Chapter 754   - Because I Was the One at Fault (2)

After visiting his younger sister and newborn niece, Li Yuanyi drove Meng Yanran home. There was an awkward silence between them as the earlier meeting with his parents had surely made Meng Yanran uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry for earlier. I thought Dad and Mom had left," Li Yuanyi apologized to his girlfriend who was seated on his passenger seat, staring outside the window. It seemed like she preferred to watch the rain drizzling down on the glass than look at him.

"It's not your fault. We both know it wouldn't be easy to convince your father," she replied. However, that didn't mean that she wasn't affected when his father looked down on her.

Meng Yanran thought that she had already gotten used to it, but it still pained her to know that Li Yuanyi was having trouble with his family because of her. Wasn't she too selfish? She wondered.

Chairman Li didn't even bother to talk to her and ask her why she ended her marriage with her ex-husband. It pained her to know that because of her divorce, she was now deprived of being with Li Yuanyi.

If only she could change the past, but that was quite impossible, wasn't it? What she experienced and suffered in the past was what made her the person today. If none of it happened, she would probably still be living under her mother's influence.

"I'll convince, Dad. I'll do my best to change his mind." Li Yuanyi tightly held her hand, refusing to let her go. "I've lost you once Yanran. I cannot afford to commit the same mistake again."

Meng Yanran gave him a weak smile. She tried her best to be strong for his sake. It was hard to think positively about the situation they were in. However, she knew she could only endure it, hoping it would eventually get better.

"I understand, but don't argue with your father anymore. I don't want your relationship with your father to worsen because of me," she told him. Since she had decided to be with him, Meng Yanran would share the burden in her heart.

"Yanran, the issue between me and my father started a long time ago. It has nothing to do with you." Li Yuanyi released her hand and tightened his hold on the steering wheel. What else did he need to do to be able to convince his father?

It was hard for him to placate their father. Fortunately, his parents approved of Meili's marriage to Jiren. If his younger sister hadn't made acquaintances with Zhang Jiren, Li Yuanyi had no doubt that they would be in a messier situation, and there wouldn't be any chance for him to fight for Meng Yanran to become his wife.

Ah, how troublesome! It wasn't like he would forget how to manage the company once he married Meng Yanran. So, what was his father so worried about? Had he not proven himself that he was capable?

"I'm tired, Yuanyi. Let's talk about it some other time." Meng Yanran decided to drop the subject. "It's not every day you come here to see me. Can't we just forget our problems when you are with me?"

Li Yuanyi sighed and nodded in agreement. Meng Yanran was right. It had been a while since the last time he came here in Shenzhen. With their respective busy schedules, they could only talk late in the evenings after a long day of work.

"You are right. I'm sorry. Why don't we go up so you can rest?" he suggested, having enough of the drama they encountered today.

Together, they stepped out of the car and Li Yuanyi escorted her towards her apartment. None of them spoke, contented to hold each other's hands as they walked side by side. Li Yuanyi's worries were forgotten as she smiled warmly at him.

This was enough… for now. Someday, they wouldn't have to be apart. Once he settled his problem with his father, he wouldn't have to leave her here in Shenzhen on her own.

"It's too late to cook now, would it be alright if we call for food delivery instead?" he heard Meng Yanran ask.

"You can cook now?" He looked at her in surprise. He didn't expect that she had turned 180 degrees from the rich, pampered heiress who couldn't even prepare her own food.

"Of course, I can! How do you think I managed to survive this long on my own if I don't know how to look after myself?" She scolded him. "You don't believe I can cook?"

"I sure don't," he teased her in return. "I thought you only know how to reheat food in a microwave."

Meng Yanran released his hand and opened her door using her keycard. She pushed it open, harrumphed, and turned her back on Li Yuanyi. Of course, she knew he was just teasing her. In fact, he just teased her about the same thing as Qian did a week ago.

Was it really surprising to know that she could now manage to do some household chores and cook her own food? Or did they find amus.e.m.e.nt to see her try to do things she wasn't used to?

"If you don't believe me, then fine, I won't force you." She opened her fridge to get a bottle of water to drink. She then took the phone on the countertop and called for delivery.

Li Yuanyi came behind her and hugged her. How could he let her stay mad at him like this?

"Don't be mad. I'm just teasing you. I know you can cook. Didn't you make some dumplings for me the last time I was here?" he whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek lovingly.

"Are you going to stay for the night?" she asked after placing the phone back in place.

Stay the night? Li Yuanyi stilled. She had never asked her to spend the night before. They had never gone past kissing and holding hands since they started dating months ago. He had never dared suggest being physically intimate with her so soon.

"Yanran…" He swallowed the invisible lump in his throat, releasing her from his hold. "Are you sure?"

Meng Yanran turned around and faced him, her brows slightly furrowing as she looked at him.

"What are you worried about? It's not like I'm gonna eat you," she said.

Li Yuanyi laughed awkwardly and avoided her gaze.

"It's actually you who might get eaten clean tonight," he muttered to himself.

"What?" she asked, not being able to hear what he said clearly.

"Nothing," he laughed before shedding his coat and taking a seat on the couch where he could see the faint lights like stars coming from the other buildings surrounding the area.

He could understand why Meng Yanran had chosen to live in this place. The apartment complex was not only accessible and near essential establishments, but it also gave a clear view of the city that never seemed to sleep.

"Could you get the food once it's here? I need a long shower." She winked at him playfully before leaving to go to her bedroom.