Young Prime Minister, a Hermit

Chapter 28

"Ah—" I exclaimed in surprise. No wonder! No wonder they were all so respectful to Yihan. I looked up and saw Zimo with a helpless expression of disappointment. I couldn't help but twitch my lips.

"Knock knock—" came the knocking at the door. Yi Han said in a low voice, "It's Chen Sheng."

Sure enough, Chen Sheng's slightly excited voice came from outside the door: "Teacher, we'll be arriving in Binsheng soon. Shall we discuss our itinerary for the next few days?"

Xiao Yi

2007.8.20 17:51

Chapter 18, "The Three Stars Pay Homage," is now complete.

Chapter 19 Heartache

Chapter 19 Heartache

I walked out of the school gate, holding a pink umbrella, and couldn't help but look up at the gloomy sky. This was the third day of rainy weather, so I'd been sleeping soundly in Xu Lie's arms for the past few nights, without having to travel between the two worlds. Suddenly, I felt a pang of annoyance and fear. Wouldn't constantly shuttling between the two eras have some negative side effects? But what about Zi Mo's wishes, Yi Han's loyalty, Yun Yan's expectations, and most importantly, Yu Fei's life? Could I really abandon them all?

"Dazed again?" Xu Lie's deep, slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out. I was startled and quickly looked up. I saw him holding a large, dark blue plaid umbrella, twice the size of mine. Under the umbrella, he was wearing his usual casual, tight-fitting greyish-white sweater, with a black trench coat over it, frowning as he looked at me through the rain and mist.

I smiled at him, folded my umbrella, and slipped under his. He shook his head helplessly, took the heavy history book from my hands, opened his trench coat to wrap me inside, and hugged me tightly as we walked toward the car.

The spring chill lingered, and the spring rain was biting, but I only felt warm and comforted in Xu Lie's embrace. These three days seemed to pass by the same as usual, but I always felt a strange sense of harmony between Xu Lie and me.

Picking us up, taking us out to eat, washing us up, sleeping—for a moment, I have the illusion that we've been a loving couple for years. I love these ordinary days, I love this warm feeling. Even though we're not really husband and wife yet, if this gentle affection can last a lifetime, I think I'll be content.

“…Galan!”

"Huh?" I was startled and turned to look at Xu Lie's impatient profile, quickly asking, "What did you say?"

"You seem to be getting more and more prone to daydreaming, don't you?" Xu Lie glanced at me unhappily, his tone tinged with anger. "What are you always thinking about?"

I gave an awkward smile. I couldn't very well say that I was thinking about him, could I? So I changed the subject: "Xu Lie, what did you just say?"

Xu Lie sighed helplessly and said while driving, "Tomorrow is Saturday, so I'll go with you home to see your parents."

"Really?!" I shouted excitedly, about to rush over. But his expression changed, and he roared, "Sit still!!"

I was startled and stared at him nervously, frozen in place, too terrified to move.

Xu Lie grinned, revealing glimpses of his white teeth, then said sternly, "Don't bother me while I'm driving. Do you want to get into another car accident?"

I quickly shook my head and obediently sat back down in my seat. Recalling every word Xu Lie had just said, I couldn't help but smile sweetly.

Xu Lie sighed, his tone desolate, but he couldn't hide the smile on his lips: "How could I marry such a stupid woman like you?"

"Yes, yes!" I nodded repeatedly, and said in a serious tone, "It must be something I did in my past life."

"Pfft..." Xu Lie couldn't help but burst out laughing again, reaching out his large hand to ruffle my hair. Seeing my bewildered expression and frantic attempts to fix my hair, he suddenly leaned in and gently kissed my lips.

I stared blankly as he laughed heartily, continued driving as if nothing had happened, and then muttered under his breath, "I give up." He even hummed a pop song softly afterward. I was horrified and couldn't help but wonder: Is this really Xu Lie?

Returning home the next day was a huge surprise for my parents. My mother quickly settled us into my room, while my father drove her to the market to buy groceries. Sigh! I felt so sorry for them. My parents only have my brother and me; my brother has been studying abroad for many years, and now I'm married, leaving only my two elderly parents at home. Thinking about this, my heart ached… Parents always do so much for their children, but what do children do for their parents?

A pair of hands gently wrapped around my shoulders, and Xu Lie whispered, "Why don't you bring your parents to live with you?"

