Chapter 137

(China has won its first gold in this year’s Asian Games (Japan’s first silver in the Asian Games), and the 1000th gold medal has been awarded. Guess how many they’ll ultimately win; Old Lai predicts they’ll definitely break the record of 183, possibly not lower than 250. What do you think?)

Seeing that Yurong wasn’t deeply offended or directly scornful about all the people around them kissing, he asked if she also wanted to kiss like others. This was unlike her usual style, which made Li Yan feel a bit expectant. His repeated experiences told him that the environment has a big influence on people!

Couples become bolder after the lights go out. It’s because in a dimly lit environment, they don’t worry about being seen clearly, recognized by acquaintances, and so on; girls don’t need to be so shy, similar to how some people need the lights off to go to bed, reducing the psychological burden. But when two people do it in public, where everyone is watching, it’s unconventional, yet when many people are doing the same thing, it doesn’t stand out, it becomes normalized. It’s like in a western restaurant, hardly anyone shouts when playing drinking games, but in a food stall where many people do shout and play drinking games, no one minds.

Yurong’s attitude made Li Yan speculate or rather hope that she was influenced by the atmosphere, combined with the special occasion of her birthday, making her more open than usual. So after she asked, he didn’t pretend but frankly admitted. Most are couples, but they are spouses, and their relationship isn’t bad!

"Is this what you really think?"

Li Yan nodded firmly: "Yes, this is what I really think. If..."

"As expected! You had bad intentions, bringing me to the movies, choosing such a film, such a couples’ setting, just to use the surrounding environment to influence me, to make me feel that kissing you here is normal, and not kissing would be the abnormal thing! Li Yan, oh Li Yan, could you be any more despicable?" Upon hearing him admit it, Yurong immediately sneered and scolded him.

Uh... this contrast... Li Yan was sweating; just now she seemed shy and reserved, how did she suddenly turn into a frosty businesswoman?

But Li Yan was not embarrassed; he felt it was her instinct, or habitual way of thinking at play! From her being willing to lean on his shoulder just now, it was clear she was influenced by the environment. Now they’re seated, and two rows in front are female colleagues from the company’s PR department; she can’t speak loudly, and she’s still sitting close to him, so she definitely won’t angrily walk away.

The current harsh exterior might just be laying the groundwork for her nerves, so later when they really kiss, she can say it was because of Li Yan and not because she was truly open to kissing in public.

"Really?" Li Yan leaned in a little, smiling as he questioned, "The one who picked this movie, isn’t that you? And the scheduling and the frequent audience here, isn’t related to me, right?"

"..."

Yurong was embarrassed; she blurted out without thinking. When Li Yan questioned her back, she remembered it was her suggestion to see this movie, and now it was still the Christmas holiday season, not Valentine’s Day, so theoretically the theater wouldn’t have special Valentine screenings. Li Yan simply bought the tickets for the next showing; the schedule and auditorium arrangement were up to the theater, and the audience was up to individuals. It’s really not something Li Yan did intentionally!

"But it’s all because of you! What about it? If you hadn’t brought me to this cinema, how would we have ended up in this showing, with these people, and run into colleagues?" Even in the dim setting, her embarrassment made her rare act of being willful, putting all the blame on Li Yan. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Li Yan glanced ahead and chuckled in a low voice: "You know company colleagues are here, huh? Then shouldn’t we speak a bit louder? Also, what was it you just said? You asked if I dared to be more despicable, right? I—do!"

When Yurong heard him mention the company colleagues, she remembered they were just two rows ahead, and that speaking any louder might get them overheard, making her instantly quiet. But his subsequent words made her tense up again; as his face drew closer, she hurriedly whispered, "Don’t... don’t do it here..."

Given Li Yan’s consistent attitude towards Yurong, even if he impulsively kissed her, he would immediately stop if she explicitly showed dislike. This time, he just wanted to scare her a bit and didn’t truly intend to take advantage of her.

However, as he moved closer and felt her tension and resistance, a sudden thought of wanting to tease her hard ignited within him!

Of course, teasing here didn’t mean real bullying, just wanting to turn his previous passivity into initiative.

In relationships, it’s often about things naturally progressing. But many times, opportunity arises, but the connection may not follow; some girls are quite passive, requiring a more proactive push, otherwise, they might miss out waiting while the guy loses interest or meets someone more determined.

Li Yan’s experience with relationships wasn’t vast; technically, he was mostly the passive party, except with Yurong. Because there was already a marital relationship, once he realized he had inadvertently fallen for her and wanted to maintain it, he began actively pursuing her, which was greatly facilitated after Yue Yao’s involvement.

