I Like You

As dusk gradually fell, Xiao Yuan walked side by side with Ya Fei.

"That little girl named Xiao Yu seemed to have some feelings for you."

Ya Fei's red lips curled slightly as she spoke with a hint of amusement.

"Yes, we grew up playing together."

Xiao Yuan nodded and replied softly.

"What about you?"

Ya Fei raised her Willow Eyebrows, looking at Xiao Yuan with interest.

"Me? Hmm, I think Sister Xiao Yu is quite nice."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yuan answered honestly.

Ya Fei could only shake her head helplessly at his answer.

What kind of answer was that?

"What I mean is, do you like her too?"

Ya Fei simply asked what was on her mind directly.

"If you mean like her, then I definitely do. Otherwise, we wouldn't have played together from childhood until now. It's just that I can't yet say whether it's the same kind of liking I have for Sister Ya Fei."

Xiao Yuan frowned slightly and shook his head.

"Hehe, all right. Little Brother Xiao Yuan is quite honest."

Seeing Xiao Yuan's serious expression, Ya Fei smiled and stopped pressing the matter.

On the Douqi Continent, it was hardly unusual for the strong to have multiple female companions. Based on her understanding of Xiao Yuan, if she asked him to choose only her, he would most likely be able to do it.

But Xiao Yuan could not possibly remain confined to a corner of the Jia Ma Empire forever. Sooner or later, he would have to go out into the world.

When that time came, she naturally would not be able to accompany him. Rather than that, it would be better to be more open-minded.

So, she changed the subject and said softly, "However, I also know that we both have our own things to work toward. I can't stay by your side forever and live and die with you. But when you leave the Jia Ma Empire to make your way in the world, I'll look after the Xiao Clan for you."

Xiao Yuan froze for a moment, catching the implication in Ya Fei's words. He smiled slightly, then said earnestly, "Sister Ya Fei, no matter what, since I was the one who took the initiative to pursue you, I definitely won't abandon you and run away. No matter what happens, Sister Ya Fei is the first woman I've been certain I truly like."

Seeing the solemn expression on Xiao Yuan's face, Ya Fei nodded with a radiant smile.

"But you should be Sister's first—and only—man!"

Ya Fei then revealed a slightly resentful expression and spoke in a low voice.

Xiao Yuan fell silent for a moment. Then, beneath Ya Fei's surprised gaze, he suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon them, draping them in a layer of golden gauze as their figures pressed closely together.

"Sorry, but I'll still have to trouble Sister Ya Fei to wait for me for a few years. Once I reach the Dou Wang Stage, I'll personally go to the Mite'er Family and ask for your hand."

Feeling the slightly stiff body in his arms, Xiao Yuan whispered softly into Ya Fei's ear.

Ya Fei bit her red lip lightly, nodded, and said gently with a smile.

"All right. I'll wait for you."

Only after a long while did the two finally separate.

The Mittel Auction House guards who had been waiting not far away were already rooted to the spot. Damn it, that kid had really won Ya Fei over?

"All right, Sister really should go now. Otherwise, that little Sister Xiao Yu will get impatient from waiting."

Ya Fei smiled enchantingly, every glance and movement overflowing with charm, though her eyes carried a trace of teasing.

"Mhm, all right."

Xiao Yuan smiled and waved goodbye to Ya Fei.

After watching Ya Fei leave, Xiao Yuan used the Swimming Dragon Step and hurried back.

By then, there were not many people left at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony grounds.

Xiao Yu stood there alone, looking lonely and desolate.

"Sister Xiao Yu, sorry for making you wait so long."

Xiao Yuan flashed over to Xiao Yu's side, took out a white cloak from his Storage Ring, and draped it over her shoulders.

Thanks to her pair of long, beautiful legs, Xiao Yu had a rather tall figure. Wearing Xiao Yuan's cloak did not look out of place at all.

"You're back."

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and spoke softly.

?

Xiao Yuan frowned, then seriously raised the back of his hand and pressed it against Xiao Yu's forehead.

"No fever?"

He then muttered thoughtfully.

"Xiao Yuan!"

Xiao Yu's pretty face instantly changed. She glared at Xiao Yuan with her beautiful eyes and snapped in a low voice.

"Hehe, just kidding. Come on, I'll walk you back."

Only after seeing Xiao Yu return to normal did Xiao Yuan smile warmly.

"No, I'm not going back. Come with me to the Back Mountain."

Xiao Yu pouted and stared at Xiao Yuan.

"All right, whatever you say."

Xiao Yuan nodded and agreed.

"Hmph!"

Only then did Xiao Yu's expression improve somewhat. She grabbed Xiao Yuan's arm and dragged him toward the Xiao Clan's Back Mountain.

That night, beneath a bright moon and sparse stars, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yu sat on the ground in a secluded spot on the Xiao Clan's Back Mountain. Xiao Yu's feet were soaking in a hot spring.

Xiao Yu had discovered this hot spring by accident. Whenever the mood struck her, she would come here to bathe and soak in it.

After discovering the hot spring, Xiao Yu had told Xiao Yuan about it.

From then on, whenever Xiao Yu took a bath, Xiao Yuan was usually the one keeping watch for her.

"Ever since you took over the clan's markets, we haven't come here in a long time."

Xiao Yu's voice was somewhat low.

"Mhm. Counting the year you spent at Jia Nan Academy, it's been four years. But during the year you were gone, I came here to sit a few times."

Xiao Yuan nodded and spoke softly.

"During my Coming-of-Age Ceremony last year, you gave me a dress and a thousand Gold Coins to save for when I went to Jia Nan Academy.

"But this year, for your Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I didn't prepare any gift for you. Will you be disappointed?"

Xiao Yu's mood sank, and her voice turned bitter.

"Hehe, the fact that you specifically took leave to come back this time is already the best gift you could give me."

Xiao Yuan smiled and comforted her gently.

Xiao Yu froze, then instinctively stubbornly replied, "I didn't take leave and come back this time because of—"

But halfway through, when she saw the smile in Xiao Yuan's eyes, she swallowed her excuse. Her heart stirred faintly.

Yet in the next instant, she changed her tone and snapped fiercely, "Wasn't it all for you? But there are already other women in your heart!"

Xiao Yuan was left somewhat speechless by Xiao Yu's sudden delicate scolding.

Could she twist it around like that?

Thus, Xiao Yuan shook his head helplessly and said solemnly,

"Sister Xiao Yu, although there probably isn't any blood relation between us anymore, we're still cousins in name—"

But Xiao Yu suddenly covered Xiao Yuan's mouth. Staring into his eyes with her beautiful ones, she said with complete seriousness, "I don't care. From childhood until now, there hasn't been anyone else in my heart besides you. You're not allowed to reject me! While you were gone just now, I figured it out. If I don't make a move soon, other women will steal your heart away! We grew up together, and we'll stay together forever!"

I'm not very good at writing romance scenes, and I write them slowly too. But one of my original intentions for this book was to write romance, and it's obvious that I'm going to write a harem. As everyone can see, apart from Xun Er and Nalan Yanran, I'll basically be taking in all the familiar female leads. So if there are places where I haven't written well, please forgive me, everyone. or2