Chapter 78

The two of them stared at each other, not knowing how to speak. It was Shen Si, who was peeping outside the door, who rushed in to protect his young master. He lifted the curtain and said, "Where did this wild brat come from? When you see the real master, don't you bow and pay respects?"

Like Shen Anyue, Shen Si also misunderstood that Yong Ge was Xie Yuan's mistress. Regardless of whether the other party was favored or not, his young master's status as the legitimate head husband should be asserted.

Shen Si stood sternly in front of Shen Anyue, but in fact, he had no idea what to do next. He glanced at his young master worriedly, unsure of how to handle the situation. "Young Master…"

Although he usually acted arrogant and domineering and dared to argue even with Xie Yuan, he was well aware that their privileges as master and servant were all granted by the young master. If the young master no longer wanted to grant them, he and his young master might not be able to stay in the Xie family anymore.

Therefore, Shen Si's confidence stemmed from his young master. But now, a good-looking man, with a clean and pampered face, suddenly appeared. Shen Si couldn't help but worry.

"Wild brat? My husband and I were invited by Young Master Xie!" Yong Ge's eyes widened, looking displeased. He was used to hearing such terms used for unfaithful women and young men during infidelity investigations in their village. But he and Cheng Ge had officially become husband and wife through a proper wedding ceremony, so why would they call him that?

"You have a husband?" Both Shen Anyue and Shen Si asked in unison. Shen Si couldn't help but mutter in his heart. Could their young master be so shameless that he wouldn't even spare someone else's husband…

However, Shen Anyue thought of something. "Your husband… could he be surnamed Cheng? Cheng Duo?"

Xie Yuan mentioned a "Brother Cheng" who was in the hot pot business to him before. Usually, Shen Anyue didn't pay much attention to other business of the Xie family, but because this Brother Cheng created the hot pot, he was curious and paid more attention.

"Yes, my husband's name is Cheng Duo, and I'm Yong Ge. We are from Yang Village." Yong Ge proudly introduced himself. Cheng Ge had taught him many characters, and of course, he learned them very seriously.

"I'm sorry, we misunderstood. Shen Si, quickly apologize to this… young master from the Cheng family," Shen Anyue said awkwardly. He pulled Shen Si to make him apologize promptly.

Shen Si was obedient and didn't know the situation, but since their young master had spoken, he knelt down and apologized, "I'm sorry, Young Master Cheng, Shen Si offended you just now."

Yong Ge felt a bit uncomfortable, "No need to do this. Just call me Yong Ge. And what are your names?"

"I am the Xie family's inner concubine," Shen Anyue forced a smile on his pale face. At this moment, he felt a bit powerless, took two steps back, and sat down on a circular chair by the window, covering his face with his hand.

He felt embarrassed and even more so because he felt embarrassed in front of Xie Yuan's friend's husband.

"Master…" Shen Si quickly stood up, feeling a little uneasy.

Yong Ge had already guessed something, "You are Xie's young madam?"

Shen Anyue nodded, a hint of blush on his cold face. "You… you can also call me An Ge."

The two of them smiled at each other, deciding to let the misunderstanding pass…

Xie Yuan and Cheng Duo returned to the restaurant after an hour. While they were discussing the hot pot business, a waiter rushed over to inform Xie Yuan, "Young Master, Madam has just arrived and is waiting for you in the backyard."

Madam rarely visited the restaurant, and even if she did, she would only stay for a short while before leaving. But today, she had been waiting for over an hour, so she must be waiting for Young Master Xie. The waiter wanted to impress Xie Yuan with this information, so he promptly delivered the news.

"What? Madam is here? Why didn't you say so earlier?" The restaurant owner appeared out of nowhere and was about to hit the waiter with his hand. "Mr. Cheng's husband is still in the backyard. What if Madam misunderstands?"

He didn't want the waiter to steal his thunder, and he was genuinely concerned about Xie Yuan. Suddenly seeing a beautiful young man in the backyard without any apparent reason might cause some doubts in Madam's heart.

Xie Yuan's face indeed changed at the news. His husband's temperament was usually cold and aloof, so he shouldn't be fighting with Yong Ge… right?

Xie Yuan thought of Shen Si, who was always assertive and unyielding. He couldn't help but feel troubled.

Yong Ge was not someone to be trifled with. Even though it would be two against one, hurting his An Ge or injuring Cheng Duo's Yong Ge… The former would make him upset, and the latter would mean that Cheng Duo wouldn't let it go!

"I'll go and see." Xie Yuan quickly ran towards the backyard, with Cheng Duo falling behind because he wasn't familiar with the way.

When Xie Yuan arrived at the backyard, he saw Yong Ge and Cheng Duo sitting together, enjoying the breeze and tea while chatting happily as the sun set.

Xie Yuan: "…"

As someone walked into the yard, both Yong Ge and Cheng Duo turned their heads. Unlike the indifferent Shen Anyue, Yong Ge immediately smiled and said, "Cheng Dui!"

Upon seeing him behind Xie Yuan, Yong Ge approached him with delight, as if he wanted to hold Cheng Duo's hand but refrained from doing so in front of others.

He quickly returned to the table, poured a cup of tea, and presented it to Cheng Duo with both hands, saying, "Cheng Duo, have some tea. Did you go to see the new store? How is it prepared?"

