Xie Chengxiao had already made it clear that it was time for his guest to leave.
Gu Qinghuai acutely sensed the reason behind his unwelcoming attitude.
The Second Miss of the Bai family.
Bai Liuyue.
As he descended the stairs, he couldn't help but cast a reluctant glance at the beautiful silhouette in the distance before hurrying away.
"Brother-in-law, didn't you already leave just now?"
Xie Chengxiao felt his cuff being gently tugged.
He turned around to see Bai Liuyue looking up at him, her clear eyes staring at him in curiosity.
His face was cold and stern. With a slight frown, he pointed to the epaulet on his coat.
Appearing entirely distant and formal, he said,
"I just remembered that I haven't thanked you yet."
So that was it.
Yeah, right.
Bai Liuyue didn't let her thoughts show on her face. With a slight upward curve of her lips, she nodded and said,
"Oh, we are family, there is no need to be so polite."
Xie Chengxiao paused. "Family?"
Bai Liuyue raised her porcelain-white little face, nodded again, and said,
"Yes, you are my brother-in-law now. Grandpa said that I came to the Northwest just to..."
Suddenly, she cut herself off.
The young girl dropped her gaze to the tips of her shoes, looking somewhat shy and flustered.
She didn't finish her sentence.
But Xie Chengxiao understood.
She came to the Northwest just to marry him.
The displeasure he had felt moments ago upon seeing her standing there, looking so lovely while chatting with Gu Qinghuai, was instantly smoothed away. A warm and gentle stream flowed through his parched heart.
Just like her soft and gentle nature.
In a deep voice, Xie Chengxiao suddenly asked,
"Why were you discussing medical books with Gu Qinghuai, yet when I asked you earlier, you wouldn't say a word?"
Bai Liuyue blinked her big eyes in puzzlement.
She was thoroughly confused.
"Doctor Gu is a doctor. There might be some gaps in the medical knowledge I've learned on my own, making him the best teacher."
"I thought I could take the opportunity to ask for advice."
"But brother-in-law, you don't understand medical books and pharmacology."
As she spoke, she wrinkled her nose, as if wondering why he would ask such a strange question.
Right.
How strange.
How well the young miss of the Bai family had learned medicine, and why she wouldn't discuss it with him—was that really important?
It seemed she really had no reason to tell him.
But Xie Chengxiao had stood there for quite a while earlier, listening to them chatting so happily.
Furthermore, Bai Liuyue always seemed reserved around him, yet in front of Gu Qinghuai, she could completely let her guard down, even smiling as she shared her thoughts.
That made him a bit displeased.
They were the ones who were supposed to have a closer relationship, after all.
At this realization,
Xie Chengxiao suddenly froze.
So, not only did he not dislike his future little wife, but deep down, he was actually looking forward to it?
"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, why aren't you saying anything?"
Seeing him in a daze, Bai Liuyue raised her hand and waved it in front of him.
Without a second thought, Xie Chengxiao swiftly reached out and grabbed her fair wrist. Was this how she had stretched out her open hand to ask Gu Qinghuai for the prescription earlier?
"Ah, brother-in-law, you're hurting me."
Bai Liuyue twisted her wrist, only to find it gripped even tighter. She glared at him in displeasure.
Like an angry kitten with all the fur on its back standing on end, her eyes were filled with defiance and stubbornness.
The skin of the wrist held in his palm felt warm and soft.
She looked very slender, but her wrist felt surprisingly soft and slightly plump to the touch, Xie Chengxiao thought absentmindedly.
"Brother-in-law!" Bai Liuyue emphasized her tone.
Seeing that he wouldn't let her go, the little kitten became anxious.
In a moment of desperation, she actually grew bold, raised her foot, and viciously stomped her indigo embroidered shoe onto the man's black military boot.
Bai Liuyue used all her strength.
But when it landed on Xie Chengxiao's foot, it was like a kitten scratching an itch, completely insignificant.
"I'm going to be mad..." Before she could even finish her sentence,
Xie Chengxiao tightened his grip on her wrist slightly and pulled her toward him.
Bai Liuyue lost her balance and pitched straight into his chest.
A faint whimper and gasp escaped her throat.
Enveloped instantly by the scorching scent of his masculine pheromones, she completely buried herself in his embrace like a frightened quail, not daring to move a muscle.
She also didn't dare to continue chirping "brother-in-law" at him anymore.
Feeling that his ears were finally much quieter, Xie Chengxiao curled his lips, revealing a very faint smile.
A trace of amusement flashed through his pitch-black eyes.
"You are not allowed to speak to Gu Qinghuai. Do you understand?" His voice was deep and husky, carrying a hint of warning.
"Mmph..."
Bai Liuyue kept her head buried against his chest.
But her feet restlessly stomped on his black military boots two more times.
She used her actions to express her protest.
Xie Chengxiao chuckled lightly and said, "You can keep stomping, but you still cannot speak to Gu Qinghuai."
Bai Liuyue struggled to break free from his embrace, only to be pressed back by a powerful, large hand.
She was utterly shocked.
T-this... this was practically coercive romance!
Oh, my Young Marshal.
She whimpered, "I... I can't... breathe... mmph..."
Xie Chengxiao slightly loosened his grip.
Seizing the opportunity, Bai Liuyue gave him two genuinely vicious stomps before slipping out of his embrace as swiftly as a nimble kitten.
Her originally pinned-up hair had become slightly disheveled from being pressed against him. Loose strands framed her head messily, adding a touch of bewildered cuteness to her appearance.
Her almond-shaped eyes glared at him angrily.
Her porcelain-white cheeks were flushed bright red, though it was unclear whether it was from the heat of his embrace or from sheer anger.
Her eyes darted around, silently accusing the man before her of his wicked behavior.
However, the corners of Xie Chengxiao's lips curled up in amusement.
This bad man even had the nerve to repeat himself.
"Did you understand what I just said?"
Bai Liuyue was no pushover, either.
With her cheeks puffed out in anger, she let out a soft hmph and bared her little kitten claws.
"I didn't!"
"I can't hear you!"
"Brother-in-law, you're really so annoying!"
After saying that, she quickly retreated back to her room and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Refusing to communicate with him.
Staring at the tightly shut door, Xie Chengxiao wasn't angry in the slightest. In fact, the curve of his lips widened even further.
The young miss of the Bai family wasn't quite as soft and docile as she appeared on the surface; in reality, she had quite a bit of temper and personality.
But somehow, that made her even cuter.
Xie Chengxiao pivoted on his heel, preparing to head back to his room on the second floor.
From the room behind him came Bai Baozhu's cry for help.
"Chengxiao, it hurts! I just fell out of bed. Can you come in and help me up?"
The smile on Xie Chengxiao's face vanished instantly. His expression turned cold and stern, and his tone was icy as he refused without hesitation,
"I'll go down and call Nanny Wu."
"Nanny Wu is in the kitchen brewing medicine for me. There's no need to trouble her."
"Then I'll call Manyu."
"Manyu should be asleep by now. Chengxiao, for the sake of the affection we still share as husband and wife, can you please help me into bed?"
From inside the room came Bai Baozhu's sorrowful and pitiful plea.
Step, step, step—
It was the sound of military boots striding across the floorboards.
Finally, the footsteps stopped at the bedroom door.
