Yan Sui didn’t reply. He lifted Meng Ting’s chin and met his lips, resuming the kiss that Meng Ting had interrupted by pushing him away earlier. Now that they had cleared the air, the kiss was even more lingering and sweet than before, utterly irresistible.
They were intimately entwined, having laid everything bare and reconciled completely. Meanwhile, poor Xiao Zimo, enduring the night wind, had to constantly be vigilant of his surroundings, while also straining his ears to monitor the situation inside the car, just in case his little brother needed his help.
The surroundings remained quiet. Several times, he walked to the car window to peek inside, but the two of them were inseparable, like conjoined twins.
He couldn’t see exactly what they were doing, but did he even need to? He could tell what they were doing with his toes.
He stomped his foot again, finally unable to bear it. He walked to Yan Sui’s side of the car, knocking twice. “Alright, whatever you have to say, say it at the hotel.”
When there was no immediate response, Xiao Zimuo knocked two more times. Only then did Yan Sui roll down the window. He waved his hand, and Xiao Zimo immediately walked to the back seat, opened the door, and slid inside.
Yan Sui made a call to the Xu family’s old housekeeper to explain the situation, while Meng Ting turned to speak to Xiao Zimo.
“Second Brother, I’m sorry. I accidentally forgot about you just now.”
The car’s interior lights dimmed just in time, concealing the slightly twisted expression on Xiao Zimo’s face before he could regain his composure. Stiffly, he replied, “It’s fine.”
Meng Ting took him at his word. Noticing Yan Sui hang up the phone, he immediately reached out to squeeze Yan Sui’s hand. “Second Brother says it’s fine.”
“Cough, cough,” Xiao Zimo choked again, unable to maintain his composure. “Xiao Zinuo, am I still your biological second brother?”
To be forgotten was one thing, but then to be explicitly told he was forgotten again? How was that not heartbreaking? He was being considerate, and yet Meng Ting was comforting Yan Sui instead. Wasn’t he the one who needed comforting?
Meng Ting, however, continued to gaze at Yan Sui, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Really?” Could there be unresolved mysteries about his origins?
“Yes,” Yan Sui replied, raising his hand to caress Meng Ting’s cheek, then turned back to Xiao Zimo. “Zimo, don’t hold it against Ting Ting.”
“What are you talking about…? I’d never hold anything against family’s Nuo Nuo,” Xiao Zimo immediately regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. Meng Ting’s personality wasn’t suited for their kind of teasing; it would be bad if he took it seriously. Of course, Xiao Zimo had deliberately emphasized ‘our family’s’ when speaking to Yan Sui.
Meng Ting was no longer the same as before. Now, the entire Xiao family stood behind him as his unwavering support. If Yan Sui ever dared to betray Meng Ting, they would undoubtedly make him pay a steep price.
Yan Sui smiled and turned back, seemingly unfazed by Xiao Zimo’s warning. He glanced at Meng Ting to reassure him before starting the car.
Yan Sui didn’t need to argue with Xiao Zimo about whose Meng Ting belonged to. The look in Meng Ting’s eyes said it all. Meng Ting will always belong to him.
Throughout the drive, Xiao Zimo was somewhat irritated by Yan Sui’s smug smile. By the time he recovered, they had already stopped in front of a hotel building. Xiao Zimo paused again, stunned. “You… how did you…? Never mind. Let’s get out and find something to eat. I’m starving.”
Given that Yan Sui could ambush them halfway here, it was no surprise that he knew the location of the hotel they had booked.
Compared to Yan Sui, both he and Xiao Zi’ang still had much to learn. Conversely, Meng Ting, who appeared simple most of the time, managed to completely fool Yan Sui just once.
“Hungry?” Yan Sui parked the car, turned his head to Meng Ting, his eyes filled with a touch of helplessness and distress. Meng Ting and Xiao Zimo must have been guarding outside the winery, not even bothering to eat.
Meng Ting paused, carefully considering the question. Only then did he realize he was indeed a little hungry. He nodded gently. “A bit.”
“Then let’s grab something to eat first before heading back,” Yan Sui said, shifting the car into gear and driving off again. He knew Licheng far better than Xiao Zimo. They wound through winding alleyways until finally stopping.
