That afternoon, He Siyu brought Ni Yang to view the house at 520 Chunchao Road.
The car drove through the villa’s wrought-iron gates and stopped in front of the mansion, where the butler was already waiting by the entrance.
Ni Yang had seen the general layout of the villa on her phone before, but the real scenery still stunned her.
Located beside a lake in the city center, Yutang Villa was a two-story Western-style mansion with black-framed windows and white brick walls. The second floor had an enormous terrace.
From the wrought-iron gates to the villa itself stretched a winding asphalt road nearly two kilometers long, lined with French plane trees. At a little past three in the afternoon, the late-summer sunlight filtered through the branches, casting mottled shadows across the ground.
In front of the villa stood a three-tier angel fountain. Beside the house was a vast lawn and a glass greenhouse pavilion filled with blooming flowers. Next to the greenhouse stood a European-style gazebo, furnished with white tables and wrought-iron chairs.
He Siyu had told her that he had bought this villa a long time ago and had never lived in it before. All the furniture inside was brand new.
The butler had been transferred over from the He Family’s old residence. After briefly touring the villa, Ni Yang had to admit that the place matched her aesthetic perfectly.
One room tucked deeper inside the second floor was still under renovation. Before Ni Yang could ask, the butler answered her confusion.
“Sir had it renovated into Madam’s studio. It should be completed in another two days.”
Ni Yang was surprised.
He Siyu really knew what he was doing.
She then went to look at the master bedroom. The room had an enormous floor-to-ceiling window. Moon-branch patterned gauze curtains filtered the light from outside, scattering shadows across the black flooring.
The bed was huge and soft.
Before the marriage, she had already promised He Siyu that married life between husband and wife could not be lacking. But she still needed some time to adjust. Asking her to sleep beside a man she barely knew was simply too difficult for her.
During her relationship with Qi Huaiyu, the furthest they had ever gone was hugging.
Ni Yang secretly cheered herself on, hoping she could start “eating meat” soon.
That evening, both families had dinner together.
During the meal, Little Ye, carrying his little yellow duck crossbody bag, trotted over on his short legs to He Siyu’s side. His tea-colored eyes curved into a smile as he looked up at the man.
He Siyu slightly turned toward him and lowered his gaze with a smile.
“What is it, Little Ye?”
“Brother-in-law, thank you for helping me teach the bad guy a lesson.”
As he spoke, he lowered his head and took out a crystal toy car from his bag. His large eyes were filled with reluctance, but he still resolutely stuffed it into He Siyu’s hand.
“This is my favorite toy car. Older Sister bought it for me. Now I’m giving it to Brother-in-law.”
He Siyu looked at the little car in his hand. It was a Bugatti Veyron model.
He froze for a moment.
Was this the reward Little Ye was giving him?
The child’s eyes clearly could not bear to part from it. He loved it dearly, yet for the sake of his older sister, he was willing to give up his most treasured possession.
The icy crystal car resting in his palm now felt like a burning sincere heart, so hot that his throat tightened.
Smiling, He Siyu placed the little car back into Little Ye’s bag and zipped it up.
“Little Ye, I wasn’t helping you. Your older sister is my wife. As her husband, it’s only right that I protect her. That’s my responsibility.”
Little Ye looked stunned.
Watching the toy car return to his bag, he stared at He Siyu with innocent eyes.
“Then will Brother-in-law always protect Older Sister?”
The corners of He Siyu’s lips lifted. Raising a hand, he gently rubbed the boy’s head.
“I will.”
Little Ye’s big eyes shifted thoughtfully.
“Daddy and Mommy said not to listen to what people say, but to watch what they do. Brother-in-law, I’ll always keep an eye on you.”
The man laughed softly.
“Alright.”
His gaze drifted toward the bag.
“You like the toy car that much. Why did you choose that to give me?”
“Because the things you love the most are the most precious. Precious things are Little Ye’s sincerity.”
The siblings were equally sincere.
The way they treated people was wholehearted and genuine.
