Both Zhang Baizhu and Lin Shenling didn’t expect that there would be someone listening, so they were both extremely shocked.

Xiao YuAn took a few steps over and rubbed his temples with one hand, looking like he wanted to know what the hell was going on: “So, what’s the matter with you two?”

Zhang Baizhu wasn’t polite: “Ling’er and I are in love. You must tell me if you agree or not.”

Xiao YuAn: “……”

‘What the fuck?!’

‘Love each other?’

‘Repeat that again?!’

‘Do these words really mean what I think they mean?!’

Xiao YuAn took a deep breath and asked Lin Shenling: “Is this the case?”

Lin Shenling didn’t dare to look at Xiao YuAn and lowered her head, nodding for a while with flushed cheeks.

‘What about Yan HeQing?!’

‘Is this some kind of pattern where all the wives run away?’

Xiao YuAn was frozen in place, unable to return to reality for a long time.

Zhang Baizhu thought that Xiao YuAn was hesitating, so he walked forward to pinch him: “If you dare to shake your head Xiao YuAn, I’ll strangle you on the spot.”

‘You’ll strangle me to death?! If Yan HeQing finds out about this, shall I run away with you? And If you run away, where will you go? To the South, or North? Should we travel on the water or on the ground? And if we travel by ground, should we use a carriage or walk? What the hell is this plot? What’s going on?!’

‘Ah, forget it. This stupid plot is so broken that even the First and Second Female Leads are married to each other. What can’t happen at this point?’

“If you can’t sleep at night, why do you have to come over at night?” Xiao YuAn removed Zhang Baizhu’s hand from his body and then said: “Bring the dowry tomorrow morning. Without it, the bride’s family won’t let her marry you.”

Zhang Baizhu and Lin Shenling were stunned. Zhang Baizhu even stuttered: “You, you, you…..”

“You, you, what?” Xiao YuAn pressed his shoulder and then turned back, pushing him away: “Go back home and sleep well, alright?”

“Yes!” Zhang Baizhu was extremely happy as he said to Lin Shenling: “Ling’er, wait for me! I’ll be here in the morning! I will come!”

After he said that, Zhang Baizhu danced and ran to the medicinal shop. Fortunately, there was no one on the street late at night, otherwise, everyone would probably think that some madman had escaped.

Lin Shenling was still in a bit of a trance as she muttered to herself: “The bride’s family…. bride’s family.”

Lin Shenling knew that ever since her mother’s death, she didn’t have a home. All she wanted in life, was to be a woman who could help her husband and educate her children. She didn’t want any glory or wealth, nor beautiful clothes or precious jewellery. She was happy enough with a three-course meal.

But the moment her stepfather dragged her into a brothel, Lin Shenling knew that those dreams were impossible. First, she lost her home, and then she didn’t have any money to even dream about it.

Who would’ve known that later, once she was saved, everything would change.

Now, there were people who were willing to say that they were her family.

Lin Shenling’s eyes reddened, and suddenly knelt down to Xiao YuAn: “Xiao-gongzi, I…”

Xiao YuAn quickly helped her up: “Don’t do this. If Zhang Baizhu saw it, he would chop me to death.”

Lin Shenling choked with tears: “I don’t know how to thank you…”

Xiao YuAn laughed out loud: “There’s nothing you should thank me for. Life is short, so enjoy while you still can! Build a harmonious society, a harmonious society. Let’s go to bed, aren’t you sleepy? You’ll go bald if you stay up all night.”

Under the urging of Xiao YuAn, Lin Shenling had turned around and walked towards her wing room. After a few steps, she found that Xiao YuAn didn’t follow her, so she asked puzzledly: “Xiao-gongzi? Aren’t you going back to sleep?”

“Huh? Me? I’m fine. I’ll watch the moon, so you can go back first.” Xiao Yuan waved his hand.

Lin Shenling responded with a hmm, and then she walked into the courtyard. The night was overcast and dark shadows covered every corner. It was so quiet all around that even the faintest sound of the breathing of a wild cat, hidden somewhere, could be heard.

The cool night breeze blew over Xiao YuAn, who was standing with his arms crossed, against the main door of the residence. He looked up at the moon. This night was the last quarter of the moon, and the crescent moon was so deficient that only a hook shape was left. Xiao YuAn was full of thoughts, and couldn’t help but sigh with worry.

After sighing, he heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind. Xiao YuAn thought that Lin Shenling still had something to say to him, so he turned around with confusion: “Hmm? How…”

Before he could finish what he wanted to say, Xiao YuAn’s voice abruptly stopped.

That man didn’t stop, even if Xiao YuAn’s eyes showed that he was frightened. On the contrary, he quickened his pace, and when Xiao YuAn took a step back, he reached out and firmly grabbed Xiao YuAn’s wrist.

Before Xiao YuAn could react, he was pulled into the courtyard, and then his back hit the wall. Xiao YuAn’s entire body was pressed tightly against the wall. For a moment, he felt like the sky was spinning, and his blood rushed to his head.

Before his eyes could see clearly who was in front of him, the man’s voice came to his ears first.

The warm breath exhaled next to Xiao YuAn’s ears made him tremble a little bit. However, Yan HeQing’s voice seemed to be more playful rather than being angry, as he said: “You and that woman didn’t get married. Did you… lie to me?”

Xiao YuAn: “……”

‘Did you come here with a knife to enjoy cutting me into pieces?’