Pet Ancient Husband

Chapter 1: The Dressing Room

“Xiao Shuang! Could you get me some tea, please? I'm so thirsty! And while you're at it, could you help me with this zipper? I'm utterly incapable of doing it myself.” I closed my eyes, leaning back in the dressing chair, feigning sleep. Just now, while changing clothes, I had exhausted myself trying to zip up the zipper at the back. But that damned zipper seemed to be deliberately opposing me, refusing to go up. It was just easier to trouble Xiao Shuang, so with my eyes closed, I complained to my assistant.

In my mind, I recalled the morning a few days ago when I went to Qingxin Temple to get a talisman for my dad's safety, and I encountered that old man who claimed to be a fortune teller. “Young lady! Your birth has been a mistake from the very beginning, and this mistake will return to the right path in three days. And this world that you've disrupted will also return to its original state.” I furrowed my brows, trying hard to forget the madman's crazy words, but they had been haunting my mind for these three days. There was a vague sense of unease in my heart.

“Thank you, Xiao Shuang, I love you so much!” Feeling someone gently place a teacup to my lips, I took a big gulp and revealed a contented smile, thanking my assistant. I sat up and leaned on the dressing table, saying to my assistant, “Xiao Shuang! Could you help me with the zipper at the back? I don't know if it's stuck or something, but it won't go up!”

After a while, I noticed that Xiao Shuang seemed to be doing nothing. I opened my eyes in confusion and found that the person standing next to me was not my assistant Xiao Shuang, but my good friend Ye Bei's second brother, Ye Jie. “Uh! Brother Ye Jie? Why are you here? I'm really sorry, I thought it was Xiao Shuang!”

Putting down the teacup in his hand, Ye Jie walked gently behind me and zipped up that annoying zipper at the back. “I heard from Xiao Bei that you're performing here today. I like watching you dance, so I came.”

I turned to look at Ye Jie and noticed a hint of awkwardness on his face, probably because he had just zipped up the zipper for me. “Did Bei Bei and Brother Ye Jun come too?” I casually asked, remembering that Bei Bei had told me she and Ye Jun would also come.

“Ruo'er! Do you care so much whether the eldest brother comes or not?” Ye Jie looked at me with some pain, his beautiful eyes filled with disappointment. I guess he probably thought I had a crush on Brother Ye Jun! Sigh! Such a handsome guy looking at me with such a pitiful expression, I really couldn't bear it. Actually, when I first went to Bei Bei's house for her birthday party, I knew that both of the Ye brothers had a crush on me. But before I made up my mind, I didn't want to get involved with them. I didn't want to hurt my friendship with Bei Bei because of this.

I evadedly lowered my head, afraid to see Ye Jie's hurt eyes, and feigned ignorance, saying, “Of course, you guys are Bei Bei's brothers, which means you're also my brothers. You've all been so nice to me, and I care about all of you!”

“I don't want to be your brother. I already have a sister. I don't need you to be my sister!” Ye Jie growled in a near-roar.

My heart trembled a bit, and I looked up with some hurt, “Brother Ye Jie, you know I don't have a mom. Dad is always so busy with the company that he has no time for me. I've always wished for an older brother who could spoil me and love me. I envy Bei Bei for having you two wonderful brothers who dote on her. I love the warm feeling of your family. Unlike mine, where it's always just me eating alone at the dinner table. That's why I always like to stay at your place. But I didn't know it would bother you. I'm sorry, I'll try not to disturb you in the future.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Ye Jie pulled me tightly into his arms. His voice of self-reproach came from above my head. “I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Ruo'er. Brother Ye Jie must have been out of his mind to snap at you just now. As long as you're happy, I'm willing to be your brother. Just being able to protect you and be by your side makes me very happy.” He sighed and fell silent.

The dressing room suddenly became quiet. Neither of us spoke. I leaned in his arms, gently closed my eyes, and listened to his heartbeat.

“Ruo'er! Brother and I have come to see you! It's almost your turn! Uh! Second brother...” After a long while, Bei Bei's voice came from the doorway of the dressing room. Ye Jie and I quickly separated. I didn't want my friend to misunderstand. Passing Bei Bei, I saw Ye Jun standing behind her. A fleeting shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes, disappearing in an instant. He smiled and said, “Ah Jie! You got here before us!”

“Yeah! I arrived a bit earlier. You guys chat, I'll go out and save some good seats first.” Ye Jie walked out hurriedly, looking a bit at a loss. At the door, I saw him turn his head and look at me deeply. His eyes were somewhat dim.

“I'm going too! Second brother, wait for me!” Bei Bei gave me an ambiguous smile and ran out after him.

Sighing softly in my heart, I thought that Ye Jun and Bei Bei must have misunderstood just now when Ye Jie and I hugged. I adjusted my mood and greeted Ye Jun with a smile. “Brother Ye Jun! You really came. I thought Bei Bei was just joking with me! I heard your company is about to go public recently. How do you still have time to come to my performance?”

“Of course, how could I miss my little Ruo'er's dance?” Ye Jun affectionately pinched my nose, as if that moment of gloom was just an illusion. He was much more profound than Ye Jie.

“I knew Brother Ye Jun cared about me the most.” I wrinkled my nose like a little kitten.