Xue Tianyu's face was slightly flushed at this moment, and he couldn't help but sigh internally.
'Gu Yuena really knows what she's doing.'
Her level of initiative was enough to make even him feel embarrassed.
Sitting across from Xue Tianyu, Xue Di watched Gu Yuena's actions with an unhappy expression.
She had known Xue Tianyu since he was a baby, yet Gu Yuena had only been here for a few days and was already acting like this?
'Where's your restraint?'
Silently, she picked up a teapot and poured a cup.
"This is my brewed green tea. Gu Yuena, you haven't tried it yet, have you? Come, have a taste."
A smile appeared on Xue Di's face, and she deliberately emphasized the word "green."
However, Gu Yuena didn't think much of it.
"Tea? It's just soaked leaves, isn't it?" Gu Yuena smiled casually. "I usually eat them raw."
"It's different." Xue Tianyu picked up a cup and took a sip, his face showing an expression of enjoyment.
"This green tea is really good."
Watching his reaction, Bing Di, who was sitting beside Xue Di, wrinkled her nose in disdain.
She seriously suspected that Xue Tianyu's taste buds had been ruined by Xue Di.
'How can he say this awful-tasting tea is good without hesitation?'
But after sneaking a glance at Gu Yuena, Bing Di quickly changed her attitude.
"Yes, it does taste pretty good. Gu Yuena, you should try it."
'If I have to suffer through this awful tea, then she should too.'
Seeing that both Bing Di and Xue Tianyu said it was good, Gu Yuena didn't hesitate and took a small sip.
Immediately, a taste like rotten leaves from a decayed tree filled her mouth.
'They call this good?!'
For the first time, Gu Yuena felt sympathy for Xue Tianyu.
She thought he must have been forced by Xue Di to say it was good.
Looking at Xue Di and Bing Di's expectant faces, she knew they were waiting for her response.
Since she was fighting them for Xue Tianyu, she had no choice but to go all in.
"Uh… it's good…"
"If it's good, then drink more!"
Xue Di happily pushed the remaining cups of tea in front of her.
"Huh???"
Although Xue Di's expression was sincere, Gu Yuena couldn't help but feel that this woman was getting back at her.
Something this awful… even taking a single sip required immense patience, and now she had to drink more?
'Does she not realize "good" was just being polite?!'
Looking at the many cups in front of her, Gu Yuena's heart filled with bitterness.
…
After Gu Yuena hastily made an excuse to escape, Xue Tianyu felt that he should also start preparing for the evening's events.
So, he returned to his room.
Just as he was about to close the door, a pair of delicate, jade-like hands gently stopped it.
"Tianyu, can I come in?"
Xue Di's soft voice sounded.
Gu Yuena's presence had stirred a deep sense of unease within her.
She was afraid that if she let her guard down for even a moment, Gu Yuena would steal Xue Tianyu away.
"Of course."
Looking at Xue Di's hesitant expression, Xue Tianyu suddenly thought of Gu Yuena's teasing earlier.
It was as if a wild beast within him had opened its eyes.
A sudden primal impulse surged in his mind.
He grabbed Xue Di and pulled her into the room, locking the door behind them.
Bang!
"Ah…"
Xue Tianyu pinned Xue Di against the wall.
A faint blush quickly spread across her cheeks.
Thinking back to Xue Tianyu's confession, her heart trembled violently.
Their gazes met, and time seemed to freeze.
In this moment, unspoken emotions flowed between them.
Xue Tianyu's breathing became rapid as he gently reached out, his fingertips brushing against Xue Di's smooth, snow-white skin, feeling its warmth and softness.
Xue Di's eyelashes trembled slightly.
She seemed a little scared of what might happen next, but she didn't avoid his touch.
If it weren't for the threat of Gu Yuena, she might never have acted this way.
Seeing that she wasn't resisting, excitement surged in Xue Tianyu's heart.
He slowly pulled Xue Di into his arms.
Her body stiffened slightly at first, but she soon relaxed, letting him hold her.
Their breaths intertwined, and the distance between them grew even closer.
Smelling the pure fragrance on Xue Di, Xue Tianyu's heartbeat quickened.
He knew that if he missed this moment, he might not get another chance anytime soon.
Lowering his head, he gently kissed her lips.
"Mmm… ah…"
Xue Di's eyes slowly closed as their affection intertwined.
Feeling no resistance, Xue Tianyu's heart warmed, and his hands began to wander restlessly.
His fingers traced along Xue Di's delicate collarbone, down her back, and finally to her slender waist.
Xue Di's breath grew more hurried, and her body started to heat up.
Xue Tianyu's hand continued downward, sliding over her long, beautiful legs before stopping at her delicate feet.
He gently held them, feeling their warmth.
"N-no… don't…"
Her toes curled slightly as she felt overwhelmed with shyness.
Looking up at Xue Di's stunning, embarrassed face, Xue Tianyu's heart was filled with affection.
He kissed her lips again, this time with more intensity.
Finally, unable to resist anymore, Xue Di wrapped her arms around his neck tightly.
"Tianyu… don't leave me."
"Mm…"
…
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue was walking alone on the road back to the Spirit Hall.
In her hand, she clutched the inheritance pearl, which had just dimmed.
"I finally found my brother."
It should have been a joyous occasion, so why couldn't she stop the tears from falling?
Tilting her head up, Qian Renxue let out a deep sigh, trying to hide her emotions from those around her.
Yes, she had found her brother.
But why did it have to be him?
Lost in thought, she returned to the Spirit Hall's branch.
In a secluded corner, she pulled out the now completely dim inheritance pearl.
"Why… why didn't I take this out before I met him?"
Leaning against the wall, Qian Renxue slid to the ground, her face full of pain.
"What am I supposed to do now? What do I do?!"
She wanted to throw the pearl away, to pretend she didn't know anything, and continue walking forward with Xue Tianyu as they were.
But…
She and Xue Tianyu were biological siblings.
Their bond was one of blood—something that could never be erased.
No matter what, their fates were already intertwined.
Qian Renxue thought back to her past conversations with Xue Tianyu.
Even with such a painful past and a difficult life, he had always remained optimistic.
She knew she had to make it up to him.
Taking a deep breath, she carefully put the pearl away.
She had to prepare for tonight's banquet.
She wondered—if Bibi Dong found out that Xue Tianyu was the abandoned infant she had once tried to strangle to death… her own biological son—what kind of expression would she have?
It would surely be a sight to behold.