Chapter 661   - Swept Away by Love (1)

It was almost impossible for Li Meili to concentrate on her work, let alone think about her entry for the competition. She supposed that she would have to apologize to Tang Moyu this time. Ah, how annoying. There was no doubt that Liu Ruoyan would win this year's competition if Li Meili decided to back out now.

"But…" Meng Yanran wanted to object to Li Meili's decision. Based on what she heard from Cheng Ning, Li Meili and Tang Moyu had been looking forward to winning this competition.

If she was to withdraw now, people would perceive that the Black Nightingale was looking down on the competition itself. It would mar her reputation as a designer and she might attract unwanted attention within the fashion industry.

"Do what you want." Li Yuanyi agreed with his sister, surprising Meng Yanran. How could he allow his sister to let go of her responsibility like this? Was it truly okay for Li Meili to withdraw her participation at this point?

Li Meili looked at her brother in surprise. She didn't expect Li Yuanyi to easily give in to what she wanted this time. Was he sparing her feelings? Her jaws hardened at that thought. Pity was the last thing she wanted to receive from anyone right now.

"You aren't going to ask me why I'm withdrawing?" She questioned him.

"It isn't like I can force you to do something you don't like." Li Yuanyi said with a straight face, reminding Li Meili that no matter how many arguments they had as siblings, Li Yuanyi always had her back and was willing to cover up for her. If only their parents could be as understanding as her brother, then Li Meili wouldn't have to worry about them breathing down her neck about her future and marriage.

Meng Yanran glanced at the Li siblings and noticed the unspoken understanding between them. Somehow, she envied Li Meili for having a sibling who could support her. Since she was the only child of her parents, Meng Yanran was spoiled rotten by her father until he died from an illness. The closest person she could consider as a sibling was Lin Qianrou, since they practically grew up together.

"Have you already informed Tang Moyu of your decision? Meili, you can withdraw your participation in the competition, but you can't neglect your employees. No matter how sad you are, don't forget that there are many people who rely on you." Li Yuanyi reminded her.

Li Meili chewed her lower lip and looked away, clearly feeling guilty after listening to her brother's reminder. Since she hadn't picked up any calls, she wasn't aware of the happenings outside her apartment. She didn't even check if there was anything that might need her immediate attention.

"I know. I'll see what I can do to help them." She conceded to her brother. She had been missing for a few days now and eventually, she needed to return to her mundane life without Tang Beixuan.

"If you know, then at least look after yourself." Li Yuanyi frowned, crossing his arms as he chastised his younger sister who looked like a mess right now. "I don't know Tang Beixuan personally, but if he truly loved you, he wouldn't want to see you like this."

Li Meili froze still, not expecting to hear that from her own brother.

"I know…" She gritted her teeth, clenching her fists on her l.a.p. "But you don't understand…"

"I don't need to understand." Her brother cut her words, "but I don't wanna lose my sister too, Meili. Can you try not to ruin yourself further than this? Don't let yourself be swept away easily by love. Don't try to confirm your existence through him. Love isn't like that, Meili. You don't need to consider that if he left you, there wouldn't be anything left."

There was an awkward tension between the Li siblings that Meng Yanran was trapped in between the two.

"If you are still worried about Mom and Dad, I'll help you convince them to let you off." Li Yuanyi said seriously to his sister.

Meng Yanran pursed her lips before taking a sip from her drink. She suddenly felt like she shouldn't be here with them, listening to their conversation. Although her relationship with Li Yuanyi was going smoothly, Meng Yanran thought it was too early for her to be involved with his family affairs.

"I'll go and wash the dishes…" She excused herself, taking the dirty dishes with her. After living on her own, supporting herself financially, Meng Yanran had been able to adjust to doing household chores whenever she was at home.

While giving the siblings some privacy, Meng Yanran considered what Li Yuanyi had said earlier. Was it really possible not to confirm one's existence through their other half? Was this why being with him felt so new and comfortable at the same time?

Li Yuanyi had never forced her to do anything she didn't like. He always reminded her that she had free will to decide for herself and that he would respect her decision if she deemed that she cannot be with him any longer. He wasn't possessive or obsessed with her. He trusted her enough to believe that she could be responsible for herself and her choices.

Her lips curled into a small smile. She had tried to not pour her feelings to him with all her might. Perhaps this was the reason why some people lost their minds and become hysterical whenever they broke up with their partners. Meng Yanran knew that it was very unhealthy, after seeing the scenes she thought would only appear in drama happening in real life.

To love and not to be swept away by it, keeping your respect for yourself. Even if things didn't work out between her and Li Yuanyi, she wished to part with him on good terms. Because no matter how much you love a person, he or she would remain a stranger in the end.