Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

After seeing Qin Yumo and Zhan Bo off, the rest of the group spent a few more days in Kyoto. As the trip drew to a close, the initial excitement wore off, and everyone began discussing their return trip.

In the hotel's breakfast area, Hu Yifei peeled an egg while saying, "Comrades, our trip to Kyoto is almost over. I checked the air tickets, and there's a flight back to Shanghai tomorrow afternoon, which is a good time."

Zeng Xiaoxian immediately raised his hand: "I agree! My legs will break if I keep playing, and the radio station is urging me to go back."

"Oh, time flies." Chen Meijia bit the bread reluctantly: "I haven't bought enough yet!"

Tang Youyou smiled and patted Chen Meijia: "It's okay, come again next time."

Lin Bufan glanced at Lin Wanyu secretly and saw that she was drinking soy milk in small sips. Their eyes met briefly in the air, and then quickly separated, with a faint smile on the corners of each of their mouths.

"That's settled then. I'll book all the tickets for tomorrow afternoon." Hu Yifei made the final decision.

On the last day, we did not go our separate ways, but went to several iconic places together to take some group photos, which marked the end of the trip.

The next day, the group arrived at the airport. After checking in their luggage, they said goodbye at the security checkpoint.

"Bufan, thank you so much for running around this time. When you return to the Magic City, I will cook for you myself!" Hu Yifei patted Lin Bufan's shoulder and spoke in a wild and unrestrained manner, looking like a big sister on the road.

Thinking of Hu Yifei's egg fried rice that looked just like the one from the blind box, Lin Bufan shuddered instantly and quickly refused: "Yifei, you're too polite. With our relationship, it's awkward to bring this up. We can just go to the barbecue stall downstairs and have something to eat!"

"Okay, then it's settled!" Hu Yifei did not refuse, but waved his hand to settle the matter.

At this time, Lv Ziqiao staggered over. His steps were unsteady, his eyes were covered with bags, and one hand was subconsciously supporting his lower back. He gave off the aura of a person with kidney deficiency. He squeezed next to Lin Bufan, lowered his voice, and put on an ambiguous smile that said "you know what I mean." "Brother Lin, I've made a lot of warm and hospitable new friends these days! They're all talented and well-spoken! There are a few who... hehe, we haven't had time to communicate in depth yet. How about it, are you interested? I'll introduce you to someone."

Lin Bufan glanced at Lu Ziqiao, his face full of "I don't trust you" expression: "Can you be so kind? The sun rises from the west?"

Lu Ziqiao immediately covered his chest and made a hurt expression: "Ouch! Junior Brother Lin, what you said hurts my heart so much! Who are we friends? We are friends for life! As long as I, Lu Xiaobu, can eat a bite of meat, I will never let you drink soup! Introducing girls to you, isn't that a natural and obligatory thing to do?" He spoke passionately, and his saliva almost sprayed on Lin Bufan's face.

Lin Bufan remained unmoved, but looked up and down at Lu Ziqiao with even more suspicion and distrust, as if he wanted to stare a hole in his face.

Lu Ziqiao felt uncomfortable being stared at. Seeing that he couldn't get away with it, he could only smile awkwardly, rubbing his hands together. His voice became even lower, a bit embarrassed. "Well... actually... it's mainly because the cost of living in Kyoto is a bit high... you know... the little salary I earned from filming a while ago... ran out before I knew it. So I wanted to ask you, Boss Lin, do you have any roles suitable for me recently? I'd like to help me make some extra pocket money..."

Lin Bufan then revealed an expression of "as expected" and pushed Lu Ziqiao away unhappily: "I knew you weren't that kind! Get lost, buddy. I'm a serious person and I don't need your nonsense introductions."

Lu Ziqiao was pushed away and was about to fight for it again when his phone in his pocket vibrated twice. He didn't take it out, but just exchanged a knowing look with Lin Bufan. Both of them smiled the kind of lewd smiles that only men can understand.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Lin Bufan and Lin Wanyu stood a little further away. They didn't act particularly intimate, maintaining the distance of ordinary friends in front of everyone. But when their eyes met, Lin Wanyu quietly made a "call" gesture to Lin Bufan and blinked quickly. Lin Bufan nodded slightly, a subtle, gentle smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

These subtle interactions were fleeting and went unnoticed by anyone.

"Okay, okay, it's time to go through security. If you delay any longer you will miss the plane!" Hu Yifei urged.

