Xiao Lian clutched his clothes, head lowered, initially embarrassed about what he had said to Su Xi in the kitchen. Images from yesterday of seeing their bodies entangled in intimacy surfaced, causing his face to redden.
Curiously, he raised his head, staring directly at Jin Yu’s lower body, his gaze both evasive and burning. Jin Yu felt uncomfortable under his stare, knowing exactly where he was looking but unsure how to respond. She couldn’t scold him or treat him harshly, leaving her at a loss.
Xiao Lian’s gaze became more unbridled as he focused on her lower body, curious about the heated scene he had witnessed yesterday. Suddenly, Jin Yu raised her eyes, her expression still gentle, “Want me to take off my clothes so you can look carefully?”
“Okay,” Xiao Lian blurted out without thinking. Realizing his words, his face turned red as he glared at Jin Yu angrily, “Who wants to look at you!”
Su Xi returned to the kitchen and discovered his clothes had been disheveled by Xiao Lian, revealing red marks on his chest from being rubbed and pinched.
He quickly gathered his clothes, remembering the familiar look in Jin Yu’s eyes. He had initially thought he was mistaken but now realized it was genuine. That look was unmistakably one of desire.
Su Xi felt conflicted. Although he wouldn’t refuse if she wanted him, engaging in such matters during the day with others around seemed inappropriate. He didn’t want to jeopardize her reputation or cause embarrassment.
“……It’s the thing you did with that woman at night…” Xiao Lian said, blushing and looking down.
Su Xi’s face reddened, and he turned away, replying, “Yes……”
Xiao Lian, also blushing, went outside. If this were true, marriage might not be so bad, but he wished his wife were always by his side, affectionately calling him Xiao Lian.
“Xiao Lian,” a voice startled him, making his heart race. The voice was enchanting; marriage felt wonderful, filled with a wife’s love.
“Xiao Lian,” Jin Yu called as she entered, seeing Xiao Lian coming out of the room.
She called him once, got no response, called again, and finally pulled Xiao Lian out of his complex emotions.
Xiao Lian turned to the doorway, saw Jin Yu, and his heart sank. He had thought it was his future wife calling him, but instead found her with another man, whom she held so intimately. Anger welled up in Xiao Lian as he looked at the two of them. His voice filled with rage, he demanded, “Why are you here again, and who is he?”
The ‘he’ was Xu Yi, held by Jin Yu. Xu Yi was softly sobbing, tears streaming down his cheeks. His slender body trembled in her arms, his disheveled hair and torn clothes revealing glimpses of his smooth skin.
“My young master…” Hua Yan stepped forward to explain. His clothes were somewhat disheveled, and he still trembled from fear. Tear tracks dried on his face alongside red slap marks.
Seeing Hua Yan intensified Xiao Lian’s fury. Not only was there one man, but Jin Yu had brought back two men, holding Xu Yi so closely that his torn clothes exposed his skin.
She had been intimate with her brother last night and was now with another man in the morning, tearing his clothes just as she did with her brother. Was she enjoying ‘tormenting’ people? Shameless, truly shameless.
Xiao Lian’s eyes blazed with anger. Hua Yan, seeing this, swallowed his words and worriedly glanced at Xu Yi, who trembled in Jin Yu’s arms.
Su Xi, hearing the commotion, came out and was stunned to see a man in Jin Yu’s embrace. Jin Yu comforted Xu Yi, whose tear-streaked face she cradled. “It’s okay, don’t worry.” She carried him into the room, passing Xiao Lian’s furious gaze. “Get him a change of clothes,” she instructed Su Xi.
Su Xi snapped back to reality and followed her into the room, with Hua Yan close behind, leaving Xiao Lian alone outside before he joined them as well.
Jin Yu placed Xu Yi by the bedside. The bed was tidy, but he still trembled lightly, tears dried, and gaze unfocused. Su Xi brought a garment, which Jin Yu took and handed to Hua Yan. As she turned to leave, Xu Yi clutched her clothes tightly, refusing to let go, anxiously nestling in her arms. “Don’t go, don’t go, I’m scared…”
Jin Yu looked at Su Xi, who lowered his head, his long eyelashes hiding dim eyes, awkwardly clutching his clothes like a timid wife.
“I’ll go out now.”
“Brother,” Xiao Lian looked at Su Xi’s slender back and glared at Jin Yu with contempt and grievance.
Jin Yu sighed, helping Xu Yi sit up. “Change your clothes first, and I’ll come back after you’re done.”
“No,” Xu Yi grabbed her hand, tears welling in his eyes. “I have something to say.” Seeing Jin Yu about to speak, he hurriedly added, “Let me finish before you leave.” His voice was choked.
Jin Yu paused, glancing at the room where others glared angrily. “Xiao Lian.”
“Don’t call me,” Xiao Lian shot back before angrily leaving, followed by Hua Yan.
The room turned silent. Xu Yi clung to Jin Yu’s clothes, anxious she might leave. Nervously, he asked, “If I live here too, will you still want me?”
Jin Yu was taken aback, a complex look crossing her face. She noticed Xu Yi’s long eyelashes damp with tears and his bandaged hand. He reddened and pulled the bandaged hand back, nervously explaining, “It’s just a small wound; it won’t leave a scar.”
Jin Yu remained silent, looking outside, her voice calm. “Master Miao is a good person.”
After you marry her, she will treat you well.” The Xu family had a contract with Master Miao for business; she wouldn’t treat Xu Yi poorly, even if one of his concubines was pregnant. This way, he would be considered well-married.
Xu Yi trembled, holding back tears, pulling Jin Yu’s hand and gripping her through the fabric, “Even if it hurts, I don’t mind. I’m not afraid of pain. As long as I can be with you, I’m not afraid of anything.”
Jin Yu touched him but quickly withdrew her hand. Xu Yi leaned closer, seeing she wasn’t angry, and nestled in her arms, “Even if you don’t marry me, it’s okay. I just want to see you occasionally. No matter the rumors outside, it doesn’t matter. I’ll wait for you here, every day, and someday you will come to see me…”
Jin Yu didn’t speak. Xu Yi knew he had been rejected again. He couldn’t hold back his tears, “Why have you never liked me? I truly like you…”
Nestled in her arms, he sobbed, “He followed you for two years, but I have loved you for six years. Aren’t six years long enough?”
The choked voice was expectant, like a promise that would warm hearts: “As long as I can be with you, I’m willing to wait another six years. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to marry me, to wait forever…”
Even the coldest heart would be moved by his words, and Jin Yu was no exception. Her heart was deeply touched, though there were things she could not do.
Silence fell, broken only by Xu Yi’s soft sobs. Suddenly, Xu Yi kissed Jin Yu’s lips, just a brief touch. Jin Yu didn’t stop him. Blushing, Xu Yi nestled back into Jin Yu’s arms, sobbing softly, “Can you keep me company for just one day…”
Jin Yu paused, silent. Xu Yi nestled in her arms, continued, “Just one day. I won’t bother you again…” He began to sob, “Keep me company for one day, and I’ll never come to see you again. I’ll love you silently, never seeing your face again, not even once from afar, as long as you’re doing well.”
“I won’t marry anyone else. I’m yours alone, forever…”
“Do you really like him? Why do you like Yun Mei, like Su Xi, but refuse to like me, refuse to even look at me? Am I really that worthless?”
“Your embrace is so warm.”
Hold me a little longer, just a moment is enough…”
Xu Yi whispered many things, and soft sobs filled the room. Hua Yan was very worried; the young master was crying again, heartbroken from being rejected by Miss Jin. For six years, Miss Jin had hurt him.
