The Aloof CEO Flirts Openly and Schemes in Secret

Chapter 52: “Little Darling, Tonight…” [Extra Update Included]

“Has Xiaoyuan met her yet?”

Fu Anyun’s tone sounded casual, but it instantly made Fu Chaoying’s nerves go taut; a strange sense of danger rose in her chest.

Fu Chaoying instinctively looked toward Ye Jiayuan, only to see that her expression was calm, her gaze deep and unreadable. Yet when their eyes met, she gave the slightest, almost imperceptible nod.

“I have,” Ye Jiayuan said. Her voice was low and steady, no different from usual.

Fu Anyun still had her doubts. She looked at her for a long moment, as if trying to spot even the smallest flaw in her expression.

But Ye Jiayuan was too composed, too open. Those deep eyes didn’t waver at all, which only made Fu Anyun feel that she might be overthinking it.

A complicated look flickered in Fu Anyun’s eyes. After a two-second pause, she said, “Then Xiaoyuan will have to help us keep an eye on our Xiaoying.”

Fu Chaoying fell silent when she heard that. Auntie said it as if Ye Jiayuan were her real older sister.

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze remained frank as she replied evenly, “Of course.”

Dong Muyu finished her phone call, and Fu Chaohua spoke up at just the right moment. “Mom, something urgent came up at Xiaoyu’s company. I’ll see her out.”

Fu Anyun nodded slightly, and the group walked together to Dong Muyu’s car to see her off.

Before leaving, Fu Chaohua shot Fu Chaoying a look; it was complicated and subtle, containing both sympathy for her and hope that she and Ye Jiayuan would say a few good things to help Dong Muyu.

Fu Chaoying smiled back helplessly and silently mouthed, “Don’t worry.”

Whenever Ye Jiayuan was around, Fu Chaoying felt instinctively at ease. It was as if there was nothing in this world Ye Jiayuan couldn’t handle.

Fu Chaoying let out a nearly imperceptible sigh and told herself she had to break this habit of relying on her too much.

After seeing Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu off, Fu Anyun immediately asked the remaining three what they thought of Dong Muyu.

Naturally, Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan couldn’t say anything bad about her; they only praised Dong Muyu’s strengths objectively.

But in Fu Anyun’s eyes, their words still sounded somewhat unconvincing.

Fu Anyun valued Chu Yiyun’s opinion even more, and the latter also sang Dong Muyu’s praises without reservation.

Seeing that everyone was full of praise for Dong Muyu, Fu Anyun glanced at Ye Jiayuan unobtrusively and let out a soft sigh.

Chu Yiyun teased her with a smile. “Weren’t you always the one most worried about Xiaohua’s personal life? Now that beauty suits beauty and everyone’s happy, what are you sighing for?”

Auntie’s look toward Ye Jiayuan had been far too obvious. Fu Chaoying had noticed it, and Chu Yiyun probably had too.

Besides, Chu Yiyun and Fu Anyun had been close friends for many years; there was no way she couldn’t guess that Fu Anyun had once wanted to match Fu Chaohua with Ye Jiayuan.

At this point, she naturally also guessed that Fu Anyun wasn’t dissatisfied with Dong Muyu at all. It was just that, compared with the near-perfect Ye Jiayuan, she couldn’t help feeling a little regretful.

The group understood each other without saying it aloud. Fu Chaoying pretended not to hear that sigh and only softly agreed with Aunt Chu.

She didn’t dare voice her own opinion lightly, afraid she might accidentally bring trouble on herself.

After all, Fu Anyun might now be suspecting that there was something between her and Ye Jiayuan.

Fu Anyun also realized she had gone a little too far and quickly added a couple of lines to smooth things over. “Little Dong is still pretty ambitious, you know. She’s so young, and she’s already doing very well for herself.”

Chu Yiyun smiled. “A bright future ahead of her, and she and Xiaohua do look made for each other.”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved as she wanted to say she was shipping it, but she didn’t dare.

While they were talking, a phone ringtone suddenly rang out.

It was Ye Jiayuan’s phone, and everyone turned to look.

Less than half a minute later, Ye Jiayuan returned after taking the call and apologized to the two elders. “There’s an urgent meeting I have to attend. I need to leave right away.”

Then she looked naturally at Fu Chaoying. “I’ll take you to the subway station?”

Fu Chaoying nodded hurriedly, then smiled at the two elders. “Then I’ll just hitch a ride with Sister Jiayuan.”

