The bet

Bonus update for reaching 60r in gifts (currently 52.51, posting early)

Xiao Yan understood the underlying nature of Caleb's personality.

Everything he had said came from the heart.

At his core, Caleb was someone who wore himself down internally, habitually agonizing over things and punishing himself.

When it came to something he believed he had to do, he would fall into an almost crazed obsession.

It seemed his many doubts about Xiao Yan had already driven him into a narrow alley.

In that dark, winding alley, he had begun to lose his way.

He badly needed Xiao Yan to shine even a sliver of light for him, to guide him onward.

But on the other hand, Xiao Yan thought self-mockingly.

That long speech of his had actually been a defensive confession with an agenda.

He had probably already guessed that saying something would stir Xiao Yan's feelings.

If words could get him answers, he was willing to give that a try too.

Xiao Yan lowered her head and smiled. "Did you swear to someone that you'd never fall for any woman in this lifetime?"

The question came out of nowhere.

Caleb furrowed his brows, growing a little impatient. "I never made a pointless vow like that, but I really don't have any intention of falling in love with anyone."

"Even talking about feelings, even mentioning the word love, puts you off," Xiao Yan said.

Caleb took a deep breath. "None of that means anything to me."

"Then let's consider a hypothetical." Xiao Yan looked out at the city beyond the window. "If one day you really do fall in love with me, how will you live with yourself when you look back on everything you did to me-all your suspicion, testing, wariness, and rejection?"

Caleb's brows drew even tighter. He gritted his teeth and said nothing for a long time.

Xiao Yan continued quietly, "However much you avoid feelings, you can't guarantee they'll never happen. However much you hide yourself, you have to admit you're a living, breathing person, and that means you must have emotional needs."

"..." This time, Caleb had no answer.

"We're already in this kind of relationship. Once you discover and face those needs, I'll be the only natural person for you to turn to for affection, won't I?"

"..."

"The higher a man's social standing, the less room there is for anything to go wrong in a marriage he's already entered. Part of why you chose me was that, given the Xiao Family's power, the great young lady Xiao that I am would never worship you, look up to you, admire your strength, or depend on you. That would greatly reduce the possibility of me falling in love with you and asking you for love."

"..."

With one speech after another, Xiao Yan had struck back at the verbal siege Caleb had subjected her to earlier.

She decided to use one last finishing move to test his true feelings.

"Caleb, if you regret this and want to end our marriage, I think sooner would be better than later."

Caleb visibly panicked, his puppy eyes widening a little.

His hands tightened around the steering wheel. "I have no intention of doing that. Don't let your imagination run wild."

"Really?" Xiao Yan had succeeded.

That was the point of having used her authority as the wife to force him into having sex with her in the first place.

Now that they had been intimate, however much Caleb resisted, he could not cast off that responsibility.

Besides, he also felt he owed her at least a little.

As long as she made good use of those things, she would certainly be able to hold on to him.

"Then let's make a bet," Xiao Yan suggested.

"What kind of bet?" he asked.

"We'll set the limit at these thirty days of your turn on duty and bet on whether you'll fall in love with me. The condition is that we have to spend time together like a couple, and you can't deliberately neglect me. When the thirty days are up, if I win, you have to submit to me obediently. If I lose, I'll answer all your questions, dispel all your inner demons, and stop coveting you or your heart. Just as you wish, we'll maintain nothing more than a marriage of convenience where we each get what we need, together in appearance but apart at heart."

This time, Caleb answered quickly. "All right. I'll take that bet."

Xiao Yan closed her eyes briefly. He wanted those answers so badly.

But she no longer wanted to analyze Caleb's thoughts.

He wore himself down.

She couldn't join him in that.

If one of them had to forge bravely ahead toward mutual love, that person could only be her.

For this bet, she had to muster her confidence and tell herself: Caleb, that dog, was certain to lose!

Then he was already hers!

She happily reached over and poked Caleb's cheek. "Big brother, when the time comes, you'd better honor the bet and admit defeat."

Caleb was probably tired from all their back-and-forth maneuvering too.

Seeing Xiao Yan brighten up, he sighed and glanced at her. "Don't get too smug yet. When your big brother wins, don't go crying in secret all by yourself."

Xiao Yan froze.

Hearing him speak so lightly, with a smile in his voice...

"Caleb." Xiao Yan touched his face. "Could you play the part of a good big brother like this and say a few more things to me?"

"I'm driving." Caleb pulled her hand down and gave it two soothing pats. "I'll stay home tonight. I'm not going anywhere. Tell me what you want to hear once we get home."

Xiao Yan sat up properly.

A laugh burst out of her.

A little later, Caleb glanced over again and was stunned to discover that although Xiao Yan was smiling, two glistening trails of tears ran down her face, reflecting the streetlights.

His heart suddenly sank.

Keeping his left hand on the steering wheel, he reached over with his right, bent his fingers, and brushed his knuckles against Xiao Yan's face.

Cool and wet.

If he tasted them, they would surely be terribly bitter.

After they reached the villa.

In the courtyard, Sylus said he wouldn't go inside and was heading back to his own home to take care of other things.

Then he smiled at Xiao Yan, put on his helmet, and rode off on his motorcycle.

Rafayel yawned, walked up to Xiao Yan, and muttered with a pout, "That's why fish can't keep staying up late. I only stayed up a little last night, and I'm already getting tired so easily today."

As he spoke, he moved a little closer and gave Xiao Yan a loose hug from the front. "Miss Baby, I'm heading home. Remember what we agreed on. You can contact me anytime, okay?"

Xiao Yan nodded. "Let me know when you get home safely. Have a nice hot bath, then get a good night's sleep."

"Mm~ You too," Rafayel said beside Xiao Yan's ear.

He backed away, grinning and waving at Xiao Yan, then got into his car and drove off with a press of the accelerator.

Xavier had originally planned to stay and leave the next morning.

But it wasn't his month as the primary husband. Under the rules the men had set themselves, the primary husband's right to stay overnight still took precedence, so he had to wait and see what Caleb intended to do.

Zayne didn't beat around the bush. He went straight over to Caleb. "I have something to take care of at the hospital tomorrow. If you're staying tonight, I'll head home first?"

"I'm staying," Caleb answered firmly. "You can all go home."

Zayne still paused in surprise.

Then he smiled a little. "All right. I'll leave Little Jasmine in your care, then. Be attentive. Also, Xavier, would you like a ride?"

Xavier said nothing. He went over to Xiao Yan, his foxlike eyes turning into round bunny eyes.

Xiao Yan smiled, cupping Xavier's face and giving it a gentle little shake. "Don't want to leave? Then stay. Shall we make another journal page together later, themed around Jiang Miao's husband-selection banquet?"

"Mm~ No." Xavier was awkward about it. "I want to make a journal spread themed around basking in the afternoon sun, with a garden, a swing, and a group of little rabbit statues looking around curiously along a winding path."

"Then let's do that." Xiao Yan brushed her thumbs beneath Xavier's eyes.

He couldn't bear to leave her. She could feel it.

She wanted to comfort him. He could feel that too.