Yu Wanru didn’t expect him to look up suddenly. Realizing he’d seen her awkward move, she quickly covered her mouth, chewed hastily, and swallowed. Then, embarrassed, she lowered her gaze.

They were sitting across the sofa from each other, separated by a coffee table. But now, Xiao Anlan stood up and sat down beside her.

Yu Wanru scooted away.

“How does it taste?” Xiao Anlan asked.

Thinking he was genuinely asking her opinion about the canned fruit for business purposes, she nodded and replied earnestly, “It’s pretty good. The litchi flesh is crisp and sweet, obviously made from fresh litchi. The syrup is sweet but not cloying, with a refreshing taste.”

“I want to try it, too,” Xiao Anlan said.

She quickly pushed the can she was holding toward him.

But Xiao Anlan shook his head, saying, “I want the one you just tasted.”

“I don’t have any litchi in my mouth,” Yu Wanru replied instinctively.

After she spoke, she realized what he really meant, and her face turned bright red as she lowered her gaze in silence.

She hung her head, her neck and ears turning a deep pink.

“So, is that okay?” he asked.

In a small voice, she asked, “Are you joking with me?”

“What do you think?” Xiao Anlan inched closer.

Yu Wanru, startled, moved further away, but she had already reached the armrest of the sofa and had no room to retreat. Xiao Anlan continued leaning in.

In a fluster, she stammered, “Why are you sitting so close?”

He gazed at her delicate hand, gripping her handkerchief tightly until her knuckles turned white. Her hands looked so small and delicate.

Unable to resist, he took her hand and placed his other hand on the back of the sofa, as if partially embracing her.

Startled, Yu Wanru’s eyes widened.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said softly.

Her eyes turned misty with embarrassment.

All her life, she had never been this close to any man, not even her father or brother.

Her heart was both flustered and embarrassed. Trapped in the corner by Xiao Anlan, she had no room to escape.

Seeing her like this, so pitiful yet endearing, Xiao Anlan’s heart softened, but he also felt an urge to tease her, to see her tearful and speechless.

He hadn’t realized he had this dark side to him until now.

But ultimately, he couldn’t bring himself to scare her too much. After all, if he frightened her badly today, she might never come out with him again.

He squeezed her soft, delicate hand and said, “Out on the street, couples hold hands like this. Don’t be afraid.”

Yu Wanru kept her head down and didn’t respond.

Xiao Anlan continued, “Between a couple, holding hands is perfectly normal. They can also hug, kiss, and even share more intimate things. Once we’re married, we can do all of these together.”

Yu Wanru’s was flustered, barely registering what Xiao Anlan was saying.

Her entire focus was on his hand holding hers, on how their bodies were so close.

Being half-held by a man like this was something she had never experienced, entirely different from her mother’s or Aunt An’s hugs.

It was warm, yes, but it made her feel both panicked and scared, as if she were being held in the jaws of a fierce beast.

But she tried to convince herself: she and Xiao Anlan were engaged, and soon they would be married. Like he’d said earlier, it was only right for them to be close, and she’d need to get used to it, no matter how shy she felt.

Because of this, Xiao Anlan didn’t sense any resistance from her. Instead, he saw her curling into a small ball, looking so adorable that he almost wanted to gobble her up.

He asked again, “How about it, Wanru? I want to taste that lychee in your mouth.”

Yu Wanru could only answer in embarrassment, “I don’t have a lychee in my mouth. You can have one from the can…”

As she spoke, she kept glancing toward the door, hoping Aunt An would return soon. But she also feared Aunt An might walk in right now and catch them sitting so close.

Xiao Anlan noticed her nervous looks but mischievously said, “It’s fine. You might not have a lychee in your mouth, but there’s still the flavor. I see some syrup on your lips; let me have a taste.”

Yu Wanru quickly covered her mouth, secretly licking her lips, and shook her head hastily, saying, “There’s no taste left; it’s all gone.”

Xiao Anlan persisted, “I don’t believe you. I need to check for myself.”

He leaned toward Yu Wanru, lowering his head slowly.

Panicked, Yu Wanru pushed him, her voice flustered. “Young Master Xiao, please don’t…”

Her strength was not enough; even with her hands against his chest, he could easily get closer if he wished.

But instead of advancing, Xiao Anlan said, “Calling me Young Master Xiao is too distant. Wanru, just call me by my name.”

Yu Wanru bit her lip, too shy to say his name aloud.

Xiao Anlan coaxed her gently, “Come on, just say it once.”

She looked up quickly, cautiously confirming, “If I say it once, will you let me go?”

Xiao Anlan didn’t give a clear yes or no, just made a vague sound of agreement.

Thinking he’d agreed, Yu Wanru hesitated for a while, blushing, and then whispered, “…Anlan.”

Xiao Anlan leaned in closer, speaking softly, “Say it again. I couldn’t hear.”

Now he was so close that he nearly touched her hair. Yu Wanru’s hands pressed against his chest harder as she pleaded, “Anlan, please stop…”

Her voice, always soft and gentle, now held a hint of urgency, like a delicate bird’s call.

Xiao Anlan held his breath, not saying or doing anything. After a moment, he took a slow breath and finally backed away.

“That nearly killed me,” he thought.

Outside, there was some noise in the hallway—it was Aunt An returning, thanking the attendant who guided her.

Yu Wanru finally relaxed, feeling relieved.

