Chen Ruanruan clung to Wu Peihua's wrist as if grasping a lifeline, continuing to wheedle:
"Mom, or maybe, could I go out shopping?"
"I haven't bought new clothes in ages."
The warmth on Wu Peihua's face gradually faded away.
She shook off Ruanruan's hand with considerable force.
Her tone turned cold and hard.
"Chen Ruanruan, one must not be without a conscience."
"If it weren't for you, Haotian wouldn't have ended up like this."
"All I'm asking is for you to stay home and keep him company, and you're not even willing to do that? Has our Chen family raised you for nothing all these years!"
The color drained bit by bit from Chen Ruanruan's face.
Everything had changed.
Why had everything changed since her brother's car accident?
First, her father had forcefully broken off her engagement with the Qin family on her behalf.
Then, her mother insisted she stay home to care for her brother.
And her brother himself...
His gaze was becoming more and more terrifying.
But Chen Ruanruan had always seen him as nothing more than a real brother, unable to feel even a shred of romantic affection.
She wanted to escape, but the Tao family was a den of danger, Qin Xuanye was out of reach, what other option did she have?!
Chen Ruanruan lowered her head in despair.
Suddenly, she thought of something.
Right!
Wei Miao! Perhaps he was her only salvation!
...
Walking out of the notary office, Chen Liuyue received a call from her grandfather, Wu Hongjun.
"Xiao Yue, are you free tonight? When are you bringing that Wei family boy to see me?"
A wry smile touched Chen Liuyue's lips. "Grandpa, you just said tonight yourself."
Wu Hongjun nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, your grandpa's getting old. My words are all jumbled. My greatest wish is to see our Xiao Yue happy."
"That Wei boy has a good head for business, but his character still needs testing."
"He can't be like that Qin family boy, breaking off an engagement on a whim, utterly irresponsible!"
Qin Xuanye, standing beside her, clearly heard the voice leaking from the phone, feeling as if a sharp arrow had pierced his chest.
It's over.
Grandpa doesn't seem to like me.
What should I do!
Chen Liuyue said with a smile, "Alright, I'll call A Miao in a bit. If he's free tonight, we'll come see you and Grandma."
Wu Hongjun laughed heartily, "Good, good, good!"
Just as Chen Liuyue was about to call Wei Miao, Qin Xuanye, lacking any sense of timing, remained rooted to the spot.
"You can go now." Chen Liuyue pointed towards the parking lot not far away.
Qin Xuanye fumbled nervously, "I, I just remembered, did you leave a brooch at my place?"
Chen Liuyue frowned, thinking. "Did I?"
Qin Xuanye nodded emphatically. "Yes, you did. How about going back to my place first, and wait for Wei Miao to pick you up there."
Chen Liuyue saw right through his little scheme.
"No need. I'm afraid he might misunderstand."
Qin Xuanye left, utterly unwilling.
Later, after Chen Liuyue finished her call, she noticed a car following her at a leisurely pace. A closer look confirmed it was Qin Xuanye.
She stopped and waved.
The car quickly pulled over, the window rolling down to reveal Qin Xuanye's awkward expression.
"Hey, what a coincidence."
Chen Liuyue rolled her eyes. "What coincidence? You've been circling this block three times."
Qin Xuanye: "I was just worried you might not get a taxi when you leave, so..."
Chen Liuyue let out a scoff.
"A Xuan, do you know your ears always turn red when you lie?"
Qin Xuanye instinctively touched his earlobe. It was indeed burning hot.
He hung his head like a child caught misbehaving.
"I'm sorry, Liuyue."
"I just didn't want to leave. I'm afraid if I leave, I don't know when I'll get to see you again next time."
Chen Liuyue stared at him, then suddenly smiled.
"Qin Xuanye, I have a boyfriend now. Even if you stick by my side, it's useless."
"I'll be engaged to Wei Miao soon, and then married."
"Do you understand?"
Qin Xuanye nodded. "I understand."
Chen Liuyue waved her hand, signaling him to drive away.
"Then go. Stop pestering me."
Qin Xuanye shook his head decisively.
"No!"
"Liuyue, even if you get engaged, even if you get married, I still have a chance."
Chen Liuyue: "What chance?"
Qin Xuanye looked somewhat embarrassed, even he felt saying this lacked morality.
"The chance to join you."
"Um, I'm not trying to break you up. I just want to be there for you quietly when Wei Miao is too busy with work to take care of you."
Chen Liuyue's clear, almond-shaped eyes simply gazed at him quietly.
Qin Xuanye felt nothing but guilt.
Then he resolutely unlocked his phone and showed her the wallpaper.
"Look, we look good together in this photo."
It was the photo secretly taken when Chen Liuyue had first forcefully kissed him.
She had even threatened to send it to Chen Ruanruan.
But this photo had only ever been sent to Qin Xuanye's WeChat.
No one knew how many nights Qin Xuanye had spent staring blankly at this photo, lost in thought.
Looking at it, he couldn't help but smile.
But smiling, he would then lift his hand and slap himself.
Cursing inwardly: "Are you being pathetic again?! Hasn't Liuyue trampled on you enough?"
Yet if time could rewind.
He truly wished that on the day he received the photo, he had taken the initiative to say: "Liuyue, I'm willing to let you step on my heart. You can step on it as many times as you want."
Chen Liuyue curled her lips in a mischievous smirk.
"That was just me teasing you."
"It wasn't because I liked you."
Qin Xuanye nodded heavily, his eyes downcast, whispering:
"I know. I know all of it."
"It's okay if you don't like me."
"Treating me like your dog is fine too."
"I'm willing, Liuyue, just give me a chance to stay by your side, please."
"I don't want anything..."
As they were talking,
a low-key black Rolls-Royce Cullinan slowly approached them from not far away.
Wei Miao had arrived.
But he showed great tact by not rolling down the window or opening the door.
As if waiting for their conversation to conclude.
Then Chen Liuyue saw Qin Xuanye do something unbelievable.
He actually jogged up to Wei Miao's car and knocked on the window.
The window slowly descended,
revealing Wei Miao's thoroughly displeased expression.
"What do you want?" He raised an eyebrow.
This green tea Qin Xuanye, getting deliberately drunk yesterday and so cunningly calling Yueyue away.
He had let that slide.
And now, he dares to show off right in front of me? This is really too much!
Wei Miao was gritting his teeth, glaring fiercely at the man before him.
And then...
Qin Xuanye smoothly called out: "Brother Wei, from now on, you're my own brother."
Wei Miao: "...!!! Get to the point!"
He felt goosebumps all over.
Qin Xuanye: "I want to be Liuyue's male mistress!"
