"I Haven't Had a Good Time These Years"

As soon as the words came out of Tang Qing's mouth, Yan Yan fell silent. Without Yan Yan's voice, the atmosphere in the private room became slightly awkward. 

"I'll take you back," Yan Yan told Tang Qing, breaking the silence. His tone was gentle, laced with a hint of pleading. Despite the years that had passed, his desire to be by her side had never waned.

"You don't need to take me home by car; I can go by train," Tang Qing refused. She was still wary of Yan Yan's intentions, unwilling to let her guard down.

"The subway is very crowded during busy hours," Yan said cautiously, worried that Tang Qing might reject his offer again. He was anxious to spend more time with her and ensure her safe return home.

"Then...Okay! ," Tang Qing finally relented, her resolve wavering in the face of Yan Yan's concern. Deep down, she still cared for him, but the pain of the past was too fresh to ignore.

"It's not troublesome at all," Yan Yan replied. How could anything involving Tang Qing ever bother him? She was the most precious person in his life, and he would do anything to be by her side.

The car waiting for them was a Maserati, a brand Yan Yan seemed to appreciate significantly, just as he had in the past. The sleek, powerful vehicle reflected Yan Yan's success and affluence, but it also served as a means to provide comfort and convenience for Tang Qing.

As they got into the car, Assistant Zhang opened the door for Tang Qing, carefully guiding her head to prevent it from hitting the door frame. The gesture was small, but it spoke volumes about the level of attentiveness and care Yan Yan's staff had been instructed to show toward Tang Qing. It was a subtle reminder of the lengths Yan Yan would go to ensure her well-being.

The two rode silently until Yan rested his head on Tang Qing's shoulder as if falling asleep. His long eyelashes fluttered like small fans, tickling Tang Qing. His words while sleeping were more harmless than when he was awake, but Tang Qing knew this was just an illusion. Yan Yan's brows were furrowed, suggesting he was not resting easily. Even in his sleep, the weight of his troubled past seemed to bear on him.

From the front seat, Assistant Zhang noticed Yan Yan dozing off and handed Tang Qing a note, "Ms. Tang, sir hasn't slept for a long time." The note revealed the extent of Yan Yan's demanding schedule and its toll on those who served him. It was a testament to Yan Yan's single-minded focus and unwavering dedication to his work, even at the expense of his well-being.

Tang Qing took the note and couldn't help but glance at the faint dark circles under Yan Yan's eyes. "Did you not sleep well?" she muttered to herself, a hint of concern creeping into her voice. Despite her efforts to remain indifferent, a part of her still cared about Yan Yan's well-being.

Yan Yan remained leaning on Tang Qing's shoulder, dozing lightly in the car all the way. It wasn't until they were almost at Tang Qing's house that he finally stirred and opened his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I accidentally fell asleep. Qing Qing, are your hands numb?" Yan said in a daze, reaching out to lift Tang Qing's arm as if to massage it. Even in his groggy state, his instinct was to ensure Tang Qing's comfort. The gesture was small, but it spoke volumes about the depth of his care for her.

"It's okay, I'm going back first. I think we should never see each other again," Tang Qing said coldly, pulling her hand away. The years of pain and heartbreak had hardened her heart, and she was unwilling to let Yan Yan back in.

"I've had a bad life these past years, very bad," Yan Yan said, grasping at Tang Qing's retreating hand. His voice was tinged with desperation, a plea for understanding and forgiveness. He wanted her to know that the distance between them was not his choosing, that he had suffered just as much as she had.

"That's your problem. I'll leave first," Tang Qing said firmly, extracting her hand and opening the car door. She had made up her mind, and the walls around her heart were firmly in place. No matter how much Yan pleaded, she was determined to protect herself from further heartache.

Watching Tang Qing's back as she walked away, Yan Yan made a phone call. "Find Minglan!" he said. Minglan was the source of the rift that had torn apart the relationship between Yan Yan and Tang Qing. Considering the gravity of those words, Yan Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of fierce determination.

He would stop at nothing to find Minglan and uncover the truth, no matter the cost. The thought of losing Tang Qing forever was too much for him to bear. He had to make things right and reclaim the love they once shared.

As the car pulled away, Yan leaned back in his seat, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts. He had to find a way to bridge the gap between them, to prove to Tang Qing that his feelings for her had never wavered. The years of separation had only strengthened his resolve to win her back, no matter the obstacles he might face.

In the driver's seat, Assistant Zhang could sense the tension in the air. He had been with Yan Yan through thick and thin, and he knew the depth of his employer's affection for Tang Qing. He also understood the complexity of their relationship, the pain and heartbreak that had torn them apart.

As they made their way through the city, Assistant Zhang contemplated his next move. He would do whatever it took to support Yan Yan's quest to reconcile with Tang Qing. After all, he had witnessed firsthand the profound love and connection that had once existed between them, and he firmly believed that they belonged together.

The journey back to Tang Qing's house was a sad one, punctuated only by the occasional sigh from Yan Yan as he stared out the window, lost in his thoughts. The weight of the past hung heavy in the air, but Yan Yan was determined to confront it head-on, no matter the cost. He would fight for the love he had lost and not rest until he had won back Tang Qing's heart.