The conversation ended on an unhappy note.
In Miao Tao's eyes, Du Fei was purely lucky to have won over Liu Shishi with his conditions.
However, luck was only temporary.
Once Liu Shishi saw a wider world and broadened her horizons, leaving Du Fei would be a matter of time.
Not long after returning to the lounge, Liu Shishi and the others came out, chatting and laughing.
"How was it? Did Tongtong's boyfriend say anything to you?"
The car drove to a famous landmark in Rongcheng. Except for Liu Shishi and Du Fei, everyone else got out to take photos.
Du Fei turned to look at Liu Shishi, "Why do you ask?"
They had known each other for quite some time. Although Du Fei hadn't said anything, Liu Shishi had already gotten the answer from his reaction.
"I knew it, Tongtong's boyfriend would definitely find you."
Although they hadn't known each other for long, Liu Shishi could tell that Miao Tao was a rather domineering and impetuous person.
Following this, Liu Shishi slowly recounted to Du Fei the series of events that had unfolded after their group went to the hot spring resort.
Hearing that Liu Shishi was almost stabbed by Zhang Yingying, Du Fei's heart skipped a beat.
"Since Fu Xiao Hao saved me, I didn't want to be too direct. But I didn't expect Miao Tao to still chase after me even after I returned to Rongcheng. I'll make things clear with him later!"
Liu Shishi had originally thought that by returning to Rongcheng, she had already subtly expressed her stance.
She hadn't expected Miao Tao to follow her here afterward.
It seemed that she had to make things explicit to resolve the issue.
"Forget it. After all, he's Tongtong's boyfriend. It's not worth making everyone uncomfortable over such a small matter when he's come all the way to Rongcheng."
Du Fei pondered for a moment and decided against it.
Liu Shishi gave Du Fei a meaningful look. "Someone is trying to pursue your girlfriend, and you consider this a small matter?"
As expected, women were fickle. Just moments ago, she was worried Du Fei would be unhappy about Miao Tao's actions, but Du Fei's casual remark of "small matter" immediately shifted her mood.
Seeing Liu Shishi's expression, Du Fei immediately became serious. "My girlfriend's matters are always major issues. Otherwise, I'll have Miao Tao call that Fu Xiao Hao here right now, and I'll beat both of them up, making sure they avoid you from now on."
"Hey, you're getting carried away with your words... What are you doing? It's not good for people to see."
Du Fei's words made Liu Shishi laugh. She raised her hand and pointed at him.
As soon as she raised her hand, Du Fei grabbed it.
Liu Shishi's first reaction was to look out the window to see if Qiao Yi and the others had returned. Then, she tried to pull her hand away.
However, after trying twice and failing, she gave up.
"We're boyfriend and girlfriend, what's wrong with holding hands? Looking at you, one would think we were having an affair."
"Pfft, what nonsense are you talking about? It sounds so unpleasant."
Seeing Du Fei's expression turn serious again, Liu Shishi also stopped smiling.
"Shishi, although I'm not good at sweet talk, unless you change your mind one day, no one in this world can snatch you away from me."
Du Fei's tone was calm, but as he spoke the last sentence, an indomitable dominance emanated from him.
Looking at Du Fei's manly demeanor, Liu Shishi's heart fluttered.
Just then, laughter drifted in from outside the car window. Liu Shishi turned her head and saw that Qiao Yi and the others had returned from taking photos.
She reached out and opened the door, greeting them.
"Shishi, the photos we just took are so beautiful, come and see!"
Seeing Liu Shishi get out of the car, Jiang Mengmeng excitedly called her over to look at the photos.
After flipping through all the pictures, everyone felt that it would have been great if Liu Shishi had joined them earlier, so they could have taken a group photo together.
Liu Shishi replied that they would be staying for a few more days and would have plenty of time for group photos. As it was getting late, they should go back and rest.
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Everyone, goodbye."
Amidst a chorus of farewells, Du Fei drove away.
...
A few days later, Liu Shishi and her group appeared at Rongcheng International Airport.
"Time flies so fast, these few days have passed in a flash. I wonder when we'll see each other again."
"Yeah, it would be great if we could all live in the same city."
"As long as there's heart, no distance can stop our friendship."
Jiang Mengmeng's vacation was coming to an end, and Qiao Yi had to return to her live-streaming career. The group was about to part ways again, so they were all reluctant to leave.
However, no matter how reluctant they were, they had to return to their lives.
"Tongtong, you're lucky. You get to stay here and enjoy a few more days with your boyfriend."
Initially, the three of them had agreed to leave Rongcheng together. But when it came time to depart, Li Yutong said that her boyfriend had come out for a visit, and she wanted to spend a couple more days with him.
So, it was supposed to be Liu Shishi sending the three of them off, but now it became Liu Shishi and Li Yutong sending the other two off.
As they approached the security check, Qiao Yi and Jiang Mengmeng waved goodbye to them with reluctance, then walked forward with their suitcases.
After they passed through security and headed towards the departure hall, Liu Shishi and Li Yutong waved goodbye to them from inside before turning and leaving the airport.
"What's wrong, Tongtong? Do you have something to say to me?"
On the way back to Rongcheng city, Liu Shishi noticed Li Yutong glancing at her from time to time. She spoke first.
Li Yutong hesitated, then her expression turned serious, as if she had made up her mind.
"I'm sorry, Shishi."
As soon as she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.
Seeing this, Liu Shishi quickly pulled the car over to the side of the road and asked what had happened.
Li Yutong sniffled and said, "Shishi, I know with your intelligence, you must have already realized that Miao Tao was trying his best to set you up with Fu Xiao Hao."
"I always wanted to tell him to stop, but I was afraid he would get angry, so I never said anything."
"As your friend, I've really let you down."
Having poured out the words that had been pent up in her heart for days, Li Yutong felt much better.
Liu Shishi shook her head after listening. "Tongtong, you don't need to apologize at all, because it's not your fault."
As a classmate and close friend of four years, Liu Shishi naturally understood Li Yutong's personality very well.
Although Miao Tao was a bit aggressive and domineering in his actions, it couldn't be denied that he treated Li Yutong well, and they were happy together.
Therefore, Liu Shishi didn't want this matter to become a rift between them.
After some comfort and reassurance, Li Yutong's emotions finally improved a little.
Seeing that she was truly alright, Liu Shishi resumed driving.