Chapter 114

"Li Feng, I have something I want to tell you," Xia Yuwei said, sitting across from him, bracing her courage.

"Oh? You aren't going to tell me you want to marry me this year, are you?" Ye Lifeng took a bite of egg with his knife and fork, smiling at her with a radiant, sunny expression. His handsome face was filled with both anticipation and playful teasing. "The eggs are excellent; they would have been even better if I hadn't interfered."

"I..." Looking at his joyful, longing expression, Xia Yuwei was struck dumb. She bit her lip, eventually swallowing the words that had been on the tip of her tongue.

After the meal, Ye Lifeng took her to his villa on the hillside. Xue Xinlin was very warm toward her, treating her as if she were already part of the family. After the pleasantries, Ye Lifeng asked Xia Yuwei to join him in the study.

"I think I’ll keep your mother company instead," Xia Yuwei said, fearing the prospect of being alone with him.

"It’s quite alright! I don't need company. I have to head out for a bit anyway. You two go on up," Xue Xinlin said, smiling at the pair and affectionately nudging her toward the stairs. She was more than happy to play the role of matchmaker.

Xia Yuwei had no choice but to let Ye Lifeng lead her upstairs.

In the spacious study, Xia Yuwei scanned the bookshelves, hoping to find something light to read, but she found nothing but finance and business books. She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

"Yuwei, look here." Ye Lifeng pointed toward the desk. Following his gaze, Xia Yuwei saw the latest issue of a fashion magazine—the very one she had been interested in. The cover was still intact, suggesting it had been prepared specifically for her. She couldn't help but feel moved by his thoughtfulness. She didn't dare, nor could she bear, to hurt such a man. She couldn't imagine how disappointed he would be in her if she told him the truth.

She sat on the lounge chair on the balcony, enjoying the sunshine while absently flipping through the magazine. Hearing her phone ring, she remembered she had left it on the table inside and hurried to get it. Before she had taken two steps, she saw Ye Lifeng walking toward her with her phone.

"Your call," he said gently.

"Thank you." Xia Yuwei took it, and her face flushed crimson when she saw the character "Chen" displayed on the screen. She didn't know when Lu Yichen had secretly changed it. She remembered clearly that she had previously saved it as "Lu Yichen."

On a standard smartphone, it was easy to see who was calling. Surely Ye Lifeng had seen it, too. Xia Yuwei cast a cautious glance at him, but he seemed perfectly normal. Perhaps he respected her privacy and hadn't even looked, she comforted herself.

Seeing her take the call, Ye Lifeng smiled, walked out, and closed the balcony door.

Sitting at the desk, Ye Lifeng could hear her voice drifting faintly from the balcony.

"...Not yet..."

"...Please don't pressure me so much... Don't be like this..."

"...I'm at his house right now..."

*Clatter!* The sound of a book dropping from Ye Lifeng’s hand onto the desk echoed through the room.

At noon, Xue Xinlin personally prepared two dishes, and the three of them sat together as if they were one big family. The conversation at the table was lively and harmonious, making it impossible for Xia Yuwei to bring up the subject. She hated her own cowardice and felt restless throughout the meal.

After lunch, Ye Lifeng drove her home, walking her all the way to her door.

Just as she was about to enter, he caught her hand and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

"Yuwei, don't hesitate. Clear your heart, and let’s set off together." His words, heavy with hidden meaning, made Xia Yuwei tremble slightly.

***

After seeing Ye Lifeng off, she walked inside in a daze. While changing her shoes, she thought to herself, "What a failure. Today, I still couldn't say it..."

"Did you tell him?" A voice came from the sofa.

Xia Yuwei looked up and saw Lu Yichen standing up. He had been sitting there earlier, and she hadn't noticed.

"You... how are you here? How did you get in?" Xia Yuwei didn't answer his question.

"If I want to do something, there is nothing I cannot accomplish." Lu Yichen’s words held a double meaning. It wasn't the first time he had entered her home.

Xia Yuwei didn't dwell on the issue; she walked over and allowed him to hold her. Leaning against his chest, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Yichen, what should I do? I can't say it. I'm afraid," she murmured. "He is too good to me. I can't say it. It would be easier if he yelled at me instead."

"Silly girl, if he dares to yell at you, I won't let him off," Lu Yichen said, sitting down on the sofa with her, pulling her onto his lap. Xia Yuwei draped her arms around his neck.

"But I’m the one who let him down... I feel so guilty," Xia Yuwei said distressed, resting her head on Lu Yichen's shoulder.

"Let me handle it! I'll talk to him!"

"Absolutely not!" Xia Yuwei looked up at him.

"At this rate, you’ll be moved by him so easily, and in a couple of days, you’ll just leave with him. Who will I turn to then?" Lu Yichen was starting to get angry. Although he knew she was soft-hearted and afraid of everything, her attitude at this critical moment still frustrated him.

"Yichen, please, give me one more day. Okay?" Seeing his anger, Xia Yuwei pleaded softly. Now that her heart was set, the thought of the mess she had to deal with left her with a splitting headache.

"Fine. If you still can't resolve it by tomorrow, I won't be so polite anymore!" He threatened, pinching her waist, which made Xia Yuwei let out a startled "Ah!" and swat at him.

"You know how much trouble I'm in. I've even finished the paperwork to drop out of school. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Marry me, have my child, and let me take care of you," Lu Yichen said. Hearing her troubled and pleading voice, his anger subsided. Overall, having her like this toward him made him very happy. He believed that after a few days, everything would be wonderful. Noticing the ring on her hand, he casually took it off and tossed it onto the coffee table.

"Get away!" she chided.

"I want you." As he spoke, he laid her back on the sofa and kissed her.

"No..."

"Sooner or later, you'll be mine." If it weren't this way, how else could you make up your mind...