Chapter 4: Marrying You

After the old man left, Siyao lifted her head and looked at Xing Jue, who had walked over to stand by the window.

His figure was tall and straight, the back of his head impeccably elegant. In both manner and appearance, he was a rare embodiment of refinement and dignity. It was just a pity that such a fine exterior concealed a nature so… wretched at its core.

“What sort of child do you want to raise?” Xing Jue spoke as Siyao's hand rested on the doorknob.

Her grip tightened unconsciously. Siyao answered softly, “Yours will do.”

“What about one between A’Ni and me?”

With a cigarette between his lips, Xing Jue turned around, his gaze cool and indifferent as he looked at Siyao’s back. She looked delicate, but beneath her clothes was a softness that ran from her shoulder blades down to her waist and hips—smooth and pale, as if water would bead at a touch.

When covered in a sheen of sweat and flushed red, she tempted one to bite.

Most tempting of all was her neck.

Her long hair was coiled up, exposing a stretch of skin so fair it seemed to glow, a fine layer of downy hair covering it. When kissed, it quivered ever so slightly, and the moisture that welled up was almost cloyingly sweet.

Xing Jue tossed away his cigarette and walked over, bending down to rest his chin against her neck. His voice, warm and low, brushed her skin: “A’Ni has changed her surname—she’s no longer a Xing. If you can bear a child for me, one that’s mine and hers, would you raise it?”

His breath was warm against her neck, and the skin visibly reddened.

Xing Jue straightened, circling her waist—slender even beneath a sweater—and placed a trail of soft, lingering kisses along her neck. As he moved up to her ear, he let out a quiet laugh: “Yaoyao, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Siyao replied, “Alright.”

He chuckled softly. “Good… that’s good.”

As he spoke, his hand reached out and quietly turned the lock on the study door.

“There are still guests outside,” Siyao reminded.

“What’s that to do with me?” Xing Jue pulled her close, pinning her against the door.

Footsteps sounded outside, stopping at their door.

A knock came at the study. “Jue, you were looking for me.”

It was Xing Ke.

Siyao’s palm clenched instinctively, and her gentle smile nearly faltered. “Xing Ke is looking for you.”

“You should call him A’Ke…” Xing Jue covered her hand, slowly intertwining their fingers against the door, his voice light and threaded with laughter. “After all… it was his bed you climbed into back then, calling for A’Ke. But unfortunately, it was me in the bed. When people bring it up and you don’t answer, is it regret… or do you hate yourself for not turning on the light?”

He’d overheard them after all.

Siyao took something from her pocket and handed it over, her voice soft and pleading in disguise: “Be quieter.”

But Xing Jue was never one to listen. As Siyao, dazed and breathless, felt the sweat-slick grip of their clasped fingers, she could only comfort herself to endure a little longer.

When Siyao finally emerged from the study, her hair was tousled and her steps unsteady. After a few paces she sensed something amiss, so she leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Once her hair was smoothed and her composure returned, she made her way toward the hall, which was nearly empty of guests. Apart from a slight oddness in her gait, there was nothing out of place.

Xing Jue walked out with his hands in his pockets just as Siyao was conversing with the remaining ladies in the hall. She was the very picture of poise, her fingers tucking a strand of hair behind her ear without the slightest tremor.

Xing Jue paused, leaning against the wall, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. His gaze was cold as he watched Siyao, luminous and pale among the crowd.

She truly was… remarkably patient.

No matter how much she’d endured, no trace was visible before others.

“Cousin,” a hand tapped him on the shoulder.

Xing Jue turned, cigarette still between his lips.

“Tell me something in advance.”

“What is it?”

“Ni has changed her surname. She’s marrying for you this time. The guys and I have a bet going—on when you’ll break things off with Yaoyao and marry Ni. I’ve put down several hundred thousand myself. Give me a hint, will you?”