“I mind,” Zong Yanxi interrupted him. However, she quickly apologized for being rude, “I’m sorry, I… I…”
“You don’t have to explain. I understand.” Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, Tawan added, “During this period, I’m willing to be your shield.”
Just as he spoke, he didn’t allow Zong Yanxi the opportunity to refuse him. He turned and returned to his room, leaving her standing outside alone.
Lowering her gaze, she didn’t knock on the door in the end. Instead, she headed back down in the elevator. Waiting outside the hotel, Shen Xinyao and Zhuang Jiawen were alone in the car parked by the roadside. She used the opportunity to suggest, “I think Tawan is a wonderful guy. Even Dad praises him a lot.”
Zhuang Jiawen suddenly turned and squinted his eyes at her. “What do you mean?”
Why is she saying this?
“I think Yanxi is still very young…”
Zhuang Jiawen’s eyes widened while his expression darkened. Realizing that she had angered him, Shen Xinyao quickly shut her mouth. She then averted her gaze by looking out the window.
“Yao.” Zhuang Jiawen’s tone was grim. He calmed himself down before he continued, “Next time, don’t ever say such a thing again.”
Reaching out, he pulled Shen Xinyao into his embrace and hugged her tightly. Stroking her on her shoulder, he pondered for a moment before adding, “I can only guarantee that I won’t hurt you, but I can’t guarantee that other men will be like me. Yanxi has been hurt in the past before. Hence, I prefer her to stay single than be with someone that she doesn’t know well enough. At most, I’ll take care of her when she’s old.”
Shen Xinyao knew he was concerned about Zong Yanxi.
“I shouldn’t have said it just now.”
“No, I know that you mean well, am I right?” He lowered his head.
Shen Xinyao looked up and gazed into his eyes. “Of course, she is your sister and therefore, my sister too. I hope that she will find happiness. Your concerns are therefore not unfounded for. Unless we know someone well, it’s hard to discern if there are any problems with their character. Hence, I do agree with what you said.”
Zhuang Jiawen circled his hand around her neck and pinched her cheeks. “You’re a good girl, Yao.”
“It hurts,” Shen Xinyao grumbled coquettishly as she pushed his hand away. Zhuang Jiawen leaned over and pecked her in the same place where he had just pinched her. He asked softly, “Does it still hurt?”
Shen Xinyao curled up. “We’re outside.”
“Does it matter?”
While both of them were caressing each other, they didn’t notice Zong Yanxi approaching.
As the car windows were heavily tinted, no one could see what was going on inside. Hence, Zong Yanxi didn’t know that they were fooling around. The moment she opened the door, she saw both of them in each other’s arms. She closed the door immediately and turned around. “You guys continue. I didn’t see a thing.”
Shen Xinyao blushed immediately as she was both embarrassed and in panic. She forcefully pushed Zhuang Jiawen away and muttered, “It’s all your fault.”
Zhuang Jiawen laughed. “Don’t worry, Yanxi won’t tease you for it.”
His words embarrassed her further, causing her to frown. “You’re really annoying.”
“And yet you’re willing to marry me still?” Just as he spoke, he shouted towards the outside of the car, “Yanxi, get in. It’s already late and we should be going home.”
Shen Xinyao glared at him as she fumed.
After Zong Yanxi opened the car door and got in, she slapped Zhuang Jiawen’s shoulder. “You’re not allowed to bully Yao.”
Zhuang Jiawen pretended to be angry and turned towards her. He declared, “I’m your brother and share the same blood as you. So how can you treat me like that? You’re simply being cruel.”
Zong Yanxi ignored his use of their familial relationship. “Although you’re my brother, I still support Yao unconditionally. Only she can bully you, but not her.”
Zhuang Jiawen was speechless.
Shen Xinyao burst into laughter as she remarked playfully, “Yanxi, you’re still the best.”
As she spread her arms out, Zong Yanxi had no choice but to give her a warm hug. “You will have to take care of Baby going forward.”
Zhuang Jiawen was speechless.
Although Zong Yanxi’s words reflected her affection for him, the sound of his nickname ‘Baby’ made him cringe.
“Yanxi, I’m already an adult. Can you stop calling me Baby?” Zhuang Jiawen protested.
“But I’m already used to it as I’ve been calling you that since we were children. Besides, I’m not the only one that uses it, everyone else does the same.”
“But everyone no longer uses it. Only you do now.”
“Fine, I’ll try to change.”
“That’s better.”
The atmosphere was relaxed as they bantered. However, when they were about to arrive home, Zong Yanxi began to feel nervous.
Her hands balled into fists subconsciously.
One year had passed where everyone accommodated her and was considerate of her feelings. However, they mostly showed their concern behind the scenes and dared not appear in front of her, lest she felt uncomfortable.
Having paid the price for her stubbornness then, she regretted causing both her parents and those close to her to worry.
Everything was caused by how adamant she was in her decision.
Ever since she was little, she was the apple of her Daddy’s eye. He pampered her and gave her whatever she wanted. As if to satisfy her, he even compromised with her unrelenting decision to get married.
Thinking about it in detail, she realized that her folly was the cause of everything.
Now that she was going to face them, she felt so shameful that she didn’t have the courage to do so.
Silence ensued inside the car as the atmosphere became tense.
Zong Yanxi asked, “Are Mom and Dad there?”
“Yes. They went to see Grandma and Granduncle earlier. Mom doesn’t look too good recently, perhaps she has been worrying too much about Granduncle’s sickness.”
