A rotating schedule for the principal husband

No sooner had they left.

Than Rafayel asked Xavier, "Isn't Zayne a sheep beastman? How is his temper so fierce?"

Xavier was still staring at Caleb and answered offhandedly, "He isn't usually like this. He must have a reason for acting this way today. For example..."

Sylus turned over the bacon on his plate with his fork. "Caleb, you seem to have done something pretty momentous."

Uncle Sang was still standing in the corner of the dining room.

Since the young mistress had appointed a principal husband, he no longer had anything to agonize over.

He turned to fetch the accounts and the records of the five gentlemen's overnight stays at home, holding them as he waited for the four gentlemen to finish eating before handing them to Mr. Caleb.

Xiao Yan and Zayne both changed into casual clothes.

Zayne drove Xiao Yan to the bustling food street at the foot of the mountain.

After parking, Zayne came around to open Xiao Yan's door.

Once she got out, Zayne took her hand.

Just like an ordinary couple, or affectionate newlyweds, Zayne led Xiao Yan along, and Xiao Yan followed without having to think.

When they reached a little noodle shop, Zayne caught an appetizing sour aroma.

Remembering how Xiao Yan had barely tasted her food earlier, he thought stimulating her taste buds might work and pulled her inside.

He ordered a large bowl of rice noodles and asked for a small bowl.

Zayne transferred some noodles into the small bowl with his chopsticks, then spooned in some broth. "Will you eat on your own, or shall I feed you?"

Xiao Yan smiled and shook her head, took the small bowl, and slowly slurped her noodles.

"When you brought this up today, did you already expect things to turn out like this?" he asked.

Xiao Yan thought for a moment. "Some parts were unexpected. You were very forceful. That isn't like you."

"Is that so?" Zayne smiled. "Did I scare you?"

"No. However angry you get, I won't find you frightening. I know what you're thinking. You did it for me."

"For you, yes, but I also wanted to give them a reminder." Zayne rested his large hand on Xiao Yan's head and gently patted it twice. "Perhaps by the time we get home, they'll have discussed it again. Let's be a little patient and give them a chance to change."

Xiao Yan turned her eyes toward Zayne and gave him a great big smile. "Mm-hmm~"

In truth, she held out no hope at all.

Of the four of them, only Xavier had made somewhat more progress emotionally, but Star wasn't the type to take the lead.

As for the other three... forget it.

Not one of them could truly look at the problem from Xiao Yan's perspective.

Zayne's gaze filled with tenderness and concern. "Go on, eat. Have some more."

With Zayne keeping her company, she spent over an hour strolling around the food street.

It was already ten in the morning when they returned home.

Uncle Sang said the four gentlemen were playing pool in the recreation room.

Zayne took Xiao Yan toward the recreation room, though she was a little reluctant.

"Let's go eavesdrop." Zayne showed a rare mischievous side. "See what they're talking about."

"They aren't necessarily talking about family matters. They might just be chatting or complaining about each other." Xiao Yan sighed.

Zayne smiled at Xiao Yan. "If they were only talking nonsense, do you think Xavier would be happy to join in?"

That was true.

Xiao Yan let herself be led to the recreation room's doorway. The door was already open.

Sure enough, they were discussing the "principal husband."

Rafayel hummed and grumbled, "Mm~ So this proposal will make our wife happy? She'll agree to it?"

Sylus answered unhurriedly, "Xavier's view is that our successive refusals hurt Little Tabby's self-esteem, so taking the opposite approach will naturally work."

"It isn't just her self-esteem." Xavier's tone barely fluctuated. "Partner has put her heart into this family. If we're all against being the principal husband, wouldn't all that devotion have gone to the dogs?"

"So you do know?" Rafayel shot back. "If I remember correctly, weren't you the first to refuse at the table?"

"I was only getting the ball rolling. I thought those of you who never come home ought to have at least enough responsibility to contradict me, or even give me a scolding. I didn't expect every one of you to be so inconsiderate of Partner. I gave you a chance to show something, and none of you took it."

Sylus denied it. "I was telling the truth. If Little Tabby doesn't mind my identity, of course I can be the principal husband. It wouldn't take much effort on my part anyway."

"Then you shouldn't have put it that way," Xavier retorted. "Saying that would only make Partner think you were shirking responsibility and refusing to step up."

"All right, all right, my mistake~ When Little Tabby gets back, I'll give her a proper apology." Sylus actually backed down.

"I didn't put things very well either," Rafayel admitted in turn. "Oh, I thought our wife had already decided to make Zayne the principal husband. I happened to refuse then so I wouldn't say I wanted the role only to be denied it. How embarrassing would that be?"

"Being good-looking really does make a difference," Xavier said sarcastically. "You care so much about saving face. Well, you saved it and made Partner sad. Happy now?"

"That's enough," Rafayel said unhappily. "I haven't even called you out on that 'getting the ball rolling' business. You practically dug a pit for us on purpose and lured us into jumping in. You make it sound nice now, but who knew what you were scheming back then?"

Xavier gave a cold scoff. "If you truly cared, you wouldn't jump in no matter who dug the pit."

At this, Zayne tightened his grip on Xiao Yan's hand.

He gave her an encouraging look.

Xiao Yan hadn't expected that Xavier really had been the one to initiate this conversation.

She remembered how he had held her, coaxed her, and dotingly helped her wash up first thing that morning.

He had also promised to take very good care of her today.

She had thought he was just saying it to set the mood.

Only now did she realize that Xavier had truly taken Zayne's words last night about "running the family together" to heart.

And he was honoring his morning promise in his own way.

"What about Caleb? Xavier proposed that we each spend a month as principal husband, and whoever is on duty has to live at home that month, except for business trips and other special arrangements. Can you do that?" Rafayel asked.

Only then did Caleb speak. "I'll do my best to cooperate, avoid business trips during my month as much as possible, and spend more time watching over things at home. Still... thank you."

"No need for thanks." Xavier wasn't having any of it. "Taking care of the family is something all of us ought to do in the first place."

Xiao Yan's spirits, which had been low until now, began to lift little by little at their words.

"But this is our family's internal principal husband rotation. When it comes to social occasions and engagements outside, we can't have Little Tabby going out on a different man's arm every month, can we?" Sylus asked.

Rafayel said, "Since our wife chose Caleb as principal husband, he'll represent us outside. If he isn't around, then Zayne. What do you think?"

"If neither of them is around, it'll be me," Xavier said.

"If all three of you are away, it'll have to be me," Sylus added.

Rafayel said, "I'm last? Okay~"

"Good, then we've settled it. From mid-October to mid-November, Caleb, then the rest in order: Zayne, me, Sylus, Rafayel," Xavier said. "When Partner gets back and we tell her what we've agreed on, I hope you'll all be a little more enthusiastic."

Rafayel said, "Sure~"

Sylus said, "All right."

Caleb said, "Mm."

Zayne looked at Xiao Yan again and was surprised to find that her eyes had actually reddened a little.

He pulled Xiao Yan into his arms and gently reassured her by her ear. "Being willing to share responsibility is already very clear progress. Give them a little more time, all right?"

"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded in Zayne's arms, her voice trembling with emotion. "Did you... arrange this with Xavier?"

"I wouldn't call it arranging things. He gave me a look in the confusion, and I understood without him saying anything. I simply took you out for a while to clear your head and left things here to him." Zayne patted Xiao Yan's back. "Xavier put his heart into this. He... deserves praise."

Xiao Yan hugged Zayne's waist tightly. "Mm!"

Zayne's little kisses had already become a habit. He pressed a light kiss to Xiao Yan's forehead. "Let's settle your emotions before we go in."