Chapter 326 - In the Elevator


    “They''re outside now. Most residents here work night shifts, so they''ll be out and about,” Loong Xiaoyi informed Wu Junyi.


    Ann Yichen took Loong Xiaoyi''s words to heart, even though Ann Yichen''s initialment was made in jest.


    “Am I really that embarrassing?” Ann Yichen''s tone betrayed difort. Failing to spot Loong Xiaoyi around, he felt wounded by his words and actions.


    Loong Xiaoyi sighed, pondering how his words came across as hurtful.


    Opting not to borate to Ann Yichen, Loong Xiaoyi lifted him and positioned them both in the elevator''s center.


    Ann Yichen felt a surge of fear. Moments ago, Loong Xiaoyi warned him about being spotted, hence his plea not to cling to him. So why the sudden change of heart?


    “Don''t me meter,” Loong Xiaoyi uttered without further exnation.


    Confusion engulfed Ann Yichen, but before he could grasp its meaning, the elevator halted at the basement''s first floor, revealing two attractive women.


    Catching sight of Loong Xiaoyi carrying Ann Yichen, the women met his bewildered gaze, creating an awkward atmosphere. Unsure whether to proceed, they exchanged uncertain nces.


    Sensing their difort, Loong Xiaoyi graciously stepped aside, offering them the space.


    Feeling obliged by his gesture, the women reluctantly boarded the elevator.


    As the doors closed, one of the women stole a curious nce at Loong Xiaoyi and Ann Yichen, intrigued by their peculiar situation.


    Ann Yichen wished for the ground to swallow him whole. Only now did he grasp Loong Xiaoyi''s intentions—to spare the women difort. Regrettably, he found himself in this mortifying situation.


    “You sly brat, you set me up,” Ann Yichen muttered, gripping Loong Xiaoyi''s arm.


    “You brought it on yourself, didn''t you?” Loong Xiaoyi remainedposed, unfazed by the ordeal.


    Unfazed by Ann Yichen''s agitation, Loong Xiaoyi considered their future alliance, indifferent to the current embarrassment.


    “When did I agree to this? You''re the one who failed to rify, you rascal.”


    Ann Yichen, ashamed to show his face, quickly shielded it.


    At that moment, the elevator halted again, admitting a middle-aged couple.


    Initially startled, the couple hesitated to enter, mirroring the previous upants'' reactions.


    Sensing the tension, especially the woman''s pointed stare at Ann Yichen, she inquired, “Are you alright?”


    The elderly woman assumed that because Ann Yichen was injured and unable to walk, Loong Xiaoyi would lend him support.


    “Hey, olddy, why are you meddling in other people''s affairs?”


    Her husband, standing beside her, seemed to grasp the situation. He pulled his wife back, preventing her from staring at Loong Xiaoyi and the others.


    “I was just curious. These two youngsters are quite charming. Our eldest daughter is nearly 30 and still hasn''t brought home a boyfriend. Isn''t that a bit worrying?! Since they live in the same building, I thought I''d inquire! No harm in asking.”


    Regardless of the setting, his mindset remained consistent.


    “Just say you''re clueless about market values! These two are an obvious match.”


    The grandmother was taken aback, then swiftly turned to observe Loong Xiaoyi and Ann Yichen, pointing at them, she eximed, “What a fitting pair!”


    “Indeed, we are.” Loong Xiaoyi admitted openly.


    Ann Yichen dared not utter a word, wishing to vanish. Fortunately, they reached their floor, or who knew what the grandmother might have said next.


    Yet, they both heard the grandmother''s final remark clearly, “So, this is what our eldest meant by ‘lovely''! Two men together!”


    “They''re called spouses, not just two men,” her husband corrected.


    “Oh, forget it, it''s because you''re toox that she hasn''t found a boyfriend. What kind of romance novels is she writing all day? I''m confiscating her phone when I go upstairs. I want a grandchild.”


    Despite her anger, the grandmother didn''t hold prejudices against homosexuals. Throughout, she didn''t express any opinion about them, except forbidding her daughter from writing such novels.


    “You did it intentionally! Alright, Loong Xiaoyi, you''ve got guts!” Ann Yichen cursed, wanting to both shame and hurt him.


    “It was just your misunderstanding. I had to act to clear my name, didn''t I?” Loong Xiaoyi justified himself with a smile.


    “You did it on purpose. Your mother''s heart is truly devious.”


    Ann Yichen cursed, but as he looked up, he noticed Loong Xiaoyi staring nkly at the door.


    “What''s the matter? Is the key misced?”


    Loong Xiaoyi hesitated before responding, “No, the door isn''t locked.”


    But it''s odd, I distinctly remember locking it before we left!


    Suddenly, Loong Xiaoyi trembled, uncertain if he remembered something or not.


    “What!? Unlocked? How dare you leave without locking the door?” Ann Yichen, oblivious to Loong Xiaoyi''s demeanor, eximed again.