Volume One, Chapter 10: Hidden Ailment

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Seeing how pleased her mother was by Duan Wuhen, Yan Xiyue couldn’t help but secretly grumble in her heart.

“Ugh! What’s all this pretending about?”

Unbeknownst to her, Duan Wuhen seemed to guess her thoughts and leaned close to her ear.

“Wife! Are you secretly scolding me in your mind?”

Yan Xiyue’s face flashed with panic—how could he possibly know? She hadn’t even said a word.

Ah, she understood now. Duan Wuhen was definitely trying to trick her—it was just her own imagination playing tricks on her.

With that thought, Yan Xiyue quickly hid her embarrassment and smiled.

Duan Wuhen was instantly stunned.

Hmph! Thought he was so impressive? It’s just that he couldn’t take his eyes off this young lady’s beauty.

But then a mischievous smile curled at Yan Xiyue’s lips as she quietly slid her left hand around Duan Wuhen’s waist.

Noticing the interaction between Duan Wuhen and his precious daughter, Shangguan Xiyue’s smile grew even brighter.

The next moment, a sharp scream made Yan’s parents put down their chopsticks and look toward the source.

Duan Wuhen, holding the soft white hand on his waist, saw Yan’s parents’ questioning gaze and quickly offered an awkward smile.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all. Auntie’s cooking was just too delicious; I accidentally bit my tongue.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Xiyue became even happier and patted Duan Wuhen’s back. “Don’t rush, take your time eating. When you finish, Auntie will cook for you again.”

Yan Xiyue never expected Duan Wuhen to pull off such a performance worthy of an Oscar.

Though her mother’s food was tasty, it wasn’t something to fight over. This rogue really knew how to charm people.

From the looks of it, both her father and mother were fully on Duan Wuhen’s side, hoping she would marry soon.

What was she to do now?

Then Yan Xiyue suddenly realized—her hand was still trapped by Duan Wuhen.

She struggled to pull free, but Duan Wuhen wasn’t about to let go.

“I just let you go, and now you come running back. Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?”

Yan Xiyue swore she would never provoke Duan Wuhen again. This guy didn’t care about appearances—he was nothing but a scoundrel!

But for now, she had to figure out how to get her hand back.

Biting her lip reluctantly, she gave Duan Wuhen a reluctant look.

“Tell me, what do you want to let go?”

“Wife, this time you came to me. No matter what you say, I’m not letting go.”

Yan Xiyue panicked. If only she hadn’t provoked this rogue.

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With all options exhausted, Yan Xiyue looked to Shangguan Xiyue, hoping her mother would notice her predicament.

But Shangguan Xiyue thought Yan Xiyue was just shy and, instead of rescuing her, gave her an encouraging look.

Yan Xiyue felt utterly helpless.

At that moment, Duan Wuhen, having eaten his fill, wiped his mouth with satisfaction and said something that made Yan Xiyue’s face turn pale.

“Uncle, Auntie, Xiyue and I have eaten. We’ll be going now.”

Shangguan Xiyue urged, “Oh, don’t be in such a hurry. There’s a room upstairs—you can stay here tonight.”

Duan Wuhen quickly declined, “No, no. We have classes early tomorrow.”

With a smile, Shangguan Xiyue watched them leave, hand in hand.

After they left, Yan Mingjun approached Shangguan Xiyue anxiously.

“Shouldn’t you stop them? What if something happens?”

“Hmph! I’m thinking of Xiyue’s best interests. She likes him but is too shy to say so. Wuhen is excellent; if she doesn’t seize the chance, someone else will, and then she’ll have nowhere to cry.”

Unexpectedly, Shangguan Xiyue sharply scolded him, silencing Yan Mingjun instantly.

After all, Yan Mingjun was a typical henpecked husband, always afraid of his wife.

With no choice, he silently prayed for his daughter.

Back at their home in Green Residence, Duan Wuhen finally released Yan Xiyue’s hand.

Just as she thought he had let her go, he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her onto the soft bed.

Yan Xiyue panicked, looking at him pitifully.

“Please don’t do this, I’m not ready.”

Duan Wuhen touched her forehead with a puzzled look. “Not ready for what? What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Eh? Isn’t this what you call doing something bad?”

Hearing that, Duan Wuhen finally understood her thoughts.

“Oh, wife, am I that kind of person? I’m a gentleman, alright?”

Yan Xiyue relaxed a bit but curled her lips.

“You? A gentleman? If you’re a gentleman, then everyone else in the world must be saints!”

“Alright, wife, lie down obediently. I’m going to treat you!”

Yan Xiyue was baffled. “Treat? I’m not sick.”

“Impossible! Wife, what do you think I’ve been doing holding your hand just now? Think carefully—haven’t you had terrible stomach pains at night lately?”

At this, Yan Xiyue understood why Duan Wuhen was so bold today, feeling a warm flush inside.

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“But the doctor said it’s just a stomachache and that medicine will fix it.”

Duan Wuhen cursed loudly, “Quack doctors! Wife, your condition has been lurking inside you for a long time. Luckily, I discovered it early. If not treated promptly, the consequences could be severe!”

Remembering how Duan Wuhen had saved his mother from the hands of death, Yan Xiyue decided to trust him.

“So how will you treat it? Surgery or medicine?”

Duan Wuhen smiled faintly. “No need for anything so complicated. A few acupuncture sessions will do.”

Hearing this, Yan Xiyue obediently lay down and looked at Duan Wuhen. “Then go ahead!”

Unexpectedly, Duan Wuhen shook his head and whispered something in her ear.

Suddenly, Yan Xiyue’s cheeks flushed crimson.

“Why do you have to insert needles in such private places? Are you trying to take advantage of me?”

“Impossible! I swear on heaven and earth, wife, I only want to treat you!”

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Yan Xiyue was half convinced. Finally, she trusted him.

“Then… turn your back and don’t look at me without my permission.”

“All right!” Duan Wuhen turned around.

Blushing, Yan Xiyue unbuttoned her blouse.

Hearing the rustle of clothes behind her, Duan Wuhen couldn’t help but feel a thrill.

“All done. You can turn around now.”

Yan Xiyue’s hesitant voice came from the bed, and Duan Wuhen spun around sharply.

Then, as if under a spell, he stood frozen, his gaze fixed intently on Yan Xiyue.

Feeling shy under his gaze, Yan Xiyue whispered.

“Hey, have you seen enough?!”

“Wife, you’re truly beautiful—I could never get enough of looking at you.”

“Nonsense.”

Though Yan Xiyue protested, her heart was blooming with joy.

After all, what woman can resist such praise?