Chapter 410: Staying Awake

“Uncle Su, Auntie, I don't have any special requirements. I'll just eat whatever you usually eat. I've caused a lot of trouble for everyone by coming here this time; these are just a small token of my appreciation, along with money for food and lodging. I hope you won't refuse.”

As Zhou Li spoke, he took out a thick stack of bills and placed them on the dining table.

Paying for meals and accommodation was a matter of course for him, especially since they were Su Yan's relatives; in this regard, he felt he couldn't treat them poorly.

His actions were not only unexpected by Su Jianxin and Liu Sujuan, but even Su Yao wore an expression of astonishment.

They likely knew that Zhou Li came from a very wealthy family, but seeing that thick stack of cash at this moment still shocked them.

Even without counting it carefully, a visual estimate suggested there were at least a thousand yuan.

And Su Yao's annual salary was roughly about that much.

He had seen people who were generous, but he had never seen anyone this extravagant.

Su Yan, on the other hand, was not surprised at all by Zhou Li's actions.

“Xiao Zhou, what are you doing? You are Yan Yan's friend, and it's only right that you stay with us. How could we take your money?”

After recovering from her shock, Liu Sujuan hurriedly refused.

Zhou Li said, “Auntie, please don't be polite with me. Besides, even if I stayed elsewhere, I would have to pay. Moreover, the New Year is approaching; use this money to buy more delicious food. In the end, I'm the one who gets to enjoy the feast.”

Liu Sujuan couldn't help but laugh; this child certainly had a silver tongue.

But how could they accept such a large amount of money?

“Eldest Aunt, since this is Zhou Li's sincere gesture, you should accept it,” Su Yan spoke up, actually sharing the same sentiment.

Liu Sujuan looked toward Su Jianxin.

Naturally, everyone liked money.

Su Jianxin then looked toward Su Yan.

Su Yan nodded to him.

“Alright, then we'll accept it.”

Zhou Li was her friend, and since she felt there was no issue with it, they could certainly accept it.

Liu Sujuan beamed with joy, finding Zhou Li more and more pleasing to the eye with every passing moment.

The meal passed in a cheerful atmosphere.

After Su Yan had eaten and drunk her fill, she took her leave.

Zhou Li, however, stayed behind.

Su Yao insisted on walking Su Yan home, and seeing that he seemed to have something to say, Su Yan did not refuse.

Once the two walked outside, Su Yao indeed lost his composure.

“Yan Yan, what exactly is going on with this Zhou Li? Why did he come back with you for no reason?”

Su Yao absolutely did not believe in things like "studying together."

How could a young master from such a wealthy family possibly study with Su Yan?

Knowing she couldn't hide it from him, Su Yan simply told him some of the truth.

“Cousin, some things happened while I was in the Capital, which is why Zhou Li is following me now. But you don't need to worry; even if he stays here, he won't do anything.”

Su Yao's brow furrowed deeply. “Zhou Li won't pose a threat to you, will he?”

“Not at all. The Zhou family just wants to win me over, so they arranged for Zhou Li to get in touch with me and become my friend.” This was absolutely the truth.

Su Yao's eyes flickered incessantly; he knew that many secrets unknown to them were hidden within Su Yan.

Furthermore, if even the people in the Capital wanted to win her over, there must be many twists and turns involved.

However, hearing her say this, he felt relieved instead.

Since they were trying to win her over, Zhou Li's presence would not pose any threat.

“Fine, as long as you can handle it. Also, what exactly is the situation with Gu Yang? Why hasn't he come back even for the New Year?”

After learning about this, he had tried to contact Gu Yang, but the calls simply wouldn't go through.

Su Yan did not answer immediately, and her cheeks visibly tightened.

This reaction immediately made Su Yao realize something.

“Did something happen to Gu Yang?”

“Probably not.”

“What do you mean 'probably'? Weren't you two always together?”

As a police officer, Su Yao immediately caught the emphasis in Su Yan's answer.

Su Yan could only sigh. “Brother Gu didn't actually go on a business trip; he has resigned from the publishing house.”

Su Yao's breath hitched, and he wore a look of disbelief.

“What did you say?”

Losing control of his emotions, his voice suddenly rose.

But he quickly realized they were still outside and immediately lowered his volume.

“Is he crazy? Why would he resign from the publishing house? What exactly happened?”

He knew too well how Gu Yang had reached his current position step by step, and how important the job at the publishing house was to him. Yet now, Su Yan was telling him that Gu Yang had resigned?

This was equivalent to Gu Yang personally destroying his own future!

Su Yan felt a heavy tightness in her heart as well. “It's true. Brother Gu didn't tell me what happened either; he left right after resigning from the publishing house. I don't know where he went or what he's doing. He only left a letter telling me not to worry, saying he would return in six months.”

Listening to Su Yan's account, Su Yao was completely unable to understand or accept it.

“But Uncle Gu and the others said...”

He didn't finish the sentence, because he realized that must have just been an excuse Gu Yang made up so his family wouldn't worry.

“What exactly happened to you in the Capital?”

How could such a massive upheaval occur?

But Su Yan refused to say more.

“That is the current situation. You'll have to help me keep it a secret from Uncle Gu. Since Brother Gu said he'll be back in six months, he will definitely return.”

She seemed to be saying this more to herself.

Su Yao fell silent for a long while, and finally, he could only nod.

“Then what are your plans next? Staying home to wait for Gu Yang to return?”

In truth, this was also what they hoped for. After all, the best life for someone Su Yan's age was sitting in a classroom, studying culture and knowledge.

Su Yan's expression relaxed slightly, though a string remained taut deep in her heart.

“I want to wait for Father to wake up and spend a happy New Year with him. As for the rest, we'll see later.”

Su Yao was suddenly stunned. If he hadn't misunderstood, did Su Yan just mean that Second Uncle could wake up?!

Without waiting for him to ask, Su Yan continued, “There is indeed an opportunity worth trying.”

A look of wild joy surfaced on Su Yao's face. “That's wonderful! Is there anything I need to do?”

“No need. However, I only have an eighty percent certainty, so don't tell Eldest Uncle and the others about this yet. Once my Dad really wakes up, it won't be too late for everyone to share the joy.”

Su Yan kept herself composed throughout.

Once a person has hope, they will feel even greater disappointment if that hope is shattered.

So, it was better to wait until the hope became reality before letting others share in the happiness.

Although Su Yao was impatient to tell everyone, hearing Su Yan say this, he still respected her decision.

“Alright, then I'll wait for Second Uncle to wake up!”

(End of Chapter)