Chapter 78: Thunder

That evening, Su Xiyan packed her bundle and moved out of Yan Moci's bedroom.

She didn't understand why, just a moment ago she had been fine in the room, but the next second she and Yan Moci were plunged into a complete cold war.

Was it because she stepped back at that time?

But Yan Moci's expression then was murderous, his aura raging; if he had a knife in his hand, Su Xiyan had no doubt he could instantly slaughter everyone present, including himself.

Su Xiyan roughly understood: his mother was Yan Moci's absolute reverse scale.

No wonder such a man would always keep away from women.

Perhaps he hopes not to let his loved one repeat his mother's mistake.

Zhang Ma prepared a guest room for her, seeing Su Xiyan being thrown out the door.

Zhang Ma sighed, shook her head, and said, "Eldest daughter-in-law, I haven't seen the Eldest Young Master this angry in a long time."

Before, when he lay in bed, I just wished he would wake up soon; now that he really has awakened, I feel he has to endure this.

Ah, Eldest daughter-in-law, don't overthink it; the Eldest Young Master himself has a hurdle in his heart, it's not aimed at you.

He simply cannot forgive himself for not being by her side to protect her when something happened to the lady.

Now, hearing that the lady is still being criticized even after her death, he feels even more anguished; give him some time to be alone.

In the Yan family, the lady has always been an absolute taboo; not to mention her name, even the two characters 'lady' cannot be spoken.

Zhang Ma has truly been with Yan Moci since he was a child, and she also accompanied Lady Yan when she married into the family; otherwise she would never dare say these things to Su Xiyan.

Yan Moci is someone she has watched grow up since childhood; she can tell that his attitude toward Su Xiyan is different.

Yan Moci's character has always been solitary since childhood; after the young lady's death he became even more wayward, and Zhang Ma truly dislikes that he would miss present happiness because of past events.

Hearing Zhang Ma's earnest words, Su Xiyan bit her lower lip guiltily, lowered her head, and said:

"Zhang Ma, it's my fault; at that time I heard those people's words and then saw Yan Moci appear."

I felt a little nervous and guilty, so when I saw Yan Moci walking toward me, I stepped back—but that made him misunderstand that I had believed those people's words and misunderstood him.

"It's my fault; I let him down."

Zhang Ma stared, sighed, and said, "Ah, it's not your fault, Eldest daughter-in-law."

You don't know anything, and moreover I can see you're still young; you don't understand matters of love between men and women.

But Eldest daughter-in-law, could it be that you truly don't understand the Eldest Young Master's feelings for you at all?

After saying all this, Zhang Ma looked at the dazed Su Xiyan standing there and smiled helplessly,

"Eldest daughter-in-law, these things really shouldn't be pointed out by me, a mere servant,

but you and the Eldest Young Master both have unhappy childhoods; for two people who share similar wounds to heal each other is not easy.

I don't want you to be like hedgehogs, constantly stabbing each other's soft bellies with the spines on your backs, letting this fragile, newly budding affection suffer relentless damage.

Even couples who have been together for ten years cannot withstand too much testing, let alone an accidental mismatch like yours.

Eldest daughter-in-law, if you have even a little fondness for the Eldest Young Master, why not try opening your heart and accepting him openly?

Believe me, the Eldest Young Master will surely be someone worthy of entrusting your life to.

Hehe, if you think I, an old woman, talk too much, then from now on I won't say anything.

Seeing Su Xiyan's head lower and lower, not knowing what she was thinking, Zhang Ma, being tactful, stopped there.

She's old now; she's not good at advising young people's feelings.

After all, who hasn't come through youth?

Having affinity but no destiny—no matter when, it always leaves people with regret.

As Zhang Ma finally left the guest room, she heard Su Xiyan's murmuring voice come from inside:

"Thank you, Zhang Ma; I will carefully consider your words."

Hearing Su Xiyan's words, Zhang Ma smiled with relief; she knew Su Xiyan was a smart girl and would surely understand her meaning.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to the Eldest Young Master's request to let her stay.

Zhang Ma believes that Su Xiyan and Yan Moci must be mutually attracted; Su Xiyan just hasn't realized her own feelings yet.

These past few months, Su Xiyan has always shared a bed and blanket with Yan Moci, but today, sleeping alone in the guest room, she actually felt that even the blanket covering her wasn't warm.

Moreover, without the original bright red decorations, the plain, cold Su Xiyan always felt as if she had returned to her childhood, when her family was poor and bare as four empty walls.

Grandma had to go work in the fields; that night the rain was heavy, Grandma ran out to collect vegetables, and she could only curl up alone under the covers.

The rain kept pouring down, with lightning and thunder.

"Crack!" she trembled under the covers, frightened, and shed tears alone.

She could only keep praying in her heart: "Grandma, grandma, please come back quickly; Yan Yan is so scared."

Just as Su Xiyan thought of that, lightning began to flash outside as if on cue.

A flash of white light passed, making Su Xiyan's nerves tense instantly.

She held her breath at once, but even so she couldn't help trembling slightly under the covers.

As the lightning outside grew denser, even the covers could not give Su Xiyan a shred of safety; her whole body shook.

She wrapped her arms around herself, but when her chilly fingertips touched her skin, they brought no warmth at all, only making her feel an ever deeper chill to her heart.

"Crack!"

Soon, as a heaven-shaking thunderclap fell,

Looking again, the bed where Su Xiyan had been, along with the blankets, had vanished without a trace.

Today's weather truly matches Yan Moci's mood; after clearing out those two talkative servants, he returned to his room alone.

"Knock knock knock"

At this moment, no one would dare to provoke him.

Those who dared to provoke him have already been thrown out by him; she must now be terrified of him.

Yan Moci couldn't help lowering his head, hooking his thin lips into a cold smile.

Come in, Zhang Ma.

Zhang Ma was the aunt who watched his mother grow up back then, and even more, she followed his mother into the Yan Family; Dongzi is her son.

Mother and son devoted themselves to him; during the years he was unconscious, if it weren't for their protection, he would not have been so safe and sound.

The debt of upbringing outweighs the debt of birth; thinking that he had punished Dongzi, and seeing Zhang Ma, Yan Moci felt a bit apologetic,

"Zhang Ma, Dongzi..."

Zhang Ma laughed, 'He's fine; those people are yours, they wouldn't really lay a hand on him. Instead, he feels sorry for you and even wants to take more punishment.'

Dongzi can't manage his own subordinates; deserving the punishment."

Yan Moci nodded, then said nothing more.

With another clap of thunder, Zhang Ma suddenly spoke:

"Young Master, the eldest daughter-in-law seems afraid of thunder."