9 Chapter 9 - Loved For Many Years

"Stop, stop, stop..." 

Caught off guard, the frightened Ji Anyao hurriedly retracted her hand and took half a step back. As soon as she raised her head, she made eye contact with the pair of deep and dark eyes that contained endless tenderness and affection. 

At the instant that she moved back, there seemed to be cracks in Han Yi's cool and poised face, but he soon regained his composure and spoke tenderly again.

"What's the matter?" 

After swallowing her saliva, Ji Anyao scanned him from head to toe before continuing to raise her hand and poke his forehead.

She asked inquisitively, "Han Yi, are you being serious? Is your brain... alright?" 

Han Yi's eyes glistened when he looked at her apprehensive eyes. The sunlight penetrated through the tree branches and was cast on his chiseled face. However, he did not retract his burning gaze or look away from her.

As the young chairman of Han Enterprise, Han Yi had always been a talented elite who was so outstanding that everyone would feel intimidated and dejected. 

Due to his father's poor health, he took over the management of the company at an early age. Although he was young, he was stern and domineering. In just half a year, he doubled the company's performance with his excellent management skills and unique but sharp insights. Those who doubted him at first no longer dared to underestimate the newly appointed young chairman.

Ever since he was a child, he had always been able to excel in his studies and career, thus becoming the focus of everyone's discussion.

However, he could not be overbearing or harsh towards Ji Anyao. In fact, he completely lacked confidence in front of her.

"Anyao... I love you and I have been loving you for many years."

Those few syllables slowly came out of his mouth and his voice was a little hoarse. It was as if he had already made up his mind before daring to pour his heart out cautiously in front of her. 

"I've fancied you for as long as I've known you, but I didn't dare to tell you... I was afraid that you'd reject me and push me away."

His sudden confession was a bolt out of the blue that completely caught Ji Anyao off guard!

In a moment of puzzlement, she did not have time to react at all. 

She simply asked without hesitation, "Why do you dare to do it now then?"

The moment she said those words, Ji Anyao suddenly realized that she had focused on the wrong thing and became flustered! 

"No... Han Yi, you should not joke with me at times like this! How can you joke about getting engaged?! I may be in huge trouble this time, but I'd at most stay away from home for two weeks or so. Once the matter blows over, Gu Mingyuan won't be able to do anything much to me since I have the support of Grandpa. You don't have to make such a huge sacrifice and suffer together with me..." 

"As long as I can be with you... I am willing to suffer even if I have to for the rest of my life."

"But..."

"Anyao, you know very well that I'm not joking." Han Yi's eyes turned gloomy and he placed his hands on Ji Anyao's shoulders, for fear that she would reject him again. "I want to be your husband and do my best to take care of you. I can give you what the Gu Family cannot... As for what happened yesterday, I can't tolerate it a second time."

"This... this is too sudden. I like you too... but that is different from the kind of affection you have for me..."

Whenever she was anxious, Ji Anyao would habitually raise her hand to scratch her neck. Sensing that the burning gaze had landed on her face with a burning temperature that was almost penetrating her skin, Ji Anyao's voice gradually became softer and she was at a loss for words. 

The Han Family and the Gu Family were family friends, and Ji Anyao and Han Yi had known each other since they were very young. Hence, it could be said that they were childhood friends and had played with each other all the way until they grew up.

Han Yi was not as much of a sweet talker as Su Chengyu. Although his personality was a bit boring, his serious personality was very interesting. Ji Anyao liked teasing him every now and then, and over time, she didn't take it seriously. 

However, she could now vaguely feel that Han Yi was serious when he said that he wanted to get engaged to her...

That was very awkward.

She had never had any unrequited thoughts about Han Yi, and only two days ago, she had discussed with Yin Mei'er about setting him up with a girl. Yet... in the blink of an eye, he actually confessed to her! 

For a moment, Ji Anyao could not even help but think, 'Why doesn't he go confess to Yin Mei'er?'

The wind was blowing messily and she seemed to have touched something with her fingertips. Ji Anyao immediately forgot about the matter at hand and hurriedly peeled off the band-aid with a look of puzzlement and frustration.

"What is this thing? Why is it sticking so firmly onto my skin?" 

After taking a closer look and realizing what she had torn off, Ji Anyao's expression changed and she frantically turned around before swiftly slapping the band-aid back onto her neck!

Unfortunately, she was still too slow.

Han Yi's face suddenly grew sullen and he turned her body over while holding her shoulders. His frown grew deeper as he stared at her neck inquisitively, raising his hand to tear away the two band-aids.

Ji Anyao slapped his hand away and retreated two steps from him. 

Despite feeling a sudden sense of guilt, she nevertheless raised her voice and exclaimed, "Don't touch it, my wound hasn't healed yet!"

"I already saw it, it's not a wound at all..."

Han Yi smirked self-deprecatingly with a sullen and gloomy expression while the contours of his face seemed to have become sharper. The cold and gloomy light in his eyes was emitting a dangerous aura.

"That man gave you those... didn't he?" 

Ji Anyao had never seen him like this before and quickly tried to explain.

"That's not what happened, Han Yi! It's not what you think..."

Han Yi ignored her words and glared daggers at her with gripping the two band-aids on her neck forcefully, as if he was trying to curb his impulsive urges with all his might. 

At the next second, before Ji Anyao could finish, Han Yi suddenly strode towards the car, got inside and slammed the door shut forcefully! 

The impact was so great that the car started shaking. 

"Han Yi! What are you doing? Open the door! Han Yi!" 

 Ji Anyao immediately chased after him and leaped onto the car window, which she started patting anxiously.

However, Han Yi slowly stepped on the gas pedal, as if he didn't hear her. Gradually, Ji Anyao was left behind and Han Yi then floored the pedal with one foot, causing the car to jump forward with a loud roar like an angry cheetah!

"Oh dear!"

Fearing that Han Yi would do something terrible, Ji Anyao swiftly got into her car and followed closely behind.

At the same time, she whipped out her cellphone to dial Su Chengyu's number. 

"Chengyu! Where are you now? Hurry up and inform Yin Mei'er to go to the entrance of Verias Hotel immediately and stop Han Yi! Yes, stop him! Don't let him see Bai Siyu... I don't have time to explain to you, so get there now! Save your questions for later..."

 After hanging up the phone, Ji Anyao was just about to speed up when she saw Han Yi's car disappear out of sight. At this moment, her cellphone suddenly rang again.

She quickly pressed the answer button, only to hear a familiar voice that was aloof but mixed with a tinge of indescribable sexiness and charm. 

"Have you coaxed your boyfriend?"