Volume One, Chapter 19: Why Do You Treat Yourself So Poorly?

After speaking, Ning Yuelan added with a warning, “Walk past me with your back turned, no sneaky glances, or big sister will be angry.”

Fang Mo stiffened, stumbling backward two meters. Judging that another step backward would send him tumbling onto the bed, he stopped and stammered, “Sister Yuelan, I didn’t mean to just now... Besides, the room wasn’t lit; it was too dark—I didn’t actually see anything clearly.”

His words were as transparent as a guilty confession.

Was he trying to fool anyone? Although he glanced away quickly after a brief look, Ning Yuelan had already caught the longing in his eyes—he might as well have tried to pluck them out and hide them under her blanket to get a better look.

And yet, he dared to pretend otherwise.

Ning Yuelan snorted in irritation but said nothing. Behind her, the rustle of clothes being put on could be heard. Once she was fully dressed, she cast a glance at the young man’s back.

“You only listen when it’s inconvenient, and ignore me when you should be obedient. I’m going to punish you...”

Before Fang Mo could react, a gentle, fragrant breeze enveloped him as a pair of slender arms wrapped slowly around his neck from behind. Ning Yuelan’s red lips parted and bit down lightly on the tender skin at the nape of his neck.

Ouch!

She didn’t hold back this time. After all, she had preserved her pure body for twenty-nine years, never once seen by a man. This young man’s bold gaze today reminded her painfully of her mysteriously lost first kiss.

Just two days ago, at the Bulgari Hotel, she had hoped to surprise him. But when Fang Mo suddenly turned his head and their lips brushed, Ning Yuelan lost her cherished first kiss in an instant.

She had intended to save that precious first kiss for this very young man.

Yet it had been lost so recklessly.

Since Li Haowen had been present at the time, Ning Yuelan hadn’t made a fuss. But now, having just been seen bare by Fang Mo, the memory stirred anew. As if to vent her frustration, she bit down a little harder.

Fang Mo yelped in pain, but Ning Yuelan showed no mercy.

After a long moment, she finally released him from her cherry-red mouth.

“Hmph, let’s see if you dare sneak another look in the future...”

Fang Mo, feeling wronged, blurted out, “Sister Yuelan, you’re so beautiful, it’s really not my fault. Even if there’s a next time, my brain tells me not to look, but my eyes just won’t listen!”

Huh?

Ning Yuelan was momentarily taken aback.

Realizing his mistake, Fang Mo broke out in a fine sweat.

“Forget it, I forgive you,” Ning Yuelan said, a faint smile flickering in her beautiful eyes, though her expression remained composed as she murmured,

“Go eat quickly. When do Uncle and Auntie’s plane arrive? If you delay me picking up Grandpa and Grandma, I’ll tell on you and say you were inappropriate with me this morning.”

“What inappropriate thing?” Fang Mo whined, feeling aggrieved, and hurried out of the room.

At the dining table, Xiao Jie wore an expression as if she had seen through everything. Watching Fang Mo’s dejected exit, she patted his shoulder sympathetically. “It’s alright, Master Fang. Newlyweds are like this. The first few days, needs are high, and it’s very exhausting.”

“It’s understandable if things don’t move quickly.”

What!?

What timing? What exhaustion?

Fang Mo glared, asking himself what nonsense she was spouting.

“You misunderstood. We didn’t—”

“I get it. I won’t gossip,” Xiao Jie interrupted with a grin, flashing a set of white teeth before disappearing into the kitchen.

Fang Mo was left speechless.

After breakfast, the couple set out for Jiangcheng Airport immediately.

Today was the day Fang Mo’s parents returned. He hadn’t told his mother honestly about marrying Ning Yuelan because he wasn’t sure how his parents would react.

He was quite anxious.

Fortunately, Ning Yuelan sensed his heavy thoughts and kept joking to lighten the mood, which helped create a harmonious atmosphere.

“Uncle and Auntie’s flight is at 10:30. Hmm, it should be about time now. Which exit are they coming from?”

Today, Ning Yuelan’s long, slender legs were wrapped in black stockings, and her upper body was clad in a white sporty jacket, giving her a youthful, energetic appearance. Her three thousand strands of black hair were tied into a high ponytail, swaying with a vibrant, fresh charm.

If Fang Mo hadn’t said otherwise, anyone would have guessed the woman at his side was barely out of her teens—a pure and innocent young woman.

“Dad said T2,” Fang Mo pointed in a direction.

At that moment, he spotted two familiar figures—a couple in their early thirties, walking hand in hand with affectionate ease. The man led the way, pulling a suitcase with one hand and holding his wife’s arm with the other.

Ning Yuelan’s sharp eyes caught sight of them immediately. She smiled softly and hurried over, greeting the couple with poise.

“Uncle Fang, Aunt Ran.”

Fang Mo’s father was momentarily stunned to see a young girl approaching, but his mother reacted quickly.

“Yuelan? Isn’t that our little Lan? Oh my, it’s been two years. How’s your grandfather’s health?”

“Thank you, Aunt Ran. Grandpa is doing well and often thinks of you all.”

After her words, Fang Mo’s father gradually recovered and asked in surprise, “Little Lan, how do you have time to come with your brother to pick them up? I thought since you took over the family business, you’ve been extremely busy.”

“The last time I visited your old home’s courtyard, Grandpa Ning said you only go back once every half a month and seemed quite dissatisfied,” Fang Mo’s father added.

Hearing this, Fang Mo’s mother was momentarily stunned.

Was Ning Yuelan here with her own son to pick up the flight? She glanced behind Ning Yuelan and indeed caught sight of her son scratching the back of his head sheepishly, grinning foolishly.

Her pupils tightened.

At first, she thought running into Ning Yuelan was a coincidence, but the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.

“Don’t mention it, Uncle. Every time I go back, the old man nags me to get married. I wasn’t too busy before, just afraid of Grandpa’s nagging, so I didn’t go home,” Ning Yuelan smiled and then took the luggage from Fang Mo’s father.

“I’ll carry it, Uncle.”

“No, no, how can we let you, a young lady, carry our luggage?” Fang Mo’s mother hurriedly stopped her and shouted to their son standing not far away.

“What are you standing there for? Do you really expect your sister to carry our things? They’re heavy—how can you bear to let a girl work so hard?”

Fang Mo cleared his throat and forced himself forward, heart pounding with a thousand thoughts.

Yet the matter of their marriage certificate sat like a lump in his throat.

His lips moved, but he couldn’t hold back and nervously mumbled, “Actually, she’s not my sister anymore.”

What?

Fang Mo’s parents didn’t quite catch the words, and even if they did, who could immediately grasp the meaning? It was Ning Yuelan who blushed as she squeezed Fang Mo’s hand, their fingers interlacing tightly, refusing to let go.

“Uncle, I’ll say it. Because we’ve registered our marriage, I’m not just Fang Mo’s sister anymore—I’m his wife, the daughter-in-law of the Fang family.”

What!?

At that moment, Fang Mo’s father, who had just pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth, was so stunned he couldn’t even light it. His mouth fell open wide enough to swallow an egg.

The cigarette dropped to the floor as the couple stood there, struck as if by lightning.

After a moment, Fang Mo’s father asked vacantly, “Daughter, what did Fang Mo give you that makes you treat yourself this way?”