Shen Shuling was completely unable to withstand this double attack, and could only raise her hands with a wry smile, surrendering.
"Fine, fine! I surrender, I surrender! You're all such cunning little devils!"
The adults in the room couldn't help but burst into laughter at this lively and heartwarming scene.
...
The matter was settled, and it was getting late.
When Shen Shuling was about to return, Ye Sheng naturally took on the task of escorting her.
The two walked side by side in the moonlit alley, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Alone at this moment, the air is filled with an indescribable awkwardness and...heart-pounding.
Shen Shuling lowered her head, her hands behind her back, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, only daring to steal glances at the tall figure beside her out of the corner of her eye.
Ye Sheng also remained silent, contrary to his usual self. He stopped joking and just walked quietly.
The streetlights cast his shadow long, almost completely enveloping her small figure.
After walking for a long time, Ye Sheng suddenly cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
Shen Shuling's heart tightened. Before she could react, a warm, large hand reached out with unwavering determination and gently enveloped her slightly cool hand.
Shen Shuling froze, as if struck by an electric current, and instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
What are you doing!
She whispered a rebuke, her cheeks burning hot.
Ye Sheng gripped Shen Shuling's hand even tighter, not allowing her to break free.
He turned his head to the side, and by the moonlight, he could see her reddened earlobes. He couldn't help but smile smugly.
"what?"
Ye Sheng declared confidently, "You're already my fiancée, so me holding my future wife's hand is just exercising my rights ahead of time!"
After saying that, he took advantage of the situation and separated her fingers one by one, then interlocked their fingers and held them tightly.
"You...you have a skin thicker than a city wall!"
Shen Shuling was speechless at his shameless remarks, but her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
"Absolutely."
Ye Sheng chuckled and shook their clasped hands: "How can I pursue you, Shen Shuling, if I don't have a thick skin?"
He could no longer contain his joy. Like a child who had finally received his beloved toy, he grinned and whispered foolishly, "Hehe, I finally have a wife!"
The voice carried an irrepressible, trembling joy that softened Shen Shuling's heart.
Her struggle and embarrassment vanished instantly, leaving only a heart full of sweetness.
"Keep your voice down! You really don't know how to keep your mouth shut!"
Shen Shuling complained, but she didn't pull her hand away, letting him hold it so domineeringly.
"Let me tell you, this matter hasn't gotten past my dad yet! My mom is manageable, but you'd better watch out for my dad, he won't be easy to get past!"
Shen's father was a notorious doting father, and his requirements for his future son-in-law were extremely high.
Ye Sheng, a "scoundrel" who made his fortune through speculation, would probably be eliminated at the very first hurdle in his eyes.
"What's there to be afraid of!"
Ye Sheng didn't care at all; instead, he held her hand even tighter.
He looked at Shen Shuling, and those peach blossom eyes that always held a playful air were now filled with unyielding tenderness and an unwavering determination.
"Don't even mention your father's hurdle, even if it means going through fire and water, I, Ye Sheng, am determined to overcome it!"
"Anyway, I've only ever been with you, Shen Shuling!"
Ye Sheng's firm and confident words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in Shen Shuling's heart.
Her steps unconsciously slowed down.
This man was once the most unreliable scoundrel in her eyes, glib-tongued, playing around, and seemingly never serious.
But it was him who appeared time and time again when she needed him most, supporting her in what seemed like an unconventional way.
At this moment, he used the most clumsy yet most fervent vow to shatter all her anxieties and concerns.
So this is what it feels like to be so firmly chosen and protected.
It's like being suddenly embraced in a warm and solid hug on a cold winter night.
All the cold and fear were instantly dispelled.
Shen Shuling felt a sudden heat in her eyes, and a thin layer of mist quickly spread, blurring the streetlights in front of her.
She desperately tilted her head back, trying to force back the tears that were about to spill.
"Ye Sheng..."
Shen Shuling spoke softly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible nasal tone: "My dad... he's really fierce."
This statement is no longer a warning.
Instead, it carried a hint of soft, almost coquettish worry.
Ye Sheng stopped and turned around to face her.
By the bright moonlight, I could see her reddened eyes.
Ye Sheng's heart suddenly ached.
He raised his hand, which still carried the warmth of Shen Shuling's touch, and gently cupped her cheek, his fingertips softly wiping away the glistening tear from the corner of her eye.
"I know."
Ye Sheng's voice was deep and solemn, his gaze fixed intently on her: "But for you, even if he is the King of Hell, I have to go to the King of Hell's palace."
"Shuling, I will never let you suffer any more grievances. Not before, and certainly not in the future."
These words completely shattered Shen Shuling's last line of defense.
She could no longer utter a word, and simply let him lead her forward in silence.
For the remainder of the journey, neither of them spoke again.
But their tightly clasped hands conveyed a strength more resolute than any words.
Before I knew it, I had arrived at the gate of Shen Shuling's house.
The two stopped, but neither let go of the other's hand.
Ye Sheng looked at the girl in front of him with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
He raised his hand and gently tucked a stray lock of Shen Shuling's hair, which had been ruffled by the night wind, behind her ear.
His fingertips brushed against her warm cheek, causing a slight shiver.
Ye Sheng's gaze became deeper and more serious than ever before, and he slowly leaned down towards her.
Closer and closer...
Shen Shuling held her breath in nervousness, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.
Her long eyelashes trembled nervously, and she instinctively closed her eyes.
However, the expected kiss never came.
All I heard was Ye Sheng whispering in my ear in a hoarse voice, filled with boundless affection and restraint:
"Go inside, silly girl, get some rest."
Shen Shuling suddenly opened her eyes and met his smiling, gentle gaze. Her face flushed red, turning as red as a ripe tomato.
She shoved him away, turned around like a startled fawn, and rushed into the yard without looking back, slamming the gate shut.
Ye Sheng looked at the tightly closed courtyard gate, touched his nose, and chuckled softly.
Under the moonlight, he stood there alone, a silly yet content smile on his face.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
