"You, you mean..."
Mencius' mother nodded weakly.
Meng's father's mood plummeted like a freefall, the coldness and emptiness around him penetrating his lungs, making it hard for him to breathe.
"Madam, you must be joking, right?" Mr. Meng was unwilling to believe the truth. "What if the child didn't hear clearly? You can't make such a judgment based on such a small matter..."
“I also want to know this isn’t true, but… you can clearly feel it too. Even if Luanluan hates us, she wouldn’t look at us like that.”
As she spoke, Meng's mother recalled the image of Meng Qingluan nestled in her arms when she was a child.
It felt like my heart was being ripped open, and then punched hard...
Mencius' father remained silent, his hand, meant to comfort Mencius' mother, drooping limply on the cushion.
The way Luanluan looked at them…
There was not a trace of longing or affection, only indifference, annoyance, and a hint of alienation.
It was as if they were complete strangers meeting for the first time.
Two lines of tears appeared on Meng's father's aged face, and his voice was more weary than ever before.
"Let's try again... just one last try, what if she doesn't leave?"
"Okay, let's try again,"
Mencius' mother nodded with tears in her eyes.
…
"elder sister…"
Zhu Qing'an sat properly in his seat until Meng's parents left, then he mustered his courage and softly called out to Meng Qingluan.
Meng Qingluan glanced at him indifferently, knowing in her heart that he had been raised as her sick baby since childhood, and nodded in response.
Seeing that she was not annoyed, Zhu Qing'an raised her head, flattered.
Zhu Qing'an's eyes were bright; when they were slightly open, she could clearly see her reflection refracted in his amber pupils.
Meng Qingluan looked away, pretending not to see it.
"Arrange a place for him to stay," Meng Qingluan instructed.
"yes."
The maidservant beside him curtsied and turned to prepare to tidy up the room.
"etc!"
Zhu Qing'an suddenly stood up and called out to the maid who was about to leave.
The maid stopped, glanced at him with a puzzled look, and then looked at Meng Qingluan, waiting for her instructions.
Meng Qingluan asked, "What's wrong?"
"Sister, the room you arrange for me shouldn't be too far from your residence; it would be best if it were next door."
Zhu Qing'an spoke calmly, but his slightly pursed lower lip betrayed his inner tension.
Meng Qingluan instinctively wanted to ask why, but remembering her mother's words, she could only hold back.
After a moment's thought, he gave instructions to the maid who was still standing there waiting.
"Go and clean up the empty room in my yard."
The maid looked troubled. "Madam, that courtyard doesn't have a heating system yet, and the stove is broken. It's probably not suitable for us to live there in this weather."
Upon hearing this, Meng Qingluan frowned.
The courtyard where she and Shen Yan lived was quite large, with two rooms: a main room and a small south-facing room, which had been vacant since no one lived there.
Without a heating system or a stove, Zhu Qing'an, with his small frame, would have died on the spot in one night.
In that case, she'll be doomed too.
Before the ultimate ability could even be unleashed, the crystal was destroyed by super minions who sneaked in and destroyed it.
She would definitely be considered the most pathetic time traveler.
Zhu Qing'an, understanding and considerate, said, "It's alright. Just give me two more blankets. As long as I can be with my sister, that's all that matters."
Meng Qingluan: "..."
The maid looked at Meng Qingluan with a troubled expression. Since the madam had not spoken, she dared not disobey and make a decision based on someone else's opinion.
Meng Qingluan scratched her head in frustration; naturally, she couldn't leave him in the cold room all night.
Dollar stood to the side, a glint in his eye, and suddenly whispered a suggestion in someone's ear.
"Madam, there are maids serving at night in the outer room, why not let him make do there for a while?"
Yingbang was standing to the side when she heard what the dollar said, and she immediately reached out and patted her.
"Are you crazy? He's a man. Even if the madam agrees, how could Lord Shen possibly agree?"
Dollar was criticized, and he pouted unhappily, muttering under his breath.
“The lady must have her reasons for wanting him to stay by her side. Since the Marquis loves the lady so much, he should agree. Besides, what can he do through a door?”
"..."
Helpless, Yingbang could only glare at her to signal her to shut up and stop talking nonsense.
Meng Qingluan had a sudden inspiration and thought that the suggestion of using US dollars was quite good.
but……
She had to ask Shen Yan's opinion, after all, they were husband and wife.
