Chapter 18: Taking Money Is Somewhat Hurtful

“Hmm?”

Suddenly hearing the man’s voice, Shen Yi’an—who had been immersed in the joy of being able to take revenge personally—was still somewhat dazed.

When her gaze focused and met the man’s curious eyes, she realized her body was almost nestling into his embrace.

Within her line of sight were a pair of smiling eyes gazing intently at her.

After a momentary daze, Shen Yi’an quickly sat up straight.

To cover up the awkwardness of the moment, she hastily raised her hand to tidy the stray hairs at her temples. “Ahem, you actually guessed that?”

“I haven’t been home for a whole semester. Of course I’m happy to see my family soon.”

“What, aren’t you excited when you go home after a long time?”

Noticing she was making excuses out of embarrassment for having been too close to him earlier, Li Beichen didn’t expose her but instead chuckled lightly and nodded in agreement. “Well, you do have a point.”

“After starting my own family someday, I’ll definitely be looking forward to going home all the time.”

Recognizing this as his way of reporting his intentions to her, Shen Yi’an pursed her lips into a faint smile and didn’t respond.

Had she heard these words before her earlier reflections, she would have thought such awareness was quite commendable.

Because being family-oriented is a plus for a man.

But after that internal struggle, her mind gradually grew calmer.

Given a second chance at life, why should she confine herself to domesticity so early?

As one of the first university graduates after the reinstatement of college entrance exams, her future should be dazzling and full of promise.

If she wanted, she could absolutely have a completely different life.

Moreover, with the Spiritual Spring Space as her cheat, even entering the most accessible food industry would bring her daily fortunes.

Therefore, there was no need to trap herself in tedious household chores.

Even if she were to marry and start a family, it should only be considered after achieving success and recognition.

Besides, she still carried the grudges from her previous life.

With her murder yet to be avenged, she certainly shouldn’t plunge into life’s trivialities too soon.

As for the man beside her… all they shared was that one night of entanglement.

If the timing was right later and they could talk it through, and if he was still willing to wait for her, she would naturally marry him when appropriate.

If not, she had no right to force him to waste his time waiting.

Letting go—this was her attitude toward life.

Not receiving a prompt response, Li Beichen was admittedly somewhat disappointed.

But he also understood that between them lay not just an age gap, but also differences in their approaches to life and their values.

After all, he was a full five years older than her.

As his grandfather put it, his situation somewhat resembled an old cow eating tender grass.

But it didn’t matter—he could wait.

Having finally met someone who made his heart flutter, any setbacks or hardships were worth it.

Because aside from the person beside him, he knew he wouldn’t fall for anyone else.

His life over the past twenty-six years had convincingly shown him that.

Just as Li Beichen sorted out his feelings and prepared to change the subject, Shen Yi’an’s crisp voice sounded again. “Oh, I almost forgot—there’s something I haven’t asked you.”

“About what you told Yin Qingqing earlier—that you confirmed with the dance hall staff about finding a candy wrapper with unknown powder in the women’s restroom—was that true?”

“Did she really leave such obvious evidence in the restroom?”

Hearing this, Li Beichen rhythmically tapped his fingers twice on his knees. “Yes, it’s true.”

“The night I took you back to school, when I returned the bicycle to the dance hall, I ran into Uncle Lin. He told me.”

“He said after we left, he had people carefully inspect all the hidden corners of the dance hall. The candy wrapper with unidentified white powder was an accidental discovery.”

“Unsure whether it was related to what happened in the private room, he waited at the dance hall entrance until I showed up.”

After all, he was a businessman, and one running an entertainment venue like a dance hall at that.

Not wanting to cross any red lines, he had to be extra cautious when handling matters, nipping any potential issues in the bud.

Lin Wenxiong’s actions were within Li Beichen’s expectations.

Recalling Shen Yi’an’s words and behavior when she burst into his private room, along with her subsequent suspicions and conjectures, he immediately understood what the white powder on the candy wrapper was.

