Car Accident

After Hui Hui finished lunch at home, she ran off. Her Old Dad, Zhang Deqing, had not come back for lunch either—he was probably eating at Widow Wang's place. Hui Hui could not be bothered to think about it. She had to start work tomorrow, so she hurried out to have some fun.

Before long, she arrived at her best friend Zhang Qianqian's home, and the two of them rode their bikes out for a ride.

Li Yang had not managed to go to Yue Xiaodan's place for lunch either. Xu Rui had come upstairs to call him at noon, so Li Yang could only secretly send Xiao Dan a text message.

In the Urban Village, Xiao Dan lost all interest in cooking after seeing Li Yang's message. She simply soaked a bowl of instant noodles, forced down a few bites, then went to bed out of boredom.

Not long afterward, Li Yang quietly arrived outside Xiao Dan's door. With a gentle push, he found it was not even locked. That was far too careless. Even in broad daylight, she should not have been so completely unguarded.

Li Yang was carrying rice noodles, Xiao Dan's favorite food, and quietly walked inside.

He looked toward the small bed farther in. Xiao Dan was sleeping soundly and had not noticed his arrival.

He chuckled, walked over, reached out to pat Xiao Dan, then quickly crouched down.

Startled, Xiao Dan immediately sat up and looked around, but she did not see anyone.

Li Yang suddenly stood up, making her scream. When she saw it was Li Yang, she angrily pulled him onto the bed, climbed on top of him, and started pinching and biting him. The two began playfully wrestling with each other.

Suddenly, as if something had stirred him, Li Yang pulled Xiao Dan close and kissed her.

Before long, Xiao Dan pushed Li Yang away with a flushed face...

"You're awful. All you know is how to bully me. I'm ignoring you." As she spoke, she got off the bed beside Li Yang. But when she saw the rice noodles on the table, she could not help walking back toward him.

Her eyes brimming with tenderness, she asked, "How did you know I hadn't eaten?"

"I guessed. If I didn't come, you definitely wouldn't be able to eat or sleep properly, so I brought this for you. Hurry up and eat."

"Thank you, Li Yang. Get up and eat with me." Xiao Dan took Li Yang's hand and led him to the dining table.

Xiao Dan took one bite herself, then fed Li Yang another. Li Yang told her he had already eaten and told her to eat it herself.

Xiao Dan happily finished the large serving of rice noodles. They were sour, spicy, and delicious—exactly the flavor she liked.

Li Yang had also bought her a drink. After eating, she took a few sips of orange juice, then Xiao Dan lay down to rest again.

She locked the door, then, amid Li Yang's mischievous smile, watched him climb into bed with her.

With no improper thoughts, Li Yang held Xiao Dan and slept until it was time to return to work at noon. Even after being woken up, Xiao Dan still lay reluctantly in Li Yang's arms, unwilling to move.

"I just want to hold you and sleep like this for the rest of my life." Xiao Dan gazed lovingly at Li Yang and murmured softly.

Li Yang's heart began pounding too. In one stride, he rushed forward and kissed Xiao Dan's soft pink lips. Xiao Dan enthusiastically wrapped her arms around Li Yang's neck and sweetly returned the kiss...

Half an hour passed before the two finally stopped, both panting. Xiao Dan, bare-skinned, clung tightly to Li Yang, unwilling to let go.

Enjoying their last moments of tenderness...

"I love you, Li Yang," Xiao Dan confessed emotionally with her eyes closed.

"I love you too, Xiao Dan." Li Yang passionately responded as he stroked Xiao Dan's smooth, delicate back.

"Let's go have fun this afternoon. I want you to come with me." Xiao Dan looked up at Li Yang with delight.

"Of course. As long as you want to go, I'll go." Li Yang and Xiao Dan each picked up their phones and called their supervisors to ask for the afternoon off.

After resting a while longer, Xiao Dan felt she had not had enough fun. Excitedly, she and Li Yang passionately went at it again.

After their wild bout, Li Yang asked worriedly, "You little fool, this was your first time. Can you handle it?"

"I'm fine. I just need to rest a little longer." Xiao Dan closed her eyes and took deep breaths. She was clearly exhausted.

It was already three in the afternoon by the time they showered, got dressed, and went out. Xiao Dan changed into the shorts and stockings Li Yang liked, then put on eight-centimeter heels. Holding hands, the two took a bus to Lijing Gate in the old city to have some fun.

"Stay at my place tonight. Don't go back." Sitting on a park bench and leaning against Li Yang's chest, Xiao Dan asked shyly.

"Sure, as long as you're not afraid of me." Li Yang looked at Xiao Dan with a wicked grin.

"Hmph, who's afraid of whom is still up for debate." Having just experienced love between a man and a woman, Xiao Dan had become much more tender. Her eyes were filled with affection for Li Yang.

