The man tilted his head, puzzled. “What’s the difference? Why wait until you come back to confess?”
“Xuan Yanyu, don’t take that attitude with me. Our dynamic has changed now — you’re no longer someone I can’t afford to offend. Be nicer to me, or I’ll make my sister break up with you right this instant.”
Yan Yunning blinked, wondering whose side she should take if her brother actually got into a fight with Xuan Yanyu.
“You clearly have too much free time on your hands — spending it worrying about your sister’s affairs. Let me find you some work. Go on your business trip and be productive.”
“Xuan Yanyu!!!”
“Work hard and earn money to support both me and Ningning.” Xuan Yanyu flashed a smile at Yan Jingzhi through the camera lens, then immediately ended the video call.
Yan Yunning: “……”
Her brother was probably cursing Xuan Yanyu out for being shameless right about now.
——
After finishing the cake and having dinner at the hotel, Xuan Yanyu and Yan Yunning returned to the Xuan residence.
The moment they entered the main hall, Xuan Shi’an and Wen Shuyun came rushing over. The joy on both elders’ faces was plain to see — they had already chosen a wedding venue.
Yan Yunning felt a little embarrassed. While she did want to spend every day with Xuan Yanyu, her own parents hadn’t given their blessing yet. Did she really have any say in the matter of marriage?
“Ningning, after you and Yuér wed, you’re welcome to live in the marital home if you wish, or simply stay here at the Xuan residence.” Wen Shuyun said with a warm smile.
“Alright, Mom, let Ningning go upstairs and change out of her gown first.” Without further discussion, Xuan Yanyu took Yan Yunning’s hand and headed up to the third floor.
That night, after washing up, Xuan Yanyu walked into Yan Yunning’s room and shamelessly insisted on resting in her bedroom.
Unable to argue him out of it, Yan Yunning simply let him sprawl on her bed and claim her blanket.
Given Xuan Yanyu’s presence, Yan Yunning chose a nightgown after her bath that covered her completely, leaving only a sliver of her fair, slender neck exposed.
When they hadn’t been together, she could tease him freely — he would never overstep. But now that they were a couple, she needed to be more restrained.
After finishing her skincare, Yan Yunning lifted one corner of the blanket and lay down at the very edge of the bed. She hadn’t even been lying there a full second before Xuan Yanyu pulled her into his arms.
Yan Yunning: “……”
The man drew a breath, his throat bobbing subtly. “You smell so good.”
Yan Yunning raised an eyebrow. “You like this body wash? I’ll give it to you.”
Xuan Yanyu smiled, a languid curl to his lips. “I like you. How about giving me you instead?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll give myself to you.”
Yan Yunning: “……”
“Do you agree?” the man asked, seeking her opinion.
Yan Yunning bit her lip. She was trying to figure out how to explain to him that this wouldn’t be her first time.
If she told him the truth, there was no guarantee this jealous man would believe her. What a headache.
“Is that alright?” His elegant fingertips gently traced her cheek.
Yan Yunning’s lashes fluttered lightly. She gave a small nod.
She’d have to explain sooner or later anyway.
Xuan Yanyu let out a low laugh. His lips had just brushed against her ear when a knock sounded at the door — and the next moment, the unlocked door was pushed open by Xuan Zhaoyan.
“Brother… brother… why are you in Ningning’s room? You… you two…” Xuan Zhaoyan flushed and bowed her head in embarrassment.
Xuan Yanyu’s voice came out clipped. “Did you need something?”
“Yes, I came to find Ningning.”
Xuan Yanyu’s brow furrowed deeply. “Then say it quickly.”
Xuan Zhaoyan said softly, “Brother, I’m scared. I want to sleep with Ningning.”
Xuan Yanyu looked as though he’d just heard a joke. “This is your own home. What is there to be afraid of?”
“I’m just scared.” Xuan Zhaoyan clutched her pillow and edged further into the room. “Brother, please go. I want Ningning to keep me company.”
Her mother had told her to be afraid, so she would be afraid — never mind what exactly she was supposed to be scared of.
All she knew was that her mother had said, starting today, she was to room with Ningning.
