Xiao Yufan couldn’t quite figure out what Old Yu was scheming, but he clearly saw that this situation posed no loss to him—in fact, it brought him closer to Yu Yihan.
Qin Menglu and Tianxuan watched silently like outsiders, observing the drama unfolding between the three. When Xiao Yufan spoke those words, both women remained surprisingly calm.
Over the past year, Tianxuan believed she had come to understand Xiao Yufan quite well, but that understanding was only superficial. This man’s inner thoughts always remained elusive and unfathomable.
Faced with Xiao Yufan’s ambiguous confession, Yu Yihan’s eyes glistened with tears, yet her stubbornness remained fierce. Despite the heartache hidden behind her pride, she stubbornly held back her tears.
Even if Yu Yihan tried to appear strong, she was still a woman. She could pretend to be unbothered and unweary, but when her heart bled silently, who could truly see her pain?
Yu Yihan had never imagined she’d end up in such an awkward situation in front of so many people. Though she usually remained composed even before a thousand employees, this time, a faint blush refused to leave her face.
In truth, Yu Yihan had grown accustomed to Xiao Yufan’s teasing and flirtatious manner, yet hearing those endearing words still caught her off guard. Despite having not seen him for a year, his gentle and soothing presence still warmed her heart.
“I don’t want it. Even if I’m alone, I can live even better…”
Her lips curled into a proud arc, her voice trembling slightly. She had walked this far alone for so many years—she didn’t need to rely on anyone else, especially not when there were other women around Xiao Yufan.
“Then do you truly despise me so much? Or is your heart always so cold, so frozen that you’ve locked away your emotions completely?”
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. Xiao Yufan’s usual charm seemed to have no effect on Yu Yihan. He couldn’t figure out her true feelings for him, but he still trusted his instincts.
“I don’t want to hear it! You already have Menglu by your side, so why do you keep drawing in so many girls? Not everyone’s emotions are as broad and casual as yours. Not everyone is as fickle as you are…”
Her voice was filled with hysteria as Yu Yihan grew visibly emotional. Avoiding Xiao Yufan’s intense gaze, her entire body felt drained, fragile and pitiable.
“I’m sorry. I love you…” Xiao Yufan’s lips still curled into a charming smile. Almost unconsciously, he gazed at the delicate beauty before him and whispered gently.
The atmosphere swirled with emotion. Yu Yihan couldn’t believe her ears and lifted her head, locking eyes with his deep gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and the tears she had tried to control finally streamed down her cheeks.
“I know you must think I’m fickle and heartless, but whether it’s Menglu or you, my feelings are the same. I can’t give you all my love, but I will always stand by your side!”
Slowly moving closer to Yu Yihan, Xiao Yufan noticed her resistance fading. Eventually, the two were close enough to feel each other’s breath, their emotions intertwining like ripples in water.
His confession wasn’t overly sentimental, yet Xiao Yufan’s heart was tightly bound to this girl. Even if he couldn’t give Yu Yihan the kind of love she desired, he was willing to stay by her side forever.
“Why did you have to enter my world? I was fine all by myself…”
Taking advantage of Yu Yihan’s momentary distraction, Xiao Yufan pulled her delicate, soft body into his arms. She lightly pounded his shoulders with her small hands, unable to resist completely.
Her sobbing softened into quiet weeping, and Xiao Yufan suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Looking down, he saw Yu Yihan had bitten him hard, blood seeping through the pink lips that now looked even more enticing.
“Is this your way of marking your territory? I remember reading that in South America, female lions often bite male lions to claim ownership. Are you just like one of them?”
“You’re the lioness! Didn’t someone just promise to take good care of me? Why did you go back on your word so quickly? Men are truly unreliable!”
Yu Yihan gently brushed aside her loose strands of hair, her gaze shifting restlessly. As she stepped out of Xiao Yufan’s embrace, a warm flush rose across her face, giving her a uniquely enchanting allure.
She finally chose to let go of her stubbornness. Yu Yihan knew that clinging to it would only hurt herself and those she cared about. She didn’t want to torment Xiao Yufan, because to her, that would be tormenting herself as well.
This sudden change left Xiao Yufan momentarily hesitant, but he quickly recovered, his face lighting up with joy. When happiness struck so suddenly, he almost felt breathless.
As things settled, Old Yu’s eyes filled with satisfaction. Qin Menglu genuinely felt happy for Yu Yihan, though she still felt a tinge of discomfort inside. Yet she chose silence, for she was a wise woman…
The ice had melted. Xiao Yufan hadn’t expected Yu Yihan, who had always been so stubborn, to change so drastically. Had she truly changed her nature, or had she foreseen this outcome all along?
Soon enough, Xiao Yufan found his answer. The girl had spoken so much at the beginning because she had already planned her way out. A warm feeling stirred in his heart—no matter what Yu Yihan did, she still deeply cared for him.
Everyone else had become completely numb, only able to envy Xiao Yufan in silence. Not only did he enjoy the happiness of having multiple lovers, but each woman by his side was so exquisite.
“So, can I now be the knight for both of you princesses? Although I can’t give you my whole heart, I will pour all my love into protecting the women by my side!”
His gaze lingering briefly on Qin Menglu and Yu Yihan, Xiao Yufan bowed slightly once more, a faint smile curling his lips. Then he extended both hands, placing them before the two women…
Their eyes met. As Qin Menglu and Yu Yihan gazed at that weathered face, a pang of tenderness stirred in their hearts. How could they not sense Xiao Yufan’s transformation? This once-flippant man had slowly come to understand the meaning of responsibility.
No one knew how long the silence lasted, but eventually, Yu Yihan cast an apologetic glance at Qin Menglu. Then, both pairs of delicate hands gently rested in Xiao Yufan’s palms…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage