A shared decision

A few minutes later, Xiao Yan walked into the recreation room with Zayne beside her, her face expressionless.

Xavier immediately rose from the sofa and came over. "Partner, you're back."

Taking Xiao Yan's hands as they stood facing each other, Xavier deliberately put on a meek, submissive manner. "I'm sorry. I was so inconsiderate. I failed to understand the responsibilities you have to shoulder as our wife and future head of the family. It was all my fault. Please punish me, partner."

Zayne cleared his throat behind Xiao Yan.

Xavier was acting, helping Xiao Yan establish her authority before this conversation.

Afraid Xiao Yan might not get it, Zayne had to give her a careful reminder.

"Do you really understand what you did wrong?" Xiao Yan asked coldly.

Xavier grew even meeker. "I... really do. Could I... still kneel in the bedroom as punishment? My knees can't take kneeling on the gravel path in the courtyard for too long."

Xiao Yan's temple twitched. She looked up into Xavier's clear blue eyes. Aren't you overdoing it a little?

But Xavier seemed to have caught the acting bug. "I have to hold both hands above my head. I remember the rules..."

Rafayel had been lounging quite casually on the sofa.

Hearing this, he involuntarily sat up straight and turned to Sylus, who stood beside the pool table holding a cue, a faint smile on his face.

This family really has a rule about punishing anyone who disobeys their wife?

Sylus glanced over with his red eyes. How would I know?

In fact, Sylus had seen through Xavier's poor acting long ago, but had no intention of exposing him.

Caleb, meanwhile, set his cue back on the pool table and watched Xiao Yan and Xavier holding hands, his expression serious.

Although he could tell it was an act, he could also glimpse an indescribable intimacy between Xiao Yan and Xavier.

Xiao Yan raised her hand, and Xavier obediently lowered his head, letting her stroke his hair.

"There's no need to kneel. As long as you recognize your mistakes and correct them," Xiao Yan said.

Only then did Xavier give a faint smile and obediently murmur his agreement. "Thank you, partner~"

Xiao Yan released Xavier's hands and walked toward the sofa.

Rafayel hurriedly shifted toward the edge, then wondered if he should stop occupying the most comfortable spot and started to get up.

Xiao Yan stared at him. "Why are you so scared? I'm not holding a whip. Sit still."

Rafayel said, "...Oh."

After sitting down, Xiao Yan caught the scent of white tea and jasmine perfume Rafayel had picked up in her room.

Something stirred in her heart. "Come closer."

"Huh." Rafayel froze for a few seconds, then shuffled closer to Xiao Yan. "Um, my wife, should I... apologize to you too?"

Xavier followed and sat beside Xiao Yan, with Rafayel on her other side.

Intending to tease Rafayel, Xiao Yan said, "I'm tired of hearing apologies. Let's see you act cute."

"Huh?!" Rafayel was dumbfounded. "How... how am I supposed to act cute?"

"Partner." Xavier began demonstrating again, looking tenderly at Xiao Yan. "Little Xavier promises he won't be willful again."

Xiao Yan tilted her head and stared at Rafayel. "There. Like that."

"Ah... um, well." Rafayel agonized over it.

His entire face scrunched up, his iridescent eyes darting about. "M-my wife, Little Fish won't be willful again..."

Xavier went a step further, pressing close from behind Xiao Yan and lowering his chin onto her shoulder.

He stared provocatively at Rafayel. "Partner, Little Xavier will be the best-behaved baby in this family~"

Rafayel flushed and pointed at Xavier. "How can you act like that!"

"Partner, look at him." Xavier pouted. "He's being mean to me~"

"Don't be mean to him." Xiao Yan poked Rafayel's forehead.

"Ah!" Rafayel covered his forehead. "Wait, why are you only taking his side! Because he's shameless? You like that damn green tea?"

"Still talking?" Xiao Yan moved to poke him again.

Rafayel caught her hand. "That's not fair. We're both your husbands. Why do you spoil him so much!"

His hand was warm, his fingers long and slender, and his grip strong.

"Oh, fine. I'll listen to you from now on, so stop being angry." Rafayel pulled Xiao Yan's hand toward him and held it tight. "Xavier, stop pretending. You're so fake. You're making me sick."

"All right, stop messing around." Zayne walked over to Sylus.

Sylus, Zayne, and Caleb all came around to the side of the pool table closest to the sofa.

The three mature men all leaned their backsides against the edge of the pool table.

Meanwhile, Rafayel was still holding Xiao Yan's hand.

He even lowered his head with a pout, looking cross, yet kept toying with her fingertips.

Little Fish really was the best at acting cute. As he played with her fingers, Xiao Yan's heart tingled in time with his movements.

By contrast, Xavier let out a breath as though he had completed his assignment and leaned against the back of the sofa.

He merely kept his arm touching Xiao Yan's, making no more little gestures.

"We discussed things before you came back," Caleb began.

Xiao Yan's expression changed. As she looked at Caleb, her nerves drew taut.

Rafayel felt her hand tremble.

He also looked toward Caleb, a trace of confusion showing in his eyes.

Looking straight into Xiao Yan's eyes, Caleb concisely summarized what she had already overheard.

Then he pressed his lips together. "Although it doesn't follow your wishes entirely, this rotation will help everyone participate in the family. We unanimously agree that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. But these are only our thoughts. The final decision is still yours."

Xiao Yan steadied herself and asked coldly, "Aren't you a very busy fleet commander? Can you guarantee you'll stay at home for the next month?"

"I can take marriage leave. The application will need your signature. The fleet has always given this kind of leave the green light, so it shouldn't be much of a problem," Caleb said.

Although his expression was still just as cold, and his tone just as stiff.

At least what he said was no longer so unapproachable.

"What about Jiang Miao's husband-selection banquet tonight?" Xiao Yan asked.

Caleb nodded. "I'll stay by your side as your primary husband without leaving you for a moment. I won't let outsiders notice anything amiss."

"Yes. If we decide to do this, then it's a joint decision among all six of us. I'll be watching you. Whoever's turn it is, anyone who falls short had better watch out." Sylus turned to glance at Caleb.

"Worry about yourself." Caleb glanced back at Sylus. "I'll be watching you too."

"Then for the next thirty days, Caleb will be responsible for Little Jasmine's food, clothing, accommodation, transportation, and everything else she needs."

Zayne folded his arms, looking serious. "During that time, anyone else who wants to come home to stay, or needs Little Jasmine's help with anything, must approach Caleb first. He'll make the arrangements and see them through."

"I have no problem with that." Caleb leaned a little toward Zayne. "Dr. Zayne has the final say."

Their arms touched.

Displeased, Zayne jabbed him with his elbow. "There's still some time before we leave for Eldest Miss Jiang's husband-selection banquet. You handle the arrangements."

Caleb promptly gave him a small nudge back. "Although I'm taking the first turn as primary husband, you'll be next. Let's go see Uncle Sang together to hand over the household affairs. If there's anything I don't understand, you can explain it to me."

They had, after all, known each other long enough. Caleb was willing to lower himself a little to salvage his image in his childhood friend's eyes.

Zayne wasn't so easily forgiving, and his manner remained cold and stern. "What about the others?"

"Everyone probably has a few private things they'd like to say to our wife alone. If she agrees, she can use the remaining time to speak with each of them in turn."

Caleb looked at Xiao Yan. "What do you think, my wife?"

Zayne frowned in warning. "What sort of tone and expression should you use when making a suggestion to your wife?"

Caleb awkwardly lowered his eyes to adjust himself. When he looked up again, he wore a friendlier smile. "Would these arrangements be to your liking, my wife?"

Xiao Yan thought, How could I possibly find fault with you? Who knows how much inviolable possessiveness is hiding beneath that deliberately gentle smile?