Just then, Xiao Anlan, who had moved away, leaned in quickly and planted a firm brief kiss on her lips. Then he nonchalantly stood up and sat on the opposite sofa.

As he settled in, the door opened, and Aunt An entered with a smile. “Miss, everyone here at the hotel is so friendly. Oh, Young Master Xiao, you’re done with your work?”

Xiao Anlan nodded absent-mindedly, still savoring the sweet, cool taste.

Aunt An approached Yu Wanru, who had a flushed face and eyes that seemed moist. Concerned, she asked quietly, “Miss, are you all right? Did something happen?”

While she spoke, she glanced at Xiao Anlan. Unlike young Han Qing, Aunt An wasn’t so naïve as to believe that the blushing was due to the heat.

But Yu Wanru was far too embarrassed to explain, so she shook her head and whispered, “Nothing happened.”

The sudden kiss had stunned her, and now, with Aunt An back, she was too embarrassed to even look in Xiao Anlan’s direction.

Still, she wondered why Young Master Xiao, who had once been so polite and respectful, had suddenly become so forward these past two meetings.

Xiao Anlan, finished savoring the moment, glanced at the two across from him. One avoided his gaze, blushing, while the other watched him warily. He cleared his throat and slid the can of lychees toward Aunt An. “Aunt An, try this canned fruit; it’s quite good.”

Aunt An shook her head. “Thank you, Young Master Xiao, but it’s getting late, and our Madam is likely back. Miss, shall we return home?”

Yu Wanru, feeling restless sitting there, immediately nodded. “Yes, let’s go.”

Xiao Anlan knew he couldn’t keep her any longer today, but he was satisfied with what he’d achieved. He promptly arranged for a car and saw them downstairs, instructing the driver to take them home. He then reminded Yu Wanru, “Don’t forget about our meal plans, Wanru.”

Yu Wanru nodded lightly, still avoiding eye contact. “I’ll ask my parents when I get home.”

Xiao Anlan held back his urge to give her another kiss, waved, and said goodbye.

After watching their car leave, he hummed a tune back to the hotel, asking his secretary to draft a contract with the supplier of the canned lychees—thanks to those cans, he was more than willing to work with the company.

….

Back at the Yu family home, Madam Yu had indeed returned.

Yu Wanru told her mother about the invitation from Madam Xiao to visit.

Madam Yu thought for a moment and replied, “We’ll discuss it with your father when he returns.”

Yu Wanru nodded and, thinking of the books Xiao Anlan had gifted her that morning, chatted a bit more with Madam Yu before heading to her room.

Meanwhile, Aunt An stayed behind to tell Madam Yu about the day’s events, including the unusual scene she had witnessed when she’d returned.

After hearing this, Madam Yu fell silent for a moment and then said, “Since we’re engaged to a family like the Xiaos, we have to expect their modern ways may be different from ours. If Wanru doesn’t want this, of course we’ll support her. But if she’s willing and they’re both consenting, we elders need not say much.”

Aunt An nodded. “That’s what I thought, too.”

Madam Yu added, “Still, from now on, I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on them when they go out together. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but until they’re actually married, we can’t be too sure. If something unexpected happens, we can’t allow Wanru to be taken advantage of.”

Aunt An reassured her, “Rest assured, Madam; I’ll look after her well.”

Madam Yu smiled. “I trust your judgment.”

When Master Yu returned that afternoon, Madam Yu discussed the invitation with him, and they agreed to let Yu Wanru visit the Xiao family.

Madam Yu sent a servant to Wanchang Hotel to relay a message to Xiao Anlan, asking if noon tomorrow would be convenient. She then called Yu Wanru out of her room, saying they’d go into town to buy some new clothing.

Yu Wanru held onto her books, reluctant to go. “Mother, I already have a new outfit. Isn’t that enough?”

Madam Yu replied, “This is your first visit to the Xiao family. It should be formal. That outfit is new but not quite appropriate. Come along; we’ll go to the tailor. Tomorrow, when Anlan comes to pick you up, you’ll look your best.”

At the mention of Xiao Anlan, Yu Wanru felt her cheeks heat up. “Why do I have to dress up just for him?”

Madam Yu laughed. “If not for him, then for whom? Certainly not for me! Now put down the book; let’s go.”

Yu Wanru was reluctant, but in the end, she still followed her mother.

Madam Yu spent a long time at the tailor’s shop, having Yu Wanru try on about ten outfits before settling on two. She asked for them to be altered for a better fit and arranged to pick them up early the next morning.

Afterward, they went to a general store that specialized in women’s cosmetics and hair products.

Previously, the only cosmetic on Yu Wanru’s dressing table was a jar of face cream. Now that she was going to visit her in- laws and soon to be married, she was considered an adult and should start dressing up a bit.

Madam Yu selected various items like floral water, osmanthus hair oil, Western lipstick, and pearl powder, spending a total of about ten silver coins.

For the first time, Yu Wanru realized how expensive these items were.

Madam Yu, hearing her astonishment, chuckled and said, “And these are just our local brands. If we bought only imported products, twenty silver coins might not even be enough.”

Yu Wanru asked, “Are the imported products better?”

Madam Yu shook her head. “Some are, but most are similar. However, people nowadays care a lot about appearances and think that foreign products are superior. Even if they’re the same, people are willing to pay more for Western brands.”

Yu Wanru fell silent.

Meanwhile, Xiao Anlan received the Yu family’s reply and immediately sent someone to inform his mother at home so she could prepare in advance.