Chapter 236: Xiao Xiao's Softness, Joining the Tang Sect
Xiao Xiao's response wasn't as bold or fiery as Wang Dong's. Her lips trembled slightly under the kiss, carrying a timid trace of sweetness.
When Ye Chen's lips touched hers, she immediately parted her lips obediently, responding with awkward yet genuine tenderness.
She could even faintly taste the cool, sweet trace of Wang Dong lingering between Ye Chen's lips—an unexpectedly familiar scent that sent a shiver down her spine, and a heat spreading through her entire body. Without realizing it, her small hands clutched tightly around Ye Chen's waist.
Her kiss was soft and shy, filled with gentle dependence.
Unlike Wang Dong's domineering passion and possession, Xiao Xiao's kiss was warm, clean, and cautious, as though she feared displeasing him.
Ye Chen savored that unique sweetness and submission—her innocence and purity stirred his affection, yet also ignited a possessive desire.
Because of the awkward angle, Ye Chen crouched slightly, slipping a hand beneath her hips to lift her up.
His fingers tightened, feeling the curve and softness in his palm. Satisfaction bloomed across his expression.
"Mm…"
Xiao Xiao shivered as his warm hands pressed firmly against her skin through the thin layer of her stockings.
Her legs instinctively tensed, the white silk wrapping her thighs gleaming faintly in the light as she wrapped them tighter around Ye Chen's waist, clinging to him like a small koala.
Inside, she felt both embarrassment and delight.
He was such a tease—but she loved the warmth of being close to him.
"This bad guy…" Wang Dong grumbled under her breath as she watched Ye Chen's wandering hands, puffing out her cheeks.
Crouching down, she peeked beneath, taking a curious look at where they touched…
So that's why. Xiao Xiao was rounder than her.
"No wonder Ye Chen likes it," Wang Dong muttered to herself, scratching her own backside with dawning realization. She hadn't realized Xiao Xiao had such hidden leverage.
"Ahem…"
Suddenly, a soft cough broke the warm, ambiguous moment.
Xiao Xiao immediately froze, startled, and quickly pushed herself away from Ye Chen.
Turning with Xiao Xiao still partly in his arms, Ye Chen saw Ye Yunxi standing beneath the veranda, holding a tray of sliced fruit. There was a gentle smile on her face—warm, but tinged with helpless amusement.
Xiao Xiao, shocked, sprang out of Ye Chen's embrace like a frightened deer. Her face flushed scarlet, and she hurried to straighten her wrinkled skirt and stockings, wishing she could disappear into the earth.
Even Wang Dong stiffened, her face also turning red as she awkwardly straightened her dress.
Ye Yunxi, however, looked entirely calm. She walked forward gracefully, setting the fruit tray down on a small stone table nearby and said softly, "Sorry to interrupt. I saw you were resting and thought I'd bring some fruit to help cool off."
Her tone was natural, as though she'd witnessed scenes like this countless times before.
But as she stepped closer, the lantern light under the eaves cast a clearer glow across her face—and both Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao froze in astonishment.
The woman before them looked impossibly young. Her features were gentle yet refined, her skin fair and smooth, appearing no older than twenty-five or twenty-six.
And though her simple dress was modest, it couldn't conceal her graceful figure or her calm, mature femininity.
Wang Dong blinked, then turned to study Ye Yunxi's face more closely before suddenly glancing at Ye Chen, her gaze sharp with suspicion.
Oh, come on. Could he have brought home this stunning woman and kept her hidden here?
Xiao Xiao also followed the same train of thought, her wide eyes flicking between Ye Yunxi and Ye Chen.
Young-looking yet clearly mature…
So he liked mature women too?
The air was instantly thick with awkward misunderstanding.
Ye Chen could tell exactly what the two of them were thinking and quickly waved his hands. "Stop with those looks! This is Jiang Nannan's mother!"
"She's Aunt Ye Yunxi—she manages the daily affairs of Tang Sect Headquarters," he added quickly, emphasizing her identity.
Both Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao had heard of Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya from Ye Chen before.
He hadn't been specific about his relationship with them at the time, since he hadn't quite "won over" Jiang Nannan yet, but the two girls had picked up enough hints. Still, they hadn't pried.
Now, hearing Ye Chen's clarification, they finally realized the truth—but were still utterly stunned.
"Jiang Senior's mother? She's that young?"
The two girls exclaimed at once, their eyes widening in disbelief as they looked at Ye Yunxi again.
Caught under their astonished gazes, Ye Yunxi felt slightly embarrassed, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Still, she smiled gently and nodded. "Yes, I'm Nannan's mother, Ye Yunxi. You must be Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao—Ye Chen often mentions you. You're both such lovely, polite girls."
Ye Chen had indeed spoken of them before, and Ye Yunxi's expression softened even more as she recalled his words.
Realizing their mistake, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao's faces turned bright red all over again.
They hurried forward, bowing their heads and stammering, "H-hello, Aunt Ye!"
"Ah, good, good," Ye Yunxi replied with a good-natured laugh.
She studied the two young women before her with genuine affection—seeing only charm and innocence, not an ounce of blame.
After all, she fully accepted that these two girls were bound to become family someday.
She was already used to the beautiful young women who always seemed to orbit Ye Chen, and from what Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya had told her, she understood his "style."
So upon meeting the talented Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, she felt no surprise—only warmth and approval.
Ye Yunxi gently guided the two embarrassed girls to sit down again, called Ye Chen to join them, and passed around the fruit.
She chatted with them kindly about school life, training, and their favorite foods, her tone as gentle and maternal as when she spoke to Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya.
Within minutes, the awkward tension had melted away, replaced by laughter and sweet conversation, filling the courtyard with cozy warmth once more.
(END CHAPTER)
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