Only then did Chu Yiyun notice that there was no car in the garage for Fu Chaoying; had she come here in her daughter’s car too? And had her daughter driven it herself?

Chu Yiyun’s eyes also flickered with a hint of doubt, but she didn’t ask further. She simply smiled and reminded them, “Drive carefully on the way.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly.

Fu Chaoying also waved at them and obediently said, “Bye-bye.”

Once they had driven away from the old residence, Fu Chaoying spoke at once. “My aunt might have noticed something’s off.”

Ye Jiayuan remained calm. “It’s fine even if she has.”

Fu Chaoying turned to look at her sharp profile, then quietly looked away again.

She opened her phone and started replying to Fu Chaohua’s WeChat messages, only to see a voice call pop up at the top of the screen.

Fu Chaoying tapped to answer and brought the phone to her ear. “Sis, what is it?”

“We’re waiting for you at the neighborhood gate. Want to come over for a little get-together later?”

Fu Chaoying turned to look at Ye Jiayuan and said softly, “Sister Jiayuan has an urgent meeting later.”

At those words, Ye Jiayuan suddenly said, “Go ahead and gather without me. Don’t mind me.”

Fu Chaoying looked at her in surprise, only to find the corners of her lips slightly lifted, as if there were a trace of a smile hidden there.

Only then did she realize that Ye Jiayuan’s mention of a meeting earlier had just been a temporary excuse to get her out of the old residence.

Fu Chaoying came back to herself. “Then let’s meet at the neighborhood gate later. We’ll go buy some snacks.”

The snack supply at home was running low, and most importantly, there was no alcohol.

After hanging up, Fu Chaoying remembered an important question. “Did your mother ask where you’re living?”

“No.” Ye Jiayuan’s expression was still cool and light, as if it wasn’t anything important.

A pang of inexplicable tenderness rose in Fu Chaoying’s heart. She turned to look at her and said softly, “She probably thinks you’re staying at Nanyan Club.”

Ye Jiayuan had a private room there.

The corners of Ye Jiayuan’s lips curved faintly. “Little darling doesn’t need to comfort me. I’m not upset.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together and said nothing.

She couldn’t refute Ye Jiayuan, and she couldn’t stop herself from feeling sorry for her.

Maybe because Ye Jiayuan had always been so sensible since childhood, her mother subconsciously believed she didn’t need much concern. But how could anyone not need care?

Fu Chaoying raised a hand and gently patted her shoulder, only to accidentally fall into those gentle eyes.

The dusk was deep, the mountain wind was soft, and the cicadas by her ear vanished all at once. Fu Chaoying forgot to breathe.

In less than two seconds, Ye Jiayuan withdrew her gaze and focused on driving, as if everything just now had only been her imagination.

Fu Chaoying awkwardly lowered her hand.

The car drove up onto the elevated road, traffic streaming thick and fast.

The two of them met up with Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu at the convenience store by the neighborhood gate.

Fu Chaohua teased with a light laugh, “Sister Jiayuan isn’t having a meeting anymore?”

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze was as still as water. She only gave a slight nod and said nothing.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help the curve that rose at her lips, then deliberately turned to ask Dong Muyu, “What about you, Senior Dong? Didn’t you have urgent company matters to deal with?”

The four of them laughed almost in unison.

Dong Muyu was still more concerned about Fu Anyun’s opinion of her, and Fu Chaoying relayed the original remarks word for word.

Dong Muyu was delighted beyond belief; when she learned that Ye Jiayuan had also praised her for being reliable and capable, the grin on her face nearly stretched to the back of her head.

A little embarrassed, Dong Muyu looked at Ye Jiayuan. “President Ye, can you praise me to my face next time?”

Ye Jiayuan glanced at her and said casually, “Depends on your performance.”

After saying that, she shifted her gaze to Fu Chaoying’s face.

Fu Chaoying was caught off guard by the eye contact, her smile deepening as she continued to relay the message.

Fu Chaohua was all smiles. “I knew Mom wouldn’t dislike you.”

Dong Muyu had the kind of personality that loved to entertain; she was exactly the type elders adored.

The group carried their snacks and drinks back to the car.

After parking in the courtyard, Fu Chaoying introduced Dong Muyu to Aunt Wu. “She’s my sister’s girlfriend.”

Aunt Wu was overjoyed. “Oh my, this girl is so cute.”

Fu Chaoying blinked, then burst out laughing as she looked at Dong Muyu.

Dong Muyu also touched the bridge of her nose and smiled. “Auntie, you have great presence too.”