That’s why, every time Yurong resisted, he always respected her decision. Including the time when she was furious and wanted to take a break, leading them to the brink of divorce; he didn’t offer further explanations or ask for another chance, instead, he respected her wishes and offered to leave.

Originally, I had decided to respect her wishes and let it go if she rejected me. But now it’s as if a light bulb suddenly lit up, making me realize I might have respected her too much! Respect is not a bad thing, but giving her all the initiative out of respect is not good for our development. Because she is an inexperienced girl and leans towards conservatism, if it’s up to her to choose, she might just keep backing off!

At this moment, many scenes of problems between the two of us flashed through my mind. It’s quite obvious that if it weren’t for the complicated issues of marriage and parents entangling us, Zhang Yurong might have already avoided me! With her personality, with a normal pursuit, one instance of displeasure would mean there wouldn’t be a second chance. And I kept choosing to give her the initiative...

A voice rose in Li Yan’s mind, it’s time! Last night I told her I love her, and she accepted it implicitly. It’s time to show some manly assertiveness and tell her with a strong attitude that she belongs to me! It’s time to further close the gap between us!

Seeing Li Yan staring blankly at her, with the two of them so close, even though the light was dim, Zhang Yurong could clearly see his expression. It seemed very complicated, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes excited, sometimes dejected. It made her wonder if he was having a fierce internal struggle.

She told herself to stay calm and said lightly, "Alright! The movie’s starting, stop messing around. Let’s watch the movie..."

But Li Yan didn’t step back with a smile; instead, her voice reminded him to pull her over, and then he quickly kissed her lips!

Zhang Yurong’s body stiffened for a moment, but the tension and pressure in her heart disappeared quickly, and she relaxed. Just looking at the surrounding situation, she vaguely guessed that Li Yan might do this to her, maybe not now, maybe he’d wait for the romantic, sensational scenes in the movie. She felt that she couldn’t resist him, so she said those words earlier.

She didn’t expect him to act so fast, not even waiting for a romantic moment of mutual affection, just as usual with — a forceful kiss!

This guy... Yurong felt laughable and helpless inside. He had forcefully kissed her more than once before, and she started to get used to it. But compared to the seductive CPR kiss, the forced kiss in her room, her heart was beating faster now in the cinema. What if someone else saw? What if someone from the PR department saw?

There’s a saying: a long illness makes the patient a good doctor; another saying: once bitten, twice shy...

Although each time it was a forceful kiss from him, she would recall the process afterwards. She believed she was critically reflecting on her defensive experience rather than reminiscing, but after several times, reflecting more also accumulated some experience.

Especially since she had a bit of mental preparation this time and was also slightly infected by the atmosphere around them. Besides, last night at the elevator, they had a genuinely sweet, passionate kiss, which helped her accept it more and made her want to do better than last night. So, she quickly reviewed last night’s experience and actively tried to cooperate with Li Yan’s advances.

Li Yan felt her reaction most directly. He was comforted to realize he made the right gamble this time. The more conservative a girl is, the more likely she is to say one thing and mean another. If he really followed her words just now, respectfully watching the movie like new acquaintances, it would truly have been a waste.

Having received a positive signal, naturally, he wouldn’t back down, continuing the passionate kiss. His hand also started to touch her neck along her white scarf, and before she only felt the skin contact on her neck, his hand had already swiftly slipped into her collar...

But Yurong’s body began to struggle, her mouth resisted too, and her hands directly pushed him. Everything made him understand she was very excited now. While being brave and proactive was needed, instant success was impossible. He had to give her time to adapt.

So, he quickly withdrew his hand and released her lips, but his other arm still held her tightly.

"You’re going too far!"

Yurong angrily whispered to Li Yan, while her eyes observed around, afraid that people might have seen the scene just now, which would be utterly embarrassing...

Li Yan knew what she was worried about. Avoiding her anger, he said softly: "Don’t worry. Our heads are together; people behind can’t see. The scarf blocks that side, and no one in front is turning around. The most they might see is us kissing. So many people kiss, no one is interested in us..."

His words calmed Yurong a little, but she still felt he went too far, openly violating her in a public place, if not molesting! She pouted angrily and said, "Don’t talk to me!"

At the same time, she twisted her body, trying to break free from Li Yan’s embrace, but unable to escape, she had to give up.

(Thanks to those who tipped yesterday: Shooting Star Waiting, jp^^, zjun971210, l1l2x3, Reader 36135440, dongmin8061, Li Fanshow, Cp Pampas, Rain’s Destiny, Sai Clan’s Little Fish, Maple→Flying with the Wind, jK Liang) (To be continued, to find out what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, for more Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)