gaze, Li Siqi quickly looked away, her face flushed.

She hated herself for not being strong enough. She could have been more composed.

Isn't he just some old geezer I slept with years ago He got married and had kids, his wife died a few years back, and now he's down on his luck. Why would she still be influenced by him!

Next, Li Siqi talked to Anran, and Huo An'an also came over and hugged Li Siqi, her eyes full of stars.

She was still sitting on Li Siqi's lap, wanting Li Siqi to read her a picture book.

Normally, Huo An'an isn't this clingy.

He just wanted to show off in front of little Gu Siqi, to intimidate her a little... His little thoughts couldn't hide from his own father's eyes. Huo Yunsi smiled.

Indeed, Little Miss Gu Siqi was angry.

With fiery eyes, like a fire-breathing dragon.

Why does Huanhuan have a dog, she doesn't!

Why does Ho Anan have an aunt, but she doesn't!

But she's about to have a Coke, and her aunt wants one too, and she's getting this one!

Gu Siqi looked up at her father... Gu Yunfan understood her so well, just one look was enough to know what she was thinking. He put down the cup in his hand and gently touched the little girl's head.

Gu Siqi knew that her father had agreed.

She stayed by his side, her eyes fixed on Li Siqi... she'd have him eventually.

The night is cool as water.

The birds and insects in the courtyard had all gone to sleep, and the three children in the hall were getting sleepy... A few adults still seemed to be enjoying themselves, but to be honest, the only one who was truly reluctant to end the evening was Huo Yunsi, the young Mr. Huo.

Others' moods are complex.

Anran felt it was a pity that she hadn't had a good chat with Li Siqi.

Li Siqi had long wanted to leave, Gu Yunfan just felt that there were too many people.

Finally, Gu Yunfan stood up: "The little girl is going to sleep, I won't disturb her any longer, farewell."

Outside, his driver was already waiting.

Before leaving, Gu Yunfan courteously and tactfully asked Li Siqi, "Would you like me to drive you home It's not safe to drive after drinking."

Huo Yunsi said he would personally send it, but then he said, "I've also had some wine."

Gu Yunfan smiled faintly: "Or I'll send Miss Li down by the way!"

He was polite but distant, as if the two of them had never shared that past. If Li Siqi refused, she would seem petty, but she still declined: "Thank you, Mr. Gu, I'll take a taxi!"

Gu Yunfan held his little daughter, standing at the entrance hall.

The light cast on his face, he was still as handsome as before, not a bit showing his age. Only the fine lines at the corners of his brows seemed to add a touch of mature allure.

He countered, "After all these years, you still can't let go"

Anran's heart skipped a beat.

Indeed, Li Siqi couldn't stand the provocation. She sneered coldly: "Mr. Gu is overthinking things!"

Gu Yunfan's gaze was deep.

After a moment, he slightly turned his body, allowing the lady to pass first.

Li Siqi walked ahead, and Gu Yunfan followed. A small figure lay on his shoulder, hugging his father tightly... His little face looked aloof, but inside, he was overjoyed.

In the hall, An Ran looked at Huo Yunsi: "You planned this ahead of time, didn't you"

He stroked his well-defined jaw, a light smile playing on his lips. “After all these years, to be honest… Siqi still hasn’t improved at all! Look, back then Gu Yunfan could completely control her, and now there's another one! This little guy is quite persistent.”

He spoke so calmly that even An Ran felt worried. She sighed softly and walked out to see him off.

In front of the parking lot, a black Rolls-Royce was parked. The driver held the back door open for Gu Yunfan to carry the child into the child seat. After his little daughter was seated, he straightened up and looked at Li Siqi: "Get in the car."

Li Siqi lightly said, "I'll sit on the outside!"

Gu Yunfan gave her a long look, then got into the car first. Li Siqi followed and sat down.

They were practically sitting on each other's laps.

And even within the limited space, she could smell his scent.

Tobacco blended with the refreshing scent of aftershave.

It smells very unique and nice!

Even it was exactly the same as before, Li Siqi remembered when they were intimate, she always loved to lie on him like a little dog, sniffing at his neck. Every time she tickled him, he would be so teased that he'd make her breathless and moan softly calling him Uncle Gu.

Because she was reminiscing about the past, Li Siqi's eyes were glistening.

She turned her face away from him, gazing out the car window. She didn't want to see him, nor did she want to remember things from the past.

Gu Yunfan didn't speak to her.

After the car started, Yun Fan relaxed against the back of her seat. To avoid being too close to him, she had sat forward a bit, but after a while, her lower back started to ache. She adjusted her position slightly.

Suddenly, a hand grasped her arm and pulled her back.

Her shoulders pressed against the comfortable backrest, but her whole body was stiff. She dared not turn her head to look at Gu Yunan's expression. She imagined his eyes would be clear and aggressive.

"Aren't you afraid of me"

"I didn't mean anything by it, I was just sharing a ride. Is there any need to be so distant with me"

……

Although it was a question, he said it softly.

Li Siqi's attitude was cold. "You're overthinking it! Mr. Gu, don't be so self-indulgent! Long ago... many years ago, we made things very clear and parted ways cleanly."s.The night before her business trip, Huo Xi took care of the children. She stood on the bedroom balcony for a long time before taking out her phone and sending Zhang Chongguang a message: [Mianmian a...