The tenderness they had shared earlier had greatly satisfied Xiao Dan in both body and heart. At this moment, she was so obsessed with Li Yang that she could not pull herself free.

"Hey, where did you run off to? Why didn't you come to work this afternoon?" Xu Rui called at that moment.

"I had something to take care of at home, so I took leave. What is it?" Li Yang replied softly while looking at Xiao Dan's figure.

"Oh, Wang Long is treating everyone to dinner the night after tomorrow. He asked me to let you know. After work, the two of us will go together."

"Okay, got it. We'll talk later."

Li Yang then hung up.

Next, Xiao Dan's phone rang. Li Yang took her phone from her bag and glanced at it. It was Xu Rui.

Xiao Dan calmly answered and, lying in Li Yang's arms, asked a question.

"Is something wrong?"

"Oh, how about I treat you to dinner after work?" Xu Rui asked gently over the phone.

"Not today. I went home, and I won't be back at work until tomorrow," Xiao Dan casually brushed him off.

"All right, then. We'll talk tomorrow. I'm going back to work. Bye." They then hung up.

"Do you think we should tell him?" Xiao Dan looked at Li Yang and asked.

"Of course not. I don't want things to turn unpleasant between us." Li Yang spoke of his dilemma.

"Sorry, Xiao Dan. I was too impulsive. I shouldn't have done that to you." Li Yang began to blame himself.

"Fool, I was willing. It's not your fault. I love you, and I was willing to give you my first time. Even if I can't become your bride in this life, I'll still love you willingly and without regret. Thank you, Li Yang, for spending such wonderful times with me."

Faced with Xiao Dan's heartfelt words, Li Yang felt terrible. On one side was friendship, on the other was love. No matter which one he chose, he would lose the other. You could not have both the fish and the bear's paw. Sooner or later, he would have to face that day.

"Li Yang, promise me that we won't put pressure on ourselves. Let's live well. No matter what choice you make, I won't hate you. You are the first man in my life. I love you without regret." As she spoke, Xiao Dan kissed Li Yang passionately, fervently, and hungrily...

That evening, they returned to Xiao Dan's place and lovingly cooked dinner together. After cleaning up, they went to the bathroom to shower together.

Like a caring wife, Xiao Dan carefully scrubbed Li Yang's back. They washed for a long time before getting dressed and returning to the room together. After locking the door, Xiao Dan leaned against Li Yang in bed and watched a TV drama.

Late at night, the two shared another passionate embrace...

And so, Li Yang and Yue Xiaodan began secretly living together, happy yet miserable...

Early one morning, Xu Rui rode his small motorcycle to Li Yang's doorstep.

Not long afterward, Li Yang came out looking listless.

"Damn, what did you get up to last night? Why do you look so drained?" Xu Rui sat on the motorcycle, lit a cigarette, and leisurely took a puff.

"Let's go. I haven't been sleeping well at home these past few days," Li Yang casually brushed him off without explaining further. Xiao Dan seemed to have gotten a taste for it and become addicted. Whenever she had time, she would pull Li Yang into bed. It had exhausted him terribly, while Xiao Dan had been thoroughly nourished, becoming more radiant and lively by the day.

Yesterday after work, Xu Rui had happened to take him home, so he had barely managed to get one night of rest.

"After work tonight, we'll go straight there. They booked a farmhouse restaurant on Dragon Scale Road."

Xu Rui informed Li Yang as he rode.

"Got it. When's he getting married?" Li Yang asked without much interest.

"This Monday. We'll both be off that day. He said he wants us to set off the firecrackers, so don't even think about running away."

Xu Rui seemed quite excited. Things had been going smoothly with Yue Xiaodan lately, though nothing substantial had happened yet. They were only in contact by phone.

At noon, Xiao Dan again brought Li Yang back to the rental room. She made egg noodles with sauce for lunch, and Li Yang ate two large bowls.

Watching the man she loved wolf down his food, Xiao Dan's brows relaxed. Her big eyes gazed at Li Yang affectionately.

"Is it enough? Eat slowly, there's more. No need to rush." Xiao Dan thoughtfully served Li Yang more food, afraid he would not get enough.

"I'm full." Li Yang put down his bowl and casually wiped his mouth.

"You're so messy. Here, have a napkin." Xiao Dan smiled and gave Li Yang a little kick with her bare foot, then picked up a tissue and carefully wiped his mouth for him.

"My wife is the best." Li Yang kissed Xiao Dan on the lips, then grinned at her. "Want to do it again? I've rested up."

"Get lost." Xiao Dan blushed and rolled her eyes at him. "Aunt Flow is here. Go take a nap. I'll clean up first." After saying that, Xiao Dan cheerfully hummed a tune as she went to wash the dishes.