He suddenly remembered what Ni Yang had once said:
“I hope that the favoritism I have, my husband will have too.”
Favoritism?
What he wanted was only her favoritism alone.
When Ni Yang returned from the restroom, she saw Little Ye standing beside He Siyu as the two chatted together.
She sat back down beside He Siyu and pulled Little Ye closer.
“Were you the one who asked He Siyu to help me get revenge?”
Little Ye replied, “Yes and no. Brother-in-law said Older Sister is his wife, so it’s only right for him to help and protect you. That’s his responsibility.”
Ni Yang lifted her eyes toward He Siyu and met his calm gaze.
Her lips parted slightly as she smiled softly.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The man remained perfectly composed.
Old Master and Old Madam He liked Little Ye very much. Upon meeting him for the first time, they stuffed a huge red envelope into his hands and told Ni Yang to bring Little Ye to the old residence whenever she had time so the little boy could keep the two old people company.
People grew fonder of lively company as they aged. Especially with a child running around noisily, they felt life still held something to look forward to.
That night, after returning to Yinshuang Manor, Ni Yang and Min Yan lay together on the same bed.
Lying on her side, Min Yan absentmindedly twirled strands of Ni Yang’s hair around her fingertips.
“Yangyang, do you still like Qi Huaiyu?”
After all, they had dated for two years. It was impossible for there to be no feelings at all.
Ni Yang stared at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, her gaze deep and quiet.
“After doing something that disgusting, I can’t like him anymore. Losing feelings can happen in an instant.”
Min Yan stared at Ni Yang’s profile and continued asking,
“What about He Siyu then? Today, when he kicked Qi Huaiyu in public, all of us were shocked. He’s famous for being a gentleman. He’s never acted violently in public before. I heard that even when his father deliberately caused trouble for him at Yi An, he still kept a calm expression the entire time.”
“Today, the way he looked at Qi Huaiyu like he was trash had all the rich young ladies behind me screaming internally.”
At the time, Ni Yang had not paid attention to He Siyu’s expression at all. She had only been furious enough to want to beat Qi Huaiyu up herself.
“I was the one who told him to kick him.”
Min Yan blinked.
“Huh?”
Startled, her hand stopped twirling Ni Yang’s hair as she propped herself up to look at her.
Ni Yang turned her head to meet her gaze and reached out to poke her cheek.
“At the time, I was his fiancée who was about to register our marriage. It was only right for him to help me.”
“That’s true, but his personality doesn’t seem like the obedient type.”
Ni Yang repeated to Min Yan what Little Ye had told her earlier.
Min Yan smacked her lips.
“Tsk tsk tsk, further observation needed. Yesterday, I saw people online saying He Siyu is already twenty-seven and has never dated or had any scandals. Maybe he’s gay.”
Ni Yang frowned and said uncertainly,
“Probably not? Maybe he’s just very self-disciplined.”
Min Yan pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
“Then have you ever considered testing his practicality? For men, practicality is very important.”
Ni Yang coughed awkwardly.
“Leaving practicality aside, I think things like that are only enjoyable when feelings are involved. Sleeping together without feelings… wouldn’t that be like two stray dogs meeting on the street and suddenly doing it? Animals reproducing emotionlessly.”
Min Yan’s mouth twitched.
“…Baby, that analogy is way too crude.”
“But it’s very vivid.”
“But men can clearly separate love and sex. He can love one person emotionally while sleeping with countless others physically. So why can’t women do the same? As long as both people are healthy, disease-free, and using protection properly, women can also pursue the pleasure that sex brings.”
Min Yan’s words made Ni Yang sink into deep thought.
Society had always been harsh toward women. The label of “self-respect” often forced them to ignore their own needs and live according to what the public expected them to be.
Ni Yang buried her face deeper against Min Yan’s chest.
“I think this kind of thing should happen naturally. The more seriously you treat it, the more forced it feels. That kind of mindset makes people tense. It won’t feel comfortable.”
Min Yan smiled and gently rubbed Ni Yang’s head.
“I may say all that, but Yangyang, your feelings matter the most.”