Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and Qin Chuan, fresh from a shower, walked out wearing only a pair of shorts.
In the northern winter, the room was truly comfortable, heated by a powerful furnace, and not cold at all.
Unexpectedly, a figure was already waiting in the hallway, arms crossed and leaning against the wall, startling him.
"Sis, why are you up?"
Li Ya's gaze lingered on Qin Chuan's chiseled physique for a moment before she said calmly, "You come back this late at night, do you expect me to be able to sleep!"
"Here, I have new clothes for you. Change into them quickly. I'll put yours in the washing machine to wash later."
"Also, I've brewed a pot of hangover soup, it'll be ready to drink soon! Drink it and then go to bed!"
With that, Li Ya turned and headed downstairs.
Qin Chuan stared blankly at her retreating figure. Beneath her thin silk pajamas, her well-proportioned curves were undeniable. As she walked, her hips and waist swayed with exaggerated grace, truly the embodiment of a mature, top-tier older woman.
But none of this was what mattered most. What truly mattered was the silent care and concern emanating from Li Ya, like that of a kind elder sister next door.
A warm current flowed through Qin Chuan's heart. No matter how much Li Ya tried to mask her feelings with outward indifference, these ingrained habits of living together revealed her true inner emotions.
At this moment, the "scumbag" felt genuinely remorseful. Li Ya used to be such an open and enthusiastic person. It was all because of him that she had become so melancholic, her brows perpetually furrowed with worry.
After quickly changing, Qin Chuan went downstairs.
In the kitchen, Li Ya was just bringing out a bowl of freshly brewed hangover soup. Seeing him descend, she placed it on the coffee table, steaming hot.
As she was about to leave, Qin Chuan gently grasped her wrist.
"Sis, can you sit with me for a while?!"
Li Ya turned, looking at the young man beside her who was an unstoppable force in business, possessing immense wealth and earning everyone's envy at such a tender age. At this moment, a hint of pleading in his eyes softened her heart.
"Wait for me a moment, I haven't turned off the gas stove!"
Qin Chuan released her hand, and Li Ya returned to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she emerged, and Qin Chuan quickly patted the seat beside him.
Li Ya walked over and sat down. Qin Chuan leaned in, taking her small hand, and said softly, "Sis, can you tell me what's been troubling you lately?"
Li Ya shook her head.
"Impossible, you must have encountered something, otherwise, why would you sell the Butterfly Garment Factory?"
Qin Chuan stated with certainty. This sudden decision had caught him completely off guard. He absolutely refused to believe that Li Ya would do this without any reason.
There had been thoughts of selling the garment factory a while ago, but he, along with his parents, had persuaded her to dismiss the idea.
"Nothing's wrong, I just suddenly don't want to continue in the garment industry anymore."
Li Ya explained, "As you know, my original major wasn't related to this at all. Returning to Yongnan County was completely out of necessity."
"Now that the Butterfly Garment Factory has achieved some success, I've fulfilled my father's last wish. I believe he wouldn't blame me even in the afterlife if I sell it."
Qin Chuan frowned. He did know that Li Ya's university major abroad was indeed not in apparel but finance, with aspirations of becoming a fund manager.
Even the idea of selling the garment factory wasn't a new one, not something discussed just once or twice.
However, he felt something was odd, something not quite right.
Where exactly was the problem?
"So, after selling the garment factory, what profession do you plan to pursue?"
Qin Chuan asked.
Li Ya shook her head, "I'm not sure for now. I'll probably go out and clear my head for a bit. I've been stuck in this small Yongnan County all these years and have missed out on so much of the world's development."
Hearing that Li Ya intended to travel, Qin Chuan was startled, "Sis, you... you're not planning to leave and never come back, are you?"
Li Ya looked at the man beside her, who was clearly anxious. While she found it amusing, a sense of sadness washed over her. She could feel that Qin Chuan genuinely cared about her, not like those scumbags who would discard a woman after using her.
It was just a pity that this man was a bit of a playboy. He was good to her, but he was also good to other women. It was destined that he couldn't devote all his love to her in this lifetime.
This was currently Li Ya's biggest dilemma.
She couldn't tolerate the man she loved spreading his affection so widely.
After a long pause, Li Ya finally smiled and said, "I just want to go out and relax, broaden my horizons. I have no intention of leaving this country."
Qin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely afraid Li Ya would leave and never return, then it would be truly over!
With the vastness of the world, if she changed her phone number, where would he find her?
Yang Zi Mo was a prime example.
"Drink your soup quickly, it'll get cold if you don't!"
Qin Chuan picked up the bowl and began drinking spoonful by spoonful.
"Sis, since you're going on a trip to relax, why didn't you invite me along?"
Suddenly, Qin Chuan stopped and asked.
Li Ya blinked. A ripple suddenly appeared in the depths of her normally calm eyes. "I wanted to invite you, but do you have the time?"
"I saw many reports about your Xiaomi factory on the news. The Xiaomi factory is at a crucial stage of development right now. How can you, the big boss, possibly get away?"
"Speaking of which, I almost forgot to congratulate you. Your career is soaring, and you've become a dazzling star. At your age, such achievements are rare in our country. Congratulations!"
Despite Li Ya's well wishes, Qin Chuan couldn't feel any joy.
This time, Li Ya proposed a trip, ostensibly saying she would return, but who knew if she truly would.
The best solution would be to go with her. When Qin Chuan asked why she hadn't invited him, the momentary flash of light in Li Ya's eyes clearly indicated she wanted him to join.
But right now, it was a critical period for the development of the Xiaomi factory. There were also many matters at Kunlun Laboratory, numerous government leaders to meet, and various business collaborations. As the boss, he simply couldn't leave.
"Don't worry too much, I'm really just going out to clear my head. When I've had enough fun, I'll come back."
Li Ya, seemingly sensing Qin Chuan's inner turmoil, comforted him thoughtfully.
Qin Chuan felt a surge of guilt and couldn't help but reach out and tightly embrace Li Ya's delicate figure.
"Sis, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!!"
"I'm truly not a good man. Not only am I a scumbag in relationships, but I don't even have time to accompany you when you want to go on a trip."
"I'm so sorry..."
Feeling the familiar warmth and scent of his body, Li Ya's eyes gradually turned red, and tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.
"Xiao Chuan, I really, really like you! I love you so, so much!"
"But you don't just love me, so what am I supposed to do now?"
"Wuwuwu!!!"
Perhaps it was due to the impending departure, but the usually strong Li Ya finally let go and released her true emotions, pounding Qin Chuan's back with her fists.
Qin Chuan could only hold her tightly in his arms with all his might, his own eyes also turning red, shedding tears.
At the same time, a thought in his mind became even more resolute.
"Xiao Chuan, love me!"
"Before I leave, I want you to love me well one last time!!"
Just then, Li Ya's soft whisper reached his ears...