Everyone passed through security check one by one, turned around and waved goodbye to Lin Bufan. Lin Bufan stood outside the security check line, watching their figures disappear around the corner.

After leaving the airport, Lin Bufan took a deep breath, took out his phone, and sent a short text message to Lin Wanyu: "Have a safe journey, see you in Shanghai."

Almost immediately, Lin Bufan received a reply: "You too, take care of yourself. Smiley face"

Looking at that smiling expression, Lin Bufan couldn't help but smile. On the way out of the airport, Lin Bufan called Yang Tao again.

The phone rang several times before it was picked up. Yang Tao's deliberately drawn-out voice, filled with obvious dissatisfaction, came from the other end: "Hello—who is this busy person? Finally remembered that there is such a person as me in the world?"

Lin Bufan knew from the tone of her voice that Yang Tao was feeling neglected these past few days. He quickly softened his voice and smiled, "Oh, my dear Manager Yang, who has upset you? I just finished my work and didn't even have time to drink a sip of water. The first thing I did was call you to pay my respects!"

"Hmph!" Yang Tao snorted softly on the other end of the line, her tone sour. "I don't deserve it! Mr. Lin, you're so busy with so many things, with so many companies under your control, saving lives and expanding territory. How could you have time to think about a small fry like me? I haven't heard from you in days. I thought you'd flown away from Earth in your mecha!"

Lin Bufan suppressed his laughter and continued to coax him, "You're wronged, sir! I'm so tied up in several projects. I'm in meetings every day until I'm dizzy and even reviewing documents in my dreams! But you're in my heart all the time! Look, as soon as I got out of here, I almost forgot which way the company door faces. I just remembered to call our Taozi to report my whereabouts and ask for instructions on the next steps."

"Smooth talk!" Yang Tao's tone softened, a hint of unconcealed irritation lingering in her voice. "Who's yours? Stop talking nonsense... Then where are you now?"

"I just came out of the company and was about to go find you to apologize." Lin Bufan said sincerely: "Where are you? Give me a chance to express to you in person the painful feeling I have been feeling these past few days because of missing you so much."

Yang Tao was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone, as if she was considering whether to let Lin Bufan go so easily. In the end, she couldn't hold it back and said with a little pride, "I'm practicing yoga at Weiwei's place. Come over. It's just right... I just finished practicing and I'm a little tired."

"Understood! I'll be there right away! Wait for me!" Lin Bufan hung up the phone, raised a smile on the corner of his mouth, started the car and drove towards the gym.

When he walked into the gym, the warm reunion he'd imagined didn't materialize. Instead, he felt a strange sense of low pressure. Outside the yoga studio, a few curious students peered in. Inside, Lan Weiwei's face was pale, his eyes red, and he was trembling slightly as he stared intently at the two people before him—Zhuang Yan and his wife, Wang Hui!

Lan Weiwei's body trembled uncontrollably. Her eyes, which always held a smile, were now filled with tears, filled with disbelief, shock, and a sense of devastation. She stared intently at the two people in front of her, her lips trembling, but she couldn't utter a single complete syllable.

Standing across from her were the demure Zhuang Yan and his still-attractive wife, Wang Hui. Wang Hui folded her arms, her chin slightly raised, her eyes filled with condescending scrutiny and undisguised disdain, as if she were looking at something unclean. Zhuang Yan, on the other hand, wore a look of helplessness and compulsion, avoiding Lan Weiwei's gaze.

Yang Tao stood at the edge of the crowd not far away, as if nailed to the spot, her face also filled with shock and bewilderment. She clearly couldn't accept that the ex-boyfriend who had cheated on her was actually Lan Weiwei's current boyfriend!

Lin Bufan did not join Lan Weiwei and others in the main battlefield. There was no other way. After all, Wang Hui was there. If she said something shocking, he would be in trouble. He chose to avoid the main battlefield and went back to Yang Tao, gently putting his arm around her shoulders.

Yang Tao felt Lin Bufan's familiar presence approaching. Her body stiffened for a moment, then, as if finally finding support, she softened, burying her face deep in Lin Bufan's shoulder. She made no sound, but her shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably. Her warm tears quickly soaked the fabric of Lin Bufan's shirt, leaving a small dark mark. Her knuckles turned white from the force of her grip on the corner of Lin Bufan's shirt, as if she was suppressing a sob in her throat.