After the mutual flattery session, Fu Chaoying led them into the living room and fetched cushions for them to sit on the carpet.

Fu Chaoying and her cousin handled the drinks, while Ye Jiayuan and Dong Muyu naturally began discussing industry trends.

Fu Chaohua lowered her voice. “Did Mom notice something? The things she said to Sister Jiayuan today were so strange.”

Fu Chaoying felt the same way. She let out a nearly inaudible sigh. “If she found out about us, do you think she’d eat me alive?”

Fu Chaohua sighed helplessly too. “I was worried about that at first too. After all, the breakup between you and that person wasn’t exactly peaceful…”

Fu Chaoying’s heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously glanced at Ye Jiayuan.

Ye Jiayuan was listening quietly to Dong Muyu speak; then she turned her eyes over, a hint of confusion in them.

Fu Chaoying gave her a small smile, then said to her cousin, “The boat will straighten when it reaches the bridge.”

“That’s true. No need to stress over things that haven’t happened yet.”

After the two of them mixed the drinks, Fu Chaoying handed Ye Jiayuan a pink ocean cocktail, only to hear her phone ring again.

Ye Jiayuan got up to take the call and soon returned, saying to Fu Chaoying, “I have a meeting to attend. Can I borrow your computer?”

“Okay, it’s in the study.” Fu Chaoying stood up and led her over.

The moment they entered the study, memories flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind, and her cheeks heated up uncontrollably.

She forced herself to stay calm as she took Ye Jiayuan to the computer. “You can open it yourself, Sister Jiayuan.”

She was just about to turn and leave when her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Fu Chaoying’s heart trembled, and then she heard her ask, “Is there a password?”

Fu Chaoying suddenly remembered something, and her face grew even warmer. “Yes. I’ll type it in for you.”

Ye Jiayuan looked at her slightly flushed cheeks, and a trace of amusement slipped into her features. “Is the password related to me?”

“Of course not.” Fu Chaoying quickly entered the password, but typed it wrong twice in a row.

“I didn’t look. Take your time,” Ye Jiayuan said in a low, teasing voice.

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together and slowly entered the password containing the initials of their names; at last, it unlocked.

“There. Sister Jiayuan, go ahead and work.”

Just as she finished speaking and was about to leave, Ye Jiayuan suddenly wrapped her arms around her from behind.

Her warm breath brushed Fu Chaoying’s ear, and the strong, warm hand at her waist made her body shiver slightly.

“W-Weren’t you going to have a meeting?” Fu Chaoying stammered.

Ye Jiayuan laughed softly by her ear, then let her go. “Sorry; I couldn’t help it.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together and hurried out from beside her in three quick steps.

The moment she closed the door, Fu Chaoying steadied her racing heart outside the study.

But she couldn’t help thinking of everything that had happened in the study before, and of that day when they had moved to her bedroom, clothes scattered all over the floor.

Fu Chaoying went to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. Only after her breathing had settled did she go downstairs, where she ran right into Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu kissing in the living room.

The scene was so blush-inducing that Fu Chaoying froze instantly. She was just about to turn around when the two of them separated, their eyes still glued to each other.

Fu Chaoying calmly averted her gaze, coughed twice, and slowly came downstairs. “Sis, are you two sleepy? Do you want to rest here, or…”

Fu Chaohua shook her head. “Not sleepy. Come here quickly.”

“Come play Landlord,” Dong Muyu said with a smile.

Fu Chaoying looked at them skeptically, privately marveling at how much restraint they had.

Even though she was still a little embarrassed, she drank half a glass, played a couple of rounds of Landlord, and then asked again, “You’re really not sleepy?”

Fu Chaohua looked at her in surprise. “Do you want to go upstairs and keep Sister Jiayuan company? But she’s working, you know.”

Fu Chaoying suddenly remembered the afternoon she had accompanied Ye Jiayuan to a meeting in Hong Kong, and her cheeks warmed slightly. She said softly, “No, let’s keep playing Landlord.”

Fu Chaohua laughed. “Our Xiaoying is that clingy?”

Fu Chaoying shook her head, thinking: that time, it was clearly Ye Jiayuan who was the clingy one.

Dong Muyu, however, felt a little guilty and guessed that Fu Chaoying might have seen her kissing Fu Chaohua…

“Um, maybe we should head back first?”

Fu Chaohua shook her head. “You’re already sleepy this early?”

Dong Muyu was helpless, only inwardly marveling at her terrifying lack of awareness.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but smile as well. “Should I call Aunt Wu over to play Chinese poker with us?”

