Chapter 5: An Xiyan’s Parents

In a refined and elegantly decorated room, a stunningly beautiful couple with extraordinary charisma were happily enjoying hot pot together.

“Husband, do you think Yan’er and Xuan’er have seen the letter I wrote by now?” The woman’s voice was sweet and charming, with a touch of bold cheerfulness.

The man picked up a piece of beef tripe with his chopsticks and placed it into her bowl, smiling indulgently. “Yuer, judging by the time, they should have finished reading it.”

The man’s voice was deep and rich, magnetic, carrying an indescribable allure.

The woman chuckled flirtatiously. “Haha, I bet our Yan’er must have been absolutely fuming after reading that letter. What a pity I couldn’t see her reaction in person.”

The man gently stroked her hair, his eyes filled with warmth. “Alright, alright, let’s let it go this time. Once we meet her again, you’ll have the chance to see her explode in person.”

The woman nodded with a grin. Her appetite was in full swing today, and she was ready to indulge in the hot pot feast. Without another word, she buried herself in eating.

Yes, this charming couple were none other than An Xiyan’s infamously unreliable parents. They were indeed very “busy” — busy eating hot pot.

If An Xiyan were there, she would most likely have exploded on the spot in a fit of anger… and then inevitably joined in to eat hot pot with them.

After they finished eating, An Xiyan’s father, An Junlin, handed a glass of watermelon juice to her mother, Xiao Lengyu.

In a gentle tone, he said, “Yuer, you ate too much spicy food. Drink some watermelon juice to cool down.”

Xiao Lengyu leaned back in her chair, rubbing her overstuffed belly with both hands, pouting like a spoiled child. “Husband, I want you to feed me.”

An Junlin smiled dotingly. “Alright, then let me help you sit up. If you stay leaning like that, you might choke on the juice.”

Xiao Lengyu gave a playful smile, acting every bit the dainty, pampered wife. She lazily extended both arms, wanting her darling husband to pull her up.

An Junlin put down the juice, wrapped one arm around her waist and held her hands with the other, helping her lean against his shoulder.

Then he picked up the glass and gently fed her the watermelon juice. His movements were practiced and tender, as if he had done it countless times.

After drinking half the glass, Xiao Lengyu shook her head, still pouting. “Husband, I can’t drink anymore. You finish the rest.”

An Junlin nodded and downed the rest of the juice in one go.

He then set the cup down and said, “We’ll be departing in half an hour. Yuer, do you regret this decision?”

An Junlin looked at his wife in his arms with nervous uncertainty. He—

He was just afraid she would say the word “regret.”

Xiao Lengyu chuckled softly. Her slender index finger lightly tapped An Junlin’s lips as she shook her head.
“Husband, after all these years with you by my side, I’m already content.”

“In the days to come, I will always stay with you. Besides, I wouldn’t feel at ease letting you stay alone in that cold place.”

An Junlin was moved. He gently held Xiao Lengyu in his arms.
“Yuer, even when we arrive at that place, you don’t need to be bound by any rules. Just follow your heart and do what you want.”

“Be yourself. I don’t want you to change for me. You should know, what I love most about you is your yearning for freedom and your unrestrained nature.”

Xiao Lengyu nodded with a smile.
“My personality was already set in stone in my past life. Even if I wanted to change, I couldn’t. My heart tells me I’m naturally rebellious—I’m not someone who submits meekly to fate.”

She lightly tapped An Junlin’s forehead, teasingly scolding,
“And yet, you managed to tolerate my temper and still dote on me this much. I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”

At this point, Xiao Lengyu’s expression turned solemn.
“You ran away from home for me for over a decade, letting me take the lead in everything, letting me act as I pleased.”

“I’ve seen all your sacrifices and kept them in my heart. Between husband and wife, love must go both ways. Now, it’s time for me to give back to you.”

“So don’t ever ask me that question again. And don’t feel guilty. I’m doing this willingly, from the bottom of my heart.”

After hearing those words, An Junlin’s nose turned sour, and tears welled up in his eyes.
In this relationship, he finally wasn’t the only one taking the initiative.

Back then, Yuer hadn’t thought much of him. If he hadn’t relentlessly pursued her with countless efforts, she would never have agreed to marry him.

Because of that, he’d always felt insecure, constantly afraid of losing her, always thinking of ways to make her stay—terrified that one day she’d get tired of him and walk away.

If that day ever came, he felt like he’d completely fall apart.

Thankfully, all his efforts had not been in vain.
Yuer was truly thoughtful and understanding. He was absolutely head over heels in love with her.

Xiao Lengyu cast him a playful yet affectionate glance, pulling out an elegant handkerchief to wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes.
“Look at you, already a grown man, and still crying like a little boy.”

She sighed inwardly. She knew exactly what her husband was thinking, and she understood his emotions at this very moment.

It seemed she’d need to take even more care of this—

…her glass-hearted husband, so he wouldn’t always be this fragile.

An Junlin sniffled and gave an embarrassed smile, quickly explaining,
“I wasn’t crying, okay? I’m not Xuan’er. Honestly, the only one in our family who cries is Xuan’er.”

“I just got some sand in my eyes, that’s all! Yuer, look—my eyes are all red and sore. It really hurts.”

He pointed to the corner of his eye, acting spoiled as he looked at Xiao Lengyu.

Xiao Lengyu: Please, at least make your lies a bit more believable—where would sand even come from inside this room?

She glanced at her husband with exasperation, but in the end, let it go.
Fine, fine. It’s my husband—I’ll spoil him myself.

Then, with a bold air, she reached out and pinched An Junlin’s chin, giving it a playful shake.
“Lower your head. Let me blow on your eye.”

An Junlin obediently lowered his head, a smile spreading across his face.

Xiao Lengyu blew gently into his eye a few times, then stood up.

With a graceful wave of her sleeve, she said,
“Alright, let’s go check how the preparations are going.”

An Junlin immediately looked a little unhappy—he hadn’t gotten enough of her affection yet.
“Yuer, there’s no need for you to go. The servants are handling everything. You can just relax.”

Xiao Lengyu shook her head firmly.
“This ugly daughter-in-law is going to meet her in-laws for the first time. I need to leave a good impression. I have to carefully choose the gifts I’m bringing for them.”

“Yuer, that’s really unnecessary,” An Junlin said. “They’re already thrilled I’m finally bringing you back. Even if you don’t bring anything, they won’t say a word.”

“Besides, they don’t lack anything. No matter how carefully you pick a gift, chances are they won’t care much. Even if it’s just a small trinket, they’ll still be delighted.”

Xiao Lengyu sighed, her tone a little nervous.
“But this time we’re not bringing Yan’er and Xuan’er with us. They might not be too happy about that.”

An Junlin gently patted her back to comfort her.
“Yuer, don’t worry. If they’re upset, let me take the blame. You just stay behind me.”

“Besides, Yan’er has her own path to walk. The time isn’t right for her to come with us yet. And Xuan’er is still too young—we can’t take away his freedom so early.”

Xiao Lengyu nodded.
Thinking it over, he was right. She was just a little nervous—worried she wouldn’t get along well with her in-laws.

Ah well, whatever. It’s not like I’m made of gold and jewels—I can’t expect everyone to like me. I’ll just be myself.

After all, no matter what happens, she has her husband standing firmly by her side.