The Bathroom

Shang Xiaolan froze for a moment, nearly forgetting that Shang Yao was also present. Knowing that Shang Yao was not like Shang Lie, she apologized to Luo Yuqin.

Liu Yaran felt very embarrassed; now her image in Shang Yao’s eyes would surely plummet.

“I don’t want this kind of thing to happen again,” Shang Yao’s cold eyes showed no warmth as he stared directly at Shang Xiaolan.

As for Liu Yaran beside Shang Xiaolan, he seemed to not even notice her presence.

Ruan Yuexi was not surprised that Shang Yao would contend for Luo Yuqin, but was surprised that Shang Lie could be so cold-hearted.

Shang Xiaolan shivered all over when warned by Shang Yao. Strangely, she wasn’t afraid of her brother, but she was terrified of this nephew of hers.

The atmosphere fell silent momentarily. If not for Luo Yuqin and Shang Yao being there, Ruan Yuexi would have snapped at Shang Xiaolan.

“Brother Yao, don’t blame Auntie. Auntie thinks I’m not good enough compared to Miss Liu Yaran. She even came to our house a few days ago, urging me to divorce you early so Miss Liu Yaran could take my place. And she also said…”

Ruan Yuexi hesitated to say anything. What a joke! How could she endure this in silence?

Luo Yuqin frowned deeply upon hearing this. “It’s alright, continue.”

Ruan Yuexi glanced timidly at the thoroughly confused Shang Xiaolan and Liu Yaran. They probably didn’t expect her to dare complain to their faces.

“She even said Grandpa had poor judgment in choosing such an ugly daughter-in-law like me.” Ruan Yuexi covered her face, crying in distress.

Unable to bear it any longer, Luo Yuqin exclaimed, “Shang Xiaolan! You’ve been making snide remarks in front of me before, and I didn’t argue with you. But now you’re saying such disrespectful things in front of Yuexi!”

“If Dad knew about this, he would be so sad.”

Shang Xiaolan was at a loss for words. “I didn’t…” Before she could explain herself, Ruan Yuexi interrupted.

“Mom, it’s my fault. I’m not good. I’m too ugly and I don’t know how to groom myself. Please don’t argue because of me.” Ruan Yuexi’s soft words only strengthened Luo Yuqin’s resolve.

“Yuexi, you’re too modest. Leaving aside other qualities, there are few in the entertainment industry who have your graceful appearance.” Afraid that Yuexi would be too upset, Luo Yuqin quickly comforted her.

“Mom…” Ruan Yuexi’s eyes were teary, deeply moved. It was such a waste that her acting skills hadn’t won her a Little Golden Award.

Watching her, Luo Yuqin’s heart softened. “She’s a kind-hearted child.”

Shang Xiaolan remained silent. It seemed the implication was that she was quite malicious?

“Yuexi, tell me, when did I say such things?” Shang Xiaolan was furious. How had Yuexi become so difficult to deal with?

Shrinking back in fear, Ruan Yuexi muttered, “I… I must have been mistaken, Auntie. Please don’t be angry.”

“You…” Shang Xiaolan felt as if she had punched cotton. It was too frustrating.

Seeing Yuexi so frightened, Luo Yuqin couldn’t bear it. “Shang Xiaolan, that’s enough! Do you not realize what you’ve said yourself? You’ve vented all your grievances against Ruan Jingyu on her. Isn’t that despicable?”

Shang Xiaolan clenched her fists. But what Luo Yuqin said was true; she had indeed vented her anger on Ruan Yuexi. However, having her scars exposed felt unbearable.

After giving Luo Yuqin a deep look, she got up and left the old house.

The two of them had completely fallen out, but Luo Yuqin felt extremely relieved. She had tolerated her for all these years for Shang Lie’s sake, and now that they had fallen out it was actually better.

Liu Yaran did not leave a good impression, but instead attracted trouble and left following Shang Xiaolan.

Shang Yao glanced at Ruan Yuexi unexpectedly. Ruan Yuexi noticed his gaze but wasn’t afraid. Instead, she smiled secretly at him.

She played the role of an innocent and naive girl. As long as he didn’t know she had any designs, she would succeed. After all, being innocent was healthier. Look at how good she was to him.

Luo Yuqin was afraid that Ruan Yuexi would be scared, so she comforted her incessantly.

Ruan Yuexi obediently responded to Luo Yuqin, and the atmosphere in the living room turned from gloomy to sunny.

Shang Lie remained silent throughout, as if he hadn’t heard a word. Ruan Yuexi could probably feel the suffocating atmosphere of Shang Yao’s upbringing.

After dinner, Luo Yuqin and Shang Lie went upstairs to rest not long after, leaving only her and Shang Yao in the living room.

In the spacious living room, Ruan Yuexi felt an uncontrollable chill. Mainly because she had read the original text and knew about Shang Yao’s childhood experiences in the old house.

Unconsciously, she squeezed next to Shang Yao. Shang Yao, who was watching the evening news, stared at her with a puzzled and cold gaze.

Ruan Yuexi awkwardly smiled, “The old house is a bit chilly. It’s warmer to be closer.”

Shang Yao’s expression turned slightly cold. He didn’t stop her from getting closer, nor did he care if she was cold or not.

His reaction was exactly what Ruan Yuexi hoped for. If it had been like last night, she would have preferred to be with ghosts. At least that would be safer.

Actually, there were no ghosts; it was just Shang Yao’s childhood illusions. But she couldn’t help being afraid. If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have returned to the old house. The value of torturing the plot hadn’t increased at all. She couldn’t sell pity like Luo Yuqin. Shang Lie didn’t need to say more. She would probably die in front of him before he reacted.

It was better for her to be with Shang Yao. However, Shang Yao got up to take a shower. Ruan Yuexi looked around, hugged her arms, and rubbed them hard. It was too scary.

She rushed upstairs and followed Shang Yao. Shang Yao seemed unaware that Ruan Yuexi was following him until he entered the bathroom and was about to close the door.

Ruan Yuexi sat on the sofa by the bed, her small head supported, watching him close the door.

Shang Yao: “… Get out.”

“No.” Ruan Yuexi dared not go out. With his parents in the old house, she didn’t believe he would dare to do anything reckless.

Shang Yao closed the door with a cold expression. Ruan Yuexi ate the fruit on the table, waiting for him to come out.

After about half an hour, the bathroom door opened from inside. The man, with wet hair and wearing a bathrobe, walked out. Under the finely carved jade-like features, his thin lips were slightly pursed. Amidst the mist, his gaze towards Ruan Yuexi seemed particularly dangerous.

Ruan Yuexi: “!”. The cherry in her mouth fell to the ground. A handsome man after a bath?

Shang Yao’s thin lips curved slightly, seemingly amused. He walked slowly forward, the slightly damp breath instantly surrounding Ruan Yuexi.

A drop of water fell on Ruan Yuexi’s jade neck. Shang Yao leaned down by Ruan Yuexi’s ear, locking her in place on the sofa.

“Do I look good?” A low, hoarse voice with a hint of strangeness sounded in Ruan Yuexi’s ear. The hot breath almost made her heart jump out of her throat.

“Good… good-looking,” Ruan Yuexi replied stiffly, but her body kept leaning back.

Shang Yao chuckled softly twice. To Ruan Yuexi’s ears, it sounded like a death knell. She was in trouble now. According to the original story, whenever the male lead chuckled lightly, something disastrous would happen, almost like a curse. She cursed herself for forgetting this crucial detail!