[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let":3,"chapter-a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-128":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1326629,1761,"Chapter 128: Ah Yin, Save Me","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-128",128,"\u003Cp>Gu Xun had sustained internal injuries. He looked fine on the outside, but he was actually gravely wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doctor ordered him to remain on bed rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Pei Yan’s shameless behavior, Gu Xun decided to be a little shameless himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The doctor said I should move as little as possible. I’m afraid I’ll have to impose upon your estate for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they weren’t married, it was highly improper for him to be staying with the Mei family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Xun felt he had no choice. He couldn’t just let Pei Yan continue to harass Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had worked so hard for this opportunity, step by step growing closer to the woman he admired. He couldn’t bear the risk of losing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate had guest courtyards, so Mei Wanying didn’t refute Gu Xun’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His recovery was what mattered most; it wouldn’t do to be left with a chronic ailment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that there were some things she needed to make clear to Gu Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The wedding is off. Pei Yan is a madman, and there’s no telling what he’ll do next.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I can’t keep dragging innocent people into this. This feeling of guilt is unbearable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It’s best to make a clean break.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Gu...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she opened her mouth, Gu Xun had a bad feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wanting to hear what she was about to say, Gu Xun forced a smile and cut Mei Wanying off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today is New Year’s Eve, you must be very busy. And Ling can’t do without you. Why don’t you go on back? I’m fine here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attempt to evade the topic was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Mei Wanying refused to let things drag on; that would only hurt them both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already brought trouble upon Gu Xun. This time he was seriously injured. Would he lose his life next?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s target was her and Ling. Anyone who got close to them would become his victim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to wait until things reached that point, only to regret not cutting ties sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying took a deep breath and continued, \"Mr. Gu, I’m the one who dragged you into this, and I don’t want a similar situation to ever happen again. The engagement is canceled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Mei family will take responsibility for quelling the rumors. Mr. Gu, I am truly sorry. You may also make a request, and the Mei family will do its utmost to compensate you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would also return the list of family assets he had entrusted to her, in full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I just pray Pei Yan stops this madness and doesn’t hurt any more innocent people.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning against the headboard, Gu Xun looked at Mei Wanying’s calm face and suddenly gave a self-mocking laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What right did I have to provoke Pei Yan?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Mei Wanying doesn’t have me in her heart either...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bitterness spread through his limbs, and even his mouth tasted sour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after she had said all that, he still couldn’t bring himself to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the woman he had fallen for at first sight. He had come so close to having her, only to lose her in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun found it impossible to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t be as aggressive and obsessive as Pei Yan; all he could do was plead with Mei Wanying for a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not afraid of him. Let him use whatever tricks he has. Don’t feel like you’ve dragged me down. I’m doing this of my own free will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Winning the heart of the woman you admire is supposed to come at a cost.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Wanying doesn’t want my power or fortune. If I don’t even have the courage to stand up to Pei Yan, what right do I have to love her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun had always been measured and considerate with Mei Wanying, never putting her in a difficult position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time he had insisted on a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Yin, let me stay with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had finally called her by that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun’s ears burned hot, and his tongue felt strange, as if savoring the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Yin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Yin...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had wanted to call her that for so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven only knew how jealous he was of Pei Yan, who had been able to call her by that name for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s gaze was scorching, full of determination and fearlessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was laying his heart bare before her, and it made Mei Wanying panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True sincerity was precious; she could not bring herself to trample on his feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being clear with him was the only way to show respect to them both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying rose to her feet and said earnestly, \"Mr. Gu, it was wrong of me to use you before. You have a bright future ahead of you. There’s no need to waste it on me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was always like this, laying her thoughts out plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She left no room for anyone to feign ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun’s heart ached, but her frank honesty was precisely what he found most attractive about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured, \"I was the one who begged to be used by you. How could you be at fault?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was right and who was wrong was no longer clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying said gently, \"Just focus on your recovery. I won’t let any riffraff disturb you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though dejected, Gu Xun clung to a sliver of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying had called off the engagement, but she hadn’t accepted Pei Yan, either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as she remained unmarried, he still had a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun quickly sorted through his thoughts and stopped insisting on a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’As long as I conduct myself well, there will be other opportunities.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I can’t be like Pei Yan; that would only push Wanying further away.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having figured this out, Gu Xun reverted to his usual dashing demeanor. \"Then let’s do as you say. For now, we won’t get married.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He still hasn’t given up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying felt a headache coming on. Gu Xun and Pei Yan were cousins, alright—both equally stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying anything more would be pointless. She could only let Gu Xun rest for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Mei, His Highness can’t seem to soothe the child. He asks that you return as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue’s words fanned the flames of Mei Wanying’s fury once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her emotions were once again on the verge of spiraling out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun ground his teeth. ’Pei Yan will even use a child. He’s more shameless than I ever imagined.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said understandingly, \"You should hurry back. Ling doesn’t like strangers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue shot Gu Xun a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This man deserved that beating,’ he thought. ’What does he mean, \"stranger\"?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’That’s the child’s own father!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If His Highness were to hear this, a certain someone would be getting another thrashing...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Mei Wanying, Pei Yan was a dangerous presence. Fearing for her child’s safety, she had no choice but to hurry back to her own courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The East Courtyard.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan sat bolt upright in a chair, holding his daughter with stiff arms and legs. His back was straight, and he dared not move an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Xiang and the other serving maids also stood frozen, hardly daring to breathe as they stared at him intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were terrified he would drop the baby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Ling, Pei Yan was a stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The large man and the small child stared at each other for a long time. Just when Pei Yan thought his daughter was starting to accept him, that she liked him, the little one opened her mouth and began to wail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Xiang said, \"Your Highness, why don’t you let me try and calm her down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the child’s father. Ling had been alive for this long, and he hadn’t looked after her for a single day. It was a dereliction of his duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I must do well today.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know how to say sweet things, so he could only repeat over and over, \"Don’t cry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling didn’t listen and continued to wail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat beaded on Pei Yan’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to rock his arms—that was how Ah Yin had soothed the child the other day—but his arms refused to obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t dare move, terrified that any motion would make him drop his daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Xiang was mentally calculating the time. ’Ling should be due for a diaper change.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had wanted to \"snatch\" the baby back to soothe her, but now she wasn’t in any hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She silently began to count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden warmth spread across the arm Pei Yan was using to support the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he frowned in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as realization dawned, his handsome face went slack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw Mei Wanying return, it was as if he’d seen his savior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All thoughts of Gu Xun and jealousy were tossed to the back of his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Yin, save me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She peed on me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying, who had been rushing, slowed her pace upon hearing his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than half of the anger pent up in her heart dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too bad she didn’t do it on your head!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1534,"2026-06-05T19:26:55.507Z",1,"novelbin.me","6158df443bc97e74485c7319f5bbc7bbd09eec87b8a21949673545bc4768d7b9","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-129","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-127",175,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-cover.jpg"]