12 Being With Him

In the busy market, Shen Mohua ate a sugar candy by the riverside. She sat on a rock and watched as people passed by. The sugar candy she bought today was a delicate design of a butterfly. The sweet taste melting on her tongue made her quite happy.

When she was almost done with her candy, a familiar figure emerged from the crowds. She excitedly stood up, "Kong Yunru!"

"What's my friend Mohua doing here?" Kong Yunru asked with a bright smile.

"I was studying while enjoying my candy." She pulled out another candy from her bag, "Would you like one?"

"I..." Kong Yunru held his hand tight by his side. Normally, he would not hesitate in front of free food. However, that stingy man refused to share a drop of tea with him yesterday. Would he be killed today if he accepted this candy?

"Don't worry, just take it. We're friends!" Shen Mohua placed the candy into his hand.

Forget it, they were friends. A smile came onto his face once again. If Jun asked later, Kong Yunru would just give the same response.

The two people were equally sunny and bubbly, so their conversation was easygoing and bright. As they walked around, Kong Yunru suddenly thought of something. "Lately, I haven't been able to sleep. Mohua, do you know which tea would be good for me?"

"Ah, I know what you need." Her eyes brightened.

Shen Mohua took him to the tea shop across Lotus House. As she was here recently, she knew exactly what she was looking for and where it was placed. Her eager hands pulled out an exquisite box from one of the wall shelves. "Yunru, lavender tea is perfect for you! Drink it in the evening, it'll help calm your body so you can get a good sleep."

"I'll do as you say," He promised. When they walked out, he carried the tea box as if there were treasures inside. "I have to go visit my mother now, but next time, let me treat to you a meal."

"Okay!" She agreed.

When his figure disappeared into the distance, she also went on her way. Soon, she came upon a large metal gate. This morning, she felt brave to come here but now, she couldn't make herself take one more step forward.

A sense of dread filled her stomach. Her heartbeat slammed heavily against her chest. Although they were indeed engaged, was it appropriate for her to come to his residence? Was it taking things too far?

It felt too personal. It felt as if she was stepping over the line. Next time, she'd ask for his permission first.

It was best to stay on the safe side. She whirled around to go home, only to slam into something hard. "Ah!"

"What were you standing here hesitating for?" Ou Junsan steadied the body that had flew into his chest.

"N-nothing! I wasn't doing anything!" The redness on her cheeks were the proof of her terrible lies. She hurriedly covered her burning face.

He could hear the unsteady rise and fall of her tone. What a bad liar.

"Let's go in," He simply said.

That's it? No questioning, no scolding?

Shen Mohua was skeptical. Wasn't he mad she showed up out of the blue?

"Why aren't you following?" His figure stopped.

She was stumped. She didn't expect him to be serious. "I-I'm coming!"

Ou Junsan could smell her scent when she came. It was the smell of spring flowers in the morning. He wasn't sure of what to think of it, but it was surprisingly pleasant. His arm raised outwards.

It couldn't be what she was thinking, right? There was no way. Her apricot eyes widened at his gesture.

She decided to ask, just to be safe, "W-what is it?"

"Foolish... Why are you so slow?" He pulled his arm back by his side.

"I'm not slow!" She protested, placing her hands around his arm. She knew what he meant, she just didn't expect it.

With Ou Junsan by her side, she no longer felt like an intruder as they went up the stairs. When they stood beneath the gate, she placed one foot forward, but he stopped and she could no longer go further.

What did he want this time? Her eyebrows crunched together and she turned to face him. As usual, his cold face was blank. She couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"Qiao Fang and Qiao Peng, this is your future sister in law. Next time, welcome her in. Even when I'm not here, she is given permission to go and leave as she pleases," Ou Junsan ordered. His words were stern and strong, leaving no space for questions.

"Yes, Brother Ou." They bowed respectfully.

Ou Junsan dragged her inside. Shen Mohua managed to give them a smile before she was gone from their sight.

Qiao Peng, the more naughty of the two, took a second glance at the girl's back. "Brother, don't you think our future mistress is pretty?"

Qiao Fang slapped his brother's head. "If you focus more on your studies, maybe you'll be able to find yourself a girl."

"Look who's talking? You bury your face in that book of yours all night long and you can't even get a girl!" Qiao Peng retorted back.

Shen Mohua could hear the humorous bickering of the two brothers. She giggled quietly.

"Don't mind them. Xiao Peng and Xiao Fang are always like that," He told her.

She didn't mind them at all. If anything, she found them to be quite amusing. Next time, she'd make sure to talk to them.

Ou Junsan brought her to the main house where he usually welcomed guests. Aunt Xiang, who had been waiting for him, had a shocked expression when she saw the woman beside him. "Is this... Miss Shen?"

Shen Mohua smiled at the older woman. "No need to stand on formalities. Please just call me Mohua."

"How can this one dare?" Aunt Xiang refused.

"Aunt Xiang, do as she says. We will wed at the end of the month anyway. Mohua's words are the same as mine in this house. From now on, follow her orders as you would follow mine," Ou Junsan said resolutely. Shen Mohua was to be his wife. Whatever he had would naturally also become hers.

"Yes, yes." Aunt Xiang understood immediately. "You two go ahead and settle down here. I'll bring some snacks from the kitchen."

Shen Mohua couldn't steady her heart. Her big eyes that stared at his face blinked very fast. Did Ou Junsan just introduced her as his future wife to everyone in his residence? From now on, she would be able to come here whenever she wanted to... Her words held the same weight as his words would. Those who were his family would become her family.

The status as his wife, the dignity of being his woman, and the introduction of her into his world, he had given them all to her before she could even ask for it.

No, before she could think of it, he had already given them to her.

Suddenly, she wanted to be closer to him. She let go of his arm and hugged his waist.

Just as she thought, just as she had hoped, his embrace welcomed her with a warmth that filled her heart.