"Brother Shen, why do you look so uncomfortable?"
Earlier, Shen Lang's massage had left Yu Xiao feeling refreshed and she had fallen into a deep sleep. When she woke up, she found Shen Lang sitting by the bed, looking troubled.
"It's nothing major, Xiaoxiao. Get some sleep early, you have class tomorrow."
Seeing Yu Xiao awake, Shen Lang smiled and said.
"Okay—"
Yu Xiao nodded obediently and then said to Shen Lang, "Brother Shen, my whole body aches and I don't want to move. How about I sleep in your bed tonight, right beside you? Okay?"
"Of course."
Shen Lang heard this and smiled, "We haven't had a good chat in a long time. Tonight is a good opportunity to talk properly."
With that, Shen Lang turned off the room light and lay down beside Yu Xiao, holding her in his arms.
Yu Xiao was his openly acknowledged girlfriend and was already an adult. While Shen Lang was reluctant to do anything more, holding her was acceptable.
Yu Xiao also thoroughly enjoyed the sense of security from Shen Lang's embrace, albeit forced. And so, the two began to talk.
Yu Xiao talked about her life at school, boasting about her academic progress and even boldly sharing her physical growth with Shen Lang.
Shen Lang, in turn, told Yu Xiao about recently recognizing a godmother and gaining an uncle. He also promised to take Yu Xiao to meet his godmother and uncle when he had the chance.
Shen Lang and Yu Xiao's conversation was relaxed and comfortable. Talking with Yu Xiao, Shen Lang felt as if he had returned to the days of chatting with Chu Ge, experiencing that long-lost sense of happiness.
After two hours of conversation, Yu Xiao fell asleep with a smile on her face. Shen Lang kissed her forehead and finally drifted off to sleep as well.
The next morning at seven o'clock, they both woke up.
However, as soon as they got up, they saw Wang Yuyan, Ye Shishi, Gu Qinghan, and Yu Fei already awake in the living room, sitting upright on the sofa.
"Sister Yuyan, why are you up so early?"
Seeing them, Yu Xiao exclaimed in surprise.
"Couldn't sleep, so we got up early."
Wang Yuyan was angry, but she didn't show it to Yu Xiao, and instead smiled, "Xiaoxiao, did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes, very well. With Brother Shen by my side, I slept very soundly."
After speaking, Yu Xiao looked at Wang Yuyan and the others with surprise, "Sister Yuyan, you all seem to have slept poorly. You all have dark circles under your eyes?"
"We..."
Hearing Yu Xiao's words, Wang Yuyan, Ye Shishi, Gu Qinghan, and even Yu Fei had a thousand words to say but couldn't utter them.
Yu Xiao was Shen Lang's girlfriend, and whatever they did was their business. No one else had the right to criticize.
Therefore, even though they knew that Shen Lang and Yu Xiao had already… they could only feel regret in their hearts.
"Hehe, since you all didn't sleep well, I'll make breakfast."
Yu Xiao smiled at them and then walked into the kitchen to start preparing breakfast.
"Xiaoxiao, I'll help you."
Shen Lang couldn't stand Wang Yuyan and the others' questioning gazes and dared not stay in the living room with them. He smiled and followed them into the kitchen.
"Wang Yuyan, what do they remind you of?"
Through the transparent glass door, Ye Shishi saw Shen Lang and Yu Xiao busy in the kitchen and then said to Wang Yuyan.
"What do they remind you of?"
Wang Yuyan knew Ye Shishi rarely said anything good, and at this moment, it was unlikely to be pleasant. She snorted coldly.
"Don't you think they look like a newly married couple, who have just finished their wedding ceremony and are now coming out to entertain guests the next morning?"
Ye Shishi smiled and said.
"Oh..."
Wang Yuyan responded with a casual word, but her heart was bleeding.
Shen Lang was hers, and now he was being taken away by someone else. Wang Yuyan was sad and angry.
However, Wang Yuyan was deep in thought, so even Ye Shishi and Gu Qinghan couldn't see her inner feelings.
"Ye Shishi, you seem very happy?"
Wang Yuyan knew Ye Shishi's intention was to provoke her and didn't fall for her trap. She smiled at Ye Shishi and said, "Since you're so happy, why couldn't you sleep last night and tossed and turned? And why are you up so early this morning?"
"Ye Shishi, you know my feelings, and I know yours too. You want to provoke me, but there's no need."
Wang Yuyan looked at Ye Shishi and said calmly, "The man I love is mine, and no one can take him away. Yu Xiao can't, you can't, and Gu Qinghan can't either."
"However, a duel with a rival is like a game of chess. Sometimes, the opponent might gain an advantage, taking your knight first, then your rook, leaving you at a disadvantage in both pieces and position. But as long as you don't give up, there's always a chance to win."
With that, Wang Yuyan smiled and then walked into the kitchen, saying to Shen Lang and Yu Xiao, "Xiaoxiao, Brother Shen, I'll help you."
"Ye Shishi, it seems your 'little brother's' fiancée is not to be trifled with. You've met your match."
Gu Qinghan, standing nearby, chuckled and said.
"Match?"
Ye Shishi heard this and smiled, "Miss Wang is indeed not simple, but she's still a bit short of being my match."
"Alright, since it has happened, let's not dwell on it. Like Wang Yuyan, turn what you've lost into the motivation for a comeback."
After speaking, Ye Shishi also walked into the kitchen.
Gu Qinghan and Yu Fei exchanged glances, and without a word, they joined as well.
Fortunately, the villa's kitchen was large, otherwise, with so many people entering, they might have been crushed or suffocated.
After a period of painful torment, breakfast was finally ready half an hour later.
At the dining table, Yu Xiao and Shen Lang were chatting and laughing, while the others didn't speak to Shen Lang at all.
Shen Lang found their attitude inexplicable but didn't ask about it.
After breakfast, Yu Xiao and Yu Fei, carrying their schoolbags, left for school, leaving only Shen Lang, Wang Yuyan, and the others.
Instantly, Shen Lang felt an indescribable pressure in the atmosphere. He wanted to speak to them, but didn't know how to start, because he found their anger completely baffling and couldn't find any reason for it.
Under the terrifying silent atmosphere, Shen Lang felt as if he was sitting on pins and needles, like a thorn in his side, like a bone stuck in his throat. Time dragged on like years.
Fortunately, a phone call came, and Shen Lang was finally freed.
The call was from Feng Yijian.
"Mr. Shen, I heard you've returned to Nanling. Could you come to White Horse Club? I have something to report to you."
Hearing Feng Yijian's call, Shen Lang felt as if he had received a pardon and fled the villa without looking back.