17 – Competing with the Man for the Fish Pond
“Oh…” Yu Ai asked, “Then do you want instant noodles?”
Ying Yi, clutching his stomach that had only eaten a few biscuits since boarding the train, nodded and said, “Yes.”
In the end, he ended up eating what he didn’t want to eat and lying on the bunk he didn’t want to lie on. Why did he bother making such a fuss earlier?
Before going to bed that night, Yu Ai sighed regretfully, “What a pity the scenery outside was so beautiful today, but I used all my attention to gaze affectionately at that scumbag across from me.”
Fortunately, she had already asked 001 to record the scenery outside in its entirety.
Ying Yi looked at Yu Ai, who had already fallen asleep, and could only sigh quietly to himself.
Xiao Ai had worked too hard taking care of him today.
After his fever broke, Ying Yi was drenched in sweat. With no place to shower on the train, he found it hard to adjust. Having not slept all night, his head still ached.
The next day at 11 a.m., they finally arrived at their destination.
After getting off the train, Ying Yi’s first thought was to go to a hotel to freshen up, but when he saw the way Yu Ai was looking at him, he could only massage his temples.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t book a hotel?”
Yu Ai shook her head, “We left in such a hurry, I didn’t have time to look.”
Ying Yi pressed his temple in frustration.
“A Yi, are you still feeling unwell? Should I take you to the hospital first?” Yu Ai took out her phone to search, “Let me check where the nearest hospital is.”
“I’m fine, let’s find a place to stay first.”
It was peak tourist season, and Ying Yi could only find a small hotel.
Looking at the 1.5-meter-wide bed in the room, his temple began to throb again.
“I’ll go ask if there are any other rooms available.”
“Hey!” Yu Ai stopped him, “What’s wrong with this room? The decor is quite exotic, and the owner just said there are no other rooms available.”
Ying Yi was too exhausted to drag himself around anymore. He decided to stay, took a shower, ordered a meal, ate, took his cold medicine, and went to sleep.
Zhou Hui saw Yu Ai’s social media post featuring green mountains and clear waters, along with a photo Yu Ai had taken of Ying Yi’s delicate sleeping face.
There was also this message from her chat with Ying Yi: “Xiao Hui, A Yi is asleep. We’re on our honeymoon. Can we talk about this when we get back?”
Was Yu Ai implying she was being inconsiderate?
Zhou Hui immediately took a screenshot and sent it to Han Haoyu.
“A Yu, look how in love Xiao Ai and her husband are. The scenery in Tibet is beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve wanted to go for a long time. I’m working on my Capture plan, do you want to join me?”
When Han Haoyu saw Zhou Hui’s message, he immediately asked Li Ge to postpone all his work. On the plane to Tibet, he wasn’t even sure why he was in such a hurry.
…
That night, warm breath sprayed against Ying Yi’s neck as the woman’s orchid-like fragrance enveloped him, her arms wrapped around his body.
“Ai Ai, I slept a lot during the day and I’m not tired yet. Maybe… you should sleep first?” Ying Yi tried to get up.
“Actually, I can’t sleep either. Why don’t we talk?” Yu Ai released her arms from around his neck and said, “We haven’t had a proper conversation in a long time.”
Her next words startled Ying Yi.
“I saw all the messages Zhou Hui sent you.”
Ying Yi immediately sat up, “Saw what?” Yu Ai had always known his phone password, but she had never checked it before. He always deleted his chat history with Zhou Hui.
Yu Ai began, “You and Zhou Hui…””We’re just good friends, why do you always overthink things?” Ying Yi’s words slipped out almost without thinking, just like every other time Yu Ai was unhappy about him getting too close to Zhou Hui.
“A Yi… do good friends do that kind of thing?” Yu Ai wiped the tears that were about to fall. “Why do you always have to be like this?”
“Ai Ai…”
Ying Yi felt panicked. It seemed what happened on their wedding day had been discovered after all. He wanted to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes, but Yu Ai turned her head away.
Her voice choked with emotion, she said, “You’ve always known how much I love you… I’ve been enduring all along…”
Yu Ai’s voice grew even more desolate, “Coming on this trip was my one-sided wish to spend quality time with you again. I can pretend that incident never happened.”
Looking at this woman who loved him so deeply, Ying Yi felt a sharp pain in his chest. He loved this woman, without a doubt. If only not for what happened on their wedding day…
“A Yi… will we still have a future after this trip?” Yu Ai tentatively gave him an opportunity.
Ying Yi remained silent, unsure of what to do.
“Actually, before coming here, I had already made up my mind. I love you and don’t want to give up.” Yu Ai took out her phone’s SIM card and turned off the device.
“A Yi, I had already decided before coming here. These ten-plus days in Tibet will be our farewell period. If you still love me, I’ll never mention the past again. If you…”
Yu Ai bit her lip, her eyes red, “Then we’ll treat this trip as our final farewell. I’ll explain everything to our parents. I don’t want to be married to someone who doesn’t love me.”
Ying Yi felt a heavy weight in his chest. He had known all along he couldn’t keep it from Yu Ai forever. He recalled how unusual Yu Ai had been when he returned home on the first day of their marriage – she must have known even then, and had been giving him time to think.
Ying Yi also removed his SIM card, deciding to give himself and Yu Ai this time during their trip to carefully reconsider everything.
“Ding! Ying Yi’s Affection Points +5.”
Yu Ai hugged Ying Yi, looking at him with smiling eyes, “Husband, I love you.”
Internally, she was quite satisfied. Everything was going according to plan. When dealing with indecisive, hesitant men, you had to force them to make a decision.
Of course, the decision had to be in her favor. She planned to raise Ying Yi’s Affection Points to 90 during these ten-plus days.
This was exactly where Ying Yi showed his true colors – wanting everything while pretending to be a saint. With six years of emotional foundation with the original host, increasing his affection would be faster.
…
“Master, Han Haoyu’s coordinates show he flew to Tibet last night and is currently at the airport.” 001 was reporting Han Haoyu’s location to Yu Ai.
“Understood. Notify me immediately if I need to avoid him.”
“Ai Ai, are you ready?” Ying Yi had already packed all their equipment – medicine, oxygen tanks.
From their current location to the snow mountain, they still needed to travel along National Highway 318.
He had asked the innkeeper to help them rent a self-drive tour vehicle and purchased all the necessary equipment.
This trip was the private time he promised Yu Ai – no phones, just the two of them inseparable in their own World.
Yu Ai leaned against the car window, watching the scenery outside. The wind blowing through the window was warm but not oppressive.
“A Yi, this place is truly beautiful! No wonder you’ve always wanted to come here.”
“If you like it, I’ll take you to explore all of Tibet.” Ying Yi rarely saw Yu Ai so happy, and his own mood lifted accordingly.”Then I want to be with my A Yi forever. Not only will we travel all over Tibet, but we’ll also explore the entire country—no!” Yu Ai laughed exaggeratedly. “I want to travel the whole World with my husband!”
The woman sitting in the passenger seat was beaming with joy, her features blooming like a flower. Ying Yi felt his heartbeat quicken, as if he had returned to the early days of dating Yu Ai.
They had been the center of attention since their campus days—both top students, sharing common ideals in appearance and character, they had naturally come together under everyone’s watchful eyes.
But as time passed, even the brightest moon in the sky could dim. Zhou Hui’s boldness and carefree nature were qualities Yu Ai’s gentle and polite demeanor had never possessed.