Chapter 26: Am I Not Alluring Enough?

“We’re not sure either. There was no one else at home at the time, and I always kept it in the cupboard. The little ones wouldn’t go rummaging through it.” Lin A’di still hadn’t figured it out.

But Xia Yan was certain this had something to do with An Xin. “Mom, was An Xin home at the time?”

“She was there when your father and I left, but she was gone when we came back. She didn’t come home until the evening and said she’d been out looking for a classmate.”

The more Xia Yan listened, the more certain she became. She asked again, “What was the date that happened?”

“I remember well—it was December 3rd,” Lin A’di replied with certainty.

Xia Yan recalled, and the original owner’s memories in her mind told her that after her parents left the An family that day, An Xin appeared at their door and told the couple about her engagement, which was a military marriage that couldn’t be called off.

Connecting this to what her mother had said just now, Xia Yan had already pieced together the truth. An Xin had broken the jade pendant, leaving her parents with no way to break off the engagement, so she would be sent off to the Northwest, leaving An Xin as the only daughter of the An family.

This was revenge, pure and simple.

Clearly, she couldn’t stay here much longer; An Xin was definitely here to change the course of events, which put Xia Yan at a disadvantage.

At this moment, she had an overwhelming sense that things between her and An Xin would not end so easily.

“Lin You, you’re not angry with your aunt, are you?” Lin A’di looked at Lin You, a little uneasy.

“Auntie, the jade pendant is just an object. Like I said this morning, I’m very glad I didn’t marry An Xin. And now, I’m just as glad it broke—if it hadn’t, I never would have met Xia Yan.”

Hearing this, Lin A’di finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Evening fell. The two had originally intended to return to Lin You’s home, but Lin A’di insisted that Xia Yan spend the night.

That night, Lin A’di didn’t let her daughter cook; she did it herself instead. But when the food was served, everyone frowned at the sight.

That afternoon, Xia Guoliang had even made a special trip to buy another bottle of laobaigan, planning to drink with his son and son-in-law at dinner. But now, looking at the dishes on the table, he lost all desire to drink.

“What’s this? You don’t like my cooking?” his wife challenged.

Xia Guoliang shook his head vigorously. “How could I not like it? If I did, how would I have eaten it for decades?”

Though Lin A’di’s cooking didn’t look great, it tasted fine, and everyone ended up clearing their plates. Seeing this, Lin A’di grinned. “Yan Yan’s cooking skills are just like mine!”

That night, Lin A’di prepared a room for the two of them—it had once been Xia Cuicui’s, and from the wardrobe she dug out a set of new bedding, part of Cuicui’s wedding trousseau.

It just happened to come in handy now.

The Xia family assumed that, since Xia Yan had been in the Northwest for some time, she and Lin You must already be sharing a bed, so they didn’t think much of it.

But the two in question were troubled.

There was only one bed.

Xia Yan steeled herself. After all, they were getting married; sooner or later, they’d be sharing a bed, so what difference did it make if it was now or later? Besides, with the little one, Nuannuan, sleeping between them, nothing would happen anyway.

But then Lin A’di said, “The bed’s not very big. Nuannuan can sleep with the little ones.”

Xia Yan was dumbfounded. Things weren’t supposed to go this way.

Lin You noticed her discomfort and said quietly, “Don’t worry. I won’t touch you.”

Xia Yan turned to look at him, a strange sense of indignation rising in her heart. What did he mean by that? Did he find her unattractive?

She’d been single for decades in her last life, and now, with more than ten years in this one, she’d never even kissed a man. Now, finally, there was a handsome, mature, charming man sharing a bed with her, and he said he wouldn’t touch her?

Lin You saw the disappointment in her eyes and was puzzled—what could this girl be thinking?

The two of them changed into their nightclothes and sat on the bed in silence, keeping a careful distance.

Suddenly, Lin You turned to look at Xia Yan, startling her. She thought he was about to do something. Part of her hoped he would, but when it came down to it, she was a bit afraid.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Nothing,” Lin You replied, and when he didn’t make another move, she relaxed—though she was a little disappointed.

“An Yan—no, Xia Yan—I think we should talk.”

Xia Yan sat up and replied lazily, “What do you want to talk about?”

Lin You thought for a moment, then said seriously, “Xia Yan, we came to your home today. I talked with your parents and your brother about our marriage. They gave their approval, but I still want to ask if you’re truly willing.”

“I’ve said it several times, Lin You. When I chose to go to the Northwest, I’d already made up my mind. And after these few days together, I think you’re a man I can entrust my life to.”

She didn’t hesitate and responded immediately.

“Alright. When I get back, I’ll file the marriage application.”

Hearing this, Xia Yan grinned and teased, “Are you sure? You don’t want to reconsider? What about Dr. Zhu?”

Lin You paused. “Dr. Zhu and I are just colleagues. There’s nothing more between us.”

“What about other women? You’re thirty. Haven’t you ever thought about women?”

As she leaned closer, the scent of her hair drifted to him, and Lin You’s ears turned visibly red.

“No... I haven’t...”

“Haven’t? Lin You, don’t tell me you’re...” Xia Yan’s gaze dropped lower, making Lin You’s face darken. He immediately regretted saying anything at all. This girl was just too bold.

He burrowed under the covers. “Let’s sleep. I’m tired.”

“Oh...” Her disappointed tone made Lin You’s face darken even further. What was she disappointed about—did she really want him to prove himself?

The bed was a bit bigger than a standard single, but it was still cramped for two people.

They lay back to back. Lin You tried to keep his distance, but the occasional brush of contact made his whole body tense.

Xia Yan had thought she’d have trouble sleeping, but before long she drifted off. She dreamed she was sleeping in Lin You’s arms.

Lin You hardly slept a wink all night. He wanted to push Xia Yan away, but was afraid of waking her.

As he was fretting, a leg suddenly draped over his, and her calf brushed against—

Lin You’s breathing grew ragged. This was torture...

He didn’t fall asleep until dawn’s first light crept through the window.

***

The next morning, Xia Yan slowly opened her eyes to find a face inches from her own.

It’s a well-known fact that both men and women are most easily aroused in the morning.

And this face... its impact was simply devastating.

As she gazed at him in a daze, the man’s eyes suddenly opened. The two of them stared at each other for a long moment. Xia Yan suddenly felt something awakening against her calf...