Zhu Yanyi struggled slightly, instinctively clinging to his shoulders as he held her tight. She could barely breathe until Yan Aohan finally let go. She looked at him with a helpless expression.
"Ani, you need to grow up fast. I admit, I’m a bit jealous of Taishu Yuanxiang. At least he can enjoy the warmth of the bed with your sister from time to time."
"What does 'enjoying the warmth of the bed' mean?" Zhu Yanyi looked at him, speechless. Before she could argue, Yan Aohan released her and rushed into his room to take a cold shower.
Zhu Yanyi was stunned for a moment, then smiled softly. Her heart ached for him. Thanks to the Spirit Spring and Medicine Spring, her body had already matured. If she had wanted to be with Yan Aohan now, she wouldn’t have objected. But Yan Aohan had his own principles. He refused to take any further steps until she was eighteen.
Zhu Yanyi pondered for a moment. Her eyes darted around, a mischievous idea forming. A hint of calculation appeared in her gaze, though Yan Aohan remained unaware.
Meanwhile, Zhu Shunyao and her wife had a restless night. They woke up early to handle their chores. Xie Xinlian went to the morning market and bought plenty of meat. Although she had some reservations about Taishu Yuanxiang, she was still her son-in-law, so she prepared the meals diligently.
Around nine in the morning, Taishu Yuanxiang arrived at the Zhu family home, led by Zhu Yanli.
As they approached the house, Zhu Yanli took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Taishu Yuanxiang noticed she seemed even more nervous than she was.
"Aniang, you’re just going home. There’s no need to be so tense," Taishu Yuanxiang said, smiling helplessly.
Zhu Yanli remained anxious. "I know, but because of this," she pointed to her lower abdomen. "I’m worried my parents will be angry. What if they scold me?"
"Don’t worry, I’ll protect you," Taishu Yuanxiang comforted her quickly. "Besides, didn’t Yanyi promise to call your parents yesterday? They probably already know. So, relax. We’re getting out of the car now."
Zhu Yanli stepped out and led Taishu Yuanxiang into the small villa. They crossed the courtyard, opened the door, and entered the house. Zhu Shunyao was reading a newspaper.
"Dad, I’m back," Zhu Yanli said.
Zhu Shunyao looked up, nodded, and put down the newspaper. she pointed to the sofa. "Come, sit down. Your mother went to buy groceries." her tone implied that seeking help from her mother would be useless.
Zhu Yanli pulled Taishu Yuanxiang to stand before Zhu Shunyao. "Dad, this is my boyfriend, Taishu Yuanxiang."
Zhu Shunyao studied Taishu Yuanxiang. He had to admit his eldest daughter had good taste. This man clearly possessed an aura of authority; he was no ordinary person.
"Yanyi told me about your situation yesterday. From a parent’s perspective, even if you two made mistakes, the child in your belly is innocent. However, as parents, we are still upset."
"Yes, Dad is right. It is all my fault," Taishu Yuanxiang said. He had expected Zhu Shunyao to look like a typical farmer, but the reality was different. Zhu Shunyao appeared honest and simple, but his eyes were full of wisdom and clarity. It was no wonder he had built the Azure Sovereign Group from a farming background. "I failed to take care of Aniang. Please punish me, Dad."
Hearing Taishu Yuanxiang call him "Dad," Zhu Shunyao nearly choked on his saliva. He waved his hand. "Don’t call me that so affectionately yet. As parents, we don’t have other demands. We just want our daughter to be happy. But let me make one thing clear.
I have two daughters and one son. I have raised my two daughters with love since they were little.
If you do not truly love Aniang, do not propose marriage. My daughter, I can raise. It’s just an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. I, Zhu Shunyao, do not care about rumors. I can raise the child in her belly myself. I absolutely will not allow my daughter to marry you just for the sake of 'responsibility'."
Hearing this, Taishu Yuanxiang knelt down immediately. "Dad, I love Aniang.
I, Taishu Yuanxiang, originally planned never to marry. I believed no woman around me was sincere. So, while I might touch any woman, I dared not get close to any. I even suspected I might be gay.
But seeing Aniang, I realized my true feelings were for her. Without her, I would likely spend my life alone and lonely. So, Dad, please rest assured and entrust Aniang to me.
I, Taishu Yuanxiang, swear here: in this life, I will only have Zhu Yanli, and only her. Regardless of poverty or wealth, I will never let her down. If I break this oath, I wish to enter the Asura Hell for all lifetimes, never to be reborn, and lose all my current possessions and status."
"Admitting your mistake is enough. There is no need for such extreme vows," Zhu Shunyao said, acknowledging Taishu Yuanxiang’s attitude. "Stand up. Remember your words." He sighed. "Actually, after Yanyi told me yesterday, I planned to make things difficult for you. But now, I see it’s unnecessary. Life’s path is walked by oneself. Since you have made your decision, live well together. When your mother returns, we will discuss this properly. After all, the belly will grow, so it is good to marry soon."
Even though she was reluctant to let her daughter go, she could not allow her to bear a child out of wedlock. Even if she didn’t care, her daughter might face difficulties later in life.
Taishu Yuanxiang nodded quickly. "Dad, although I am the head of Taishu Industry, I have no direct relatives left. In a way, I am an orphan. Therefore, I will listen to whatever Dad and Mom say."
Zhu Yanli looked surprised from the side. "You’re an orphan? Why didn’t you tell me?"
"I was afraid you would look down on me," Taishu Yuanxiang said. He was not afraid of this, but he was willing to show his weaknesses to those closest to him.
Zhu Yanli was the person she had chosen. She longed for family and love, hoping she would bring them to her. Although Zhu Yanyi had helped Zhu Yanli stop worrying about social status yesterday, Taishu Yuanxiang now felt more willing to reveal that she was not perfect.