She looked at the flashing screen, her fingers trembling.

But the bell kept ringing and ringing.

In recent days, Lian Keyi has called her several times, but Gan Qi didn't answer any of them.

Not sure if it was the dream just now that deepened her guilt, or if it was the result of her increasingly depressed emotions in the past few days, but after a fierce struggle in her brain, Gan Qi finally forced herself to press the answer button.

"Hey."

On the other end of the phone, Lian Keyi seemed to be finally relieved.

"Gan Qi, you finally answered the phone..."

Her voice was filled with worry. "You haven't answered my calls or replied to my messages since the day before yesterday. What's going on?"

Gan Qi: "I, I'm fine... I'm just too busy to take care of it..."

Although this excuse is poor, it is the only explanation that does not hurt feelings at the moment.

Lian Keyi: "I was very worried about you. I thought something happened to you. Gan Qi, are you okay now?"

"Me? Of course."

Gan Qi's smile was forced, and the sweat on his forehead had not yet been wiped clean.

Lian Keyi: "...Then I feel relieved."

Her eldest brother did something so horrible a few days ago that almost harmed Gan Qi's life. Lian Keyi could only pretend not to know about this. Once it was exposed, the two of them would not be able to face each other.

Moreover, Lian Keyi knew clearly that Gan Qi was her long-lost twin sister, and her eldest brother was also her biological brother. As the situation developed, family relationships became increasingly delicate.

She had to try hard to mediate.

Lian Keyi wants to recognize Gan Qi as soon as possible so that she can return to the Lian family as soon as possible.

"Come to think of it, we haven't seen each other for a while. If you have time, how about we have dinner together?"

"eat?"

Gan Qi's throat was a little blocked, and she could hear the enthusiasm and concern in Ke Yi's voice.

——But I have clearly sworn that I will never have anything to do with the Lian family again.

"It's not very convenient. I've been too busy recently."

Lian Keyi: "Oh, how busy can you be? It's just a meal."

Gan Qi tried to evade the question: "I recently took on a more important job and can't delay making money."

Lian Keyi: "Then I'll give you a bigger job. If you can draw a picture for me, I'll pay you ten times the price."

Gan Qi: "Keyi, work is no joke."

Lian Keyi: "Of course I'm not kidding, I really want you to draw it."

Gan Qi: "...I, actually, something happened at home, so I'm not in the mood to go out for food or drinks."

Lian Keyi: "I'm talking about the simplest meal, a bowl of noodles, a dish, and the whole thing should take no more than half an hour... You definitely have time."

Gan Qi:......

Lian Keyi was not surprised by Gan Qi's rejection.

She felt that her brother's actions must have been too extreme and had cast a huge shadow on Gan Qi, which was why Gan Qi was so distant from her.

She had no idea that Gan Qi was feeling extremely guilty towards Ke Yi because of her husband's affairs.

Lian Keyi: Brother, you're such a jerk! What you did before was too much. It's so hard to mend the rift now. Gan Qi will definitely hate me too, right?

Gan Qi: Although I really dislike Ke Yi's elder brother and think he is a scary and dangerous existence, Ke Yi is innocent and her kindness to me is unquestionable, but I feel guilty... I actually stole her beloved.

Lian Keyi: "Gan Qi, is it because of my brother that you distance yourself from me?"

Gan Qi was surprised she said that, "No."

Lian Keyi thought she was making excuses. "My brother is my brother, I am me, and we are still good friends."

"My brother is a bit impulsive, and my mom often scolds him. If he does anything to hurt you... I apologize to you on his behalf."

Gan Qi: "...It's not because of him."

Lian Keyi: "Why is that?"

"Uh……"

Gan Qi couldn't bear to say it out loud.

Lian Keyi acted like a spoiled child to her family, with a "difficult" tone:

"Since you still consider me your friend, then let's go out for dinner, unless you really hate me!"

"Come out, Gan Qi, let's go eat something delicious together."

"It's my treat, you can eat whatever you want, no matter what or where, it's up to you... please."

"Please, please, I've never begged anyone before."

After all, she was a spoiled young lady, and Gan Qi couldn't resist her, so she could only say:

"I'm very busy at work, and I can only spare a short time during the day to eat, no more than half an hour at most."

"No problem."

Seeing that she finally gave in, Ke Yi was obviously excited.

"I'm completely at your disposal as to the time. You can eat however you want. So, how about tomorrow?"

"……Um."

Lian Keyi: "Great, pinky promise! I'll come see you tomorrow, don't break your promise."

Lian Keyi hung up the phone with mischievous joy like a little child.

Gan Qi stood there, staring at the phone screen and couldn't help sighing.

I had clearly made up my mind not to have any contact with the Lian family, but I didn't expect that I would give in so easily.

As expected, she never knew how to refuse people...