Chapter 22: Xu Yueyao’s First Moment of Weakness

Zhan Rongxuan and Shen Yan were sitting in Chen Shen’s lounge, sipping coffee.

“Fu Zheng’s little schemes… are you just going to let him climb up the ladder using this situation?” Shen Yan asked, looking at Zhan Rongxuan.

“As long as Xu Yueyao likes it, it doesn’t matter,” Zhan Rongxuan replied, recalling the joy and excitement in Xu Yueyao’s eyes, as if she had won the lottery. Was she really that happy over such a small gain? He felt a hint of dissatisfaction—perhaps he hadn’t been treating her well enough.

“Forget it, Fu Zheng won’t be able to stir up much trouble anyway,” Shen Yan said. Then, noticing Chen Shen lost in thought, he asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Chen Shen snapped out of his daze and saw the two of them staring at him—especially Zhan Rongxuan. He wanted to ask if he was still searching for that girl from back then, but in the end, he held back, simply shaking his head and saying, “Nothing.”

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In the hospital room, Shen Yi and Xu Yueyao sat facing each other. Shen Yi recalled his older brother’s words before leaving, telling him to properly apologize to Xu Yueyao. Finally, he opened his mouth and said, “I’m sorry.”

Xu Yueyao looked at the young man in front of her—clean, fair-skinned, scholarly, and slim, with a face resembling that of a real-life idol. She found him quite likable. However, the original novel didn’t describe him much—only that he was Shen Yan’s favorite younger brother and Fu Xiaosi’s close friend. Because of the rivalry between their older brothers, they had grown distant, but Fu Xiaosi still cared about him and had repeatedly begged his brother not to harm Shen Yi.

Xu Yueyao figured she could start by becoming friends with Shen Yi—one ally at a time.

“You don’t need to apologize. I’m really not hurt.” As she spoke, she took off the bandage on her forehead.

“See? Not a scratch. So, I won’t be accepting the compensation from your brother.” Though she said this with a smile, her heart ached. But she had no choice—she needed friends, and the key to making friends was sincerity.

“Why…?” Shen Yi was surprised. He was even more shocked that Shen Yan had helped her. It seemed his brother and Zhan Rongxuan both cared about her. If that was the case, he absolutely couldn’t let Xiaosi harm her anymore—otherwise, Xiaosi would be in real danger.

“I just want Fu Xiaosi to feel guilty so that he won’t bully me again,” Xu Yueyao said. “Shen Yi, can you help me? I really don’t want to be your enemy. If possible, I’d even like to be your friend.” She spoke sincerely.

“You really don’t like Fu Xiaosi at all?”

“Hm?” Xu Yueyao was puzzled by his insistence on this question. Could Fu Xiaosi even compare to Zhan Rongxuan? Even if she had to choose with her knees, she wouldn’t pick Fu Xiaosi.

“Of course not. I like Zhan Rongxuan,” she reaffirmed. Did she not seem convincing enough? Why did people keep questioning her?

Shen Yi looked at her for a moment before saying, “Keep the hotel my brother gave you. I’ll persuade Xiaosi to leave you alone.”

“Really? Thank you, Shen Yi!” Xu Yueyao beamed—what a kind little brother, like an angel.

By the time Zhan Rongxuan and Shen Yan returned to the hospital room, Xu Yueyao and Shen Yi were already getting along well.

To make Shen Yi believe she truly adored Zhan Rongxuan, Xu Yueyao deliberately clung to his arm, pouting her lips and speaking in a sweet, honeyed voice, “Xuan, I was so scared this afternoon. I was so afraid I’d never see you again… hmm… hmm…” She nuzzled against his arm like a spoiled kitten.

Shen Yan’s jaw dropped as he grabbed Shen Yi and stammered, “Uh… we’ll just… leave you two alone. Goodbye!” He quickly dragged his younger brother away.

Once outside, Shen Yan couldn’t help but glance back with a smirk, as if he had uncovered some great secret. So Zhan Rongxuan liked this kind of cutesy, coquettish girl? No wonder all those elegant socialites in the business world couldn’t catch his eye. Thinking of Xu Yueyao’s voice just now, Shen Yan shuddered and hurried off with his brother.

Back in the room, Xu Yueyao let out a sigh of relief as the two of them left. Now, Shen Yi should truly believe she was head over heels for Zhan Rongxuan.

Zhan Rongxuan lowered his gaze, watching her bright, darting eyes. He recalled the heartfelt confession she had made in that video. He poked her forehead lightly and said, “Pack up. We’re going home.”

“Home? Shouldn’t I get another check-up? Stay in the hospital for observation? What if I hit my head too hard and got brain damage?” Xu Yueyao asked. A functioning brain was crucial right now—after all, she had fallen down a flight of stairs, and she valued her life.

“Are you sure you need to stay? Need a check-up?” Zhan Rongxuan asked, amused. He had never met someone as calculating as her.

Xu Yueyao moved her neck, stretched her arms and legs—seemed fine. Alright then, home it was. No hospital could be as comfortable as home.

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Back at the house, Aunt Wang noticed Xu Yueyao’s appearance and asked worriedly, “Miss Xu, are you alright?”

Xu Yueyao shook her head and said, “I’m fine, Aunt Wang. Just took a little fall.”

Aunt Wang quickly helped her to the sofa and brought two glasses of water—one for her and one for the young master—before hurrying off to the kitchen.

Zhan Rongxuan leaned back lazily on the couch, his expression indifferent. Sitting in the dim light, the shadows accentuated the sharp angles of his face. His long lashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes, making his natural air of dominance even more pronounced. Gazing at the faint bruise on Xu Yueyao’s forehead, he finally spoke. “I can have those people who bullied you expelled from school.”

Seeing the redness on her forehead worsen slightly, he regretted listening to Chen Shen and bringing her home so soon.

Xu Yueyao disagreed, raising a finger. “Give me another chance. I’ll win them over myself. After all, if I want to stay by your side, I need friends with some status.”

Thinking of An Zhiyi, Xu Yueyao scooted closer to Zhan Rongxuan, sitting on the carpet at his feet. Resting her hands on his knees, she gazed up at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes and said softly, “Young Master Zhan, I’m not afraid of others bullying me. But you… you must never bully me. Even if you fall for someone else and want me gone, I’ll disappear without a word—but promise me, you’ll protect me. Don’t let anyone take my life.”

Zhan Rongxuan looked at her delicate features, suppressing the many thoughts that flashed through his mind. Slowly, his thoughts cleared.

“Did someone threaten you?” he asked, growing tense. Had someone already made a move against her?

Xu Yueyao rested her head on his knee and murmured, “No. I was just thinking… I have no one to rely on here. You’re the only one I can count on.”

Her eyes glistened slightly before she forced back the tears. She thought of the way An Zhiyi had looked at Zhan Rongxuan earlier today. She knew they would inevitably meet, and the thought left a sour taste in her heart.

Zhan Rongxuan reached out, wanting to touch her hair, but in the end, he restrained himself.

“If you behave, I will protect you.”

“Okay. I’ll be very obedient,” she whispered, her voice soft and gentle. For the first time, Xu Yueyao showed a hint of vulnerability in front of Zhan Rongxuan.