episode_0049

The three of them were engaged in a lively discussion, inadvertently bonding in the process.

Finally, their gazes settled on Xu Qingshan.

Even Xu Qingshan was startled.

In a family of four, the minority submits to the majority, and the husband submits to the wife.

There was no way for Xu Qingshan to argue further.

“Fine, it’s your lives. Do whatever you want.”

He resigned himself to fate.

“Yay!”

Despite the many twists and turns, they had ultimately gained their parents’ approval.

What followed was a tour of the mansion.

Xu Qingshan left the matter entirely to Xu Nian to handle.

Since Su Qingya was Xu Nian’s girlfriend, it was her responsibility to take charge.

And so, Xu Nian happily led Su Qingya around the entire estate.

“This is the front courtyard, this is the main hall, this is my room, this is your room, this is Mom and Dad’s room, this is the dining room, this is the corridor, this is the bathroom, this is the study, this is the treasure vault, this is the back garden, and this is the back chamber.”

That was roughly how the introduction went—nothing particularly special, just pointing things out to Su Qingya as they went along.

To Xu Nian, this home was so ordinary that she couldn’t think of any extravagant words to describe it.

More time spent living here would make it familiar.

There was still a long road ahead.

Direct experience was always the surest way to become acquainted with something, far more profound than any words.

As for the rest…

The household did employ maids to handle cleaning.

So even if the two of them wanted to do something, they couldn’t.

Unless… they secretly found a room.

“Nian Nian.”

“Ah!”

“What’s wrong? Your face looks really red.”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

Xu Nian would never admit she had just been thinking about something embarrassing.

“Nian Nian, to be honest… even now, it still doesn’t feel real to me.”

Su Qingya spoke as they arrived at an open balcony, sitting side by side as they gazed at the distant scenery.

The horizon was tinged with gold, the boundary between sky and earth ablaze with crimson clouds, their glow spilling over the two of them.

The sunlight was gentle, the breeze cool.

As the playful wind brushed through her hair, Su Qingya stretched lazily, calming her emotions and gradually dispelling all distractions, leaving only the melancholy of reflection.

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing the inexplicably sorrowful mood Su Qingya had brought, Xu Nian shifted into listening mode.

Her fluffy white fox tail gently wrapped around Su Qingya like a third arm, her ears slightly drooping as her gaze lingered on Su Qingya’s delicate face.

“Nian Nian… Eighteen years have passed since I was born. I lived with my parents for twelve of them, and after six years on my own, I was suddenly told not long ago that I had biological parents.”

“I’ve always felt… like none of this was real.”

This was Su Qingya’s vulnerability—something she only showed in front of Xu Nian.

Only with Xu Nian would she voice the worries in her heart.

Because she trusted Xu Nian.

And Xu Nian was happy to listen, to ease her burdens.

“You know, Nian Nian? I used to be terrified of this so-called biological family… but deep down, I knew I was also longing for them.”

“To say something shamefully selfish… I really craved my parents’ love.”

“After hearing the news, I kept imagining that they would treat me well—like the parents only preserved in my memories, loving and protecting me selflessly. But I was also afraid… afraid of everything here.”

“I was afraid they would see me as an outsider… afraid they only brought me back out of guilt over blood ties… afraid they would neglect me after taking me in… afraid the person who replaced me would see me as a thorn in her side, attacking and resenting me, believing I came back to steal everything from her.”

Su Qingya let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Her smile wasn’t bitter—after all, everything she had just described was only her fears.

Reality was nothing like that.

Reality was completely different from her imagination, far from being as bleak.

Now, speaking about it almost felt like a weight being lifted.

“Nian Nian… I’ve realized that I’ve always been afraid—afraid of this, afraid of that. I thought I was weak, pitiful… I’ve always believed myself to be despicable, utterly incapable. But luckily… someone like me met you. I know this is the greatest blessing of my life.”

Her tone shifted abruptly, and as Xu Nian listened, her face flushed.

“W-what’s with the sudden sweet talk?”

“Nian Nian, it’s because I’m grateful to you. You’re like a beam of light I can actually hold onto in my life. Without you, I wouldn’t have had the courage or confidence to come this far. You know… when I realized it was you, even though I felt humiliated and toyed with, what I felt more than anything was… relief.”

“Because that way, I could escape everything. I didn’t have to worry about other conflicts, didn’t have to figure out how to navigate complicated relationships… I just needed to love you as I always had, to focus on loving everything about you, and everything else would fall into place.”

“Thank you, Nian Nian.”

“Thank you for accepting me.”

Xu Nian’s face burned crimson. Su Qingya’s heartfelt confession left her utterly flustered.

“T-that’s too much… I-I’m not that amazing.”

For once, she didn’t proudly boast like she usually would.

Instead, she scratched her head, her tail wagging like a fan.

“Qingya, I won’t let you talk about yourself like that. The Qingya in my eyes is incredible! You just lack confidence—you’re actually much more remarkable than you think. Like today, I wasn’t nearly as brave as you.”

Xu Nian didn’t hold back on the praise.

But…

A trace of something dark lurked in her beautiful fox-like eyes, unnoticed.

“But since that’s the case… from now on, you can rely on me more, okay? Depend on me as much as you want, in any way you want. Leave anything you don’t want to face to me. Because… I’m the only one who will accept you as you are.”

[Joy Level: 89%]

“Mmm, thank you, Nian Nian.”

The two gazed into each other’s eyes, lost in the depths of one another’s beauty.

Beneath the glow of the setting sun…

They leaned closer, until they could feel each other’s breath.

Soft, lingering traces brushed against their lips.

And so, under the amber twilight, they embraced with profound tenderness.

The taste of sweetness filled their senses—a mingling of their combined essence.

Just then, Su Qingya sensed someone approaching and reluctantly pulled away from Xu Nian’s intoxicating sweetness, which clung to her like an addictive poison.

They hadn’t been seen—the screen had blocked the view.

From behind it stepped a maid.

“Young ladies, Madam has asked me to remind you that there will be a banquet tonight requiring your attendance. She requests that you begin preparations.”

“A banquet?” Su Qingya murmured in confusion.

“Yes. It is to celebrate Young Miss Qingya’s return. Many guests will be invited, as it is a rather formal occasion. The family head wishes to introduce you to their social circle—it was planned in advance.”