They had agreed to keep distance earlier, yet now they were embracing.
If Yin Shujun saw this, he would definitely beat him up.
Xie Guanlan rubbed her head again—she was really so obedient. How could there be such an obedient, adorable girl?
“Mm…”
“Comfortable~”
Yin Shuyang looked up at him, her lips curved upward. “Do you like hugging me?”
Xie Guanlan, usually calm and restrained, now looked panicked.
He gently pushed Yin Shuyang away.
“Don’t tell me you treat me like a sister! I never treated you like a brother!” Yin Shuyang blocked his path first.
“You’re like a doll.”
More exquisite and beautiful than a doll—a delicate, noble little princess.
“Also like a little kitten.” Xie Guanlan lowered his head slightly. “Yangyang, you like me only because of my appearance. As you said, I don’t understand you, and you don’t understand me.”
“You think I won’t like you after understanding you?” Yin Shuyang blinked slyly. “Then I need to understand you first to know. Give me a chance?”
“Let me understand you, and let you understand me!”
She was so excited, holding his arm and swaying gently.
Xie Guanlan remained silent, and Yin Shuyang deflated.
“Is it my brother…”
“He?”
“My brother doesn’t really want us together. He said your family situation is complicated and worries that if I marry you, I might get harmed in such an environment. I’ve been pampered by them since childhood and don’t really understand those schemes and intrigues…” Yin Shuyang choked up, her voice soft and weak. “Do you also think you need a wife who is as smart and wise as you, capable of handling various situations calmly?”
Thinking about it, she really doesn’t seem suited to be Xie Guanlan’s wife.
If he encounters danger in the future, how could she help him?
“If we marry, protecting you would be my responsibility. You don’t need to be strong.” Xie Guanlan actually wanted to touch her face to soothe her low spirits.
Hold back.
Xie Guanlan whispered, “Don’t think too much. Get some sleep early.”
Yin Shuyang nodded and softly replied, “Mm.”
Returning to the guest room, Yin Shuyang fought off sleepiness to take a bath. She said she couldn’t sleep, but actually fell asleep right after lying down.
Instead, Xie Guanlan in the master bedroom couldn’t sleep.
The next day, the two peacefully ate breakfast, and Xie Guanlan went to work as usual.
Yin Shuyang continued painting. After finishing, she took a photo and sent it to Shi Man.
Shi Man called her, “Still at Xie Guanlan’s place?”
Yin Shuyang stared at the painting, her voice despondent. “Mm, but progress isn’t smooth…”
“No way, impossible! Xie Guanlan is really asexual! Yangyang, with your figure—if I didn’t lack that extra bit down there, I’d be tempted too! If he’s really not capable, let’s not like him anymore. There are countless men in this world; if one doesn’t work, we can switch!”
“I… I didn’t strip in front of him. You said to be reserved, not too straightforward. I didn’t… didn’t expose anything…” Yin Shuyang’s voice grew weak. “I always feel my brother said something to Xie Guanlan!!”
“That’s pretty normal. Your brother treats you like a little princess. If someone wants to marry you, your brother would cry even more than your dad. He definitely threatened every suitor of yours, especially Xie Guanlan—someone you like and his friend. He understands Xie Guanlan better than you do.”
Yin Shuyang thought of last night’s sweet embrace, “Maybe not completely understanding him~ I don’t think he’s as cold and heartless as those rumors outside say~”
“Listen to me, play hard to get. You should leave Xie Guanlan’s house.”
Is that so?
“Is that how you managed to catch Jiang Heng?”
“Please, he was the one chasing me!”
Hearing Shi Man’s voice choke up a bit, emitting that coquettish, unusual tone, Yin Shuyang quickly hung up the phone.
Yin Shuyang was also worried that if her brother came back and found out she wasn’t home, having gone to Xie Guanlan’s place, he would make her stay home and not allow her to go anywhere.
She returned home without saying a word to Xie Guanlan.
This was also taught by Shi Man.
When Xie Guanlan returned home after his social engagements, the apartment was pitch dark, cold and desolate.
His heart tightened as he turned on the light.
As soon as the living room light came on, he saw a brightly colored watercolor painting placed by the floor-to-ceiling window.
Xie Guanlan walked over and only then realized this painting resembled his WeChat profile picture, except the blue sky and white clouds had been replaced with other colors—it was the brilliant, dazzling, more colorful sky as seen through Yin Shuyang’s eyes.
In the bottom right corner, she had written a blessing: May all of Xie Guanlan’s wishes come true, with peace and smooth sailing.—From Yin Shuyang.
Yin Shuyang had left as he wished, yet he actually felt a pang in his heart.
He shouldn’t feel this way.
Xie Guanlan didn’t touch the painting. The living room light went out in an instant, the front door slammed shut, and the large apartment fell into silence, as if Xie Guanlan had never returned tonight.
Lying in her own bed, Yin Shuyang couldn’t help it—she simply couldn’t resist wanting to send Xie Guanlan a message.
He must have seen the painting she left behind, right?
After staying over for a few days, shouldn’t she say thank you?
The apology gift from last time was probably thrown away, and that painting might also end up discarded.
Cold and heartless Xie Guanlan.
Yet his body was clearly warm, his heartbeat would quicken, and that hand of his was also very warm.
Even someone who enjoys solitude might occasionally feel lonely and long for a hug.
The next day, Yin Shujun returned.
He bought Yin Shuyang many things: limited-edition bags from abroad, haute couture gowns, and an expensive set of diamond necklace and earrings.
“Thank you, Brother!” Yin Shuyang said obediently, “Brother is the best!”
Yin Shujun patted her head, “Have you moved on from the shadow of heartbreak?”
Nope.
Not one bit.
This was her first time liking someone; how could she let go so easily?
She still wanted to pursue him.
“You help me chase him.”
“Me help you chase him???” Yin Shujun felt her forehead, “Are you running a fever! It’s autumn now, sweetie, wear something thicker.”
“Hurry up and lay out the carpet, turn on the air conditioning. Don’t let our delicate little princess catch a cold.”
Was she really that fragile?
The servants hurried off to work.
Yin Shuyang put down the gifts, “Help me find out what kind of woman Xie Guanlan likes!”
“He definitely doesn’t like someone like you!”
“What’s wrong with someone like me?” Yin Shuyang pinched her waist, “I have a good figure.”
Yin Shujun said, “Men don’t just like women with good figures.”
“Then my face is pretty too!”
“You’re foolish; he likes smart ones.” Yin Shujun bluntly teased his younger sister, “Don’t worry, your brother doesn’t mind you.”
“You may not mind me, but I can’t just not get married and live with you forever!” Yin Shuyang playfully punched him.
“Look, you’re even resorting to domestic violence—he doesn’t like girls who engage in domestic violence either!”
Yin Shuyang immediately withdrew her hand, blinking innocently with a gentle, soft tone, “I never resort to domestic violence. I’m extremely gentle, especially ladylike—hitting people? That’s something I never do~”
Yin Shujun wore a faint, distant smile on his face, “You’re really putting on an act.”
Yin Shuyang didn’t lose her enthusiasm either, “Alright, if you won’t help me pursue him, I’ll do it myself. Just wait to become an uncle!”
Yin Shujun: “…”
Little ancestor, please don’t stir up trouble!!