Chapter 361 Foolishness
Sitting in the Audi driven by Cai Ning, Yang Chen could smell the faint scent of cloves emanating from her. It seemed this was her usual car. Cai Ning was not one to talk much. Though not as cold as Lin Ruoxi, she had a surprisingly understated demeanor, perhaps shaped by her upbringing away from home and her training at the Tang Clan in Shu. Yang Chen found this woman somewhat inscrutable.
After driving for over ten minutes, Cai Ning finally spoke, "Actually, you don't need to agree to the General. I know you're not fond of getting involved in these matters."
As one of the core members of the Yan Huang Iron Brigade, Cai Ning naturally understood General Lin Zhiguo's intentions. The formidable enemy this time was even stronger than anticipated, making this a fight for survival for the Yan Huang Iron Brigade. However, if Yang Chen were to participate, everyone would feel more assured.
Yang Chen smiled and replied, "How do you know I would agree?"
"The General must have a way to make you agree," Cai Ning said.
Yang Chen looked at her in surprise and continued calmly, "Do you know why I agreed to help you so many times?"
Cai Ning frowned, "Because of Ruoxi?"
Yang Chen chuckled lightly, "I used to think that your General is a bit too fond of playing mind games. He thinks he's clever enough to manipulate me into helping him. But the truth is, the reason I help you is mainly for myself. I've been back in this country for over a year now. Here, there are many people I love and who love me. I want their lives to be peaceful. At the very least, my presence shouldn't bring trouble to them. So, I need to do everything possible to eliminate any potential threats. Helping you is also a bit of self-interest for me. After all, you all serve as a protective shield, don't you?"
Cai Ning nodded but didn't inquire further.
Yang Chen then thought of Cai Yan and asked, "Last time you came to my house, you were vague. What's wrong with Cai Yan? Why didn't I see her at your place today?"
At the mention of Cai Yan, Cai Ning's expression suddenly turned cold. "You don't need to ask. Just know that you should stay away from my sister in the future."
Yang Chen was taken aback, sighed, and didn't press further.
As the car passed by the bar street, Yang Chen remembered that he hadn't seen Rose for quite a while. These days had been busy, especially since returning from Sakura. He truly missed her.
"Let's stop here at the bar. No need to go straight home," Yang Chen said to Cai Ning.
Cai Ning frowned, "Why?"
3.5
"I'm off to find my woman," Yang Chen said with a smug smile.
"Your woman?" Cai Ning glanced around at the bars and nightclubs lining the street, suddenly realizing he meant his lover. She shot him a glare. "Get out, shameless guy!"
The car screeched to a halt, leaving Yang Chen bewildered. What was that about? He wasn't out to flirt with her.
As Yang Chen hopped out of the car and headed towards Rose Bar, Cai Ning watched his retreating figure from inside the car.
After a while, Cai Ning sighed softly to herself, murmuring, "Is it worth it, silly sister, for a man like him?"
Unaware of Cai Ning's strange musings, Yang Chen caught sight of the Rose Bar sign and felt an immediate urge to rush in and embrace Rose with a kiss.
Some people were like that. If you didn't think about them, everything was fine. But once you did, it was like your brain overheated.
The bar was relatively quiet in the afternoon. Yang Chen approached the counter and saw Chen Rong earnestly polishing crystal clear glasses.
Seeing Yang Chen, Chen Rong smiled faintly, "Brother Yang, you finally came. Big Sister has been melancholy these days. We all feel sorry for her."
Yang Chen smiled awkwardly, "I've been busy. Just got back from abroad. Is Rose upset?"
"Even if you're busy, Brother Yang, you should call Big Sister once in a while. You know her temper. She won't call you unless something's wrong." Chen Rong, familiar with Yang Chen, spoke frankly, advocating for Rose.
Yang Chen realized in frustration that he seemed to have no habit of calling his women. Apparently, he never initiated contact with the women around him.
Maybe it was because he had been carefree before, and they were all extremely independent people who didn't think much about staying in touch.
