My Dear Miss Medical Examiner

Chapter 92: Lunar New Year's eve

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After hanging up the phone, Lin Yan jumped out of the joyful and excited mood. Her hair was still stained with shampoo foam, and she was lying on the edge of the bathtub looking at her, her face turned a little red from the heat.

"You just agreed for me? I haven't agreed yet."

she muttered.

"Lie down, don't get the water on your neck." Song Yuhang pushed her down again, ran her fingertips through her soft hair, and gently massaged her scalp.

"Sooner or later, an ugly daughter-in-law should see her in-laws, right?"

Lin Yan grinned: "Who is ugly? Who is ugly? Who is ugly?"

Song Yuhang smiled, turned on the shower and let the warm water wash away the foam from her hair.

Lin Yanxi closed her eyes contentedly, and a smile floated on the corner of her lips: "Do I need to prepare anything?"

"Just eat with your stomach."

In the past, she, Ji Jingxing, and Xiaowei were the only three people in the family to celebrate the New Year. Mother Song would cook a large table of meals, and there was still leftovers until the second day of the new year. Today, Lin Yan was added, and I don't know how rich it will be.

Song Yuhang's scalp felt numb at the thought of having to eat leftovers for several days in a row.

Lin Yan raised her head, not knowing whether it was the fog in the bathroom or what, her dark pupils always seemed to be covered with a layer of water.

It looked as if it had lost its usual sharpness, but it was as warm and soft as a small animal.

There are still drops of water on the long eyelashes.

Looking at it from the angle of Song Yuhang, you can see everything at a glance.

"It always feels too fast, and there is a sense of unreality."

She tilted her head to look at her: "Actually, to tell you the truth, I never thought about marrying anyone before."

Song Yuhang rinsed off the foam in her hair, applied conditioner, and massaged gently.

"Then will you be alone all the time?"

Lin Yan nodded her head, picked up the petals floating on the water, and the water quickly leaked out through her fingers.

"A person like me is riddled with holes. Sometimes I despise myself. How can I deserve the love of another person?"

Bearing blood feud, Guillain-Barre Syndrome who must take medicine for life, and bipolar disorder that occurs from time to time.

She is stuck in the mud, and to love her, you must have the courage to walk into the mud.

Some people fancy her beauty, some people fancy her money, and they are all scared away by the thorns standing up all over her body.

Only Song Yuhang saw the stars buried in the mud, and approached her bravely and boldly, gradually piecing together her broken heart.

The hand that ran through his hair and kneaded his scalp stopped.

There was a rustle.

Lin Yan looked up.

Song Yuhang took off his coat and went into the water wearing a white T. The paper-thin clothes vaguely showed the outline of his abdominal muscles.

Lin Yan's ears were hot, and he hurriedly turned his eyes away.

Song Yuhang knew that for her insecure and uncertain character.

It is more useful to say more than to do more.

She wrapped her arms around and hugged him.

Lin Yan fell into her arms, still holding the rose petal in his palm.

Her heart was beating like a drum, and the other party pinched the back of her neck.

"Does it still feel unreal?"

"No—" She breathed heavily, and as soon as she finished speaking, someone lifted her body up.

A warm stream of water is the best lubrication.

This feeling was so wonderful that Song Yuhang's scalp went numb and he snorted.

She always liked to be the one above.

Lin Yan restrained himself from making a sound, pinching the petals with his fingernails.

Song Yuhang hugged him and pushed him to the edge of the pool: "You are worth it, don't underestimate yourself."

She whispered close to her ear, and then grabbed her vitals, Lin Yan couldn't move.

Every time she said one more word, Song Yuhang became more vicious.

Until the end, the corners of his eyes were red, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence except sobbing.

The water surface fluctuated violently, and slowly returned to calm.

Lin Yan's long eyelashes were covered with water mist, and even his usually fair skin was burned red, like a full-body sauna.

Song Yuhang buried her neck and smiled: "You still think it's fast, I can't wait to marry you."

Lin Yan grabbed her hair and wanted to push her up. He gritted his teeth, and before she could move, he was already in the air.

The water in the bathtub overflowed to the floor, and she casually pulled off the bathrobe on the shelf beside her to wrap herself up.

Song Yuhang stepped on the wooden floor with bare feet, and carried her to the upstairs bedroom.