Yan Sui took Meng Ting to a noodle shop. It was past nine at night, but business was still booming. Tables and chairs were lined up outside the shop, all occupied. They waited for a while before an empty spot opened up, and just then, their noodles arrived.
When Xiao Zimo first saw the shop, he harbored some doubts about Yan Sui’s taste, but the moment the noodles touched his tongue, he forgot all his skepticism.
“Refreshing! Delicious!”
Meng Ting glanced at Xiao Zimo, then at Yan Sui, who had just returned after scalding their chopsticks. He took the chopsticks and also dug into his noodles.
“I want another bowl…”
The three grown men ate with gusto, their appetites truly impressive. Each devoured two large bowls of noodles, supplemented with several side dishes.
While they were eating heartily, Xiao Zi’ang, who had just arrived in Licheng, also directly drove to the noodle shop. However, he didn’t join the big eaters, as he had already eaten on his way.
He pulled up a stool and sat beside Yan Sui, whispering, “The Old Master went to Ningcheng this afternoon.”
Yan Sui’s expression paused momentarily, a flicker of contemplation in his eyes. He nodded slightly. “Grandpa is thoughtful.”
Turning back, Yan Sui met Meng Ting’s wide-eyed gaze. He didn’t hide anything, “The Deng family’s main house is in Ningcheng.”
So, Old Master Xiao had gone to find Deng Yu’s grandfather and father. Not only would Deng Yu not dare to do anything to Yan Sui and Meng Ting, but even if he did, he no longer had the capital to do so.
***
As they spoke, Deng Yu also received a call from his father. There were no pleasantries, no harsh scolding—only a few simple commands and warnings. Having grown up in a family environment like the Dengs, how could Deng Yu not be perceptive?
After hanging up, he made a few more calls and quickly pieced together what had happened.
This Su Siyu really couldn’t compare to Meng Ting. Meng Ting had the Xiao family as his backing, with Old Master Xiao personally intervening to protect him. Since Su Siyu got into trouble, Old Master Su had been busy trying to distance himself from him. Perhaps this was simply fate.
“Keep an eye on Old Man Yán’s side. As for the rest… wait for him to come to me.”
Deng Yu waved his hand, dismissing everyone from the room. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, resting. The ‘him’ he referred to was undoubtedly Yan Sui. With his current involvement in the Yán family’s affairs, Yan Sui couldn’t simply cut him off completely.
At his current stage, Deng Yu couldn’t afford to sever ties with Yan Sui. Reflecting on his actions now, he realized he had been far too impulsive today, letting Su Siyu’s words cloud his judgment.
***
Soon after Yan Sui and the others returned to the hotel Xiao Zimo had booked, he received the items Nian Wu delivered.
“This is Su Siyu’s recording. This is the memory card with the photos. The rest have been destroyed.”
After speaking, Nian Wu bowed and withdrew.
Yan Sui returned to the suite’s living room. Xiao Zimo was still chatting endlessly with Meng Ting, while Xiao Zi’ang had gone back to his room.
Yan Sui put the items in his pocket, then walked directly over, sat beside Meng Ting, and put his arm around him. Together, they listened to Xiao Zimo’s lengthy anecdotes about his interesting and embarrassing experiences from traveling around over the years.
Meng Ting’s eyes were still wide open, showing little sign of sleepiness, but his body gradually leaned toward Yan Sui until he was practically half-lying in Yan Sui’s embrace. His hand had also fallen to Yan Sui’s waist, hovering there as if wanting to embrace him but too shy to do so. Xiao Zimo watched, feeling anxious on his behalf.
Of course, Xiao Zimo knew Meng Ting’s hesitation stemmed from his own constant chatter, which constantly asserted his presence, reminding Meng Ting of his presence as his ‘dear second brother[mfn]親二哥 (qīn èr gē): lit. biological second brother. T/N: However, 親 (qīn) could also mean (Internet slang) dear.[/mfn]’. This made it impossible for Meng Ting to act on his true feelings and simply hug Yan Sui whenever he wanted.
“Alright, I’m tired today. I’m going to bed now. You two should should rest early too.”
