Chapter 112: Like a Breath of Spring Breeze

“What’s going on?” Xia Yan gently patted her on the back, her voice tinged with concern.

Zhu Yan wiped away her tears and glanced at the children in the room. Xia Yan understood immediately. “Xiao Zhe, it’s time for school. Take your little brother with you.”

“Mom, it’s still too early. If we go now, there won’t even be any morning study sessions yet.”

Lin Hongzhe ignored his younger brother’s protests, tugged him back to their room to grab their backpacks, and headed out the door. Lin Hongzhuo walked alongside, complaining, “Brother, it’s too early... even the teachers haven’t arrived yet.”

As their voices faded into the distance, Zhu Yan finally sat down and looked at Lin You. “Brother Lin, I want to have a private talk with Xia Yan.”

Lin You picked up Nuannuan. “You two talk. I’ll take Nuannuan out for a walk.”

The once lively living room was now left with only Xia Yan and Zhu Yan.

Xia Yan went to the kitchen and took out a tin can, along with two exquisite cups...

When she came back, she was holding two steaming cups of coffee. She had bought this back when she was still at An’s home but had never had the chance to drink it.

“Coffee? I didn’t expect you to have such a treat.”

“There’s no sugar, so just bear with it...” Xia Yan was used to black coffee and thought the flavor was just right.

Zhu Yan took a small sip, the bitterness making her frown. “Xia Yan, my mother arranged a match for me...”

“You don’t like him, do you?”

“Yes. I’ve grown up with this person since childhood...”

“Oh? So he’s a childhood friend, someone who knows you inside and out.”

Zhu Yan gave her a weary look. “I’m almost annoyed to death, and you’re joking with me.”

Xia Yan gently patted the back of her hand. “I’m serious. Isn’t it nice to have someone who knows you so well?”

“But I only see him as a little brother.”

“And what about him?”

Xia Yan sipped her coffee. If the other party didn’t agree, that would be easier to handle.

“He...” Zhu Yan sighed, recalling how as a child he used to follow her around, saying he would grow up and marry her. A wave of helplessness rose in her heart.

But later, he went abroad, and they lost contact. She still remembered crying the day he left.

A few days ago, Zhu Yan was called back home. Upon entering, she saw a man in a suit whose familiar features made her recognize him immediately.

At first, she was happy, but when she learned the purpose of his visit, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing her expression, Xia Yan guessed the answer.

“So, your parents have both agreed, right?”

In this day and age, most marriages were decided by parents, leaving little room for personal choice.

Zhu Yan nodded. “My mother had objections to me liking Lin You before...”

She glanced at Xia Yan and, seeing she wasn’t angry, continued, “When my mother heard he had returned from abroad and visited my parents, she was ecstatic.”

“Oh, a returned overseas scholar.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

Zhu Yan took a big gulp of coffee. Though bitter, it was nothing compared to the bitterness in her heart. “The next day, he told my mother his intentions, and she agreed on the spot.”

“That night, I had a fight with my mother and was locked inside the house, only released by my father.”

“No wonder you missed Lin You and my wedding banquet.”

Xia Yan finally understood why Zhu Yan hadn’t attended that day.

Hearing this, Zhu Yan stood up in shock. “What?! You already had the banquet?”

“Yes, just a few days ago, when you were locked inside.”

Zhu Yan deflated like a punctured balloon, resting her cheek on her hand. “Looks like I don’t stand a chance.”

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“What else? I’ll avoid it as long as I can. At worst, I’ll leave this place!” Zhu Yan’s eyes were resolute.

Xia Yan advised, “I don’t think that’s necessary. Why not give the returned scholar a chance? After all, you grew up together.”

“No... he’s just a little brother to me.”

At that moment, a somewhat casual voice rang from the courtyard entrance. “Brother, sister-in-law!”

Xia Yan didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Wang Baoguo had just stepped inside and saw Xia Yan. “Sister-in-law, where’s my big brother?”

“He’s taken Nuannuan out.”

“Sister-in-law, you and my brother registered your marriage and had a banquet without me? That’s just too...” Wang Baoguo stopped mid-sentence as his gaze landed on Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan looked puzzled by his stare and took an immediate disliking to the ‘handsome’ guy.

At this moment, Wang Baoguo felt like a breeze had swept over him; Zhu Yan’s face was deeply etched in his heart.

Though not as stunningly beautiful as Xia Yan, in Wang Baoguo’s eyes, she was the most beautiful right now.

Seeing Wang Baoguo frozen in place, Xia Yan waved her hand in front of his eyes. “Baoguo, snap out of it...”

“Sister-in-law, who’s this?” Wang Baoguo’s gaze still lingered on Zhu Yan.

Xia Yan clearly saw what was on his mind but wasn’t about to meddle. “This is my close friend, godmother to three children, Dr. Zhu Yan.”

“Zhu Yan, this is the company commander, Wang Baoguo, a good friend of Lin You.”

Wang Baoguo straightened his uniform and extended his hand. “Hello, Dr. Zhu, I’m Wang Baoguo.”

Though reluctant to shake hands with this ‘unfavorable’ fellow, Zhu Yan did so out of respect for Xia Yan, replying coolly, “Zhu Yan.”

“Xia Yan, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll talk to you when I have time.”

“Why not stay a bit longer?”

The previous topic hadn’t been finished. Xia Yan was clearly surprised to hear Zhu Yan’s reply.

“Maybe another day.”

With that, Zhu Yan left the room.

Watching her retreating figure, Wang Baoguo felt an urge to follow her but was stopped by Xia Yan. “What’s wrong with you? Why stare at her like that as soon as you come in?”

“Sister-in-law, do you believe in love at first sight?”

Wang Baoguo said this somewhat dazedly.

Xia Yan laughed. “I didn’t before, but now I do. But Zhu Yan isn’t easy to win over.”

“With you and my brother around, I believe I’ll succeed...”

Xia Yan quickly waved him off. “No, do you know how many years Zhu Yan has liked my brother?”

“What?”

Wang Baoguo was so shocked that his dialect slipped out. “She’s been after my brother? Then you guys...”

Xia Yan gave him a playful pat on the head. “How would you understand the friendship between women? Your brother probably won’t intervene, but I can help you... It depends on you. If you want to pursue Zhu Yan, you’d better be serious.”