74: Unexplained unease

These past few days, Li Tingting and Su Nian often invited Meng Yu out to play, sometimes even staying at her house, which she had already informed Chen Li about.

The three of them went for beauty treatments, visited clubs, and were inseparable, their bond growing even closer, practically more than best friends.

They occasionally hinted at Meng Yu's boyfriend, but Meng Yu always remembered Chen Li's instructions and kept his information a secret.

"Meng Yu, is your boyfriend particularly rich?" Li Tingting probed.

"He's alright, he's in the same year as us," Meng Yu prevaricated.

Su Nian immediately followed up, "Then why have we never seen him come to find you?"

"He might be... busy with his studies."

Meng Yu found an excuse. After all, not seeing her boyfriend for so long made this explanation seem a bit far-fetched.

This kind of answer only made them more certain of their previous guess—that he was likely a bookworm who only knew how to study, with average financial conditions.

Moreover, they noticed that Meng Yu almost never proactively contacted him. These past few days, they ate and lived together, and hadn't even heard Meng Yu talk to her boyfriend once.

How was this like a couple in love?

Although Meng Yu felt a bit helpless about Chen Li's situation, she was also very open-minded.

Chen Li obviously had his own career to be busy with, and she couldn't pester him all day long and disturb him.

Besides, recently she herself had often been with Li Tingting and Su Nian, with a packed schedule.

In her opinion, as long as Chen Li remembered he had a home to return to, he could do anything outside.

She never interfered too much with Chen Li's whereabouts; as long as he had a place for her in his heart, she was content.

Her self-positioning was very clear—to guard this home well.

Every day, she would keep the house spotless, ensuring Chen Li had a hot meal when he returned, so he could feel the warmth and peace of home as soon as he walked through the door.

Meng Yu was inherently a very independent person and rarely bothered others proactively.

Even when going out with Li Tingting and the others, it was usually them who initiated the invitation.

If no one came to find her, she could still arrange her own little life to be interesting: gathering with classmates, lounging in the Villa watching short dramas,

or going to the Shopping Mall alone to buy some favorite things, then returning to research a few new dishes. Her days were leisurely and carefree... The next morning, gentle sunlight shone into a corner of the Villa bedroom. Li Tingting and Su Nian, sleeping in the guest room, woke up groggily, still a bit lazy.

After they all washed up, they gathered in the living room.

Su Nian stretched and suddenly suggested, "The weather is so nice today, how about we call Wei Jie and the others over for a barbecue? Let them bring the ingredients, and we'll just eat."

"That's a good idea."

Li Tingting immediately agreed, "I'm still thinking about the taste of the last barbecue. It's great to be able to eat it without going out."

"Sure, we don't have anything else planned today anyway," Meng Yu nodded indifferently.

For her, a few more or a few fewer people made no difference; a livelier home was actually more vibrant.

When the news reached Wei Jie, he was so excited he almost jumped up, gesticulating as if he had already won Meng Yu's heart.

In any case, this was his second opportunity to go to Meng Yu's house, and every such opportunity felt incredibly precious.

Recalling their conversations over the past few days, he found that although Meng Yu's replies weren't enthusiastic, she at least always responded politely.

For him, this was already a great start—in the process of pursuing a girl, as long as she was willing to reply,

even if she only sent the shortest emoji, it was enough to make him happy for half a day.

That feeling was like taking a calming pill; he immediately felt at ease—it showed she saw it and was willing to reply, not deliberately ignoring him.

Just this bit of attention was enough to make him cheerful all day.

Wei Jie made a call, and the few buddies who had gone last time immediately responded.

Before long, several people met at the market entrance and walked into the bustling market.

After more than an hour of shopping, everyone's hands were full of large and small bags of ingredients.

The group chatted and laughed, driving straight to Meng Yu's Villa.

As soon as the car stopped in front of the Villa, Meng Yu and the other girls came out to greet them.

"Come in and rest for a bit," Su Nian said with a smile, taking some of the ingredients from their hands. "Have some fruit and drinks first; you've had a tiring journey."

The coffee table in the living room was already filled with sliced watermelon and iced sour plum juice.

Meng Yu invited everyone to sit on the sofa and chat for about ten minutes, with bursts of laughter occasionally echoing.

After a while, the boys proactively got up and walked to the yard, preparing to wash the ingredients.

Before long, smoke began to rise in the yard.

The sound of washing vegetables, the chopping sounds, and the gradually rising aroma from the grill filled the entire Villa with a lively atmosphere... The sun gradually rose. Chen Li didn't wake up until close to noon.

Ample sleep made him feel refreshed and full of vitality.

He turned over and found Liu Yu still sleeping soundly beside him, her slightly upturned lips as if she was having a sweet dream, making him reluctant to disturb her.

Meanwhile, Song Lingyun, at another Hotel, had already woken up.

She habitually picked up her phone and saw that Chen Li had transferred 100,000 yuan.

She quickly messaged Chen Li: "Chen Li, why did you transfer money to me again? I haven't even used up the last amount."

The awakened Chen Li replied to her: "If you can't use it all, keep using it. Buy some nutritional supplements to nourish yourself."

Seeing him tell her to nourish herself, Song Lingyun couldn't help but recall yesterday's frenzy, and her face flushed.

Chen Li's prowess both excited and intoxicated her; the intense pleasure still lingered in her body.

She held her phone, unconsciously revealing a sweet smile.

She knew she had become deeply dependent on this man.

Recalling her encounter with Chen Li at Heavenly World that night, she felt it must be a destined fate, the luckiest thing in her life.

Chen Li quietly got up and washed, intending to drive the car back to the Villa first.

At this point, the barbecue in the Villa's yard was indeed nearing its end. The charcoal fire was gradually dying out, and the faint aroma of roasted meat still lingered in the air.

Meng Yu was helping to clear the dining table when her phone suddenly vibrated.

She unlocked the screen and saw a message from Chen Li saying he would be back soon.

Just a few simple words, but her lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile, and gentle joy spread even in her eyes.

She quickly replied 'Okay' with her head down, her heart already blooming with joy. Her husband was coming home!

Wei Jie, who had been secretly watching her from across the table, took in this scene.

He watched Meng Yu show that heartfelt, sweet smile at her phone, and his heart inexplicably 'thumped'.

An indescribable, stifling sensation suddenly clogged his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.

He just felt as if something was about to happen, and that inexplicable unease surged in his heart...