Chapter 154 - 153: I like you, and I will take responsibility for you.

Words : 1256 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 154: 153: I like you, and I will take responsibility for you. The young girl followed his gesture and looked over, spotting a gentle stream cascading in a small waterfall, encased in a blanket of golden-brown autumn leaves. She leaned against the man’s shoulder, her light brown eyes reflecting the faint rainbow arcing over the waterfall, painting a picturesque scene. A flash suddenly lit up the girl’s face, and as she turned her head, Ruan Yuan clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Forgot to turn off the flash." The woman opened the album on her phone, bringing up the photo she had just taken, and handed it to the girl with a small smile. "But Little Zhi still looks beautiful." In the photo, the young girl was wrapped around the man’s waist, standing close to him. They gazed off into the scenery ahead, each showing just the side profile of their defined features. Though their eyes didn’t meet in the photo, their intimacy still conveyed their affection for each other, as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. "It’s really beautiful." Yu Zhi smiled brightly, clearly fond of the image. She brushed her fingers lightly over the screen, turning her head to study the man’s peach-blossom eyes. "Do you like it?" "Mm." Shi Wei curved his lips slightly, tightening the hand around the girl’s waist. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and whispered tenderly, "Don’t forget to send me a copy." This was their first photo together, even if it was just their side profiles. To him, it held significant meaning. Yu Zhi nodded. Once a message arrived on her WeChat, she swiftly saved the photo and forwarded it to him. "Big Sis, can you help me take a picture?" Jin Yunzhi leaned closer to Ruan Yuan, his grape-like eyes blinking expectantly at her. He had been observing them from a distance and, after noticing that her photography skills outshone even Xu Fan’s, had finally made up his mind. The boy’s delicate features paired with his adorably pleading expression completely melted Ruan Yuan’s heart. She couldn’t resist ruffling his soft hair. "Sure, take as many as you want!" "Thank you, Big Sis." "..." Watching the two head off to the back of the boat to enthusiastically take photos, Xu Fan’s eyes flickered subtly. He stared intently at the boy who had seemingly forgotten him altogether, a sour pang of jealousy rising in his chest without reason. Meanwhile, sitting beside him, Shi Yin’s gaze also unconsciously followed towards the back of the boat. He watched the woman who hadn’t even greeted him, treating him as if he were invisible, and his brows furrowed deeply. Amid the cheerful laughter and banter of the boat crew, the boatman navigated with his pole, gliding the vessel smoothly across Ziyan Lake. Before long, they completed a full circuit around the lake. When the boat docked at the lakeside and the group stepped ashore, Jin Yunzhi was still clinging closely to Ruan Yuan, arms linked intimately, appearing exceedingly cheerful. Who knows what they were talking about, but suddenly, Ruan Yuan reached out and pinched the boy’s cheeks. This action was the last straw for Xu Fan, who had been stewing in his own emotions for a long while. "Yunzhi." Xu Fan lightly patted the boy’s shoulder before pulling him to his side, attempting to create some distance between him and Ruan Yuan. "Brother Fan?" Jin Yunzhi, whose conversation had been interrupted, almost tripped over a small stone on the ground. Xu Fan lowered his eyes, his gaze lingering for a second on the red marks on the boy’s cheeks. Suppressing the inexplicable jealousy in his heart, he ground out his words as if squeezing them through clenched teeth. "Do you want some shaved ice?" He smoothed out the boy’s slightly mussed hair, tilting his chin slightly towards the direction of the hotel. "I need to go up there for a bit." "I do!" "Then let’s go." "Huh, but Big Sis..." Before he could finish speaking, Xu Fan grabbed him by the collar and quickened his steps toward the hotel. His strides were so wide, it seemed as though he was fleeing from a pursuing pack of wolves. Ruan Yuan crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, glancing back and forth between the two before shaking her head with an amused smile. Sure enough, cute boys always have someone looking after them. "Aren’t you leaving?" A familiar voice sounded near her ear, causing Ruan Yuan’s smile to stiffen. She didn’t turn her head. She walked unhurriedly along the cobblestone path, taking in the serene scenery around her as if wholly engrossed in its beauty, completely ignoring the man’s presence. Shi Yin’s hands, hanging by his sides, gradually curled into tighter fists. He followed her pace, racking his brain to figure out if he had done anything to upset her. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t think of a reason, and he simply fell into frustrated silence. "Shi Yin." Stopping just before she was about to leave the path, Ruan Yuan turned to face him directly with a serious expression. She called his name with conviction. "What is it?" "Why are you avoiding me?" "I’m not avoiding you." Shi Yin was baffled by her question. He truly hadn’t avoided her on purpose. The man’s brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes, as usual, seemed like they could either take in everything or nothing at all. But it was precisely this detached air of his that had drawn Ruan Yuan to him. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have become increasingly enamored with him day by day. "Shi Yin, has anyone ever confessed to you?" Ruan Yuan took a step closer to him, tilting her head to meet his gaze directly. The scent of roses on her drifted into his nose, sparking an involuntary urge in him to take a step back. "No." His aloof personality had been enough to deter most women. Over the years, no one had dared to confess to him outright. "I like you." Ruan Yuan held onto his large hand, her fingers weaving boldly through his to interlace them. She rose onto her tiptoes and placed a light kiss on his lips. "Shi Yin, I like you." Ruan Yuan no longer wanted to play any games of cat and mouse with him. If he couldn’t grasp her feelings, she might as well lay them bare. "You..." Shi Yin’s eyes widened in shock, and for the first time, a sliver of disbelief flickered in his calm gaze. The tips of his ears turned scarlet in an instant, so vividly they looked as though they might drip blood. He stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened. "I’ll take responsibility for you." Ruan Yuan wrapped her arms around his slim waist, looking up at him with solemnity, her tone carrying the weight of a promise. "If you don’t want to be with me just yet, I can wait a little longer and keep courting you." This was the biggest concession she was willing to make. After all, someone you haven’t fully won over still needs to be wooed. Shi Yin: "..." It was his first time encountering such a bold and forward woman. Her words made him feel as though their roles had completely reversed in that moment. "Well? Say something." To pull him back to his senses, Ruan Yuan once again rose onto her tiptoes and kissed his lips, shamelessly stealing another moment for herself.

Chapter 154 - 153: I like you, and I will take responsibility for you.

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