Ever since she stayed over that night, Li Xiqing had been gradually asking Shao Yan to stay over. But Shao Yan refused.

Shao Yan liked her own freedom. And she was not ready to be tied down to live together with a boyfriend. For her, that's a huge commitment.

They even had their first argument because of this.

Shao Yan was upset, so she locked herself inside his study room.

"Yan Yan, let's talk. Don't lock the door" Li Xiqing was panicking, he didn't know what to do. All he wanted was to spend more time with her. But it seemed that she felt restrained.

"You are too controlling! We are not talking until you reflect on what you've done!" and then she went back to checking her emails and also browsing around her social media.

She was upset. If she didn't make things clear now, their relations.h.i.+p would be forever imbalance!

Li Xiqing was not used to this. He tried to think of a way to appease her, but at the same time let her know what he wanted.

Shao Yan locked herself inside for the whole day. Li Xiqing turned the house upside down, he couldn't find the master key to open the door!

He made a mental note to change all the doors tomorrow. No more locks!!

Shao Yan accidentally fell asleep and finally got out around dinner time because she was hungry. Li Xiqing quickly approached her and hold her.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm at fault." he was looking at her with puppy eyes, "Don't be angry anymore, alright?"

Shao Yan very much wanted to torture him longer, but her heart went soft at his pitiful eyes. She pretended to be fierce, "Try to restrain me one more time, I will definitely be angry. And it will be longer than this time." She pouted.

She let go off his arm and looked at him in the eyes, "Li Xiqing, we are in this together. Side by side. But that doesn't mean I will loose my freedom to do what I want." she waited for a moment for that to sink in.

"I am not ready to live together with you." she chose her words carefully, "But that doesn't mean I don't want to be with you. I just need time."

Shao Yan continued, "Why can't we keep doing what we have been doing? Are we not happy now. Let's date like other normal couple. En?"

Li Xiqing kept her in his embrace, his arms were hugging her around her waist. He was quiet, he was thinking: No other normal couple not staying together!

He very much wanted to sulk. Sigh.

"Let's do this way then," he finally said, "You can go back to your place on weekdays." he paused and then tightened his hold on her again.

"But on the weekend, you will stay here with me." he looked into her eyes, "Alright?"

At the end, both of them compromised.

It's finally the anniversary party tomorrow!

Shao Yan had been working non stop for the past three months. Gold Crane celebrated their 50th anniversary and this was a huge accomplishment.

Shao Yan had been burning overtime oil this week, making sure that all tiny little details were met. And Li Xiqing was really not happy with this. They only saw each other few times this week.

To top it off, she had been missing their promised dinner dates. So he had to keep sending meals to her desk.

After tomorrow, she could finally rest. So Li Xiqing was exceptionally happy today.

His team had cleared out of floor 58. Li Xiqing, Martin and Karl had been busy with setting up AG International new office, and he could only came to Gold Crane at lunch time to eat with her once in a while.

They were eating at a sandwich shop nearby. Shao Yan had to rush for another meeting after lunch, so she could only eat something quick.

"I will pick you up tomorrow for the party?" he pa.s.sed her tissue napkin.

Shao Yan was chewing and could only shook her head and took the napkin from him. After she finished chewing, she finally said, "No, I will be at the hotel since morning, so I will just see you in the evening. Are Martin and Karl going to make it?"

He just finished his lunch and was cleaning his wrapper now, "Yes, they will come after the meeting. What about your dress? You will carry them with you?"

Shao Yan nodded again, "Wenhai had booked a room for all of us to use as a 'war room' so we can put our stuff there."

"Have you decided which one you will go with? The silver or the maroon?" he refilled the water for her.

Shao Yan took the cup from him and drank it all. Li Xiqing moved to cleaning her wrapper.

"Yes, the maroon. The silver was too.. s.e.xy" she drank again, "I'm afraid it will not be comfortable for me to run around."

"Drink slowly." and then he continued, "Alright, I know, I will match my tie with your dress" and then he gave her a lazy smile and then stared at her face adoringly.

Shao Yan accidentally choked on her water. Her boyfriend was too charming! Why a simple lazy smile still made her heart beat so fast!!

Li Xiqing frowned at her carelessness and nagged her again.

When Li Xiqing dropped her off at the office, he held her wrist gently. "Hold on." and then he gave out his hand, "Give me your phone."

Shao Yan looked at him, puzzled at what he wanted to do.

"In case I could not find you tomorrow" he keyed in something in her phone, "Let me copy down your teams' phone number."

Shao Yan nodded that she understood.

"I have turned on your GPS location too, " Li Xiqing put up both their phones together to show her, "So now, you can see my location, and I can see yours."

Shao Yan let out a hearty laugh.

"Li Xiqing, are you that afraid that I will run away from you?" she laughed again.

Li Xiqing adored her happy face. He patted her head, "Yes yes, that beautiful head of yours are so careless. You always need me by your side." he softly pinched her cheek.

Shao Yan pursed her lips and smiled at him shyly. Why was he so cute!!

After he was done, Li Xiqing returned the phone to her. Shao Yan put it in her purse. She unbuckled her seatbelt, and open the door.

But before she stepped out, suddenly Shao Yan pulled on Li Xiqing's tie down to her and kissed the corner of his lips. "Don't miss me too much!" and she swiftly run away before he caught her.

(ノ^_^)ノ