That afternoon, the two simply took a nap, leaving Li Yang feeling wonderfully comfortable.

In the afternoon, they went to work together. Li Yang told Xiao Dan that he was going drinking that night and would not be coming back to keep her company.

"Got it. Drink less, okay? Send me a message when you get home."

Xiao Dan gently reminded Li Yang.

"Got it. Bye." The two parted at the entrance to Pedestrian Street.

At last, it was time to get off work. Li Yang changed clothes and hurried out of the Refrigerator and Washing Machine Department. After clocking out, he went downstairs and waited for Xu Rui by the entrance.

"Oh, it's you." Ren Xiaoxiao wore stylish clothes and carried a bag as she smiled at Li Yang.

"Oh, are you off work?" Li Yang casually asked.

"Yeah. Let's go shopping together." Xiaoxiao invited Li Yang without hesitation.

"Sorry, Xiaoxiao. Some other day. I already promised the guys I'd go drinking with them tonight."

"All right, then. I'll head home first. Bye." Xiaoxiao said nothing more. After greeting Li Yang, she left first.

"Let's go." Xu Rui sauntered over to him.

"Do you know the route?" Li Yang asked as he followed him.

"Yeah, yeah, it's not far." Xu Rui happily ran toward the parking area.

Xu Rui then set off with Li Yang.

When they arrived, quite a few people were already there. Everyone greeted one another warmly, then sat down to wait for the rest of the group.

"Long, where's your wife from?" In a good mood, Li Yang asked Wang Long.

"Yiyang. It's not far from my home." Wang Long's home was in Yanqiu Village, right at the border of Yiyang County, so it was indeed convenient.

Before long, He Junjun arrived with Zhang Meimei. "Hello!" Zhang Meimei cheerfully greeted Li Yang, then sat beside him.

"What's wrong? Still trying to get me drunk?" Seeing He Junjun, Li Yang could not help teasing him.

"Forget it. I'm never drinking with you again in this life. I'm genuinely scared." He Junjun replied with a fearful smile.

"Go to hell. We've barely started. Come on, keep drinking!" Li Yang shouted defiantly.

"Enough, stop teasing him. He's already had plenty to drink these past few days," Zhang Meimei urged from the side.

Before long, almost everyone had arrived, and the group began drinking freely.

The barbecue and hotpot dishes covered the entire table. Wang Long was in high spirits as he took turns drinking with everyone.

Xiao Dan was bored at home by herself. Barefoot and wearing pajamas as she lay on the bed, she began texting Li Yang.

"I miss you, darling! Do you miss me?"

"I miss you too, wife," Li Yang secretly replied.

Xiao Dan smiled so widely she could not close her mouth when she saw it.

"I'm not by your side tonight, so be good, okay? Drink less and come home early. Tomorrow at noon, I'll make Big Plate Chicken for you to try, darling."

"Okay, wife. I can't talk now. There are too many people around, so it's inconvenient."

"Love you, wife. See you tomorrow, mwah!"

"I love you too, mwah!"

The two ended their chat.

Li Yang then put his phone back into his pocket and focused on clinking Draft Beer Cups with He Junjun. He drained his drink in one gulp. That felt great!

The group played until midnight without showing any sign of stopping.

The temperature was rising at the end of May. Some people were sweating profusely from drinking and began taking off their T-shirts, bare-backed as they played drinking games. The atmosphere was incredibly lively!

Near two in the morning, Xu Rui could not hold on any longer. He and Li Yang still had to work the next day.

"Brothers, the two of us are heading out first. We still have work tomorrow, so we can't keep playing with you. We'll continue another day. Eat and drink well, everyone!"

"Come on, one more drink, then we'll be off." Li Yang picked up his beer and enthusiastically clinked glasses with the others, then drained the rest of his draft beer without stopping.

"Let's go." Li Yang pulled Xu Rui away first.

"Can you still ride?" Li Yang stood by the roadside and worriedly looked at Xu Rui, who was drunkenly sitting on the motorcycle.

"Damn, who are you looking down on? Don't you know my drinking capacity? Get on already."

After saying that, Xu Rui nimbly started the motorcycle and carried Li Yang downhill toward the southern end of Dragon Scale Road.

Along the way, Li Yang saw that Xu Rui was riding steadily, so he relaxed against his back and began dozing off.

Heluo Road was undergoing an expansion project at the time. More than half of the road had been enclosed by green metal construction barriers to make things easier for the work crews.

Because the streetlights were not on, the road was pitch-black. The motorcycle's weak headlight vaguely illuminated the way ahead. After riding for a while, Xu Rui grew sleepy and closed his eyes.

A stretch of road ahead had just been worked on, and the metal barriers had not yet been removed. They happened to block the road ahead.

Xu Rui's motorcycle headed straight and steadily into the metal barrier wall, crashing into it hard.