At this moment, Wang Hui's cold and clear voice broke the solidified air, and every word stabbed Lan Weiwei like a knife: "Miss Lan, I think the purpose of my coming here today is very clear. I hope you will not disturb my husband's solemn life again. This is the end of your relationship."

"Zhuang Yan...husband?" Lan Weiwei seemed to understand the meaning of these two words for the first time. She shook her head violently, tears finally bursting out, and her voice was filled with sobs and despair. "No...impossible! Zhuang Yan! Tell me! What she said is not true! You never told me you were married! You lied to me, didn't you?!"

Zhuang Yan's face flashed with panic at Lan Weiwei's public questioning, but it was quickly replaced by a false air of defiance. He cleared his throat, putting on an expression of deep sorrow and resignation, his tone nauseatingly sincere: "Weiwei... you... you shouldn't be like this. When we were together, I... I clearly told you I had a family... It was you who said... you said you didn't care, that you just wanted to be with me... I'm returning to my family now, and it's the best choice for all of us. Just... just let it go..."

"You're talking nonsense!" Lan Weiwei retorted sharply, as if bitten by a poisonous snake, her emotions completely broken: "Zhuang Yan! You bastard! When did you tell me?! You kept telling me you were single! You lied to me! You lied to my feelings! You..."

"Enough!" Wang Hui interrupted Lan Weiwei's cries with a harsh voice, her tone even colder: "Miss Lan, we are all adults. Some things will be meaningless if they are said too clearly. No matter what he said to you before, now I hope you will face reality and stop pestering a married man. Save some dignity for yourself."

The whispers around her grew louder, and all sorts of gazes pierced Lan Weiwei like needles. She stood there alone, enduring betrayal, humiliation, and the pointing and criticism of onlookers. Her whole world seemed to be spinning and collapsing.

Zhuang Yan's eyes flickered as he avoided Lan Weiwei's desperate gaze. He was almost half-heartedly pulled by Wang Hui, and the two of them, one in front and one behind, quickly left the yoga studio under the complicated gazes of the onlookers. Wang Hui held her head high throughout, like a victorious peacock, while Zhuang Yan's back was filled with embarrassment and escape.

As soon as they disappeared, Lan Weiwei's taut nerves seemed to snap. She gasped violently, her eyes hollow, her body swaying, her lips moving as if on the verge of saying something, but only muffled sounds came out. The next second, her eyes rolled back, her legs gave way, and she collapsed soundlessly to the carpet, as if her bones had been pulled out.

Exclamations erupted, and the crowd began to stir. Some wanted to step forward but hesitated.

Yang Tao's body shuddered violently, and she lifted her head from Lin Bufan's embrace, tears still streaking her face. She looked at Lan Weiwei, lying motionless on the ground, a flicker of struggle in her eyes. After all, Lan Weiwei's boyfriend was Li Wei, the man who had scarred her so deeply... This double betrayal weighed heavily on her.

However, seeing Lan Weiwei's pale face and her fragile unconscious appearance, Yang Tao's inherent kindness finally prevailed. She bit her lower lip, almost instinctively broke free from Lin Bufan's arms, and rushed over.

"Weiwei! How are you?" Yang Tao squatted down and anxiously patted Lan Weiwei's cheek. Finding that she didn't respond, she immediately looked up and shouted to Lin Bufan: "Lin Bufan! Call an ambulance!"

"It'll be faster if we drive!" Lin Bufan reacted quickly, shoving the car keys into the hands of a relatively calm-looking staff member nearby. "Please help me drive the car to the door, thank you!" He then bent down and picked up the unconscious Lan Weiwei, saying to Yang Tao, "Hold her head, let's go!"

Yang Tao quickly supported Lan Weiwei's neck, and the two of them, with the help of everyone, quickly left the yoga studio. The staff had already driven Lin Bufan's car to the door. Lin Bufan carefully placed Lan Weiwei in the back seat and had Yang Tao sit inside to support her. He quickly got into the driver's seat, started the car, and stepped on the accelerator. The car merged smoothly and quickly into the traffic, speeding towards the nearest hospital.

The atmosphere in the car was heavy. Lan Weiwei leaned softly against Yang Tao's arms, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Yang Tao held her tightly, occasionally checking her breath with her hand, her eyes filled with worry and fear. She looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene, then at the broad back of Lin Bufan, who was concentrating on driving ahead, with a complex and indescribable feeling. The events of today had been too much information, and she needed time to digest them, but at this moment, her worry for Lan Weiwei overwhelmed everything.