Chapter 10

Chapter 3078: I Have Already Crossed the Line

Looking at the property deed in her hand, Anning felt a mix of emotions.

She didn't know how to describe her feelings, nor did she understand Lin Yi's intentions.

Dormant memories, like an opened file, stirred deep in her heart, eventually turning into a tumultuous storm.

Seeing the signature on the contract, she realized it was her own name.

Anning was aware of the relevant common knowledge.

Under normal circumstances, no one could sign on behalf of another person if they were not present.

But Lin Yi was not an ordinary person.

In this world, there was nothing that could stump him.

Looking at the two houses in her hand, Anning knew they were worth a fortune.

This was wealth she could never attain in her lifetime.

And she didn't know what Lin Yi's intentions were in giving her two houses.

Gripping her phone tightly, her knuckles turned white.

In the end, her emotions broke free from the reins of reason, wandering freely in the depths of her memories.

Anning dialed Lin Yi's number and called him.

Over the years, drivers had come and gone, day and night had cycled, and some people and events had passed by without a ripple.

But that special person, once he appeared, would cause a flood that could not be contained.

Dial tone—

The busy signal came from the phone, and Anning's heart pounded like a drum.

She was sure she hadn't dialed the wrong number, and every digit was correct.

"Hello..."

Lin Yi's voice came from the phone, and Anning's body stiffened in her seat.

In response to Lin Yi, there was a long silence and rapid, tense breathing.

Even Anning herself hadn't expected that hearing his voice again would make her emotions uncontrollable.

"It's me..."

"Congratulations, congratulations," Lin Yi said with a smile.

"Really impressive, you even had twins."

"I didn't expect it either," Anning replied, trying to sound calm, but the turmoil in her heart wouldn't subside.

"When did you get married?"

"About half a year after you left," Anning answered honestly.

"Really that fast?"

"I met him through a matchmaker, he's a university professor, and he's been good to me, so we got married."

Lin Yi on the other end of the phone was silent for a long time.

Anning didn't speak either, but it felt like she could sense his warm breath through the phone.

In a certain sense, Lin Yi and Anning were very similar people.

Calm and intelligent.

If one of them had wavered at the airport that day, the situation might not be what it is today.

It was that farewell at the airport that made Anning realize there would be no future for her and Lin Yi.

And her future would never encounter someone like him again.

Since she wouldn't meet him, and since no one else was him, it didn't matter who it was in the end.

"I regret not being able to give you a wedding gift," Lin Yi said with a smile.

"That's for the best. I really didn't want you to appear at my wedding," Anning sighed, feeling wronged.

"I'm just an ordinary woman, I couldn't handle you showing up at my wedding."

Such a scene had played out countless times in Anning's mind.

If Lin Yi had really appeared at her wedding, she might have run off with him in her wedding dress.

"Even if I don't go, I'll have someone deliver a gift, but it's too late to say that now," Lin Yi said with a smile.

"You got married, and I missed it. Now that you've had children, those two houses can be their full moon gifts."

"The gifts are too valuable," Anning said.

"If my husband finds out someone gave me two houses in Fuli Bay, he'll drag me off to do a paternity test."

"Ha ha..."

Lin Yi laughed, "That's why I put your name on them."

"You're just setting me up," Anning said with a laugh.

"If something goes wrong and they come to investigate me, those two houses will be enough to put me away for 20 years."

"That can't be avoided," Lin Yi responded with a smile.

"If that day ever comes, remember to call me first. I'll help you, even if I change my number, I'll let you know right away."

An indescribable sense of gratitude grew in Anning's heart.

Looking at the property deed in her hand, she recalled Lin Yi's words.

It seemed she still had a small place in his heart.

"Is this trip also for work?"

"I'm no longer there, I've changed jobs."

"Oh, I see..."

Anning responded softly, "A coffee shop opened near my workplace, my colleague said the coffee is quite good."

"You know me, I can't eat fine food or drink that stuff. We can't really talk about that."

Anning's expression froze, and her slender fingers gripped the phone tightly.

Lin Yi, being so smart, must have understood her meaning, but he refused.

"You're still the same as before, not giving me a chance at all."

"I'm doing this for your own good."

"By calling you, I've already crossed the line."

"So let's just talk on the phone, catch up a bit."

"Understood."

Anning whispered, a flood of words stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken.

The snow outside seemed like a barrier, isolating them in two different worlds.

Letting her thoughts spread infinitely, going where they should.

"How long will you be here on this trip?"

"If nothing goes wrong, I'll leave tonight."

"Be careful. Next time you come, try to come in the summer. The weather isn't good now."

For Anning, both times she met Lin Yi were in winter.

Perhaps this season represented parting, and she disliked it.

"Okay, I'll pick a good day next time."

There was another long silence, neither of them speaking.

Perhaps they didn't know what else to say.

This strange feeling made Anning restless.

It seemed like she wanted to say everything, yet everything felt superfluous.

Perhaps that warm, silent breathing was the best form of communication.

"Is there anything else you want to say to me?"

Anning held the phone tightly, always hoping for something.

"Nothing."

"Oh, then I'll hang up."

"Wait..." Lin Yi called out to Anning.

"I'm listening, go ahead."

"There's an old man selling roasted sweet potatoes at the bus stop near the Agricultural Research Institute. They're quite good. Try them if you have the chance."

"Got it, thanks for remembering."

"Some things can't be forgotten."

With that, Lin Yi hung up.

The phone was filled with the busy signal.

But Anning had a smile on her face.

Even the resentment she had for the snow outside was now gone.