Startled by the loud ringing, both took a step away from each other in panic. Li Caiyi awkwardly brushed her nape while Dai Zhiqiang took out his phone with a darkened face, clearly looking upset for getting interrupted.
His facial expressions softened when he looked at the caller ID. He grimaced helplessly before staring at Li Caiyi.
"I need to take this call. Can you wait here?"
"Yes, of course!"
Dai Zhiqiang smiled before walking out of the library in haste. That must be an important call.
Li Caiyi could only breathe normally when he was finally out of sight. She fanned her face with her hand to cool down her face, but her heart still couldn't calm down.
Once again, she was taken over by the mood and almost did something scandalous in the school. Even though there was no one in the library around this time, she should exercise some self-restraint.
Li Caiyi recalled his close-up face as he leaned closer. His warm breath and the flutter on his eyelashes. The flawless skin and red lips. A silly smile appeared on her face as she thought about it.
"Hehe," she giggled softly before returning to her work to distract her mind.
After a while, Dai Zhiqiang finally returned with a deep frown on his face. Li Caiyi smiled brightly at him.
"Why such a long face? Did something happen?"
"En. That…" Dai Zhiqiang hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I'm sorry, but I think I have to leave early again today."
"Oh? But we promised to watch a movie today…."
"I'm sorry," Dai Zhiqiang replied apologetically.
Li Caiyi sighed inwardly. These have happened frequently lately.
She didn't know much about his job, but it seemed very demanding. They would make a plan to go out after school, but Dai Zhiqiang always had to cancel the plan or leave in the middle of the date because of his work.
Li Caiyi wasn't angry because she couldn't go on a date. She understood this job was very important for him. But looking at how often they called Dai Zhiqiang like this made her question if this was really a part-time or full-time job at this rate.
"Zhiqiang, you said you owe the bar owner a big-time, right? I'm saying this because I'm worried about you. You almost have no time for yourself." Li Caiyi said carefully.
Dai Zhiqiang put his hand on top of her hand and gently patted it. "It's fine. The reward he gave me is worth the trouble."
Li Caiyi wasn't convinced, but there was nothing she could say. She leaned into his touch before asking again. "What did he make you do exactly? You are only a bodyguard. Did you know the owner personally?"
"Well, you can say that."
"Hmm, I see. Then you should go now if you don't want to be late."
"Yeah, after I finish this."
Li Caiyi pushed him away gently while winking. "No, it's okay. Let me finish this for you. Since you have a good relationship with the owner, don't forget to ask for a salary increase for your hard work."
"But I feel bad letting you work and leaving you alone."
"Did you forget how many times I have helped out in the library? I'm basically a part-timer too here, only without payment." She paused briefly before grinning. "Well, if you can count the time we spent here as a payment, then this is a suitable job for me."
Dai Zhiqiang chuckled. "What I wouldn't give to have a job where I can be beside you longer."
"Precisely. So don't feel bad and just go. Besides, you have done most of the work here, and only a few are left. I can handle this."
Dai Zhiqiang looked around and contemplated a bit before nodding. "Maybe you are right. Thank you for understanding. I'll call you after I get off work."
"Take care of yourself."
"My girlfriend is too understanding. She is so cool that I can't help but feel lonely." Dai Zhiqiang said jokingly.
Li Caiyi chuckled. "I can't deny that. But my boyfriend is a hard worker, so I need to support him. Hurry up and go, or your boss will scold you later."
Dai Zhiqiang leaned down and pecked her cheek lovingly, "Then, I'll go now. Be careful on your way home."
"En, you too."
He smiled warmly at her before taking his bag and going out of the library.
Li Caiyi sighed when the door was closed. She hoped her disappointment wasn't shown on her face.
Although she wouldn't blame him for prioritizing work for the sake of his family over her, she would still feel disappointed every time.
The time they could spend together was limited, and while she enjoyed every second of it, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
The current her didn't feel so bothered by it, but she didn't know if she could still think like that in the future.
Separation brews longing. But Li Caiyi wasn't confident if she could keep her longing at bay if this continued.
After getting a little taste of happiness, she was afraid she would become greedy and demand unreasonable things from him.
"It's a good thing I send him away before I can second-guess my decision."
She wondered if Dai Zhiqiang was reluctant to officially name their relationship because he knew things like these would happen.
Li Caiyi reached for another book and put it on the shelves. Better to move her body, or she would keep mulling over unnecessary things.
It didn't take very long before she finally completed her task. Dai Zhiqiang had already finished most of it when she had her mind in the clouds. She smiled proudly, looking at the neat row of books before deciding to go home.
Ring!
"Oh? A phone call?" Li Caiyi muttered before checking on her phone. It was from Detective Tang.
It had been quite a while since she heard any news from Detective Tang. After kicking Li Jirong away, their business was officially ended.
However, he promised to contact her once he found new information regarding the medicine sample she sent him the other day.
Sadly, there wasn't any good news so far, and the last contact they had was two weeks ago. So Li Caiyi wasted no time in accepting the phone.
"Hello, Detective Tang?"
"Hello, Young Miss. It's been a while. How are you?"
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