Xiao Rufeng looked upset and annoyed at the same time, catching Yan Xiuchen off guard. For the weeks they'd been together, they had never argued, and this was the first time he'd seen this expression on her.
"Did you think I would come and live with you despite my manager's objection? Have a little trust in me, please?" She said and placed a hand on Yan Xiuchen's right hand that was resting on his knees.
Yan Xiuchen stared at him and nodded, but it was clear to Xiao Rufeng that he was still disturbed about her meeting with Jin Qiu.
"I trust you. It's just… I don't trust other people." He admitted quietly.
From what he knew of Xiao Rufeng, she wasn't the kind of person who would toy with someone else's feelings.
Xiao Rufeng understood his concern, but it would be bad if she said that she was somewhat pleased knowing that he was jealous? But she couldn't help but be moved, seeing his tortured look when she realized he had seen her with Jin Qiu.
"It's all in the past now. You see, Jin Qiu and I have known each other since grade school and used to be good friends. That is, until I developed feelings for him and confessed to him."
"He turned you down?" Yan Xiuchen asked incredulously, as if he couldn't believe that the woman of his dreams would not be wanted by anyone.
She shrugged and continued.
"You can say that. He hasn't really given me an answer, but I noticed the changes in him. It didn't take long before I found out from a mutual friend that he already had a girlfriend and that is none other than my sister."
Xiao Rufeng chuckled, but her eyes slightly dimmed at the memory. Perhaps it wouldn't have hurt that much if Jin Qiu told her himself intead of her having to hear it from other people.
"Anyway, that's pretty much it. We've never talked to each other since then."
"So, are you going to attend their engagement? As her older sister, you should show your support for Xiao Yunyao." He was saying this, but the way his eyes narrowed dangerously told Xiao Rufeng that he hadn't forgiven Xiao Yunyao yet.
She fell silent, pondering whether she should give Xiao Yunyao the satisfaction to mock her by announcing her engagement with Jin Qiu in her presence.
'Who cares about them?' She thought. Why did she need to be sad about their upcoming engagement? She should be happy for Jin Qiu and her sister.
"I'm thinking I would go not because of the engagement, but for Dad's birthday. Would you like to come with me as my plus one?" She asked Yan Xiuchen cautiously, paying close attention to his reaction.
Yan Xiuchen stiffened next to her, and she thought that he would refuse her. Was she asking too much? He had done so much for her that was out of his comfort zone. A little more and he might regret pursuing her.
—
Yan Xiuchen's eyes went wide at her request. The scars on his face flared against his blush upon realizing what she was trying to imply. By going as her date, wouldn't that mean that she wasn't ashamed of being seen with him in public, and she was willing to introduce him to her family?
He seemed frozen in place. His mouth parted slightly, but no words came out. What was he supposed to say? Yan Xiuchen had no idea.
"I understand if you aren't willing. Am I going too fast? Am I too forward? I wouldn't attend if you weren't with me." She pursed her lips, but kept her hold on his hand. "I just don't want Xiao Yunyao to think that I'm still pining over Jin Qiu."
"A-are you sure?" He asked in disbelief.
Regardless of her reason, wasn't she afraid how the public would perceive them being together? She was an actress who was starting to make a name for herself, and Yan Xiuchen knew the possibility of the rumors that could ruin her name because of who he was and what he had.
It took a lot of courage for him to leave his home to pick her up himself after work. He did this because he wanted to make sure that she would be able to come back safely, but being seen with her in the public… he hadn't truly given it a good thought.
Technically speaking, neither he and Xiao Rufeng had put a label on the relationship they had. Were they exclusively dating? Yan Xiuchen wasn't sure. While they enjoyed each other's company for the past weeks and were getting to know each other better, a part of him didn't want to believe that he could be this lucky.
Still, what was she thinking? Wasn't going out in public together and being introduced to her family a big deal for the two of them? Weren't they going too fast?
What would her father think if he finds out that his eldest daughter was seeing a grotesque monster like him? Wouldn't that put more strain on Xiao Rufeng's relationship with her father?
Yan Xiuchen didn't want that to happen. He would never force Xiao Rufeng to the point where she needed to choose between him and her father. He was already used to being scorned by others, and he wouldn't want Xiao Rufeng to experience any of it.
"You don't want to?" She asked, but he didn't utter a word in response.
Xiao Rufeng wouldn't blame him if he turned her down this time. Yan Xiuchen surely wouldn't expose himself just for her sake.
"It's not that. I'm… I'm not good with strangers." He admitted.
"And I know that, but if it will make you uncomfortable, then I would rather not go. You don't have to force yourself."
He turned his attention outside the window, but laced his fingers with hers.
"Let me think about it." He finally said after a long silence between them.
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