"Cough cough!! Cough cough cough!!!"

"Marrying into the family?!"

Xia Xiunian was taken aback by her words; this was a direction he had never considered.

"Yes, I'll marry into the family!"

Li Yunyan nodded, her face firm, "Now I'm the only one left in the Li family. I'm now a female member of the household, so naturally I'll have to find a husband through a matrilocal marriage!"

Seeing his stunned expression, Li Yunyan knew that the mindset of people from ancient times was deeply ingrained and that it wouldn't be easy for them to change their ways so quickly. So she softened her tone, "I won't force you. You can think about it carefully, but I don't have much time. I can only give you a few months to consider it at most!"

"Yanyan." Xia Xiunian felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. Her expression was too resolute, as if she would abandon him if he didn't agree to the proposal!

He was seriously considering this possibility.

Thinking of his parents at home, his expression stiffened. "Yanyan, I am their only son. If I were to marry into the Li family, I would be letting them down!"

Li Yunyan was also a reasonable person. "I know this, so I've already decided that the first four children will take my surname, Li, and the last four children will take your surname, Xia!"

Xia Xiunian was suddenly overjoyed. He covered her small hand, which was resting on the table, with his large hand, and said in a happy and tender voice, "Yanyan, you've even thought about how many children you want to have with me?!"

"......"

Now it was Li Yunyan's turn to be confused. How could she have memorized the formula without even noticing?

That's not what she meant!

She's really not in such a hurry!

Xia Xiunian ignored her astonishment and continued to rejoice.

He held her small hand tightly in his palm and said gently, "Yanyan, give me some time to make arrangements! I'll definitely resolve this quickly!"

Li Yunyan blushed slightly, gently tried to pull her hand away but couldn't, so she let him do as he pleased.

Xia Xiunian had a smile on his face the whole time. After finishing his noodles, he took the initiative to wash the bowl, and then went to a corner of the yard, picked up a cleaver and started chopping firewood.

But... that firewood was already bought by Li Yunyan and was already chopped! There was no need to chop it again!

Then she saw Xia Xiunian take off his outer robe, hold it in his hand, and look at her expectantly, "Yanyan, could you help me with my clothes?"

His broad and muscular chest beneath his outer robe stretched the well-fitting inner garment taut, creating a striking contrast with his sunny and innocent-looking face.

Li Yunyan stared wide-eyed.

The tone of voice, so full of the aroma of tea; the vivid scene; the expression of wanting to say something but holding back...

She couldn't help but swallow.

Xia Xiunian, could he be trying to seduce her?!

"Cough! Good!"

Li Yunyan took small, quick steps over and calmly took the robe from his hands.

She didn't want to do anything right now, so she just stood there, holding his clothes in her hands, her eyes fixed on him, staring at him... chopping wood.

He was tall and imposing, with a perfectly proportioned physique and smooth muscle lines, exuding both power and elegance. His arms were muscular and strong; with each swing and chop, the muscles bulged, radiating a powerful aura of masculinity that shot straight to Li Yunyan's head.

She inappropriately recalled her dream from last night.

The waving arm, along with the two arms in the dream, merged together.

She felt she couldn't watch any longer!

I'm going to get a nosebleed if I keep looking!

She blushed and turned around, draped his clothes over the clothesline, and then took a clean wooden basin to fetch water.

After Xia Xiunian finished chopping firewood, Li Yunyan handed him a clean cloth and pointed to the wooden basin, saying, "Go wipe your sweat!"

Xia Xiunian took the cloth, his cheeks slightly flushed, whether from exhaustion or heat, he said slowly, "Yanyan, my hands are sore."

"Could you help me wipe it?"

Li Yunyan looked at the small pile of firewood in disbelief. How could he have chopped so much firewood that his hands ached?

Nobody would believe that!

But looking at his expression, Li Yunyan couldn't bear to refuse; only one thought occupied her mind—

Is this retribution?

In the past, she was the one who used this trick on men, but now that it's the other way around, she actually feels a little good about it. How come?

Li Yunyan gave him a reproachful look and resignedly accepted the cloth.

After soaking the cloth in water and wringing it out, Xia Xiunian's head naturally moved closer.

"Thank you for your help, Yanyan!"

A beauty overload!!!

Li Yunyan unconsciously shrank back, but then felt that she looked a bit cowardly, so she straightened up.

Hmph! You little punk!

So you're going to use this trick on me?!

With a smile on her lips, Li Yunyan took a cloth, tilted her head slightly, and carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead.

His warm breath gently brushed against his handsome face, and Xia Xiunian's heartbeat instantly became erratic.

His nose was filled with her intoxicating fragrance. He lowered his eyes and looked at her fair face so close to his.

Her eyes were like water, her lips like cherry blossoms, her neck like jade, and her small face, smaller than his palm, was unadorned with makeup. Her skin, with no visible pores, was as delicate as white jade, with a rosy glow. Her features were as perfect and flawless as if they had been meticulously sculpted.

He was mesmerized by her beauty, and his large hands involuntarily wrapped around her waist.

Her supple waist stirred his emotions even more, his eyes overflowing with undisguised affection, his voice low and husky, lingering, "Yanyan..."

Li Yunyan felt his breath getting closer and closer. She glanced at him shyly, then blushed and gently pushed him away before turning and running into the house.

Xia Xiunian watched her hurried retreating figure and grinned foolishly, his heart feeling as if it had been soaked in honey, soft and sweet.

She tidied up the things in the yard and took down her outer robe from the rack to put it on. Xia Xiunian went over and knocked on her door, "Yanyan, I'm going to work!"

"Um."

Hearing her soft reply, a smile returned to Xia Xiunian's face. She didn't blame him for his recklessness! She wasn't angry with him!

*

After finishing his shift that day, Xia Xiunian returned to the Xia residence.

Xia's mother was very happy. Xia Xiunian had not been home for several days recently, citing busy official business as the reason.

"Xiunian! You're back! Have you had dinner yet?"

"Mother, father, cousin."

Xia Xiunian bowed to his parents and replied calmly, "No."

Mr. Xia nodded slightly. A man should prioritize his career. It's no big deal if he doesn't come home for a few days! Mrs. Xia immediately got up and told the servants to go to the kitchen and tell them to add a few more of Xia Xiunian's favorite dishes.

Fang Zhiyue was even happier! Her longing for her cousin was almost overflowing, and she stared at him intently with affectionate eyes.

She walked to his side. "Cousin, you're finally home!"

Her words came out hesitantly, and her expression was somewhat strange, which made Xia Xiunian frown.

What's wrong with my cousin? Is her throat sore?

Thinking of what Li Yunyan had said to him, Xia Xiunian looked down at her and wondered: Has she been staying in her own home for a little too long?