Lixi lingered for a heartbeat longer than she should have watching the man she loved, the man who never once raised his voice, never touched her with cruelty… and yet somehow hurts her the most.
She swallowed the ache, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes before quietly stepping out of the room, the sound of the door closing almost louder than it should have been.
Yufan never abused her.
He didn't have to.
His silence, his distance, his endless focus on work and those were the weapons he didn't even know he wielded.
Every day and night he was either in his study, at the office, or pushing his body past its limits in the gym. Always busy. Always somewhere else.
And she was left standing in the spaces between his priorities.
The fact that he wasn't drawn to her in any way made her feel unattractive… insecure even. Didn't they say men couldn't resist when living under the same roof with a woman?
After a few quiet moments, Yufan descended the stairs. He wore simple black pants, a white shirt, and an unbuttoned cardigan looking casual. "Let's go," was all he said before walking past her.
They left the house together, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hall until they reached the garage. Without a word, he unlocked one of the cars, and they drove off toward the Yang Villa.
The drive took about an hour. The silence stretched the entire way. Lixi occasionally glanced at him, wondering if he even noticed her presence beside him.
When they arrived, Yufan parked neatly in the villa's garage and stepped out first. His long strides carried him ahead effortlessly. Lixi followed, distracted, her thoughts tangled somewhere between longing and restraint.
Then a sharp yelp escaped her lips. She had stepped on a loose stone, her ankle twisting painfully beneath her.
Yufan stopped, his back still half-turned. For a moment, he just watched her the way she winced, biting back the pain, trying to steady herself. A flicker of something crossed his face ...irritation or hesitation.
He could've walked away. He almost did. But guilt tugged at the edges of his composure.
With a soft sigh, he turned back. "You're careless," he muttered, his gaze pricking sharp enough to make her flinch slightly. Then, before she could respond, he bent down and effortlessly swept her up into his arms, like a bride.
Lixi froze, eyes widening in disbelief. Her hands instinctively reached for his shoulders, her heartbeat stumbling. He didn't look at her. His expression stayed stoic, but his grip on her was firm.
For a moment, the world around them went still the only sound was the faint rhythm of his steps and her quiet breath near his ear.
By the time they reached the villa, Yufan gently set Lixi down on a couch. She steadied herself, her cheeks still warm from the unexpected closeness when a familiar voice suddenly echoed from the doorway.
"Lil sis!"
Xiang's energetic tone filled the air as he strode in, sunglasses perched on his head and a grin bright enough to light the hall. He looked entirely too comfortable as if the villa belonged to him.
"Brother Xiang, welcome," Lixi greeted with a soft laugh, opening her arms for a hug. Xiang wrapped her in one with his usual warmth before plopping down onto the couch like he owned the place.
"You two are early," he said, glancing between Lixi and Yufan with a teasing smirk. "Don't tell me the great Commander General was too excited to see us."
Yufan didn't rise to the bait, only settling into the armchair opposite them, before laughing. Lixi chuckled lightly, brushing off the teasing while Xiang began chatting animatedly.
---
Meanwhile, at Yang Villa's garage.
Zhu Zihan parked the car smoothly, the engine purring to silence. He turned slightly, his gaze catching Guo Min's reflection in the mirror, she was busy applying lipstick, perfectly focused as if the world didn't exist.
"Done yet?" he asked, amusement threading through his calm tone.
"Almost," she replied without glancing his way, eyes on the mirror as she pressed her lips together, testing the shade.
Zihan didn't say a word. He just watched her, the subtle concentration, the graceful movement of her hand, until she finally capped the lipstick. Then he leaned back in his seat, a slow, mischievous smile forming on his lips.
"Wifey," he murmured, eyes gleaming, "a kiss."
Guo Min froze for half a second, then turned to glare at him. "What? No. I just finished my makeup."
He chuckled softly, leaning a little closer. "I'll have to ruin it then."
"Zhu Zihan," she warned, her tone firm, though the corners of her lips betrayed her with a reluctant smile.