It seemed he needed to make an effort to change this bad habit. He couldn't keep letting his loved ones feel neglected.
"Don't change. If you do, you wouldn't be you," a soft voice filled with joy suddenly came from beside him.
Yang Chen looked up to see Rose in a purple low-necked wool sweater and a gray Irish-style skirt with a wave pattern, smiling sweetly at him.
It seemed she had just had her hair done, with the ends slightly curled. She seemed less majestic but more gentle and charming.
Yang Chen awkwardly said, "I should change. I can't keep causing you trouble. And it's not a good habit."
Rose pursed her lips and shook her head with a smile, "All your habits are good in my eyes, so don't change."
Why did this woman always say things that made him feel warm inside? If this was a way to bind a man, Yang Chen felt he would willingly be tied up by her.
Standing beside them, Chen Rong exaggeratedly made a sour face. "Big Sister, so you can say such cheesy things."
"What's wrong? Our Rong Rong also wants to find a man to say such things to?" Rose turned around and teased.
Chen Rong stuck out her tongue and fell silent immediately.
Yang Chen stepped forward, took Rose's delicate hand in his, gave it a squeeze, and led her to a quiet corner of the bar. "I was in Sakura recently and just came back with something to do, so I haven't been able to come see you for a long time."
"I don't need you to explain. I'm not some clingy girlfriend who needs constant attention. I can wait," Rose said helplessly.
Yang Chen sighed in frustration. "Rose, honestly, if you could just be a bit more demanding, maybe tease me, scold me, or show some frustration, I'd feel better. It bothers me to see you quietly waiting here alone for me all the time."
"Just hearing you say that is enough. Besides, if I really miss you, I can always come to your company. After all, I'm a shareholder," Rose said playfully, blinking mischievously.
Yang Chen gently patted the back of Rose's hand, knowing further discussion was futile. It was Rose's nature, just as it was difficult for him to be consistently attentive to every woman. Some things were hard to change.
Suddenly, Rose's slender finger tapped under Yang Chen's chin. "Honey, lift your head."
"Hmm?"
Rose's bright, watery eyes locked onto Yang Chen's. They stared at each other deeply.
"Just like this, don't move. Let me look at you directly, and you look at me," Rose said.
"What's this about?" Yang Chen didn't understand but complied.
After they gazed into each other's eyes for more than ten seconds, Rose chuckled softly, clearly pleased.
"Darling, why are you smiling so foolishly?" Yang Chen asked, perplexed.
"You're the silly one," Rose giggled. "I read an article in a magazine yesterday about a loving couple abroad who never argued in their entire marriage. When asked how they managed it, they said they spent at least ten seconds each day just looking into each other's eyes. They maintained this habit from marriage until they passed away together."
Yang Chen felt a slight tremor in his heart. The way Rose calmly recounted the story seemed to melt his heart.
"Though we can't do it every day, can we promise that every time we meet from now on, whether you come to see me or I come to find you, we'll look into each other's eyes for ten seconds? What do you say?" Rose asked.
Just ten seconds—a simple request from this woman.
Yang Chen felt his eyes moisten slightly, unsure if it was the warmth of the bar's heating.
"You silly woman, waiting for me like this, don't you feel aggrieved?" Yang Chen asked softly.
Rose smiled serenely and shook her head. "Not at all. When I decided to be with you, I had already thought about everything. But I chose to follow you."
"Darling, you know? Actually, when you come to see me, it's a kind of happiness for me. But every time I wait for you, anticipate your visit, that's also happiness for me. Happiness is mutual. When you're good to me, it's my happiness; waiting for you is also my happiness," Rose said softly.
Yang Chen smiled. "Yes, happiness is mutual. Receiving is happiness, and giving is happiness too. Rose understands this, but sadly, many people in the world don't."
As they were engrossed in their intimate moment, a couple walked into the bar. Before Yang Chen and Rose could turn to look, Chen Rong at the bar suddenly shouted, "Brother!"