Lin Fan's pupils constricted. In his impression, Jian Ai was aloof, intellectual, and elegant, not a Pan Jin Lian (a notorious figure from Chinese literature known for her infidelity).
But the Jian Ai before him was a completely different person. Seeing that her coat buttons were about to come undone, Lin Fan quickly stood up and grabbed her hand.
"Sister-in-law... you're really drunk."
"I'm Lin Fan, not Tao Ge."
"You're making it very difficult for me."
Jian Ai angrily flung Lin Fan's hand away: "I know you're Lin Fan, and I know it's difficult for you, but I hope you'll just do it."
Do what?
Lin Fan's head was spinning.
If Jian Ai weren't Lin Shao Tao's woman, he would have made her stop, no matter what. He would have called himself Lin Fan.
But she was Lin Shao Tao's woman, and they hadn't gotten a divorce yet. He had to stay calm.
"Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"
"You know I'm Lin Fan, and you're still being impulsive? How am I supposed to explain this to Tao Ge?"
Jian Ai stopped, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Lin Fan. The next second, she embraced him and started to sob softly.
"Actually, I've always liked you."
"But I'm married, and you're good friends with Lin Shao Tao. This feeling I have, I can only keep it in my heart."
"Today, I'm telling you because I'm drunk. Please don't chase me away?"
"I'm so lonely, I need someone to keep me company."
Lin Fan stood there, petrified.
His entire face contorted in shock, as he gasped.
Jian Ai had always liked him?
It was like a bombshell.
He hadn't noticed before. She was so good at hiding her feelings!
He liked her too, a mature and sexy, perfect woman, but his status made it impossible. He had to control himself.
Now Jian Ai was saying this, making his resolve waver.
"Sister-in-law... you haven't gotten a divorce yet. We need to be rational."
"No! Are you even a man? You're afraid of everything."
Lin Fan was provoked.
He was a powerful man with a "golden waistline", and now he was being questioned about his masculinity?
Who could stand that?
(One hundred thousand words omitted...)
Time fast forwarded to 9 pm.
Lin Shao Tao was getting anxious at home, waiting for Jian Ai to return.
Normally, when Jian Ai argued with him and stormed out, she would always come back by nightfall.
Jian Ai was very particular about her bed. Even if she stayed at a hotel, she would always come back to their house, no matter what time it was, unless it was for a business trip or vacation.
But it was 9 pm now, and there was still no sign of her. Lin Shao Tao was worried that something might have happened to Jian Ai.
She was such a beautiful woman, that any man would turn their head to look at her on the street.
It was very dangerous for her to be out alone so late.
Lin Shao Tao called Liu Ying Xia first. They were best friends, and Jian Ai would often go out drinking with her when she was upset.
But Liu Ying Xia said Jian Ai hadn't contacted her at all today.
Lin Shao Tao was baffled. Could Jian Ai have disappeared into thin air? Had she no longer needed Liu Ying Xia's company?
He then called Jian Ai, but it went straight to voicemail.
Next, he called his good friend Zhou Yi Ming, only to be berated by him. Zhou Yi Ming told him, "Why would Jian Ai go to him after an argument?"
They were good friends, but it didn't mean that he and Jian Ai could be good friends.
Zhou Yi Ming called him an idiot, saying that he should think rationally when something like this happens.
Lin Shao Tao was so angry, he wanted to curse Zhou Yi Ming out. Finally, he wished him and his girlfriend a quick breakup before hanging up.
He'd already contacted Liu Ying Xia and Zhou Yi Ming, leaving only Lin Fan.
Lin Shao Tao didn't want to call Lin Fan. He was sure that Jian Ai wouldn't be with Lin Fan.
Although Lin Fan was their good friend, he was only 25, making him the fourth brother in their group. To them, he was still a child.
Jian Ai was such a mature woman. How could she possibly be with a little kid? Only the three older brothers didn't mind having a younger brother.
But he had no one else to call.
With a desperate hope, he dialed Lin Fan's number.
It took three tries before he got through. The first two calls were answered and hung up immediately.
"Hey! You little brat, why did you hang up on me?"
"What are you doing? Why aren't you answering your phone?"
"Whoa, why are you out of breath?"
The other end paused for a moment before Lin Fan replied: "I'm riding my bike. I've been riding for hours. You have something to say, just say it."
"Riding for hours? You learned how to brag from Jia Kuan, didn't you?"
"Just get to the point, I'm busy!"
"Do you know where Jian Ai is?"
"No idea, I'm hanging up."
Lin Shao Tao stared at his phone, feeling dejected. "This kid! He's got a chip on his shoulder. He hangs up just like that."
The more he couldn't find Jian Ai, the more anxious he became.
Even though their relationship was over, Jian Ai had left because of an argument with him.
If anything happened to her, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.
After careful consideration, he decided to gather his brothers to find a solution.
He called Lin Fan again, but it went straight to voicemail.
"You little..."
He then called Jia Kuan and Zhou Yi Ming.
Half an hour later, Jia Kuan arrived with his wife Liu Ying Xia, and Zhou Yi Ming arrived with his girlfriend Zhang Ya Hui (Hui Zi).
"What happened?"
"You pissed Jian Ai off again."
"Where is she? Still not back?"
"Where did she go? Do you know?"
"Just get a divorce already. If you don't have a house, you'll be sleeping on the streets!"
"Why can't you listen to Jian Ai? You move out, Jian Ai will give you the money for the house."
"..."
The four of them started scolding Lin Shao Tao as soon as they saw each other.
His head was spinning.
"My ancestors! Can you please cut it out?"
"I have no idea. She just left this morning and hasn't come back."
"She wasn't like this before. You know she's picky about her bed."
"Just find her now. Once we find her, you can do whatever you want to me. I don't care."
But where could they find her?
Liu Ying Xia asked, "Where's Lin Fan? That kid is always full of ideas. Maybe he has a way to find Jian Ai."
Lin Shao Tao: "He's at home. But his phone is off."
Liu Ying Xia: "What are we waiting for? Let's go to Lin Fan's place now and brainstorm."
Lin Shao Tao thought that made sense.
Even though Lin Fan was younger than them, he was smart.
With the principle of 'the more people, the merrier', the five of them drove towards Jun Yue Mansion.
Lin Fan didn't expect them to show up at this time.
He had just finished, and was about to go take a shower.
Then there was a knock on the door. Lin Shao Tao, Jia Kuan, and Zhou Yi Ming were yelling outside.
Lin Fan shivered, turned around, and saw Jian Ai standing behind him. She looked just as shocked as he did.