Xuan Yanyu’s handsome face darkened. “Xuan Zhaoyan, have Qiuci and the others keep you company.”
“No, I only want Ningning.” Xuan Zhaoyan walked to the side of Yan Yunning’s bed and looked up at her with pitiful eyes. “Ningning, please kick my brother out.”
Yan Yunning rubbed the tip of her nose and turned a languid gaze toward the displeased man, suppressing a laugh. “Why don’t you head back to your own room?”
“I’m not leaving regardless.” Xuan Zhaoyan clutched her pillow tightly.
Xuan Yanyu shot Xuan Zhaoyan a cold glance, then walked out of the room with a stony expression.
Yan Yunning shifted over to the spot where Xuan Yanyu had just been lying, making room for Xuan Zhaoyan.
Xuan Zhaoyan set down her pillow and, to guard against Xuan Yanyu returning in the middle of the night, locked the door securely before settling onto the bed with relief.
Xuan Yanyu had assumed Xuan Zhaoyan only wanted Yan Yunning’s company for one night. He hadn’t expected that over the following days, Xuan Zhaoyan would seek out Yan Yunning’s company every single time.
Six days later, just as Xuan Yanyu had reached the end of his patience and was about to give Xuan Zhaoyan a piece of his mind, he learned from his parents that Yan Yunning’s parents had returned from their travels.
Xuan Shi’an asked him to take Yan Yunning to Yuanjin City ahead of time. He would follow in a day or two after settling his company affairs, and he and Wen Shuyun would then discuss the engagement banquet and wedding date.
Since Xuan Yanyu had always wanted to be with Yan Yunning every day, he had no objections.
That very day, he took Yan Yunning to Yuanjin City.
——
Yuanjin City — Zhaolanggé Villa District.
After stepping out of the car, Yan Yunning put a little distance between herself and Xuan Yanyu. The two of them entered the living room maintaining a gap of about a meter throughout.
“Uncle, Auntie.” Xuan Yanyu set down the gifts he was carrying and stood up straight and proper.
“Little Yù, thank you so much for bringing Ningning home. Has Ningning been any trouble to you these past few days?” Yan’s mother smiled and gestured for Xuan Yanyu to sit.
Yan Yunning, who had already draped herself across the sofa the moment she walked in, answered on Xuan Yanyu’s behalf. “No trouble at all, Mom. How could I ever cause anyone trouble?”
“Ningning is absolutely right.” Xuan Yanyu nodded in agreement.
Yan’s mother looked at this perfectly agreeable young man and let out a soft sigh. “Oh dear, what a poor child.”
Xuan Yanyu: “……?”
Yan Yunning’s eyes widened. “???”
“I heard everything from Shuyun, and I watched that live stream from the one called Shiyao. I never imagined you nearly lost your life helping them, and yet Shiyao showed not a shred of conscience.”
Yan’s father followed up with a question. “How has that matter been handled?”
“Uncle, Auntie, the company’s legal department has handled it through the proper channels — compensation, a public apology, nothing has been left out.”
Yan’s mother gave a sigh. “Well, she’s pregnant, and she’s issued a public apology and agreed to pay compensation, and no serious harm resulted in the end — so there’s not much more that can be done. It’s hard to believe people can be so utterly ungrateful.”
“Who’s ungrateful?” Yan Jing’an had barely stepped into the living room when he caught the tail end of his mother’s grievance.
“Not talking about you.” Yan Yunning chimed in.
Yan Jing’an: “……”
“Brother Jing’an.” Xuan Yanyu gave Yan Jing’an a nod.
Yan Jing’an raised an eyebrow and took a measured, unhurried look at Xuan Yanyu. Recalling Jingzhi’s gritted teeth and seething resentment, he pretty much understood — this man had used that face of his to win Ningning over into a relationship.
Comfortable circumstances, good looks — as long as he treated Ningning well, he had no objection to their relationship.
He glanced again at his parents, who were welcoming Xuan Yanyu warmly. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. His mother was one thing — she’d always been rather susceptible to a handsome face. He just wasn’t sure whether his father was truly satisfied with this prospective son-in-law.