Through my teary eyes, I looked up at him, my heart a mix of bittersweet emotions—a bittersweet feeling, a surge of happiness. I whispered, "Mom and Dad wouldn't agree. They don't like being restricted, they don't like living under someone else's roof, and they don't like too much noise..."

Xu Lie reached out and wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes, saying softly, "Then we'll come back more often in the future. Is there any need to cry? I've never seen a woman who hasn't grown up like you, even though you're already..." Xu Lie blushed slightly and stopped talking.

I became curious and asked repeatedly, "What is it?"

Xu Lie pressed my head against his chest with a fierce look: "Stupid woman, so many questions, aren't you annoying!"

I chuckled and said, "Don't treat me like a fool. I know what you're trying to say is that she's already your wife, isn't she?"

"You—" Xu Lie released his grip, looking down at me with a mixture of embarrassment and anger, but I just smiled at him. A glint flashed in his eyes, and the hand around my waist tightened suddenly, his burning lips pressing against mine.

My face flushed. I felt a little awkward being in my own room, but I still shyly reached out and hugged him, giving him a deep kiss. I have to say, I've noticed that my kissing skills are getting better and better, well... all thanks to Xu Lie.

The door opened without warning, startling Xu Lie and me. We quickly separated, our faces flushed as we stared at our mother's shocked face outside. Our mother coughed lightly, a relieved smile playing on her lips, and waved her hand, saying, "Ah! I'm fine, you two continue! Continue! You can come down for dinner when you're done."

"Mom! What did you say?!" My face was burning hot, like a ripe tomato. I glanced over and saw that Xu Lie wasn't much better off. It was even more awkward, but Mom had already left with a grin.

During the meal, Xu Lie's parents didn't show any unusual behavior, only occasionally smiling and putting food on his plate. His father would occasionally ask about Xu Lie's work. Speaking of which, what exactly did Xu Lie do? What should the son of a director of Xu Tian Group be? General Manager? CEO? Or Vice Chairman?

I shook my head. Forget it! I have no concept of Xu Lie in a suit outside the home. I just need to be a good wife.

The phone rang suddenly. Xu Lie answered it, frowned slightly, and said, "Dad, Mom, something's come up at the company, I need to go back first."

My dad, my mom, and I stared at him like we'd seen a ghost. What did he just call out? Dad? Mom?

Xu Lie's lips twitched. He casually took out his wallet, pulled out some IDs and cards for himself, then tossed them in front of me, forcing a calm tone as he said, "Go back after four o'clock. Lao Lin will pick you up in his car. If you want to go back earlier, take a taxi yourself. Don't wander around outside aimlessly, understand?"

I nodded hurriedly, then followed him to the door and watched him drive away.

"Lanlan, Mom was worried that you weren't happy." Mom gently stroked my head, smiling with exceptional tenderness and love. "But now it seems that Xu Lie is treating you well."

I nodded repeatedly, my eyes crinkling into crescent moons, and looked earnestly at my parents, saying, "I am very happy."

The father snorted, but his eyes were filled with laughter: "He dares to bully my precious daughter, let's see if I'll let him get away with it!"

I chuckled, and the atmosphere at the dinner table was filled with joy.

The weather has been unpredictable these past few days, and I was worried it might rain, so I took a taxi home to the Xu family's house before 2 PM. Before I left, my parents were still a little reluctant to see me go, but the worry in their eyes had vanished, which made me feel much more at ease. As the car drove towards the Xu family's house, I glanced down at my wallet, and suddenly an idea flashed through my mind. A mischievous smile appeared on my face, and I quickly called out, "Driver, please go to Xu Tian Building instead."

The taxi stopped beside the fountain in front of the Xu Tian Building. Clutching Xu Lie's gray-black square leather wallet, my eyes were fixed on the over fifty-story Xu Tian Building, magnificent yet modern. I knew security guards would stop me once I entered the building. How should I explain? Should I say I'm Mrs. Xu? My face flushed slightly, and I inwardly cursed myself for being shameless.

The water from the fountain, like a thick mist, didn't feel cold on my face. I looked around. I saw a man and a woman talking in front of the gate. The man was handsome and tall, and the woman was slender and graceful. From a distance, they looked like a painting, making people sigh with admiration. What a perfect couple!