Lin Yan inexplicably felt a little bad: "I'm still going to work tomorrow."

Song Yuhang pushed open the bedroom door, and put him gently on the bed: "I'll give you a holiday."

"Well... you're abusing your power."

"This is called caring for subordinates."

Lin Yan still wanted to resist, but the ending was lost between her lips and teeth.

***

The next afternoon, when Lin Yan woke up, there was no one on the bed, and Song Yuhang left her a note:

I have asked for leave for you, the porridge is in the pot, eat it while it is hot.

Lin Yan sat up, rubbed her sore waist, shoulders and neck, and slowly got out of bed to wash up.

When I took the porridge out of the pot and stirred it with a spoon and walked to the seat, the phone rang.

Lin Yan picked it up.

"Miss, you have found the person I was looking for."

Her heart tightened, and she put the bowl on the table.

"How's it going?"

"The prison doctor was paralyzed in bed a few years ago, and now his dementia is getting worse. Let alone recognize people, he can't even speak clearly."

If someone else told her so, she would definitely go to verify it in person, but since it was him, she was always at ease in handling affairs with this person.

"Okay, got it, has Guo Xiaoguang's whereabouts been found?"

"No, no audio at all."

Lin Yan's eyes darkened slightly, and his voice was a bit cold: "Continue to investigate, if you want to see people if you live, if you want to see corpses if you die."

"Yes, miss."

The other party quickly hung up the phone.

After Lin Yan finished eating, he put the bowl in the sink, and hurried to the cloakroom to change. He planned to go to the bureau in the afternoon, and made an appointment to go shopping with Song Yuhang in the evening and buy something for Song's mother.

Technical investigation office.

"Lin Yan asked me to ask if you have any annual holidays? If there is nothing, I will book a ticket." During the break at noon, Song Yuhang ran over with his mobile phone.

Several people turned around from the computer screen in unison. Fang Xin thought that Lin Yan was just talking, but who knew that he was really planning to invite them for an island tour, and suddenly star eyes appeared.

"No, no, Sister Lin, let's go too!" Duan Cheng was the first one to sneak up to her with his ID card and hand it to her, rubbing his hands excitedly.

You can watch Sister Lin's swimsuit show again.

Song Yuhang and Fang Xin raised their eyes at the same time, and gave him cool eyes.

She turned to Fang Xin and said: "This kid is too noisy, let's not go, come, Fang Xin, Lao Zheng, ID number."

"I agree."

"I agree."

Duan Cheng cried and said, "Captain Song, don't bring such a thing. It's fine if Sister Lin bullies me, but you bully me too."

Fang Xin pulled him by the ear and pulled him away: "I have no eyesight, go read your comic book!"

"Old Zheng, yours." After entering Fang Xin's ID number, Song Yuhang turned his attention to Zheng Chengrui.

Zheng Chengrui took off the earphones on his head and read a series of numbers. Duan Cheng rushed over and hugged his neck, beaming with joy.

"Why don't you show us your ID card? I glanced at it casually that day. Guess what, Lao Zheng lost weight before, and he looks like a different person now!"

Zheng Chengrui smiled and dragged him down: "Stop making trouble, let's go home, it's not because of irregular work and rest after work that you get fat."

Song Yuhang smiled and entered the numbers he read: "That's true, obesity is an occupational disease in our industry, and we should exercise more."

As she said, she put away her mobile phone and planned to go out: "That's it, everyone, pack up your things, prepare your swimsuits, and see you at the airport on the first day of the new year."

Duan Cheng chased after him: "Team Song, Team Song, and me!"

Fang Xin couldn't help laughing, and burst out laughing, he deserved it, and he didn't change his mind.

Wait for Duan Cheng to come back satisfied.

Song Yuhang stood at the door and pressed his phone, probably sending a message to Lin Yan.

Fang Xin rubbed over with the folder again, winking: "Team Song should have made other arrangements for this island tour."

In Song Yuhang's coat pocket close to his chest was the receipt for ordering the ring, and the date for picking it up was New Year's Eve. She did have some surprises for Lin Yan, so she smiled a little shyly.

"Well, what about you, and Duan Cheng?"

She went over and pursed her lips.

That bastard was still playing games online with Old Zheng, having a great time.

Fang Xin gritted his teeth: "Forget it, don't count on him."

"It's a bit early, but it's still early." Song Yuhang shook his phone: "Lin Yan said, she also said that this island tour is also giving you a chance, and specially booked a double bed room for you."

Fang Xin almost choked to death on his own saliva, blushing: "No, Team Song, Sister Lin, this is too—"

So what

Song Yuhang shrugged his shoulders, expressing that there was nothing he could do: "I'm going back to the criminal investigation first, I'm too busy today to get off work early."

Now it's Fang Xin's turn to look at her back with a full face: the wife and slave are set up, and begging her is worse than begging sister Lin.

***

When Song Yuhang got off work in the afternoon and came out after changing clothes, Lin Yan was already waiting at the door.

It was still a stylish red sports car, and the woman was leaning on the car door with her hands in her pockets, smoking a cigarette boredly, attracting the attention of passers-by.

It's unimaginable that when Song Yuhang first met her, she kissed someone face-to-face at the gate of the Municipal Bureau, and she squatted beside him to repair the car.

Now it belongs entirely to her.

Seeing her figure, Song Yuhang was inexplicably excited like hearing the bell when he was going to school. He was middle-aged, but he still ran over like a child.

Lin Yan opened the car door for her: "What do you want to eat?"

"Whatever." Song Yuhang closed the car window, and the brown glass blocked all prying eyes.

She turned her head slightly and kissed the corner of her lips.

"Or, go home and I'll cook for you."

Lin Yan moved a little further away, her face flushed slightly: "No, don't think I don't know what you're up to, eat out, go shopping for clothes after eating, and buy gifts for auntie."

Song Yuhang fastened his seat belt: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

When they were eating and shopping, Ji Jingxing had just pulled Xiaowei out of Ai Chi Dental Hospital, and Lin Ge escorted them to the door.

Ji Jingxing turned around and looked at him on the steps: "Today, please give us a plus sign. I usually come home too late from get off work, and most of the dental clinics are closed."

Lin Ge smiled, wearing a white coat, bathed in the sunset, making his face even more handsome.

"It doesn't matter, anyway, I usually wait until there are no more patients before leaving." He winked, and he was cute and playful like a boy.

"If Miss Ji thinks the service is okay, you can come here often for fillings in the future, and I'll give you a 20% discount."

Ji Jingxing smiled: "Isn't it finally a broken bone this time?"

As soon as the words were finished, the two of them laughed together, Xiao Wei broke free from her mother's hand, ran to his lap, and spread her palm, which was a heart made of paper.

"Uncle Lin, this is for you, thank you, now my tooth doesn't hurt anymore."

Lin Ge leaned over, touched her head, picked up the heart and put it in the pocket of his white coat.

"Thank you Xiaowei for being so obedient and obedient. With Uncle's treatment, she recovered so quickly. In the future, you must listen to your mother and eat less sugar."

Ji Weiyi squeezed his small fist and nodded vigorously, looking back at him every three steps: "Goodbye, uncle."

Lin Ge waved at them: "Goodbye."

On the way back, Xiao Wei shook her mother's hand and jumped up and down: "Mom, I think Uncle Lin is a nice person."

"Huh? How should I say it?" Ji Jingxing looked at her with a smile.

"Hmm..." Xiao Wei muttered, counting on her fingers: "He loves to smile, and his smile is warm, he is very kind to Xiao Wei, and also to my mother. When rubbing my head, his palm is very generous, kind of like a father Same feeling."

Ji Jingxing felt sour, Song Yichen had already passed away when she was born, and there were only cold photos at home.

She must have missed her father so much that she could say such a thing.

At the same time, it was a little hot.

She knelt down, looked into her daughter's eyes, and tied the scarf for her: "Xiao Wei, although Uncle Lin is nice, but he is not your father, you can't say that in front of outsiders, it will embarrass your uncle, you know? "

Ji Weiwei nodded in disappointment: "I see, Mom, I won't talk nonsense in the future."

Only then did Ji Jingxing rub her head again, and smiled, "Good boy."

The two continued to walk forward, Ji Weiyi held her hand, and looked at her curiously with wide eyes, speaking childishly.

"Then mom, mom, I have one last question. Why can't Uncle Lin be my father? I want to have a father, just like other children."

Ji Jingxing felt sad and helpless, he raised his forehead: "Xiaowei..."

