His murmuring, as if it were a summoning spell, actually resulted in someone calling!

Maybe young girls are more hopeful about Christmas Eve dates, especially now in the afternoon—the last chance before tonight. Everyone’s distracted from work, preparing for evening dates. If the person they care about hasn’t invited them sooner, the girls subtly take action themselves. So it results in a line-up of phone calls...

It’s not Li Jie, not Qiao Huanxuan; the call came from someone Li Yan didn’t expect.

Nian Yufei!

The self-proclaimed seventeen-year-old, but actually sixteen-year-old, young piano prodigy.

This isn’t impossible! If he only saved her once on Cloud Island, and again later, given her current age, it’s completely plausible. Especially since when he saved her back in the day, she was only ten by nominal age. During the seven most important years of her growth, she’s kept him in her heart, showing how deeply impressed she was.

"Brother Li Yan..." As soon as he answered the call, a pleasant, crisp and affectionate voice came through from Nian Yufei. Before knowing his name, she called him ’Big Brother’ based on her childhood memory. Once she learned his name was Li Yan, she worried that calling him ’Big Brother’ sounded too pretentious, so she changed it to ’Brother Li Yan.’

"Nian Yufei, hello. What’s up? Has the movie soundtrack been completed? You can have the musician contact the producers and director. I’ll give you the bonus separately." Li Yan didn’t want her to say much, so he quickly offered a solution to any potential issue she might raise.

Nian Yufei replied, "No, the movie composition is still underway. Even once it’s done, it needs to be adjusted to match the director’s initial edits post-filming. They’ll handle the communications. I’m calling because..."

At this, she seemed a bit shy, her voice softening: "You’ve saved me many times, and I’ve never had a chance to repay you. May I treat you to a meal? I’m not in Cloud Island; I’m in City S."

Here we go again!

Li Yan felt a bit overwhelmed. He finally realized that while being single might be monotonous and boring, it also has its peace!

"Little sister, you’re not going to tell me that tomorrow is Christmas, but you won’t disturb my date with my girlfriend, so you’re inviting me for dinner tonight, right?" Li Yan asked, testing his patience.

Nian Yufei quickly answered, "Yes, yes, Brother Li Yan really knows me well. You immediately guessed my intention. I know you’re with that... Sister Wen, right? You’ll surely be together tomorrow, so I didn’t dare disturb you, which is why I’m thinking of tonight..."

He understands... Li Yan sighed. As opposed to the way he handles Yurong, he opted for the most straightforward way to refuse: "Sorry, I’m really not free tonight. The girls who have asked me out are almost lined up to the street corner. I currently have at least three dinner reservations to figure out, and I’m struggling with how to schedule them. You wouldn’t want me bound to the point I can only visit with you for a minute, right? Let’s talk another time!"

Upon hearing Li Yan’s refusal, Nian Yufei didn’t seem too upset. Perhaps she had anticipated Li Yan’s non-acceptance or just wanted to give it a try. "Mmm, Brother Li Yan is quite charming. I believe you’ve gotten a lot of invitations from girls."

"Ah, can’t help it, being too handsome has its disadvantages." Li Yan chuckled.

"Hehe... Just lined up to the street corner? Can I reserve a spot by phone now and meet you next year?" giggled Nian Yufei.

Hearing her clear laughter follow up on his joke, Li Yan wasn’t as "on guard" anymore, laughingly replied: "Definitely next year. I’m really sorry, let’s have dinner next year!"

To him, ’next year’ seemed like a long time—’one year later.’ By then, Nian Yufei would be older, probably interacting with more people, and perhaps her feelings towards him would become more genuine. Then there would be no need for avoidance; they could occasionally get together like friends.

Meanwhile, he heard Nian Yufei cheerfully on the phone: "Alright! Alright! Brother Li Yan, you’re an important person, no backing out and no tricking this child! You’ve deceived me before, saying you’d always protect me, then left without a word."

Li Yan felt somewhat wistful. He had promised to protect her, but couldn’t always be there. Once her father’s arranged saviors reached her, and he was sure of her safety, he departed without further thought. He didn’t expect such a promise to become a lasting regret and disappointment for a child of nominal age ten. Seeing her joyful response even to this ’next year’ placation, he gently said: "This time, I’ll keep my word."

"Great, I’ll find you next week!" Nian Yufei concluded, cheerfully hanging up.

Next week? Li Yan was stunned, then understood—next week is after January 1st, that’s a new year, so it can be counted as next year! (To be continued; for further story updates, please visit www.qidian.com. Support the author and read genuine content!)