With that, she turned and called out, “Aunt Wu, want to come play Chinese poker?”

Soon, Aunt Wu came out of the leisure room. “Need one more?”

Aunt Wu had a cheerful personality; before long, she had dispelled the awkward atmosphere from earlier.

Fu Chaoying instantly relaxed, and even her luck improved.

After not many rounds, Ye Jiayuan finally finished her meeting and came downstairs.

Aunt Wu got up and went back to her room to rest, and Ye Jiayuan naturally took her seat.

“Sister Jiayuan, just now our Xiaoying was still talking about you,” Fu Chaohua said with a laugh.

Fu Chaoying: ?

A trace of amusement crossed Ye Jiayuan’s eyes as she sat down opposite Fu Chaoying. “Is that so.”

Fu Chaoying felt her face heat up and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Did I? I don’t remember.”

Dong Muyu smiled without speaking, dealing the cards slowly.

After a few more rounds, Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu were completely crushed and finally lost interest. “We’re going home.”

Fu Chaoying remembered that they had both drunk alcohol. “Wait, I’ll get you a driver.”

After sending the two of them off, Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan turned back into the living room before Fu Chaoying spoke softly, “When I came downstairs, I saw them kissing. It was so awkward…”

Just then she heard Ye Jiayuan’s low laugh. “So you were talking about me because you wanted to…”

Imagining the rest of her unfinished sentence, Fu Chaoying’s ears went hot. “No way… I was indirectly asking them whether they were sleepy and wanted to go back to sleep.”

Ye Jiayuan let out another helpless laugh. “All of you from the Fu family are very good at enduring.”

Fu Chaoying turned to look at her and snorted lightly. “Obviously Sister Jiayuan is the one with the strongest self-control.”

“You held back so many times before.”

Before she finished speaking, Fu Chaoying was pulled into her arms. The faint scent of magnolia filled her nose, and her breathing caught.

Then that cool voice sounded by her ear. “Things are different now.”

A ticklish sensation spread across her waist, and Fu Chaoying lightly poked her shoulder. “What exactly is Sister Jiayuan doing right now?”

Ye Jiayuan slowly leaned closer to the tip of her nose.

Their breaths mingled in an instant. Fu Chaoying’s throat bobbed, and just as they were about to touch, Ye Jiayuan suddenly let her go.

“Sorry. I couldn’t help it again.”

Fu Chaoying grumbled inwardly; she was the one with the strongest self-control!!

She muttered a quiet “Good night” and hurried upstairs, only to be lightly stopped at the corner by her wrist. “I’m going back to Hong Kong tomorrow.”

Fu Chaoying stopped short, feeling a sudden hollow ache in her heart. She kept her expression steady and gave her a small smile. “Then have a safe trip, Sister Jiayuan.”

Ye Jiayuan looked at her face with composed eyes, then said softly, “That’s very polite.”

“Then what would count as familiar and affectionate?” Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together, raised a hand to hook her arm around Ye Jiayuan’s neck, and gently rubbed the back of her neck while gazing into her eyes.

She slowly leaned toward those thin lips, and just before they touched, she breathed out like orchids in bloom: “Like this…?”

Fu Chaoying’s lips curved slightly. She was just about to imitate Ye Jiayuan and pull away abruptly when she was kissed softly instead.

“Like this,” Ye Jiayuan said in a low voice. She only touched Fu Chaoying’s lips lightly before stopping, then added, “Sorry…”

Fu Chaoying inhaled sharply and cut her off. “Sister Jiayuan, stop apologizing… every time you apologize, you do it again next time.”

And the interval between the times was still so short; it was practically routine.

Fu Chaoying snorted softly and turned to go upstairs, only to hear her laugh behind her.

Fu Chaoying was annoyed with herself and pouted the moment she closed the door.

Ye Jiayuan really had her completely figured out!!

After going into the bathroom to shower, Fu Chaoying’s mind kept replaying everything that had happened today, and she began to feel annoyed all over again. Was Fu Chaoying turning into a hopeless romantic?

Why was her head full of Ye Jiayuan?

Fu Chaoying went a little wild for a moment, but the corners of her mouth still couldn’t help lifting. Soon after, thinking of Ye Jiayuan leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow, she couldn’t suppress the feeling of reluctance.

After her shower, she came out ready to blow-dry her hair, only to hear a knock at the door, followed by a familiar cool voice—

“Do you want me to blow-dry your hair?”

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave a little jolt. “No need, I can do it myself.”

