Chapter 1060: Do You Like Her?

Even though she had long anticipated this result, Liu Xin'ai still couldn't help but feel a bit stifled inside.

Immediately after, she heard Chi Rong suddenly speak up: "Who says our family only has you? Fei'er will be back soon."

"Hm? Isn't she studying abroad?"

Qin Yiyan looked surprised for a moment upon hearing this.

Hearing this, Chi Rong complained with a laugh: "How long has it been? She..."

Not knowing what she had thought of, Chi Rong suddenly paused for two seconds before continuing: "She called me two days ago, planning to return to the country soon. Once she's back, it will be the perfect time to introduce Xin'ai to her."

Liu Xin'ai had listened for a long time, her face already filled with confusion.

Then she heard Chi Rong explain: "Xin'ai, we haven't told you yet, Yiyan has a younger sister named Bai Yufei. She is the granddaughter of a comrade-in-arms of Yiyan's grandfather. Years ago, the Bai family ran into some trouble, and Yiyan's grandfather insisted on adopting Fei'er. Since your father and I didn't have a daughter, we agreed. All these years, she has been studying abroad..."

"So that's how it is."

Liu Xin'ai nodded, indicating she understood.

Bai Yufei...

Judging by what they just said, she seems to have been abroad for many years?

But it didn't matter; it had nothing to do with her anyway.

Liu Xin'ai didn't dwell on it and quickly put the matter to the back of her mind.

The group chatted for a while longer, then she took Qin Chao and Chi Rong upstairs to show them the room they would be staying in. After resting for a bit, it was time for lunch.

The family sat around the table in high spirits, looking incredibly harmonious.

Liu Xin'ai wore a smile, but inside, she only wanted this lunch to end as soon as possible.

Because after lunch, Chi Rong and Qin Chao would take a nap, and she would finally have a moment of freedom to take off the hypocritical mask on her face.

"Xin'ai, eat some of this."

Bright green vegetables suddenly appeared in the dish in front of her, interrupting Liu Xin'ai's train of thought.

Without looking up, she knew that Qin Yiyan must be looking at her with that fake, gentle smile on his face.

"Thank you."

Liu Xin'ai whispered her thanks, obediently picked up the vegetables, and put them into her mouth.

Immediately after, she heard—"Why say thank you for picking up food between husband and wife? Xin'ai, don't be too polite with this kid. Isn't taking care of you what he should be doing?"

Chi Rong's remark, half-joking and half-teasing, carried a hint of probing that reached Liu Xin'ai's ears, causing her hand holding the chopsticks to stiffen slightly.

Just now, she had only said thank you out of habit and politeness...

But between a real married couple, there is no need for such distance.

Chi Rong is experienced; could she have... noticed something?

Liu Xin'ai thought rapidly about how to respond, and that deep-seated exhaustion came rushing back.

She wasn't afraid of the Qin Family discovering that her relationship with Qin Yiyan was bad.

It was just...

If his parents extended their stay here because of it, or said a few more things about "playing matchmaker" for them, that would be troublesome.

Just as Liu Xin'ai was thinking—Qin Yiyan suddenly spoke up to smooth things over: "Mom, stop teasing Xin'ai. You know she's thin-skinned. Even if the servants see us being a little intimate, she feels embarrassed, let alone with you and Dad sitting here."

His tone carried deep doting and a small complaint, sounding as if he were terrified his parents might make things difficult for Liu Xin'ai.

Liu Xin'ai snapped back to reality and hurriedly cooperated by saying in a low voice:

"Yiyan..."

She frowned slightly, as if complaining that he shouldn't have exposed her.

"Oh, you two..."

Seeing the two of them like this, she hurriedly served Liu Xin'ai some more food and said with a smile: "What is there to be shy about in front of us? Look at your father and me; haven't we been just as loving for so many years? Just pretend we don't exist!"

Hearing this, Liu Xin'ai had to force a smile and said nothing more.

Chi Rong suddenly thought of something and asked again: "By the way, Xin'ai, isn't your birthday the day after tomorrow? Do you have any plans? How do you intend to spend it?"

"Birthday?"

Liu Xin'ai was stunned at the words, then suddenly remembered something.

She had been exhausted lately because of her father's illness; how could she remember her own birthday?

But she didn't expect Chi Rong to actually remember...

"I..."

She was just about to say she had no plans and that her father's condition was the most important thing right now.

But before she could say more than one word, Qin Yiyan immediately cut in: "I've already prepared everything. Mom, if you keep asking, the surprise I've specifically prepared will be ruined."

"Oh? You even know how to prepare surprises for people?"

Hearing him be so attentive to Liu Xin'ai, Chi Rong nodded with satisfaction.

"Good, then I won't ask anymore. The day after tomorrow, your father and I will give Xin'ai a big red envelope, and for the rest of the time, you two go enjoy your world for two!"

Liu Xin'ai listened quietly, a sense of disbelief slowly rising in her eyes.

Qin Yiyan prepared a birthday surprise for her?

It must just be a casual remark to get by.

She was already grateful enough that he didn't force her or give her a "surprise" that was actually a shock.

Liu Xin'ai didn't think about it anymore, just silently lowered her head to focus on eating. Once lunch was over, she immediately found a random excuse and returned to her room alone to rest.

In the living room, Qin Yiyan was also preparing to go to the study to handle some work.

But he was suddenly grabbed by Chi Rong.

"Yiyan, come here with me."

Her expression was a bit serious as she pulled Qin Yiyan into a random guest room on the first floor.

As soon as she entered the door, she asked directly, "What is going on between you and Xin'ai?"

"Did you have a fight?"

"No."

Qin Yiyan answered crisply.

Chi Rong's expression, however, changed slightly.

"Still trying to hide it from me? If you didn't fight, then your relationship isn't as good as you told me it was?"

She hit the nail on the head, eyeing Qin Yiyan with a look of suspicion.

Qin Yiyan pursed his lips and said nothing.

Chi Rong felt more and more that she had guessed the truth, and her face suddenly turned stern.

"It was you who decided to marry Xin'ai in the first place, and you kept telling me you were getting along well, so I felt at ease. But Xin'ai clearly treats you with nothing but politeness. Don't think that just because I'm old, I'm easy to fool. If you want to use some superficial marriage to put on an act and deceive me—if you really like her, then treat her well. It's not impossible to cultivate feelings after marriage, but sincerity is what matters. Xin'ai is a good child; as long as you put your heart into it, she will always be able to feel it."

Qin Yiyan listened to the lecture in silence, looking for all the world like a well-behaved, obedient person.

Experience told him that at a time like this, it was best not to contradict Chi Rong.

But...

Like?

Does he like Liu Xin'ai?

It didn't seem to be the case.

However, he didn't dislike her either.

He just liked watching the way she looked when she was so angry at him that she couldn't fight back.

Nothing more than that.