Xiao Wei giggled and covered her mouth with gloves: "Mom is blushing, I have one last question—"

Ji Jingxing made a serious face on purpose: "Don't say anything."

"I want to say, I want to say." Xiao Wei raised her hand high, and only in front of her mother would she show such a lively and lovely side.

"Then, what kind of person can be my father?"

Ji Jingxing was stunned for a moment, and Song Yichen's face flashed across her mind at that moment, and even Song Yuhang's eyebrows and eyes flashed across, and finally a pair of smiling eyes were condensed.

Daylight fell on his white coat.

Ji Jingxing's feelings were hard to understand, she thought, maybe Lin Yan was right, she really had been idle for too long.

She doesn't really like Song Yuhang either, she just loves her company and warmth.

But who can not love such things as companionship and warmth

She prides herself on being clean, upright and elegant, and she never gossips in the company, and she stays far away from those men who love her.

She thought she was unconventional, but she was actually no better than Lin Yan.

Seeing her mother not answering, Xiao Wei gently shook her sleeves.

Ji Jingxing knelt down and patted her head: "It's the mother who is sorry for you, making Xiaowei not feel the father's love. In fact, mother has no requirements for the candidate of Xiaowei's father. I just hope that if there is such a one If you are a human being, you will be a trustworthy and trustworthy person, and you will always treat Xiao Wei well."

Ji Weiyi was still young, so she didn't quite understand what the wry smile on her lips meant. She just noticed that her mother was a little sad, so she cupped her face as well, and said in a milky voice.

"Mom, I was wrong. I won't mention my father anymore. In fact, it doesn't matter. It's fine now. I will always be with my mother."

The two continued to walk forward, and the street lamps stretched their shadows very long.

"But mom is very busy and can't pick you up from school on time..."

"It's okay, I will obediently wait for my mother or grandma to pick me up at school, and I won't run around."

"But Xiao Wei has to go to interest classes during winter and summer vacations..." Ji Jingxing blamed himself more and more.

"But my classmates envy me very much. I can do calligraphy, play the piano, dance, and sing..."

As Ji Weiyi said, he let go of his mother's hand, jumped and ran to her, and performed to her the nursery rhyme he just learned today, like a real little angel under the street lamp.

***

Near the end of the year, red lanterns are hung in the streets and alleys, and the flavor of the year is getting stronger.

It was rare for Song Yuhang and Lin Yan to have a peaceful life for a few days.

I go to work one after another every day, go home after work to cook, take a walk after dinner, lie on the sofa and watch TV, and then it’s time for routine exercise.

Lin Yan thought it was alright at first, but after a long time, she wanted to kick her out of bed, but that person was just getting excited, and they would come and go at least three or five times, until both of them were exhausted.

She couldn't think of anything else, so she fell asleep.

Woke up this day, Song Yuhang cut the window grilles, the first time he did this thing, and pasted it crookedly.

Lin Yan looked stunned: "What is this?"

The other party turned around excitedly: "Fish, can't you see it?"

"..."

The corner of Lin Yan's mouth twitched, but she really didn't see that a fish is not like a fish, and a dragon is not like a dragon, but like a centipede.

Not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm, Lin Yan silently tolerated her pasting such strange-shaped red paper on her French windows.

"Does it look good?"

"… nice."

"Let's go, let's go, it's time to go to work!" I'm afraid that she will ask the devil question again, "Where is the beauty?"

Lin Yan pulled him out of the gate of the villa and stuffed him into the car.

The day before New Year's Eve, after work, it is customary to have a dinner together.

A group of people sat in the private room of the hot pot restaurant and exchanged glasses, laughing and laughing endlessly, and Lin Yan was also allowed to drink a few more glasses as an exception.

When the clock struck zero, the glasses clinked and everyone yelled.

"Happy New Year!"

"Bang - bang" fireworks rose into the sky outside the window, bringing joy to everyone's eyes and brows.

For Duan Cheng, this was his first year as an intern at the Jiangcheng City Bureau, and it was also a year full of disasters.

Fortunately, he came out.

For Fang Xin, this year he got to know a cold-faced and warm-hearted boss and a cute younger brother. Although he still doesn't know what the future holds, but at this moment, everyone around him is the best result.