“I’ll do it.” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was low and firm.

It wasn’t a question; it carried a clear sense of dominance and natural confidence.

Fu Chaoying said nothing, and then heard her add, “I want to spend a little more time with you.”

In the end, Fu Chaoying softened. She opened the door, only to fall into that gentle gaze.

Fu Chaoying blinked. Just as she was about to say something, Ye Jiayuan suddenly placed a hand on her hair.

Ye Jiayuan gently patted her head. “Be good.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart went soft and mushy all at once. Forcing herself to look away, she lightly tugged on her sleeve and led her inside.

Ye Jiayuan casually closed the bedroom door and followed her to sit by the window on the sofa.

Fu Chaoying handed her the hair dryer, then turned around so her back was to her, making it easier for her to dry her hair.

As she turned, Fu Chaoying couldn’t help thinking of the many times before when Ye Jiayuan had dried her hair while holding her in her lap.

But now, there was a somewhat hard-to-describe tension between them.

The moment the hair dryer started, Ye Jiayuan’s fingers slid into her long hair, gently massaging her scalp. A wave of indescribable itchiness spread through her.

Outside the window, the moon was full and the night scenery was beautiful, but Fu Chaoying had no mind to appreciate it.

Fleeting, indistinct touches moved through her hair and across her head; Fu Chaoying couldn’t help feeling her throat tighten and her heartbeat suddenly quicken.

She vaguely heard a laugh from behind her, then Ye Jiayuan’s cool voice: “Don’t be nervous.”

Guessing that she had noticed how tense Fu Chaoying’s body was, Fu Chaoying quickly adjusted her breathing and relaxed, then muttered, “I’m just a little sleepy.”

She heard Ye Jiayuan laugh again. Fu Chaoying felt her face warming up, but she didn’t argue further.

Because of this little interlude, Fu Chaoying really did relax a little, but then she couldn’t help thinking of her leaving tomorrow.

“Sister Jiayuan, what time are you leaving tomorrow?”

Ye Jiayuan said in a low voice, “I’ll send you to work first, then go to the airport.”

“Oh.” Fu Chaoying answered softly, then asked, “Did something happen on the Hong Kong side?”

A hint of amusement flickered in Ye Jiayuan’s eyes. She replied lightly, “There’s an important meeting there I need to attend.”

Then she added some background about the meeting, along with a few professional terms.

Fu Chaoying didn’t understand all of it, but she still felt happy listening to her talk about work.

At some point, the hair dryer had been turned off. Before Fu Chaoying even came back to her senses, she felt warm breath brushing her ear.

Ye Jiayuan breathed against her ear like orchids in bloom. “Little darling… tonight…”

“Tonight what?” Fu Chaoying pretended not to understand and turned her head to look at her, only to have their breaths mingle unexpectedly; her heartbeat sped up uncontrollably.

As their eyes met, she saw the light in Ye Jiayuan’s gaze darken.

They were both too familiar with each other’s reactions. Fu Chaoying couldn’t help swallowing; she forced herself to turn her head back, only to be suddenly pulled into an embrace from behind.

Softness pressed against her back, and Fu Chaoying’s heart pounded like a drum. The hand at her waist was gentle yet strong, seeming to carry no lewd intent at all; it simply rested there lightly.

“Tonight… there may be a heavy rainstorm,” Ye Jiayuan whispered softly in her ear.

Fu Chaoying looked up at the clear night sky outside the window, and her heart trembled.

Even knowing she was talking nonsense with her eyes open, Fu Chaoying still couldn’t bring herself to expose her; she only gave a soft “Mm.”

Then she heard her ask, “Are you scared?”

Fu Chaoying didn’t get a chance to answer. In her mind, however, that thunderstorm night when Ye Jiayuan had sat outside her bedroom door for an entire night suddenly surfaced.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t bring herself to say she wasn’t afraid, but then she heard Ye Jiayuan murmur softly, “I’m scared. Can you sleep with me?”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but nod slightly, and then she heard a laugh behind her.

“Sister Jiayuan really is different from before,” she murmured softly.

“Mm?” Ye Jiayuan’s ending tone held a hint of curiosity.

Fu Chaoying raised a hand to her hand, slowly eased it away, then sat facing her and stared into her eyes. “You used to always have a blank face, nothing like now…”

Ye Jiayuan remained composed. “You didn’t like how cold I was before, so I’m trying to be a little warmer.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave a small tremor. She lightly poked her shoulder. “Go take a shower.”

Ye Jiayuan stood up calmly. “Wait for me.”

