Chapter 118: Xia Yan, Laugh If You Want To

“Don’t you have faith in them?”

Xia Yan continued with her tasks without looking at Lin You, but she could easily picture his expression in her mind. That handsome face always looked good, yet his range of expressions was rather limited.

Apart from the occasional gentle smile, he mostly wore a composed, serious look—perhaps a result of his long missions in the mountains, always carrying a hint of vigilance.

“A little bit. Although what you said at dinner made sense, but…”

“But you think their personalities are just too different, right?”

Lin You gave a slight hum of agreement.

Only then did Xia Yan put down her chopsticks and bowl, wipe her hands dry, and take hold of his hands. “Lin You, I think you’re overthinking. Some things are better left to fate. From what I see now, Baoguo truly likes Zhu Yan.”

The winter water was cold, so Lin You turned his hand over, gripping Xia Yan’s tightly, warming them with his breath. “But I worry he’s just acting on a fleeting impulse. I also worry that Baoguo is too serious and, if he fails, he’ll be crushed. That’s why he came back this time…”

He let out a heavy sigh.

Though Zhu Yan and Wang Baoguo were both people he knew well, and he would trust them implicitly in other matters, when it came to feelings, he really wasn’t at ease.

“Don’t worry too much. Just let things flow naturally. If they end up together, that’s the best outcome.”

Xia Yan felt the warmth from Lin You’s breath on the back of her hand and blushed slightly. “Alright, leave the rest of the kitchen to me. You go spend time with the kids.”

When Xia Yan finished tidying the kitchen and came out, the three children were seated in the living room, washing their feet, laughing and playing, water splashing everywhere.

She stood quietly, watching them, not scolding. Children of their age should be like this.

Lin Hongzhe was the first to notice her. “Mom, I’ll mop the floor later.”

“It’s okay, Mom will clean up. Where’s Dad?”

“Dad’s in the little sister’s room.”

Lin Hongzhe pointed toward Lin Nuannuan’s room.

Curious, Xia Yan walked over, wondering why the man had gone into his daughter’s room.

She quietly cracked open the door and saw Lin You sitting at the desk, head bowed.

“Guess who I am?”

Lin You smiled. He had overheard what Xia Yan had just said to the kids outside.

He knew she had come in but wanted to see what she was up to. He didn’t expect her to play such a trick on him.

“Wife, is this the result of sneaking up on a soldier from behind?”

Xia Yan hadn’t caught the meaning yet, only feeling herself suddenly lifted off the ground, but before she hit the floor, a pair of strong arms caught her around the waist.

It startled her—this man had actually pulled such a move.

By the time she reacted, she was sitting on Lin You’s lap, her slender waist tightly entwined by his large hands.

“You… you bully me! You pretended not to notice me coming… I’m starting to think you’re getting worse.”

“How am I worse? You’re the one provoking me. Now you’re blaming me?”

Lin You’s hands didn’t stop; he tightened his grip.

The warmth of his breath near her ear almost made Xia Yan lose control. “What are you doing? Let me go! The kids are still out there.”

Lin You could hear the laughter and splashing of the three children outside. His hands didn’t loosen—in fact, he held her tighter.

Xia Yan struggled a few times and, seeing no way out, gave up and comfortably leaned into his embrace. Hmph, if he wasn’t afraid, why should she be?

Her gaze then fell on the book on the desk. “What are you reading?”

“A collection of novels.”

“Hmm?” Xia Yan curiously picked up the book and flipped through it. “Why are you reading this?”

“You and Baoguo told me to read more books…”

“This novel compilation is good for relaxing and cultivating your mind during free time. But now, I think you should read more military books to improve your combat knowledge, or some scientific research material. Maybe your talents go beyond leading troops; maybe you’re meant to be a researcher.”

As Xia Yan spoke, her eyes stayed on the novel in her hands. She had brought this book with her when she left the An family.

The original owner loved romance novels, fantasizing about having the kind of romantic love the heroines in the stories enjoyed—with the male lead, of course, being Huo Ting.

At this moment, Xia Yan secretly envied the original owner for living such a carefree life, following her heart. When she was eighteen, just starting out in the world, struggling to earn her next meal and caught in a fast-paced life, she hardly had time to dream of such a beautiful “love.”

“A researcher? You really think highly of your man. Leading troops, yes. Research…”

Lin You shook his head.

Xia Yan playfully flicked his nose. “You have to believe in yourself. Who knows…”

With a beauty in his arms, such an intimate gesture made Lin You’s gaze burn hotter.

Feeling his stirring desire, Xia Yan quickly jumped out of his embrace, now grateful that the family already had three kids.

“I’m sleeping with Nuannuan tonight!”

Watching her hurried retreat, Lin You’s lips curved into a perfect smile.

***

The next afternoon, since they had to descend the mountain early the following day, Xia Yan finished her classes and said goodbye to the principal before heading home.

Passing by the clinic, she saw Zhu Yan walk in. Thinking she had time, Xia Yan followed her, only to unexpectedly run into a familiar face inside Zhu Yan’s office.

“Xia Yan, what brings you here? Are you feeling unwell?”

Zhu Yan, upon seeing Xia Yan outside the office, quickly pulled her inside, glanced outside, and then locked the door again.

“No, I’m just passing by and wanted to chat with you. Teacher Yuan is here too.”

The familiar face was Yuan Xiangqin. After her scandal was exposed, Li Yong had sent her back to her parents’ home, but her family, knowing everything, shut the door in her face without a word.

Her father had even threatened to sever all father-daughter ties.

Now, Yuan Xiangqin looked haggard, completely stripped of the pride she had when they first met.

“Xia Yan, if you want to laugh, then laugh,” Yuan Xiangqin said through clenched teeth, uncomfortable under Xia Yan’s gaze.

“What would I laugh at? I told you—I just stopped by to talk to Zhu Yan. I had no idea you’d be here.”

Xia Yan found the woman rather baffling.