But knowing was one thing—he couldn’t reveal it to Lin Wenxiong.

To protect his fiancée’s reputation, sometimes you couldn’t be too rigid.

However, to teach Yin Qingqing a lesson, he still had Lin Wenxiong send someone to test the candy wrapper, instructing him to notify him as soon as the test results came out.

That was why he’d spoken those words when warning Yin Qingqing.

Now that Shen Yi’an had asked, he naturally had no intention of hiding it.

Hearing there was such an interlude, Shen Yi’an looked at the man with deep admiration. “Li Beichen, you’re amazing!”

“Just from hearing my guesses, you could deduce so much. No wonder you’re a national agent—truly impressive!”

As she spoke, she gave him a thumbs-up in praise.

Seeing this, Li Beichen smiled and ruffled her hair. “Just basic procedure.”

“Without these skills, I wouldn’t dare boast about protecting you anytime, anywhere.”

Hearing these words again, Shen Yi’an felt a surge of profound security.

Honestly, having someone like this by her side was quite nice.

She just wondered how he would react when he found out she had no immediate plans to marry…

As they talked, noon arrived quickly.

A train attendant pushed a meal cart selling boxed lunches. Li Beichen, seated by the aisle, instinctively took out money to buy meals.

When Shen Yi’an tried to pay, he refused, offering a ready-made reason: “You’re my fiancée. I should be responsible for everything of yours.”

“Taking money from you feels somewhat hurtful.”

Meeting his slightly dimmed gaze, Shen Yi’an was about to explain it wasn’t what he thought when the spirited elderly woman sitting across from them cheerfully chimed in.

“Young lady, your partner is quite good—you should cherish him!”

“These days, there aren’t many men as considerate as this young comrade.”

“If you don’t hold on tight, some other girl might snatch him away. Believe me?”

Meeting the woman’s smiling eyes, Shen Yi’an was about to respond when Li Beichen cut in first, “Ma’am, thank you for speaking up for me.”

“But I must correct one thing: we’re engaged. Being ‘partners’ is far from what we are.”

“Don’t you agree?”

Upon hearing this, the spirited auntie was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter, laughing particularly heartily, “Yes, yes, yes, the young man is right!”

“Unmarried couples do seem closer—it was my mistake as an old woman.”

Knowing the auntie was teasing them, Shen Yi’an’s fair cheeks flushed with a faint blush.

However, it was this very conversation that allowed the three of them to enjoy a pleasant time together.

They didn’t ask for names or family backgrounds, and their chat roamed freely without restrictions.

After a journey of three days and two nights, the spirited auntie disembarked with a bundle slung over her arm. Before leaving, she warmly invited Shen Yi’an and Li Beichen to visit her home if they had the chance.

Though it was merely a polite gesture, both the one extending the invitation and those receiving it were happy.

After the spirited auntie left, an elderly man and his grandson took her former seat.

Perhaps men of this era weren’t particularly talkative, as the two parties only exchanged nods when their eyes met, treating each other as nonexistent the rest of the time.

Neither Shen Yi’an nor Li Beichen felt particularly burdened by this.

Interactions between people depend entirely on fate.

If they hit it off, they’d chat a bit more; if not, they’d remain nodding acquaintances. Either way, it wouldn’t cost them anything.

After another two days and one night of travel, the train finally came to a steady stop at Lancheng Station.

“Lancheng Station has arrived. Passengers disembarking, please prepare to get off!”

“Lancheng Station has arrived. Passengers disembarking, please prepare to get off!”

“Lancheng Station has arrived. Passengers disembarking, please prepare to get off!”

Hearing the three consecutive announcements over the broadcast, Shen Yi’an, who had been ready since the last stop, sprang upright in an instant.

Not even bothering with the gift box in front of him, he stared fixedly at the exit, muttering under his breath.