Chapter 41: Persistent Suitors Wear Down Reserved Maidens

Perhaps it was because the chest she collided with was too firm, or perhaps her delicate nose was too fragile.

After a muffled grunt, tears that should have been restrained welled up and spilled over.

To conceal her fluster in that moment, Shen Yi’an hastily pushed against the person before her, simultaneously seizing the chance to secretly wipe away the teardrops on her face. “Let me go! It wouldn’t be good if someone saw us!”

“There are people all around the Family Compound!”

“The folkways here are simple and honest—nothing like the advanced ideas and conduct in Jingshi.”

Because she hadn’t looked up, she remained unaware of how suggestive her actions appeared at that moment.

Her slender, delicate body squirmed within the broad, sturdy embrace.

Causing the owner of the chest to involuntarily swallow, his body gradually stirring with an unusual sensation.

Fortunately, the man’s self-control was sufficient.

After closing his eyes to calm himself for a moment, he returned to normal, then leaned close to the ear of the person in his arms and whispered, “I’ve checked—no one will come nearby for now.”

Feeling the struggling movements of the person in his arms suddenly pause, Li Beichen’s lips unconsciously curved into a smile. “I originally intended to tell you yesterday, but seeing how happy you were, I didn’t want to spoil the mood.”

“The reason I’m telling you now is that time is almost up.”

“If I waited until tomorrow to tell you abruptly, I’d worry you might cry—and then I’d find it hard to bear!”

In response, Shen Yi’an muttered sullenly, “I wouldn’t cry! And I wouldn’t find it hard to bear!”

“If you told me tomorrow, I’d be overjoyed if anything!”

“I don’t believe it!” Li Beichen’s voice carried absolute certainty.

“Even though you’ve been trying to create distance between us all the way back from Jingshi,”

“I can sense that I occupy a place in your heart.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“Although our meeting was an accident, feelings and the body don’t lie.”

“They tell me that we were meant to be together, that we belong to each other.”

“Doesn’t Yi An feel the same?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an fell silent for a moment.

Feelings and the body don’t lie?

Is that true?

If not, then why was she feeling so conflicted now?

If so, then… when had he entered her heart?

Was it simply because of that night’s intimacy?

Unable to figure it out, Shen Yi’an shook her head in confusion. “I don’t know!”

Upon hearing this answer, Li Beichen wasn’t disheartened; instead, his smile grew even brighter. “Yi An, I’m already affecting your emotions.”

“Aren’t I?”

“As long as I can affect you, the distance between us will inevitably shorten sooner or later.”

“I look forward to that day!”

This conversation,

though compelled by circumstances, was one Li Beichen had long anticipated.

He needed to know her thoughts—even a little would allow him to deduce much.

If she felt nothing for him, he planned to pursue her even more fervently afterward.

Even if they weren’t under the same sky, he had enough confidence to win her heart.

They say persistent suitors wear down reserved maidens—the wisdom passed down through generations couldn’t be false.

If she did have feelings for him, even just a little, his strategy would be to simmer her slowly like a frog in warm water.

As long as she grew accustomed to his presence and appearances,

they would either be together sooner or be together later, but ultimately, they were destined to be together regardless.

Well, this step was taken right!

The hesitation and uncertainty in the person in his arms meant that she already had him in her heart.

Since that was the case, it was better to give her enough time to think it over slowly.

Once she had an answer, he thought, it should be the result he wanted to hear.

The tranquil embrace was forced apart by the approaching footsteps.

Reluctantly releasing the soft, fragrant body in his arms, Li Beichen’s voice carried a hint of temptation as he spoke, “I won’t pressure you!”

“But on the day you have an answer, An An, you must remember to tell me.”

“Alright?”

This time, Shen Yi’an answered firmly, “Alright, I promise!”

“If I figure it out, or know what to do.”

“I’ll tell you right away.”

Hearing this, Li Beichen nodded with satisfaction.

Just as the two were about to leave together, a slightly mocking voice rang out from behind them.

“Well, isn’t this the Shen family’s college student?”

“What, you’ve learned to seduce men right after graduating?”

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but click her tongue. “Just like your mother, Deng Yaxin, your character is exactly the same.”

“If it weren’t for your mother back then, who knows who Director Shen might have married.”

“And look at you, so young and already seducing men. It’s clear Deng Yaxin’s parenting was a success.”

Hearing this stream of insults, Shen Yi’an frowned deeply.

When she turned and saw who it was, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I wondered who had such a big mouth. Turns out it’s Auntie Tian.”

“What, you didn’t get along with my mother, and now you can’t stand me either?”

She responded first, then quickly added, “After all these years, Auntie Tian still can’t forget my dad?”

“Do you think if Uncle Tian knew, or your sons and daughters-in-law found out, they’d be too ashamed to show their faces?”

“What a load of crap!” Hearing Shen Yi’an’s retort, Auntie Tian’s face flushed red with anger.

“When did I ever say I still think about your dad? Don’t you dare talk nonsense!”

“I’m talking about you and your mother, you little tramp. Don’t drag others into this!”

After cursing, she turned her gaze to Li Beichen. “Listen, young man, don’t be fooled by this Shen family tramp—ahem, this Shen family girl.”

“Her mother’s no good, and neither is she.”

“The old one seduced other women’s men, and the young one seduces other women’s sons.”

“Stay away from her, or you might catch some bad luck!”

Ignoring the shouting from the other side, Li Beichen first soothed Shen Yi’an’s emotions. “Don’t be angry!”

“Your uncle and aunt warned me that your body can’t handle intense emotional ups and downs.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you settle this today, alright?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an glared fiercely at the smug-looking Auntie Tian before nodding to Li Beichen. “Given your status, just give her a warning.”

“Don’t let her act all high and mighty now. She’ll wilt once my mom and second sister come back.”

“She’s only picking on me because I’m alone, and she knows my health isn’t good enough to fight back.”

Thankfully, she had unlocked her Space and had been drinking plenty of Spirit Spring Water to nourish her body these days.

If it were before, she might have really fainted from anger by now.

“Alright, I understand!” Li Beichen nodded.

Turning to face Auntie Tian, who was still chattering away, his expression returned to its usual coolness. “Auntie, I don’t know why you harbor such hostility toward my fiancée.”

“But I want to say, she is wonderful!”

“And my future mother-in-law is wonderful too!”

Having refuted the other party’s claims and reaffirmed his view of his future mother-in-law and fiancée’s character, he then took a firm stance.

“I don’t know why you take issue with my fiancée and future mother-in-law.”

“But you should know that military families cannot be slandered.”

“I am a soldier. My fiancée and my future in-laws—their character is a matter for the nation to judge.”

“Your one-sided accusations will only end up harming yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Auntie Tian, who had been looking smug just moments before, immediately stiffened.