Chapter 193: Winning Over Jiang Nannan
Ye Yunxi watched her daughter flee in embarrassment and sighed softly, smiling apologetically at Ye Chen. "Ah… that child is too shy. Don't take it to heart, Ye Chen."
Her eyes reflected a hint of affectionate frustration.
Ye Chen smiled. "Auntie, you're too kind. There's nothing to mind."
He paused, then said lightly, "Actually, Nannan-jie is a wonderful girl. I like her a lot too—only…"
Hearing the first half of his sentence, Ye Yunxi's heart leapt in quiet joy. But as soon as he trailed off, she grew anxious. "Only what? Is there something wrong with Nannan? I can talk to her, make her change!"
"No, Auntie, not at all," Ye Chen replied gently. "It's just… at the academy, there are other girls—senior sisters, classmates…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Ye Yunxi blinked, surprised for a moment—but quickly understood.
And instead of disappointment, she smiled with a calm, knowing warmth. "Oh, Ye Chen, you don't need to worry about that. Powerful soul masters having more than one wife isn't unusual. If you truly like Nannan, I can entrust her to you."
As she spoke, she reached out and lightly took his hand, voice soft yet tinged with sincerity. "I don't need Nannan to have status or title. I only want you to treat her well and never let her suffer."
"Nannan has endured much since childhood," she continued, her tone full of quiet emotion. "She's far too understanding for her own good. I just want her to live a happy life."
Ye Chen nodded respectfully. "Auntie, I understand. I'll take good care of her."
Since Ye Yunxi herself had spoken so openly, Ye Chen saw no reason to refuse.
"That's good," she said, her face blooming with a smile. "Nannan's just shy. Go to her, spend some time together. You two will be family soon enough."
"I will. Auntie, you rest well," Ye Chen replied, standing and heading out.
…
…
Outside Xishi Town, by a quiet stream surrounded by spring grass.
The morning light was soft and golden, spilling gently over the earth.
Jiang Nannan sat alone on a flat stone near the water, hugging her knees, staring off into the distance. A faint blush tinted her lovely face, uncertain thoughts flickering through her mind.
"Nannan-jie."
The familiar voice came from behind.
It was quiet, yet it seemed to echo clearly in the morning air.
Her body tensed slightly. Turning around, she saw Ye Chen walking toward her.
"Nannan-jie, weren't you going to buy vegetables? What are you doing here?" Ye Chen asked with a teasing smile as he approached.
"Hmph. It's still early. I just wanted some air… can't I?"
Her cheeks flushed pink as she turned her head away, not wanting him to see how flustered she was.
Under the sunlight, her profile was delicate—a picture of softness. Her long lashes trembled faintly, her rosy lips pressed together in nervous tension. The sight made Ye Chen's heart stir.
"Of course you can," he said with a small smile, sitting down right beside her. "That's why I came to keep you company."
The distance between them shrank to almost nothing. Jiang Nannan could feel the warmth radiating from his body, carrying a faint, clean scent that made her pulse quicken.
"Um… my mom didn't say anything strange to you, did she?" she asked suddenly, her tone shy but curious.
Ye Chen hesitated, debating how to answer.
Seeing his silence, Nannan grew flustered. "I—I mean, she's always like that. Don't take her too seriously…"
"No," Ye Chen said quietly, eyes focused on her. "I think your mother said exactly the right thing."
"R-right thing…?" she stammered.
Ye Chen's gaze held hers, steady and unreadable. "She said that she wanted to entrust you to me. And since I also like you, how could I refuse?"
His voice was low, soft, yet it struck directly at her heart.
Jiang Nannan blinked in shock; her mind went blank, her face burning.
"Y-you… what are you saying… I…"
Her words tumbled over themselves, her breath catching. Instinctively, she shifted as if to pull away.
Before she could, Ye Chen's arm slipped naturally behind her waist, drawing her gently into his embrace.
His hand rested against her lower back, firm and warm through the thin spring fabric.
"Ah…!"
The touch sent a shock through her. Her body trembled as heat surged up from deep within her chest, spreading to every nerve.
Ye Chen didn't press further; he simply held her, letting the moment settle.
Gradually, her body relaxed against him, her lips pursed as she whispered faintly, "But you already have Tang Ya… how can you still like me…"
She and Tang Ya were close friends. Even though Tang Ya had never openly said anything, Nannan could see how the two felt about each other.
She had always buried her own feelings for Ye Chen—partly because of insecurity, partly because of friendship.
Ye Chen chuckled softly. "Xiao Ya-jie is wonderful. But so are you, Nannan-jie. Children choose between things… I want them all."
As he spoke, his hand pressed slightly firmer against the small of her back.
"Flirt…" she muttered, her voice a whisper of protest that melted into the breeze. Her blush reached her ears, but she didn't move away.
Because she could feel his sincerity—his words carried no deceit, no empty flattery.
And she already liked him, deeply.
Ye Chen smiled faintly. When she didn't resist, he reached up, his fingers brushing her cheek as he tilted her face up. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
"Mmh—!"
The world went still.
Jiang Nannan gasped softly, her mind blank as his warmth overwhelmed her.
Before she could think, his lips deepened the kiss, capturing her breath, his hand supporting the back of her head with steady strength.
The gentle pressure shifted, their lips parting only to meet again. Her hands rose weakly against his chest, trembling—neither pushing him away nor pulling him closer.
Then she stopped resisting entirely.
The sound of the stream, the whisper of wind through spring leaves—all blurred into silence as the moment consumed them.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10