Chapter 320 I am responsible for protecting your tenderness
When the two came to the living room, Ning Xi suddenly realized something was wrong. Ye Xian had just left a few minutes ago, and she came downstairs with Ye Fan right after?
Wasn't this just giving herself away without a fight!
But by the time the girl realized the problem, it was already too late.
Ye Xian, who was sitting at the dining table having breakfast, had already noticed the two of them. Her face was full of smiles as she called out to Ning Xi, who was about to turn around and go upstairs. With a hint of implication in her tone, she said, "Xiao Xi, hurry and come eat, and chat more with Xiao Fan when you have nothing to do. It'll help deepen your relationship."
Ning Xi: "..."
Even though Ye Xian didn't say it directly, her words were full of obvious meaning.
So embarrassing…
At this moment, she only wanted to escape this awkward scene.
But her hand was tightly held by Ye Fan. She looked at him pitifully and whispered so softly it was barely audible, "...Let go, I want to go upstairs."
As for the girl's request, Ye Fan acted as if he hadn't heard it. With a blank face, he looked toward his mother and casually asked, "Mom, where's Uncle? Why hasn't he come down to eat?"
"Your uncle went out at six this morning. He has some business to discuss."
Upon hearing this, Ye Fan nodded and pulled Ning Xi over to the dining table to sit down.
While serving Ning Xi a bowl of porridge, he said, "Mom, do you want to video call Aunt Lan later? I think the two of you could also try deepening your relationship a bit. Don't you think?"
Ye Fan knew better than anyone how thin-skinned the girl was, and at this time, diverting the topic was undoubtedly the best choice.
Ye Xian's eyes lit up, and her attention was successfully diverted. She nodded and said, "Of course, that's great."
While the two chatted, Ning Xi kept her head down, silently drinking her porridge, her heart in complete chaos.
Ye Fan secretly gave his mother a wink. Ye Xian instantly understood and, making small talk, said, "Xiao Xi, your mom really takes good care of herself. Last time I saw her, I almost thought she was your twin sister."
Ning Xi responded with a polite, slight smile, "Auntie, you also look very young."
Ye Xian sighed and said, "I'm getting old. In the blink of an eye, even Xiao Fan is looking for a girlfriend. I can't pretend I'm not aging! Oh right, Xiao Xi, what do you think of Xiao Fan?"
"Um…"
Ning Xi was instantly stumped by the question. She turned her head to glance at Ye Fan, gently biting her red lip, and softly said, "Ye Fan is very outstanding, and he's also very steady. He's… a very good boy."
The smile on Ye Xian's face grew even brighter as she continued asking, "Since you think Xiao Fan is excellent, and he also likes you, plus the two of you are about to start university, Auntie thinks you two can try dating."
"If this brat dares to bully you, just tell Auntie, I'll help you teach him a lesson!"
Cough cough—
Ye Fan, who was drinking porridge, almost choked and had to put down his bowl and chopsticks helplessly, saying, "Mom, stop worrying about us young people. Whether Xiao Xi and I start dating or not depends on how things go between us later. Step by step."
"Was I asking you? Why are you talking?"
"..."
Ning Xi took a deep breath, a look of determination showing on her fair face. "Auntie, this kind of thing can't be rushed. If… I think it's right, I'll confirm the relationship with Ye Fan. Before that, no external force can speed up the process. I hope you can understand."
Ye Fan was momentarily stunned. He had thought this girl would stammer and try to avoid answering the question. He didn't expect her to surprisingly choose to respond head-on, and the curve of his lips showed undisguised joy.
"I understand, I understand."
Ye Xian gave a warm smile at Ning Xi's reply.
After that, none of the three spoke again, each eating breakfast lost in their own thoughts.
After breakfast, Ning Xi followed Ye Fan back to his room.
Not long after, Ye Xian also came in, carrying a stool to sit next to Ning Xi, her eyes never leaving the girl's face.
Just like that, a few minutes passed. Ning Xi couldn't hold it anymore. Her pretty face showed bitterness as she softly said, "Um… Auntie, could you not look at me like that? I'll… get nervous."
Ye Xian let out an embarrassed laugh and said, "Xiao Xi, Auntie really, really likes you."
Ning Xi forced a smile and gently bit her red lip, lowering her head slowly.
Ye Fan came to her rescue and said, "Xiao Xi, where's your phone? Just in time, let my mom and Aunt Lan chat for a bit."
"…Okay."
Ning Xi obediently picked up her phone, found her mother's WeChat account, and initiated a video call.
Before it was even answered, she handed the phone to Ye Xian. "Auntie, here you go."
Ye Xian quickly took the phone, fumbling as she walked to the mirror to tidy her clothes, and left the room without even turning her head.
Phew—
Ning Xi let out a breath and stared at Ye Fan. "Brother, Auntie, she…"
"Relax. Don't be nervous."
Ye Fan's big hand gently stroked through Ning Xi's silky hair, his voice warm. "My mom's really easygoing. Just say whatever you want, no need to hold back. And about the questions she asked at the table earlier, you don't need to take them to heart."
His deep voice suddenly changed, as if mixed with an emotion hard to describe. "Xiao Xi, the feelings between us won't be influenced by any external force. Let's just go with the flow."
"…Mm."
Ning Xi covered her face with both hands, hesitating slightly. Her soft voice was full of shyness, "Brother, I don't know what it means to like someone. I've never had any experience in this. But… I like the feeling of being with you."
"I'm willing to try. But you can't rush me. Give me time to gradually accept this. Once it reaches a certain point, then we can… confirm our relationship, okay?"
Ye Fan spread his arms and squinted his eyes slightly. "Xiao Xi, hug."
Ning Xi: "..."
Why?
Hug?
Not even on the same wavelength!
"You…"
Ning Xi puffed her red lips, glaring at him with her clear eyes. "I'm being serious. Can you please be serious too?"
Ye Fan smiled slightly. "I am serious. After hearing your heartfelt words, I'm very happy. And when I'm happy, of course I want to do happy things. So, is hugging a problem? No problem!"
Ning Xi: "..."
Looking at Ye Fan's open arms, her mind was in turmoil.
Should she really hug him?
After about ten seconds of silence, she had her answer. Anyway, it wasn't the first time they hugged. One more or one less wouldn't change anything.
Hug then… just hug…
With that thought, Ning Xi blushed, stood up, and walked in front of Ye Fan. Her delicate hands clutched the hem of her skirt as her pretty face gently leaned against his chest.
Listening to that familiar, strong heartbeat, the nervousness in her heart slowly faded. Her hands naturally rested around Ye Fan's waist.
She nestled into Ye Fan's embrace like a soft little kitten, breathing in his scent, her heart filled with a sense of security.
She could clearly feel a pure kind of affection silently spreading through the hug. It was as if, in this moment, the world stood still, and everything had quietly settled.
Ye Fan buried his head into the girl's jade-like neck. The fragrance of the lovely girl filled his nose. The corners of his mouth revealed a satisfied smile as he gently blew into her ear and whispered, "Xiao Xi, you just be in charge of being gentle, and I'll be in charge of protecting your gentleness."
In this world, there are always unexpected encounters with gentleness and never-ending hope.
A hug… is one of them.
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