Chapter 16

　　Lin Yuan's thoughts were still on that other person. She wanted to find that person, but had no clues.

　　The room suddenly quieted down, and Lin Yuan felt a little scared again. She lay in bed and didn't turn off the lights for a long time.

　　The phone vibrated, receiving a message from an unfamiliar number: If you're afraid, call me. I've been here all along.

　　Lin Yuan replied: Who is it?

　　"I am Yuan Yu."

　　"Oh."

　　Yuan Yu sent another message: I have been here all along.

　　Lin Yuan didn't reply to the message again, but a warm feeling surged in her heart. She reached out and touched the tip of her nose, recalling Yuan Yu's actions before leaving, and her face felt a bit hot.

　　She didn't have a bad impression of Yuan Yu, but Lin Yuan couldn't be sure of her own feelings. She felt a bit confused.

　　Why do you say that?

　　In the morning, when she went to Yuan Yu's psychological counseling room, she felt as if she had seen the building, the elevator, the room on the tenth floor, and the sign "Encounter Psychological Counseling Room" there. Although it was her first time meeting Yuan Yu, he gave her a distant, vague, yet familiar feeling. Of course, Yuan Yu's outstanding appearance did attract Lin Yuan.

　　His unique voice seemed to dispel the fear in Lin Yuan's heart. Yuan Yu's voice echoed in her ears: "Lin Yuan, I've been here all along..."

　　Lin Yuan gradually fell asleep.

　　Yuan Yu didn't sleep. He was guarding his phone and lost track of time.

　　The phone didn't ring, but the doorbell did.

　　Opening the door, a body collided into his arms. The cold, trembling body made Yuan Yu unable to help but open his arms and embrace her, wanting to give her some warmth.

　　"Xiao Yuan..."

　　Just as Yuan Yu was about to speak, Lin Yuan suddenly lifted her head and pressed her lips to his. Yuan Yu was intoxicated, holding Lin Yuan tightly, kissing her deeply.

　　Waking up in the morning, Yuan Yu sighed. It was another dream. Was it because he was too infatuated with Lin Yuan that he kept dreaming of her?

　　Also, Yuan Yu didn't understand that hairpin. He didn't have a particular liking for antique jade objects, but when he saw the hairpin fall out of Lin Yuan's bag, a strange feeling arose in his heart. This jade hairpin, like Lin Yuan, deeply attracted him, as if it were Lin Yuan herself. This feeling made him unable to look away.

　　The purple iris was like a butterfly, a lonely and desolate butterfly, as if expressing despair and sorrow.

　　Lin Yuan, on the other hand, had a beautiful appearance and clear eyes, but perhaps she herself didn't realize that the cold aura emanating from her was like a beauty left behind—both captivating and intimidating.

　　But Yuan Yu wasn't one to shrink back. Since he was attracted, regardless of the reason or whether it was appropriate, as long as he felt tempted, he would definitely take action.

　　Lin Yuan slept until 11 o'clock in the morning before waking up. It had been a long time since she slept so well. The bright sunshine shone into the room—what a beautiful day.

　　There were three missed calls displayed on the phone. When Lin Yuan called back, it was Yu Qin's voice. She said, "You just woke up, right? Come pick me up. I'm at the airport."

　　Lin Yuan said, "You're back in the country? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

　　"I wanted to give you a surprise, but you haven't answered your phone for so long!"

　　"Hehe," Lin Yuan smiled, "wait a little longer, I'm leaving now."

　　Lin Yuan walked downstairs and was about to take a taxi when a car stopped in front of her. The window rolled down, and it was Yuan Yu. He said, "Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."

　　Before Lin Yuan could answer, she saw Lin Rui's car approaching. Lin Rui got out of the car and stood beside it. He said, "Xiao Yuan, get in."

　　Lin Yuan smiled apologetically at Yuan Yu and said, "Thank you."

　　Yuan Yu saw Lin Rui in the rearview mirror, watching as Lin Yuan got into his car. Yuan Yu's expression darkened, and he whispered, "So Lin Yuan knows that person."

　　Lin Yuan asked, "Brother, why are you here?"

　　"Where are you going?" Lin Rui asked.

　　"XX International Airport," Lin Yuan said, "just drop me off at a convenient taxi spot ahead."

　　Lin Rui drove onto the elevated road. Lin Yuan said, "Aren't you going to the company? I'll just take a taxi from there."

　　Lin Rui only asked, "Who are you picking up at the airport?"

　　"Yu Qin, she's back today."

　　Lin Rui said "Oh" and didn't say anything more. Lin Yuan's phone received a text message from Yuan Yu: "Don't you want to know who took you to the hospital? Meet at XXX restaurant at 7 p.m. I've already reserved a table."

　　Lin Yuan was a bit lost in thought. A man as excellent as Yuan Yu favoring her—she should feel somewhat flattered. Besides, she also had a good impression of Yuan Yu. However, for some reason, Lin Yuan seemed to have a faint unease in her heart, which made her instinctively retreat when Yuan Yu was about to get close.

　　Lin Rui suddenly asked, "Who is Yu Qin?"

　　"Oh," Lin Yuan withdrew her thoughts and replied, "she's my classmate who has been living abroad."

　　"College classmate?" Lin Rui asked.

　　Lin Yuan let out a "hmm." Lin Rui pursed his lips and didn't say anything more. Lin Yuan felt her brother was a bit unusual. How could he put down his work and specifically take her to the airport?

　　In the international arrivals hall of XX Airport, Yu Qin was waiting bored. She looked around and saw a newspaper on the seat next to her. She picked it up and flipped through it idly.

　　A hand patted her shoulder from behind. Yu Qin screamed in fear.

　　Lin Yuan said strangely, "What's wrong? You're so engrossed?"

　　Yu Qin showed Lin Yuan a page of the newspaper and said, "I'm reading this news. It's a pity—such a young girl fell from a building and died."

　　Lin Yuan's face turned pale when she saw the photo in the newspaper.

　　Lin Rui glanced at her, took the newspaper from Yu Qin's hand, walked not far away, and threw it into the trash can.

　　Yu Qin stared blankly at Lin Rui and muttered to herself, "Wow, who is this handsome guy? Does Lin Yuan have a boyfriend?"

　　Lin Rui patted Lin Yuan and said, "Let's go."

　　Lin Yuan nodded and said to Yu Qin, "This is my brother, Lin Rui. Let's take his car and leave."

　　Yu Qin let out an "oh" and remembered that Lin Yuan's relationship with her family had always been strained. Even if she knew she had a brother, she had only seen him long ago and had forgotten what he looked like. However, judging from Lin Rui's appearance, he didn't seem that cold toward Lin Yuan—he even came to pick her up.

　　In the car, Yu Qin was still muttering to herself, "That girl's name is 'Ling Xuan.' Lin Yuan, don't you think your name sounds very similar to hers?"