"Father, actually I..."
"Father, Mother!"
No sooner had Xiao Chong'an spoken than Xiao Chongye led Yun Qing in from outside the door.
Upon seeing their newly-born daughter-in-law, Xiao Hua and his wife's impatient expressions vanished, replaced by smiles on their weathered faces.
"Yunqing, you're here! Were you tired last night? Did Chongye bully you?"
Yun Qing: ...
How was she supposed to answer that? She knew she had been bullied, but it seemed strange to say it outright. Was this something that could be brought up in public?
None of the Xiao family members knew what she was thinking. Seeing her face gradually flushed, Madam Xiao smiled teasingly.
"Look, this child is even shy."
The family joked with each other, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere.
Xiao Chong'an, standing to the side, felt as if his heart was about to break apart. Why was this happening?
From his perspective, Yun Qing's profile was incredibly beautiful. Perhaps because of her recent marriage, she had become more womanly and attractive than before.
She was his fiancée of five years, but now he has to find a reason to even get close to her.
Yun Qing seemed to sense the covetous gaze, a chill ran down her spine, and she involuntarily shrank back.
Xiao Chongye's smile vanished for a moment, and in a place where no one could see, he gave Xiao Chong'an a warning look.
Xiao Chong'an was instantly brought to his senses by his sharp gaze and awkwardly looked away.
The tea ceremony for the new bride passed peacefully and uneventfully. Just as when he arrived, Xiao Chongye took Yun Qing's soft hand and left with her.
Seeing them leave the room, Xiao Chong'an felt anxious and quickly took his leave as well.
"Father, Mother, I need to speak with my eldest brother, I have to go now."
"Hey? This kid, how old is he, still so energetic."
After leaving the main courtyard, Xiao Chong'an caught up with the person in front of him in a few steps.
"Wait a minute, Yun Qing, I have something to tell you!"
An urgent voice came from behind, and Xiao Chongye and Yun Qing stopped in their tracks.
"Second brother, what do you need my wife for? I, as her husband, can take care of it for you."
"Don't you understand what I'm trying to say, brother?"
"Ha, so what if you know? So what if you don't? Don't forget who you are now."
Xiao Chong'an's face darkened. Of course he knew that, given their current status, it was inappropriate for him to say anything inappropriate in front of Yun Qing, but how could he hold back when it came to matters of the heart? He wasn't a saint.
"I know, it's just a few words. What are you worried about, brother? Are you feeling guilty?"
"Why should I feel guilty? I'm just afraid your sister-in-law won't agree. Qingqing, if you don't want to deal with him, just leave him to me."
Xiao Chongye wasn't afraid of his foolish younger brother saying anything irrelevant. Yun Qing hadn't wanted to reveal her identity either, which clearly meant she looked down on him.
Therefore, the annulment of the engagement was accomplished by the three of them working together.
He's now a sure thing for the Yun family's son-in-law, so what's there to worry about?
Looking at the two men's suspicious expressions, Yun Qing felt bored and thought it best to clarify things with Xiao Chong'an as soon as possible.
"Since you have something to say, second brother, why don't you excuse yourself for a moment?"
Xiao Chongye walked through the corridor to the other end.
"Is that alright now? What exactly did you want to see me about?"
Xiao Chong'an stared at Yun Qing with infatuation, his unrestrained gaze roaming over her face.
"Yun Qing, what I really want to say is that I like you."
"You like me?"
"That's right. From the first time we met, I knew that I would marry no one but you. I never expected that fate would play such a cruel trick on me."
"Don't try to sound so sentimental." Yun Qing scoffed, her face showing disdain. "It's clearly just lust at first sight. I won't be moved by that."
Seeing the coldness in her eyes, Xiao Chong'an felt a pang of pain in his heart, and his nose stung with tears.
"Do you dislike me that much?"
"Otherwise what?" Xiao Chong'an looked at Yun Qing sadly, with the expression of someone who had met a heartless man, which made her laugh.
"What's with that look on your face? Don't make it sound like I've wronged you. You were the one who looked down on the Yun family first and didn't respect me as your fiancée, so why are you turning around and blaming me?"
Mentioning this incident made Xiao Chong'an even more heartbroken: "I didn't know before..."
"Don't know what? Don't you know that I am Yun Qing, or don't you know that the Yun Qing you despise actually has such beauty? Admit it, your regret is not because you like me, but because you lost a beauty that was within your grasp."
Yun Qing's sarcasm was like a sharp sword, easily piercing Xiao Chong'an's hypocritical mask. For a capricious young master like him, a peerless beauty was just a symbol; if he could have her, why not? But...
"That's not true. I really like you. Even if we're not together, I'm willing to do anything for you."
"Really?" Yun Qing's heart stirred. Although Xiao Chong'an was annoying, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make him a handy tool.
"Of course it's true."
Yun Qing revealed a dazzling smile, and Xiao Chong'an felt a surge of joy.
"Whatever you want to do, I will definitely make it happen for you."
"In that case, I do have something troubling me."
"What is it? Brother, you're really useless. If it were me, I would never bother you."
Seeing his cryptic remarks, Yun Qing didn't follow along, but instead gently stroked her abdomen.
"You were outside the door last night, weren't you?"
"Wh-what?" Xiao Chong'an was shocked. How could she know?
"Shh!" Yun Qing pressed her index finger to her red lips. "Don't be so shocked. I am the future mistress of the Xiao family. There is nothing I cannot know."
Xiao Chong'an lowered his head in shame, unsure how to face Yun Qing. She must think he was a pervert.
However, Yun Qing's next words made him suddenly raise his head.
"If you don't want your parents to know about this, then leave Haicheng and never come back."
What do you mean by that?
"The literal meaning. Didn't you say you were willing to do anything for me? Right now, I only have one worry: what if I have a child who can't inherit the Xiao family business?"
"Don't worry, I'm willing to give up my share, as long as you want it."
“That being said, I’m still worried about you staying at the Xiao family’s house all day long, and besides,” Yun Qing paused, her malice undisguised.
"Don't you really like going abroad? Why not leave a note and run away like you did five years ago?"
At this moment, Xiao Chong'an truly saw Yun Qing's disgust for him. Her eyes were so innocent, as if she were just wondering, but the curve of her lips was full of sarcasm.
Xiao Chong'an finally understood that from beginning to end, he had never even had the chance to look at her from afar.
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