Pet Ancient Husband

Chapter 15: Yan Yan's Secret

Bang!

Yan Yan slammed her hand on the table with such force that it cracked. Her beautiful face was etched with deep hurt as she turned and ran out. I was startled by her sudden outburst and didn't understand the source of her anger, but I was genuinely worried for her.

"Yan Yan!" I quickly stood up, intending to chase after her, but Rong Yan Si held me back. I struggled incessantly, "Let go! I have to find her."

Rong Yan Si embraced me tightly, soothingly saying, "Ruo'er, calm down! Listen to me. He's carrying too much on his shoulders. Let him be alone for a while. Sometimes, your presence might make things worse."

I allowed him to hold me, tears streaming down my face. "What do you mean 'worse'? Why worse? Yan Yan is already so pitiful. Everyone here looks down on her. I can't let her get hurt again. She's the first person who's been kind to me since I arrived here."

Rong Yan Si held me tightly, his chin resting on the top of my head, and said painfully, "Is he really that important to you? If I hadn't stopped just now, would you have really let me kiss you?"

I looked up at him in confusion, something stirring in my heart. Had he just done that for Yan Yan's sake? "Why?"

He cupped my face with both hands, gently kissing away the tears on my cheeks, and said with a pained expression, "Promise me, never cry again, okay? Do you know how much it hurts to see you in tears? If I could, I would give everything I have, even my life, to see that radiant smile on your face again."

Rong Yan Si's focused gaze felt like a thorn piercing my heart, causing more tears to flow. "Are you made of water? Why do the tears just keep coming?" He hugged me fiercely, as if trying to embrace me for a lifetime in one go.

"Now, ask me whatever you want," Rong Yan Si sighed, gently releasing me. His once smiling face was now as calm as water, as if nothing in the world could bring him joy anymore.

I just stood there quietly, not speaking, not understanding his sudden change.

He turned his back to me, "Don't look at me like that. Ask whatever you want to know, or I can't promise I'll be able to let go." His tone was cold, yet tinged with a barely perceptible sorrow.

I walked up behind him and hugged him from behind, pressing my face against his back, feeling him visibly tense. "Yan! Do you know how much it hurts to see your back like this? I have so many questions I want to ask you. But I don't want to see you like this. If my questions are going to make you this upset, I'd rather find the answers myself."

He sighed, turned around, and pulled me into his arms again. "Why do you have to be so wonderful? How am I supposed to let you go and hand you over to him?"

"Is he really...?" My voice trailed off, muffled by his embrace.

"Yes," he replied simply.

"So that's why you kissed me in front of him?" I looked up at him.

"Yes," he met my gaze. "From the moment I first saw him, I knew he was... and I also knew he likes you, maybe even more. I thought it was better for you to know, so..."

I sighed softly. "I guess he must have his reasons." Why was I destined to hurt people, whether in the modern world or in this ancient one? I felt a pang of regret.

"I believe he must have his reasons. Otherwise, he would never choose to deceive you. I think he's like me— the last thing he wants to do is hurt you." He stroked my long hair and continued, "I told myself to let go, but why does it hurt so much? It feels like someone has torn a piece of my heart out. That heart-wrenching pain, as if it's embedded in my soul, I don't think it will ever heal in this lifetime."

I looked into his pained eyes, speechless.

"Such a wonderful person is destined to belong to just one person," he sighed deeply. "If there's a next life, will you walk the rest of the way with me?"

"What do you mean 'next life'? I don't like that word. Isn't this life good enough? If letting go hurts so much, why let go at all?"

"Would you be willing to give yourself to me?" Rong Yan Si's sorrowful face lit up with a surprised smile, but it quickly faded, replaced by a hint of melancholy. "What about him, then?"

"My heart is big enough to hold many people. Are you willing to be one of them?" I asked cautiously, not knowing why I was asking this, but since I had fallen in love with both of these men, I needed to do what felt right in my heart. If he didn't want to, I would still be able to smile and bless him.

"Are you saying...?" Rong Yan Si furrowed his brows, but then the gloom on his face cleared, and he laughed as he hugged me tightly. "I knew from the start that you're not an ordinary girl. How could I treat you like one? I'm willing! Being apart from you feels like losing my soul. As long as I can stay by your side, why should I care about those worldly concerns? Protecting you is my greatest happiness, so even if there's one more person to protect you, it should be a good thing, right?"

A perfect smile bloomed on my beautiful face as I looked up and kissed Yan's lips, thinking mischievously, "Mmm! Tastes really good." "From now on, you're mine to protect!" This was the second person I wanted to protect.

He nodded, a hint of blush appearing on his face, "Alright, I'll let you protect me."

"Ugh! I forgot about Yan Yan! We need to find him. I promised to protect him," I said, preparing to run towards the door. I really wasn't a good person, teasing a handsome guy at a time like this. It was so wrong.

"Foolish girl, at your speed, it would be nearly impossible to catch up to him. Come here! I'll take you," Yan said, opening his arms to me.

"What for?" I asked, puzzled. Although I really wanted a hug, finding Yan Yan was more important right now.

"Where's your mind wandering? I'll use my lightness kung fu to take you there. He's also a martial artist. Do you really think you can catch him on foot?" He gently tapped my head.

"I wasn't daydreaming!" I pouted, feeling wronged. How could I know about lightness kung fu? I wasn't from this era.

He kissed my pouting lips passionately, and after what felt like an eternity, he reluctantly released me, his deep eyes filled with intense desire. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Don't pout in front of others again. Do you have any idea how enticing you look? Next time, I can't promise I'll be such a gentleman."

A flush of heat rose to my cheeks as I buried my face in his chest, embarrassed. "Why are you like this? You're the one being naughty, yet you blame me." Thinking about that passionate kiss, my face burned even more. It was so embarrassing to have given away my first kiss in this era.

"Ha! Silly girl. How could I let go of someone as lovely and wonderful as you?" Yan's deep laughter echoed from his chest, making me feel happy.

"Let's go! If we stay any longer, I might really not be able to let go."

"Annoying," I complained, not believing I could sound so coy.

"Yes, annoying. If we don't leave now, I'll be even more annoyed," Yan teased.

"Hmph! Let's go!" I commanded, acting like a queen as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Yes, my lady. I'm off," he said, tightly holding my small frame and leaping out the window.

All I could hear was the whooshing wind as I clung to him even tighter. I couldn't help it; I was just afraid of heights. Suddenly, the wind stopped, and Yan chuckled, tapping my nose. "The little coward can open her eyes now."

I cautiously opened one eye to peek around, then both eyes in surprise. "Huh? We're here already? Where is this?"

"Ha! You really are a little cowardly kitty," he teased.

I wrinkled my nose in protest. "I'm not a kitty. I'm a tiger." I made a fierce tiger face, and Yan burst into laughter.

"What am I going to do? With you around, it's going to be hard for me to pretend to be indifferent anymore," Yan said with a feigned helpless expression.

"Deal with it. I'm charming and lovable, and you should be happy to see me. It's only natural," I replied, putting on an arrogant air and giving him a sideways glance.