Explore feelings
The next day, Zhao Youyi returned to the Zhao residence from the Chu Prince's residence. Chi Yuming was already waiting in the residence. Seeing that she had returned alone, he was both disappointed and relieved. He was disappointed that Zhao Zhile had been having too much fun in the Chu Prince's residence, but relieved that Chu Chanyin, that vixen, had not come with him.
“Niao Niao, you’re back.” Chi Yuming stood up with a slight smile on his face, but the smile froze when he saw Chu Chanyin in a light blue brocade robe with gold trim and crane patterns following behind Zhao Youyi. The smile disappeared completely when he saw Chu Chanyin holding Zhao Zhile in one arm and holding a little boy’s hand in the other.
"A flamboyant fox spirit," Chi Yuming thought through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on Chu Chanyin.
Zhao Youyi keenly noticed the unfriendly gaze Chi Yuming was giving Chu Chanyin, frowned slightly, and turned her head slightly to look in Chu Chanyin's direction.
Chu Chanyin blinked innocently at her.
Zhao Youyi shifted her gaze and looked at Chi Yuming. "Yes, cousin, have you had breakfast yet?"
“Not yet, and what about you, Niaoniao?” Chi Yuming looked at her with a composed smile.
Zhao Youyi glanced at the people behind her and asked, "Why don't we share some?"
Chu Chanyin naturally wouldn't refuse, and Zhao Zhile and Chu Muqing quickly nodded.
The five people entered the dining room. Zhao Youyi and Chu Chanyin sat in the main seats, each holding a child, like a newlywed couple. Chi Yuming sat opposite them and his face turned green as he watched this scene.
"Why don't you leave Lele in my care and let Niaoniao eat properly?" Chi Yuming said, putting down his chopsticks.
Zhao Zhile turned her head to the side and pouted, "I don't want to, I want Auntie to feed me."
Zhao Youyi also wondered why Zhao Zhile wasn't close to Chi Yuming, even though they had lived together for two years.
However, since Zhao Zhile had said so, Zhao Youyi could only politely decline, saying, "No need, cousin. You should eat your meal. Lele doesn't eat much, she'll be fine in no time."
Chu Muqing quickly jumped off Chu Chanyin's lap, sat down beside him, and reached out to take Zhao Zhile's hand: "Little sister, let me feed you!"
Zhao Youyi and Chu Chanyin exchanged a glance, while Zhao Zhile excitedly climbed into his arms: "Okay, okay, I want Brother Mumu to feed me."
The five of them finished their meal in awkward silence. Chu Chanyin took the two little kids to play in the back garden, while Zhao Youyi and Chi Yuming went to the study to discuss important matters.
Although Chi Yuming was an ordinary person, he was indeed exceptionally talented in business. After Zhao Youyi gave him a few brief instructions, he understood immediately.
"Niao Niao, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of the business here." Chi Yuming smiled slightly and reached out to hold her hand.
Zhao Youyi subtly dodged the question, "Cousin, has your visit delayed any important matters at home? Your wife must be worried."
Chi Yuming was taken aback upon hearing this, and quickly explained, "I am not married, that woman is just..."
He was interrupted halfway through his sentence by Zhao Youyi, "Cousin, you don't need to explain to me. This is your private matter and has nothing to do with me."
Chi Yuming said anxiously, "How can this not be related? Niao Niao, you know I love you."
Zhao Youyi stood up and went to the window. From there, he could see Chu Chanyin playing with the children in the courtyard. The young man leaned down slightly, his long hair blowing in the breeze. Two children surrounded him, laughing and joking, and handed him the flowers they had picked.
"Cousin, do you know what's most important to me in a relationship?" Zhao Youyi asked without turning his head.
Chi Yuming, confused, subconsciously asked, "What is it?"
"Loyalty and exclusivity," Zhao Youyi said firmly.
Chi Yuming subconsciously took a step back, staring blankly at the girl in front of him: "But it is normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Niao Niao, why can't you tolerate her?"
Zhao Youyi was amused by his question, but she didn't show it on her face: "It's not that I can't tolerate you, it's that you were out of the game from the very beginning."
Chi Yuming stepped forward to grab her hand, but she stepped back and dodged him.
“Cousin, I consider you my older brother, so please don’t overstep your bounds,” Zhao Youyi said coldly as he turned around.
“True love is exclusive. If a third person enters the relationship between two people, then it is no longer pure love,” Zhao Youyi said coldly, looking at him in a flat tone.
"Then how do you know that the King of Chu is clean?" Chi Yuming retorted through gritted teeth. "You've been separated for six years, and he holds a high position of power. Who knows how many women are around him?"
Zhao Youyi smiled slightly: "I have eyes, I can see. How Brother Huai Cong is is not something you can comment on."
What a joke! That old-fashioned Chu Chanyin is always spouting nonsense about propriety and the separation of men and women. It's obvious he's never had much contact with women growing up. Besides, she's seen it for herself; there's absolutely no trace of women living in the Chu Prince's mansion. There aren't even any young maids, let alone concubines or maids.
"Alright, cousin, let's not talk about this anymore, and we'll still be cousins. If you insist on making a fuss, then we have nothing more to say." Zhao Youyi said this in a very indifferent tone, and looked at him as if he were a stranger.