Fu Chaoying gave a soft “Mm” and watched her leave.

Half-reclining on the sofa while reading a novel, Fu Chaoying found it hard to focus; the sensations on her waist and back still seemed to linger.

She shook her head and switched to an app to check her work schedule, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

Then she glanced out the window. The moon and stars were all clear and bright; where was this rain supposed to come from?

Fu Chaoying smiled and shook her head, then got up and opened the bedroom door, leaving it only partly ajar.

Only after doing that did Fu Chaoying realize—she seemed to have been too proactive.

Just as she was about to raise a hand to close it again, the door was suddenly pushed open.

A faint magnolia scent rushed in.

Afraid the door would hit her, Fu Chaoying instinctively stepped back, her heart pounding like a drum, only to see Ye Jiayuan slip inside.

The door was shut again. Fu Chaoying was caught off guard as their eyes met, and she couldn’t help swallowing.

“Little darling and I are in perfect sync,” Ye Jiayuan said, her eyes carrying a hidden smile.

Fu Chaoying slowly turned around and murmured, “Time for bed.”

Ye Jiayuan followed behind her and went around to the other side of the bed.

Fu Chaoying’s pulse shot up. After lying down, she hurriedly closed her eyes, only to hear a laugh beside her.

What was Ye Jiayuan laughing at now!

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together and heard her say, “Little darling forgot to turn off the reading light on your side.”

Fu Chaoying naturally opened her eyes, only to fall into those deep, dark pupils.

Ye Jiayuan saw through her nervousness and uncertainty, but there was no mockery in those eyes; only a faint yet unmistakable warmth.

Fu Chaoying’s heart stirred. She turned off the reading light, then lay back down and looked at her. “Aren’t you turning yours off, Sister Jiayuan?”

Ye Jiayuan kept her eyes on her the whole time, her gaze softening. “Going to sleep already?”

Fu Chaoying yawned lightly. “A little sleepy.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly and turned off the light on her side.

After a rustling of movement, Fu Chaoying felt her lie down beside her.

The heartbeat that still hadn’t settled immediately sped up again—sleepiness vanished without a trace.

Fu Chaoying was gathering herself to fall asleep when she heard a soft question: “Do you not like the atmosphere tonight?”

Fu Chaoying blinked in the darkness. “No, it’s just… maybe a bit tiring.”

Because whenever she faced Auntie, she always unconsciously stayed on high alert.

As soon as Fu Chaoying finished speaking, she was gently taken by the hand.

Instinctively, Fu Chaoying lightly scratched her palm and asked softly, “What about you, Sister Jiayuan?”

“I’m fine.” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was light. “Your aunt won’t interrogate me.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help laughing. “Interrogating you wouldn’t do any good anyway.”

No one could pry out of Ye Jiayuan anything she didn’t want to say; not even her mother, Chu Yiyun, could manage it.

Ye Jiayuan tightened her hold on Fu Chaoying’s hand. “When you’re facing your aunt, sometimes you don’t need to be so nervous.”

“Same goes when you’re facing me.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t stop herself from mumbling softly, “Being nervous around you and being nervous around her are not the same.”

It seemed Ye Jiayuan had been waiting for those words. “Mm, then why are you nervous around me?”

Fu Chaoying gently rubbed the side of her palm and asked in return, “Guess?”

Ye Jiayuan let out a helpless laugh. “Afraid I’ll forcibly kiss you.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help laughing too. “You… I’m not afraid.”

What she was nervous about was not knowing when Ye Jiayuan would take her hand, when she would hold her, when she would kiss her, and what she might do next.

Afraid she would kiss her; even more afraid she wouldn’t.

Fu Chaoying didn’t say it aloud, but then she was suddenly touched lightly beneath the chin.

Her heart immediately tightened, and she swallowed nervously; then she heard a laugh, followed by that cool voice—

“Now I know what you were nervous about.”

As the touch at her chin disappeared, Fu Chaoying understood at once; Ye Jiayuan had just been teasing her!

Her face heated up, and she muttered, “You’re so annoying, sis.”

Before the words even faded, she felt Ye Jiayuan lean in abruptly.

Fu Chaoying was surrounded by her warm, damp breath; the itch in her ear was almost unbearable.

Her heartbeat accelerating wildly, Fu Chaoying swallowed, only to hear her ask, “What did you just call me?”

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Add the extra update or not! Add the extra update or not! Do you want to see the extra update!!

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Second edit: extra update complete! Good night, everyone!!