His actions were fast and natural, with an indescribable intimacy. Shen Anyue and Shen Si were staring at them dumbfounded. As for Xie Yuan, he had seen similar scenes in Yang Village before.

Shen Anyue quietly clenched the teacup, feeling envious. He envied Yong Ge's liveliness and cheerfulness. Unlike him, who was used to being reserved, he couldn't even take the initiative to greet Xie Yuan, let alone personally serve him tea.

He secretly observed Yong Ge's husband, wanting to see his reaction. After all, he had just noticed that Yong Ge forgot to switch the tea cups too quickly.

Yong Ge's husband was tall and imposing, with a stern expression. Would he get angry over this?

Shen Anyue worried about his newly-made friend. After their conversation, he found that Yong Ge was good-looking but truly innocent. If he were scolded in front of others, would he cry?

Shen Anyue was lost in thought when he suddenly realized that Yong Ge's husband, whom he thought to be severe, casually took the teacup from Yong Ge's hands and drank a large sip.

It was a very hearty way of drinking tea, but not rude at all. His cold aura vanished when Yong Ge approached. The two of them standing together made people feel close.

"Oh, Cheng Duo, I forgot to switch the tea cup for you." Yong Ge turned his head and saw the empty table, realizing that he had forgotten, he covered his mouth with a soft voice.

"No problem," Cheng Duo smiled and glanced at Yong Ge, somehow conveying a signal that made Yong Ge blush.

Even Shen Anyue and Shen Si, who had seen many things, were taken aback by this scene. Despite the fact that the two of them hadn't done anything, they felt a strange urge to blush as well.

Xie Yuan noticed that he was being ignored by his husband and cleared his throat while approaching An Ge's side.

Shen Anyue, still a bit overwhelmed, was reminded by Shen Si, "Young Master, quickly pour a cup of tea for Young Master Xie."

He had never realized that a simple act of pouring tea could have such significance!

Feeling a bit shocked, Shen Anyue glanced at Xie Yuan and noticed that he seemed to be expecting something, even though he wasn't looking at Shen Anyue directly.

With some hesitation, Shen Anyue extended his hand and lifted the teapot's lid. His slender, fair fingers gently poured the tea, displaying an inexplicable grace and elegance.

This composed demeanor was what Xie Yuan loved most about him, so he stared intently without blinking. An Ge's hand trembled slightly, and a bit of tea spilled outside the cup. "Oops, this cup of tea cannot be drunk…"

He was about to offer to pour another cup, but Xie Yuan eagerly took it from him. "It's okay, even if it's spilled, I can still drink it."

This was the first time his An Ge had poured tea for him, so even if it were a little spilled, he would still drink it, even if it were poison.

Xie Yuan sipped the tea with great satisfaction, then smugly looked at Cheng Duo, as if saying, "It's not just you who receives tea poured by your husband; I do too!"

Seeing his pitiful expression, Cheng Duo didn't have the heart to remind him. One took the initiative to pour the tea, and the other was reminded to do so. It begs the question, does it make any difference?

Clearly, An Ge also noticed Xie Yuan's indulgence. His mind was in a whirl from his previous misunderstanding, making his heart race and his thoughts chaotic.

At this moment, Xie Yuan asked him in a lowered voice, "An Ge, I see you're getting along well with Yong Ge. Tonight, I'll invite Brother Cheng to dinner. Would you like to stay and have dinner with Yong Ge?"

At other times, Xie Yuan would never ask his An Ge to accompany others. He wasn't good at handling such situations.

But today, Yong Ge's actions had impressed him, and he felt that it would be nice for them to spend more time together. After all, Yong Ge was simple and straightforward, his mind filled with thoughts of Cheng Duo. There was no need to have An Ge accompany him to social events.

Xie Yuan spoke softly and tenderly, his tone completely that of discussion. Feeling guilty, An Ge readily agreed.

Xie Yuan noticed that An Ge was happy to agree, and his tone became even more cheerful when speaking to Cheng Duo.

An Ge began to realize that maybe… Xie Yuan was introducing him to his friends? Did Xie Yuan used to be afraid to ask him because he was afraid of making him unhappy?

Actually, Shen Anyue wasn't as distant as people thought. It's just that the Xie family's relatives either flattered him or criticized him. Some unfamiliar wives always wanted to show off in front of him, comparing status and flaunting their possessions.

He was able to remain composed in front of everyone, no matter what they said or did. Over time, some who were dissatisfied with him spread rumors that Xie Yuan had married a heavenly being, and that he was without a trace…

Shen Anyue didn't understand. He treated others with respect, but what could he do when there was no common ground for conversation? When he went out with his parents as a child, he would chat about new poetry collections or appreciate paintings, compliment the gardens, and everyone would be courteous.

It was the same with Xie Yuan. Even if he was angry, he would never lose his temper and make a scene. If he didn't want Xie Yuan to take concubines, he would pretend not to know even if he found out.

He kept telling himself to be courteous. After all, that was how his parents and the people around him lived.

The only thing he did out of the ordinary was indulging Shen Si, as he felt that if he didn't vent, he would go crazy! Shen Si represented the less dignified side of him. Every time he saw Shen Si berating Xie Yuan and rendering him speechless, Shen Anyue felt both satisfied and embarrassed.

Because he knew Xie Yuan was right, it was he who was wrong; he was too greedy…