Zheng Chengrui looked at the brothers who were fighting around him, and took the initiative to bump into Duan Cheng: "Come on, I will do it first as a respect."

There was a clear sound of glass colliding, Duan Cheng was stunned, and clearly saw the water shining behind his glasses, and when he tried to take a closer look, it had already disappeared.

He had no choice but to take it up and drink it down: "Dry it."

As for Lin Yan and Song Yuhang, they were already in Cao Ying and their hearts were in Han. Lin Yan was afraid that she would get a rash after drinking too much, and Song Yuhang was thinking about going home early to be with her.

After all, there are so many people here, I'm afraid she will be embarrassed.

As soon as the show was over, the two of them called a surrogate driver and went straight home, not forgetting to tell the three of them before getting in the car.

"Don't forget the first day of the new year, see you at the airport at 12 noon."

"it is good."

A group of people waved at them and watched Lin Yan's car disappear at the end of the street.

When he got home, Song Yuhang leaned on the sofa to sober up, watching her go in and out of the cloakroom, circling back and forth like a peacock.

Pick up a dress in a moment.

"Does this look good?"

Song Yuhang hiccupped and nodded: "It looks good."

Lin Yan picked up another windbreaker: "Is this suitable for you?"

Before she could answer, she buried her head in the pile of clothes again.

"No, no, this is too plain. Wear it more gorgeously during the Chinese New Year."

"This doesn't work either. It's too revealing. After all, I'm going to meet my parents."

"This? This is even worse, it's so dirty, it's clothes from a year ago."

Song Yuhang laughed while holding his forehead, stumbled to his feet, walked over to hug her waist, and put his head on her shoulder.

"I'm going to meet my mother, not a beauty pageant, just wear whatever you want, besides..."

She hiccupped and buried it in her neck and rubbed it again and again.

"Hi... I think... you look best without wearing it."

"Get lost!" Lin Yan roared, and pulled a clothes rack over.

In the early morning of the next day, Song Yuhang got up early as usual, a rare holiday when he didn't go to work.

Lin Yan lazily grabbed the corner of her clothes: "Why are you going?"

She turned around and planted a kiss on her forehead: "Go and post couplets, then go out to buy something, aren't you going to my house for dinner tonight?"

Lin Yan moaned and chirped twice, Song Yuhang hugged him tenderly for a while, then she let go and watched her get dressed and leave.

The person who said he was going to buy something turned around and came to the diamond ring counter. It seemed that the mall was about to get off work, but luckily they came early.

Song Yuhang rejoiced secretly, and took out the warm paper stuck to his chest and handed it to the cabinet sister.

"Hello, take a custom-made ring."

A small velvet box was handed to her, and Song Yuhang opened it, full of joy, with an uncontrollable smile on his lips, he took out the slightly larger one and tried it, it was just right.

The younger one will propose to Lin Yan when he arrives in Saipan tomorrow.

Song Yuhang took it off his right hand again, carefully put it into the box, put it in the pocket of the coat near his chest, thanked the cabinet lady, and left quickly.

I have to go to the supermarket to buy some more things, lest Lin Yan see what is good or bad.

When she returned to the parking lot with the big and small bags of presents, a figure sneaked out from her car.

She ran over to see that people slipped faster than rabbits.

Lin Yan's red car was scratched with a key on the door.

"Damn it, it's a bad year." Song Yuhang put his things on the hood, pulled the door, and locked it.

She breathed a sigh of relief, pressed the key, leaned over and opened the door, and checked if there was anything missing in the car, but fortunately they were still there.

He backed out again, picked up the gift and stuffed it into the trunk, his heart full of bullshit, thinking about how to explain it to Lin Yan when he went back.

At night, with a swipe of Lin Yan's pen, the matter will be revealed, on the condition that she must not resist.

Song Yuhang had no choice but to sign a treaty of humiliating the country.

After all, I was going to meet my parents, and it was a bit shabby to see the mark on the car door.

Lin Yan called someone to tow it away for maintenance, and at the same time replaced it with a new, less flamboyant, slightly understated white Audi.

Song Yuhang watched in amazement as she changed the car as if she were changing clothes. The BMW M that was scrapped on the seabed was worth more than one million at least.

Lin Yan raised her brows, whistled and walked towards her, slightly raised her chin, and looked down at her while stepping on her high heels.

