"Lin Jing, you shouldn't always think about escaping. This position was meant to be yours, three years ago, and it is now and will be in the future. You've been running for over three years, how much longer do you intend to hide?"
Zhan Yichen's hands clasped Mu Lin Jing's palm, his words earnest. He desperately wished Mu Lin Jing would change her mind upon her return. In fact, a year after Mu Lin Jing left, he couldn't bear the longing and searched for her whereabouts. He knew she was working hard abroad and living a fulfilling life, but he didn't disturb her, hoping that one day Mu Lin Jing would let go of her past grievances and willingly return.
Today, although Mu Lin Jing returned for work reasons, he didn't want to miss this opportunity. He had known for a long time that the company Mu Lin Jing worked for had plans to develop the domestic market, and it was expected that she would be sent back. Moreover, if she were willing to stay in China, she could both get a promotion and fulfill their relationship, achieving the best of both worlds.
Mu Lin Jing met his pleading gaze, and for a moment, she found herself in a dilemma. She had come with the intention of refusing, but when she truly faced Zhan Yichen, she found she still couldn't bring herself to say words that would make him sad.
Silence stretched between them for a long time, until Mu Lin Jing finally withdrew her hand. "Take me back first, I still have work."
Seeing that she wasn't outright refusing, Zhan Yichen felt a little better. He started the car and drove her back to their previous apartment.
Mu Lin Jing saw that the apartment's furnishings were the same as three years ago, and her gaze towards Zhan Yichen became increasingly unbearable. She suddenly remembered that during the six months she was missing, Zhan Yichen had spent his days like years guarding the empty apartment she had left behind.
However, thinking back to that time, Wen Yulan was not yet dead, and at least there were no trust issues between them. Now, many things were different.
She was so engrossed in looking at the room's decor that she didn't notice Zhan Yichen bending down to help her with her shoes. She was startled and quickly dodged. "I can do it myself."
Zhan Yichen took out slippers and placed them in front of her. "High heels must be tiring for your feet. I'll stew some pig trotters for you. What is weak, food can strengthen."
Her hand, which was in the process of taking off her shoes, froze. The first time she had brought Zhan Yichen home, he had made her pig trotter soup, saying "what is weak, food can strengthen."
This sentence seemed to transport her back three years, to a time before their relationship had even begun. Countless cherished moments with Zhan Yichen flooded her mind.
For the past three years, she had numbed herself with work, thinking it would help her forget. But now, it seemed it was merely an act of evasion. As long as this man stood before her, those memories would seep into her through every pore, forcing her to recall them.
She changed her shoes in silence and sat on the sofa. She then remembered how she had sat there watching Zhan Yichen busy himself in the kitchen.
She shook her head vigorously, trying to stop herself from thinking, but it was useless. She pulled out her work, knowing that the best way to suppress her wandering thoughts was to immerse herself in her work. This method had always been effective.
By the time Zhan Yichen came out of the kitchen, she was already focused on her work. Zhan Yichen didn't disturb her, quietly sitting beside her. Three years had passed since they last met. Now, Mu Lin Jing was sitting right in front of him, not in a photograph, but a living, breathing person. He already felt it was a luxury, so even in silence, he was content.
Mu Lin Jing finished her work, and the pig trotter soup was ready. Zhan Yichen brought it out and placed it in front of her. "Try it. Has my cooking improved since three years ago?"
She took a small sip with a spoon. The taste was exactly the same as it was back then. "It hasn't improved much."
"Of course. Besides you, I don't cook for anyone else."
Only then did Mu Lin Jing realize she had been tricked. She glared at him but said nothing more.
As the sky darkened, she gave him the hint. "I have work tomorrow, so I need to get some rest early."
Hearing this, Zhan Yichen showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he impudently placed his legs on the coffee table, leaned back, and crossed his arms behind his head. "Then you rest. I won't disturb you."
Mu Lin Jing was exasperated. "I mean, you can leave now."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Yichen actually chuckled. "That won't do. You can't kick out your landlord, can you?"
Landlord? Mu Lin Jing was confused. It was true that she had rented this place, but the transaction was handled by Zhan Mohan, and she had never known who the landlord was.
Zhan Yichen narrowed his eyes. "I've already bought this place. You are now staying at my home. How can you kick me out? That's not how it works in this world."
Mu Lin Jing snapped her documents shut. "Then I'll go stay at a hotel. That won't bother you, right?"
Seeing her jump up like a rocket, Zhan Yichen grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She tumbled forward, falling right into the man's strong embrace.
Zhan Yichen rolled over, trapping her between himself and the sofa. "It's getting late. If you want to rest early, you have two options: either we each have our own room, like before, or we squeeze in here together. It's big enough."
Mu Lin Jing was indignant, her face flushed as she pushed against his chest. "Why should I?"
"If I invite you to stay at my home, you have to listen to me."
"This is coercion!"
Zhan Yichen nonchalantly raised the corner of his eyebrow. "Coercion is also my skill. If you don't make a choice, then I'll have to choose for you."
As he spoke, one hand gently rested on Mu Lin Jing's hair. Mu Lin Jing felt extremely uncomfortable and quickly pushed him away with her hands. "I'm scared of you. We can each have our own room, alright?"
Zhan Yichen, who had anticipated this, pouted with a tone of regret. "Having separate rooms is fine, I suppose. I'll go draw you a bath."
The oppressive crisis averted, Mu Lin Jing finally breathed a sigh of relief. She never imagined she would face such a shameless Zhan Yichen, leaving her completely unable to cope.
"Lin Jing, the bath is ready. Do you want me to help you?"
The annoying voice appeared again. She immediately retorted, "I have hands, I don't need your concern."
Zhan Yichen had never been this shameless before. However, this manner of his, beyond the ordinary, wasn't entirely without its charm. After all, he was only trying to gain an advantage with his words and hadn't actually done anything.
Mu Lin Jing hugged her pajamas and went into the room, locking the door before taking her bath. Although Zhan Yichen hadn't done anything, she didn't want any unexpected events to occur, as she was truly tired and had no energy to continue this game of cat and mouse.
Seeing her close the door, Zhan Yichen went into his own room and made a phone call. "Little Jin Zhi, I never expected someone as young as you to know how to chase a girlfriend. Uncle loves you dearly."
That's right. This thick-skinned idea was ingeniously devised by Jin Zhi himself.