A hundred thoughts yet no answer! Yang Yunhai didn't dare step back into the bedroom. He sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, straining to recall the events of last night, but came up empty.
When he tried asking Yiner through transmission, she refused to respond.
When he pressed harder, she finally snapped, "Ah, Yun, stop asking already. It's too embarrassing…"
Such an important moment, and he had no memory at all. It left him terribly frustrated.
Time trickled by. Even by noon, no one had come out of the bedroom. Yang Yunhai had no choice but to get up and prepare lunch, worrying about how to explain things once they woke. Soon the kitchen was filled with smoke and steam, while thin wisps of cooking smoke rose from the valley.
At that moment, inside the bedroom—
"Mm." As a Soul Ancestor, Dugu Yan stirred awake first. Her eyelashes trembled as her eyes slowly opened.
"Huh?" The first thing she saw was Zhu Zhuqing's delicate face. Startled, confusion filled her mind.
'Why is Zhuqing here?'
She looked around instinctively. Her body felt utterly drained, sore and weak as though it had fallen apart. Especially one certain part—though it didn't hurt, it burned with a sticky warmth that left her dazed.
'This isn't my room!'
Her pretty face flushed crimson, her whole body going hot.
She lowered her head and tugged weakly at the blanket. The sight beneath made her eyes mist over with shame and fury.
'How could Grandpa do this!?'
She glanced around again and sighed in relief when she didn't see him. Then, gritting her teeth, she forced herself to sit up.
"Mm—" The movement tugged at the covers, letting in a draft. Zhu Zhuqing instinctively curled up, her eyelashes quivering as she slowly opened her eyes.
Panic surged in Dugu Yan's heart. Clutching the blanket, she blurted, "Zhuqing, I…I'm sorry! I didn't expect Grandpa would do something like this!"
Her face was full of shame and anxiety.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression stayed calm. She sat up, holding the blanket, and said softly, "Sister Yan, this isn't your fault."
"Since it already happened, don't overthink it. From now on, we're one family."
Dugu Yan was stunned. She had never imagined Zhu Zhuqing would be so calm—much less say something like that.
"Sister Yan, you like Yunhai too, don't you?" Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked.
Dugu Yan's eyes flickered, dodging the question.
Zhu Zhuqing's tone remained even: "You don't need to feel guilty. Yunhai is outstanding. My mother once told me—the more exceptional a man is, the more women will be drawn to him. It's normal that you'd fall for him. Wasn't I the same at first?"
"This isn't the same. Yunhai already has you." Dugu Yan whispered.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't argue, only replied softly, "To be honest, I can't really handle it alone."
Dugu Yan's face turned red.
Given the aching, weakened state of her body, she found that explanation oddly convincing.
Zhu Zhuqing looked toward the window. "It's already noon. Yun must have finished cooking by now. Let's wash up and go out. Don't worry, Sister Yan—Yun will accept you. My mother always said, there isn't a man alive who doesn't like beautiful women. Yun is no exception."
'Noon already?' Dugu Yan's expression shifted.
'Just how long did it go on last night?'
She thought about it, blushing fiercely. Her whole body felt like it had been torn apart, while Yunhai had still managed to wake early to make food. 'He really is amazing. No wonder Zhuqing said she couldn't handle it alone.'
'Ah, my first time… and I don't even remember it.'
'Grandpa is just too much!'
'Well, maybe it's better not to remember… it would only be more embarrassing.'
She sneaked a glance at Zhu Zhuqing, her cheeks burning. Feeling awkward, she lowered her head and murmured shyly, "Zhuqing, thank you."
Then, after a pause, she fidgeted nervously with her long legs and whispered, "Zhuqing… do you think we might have… accidentally gotten pregnant?"
"You can force it out with soul power." Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks were pink. "Come with me to the bath. I'll teach you."
Rustling noises followed as the two wrapped themselves in blankets and helped each other out of bed.
Two quarters of an hour later, the door creaked open. Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan walked out one after the other. Dugu Yan kept her head down, looking very timid.
In the kitchen, Yang Yunhai was just finishing the last of the stir-fry. He brought the dishes out, took a deep breath, and stepped into the dining room.
At the table, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan sat side by side. The confidence they'd had in private vanished—they both lowered their heads like ostriches.
Yang Yunhai silently placed the dishes down, went back for rice and bowls, and set them in front of each girl. Only then did he pull out a chair and sit across from them.
He cleared his throat. "Let's eat."
The three ate quietly.
Soon after, with the food gone, Dugu Yan lowered her head and stood up. "I'll go back upstairs to tidy up."
Her steps were small and awkward as she hurried up. A moment later came the sharp sound of her door closing.
Only then did Yang Yunhai turn to Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing…" he called softly.
She bit her lip and said in a low voice, "Actually, I always guessed this day would come."
Yang Yunhai froze in surprise.
Zhu Zhuqing continued, "After I took the Yearning Heartbroken Red and felt its effects, then thought about how Grandfather Dugu said he'd give you the herb garden… I already guessed his intentions. From his perspective, I can understand."
"Instead of letting Sister Yan be married off to some major clan, better to entrust her to a young man with extraordinary potential. That way, she can help build a new family and even carry on the Dugu name."
"Most importantly, with Grandfather Dugu's strength, he can shield us all."
"Yun, your talent is immense. You have no complicated background. Of course you're the best choice."
"And honestly, neither Grandfather Dugu nor Sister Yan are bad people. They can be trusted completely."
"With our situation, forming an alliance like this also gives us the protection we need. It's good for your future, for mine, for all of us together."
Her cheeks flushed. "I just didn't expect Grandfather would arrange it this way."
"I didn't either." Yang Yunhai gave a wry smile. "I suspected something, but I never thought…"
He sighed. "I thought with Yiner and me, we would notice. But I never saw it coming."
"This isn't your fault." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head gently. "Grandfather is a Titled Douluo. If he really wanted to do something, there's no way we could have resisted."
"And now, what's done is done. Better to think about what comes next."
She glanced upstairs. "Yun, I know Sister Yan likes you."
It wasn't just Dugu Yan—Zhu Zhuqing had noticed other girls too. Ye Lingling in their team, and even many academy students, all sneaking glances at Yang Yunhai.
Dugu Yan had Dugu Bo behind her, which Zhu Zhuqing couldn't stop. But the others—those she would guard against fiercely.
Although she said she didn't mind, deep down, she was still uncomfortable.
So she said, "Yun, tonight you should stay with Sister Yan. Right now, she needs you most."
Yang Yunhai looked embarrassed, conflicted. He sighed. "We'll talk about it tonight."
Zhu Zhuqing gave a small nod and said no more.
"Zhuqing, spend the afternoon with Yan Yan in her room," Yang Yunhai said as he stood. "I'll clean up here."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded and went upstairs.
That afternoon, she stayed on the second floor and didn't come down again. Yang Yunhai, meanwhile, went outside to continue training.
(End of Chapter)
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