"Are you happy? You are next to the rich woman."

Song Yuhang opened the car door for her, and bowed: "Rich lady, please."

When they arrived at Song's house, Mother Song had already prepared two pairs of brand new slippers and waited for them at the door.

Not for guests, but the kind of fluffy and warm cotton mop in winter.

Song Yuhang took it off the shoe rack and gave it to her: "Mom, we're back."

Mother Song heard movement at the door, wiped her hands on the apron, and turned out of the kitchen, startled for a moment.

Her daughter, who had always been proud and arrogant, knelt down and gently rubbed another woman's ankle, her words were complaints, but her tone was soft.

"Don't wear high heels, look, your feet hurt again."

Lin Yanxu stood supporting her shoulders, his face was reddish, and he muttered softly: "Isn't it just to impress Auntie—"

Maybe it was because she stood there for a long time, and finally brought the young couple immersed in the sweetness back to their senses.

Lin Yan slid and stood up straight, with a decent smile on his face: "Hello, Auntie."

His face was still red, and his eyes clearly did not dare to look at her, quite a bit shy like a newlywed.

What I wear today is also very pleasing, a white turtleneck sweater with a camel skirt, long legs and thin waist, slim.

There are also long tassel earrings hanging on the ears, and only one side is worn, which is exquisite and fashionable without being cumbersome.

The white sweater made her already fair complexion even more jade-like, and because of adding a little blush, it became even more charming.

In addition to being too thin, this child is pleasing to the eye.

Seeing Song's mother looking at him, Lin Yan's face was about to freeze with a smile, always feeling that something was wrong, when his eyes fell on Song Yuhang's shoulder bag, he snatched it.

"Hehehe..."

It is a good thing that these two children have a good relationship.

Song's mother laughed: "Sit down, sit down, look at me, it's not finished yet, there are melon seeds and peanuts on the table, as well as sugar, fruit, you can eat something first."

It was hot in the room, Song Yuhang put down his things, took off his coat and scarf to wash his hands.

As soon as you enter the kitchen door, you will be greeted by the smell of stewed meat.

She was starving to death.

"Mom, what are you doing delicious today?"

Mother Song gave her a blank look, but she still fished out a piece of cooked beef from the boiling pot of wax sauce, put it on the chopping board, cut it into small pieces and put it in a bowl.

"Go, give Yanyan a taste, you said you didn't tell me in advance when you came back, you haven't finished it yet, mom hasn't changed clothes, dressed like this..."

For the convenience of cooking, Mother Song's silver hair was wrapped in a handkerchief, and she wore an old dress and an apron.

Song Yuhang snickered, he ate one first, and was so burned that he touched his ear.

"Mom, don't be afraid, she won't dislike you. Besides, Yanyan bought you new clothes."

"Didn't you say don't buy anything? It's disobedient..."

Before Song's mother scolded her, Song Yuhang slipped out with a bowl of oil on his feet.

She picked it up with chopsticks and let it cool before handing it to Lin Yan: "Ah—try, my mother's stewed beef."

"Well, it's delicious."

The beef is stewed soft and tasty, with a slight aftertaste of just the right amount of spiciness and spices.

Lin Yan narrowed his eyes contentedly.

Song Yuhang handed her the chopsticks: "Then you eat first, I'll go to the kitchen to help, let's cook quickly."

"Okay." Lin Yan answered and was about to get up.

"Or I'll go too."

"No, no, our family doesn't have the rule of letting new wives do it."

Lin Yan blushed slightly, and muttered: "Who is the new wife, I agreed tonight that I will be there..."

Song Yuhang pinched her nose, and ran away before she could finish speaking.

"Just once, I let you."

In order to prevent the oily smoke from drifting into the living room, the kitchen door was closed again.

Lin Yanfu sat down again, just as he picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth, the doorbell rang.

She pressed the corner of her lips with a tissue, and ran to open the door: "Here we come, we come."

The door opened, and the four eyes met.

The smile on Lin Yan's face faded, after all, the whole family will come sooner or later.

Ji Jingxing put his arms around the child and watched her wearing Song Yuhang's slippers calmly.

It was bought when she and Song's mother went shopping together two days ago, and bought two pairs.

"Miss Lin, can we go in?"

Lin Yan pursed her lips and silently stepped aside.