Chi Yuming felt a chill run through his body and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Niao Niao, the King of Chu is extremely hypocritical and unfathomable. You won't be happy by his side."
"I don't understand. You watched him grow up, so why do you have such a deep prejudice against him?" Zhao Youyi frowned slightly.
"It's because he's cunning and a jinx!" Chi Yuming said, his eyes red. "If it weren't for him, you should be my wife!"
Zhao Youyi realized that there was no reasoning with this person, so he simply turned and left.
Chi Yuming stared blankly at her retreating figure, lost in thought.
He messed everything up, and Niao Niao was completely disappointed in him.
Zhao Youyi walked over to Chu Chanyin and the others, and listening to the children's silvery laughter, she couldn't help but smile and say, "Brother Huai Cong."
Chu Chanyin was stunned for a moment upon hearing this address, and turned to look at her.
Today she wore an extremely girlish pink dress, standing among the flowers and outshining all other scenery. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her lips were as red as blood, and there was a small mole on the side of her nose. When she smiled, she revealed two small tiger teeth, making her look exceptionally cute.
Chu Chanyin stood up and looked at her. "Have you finished discussing it?"
Zhao Youyi smiled slightly, walked over and patted Zhao Zhile's head, "Go play over there with your Mumu brother."
Upon hearing this, Chu Muqing took Zhao Zhile's hand and led her to the other side to chase butterflies. Chu Chanyin smiled slightly at her: "It seems the conversation didn't go very well."
Zhao Youyi and Chu Chanyin sat down in the pavilion. Chu Chanyin poured her a cup of tea and said, "Tell me about it."
“He said he was fond of me.” Zhao Youyi said this casually, but couldn’t help but observe Chu Chanyin’s expression out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing that he looked normal, Zhao Youyi was a little unhappy. Logically speaking, someone as intelligent as him shouldn't be so oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart.
However... Chu Chanyin did not live with his parents from a young age. Although he lived with his uncle, the uncle had his own children. He had never truly experienced the wholehearted love of his relatives since childhood, so it is normal for him to be a little slow in matters of the heart.
Zhao Youyi comforted herself and decided to forgive him. "I didn't expect my uncle to send him here. I didn't agree with him coming to manage the business here. I will write another letter to my uncle and ask him to send someone else."
Chu Chanyin nodded thoughtfully, "Since that's the case, then so be it. Since my cousin doesn't like him, then we shouldn't keep him around."
Zhao Youyi, resting her chin on her hand, asked him with great interest, "How did Brother Huai Cong know that I don't like him?"
"Isn't that right?" Chu Chanyin took a sip of tea. "I thought my cousin wouldn't like someone who's fickle in matters of the heart."
Zhao Youyi placed her hand in his, her eyes smiling: "Brother Huai Cong understands me best."
Chu Chanyin was somewhat surprised by her intimate gesture, and lowered his eyes, avoiding looking at her.
Zhao Youyi raised an eyebrow and continued to hold his hand tightly.
"I haven't practiced my sword skills in a long time. I wonder if my cousin has any swords in her household?" Chu Chanyin quickly changed the subject.
Zhao Youyi's household was naturally well-equipped with weapons, so she beckoned her servants to fetch them from the storeroom.
Chu Chanyin brandished his knife in the courtyard, while Zhao Youyi watched him with her chin resting on her hand. Two little kids danced around beside him, one shouting, "Uncle is so amazing!" and the other shouting, "Uncle is so amazing!"
Zhao Youyi's heart skipped a beat, and she stepped down the stairs.
"Brother Huai Cong, do you think our relationship should take another step forward?" Zhao Youyi's ears were flushed.
Chu Chanyin, who was practicing his swordplay, stopped. After several twists and turns in his mind, he tentatively asked, "Does my cousin think we should become sworn siblings?"
Zhao Youyi: ?
Zhao Youyi was amused by his reaction, crossed her arms, leaned against a pillar, and looked at him, "Why would you think that, cousin?"
Chu Chanyin stopped practicing his swordplay and looked at her earnestly: "You just lost a cousin who was very close to you by blood. Brother Nianling has already passed away. If you and I could become sworn siblings, then you would have a brother again."
Zhao Youyi frowned deeply, looking at him with disbelief. Seeing that his expression was completely genuine, she was speechless for a moment.
She called him Brother Huai Cong. Could it be that he really is her brother?
They were, after all, a proper married couple who had gone through the wedding ceremony!
Zhao Youyi was so angry that she turned to leave. Chu Chanyin knew he was in the wrong, so he quickly stepped forward to comfort her: "Cousin, don't be angry. No matter what, I will always be by your side. No matter what our relationship is, you are the most important person to me."
Zhao Youyi was moved by his words, but looked at him with a skeptical expression: "You really want to be my brother that much?"
Chu Chanyin hesitated for a moment, his heart churning with emotions. He wanted to say no, but when he met her bright, almond-shaped eyes, he hesitated and finally said, "I just want to stay by your side and protect you."
"But if one day I find someone I love and no longer need you, won't you be sad?" Zhao Youyi asked him, tilting her head, eagerly awaiting his answer.
She could sense that Chu Chanyin had feelings for her, but for some reason, he didn't dare to admit it. However... she would make him admit it.
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