Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

Xie Xiao blurted out without hesitation, "Then kill me and let me be with you forever."

Luo Yanran pouted and said, "Shouldn't you be promising not to change your heart at this time?"

Xie Xiao, however, shook his head with a smile, "I can't promise that because the standard of changing one's heart is up to you to define. I can only guarantee that I'll treat you even better every day, without letting you down or making you feel like I've changed my heart."

His voice was gentle and firm, "Ever since we've been together, all the choices and definitions have been in your hands; you can decide my fate at will. If one day you feel that I've changed my heart, it must be because I've slackened at that time and haven't treated you well enough. That's my fault. I've said it before, I will always be good to you."

"Time will be the best proof, far more useful than any sweet nothings."

Luo Yanran kissed him in that moment and said, "Everyone says I'm love-struck, but clearly, you are too."

"What's wrong with being love-struck for you? You're worth it."

...

At this time, they finally decided to get their marriage certificate, establishing a legally protected relationship in the eyes of others.

After Christmas comes New Year's Day.

Xie Xiao asked Qi Yan for help to book the return tickets.

There was no choice, since booking tickets to go back during the holidays like National Day, New Year's, and Spring Festival was extremely difficult.

Qi Yan always complained that he felt like a ticket scalper.

It was no different this time, but he still managed to get a ticket for him quickly, "It's on the evening of the 31st past ten o'clock. Sorry, there were no tickets left for the 1st."

Xie Xiao truly appreciated Qi Yan's somewhat tired voice on the other end of the phone, "Thanks, brother. Have you been very busy recently?"

"It's not too bad; that project has been mostly confirmed and I hope it'll stabilize before the New Year," Qi Yan said, getting more enthusiastic as he spoke about the charity project that Xie Xiao was involved with.

Because Xie Xiao's father-in-law also took part, the progress so far was quite good.

His father said that it should be approved by year's end.

"Xie Xiao, you're awesome, my dad even says you have foresight, impressive," Qi Yan's voice carried a touch of exaggerated envy, "Ah, I still can't compare with you~"

"Cut it out, Boss Qi!" Xie Xiao said with a laugh, "At this rate, you might even make it into the system someday."

The thought of an internet company becoming formally regulated was something Qi Yan hadn't dared to consider when he first started his company.

Although it certainly wasn't feasible to that extent now, he had truly begun to dare to dream it.

At this moment, he was sitting in the office, with very few people still working overtime.

He knew Xie Xiao was working overtime too, striving to marry the woman he loved.

Qi Yan let out a sigh, "Xie Xiao, I feel the best thing I ever did was drag you into starting a company with me."

He said with a laugh, "I really feel quite lucky."

Xie Xiao was also in the office at that time.

The lights in Xu Hao's office behind him were off, leaving him alone in the secretarial room.

His desk held an opened project report. When he heard Qi Yan's words, he leaned back in his chair and said sincerely, "I also feel lucky, to have met you. Truly."

Qi Yan was a very good person. Xie Xiao had thought about exiting the partnership many times, not because he had too much money, but because he felt that after entering society, his and Qi Yan's stakes were essentially equal.

However, Qi Yan was busier with the company's affairs. In the long run, would Qi Yan truly not mind?

He didn't want their friendship to end on bad terms; by stepping back voluntarily, at least things would end more gracefully, without straining their relationship.

Yet Qi Yan had refused his offers to pull out from the very beginning, not just once but every time.

Xie Xiao could tell that Qi Yan truly didn't mind.

Qi Yan said, "We started the company together; now that it's stable, if you're busy with other stuff, then go take care of that. I've got this covered. Besides, my dad told me to practice on my own..."

At that time, the company had just started as a small business.

But by the next year, things would probably change.

Xie Xiao spoke up again, "Qi Yan, I'm going back this time to get a marriage certificate with Ranran. I guess after the New Year, I'll be even busier."

"Damn! You're getting married?!" Qi Yan's voice instantly became excited, "I haven't even had any results from matchmaking, and you're getting married?"

Xie Xiao could imagine his shock and couldn't help but laugh, "What else then? Speaking of which, the other day I saw a young lady who would be quite suitable for you, also a lawyer..."

"Don't say another word! Let your wife introduce her to me!" Qi Yan sounded almost pleading on the other end, "It can't be that you're getting married and I'm still single, right? Lin Yu is engaged, am I the only one this unlucky?"

Xie Xiao said with a laugh, "My wife says she's not interested in dating…"

After bickering about Qi Yan's lifelong event for a while, Xie Xiao finally said, "What if I transfer my shares to you? It's the same price I mentioned before. After the New Year, I imagine I'll have even less time for the company."

Qi Yan was silent for a while before sighing, "Xie Xiao, are you an idiot? At this crucial moment, you want to quit? By then, the value of your holdings could multiply."

"I'd feel unworthy," Xie Xiao sighed as well, "I did too little for the company, and you've always been taking charge."

"You're talking nonsense, all the important decisions were made with your input and participation. The company couldn't have come this far without you, Xie Xiao," Qi Yan said without hesitation, then both fell into silence.

After a while, Qi Yan let out a sigh, "Actually, I know what you're worried about, and sometimes I worry too. Right now, I trust you completely, and I don't think there's anything to it, but I'm afraid that one day, something might cloud my judgment and I start to have issues with you. What then?"

Qi Yan's tone was filled with helplessness.

They were both too young now, and no one could predict the future.

Qi Yan couldn't guarantee anything either; after all, even real brothers can become estranged, let alone he and Xie Xiao.

"We're just ordinary people..."

Xie Xiao hummed in agreement, his tone still gentle, "Compared to the money, I'd much rather not lose you as a friend."

"Damn, you make me feel terrible," Qi Yan said softly, but he still chose to speak up, "I'll take your shares, but not all of them. Sell me another 10%, that's all the money I have on hand. We'll go with the current market price, or wait until after the New Year, and I'll buy at that price..."

Selling 10% meant that Xie Xiao now lacked the ability to counterbalance Qi Yan one-on-one.

Actually, Xie Xiao knew this was the best arrangement, one that would put Qi Yan at ease and let him rest easy, too.

After all, he figured he was only suited to be an ordinary shareholder now.

Qi Yan added, "Xie Xiao, I hope we'll always be good brothers, and I hope you can keep me in check, not let me stray."

Xie Xiao laughed and breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay."