Ye Tian stared, stunned. "Second Brother... you're not thinking of pursuing Sister Song Xi, are you! You can't!"
Ye Hai frowned. "Why not? Do you like her a lot?"
"Of course, I like her! Sister Xi is beautiful, has a great personality, is smart, and has acting skills. Second Brother, you're too fierce, you're not suitable for her!"
Ye Hai raised his fist, ready to hit him.
"See, see!" Ye Tian quickly said. "You resort to physical intimidation at the slightest provocation. Sister Xi won't like you."
Ye Hai looked at his fist, then at Ye Tian, and finally cleared his throat unnaturally. "You little brat, what do you know? Let's go!"
Ye Tian watched his receding figure and touched his nose.
If Second Brother could change his temper, he might grudgingly accept him pursuing Song Xi.
...
Ye Residence.
Upon returning, Ye Hai noticed a black Porsche parked on the lawn.
He took off his jacket and threw it to the butler. "Do we have guests?"
"Reporting to Second Young Master, they are in the back garden. Eldest Young Master is personally entertaining them."
What kind of important guest required Eldest Brother's personal attention?
Meanwhile, two women stood in the kitchen.
Liu Xingyan took out the freshly baked pastries and arranged them on a plate, saying casually, "Don't worry, Nana. She ran away once, but she won't get away a second time."
Anna's delicate brows furrowed, and a hint of grievance appeared on her pretty face. "Yan Yan, if your husband finds out you're doing this for me, will he...?"
Liu Xingyan's movements paused. She smiled, "Don't worry, the people I sent have their limits. Besides, those nude photos weren't taken. You shouldn't worry."
"Thank you, Yan Yan!"
Liu Xingyan patted her hand. "During the years I was abroad, I relied on your care. It's only right that I help you with this small matter. If you ask me, you should hurry and get the marriage certificate. That way, no one can take advantage of you."
"I want to, but Yu Ming..." She paused, forcing a smile. "He's too busy with work."
"You," she sighed, "are still as naive as you were in college. It's okay, I'll teach you slowly from now on."
Anna smiled sweetly. In a corner where Liu Xingyan couldn't see, a glint flashed in her eyes.
Footsteps sounded from outside.
Liu Xingyan looked over and called out, "Ye Hai!"
Ye Hai turned his steps and entered the kitchen. He instinctively glanced at Anna before his gaze settled on Liu Xingyan.
"Sister-in-law."
"This is my friend, Anna." Liu Xingyan handed him the pastries. "These are freshly baked cookies. Take them with you."
"Yes." Ye Hai suddenly remembered something and asked, "Sister-in-law, do you have two cousins in City A?"
Liu Xingyan froze for a moment, her palms feeling a little tense. "Yes, why?"
"It's nothing." He turned and left.
Anna stared at his straight back, a worried expression on her face. "He didn't discover anything, did he?"
Liu Xingyan said confidently, "Don't worry. Ye Hai is usually inexplicable. Let's go, we'll join them."
"Okay."
In the back garden, two men sat facing each other.
One was handsome and gentle, warm and refined; the other was cold and stern, noble and extraordinary.
Ye Hai walked over, placed the pastries on the table, and his gaze naturally fell to the right.
"Mr. Lou."
Ye Sen introduced, "This is my second brother, Ye Hai."
Lou Yu Ming nodded slightly, his attitude neither warm nor cold.
He recognized the man who danced with Song Xi at a glance, but he hadn't expected him to be the second young master of the Ye family.
A moment later, the two women also arrived.
Liu Xingyan gave Anna a look. Anna mustered her courage and offered a cookie she had made to Lou Yu Ming's mouth, her voice soft and sweet. "Yu Ming, I made this myself. Please try it."
Lou Yu Ming's eyes darkened. "I don't like sweet things."
Anna replied, "I know, so I didn't put much sugar."
Liu Xingyan added from the side, "Nana even burned her hand making these cookies."
"It's nothing, just a small injury."
With such insistence, it felt rude not to eat it.
Lou Yu Ming's expression turned dark as he took a bite.
Anna pressed her advantage. "Are they delicious?"
Lou Yu Ming offered a perfunctory assessment. "They're alright."
Liu Xingyan smiled. "You and Mr. Lou have such a good relationship. Have you chosen a date yet?"
Lou Yu Ming remained silent, a hint of impatience appearing on his brow.
Anna quickly interjected, "Not yet. I'm not in a hurry. Once it's confirmed, I'll personally invite you!"
Liu Xingyan forced a smile. This Lou Yu Ming was truly difficult to deal with. She looked at Ye Hai beside her and said, "It's best to hurry. Otherwise, like Ye Hai, who is over thirty and still unmarried, I, as his sister-in-law, worry for him."
"Why are you saying this to Mr. Lou?" Ye Sen pretended to be angry and reprimanded her.
Liu Xingyan pouted playfully. "I'm just thinking of Ye Hai. He's been single for so many years, and I've never seen him like anyone..."
"I do."
Ye Hai, who had been silent and still like a block of wood, suddenly spoke, startling everyone.
Lou Yu Ming calmly raised his eyes and looked over, surprised to find the other man staring intently at him.
Liu Xingyan was astonished. "Where did you meet her? How have I never heard you mention her?"
"I met her at the party the night before last."
Ye Sen's eyebrows twitched, his expression changing drastically.
"What's her name?" Liu Xingyan asked.
Just as Ye Hai was about to speak, Lou Yu Ming abruptly stood up.