After Xiao Zimo said this, Meng Ting finally turned to look at him. He pursed his lips and nodded emphatically. “Good night, Second Brother.” Meng Ting’s meaning was so direct it almost amounted to telling Xiao Zimo to go to bed.
Xiao Zimo, who failed to successfully annoy Yan Sui and instead felt like he’d been given a mouthful of ice chips[mfn]塞了口冰渣 (sāi le kǒu bīng zhā): lit. stuffed with a mouthful of ice slag. T/N: It means he got a cold shoulder from MT.[/mfn] by his own little brother, slowly turned around and drifted back to his room.
“Second Brother loves to talk so much. He must have so much to say when he’s with Cousin[mfn]T/N: Zhen Han.[/mfn].”
After Xiao Zimo had left, Meng Ting immediately turned and clung to Yan Sui. He rested his head on Yan Sui’s shoulder and slowly said this.
“That’s not necessarily true,” Yan Sui replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. He tilted his head and kissed Meng Ting’s cheek, then whispered, “Shall we go to bed?”
“Okay,” Meng Ting nodded, wrapping his arms around Yan Sui’s neck, letting him carry him back to the room.
Even during that short walk back to the room, Meng Ting couldn’t resist peppering Yan Sui’s face and neck with kisses.
Yan Sui quickened his pace. As soon as the door closed, he gently set Meng Ting down and pressed him against the door, kissing him deeply. Most of Meng Ting’s weight still rested on Yan Sui, his hands constantly igniting sparks across Yan Sui’s body, fully unleashing his passionate desire.
With the Xiao brothers present, Meng Ting and Yan Sui unconsciously exercised more restraint. The time in the car was simply not enough to ease their pent-up emotions. Back at the hotel, Meng Ting was eager to be alone with Yan Sui, to be intimate with him.
But Xiao Zimuo had kept him talking endlessly, driving him to near desperation.
“Yan Sui, let’s go back to bed. It’s more comfortable there.”
Meng Ting said, panting, his gaze fixed on Yan Sui.The raw emotion in his eyes was unrestrained, his body radiating an unconscious sensuality born of profound passion. It was enough to make anyone with a pulse—let alone Yan Sui—feel their mouth go dry and their body burn with heat.
“Alright,” Yan Sui managed to reply with great effort, then urgently pulled Meng Ting toward the bed.
Feeling Yan Sui’s eagerness, Meng Ting suddenly chuckled twice. Yan Sui turned to look at him, and Meng Ting continued to smile.
“I just feel happy, I can’t help but laugh, probably because of you.”
Meng Ting then corrected himself. “No, not probably, it’s definitely because of you. Seeing you, kissing you… it makes me so happy, I can’t help but smile.”
“Yan Sui, being with you is wonderful.”
Meng Ting said this just before Yan Sui’s kiss reclaimed his lips, pressing him deeper into the bed.
Meng Ting’s smiling eyes and genuine joy made Yan Sui feel like he could never get enough of kissing him. Emotions of joy and love constantly surged within Yan Sui’s heart, making him want to cherish the person beneath him for all the days of his life.
“Ting Ting, I love you.”
“I love you too, so, so much.”
Meng Ting murmured these words softly and clearly just before drifting off to sleep.
Yan Sui had initially planned to do something before bed, but now he completely forgot. With his loved one in his arms, he couldn’t spare any thought for anyone or anything other than Meng Ting.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 102″]
和好如初 (hé hǎo rú chū): to make up and be friends again; to get back on good terms; to bury the hatchet; to become reconciled; be 【become】reconciled; be on good terms as before; become friends again as before; a broken relationship has been restored to its original harmonious state. This idiom is often used to describe the restoration of interpersonal relationships.七拐八繞 (qī ɡuǎi bā rào): lit. seven turn and eight twist; around and around; describes a process that takes many detours; (of roads) roundabout; (of people) talk in a roundabout way, beat around the bush.
意氣用事 (yì qì yòng shì): to act on impulse; to let emotions affect one’s decisions; be swayed by personal feelings; be influenced by emotion in handling things; to act without reason and act on one’s own impulse.
高談闊論 (gāo tán kuò lùn): to harangue; loud arrogant talk; to spout; to indulge in loud and empty talk; to talk volubly or bombastically; spout (off about); give a long and pompous speech.
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