And with that, Martin Lian's reputation was finally restored.
Lisa released the video online showing him refusing to get into Dani Fane’s car. Everyone who watched thought he was gutsy and unyielding, and his Weibo followers shot up by hundreds of thousands.
...
River Li was thrilled and organized a small in-house celebration at the company. Everyone ate, drank, and sang together.
Lily Bai came too, and got to meet more of the company staff.
As it got late, everyone left except River Li and his wife, Martin Lian, and Lily Bai.
Originally, River just wanted to discuss White Entertainment’s future direction.
But Lily Bai ended up drinking way too much.
Normally, Lily Bai is a heavyweight who never gets drunk—she could outdrink a whole roomful of people.
But even she couldn’t handle bottle after bottle.
And it was hard liquor, too.
Nobody could stop her, no matter how they tried.
When the table was crowded with bottles, her eyes turned a little sad.
She leaned back on the sofa, gazing up at the ceiling, and softly breathed out two words: "Xixi..."
Martin Lian and Senior Sister exchanged a look.
Senior Sister moved over and asked, "Why are you drinking like this? No matter how strong you are, too much booze will still hurt you."
"I just wanted to drink." Lily Bai turned away and buried her head in Senior Sister's neck. "Senior Sister..."
"Hmm?"
"I miss Evan..."
I miss him so much it aches all through my heart and lungs.
"When... when is he coming back?" Sophie Chu asked, puzzled by Lily's strange mood.
"He's always here, but I just can't see him..."
Martin Lian’s expression changed. He stared at Lily Bai, frowning slightly.
"What do you mean?" Senior Sister asked. "Seriously, what's going on with him?"
"He... he's changed..." Lily Bai suddenly burst into tears. "He ignores me now! No matter how much I beg him, calling for him day and night, he just ignores me! It's been so long, he hasn't even pricked me once!"
Everyone was stunned by her sudden outburst.
Did this mean... Evan Lan had abandoned her?
No way, right?
Was he really the kind of jerk who'd ditch his wife right after she gave birth?
"Did he cheat on you?" Sophie Chu's voice was full of murderous intent.
"No..." She shook her head, tears still streaming down her face. Then her head drooped and she fell asleep against Senior Sister.
So, in the end, the discussion was abandoned and everyone went home.
Of all of them, only Martin Lian, who'd been dealing with stomach pain lately, hadn't drunk any alcohol.
So he drove Lily Bai back to Dragon Mountain Hills.
When they arrived, he looked at the sleeping Lily Bai in the passenger seat and tried to wake her.
"Lily!"
...
"Lily, we're here!"
...
Martin Lian reached out and gently shook her shoulder. "Lily, we're home. Wake up!"
Suddenly, Lily Bai grabbed his hand and started crying again: "Evan Lan! Don't leave me... come back..."
Martin Lian froze, watching those crystal tears fall one by one onto his hand. His heart started to ache.
Had Evan Lan really... abandoned her?
It seemed impossible, but seeing her in such pain, there was no way she was faking it.
"Okay, I won't leave. I'm here." He comforted her softly. "Don't cry."
Lily Bai clung tightly to his hand, refusing to let go.
Martin Lian felt his hand burning, his face burning—his whole body burning.
Flustered, he pulled out his phone and called Ernie to open the door.
Soon enough, Ernie and Lisa came out. Seeing Lily Bai drunk, they were both shocked.
Martin Lian carried Lily Bai inside and even tucked her in with a blanket.