Finally, she agreed. Zihan's guard lowered, only for him to freeze when she leaned forward, pressed a quick peck to his lips, and darted out of the car before he could react.
For a moment, he sat there stunned, until a low, rich chuckle escaped his lips. Shaking his head, he stepped out of the car and followed after her.
Inside the villa, the atmosphere was already lively with Xiang and Ruoxi's chatter filling the space.
"They're here! Let's head out for horse riding," Xiang announced.
Everyone stood and made their way to the stables, stopping first at the changing room to get ready.
"Let's see who wins today," Yufan said with a teasing smirk.
Zihan stood beside the horse, steadying it as he helped Guo Min climb up before mounting his beside her. Together, they rode toward the starting line.
Yufan and Lixi, along with Zihan and Min, were already waiting there, while two familiar voices bickered in the distance.
"I can't climb!" Ruoxi snapped, glaring daggers at Xiang.
"So what do you want me to do?" Xiang raised a brow, deliberately provoking her. "I remember you calling me a mama's boy, so you probably don't need my help."
"Are you seriously still holding a grudge?" Ruoxi's brows twitched in disbelief.
"Of course I am," he said shamelessly, smirking. "But… I might help...if you apologize."
Ruoxi clenched her jaw. "...rry," she muttered under her breath.
"I didn't hear you."
"I said I'm sorry! Please help me mount the horse!" she huffed, exasperated.
Xiang chuckled, clearly satisfied. "Wow, even the sharp-mouthed girl can be polite. Apology accepted."
"Well then, my lady." He offered his hand with an exaggerated charm. Ruoxi rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the faint smile tugging at her lips as she took it.
Finally, all six horses lined up at the starting point. At Yufan's signal, the race began.
Guo Min, as usual, refused to lose, especially not to a man. The moment Yufan or Xiang tried to take the lead, she urged her horse faster, determination flashing in her eyes.
Zihan, meanwhile, rode with lazy elegance, his posture relaxed, more amused than competitive.
"Slow down, Min. It's just a friendly game," he said, a subtle smile curving his lips as he watched her take it far too seriously.
"I don't care! Brother Yufan has always beaten me at horseback riding!" she shouted over the wind, pushing her horse faster.
Zihan only shook his head and sighed, watching her race ahead with childlike stubbornness.
Yufan was nearing the finish line, Guo Min close on his tail, when a sudden thud shattered the rhythm of pounding hooves.
Everyone pulled their reins, the race forgotten in an instant. Lixi lay motionless on the ground.
"Wu Lixi!"
Yufan and Xiang were the first to reach her, Xiang out of fear and concern, and Yufan was driven by the weight of responsibility toward his wife.
"Oh God, Lixi, wake up!" Yufan's voice trembled as he gathered her in his arms, carrying her swiftly back to the villa.
He laid her gently on the living room couch while Xiang hurried to call for a doctor.
A few minutes later, the doctor arrived, with his bag in hand. The room was thick with silence as he examined her, running quick checks and taking her vitals.
"She's not in any critical condition," the doctor finally said, and a collective sigh of relief escaped the group. "But" his tone shifted slightly. "she's pregnant, and so she'll need plenty of rest."
A crease formed between his brows as he glanced at the readings. "Who's the closest to her?" he asked.
Yufan and Xiang exchanged a brief, heavy look before Yufan stepped forward, speaking before Xiang could. "I'm her husband".
"I'll need to speak with you privately," the doctor said, packing up his instruments and setting a few medications on the table.
Yufan followed him out into the hallway.
"Young Master Yang," the doctor began, his tone measured, "your wife likely fainted due to dizziness, it's not severe, it happens during pregnancy." He hesitated. "However, her blood pressure is slightly elevated. It's not dangerous yet, but it could become concerning if it persists. Something might be troubling her mentally. Try to talk to her, keep her calm, and make sure she rests well."
He closed his bag, giving a polite nod. "Take good care of her, and have a good day Young Master Yang."