Chapter 54 What are you worried about!

Xie Yan had been taught since childhood by his father to never show his emotions, but that discipline often failed in front of Xue Qingdai. Last time, he lost control and kissed Dadai once, and it took her a long time to forgive him. He hadn’t even kissed her lips—just watched Romance on Lushan Mountain once, and that little experience might’ve made her uncomfortable.

As long as Dadai didn’t mention breaking off the engagement, he could tolerate anything. Sometimes it was really hard for him to control himself, but if he didn’t know his limits, he might push her further away.

So this is what it’s like to like someone—you tread so carefully, constantly afraid of seeing even a hint of displeasure on her face.

Xie Yan answered her patiently, not intending to follow up on her words.

“My superior’s migraine is acting up again. It’s an old problem, and Western medicine hasn’t helped. I’m planning to visit a well-known traditional Chinese doctor.”

“He’s an old friend of your master, Shen Shichun.”

Xue Qingdai didn’t know much about the older generation and was a bit curious, but since it involved Xie Yan’s superior, she didn’t ask more.

“Xie Yan, be careful on the road.”

Xie Yan tucked her scarf in place and went off to his tasks.

Just as Xue Qingdai was about to enter Jiren Hall, she spotted her third brother, Xue Yongkang, dust-covered but winking at her.

Still charming as ever, he wore a black scarf and a slightly open brown jacket. His peach blossom eyes no longer tilted flirtatiously as they used to—his temperament had matured.

Xue Qingdai jumped into his arms. She felt like crying. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many feelings bottled up.

She had received her first paycheck, and her master had even written out a pay stub for her. She had been forced to grow up alone, even though she hadn’t wanted to.

Xue Yongkang ruffled her hair gently, just like he used to.

“Well, well, looks like my little sister’s been getting close to Xie Yan these past few days.”

He was carrying two big bags of gifts, including cosmetics and women’s watches from Hong Kong.

He pulled out a doll wearing a red dress—its plastic eyes could move, and its fine lashes looked almost real.

“This doll’s not as good-looking as you, but not bad. It’s selling really well over there.”

Xue Qingdai hugged the doll tightly. This was the best her third brother could give her—and the thought behind it meant more than the gift itself.

“Third Brother, stop teasing me. I’m not getting close to Xie Yan.”

“Honestly, I came here to break off the engagement. I don’t want to get married.”

“Even if Xie Yan is nice to me now, who knows about the future?”

“I’m not some love-struck fool. That kind of thinking gets people hurt.”

“My family treats me really well. I love myself too.”

“If Xie Yan acts this way, it’s his business, not mine.”

Xue Yongkang, his fingers slightly cold, flicked her nose once. He didn’t oppose or support her.

A brother-in-law like Xie Yan was hard to come by—it would be a shame to give him up. Their grandfather had worked hard to secure this marriage alliance with the Xie family, and the two families’ interests were deeply tied together.

“Don’t rush to break it off. If he treats you well, enjoy it. If he doesn’t, walk away.”

“The future is uncertain—let’s not dwell on it.”

“Does Xie Yan know about this?”

Munching on the sweet potato her brother peeled for her, Xue Qingdai replied with a bit of sass, “Of course he knows. I’ve told him multiple times. Xie Yan just ignores me—hmph!”

Xue Yongkang, as he showed her the gifts he brought, was surprised by how tolerant Xie Yan was toward his little sister.

She had said all that to his face, yet Xie Yan still cared for her so attentively. Even he wasn’t sure he could’ve done the same.

He realized he was thinking too much from a man’s perspective and quickly pushed the thought aside.

His little sister was always right.

“I’ll have a talk with Xie Yan later. Don’t be mad, Dadai.”

“Be good, stop thinking about it. I’ll take you out for a few days before I have to leave again.”

“I’ll bring you snacks and mooncakes from Hong Kong next time, okay?”

Xue Qingdai released his arm and smiled, “Thinking about you leaving doesn’t make me that sad anymore. Maybe I’ve grown up.”

That wistful tone… he could tell she was still sulking.

Xue Yongkang’s eyelid twitched slightly. This little troublemaker was not easy to coax. Xie Yan really had patience.

Once she was finally cheered up, they went to Donglaishun for hot pot.

As soon as Xue Qingdai walked in, the server immediately recognized the lively girl from last time—her husband had taken great care of her.

The restaurant owner had been telling staff their “love story” like a romantic legend. Everyone remembered this fairy-tale couple.

“You want the same dishes as last time?” the server asked with a warm smile, quickly quieting when noticing the unfamiliar man.

Xue Qingdai replied, “Yeah, the same ones. Third Brother, anything else you want?”

“I got paid, so this one’s on me.”

“One order of crispy pork slices and stir-fried liver!”

She waved her hand generously, not letting her brother skimp on her.

Xue Yongkang was pleased that she remembered his tastes. He felt a bit guilty—he’d been away too long. Even the restaurant staff only remembered Xie Yan and Dadai.

“Don’t worry, Dadai. Once I’m done with my business, I’ll take you home. I’ll build you a bigger room and a courtyard just for keeping pets.”

His little sister didn’t have any friends her age to play with, but she loved cats and dogs. Their yard at home was always full of farming tools, and they had delayed letting her keep animals because she was frail and they worried about germs.

Her dream of having a dog had never been fulfilled.

“Third Brother, let me tell you a secret—I’ve started raising a dog. Xie Yan even made a lovely little doghouse for Yanyan, with cotton and straw inside. It’s super warm.”

“Yanyan loves licking my hands, but lately, he likes Xie Yan even more.”

“What’s that mutt called?” Xue Yongkang’s chopsticks froze mid-air as he received a sharp glare from his little sister.
“Ahem, I mean—what’s the name of that adorable little puppy? Is it really called Yanyan?”

Xue Qingdai was dipping lamb slices into the hot pot, but they didn’t taste quite as good as the ones Xie Yan had prepared.
“Yeah~” she replied. Why was her dog’s name such a big deal?

She’d raised a drama-queen pup who could practically act, so she couldn’t exactly name it something like “Stupid Dog.”

At that moment, a familiar-looking waitress arrived with the last dish and asked, “Young lady, isn’t your fiancé eating with you?” Her eyes were darting meaningfully toward the southwest corner of the restaurant.

Xue Qingdai didn’t catch on and looked toward her third brother instead.

Xue Yongkang, being no fool, immediately replied, “We’re siblings. Just reunited after a long time and wanted to catch up privately—thanks for asking.”

He had been about to sigh over how endlessly tolerant Xie Yan was toward his little sister, but after the waitress left, his eyes drifted toward the southwest corner.

There, in a private room, he spotted a hint of army green uniform—and the waitress’s odd behavior now made sense.

“Daidai,” he said cautiously, “don’t be too naive. If Xie Yan’s got a woman with him, you need to be on guard.”

Xue Qingdai wiped her mouth. “Didn’t you say, if he treats me badly, I should just leave?”
“What’s there to worry about?”

“Though… I did ask him before, and he did mention there was a beautiful woman by his side.”

At that moment, Xie Yan was indeed in a private room, having dinner with his superior, Wang Guodong, and a few others.

His superior couldn’t drink, so Xie Yan had stepped in to help out, drinking a few glasses on his behalf. His face was slightly flushed, and his forehead was starting to feel tight.

“This is my only female disciple,” the older traditional medicine master said with pride. “She’s been studying acupuncture for decades. With her help, little Brother Xie’s health problems will be in good hands.”

“Oh, by the way,” someone asked with a smile, “does little Brother Xie have a girlfriend?”