Luo Guoliang chuckled, "I didn't chase her; she cried and begged to marry me."
The room erupted in laughter, even Nan Zhenting, whose expression had been grim, managed a smile.
Once the laughter subsided, Lan Haolin turned to Sixth and Seventh, "When does your family's academic exchange begin?"
"The day after tomorrow," Lan Xiaoqi replied.
"Then it clashes with Chaochao and Mumu's performance?"
"Brother and I both have our academic reports in the morning, so we can watch the performance in the afternoon."
"Alright, then after you watch the performance, head back to Noakas. And Fifth, your eldest brother is swamped with work; you should go back with them and help him."
Lan Xiaowu furrowed his brow slightly, "Don't you have Third and Fourth with him?"
"Third ran off again; your eldest brother is chasing him all over the world. Fourth has been slacking off lately, running to the restaurant every day. It seems his dream of becoming a master chef will last a lifetime."
Lan Xiaowu scratched his head irritably, "Sister, can you help Big Brother find Third? I really don't want to go back. Working under him would either kill me or skin me alive."
Lan Yuxi propped her chin in her hand and pondered, "You're all my brothers; who should I help?"
"Of course, me! We look the most alike! And we have the best relationship!"
Lan Xiaoliu shot him a glance, "Don't flatter yourself. Sister clearly has the best relationship with me!"
Lan Xiaowu rolled up his sleeves, "Lan Xiaoliu, are you looking for a fight?"
Lan Xiaoliu ignored him and turned to his father, "Dad, Seven and I have discussed it. We want to work in Huaguo so we can protect Sister from up close."
Lan Haolin raised an eyebrow, "Have you found a hospital?"
Nan Xiao chimed in from the side, "If Sixth and Seventh want to work in Huaguo, Huo's Hospital is a good option, or I can help you build another one."
Lan Xiaoqi wiggled his nose, "I've told you before, don't call us brother; it makes us sound old."
Luo Jiaqi's lips curved upwards involuntarily. He loved seeing Nan Xiao flustered.
Lan Yuxi pouted and looked over, "If not brother, then what should I call you?"
Seeing her protect Nan Xiao so fiercely, Luo Jiaqi's lips drooped again.
Lan Xiaoliu tugged at Lan Xiaoqi, "You, shut up!"
Is this kid an idiot?
At a time like this, he dares to offend Sister. If Sister gets unhappy, it'll be difficult for them to stay in Huaguo.
"Huo's Hospital is indeed a good option, but we don't want to be tied down. If we don't have to be on call, we might consider it."
Nan Xiao nodded, "I understand. I'll communicate with Huo Ding about it later; it shouldn't be a problem."
Lan Xiaoliu grinned, "Then thank you, brother-in-law."
"We're family; no need for such politeness."
As Nan Xiao was speaking, he saw Luo Jiaqi place a pumpkin pancake in front of Lan Yuxi. Just as Lan Yuxi was about to eat it, Nan Xiao secretly pinched her thigh under the table.
Lan Yuxi jumped, and the pumpkin pancake she was about to eat dropped to the floor with a thud.
Before everyone could look, Nan Xiao calmly withdrew his hand.
Seeing everyone looking, Lan Yuxi offered a dry laugh, "I'm getting old; I can't even hold my chopsticks properly."
Luo Jiaqi shifted his gaze from her face to Nan Xiao.
Nan Xiao gave him a faint look and then turned away. He didn't say another word for the rest of the meal.
After dinner, Nan Xiao went upstairs, claiming he needed to make a call to Huo Ding, and didn't come down.
Lan Yuxi knew he was sulking but refrained from going to him with everyone present.
At eight o'clock, after the Luo family of four had left, Lan Yuxi said to Nan Zhenting, who was still playing chess with her father, "Grandpa, there's no one else here; it's no fun for you to go back. Stay here."
Nan Zhenting readily agreed, "Alright, as long as you don't find me bothersome, I won't leave."
Lan Haolin smiled, "We're delighted to have you; how could we be bothered? You don't know, I had no one to play chess with these past two days."
Tang Wan looked at her daughter and smiled, "Nan Xiao might be tidying up the study; go help him."
Lan Yuxi knew her mother had probably figured something out. She pouted and went upstairs.
Nan Xiao was sitting at his desk, flipping through documents. He didn't look up when he heard the door open.
No one ever entered his study without knocking except Lan Yuxi.
Seeing he wasn't paying attention, Lan Yuxi pouted and asked, "Are you sulking with me?"
Nan Xiao's grip on the document tightened slightly, but he didn't respond.
Lan Yuxi walked over, "It's just a pumpkin pancake; is it that big a deal?"
Nan Xiao slammed down the document and looked up, his gaze cold, "Just a pumpkin pancake? Don't tell me you don't know his feelings for you!"
Lan Yuxi was taken aback by his icy stare, "Whatever his feelings are, I'll only ever consider him my brother. When a brother offers me something, I have no reason to refuse..."
Seeing Nan Xiao's gaze grow colder, Lan Yuxi's face fell, "You carry on, I won't disturb you."
As she turned to leave, Nan Xiao forcefully pulled her into his arms.
Lan Yuxi reflexively raised her hands to fight back, but Nan Xiao was faster. He restrained her hands and pinned her against the wall.
Before Lan Yuxi could react, he leaned down and bit her swan-like long neck.
Lan Yuxi gasped in pain.
Normally, Nan Xiao would have been considerate of her feelings, but he was still angry and completely reckless, biting her beautiful neck before moving to nibble her tender lips.
Lan Yuxi's eyes welled up with tears. She tried to kick him, but Nan Xiao, sensing the danger, clamped his long legs around hers.
Lan Yuxi closed her eyes in defeat.
Seeing she was no longer struggling, Nan Xiao slowly opened his eyes. When he saw the tears on her face, he jolted, hastily releasing her hands, "Xi Bao... I'm sorry."
Lan Yuxi was incredibly wronged, and tears poured out like a floodgate, "Wuuu... you only know how to bully me!"
"I... no, don't cry, be good... I was just angry. You are mine alone, and I can't stand seeing you too close to other men."
Lan Yuxi sniffled, "When was I close to him? After the research institute was established, I haven't been there. Why are you becoming so petty? You weren't like this before."
"How do you know I didn't get jealous before?" Nan Xiao raised his hand and wiped the tears from her face, "I just didn't have the right back then. Even if I was jealous, I could only be so in secret. But now I'm your husband, and I can be openly jealous..."
Nan Xiao's eyes flickered, and he suddenly asked, "Has this study been soundproofed?"