If I were to arrange for Zhu Qing'an to stay in their house without their consent, it would be a great disrespect to Shen Yan's opinion.
"Alright, don't make arrangements yet. I'll discuss it with him tonight." Meng Qingluan waved her hand.
"Sister, it's actually okay if it's a little cold," Zhu Qing'an said considerately.
Meng Qingluan pouted, "It has something to do with me. I'm afraid of pain and death."
"..."
Zhu Qing'an choked on his words and shut his mouth, saying nothing more.
As soon as Shen Yan stepped off the carriage, he saw Meng Qingluan standing at the gate of the mansion.
The gloom in my heart was swept away, and my restlessness and depression turned into a sweet feeling.
Ignoring the servants' help, Shen Yan jumped off the carriage and quickly walked to Meng Qingluan.
"Didn't I say you'd just wait for me at home?" Shen Yan said reproachfully, but her hand naturally took Meng Qingluan's hand.
Meng Qingluan had something to ask, and her tone was softer than usual.
"I'm worried about you, you know that."
Chen Yan felt a sweet sensation in his heart, as if his whole heart was immersed in honey, overflowing with sweetness.
"Don't you believe me? Don't worry, go eat."
"good."
The two walked into the house side by side, hand in hand. Meng Qingluan had already changed her clothes and was waiting for him in the side hall.
Shen Yan walked steadily back into the house. As soon as he pushed open the door, the cold and calm expression on his face vanished.
With his back pressed against the door, his eyebrows danced with excitement, his cheeks flushed, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile. He held it in for a long time.
Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, Shen Yan raised her hand to cover her mouth and screamed excitedly.
What should I do? ...
Why is she so good to him? She thinks about him all the time.
I like it more and more... I love it so much!
God knows how hard he had been holding it in; he used up all the self-control he had in his entire life just now.
His self-control, which he was so proud of, crumbled and vanished in front of Meng Qingluan.
Shen Yan took a few deep breaths, trying to suppress his excitement, and walked briskly to the wardrobe.
Opening the wardrobe, there was a light green dress inside. It was a bit thin, but very beautiful. The collar was embroidered with faint patterns, making it look elegant and alluring.
Chen Yan's fingertips lingered on the garment.
If I wore this indoors at night... with the neckline a little wider, then Luanluan...
Chen Yan swallowed hard, his cheeks flushed, and he earnestly tore off his clothes.
He took out another piece of clothing in the same color scheme, which was more conservative and elegant than the previous one, but it better highlighted his tall and superior figure.
This is just a little appetizer for Luanluan.
Shen Yan, quite cunningly, took another bath, adding some flower petals to make sure she smelled fragrant, before going to the side hall.
Shen Yan imagined Meng Qingluan's reaction when she saw him wearing that dress that night. Her face remained normal, but her heart was already in a complete mess.
Luanluan will definitely ask him what happened and whether the emperor made things difficult for him.
If he portrayed himself as pitiful and pretended to be strong and sensible, Luanluan would definitely feel sorry for him...
He might even get a kiss as a reward.
Just thinking about it made Shen Yan almost faint with happiness.
This happiness vanished when he walked into the side hall and saw the man sitting next to Meng Qingluan.
He arrived at just the right time, just in time to see Meng Qingluan serving him food.
Shen Yan's smile froze, and his eyes stared straight at Zhu Qing'an.
How did this little rascal, who hasn't even grown all his fur, end up here?
Zhu Qing'an keenly noticed his gaze, and also raised her head to meet his eyes.
He looked away after just one glance.
He picked up the dish that Meng Qingluan had given him with his chopsticks, slowly put it into his mouth, and chewed it carefully.
With a smile, she said, "Thank you, sister."
"..."
Shen Yan dug her extremely short nails into her palms, wishing she could kick this arrogant brat to death.
Meng Qingluan waited for a long time, and her stomach was growling with hunger, so she and Zhu Qingan started eating a dish together.
Looking up, he glanced at Chen Yan, chewing his food, and mumbled something to Chen Yan.
"You're here? Hurry up and eat, the food's getting cold. Should we take it to the kitchen to reheat it?"
"No need, let's eat like this." Shen Yan remained outwardly calm as he sat beside Meng Qingluan, casually asking, "What's he doing here?"
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