Chapter Thirty-Eight: Something's Off

  This time, it wasn't just Ye Qinglan who noticed something was off, even Ye Qingning sensed some abnormality. How she thought about it was one thing, but Zheng Junyan's hasty attempt to clear himself was somewhat hurtful to her self-esteem...

  Ye Qingning couldn't help but glance at Zheng Junyan.

  Zheng Junyan's attention was not on her, his gaze swept over Gu Xinyan and looked at the tightly closed door.

  Gu Xiuyu is right behind the door.

  ……

  Everything is clear now. Ye Qingning and Zheng Junyan are a default couple, but Ye Qingning has a crush on Gu Xinyan. Zheng Junyan actually likes Gu Xiyu.

  Unfortunately, Gu Xiannian didn't know why he was reluctant to get married, and Gu Xiyu was severely autistic.

  What's more important is that after today, Changyuan Bo Fu and Zheng Guo Gong Fu will probably start discussing the marriage between Ye Qingning and Zheng Junyan!

  Ye Qinglan secretly exclaimed in her heart, how melodramatic! The scene before her eyes was like a living ancient romance idol drama. Fortunately, the main characters were all pleasing to the eye with their handsome and beautiful appearances, so she, as an insignificant supporting character, could just stand by and watch the excitement.

  Ye Qinglan was very good at hiding her emotions while watching the play, with only a slight sparkle in her eyes that was brighter than usual.

  Gu Xiannian glanced at Ye Qinglan intentionally or unintentionally, then smiled and said: "You wait for a moment, I'll be right back." With that, he turned around and entered the guest room.

  Zheng Junyan stared blankly at the door that had been opened and then closed again, completely unaware that his heart's desire was written all over his face.

  Ye Qingning saw it with her own eyes, but she just felt an unusually piercing gaze.

  She didn't particularly like this cousin, but she also had some feelings of childhood friendship. Zheng's family often mentioned the marriage between the two in front of her, so she had already subconsciously regarded him as her future husband. But now, Zheng Junyan was showing affection for another girl right in front of her. This humiliation was no less than a slap in the face...

  Ye Qingning forced a smile, but her eyes were devoid of any joy.

  Zheng Junyan was completely unaware of this.

  Ye Qinglan quietly moved over and gently tugged on Ye Qingning's sleeve. Ye Qingning was feeling anxious and annoyed, and glared at Ye Qinglan with impatience.

  Ye Qinglan was already used to Ye Qingning's bad temper and didn't take it to heart, saying in a low voice: "Sixth sister, if you're getting impatient, why not go sit in the small hall outside?" while giving Ye Qingning a sideways glance.

  In such a situation, one can only hold back and not reveal any abnormal emotions.

  Ye Qingning was also a clever person, after understanding Ye Qinglan's kindness, her face slightly cleared up, and she smiled faintly: "It's okay, standing like this is also quite tiring." After a pause, she raised her smiling face and said: "Brother-in-law, you come over and sit down too!"

  Zheng Junyan came back to his senses and nodded with a smile.

  The three of them sat down in a small hall next door, and Dongyan hurriedly ordered the maids to serve tea.

  Ye Qingning and Zheng Junyan both remained silent, the atmosphere was inevitably a bit chilly and awkward. Ye Qinglan coughed and broke the silence with a smile: "Has Xiuyu always been unwilling to see people?"

  Ye Qingning murmured: "It was like this before, but it seems more obvious now."

  "Ah, yes. Xiuyu's courage has become even smaller. The other day I went to the Dingguo Gongfu, she didn't come out to see me either." As he said this, a thick disappointment flashed across Zheng Junyan's eyes.

  Ye Qingning asked with a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling expression: "Eldest Brother is going to the Dingguo Duke's estate, is it specifically to visit and show concern for Xiyu?"

  Zheng Junyan, even if he was slow-witted, could see that Ye Qingning's expression wasn't right and wouldn't say the truth, vaguely responding: "It's not like I went specifically to visit, just happened to be passing by."

  Ye Qingning suppressed her urge to snort in derision and turned her head to one side.

  Ye Qinglan secretly smiled. Ye Qingning was clearly a case of the governor being allowed to set fires while the common people were not even allowed to light lamps, yet she herself had secretly been infatuated with someone else, but couldn't bear others not liking her.

  Zheng Junyan was still a young and inexperienced youth, how could he understand the twists and turns of a girl's mind? Seeing Ye Qingning ignore him, he also fell silent.

  Ye Qinglan was sandwiched in between, it's really helpless and amusing.

  As a professional psychologist, she is best at communication and psychotherapy. Unfortunately, it's not suitable for the moment, so she had to suppress this career impulse.

  Just then, Gu Xiannian's figure appeared at the door.

  Behind him was that timid yet beautiful stunning girl, Gu Xi Yu. She hung her head, looking at the hem of her skirt and embroidered shoes, not looking at anyone at all.

  Zheng Junyan's eyes lit up and he stood up without hesitation: "Xi Yu, it's been a long time since I've seen you, how have you been lately?"

  Gu Xiyu quickly raised her head and glanced at him, then hastily lowered it again.

  Although she didn't say anything, just one glance and Zheng Junyan was extremely delighted. He couldn't help but take a few steps closer, but before he could speak, Gu Xiyu took a step back nervously and fearfully.

  Zheng Junyan's smile faltered, looking somewhat embarrassed.

  Ye Qingning watched this scene and felt relieved in her heart. She smiled and said, "Xi Yu sister, why don't you come over and sit with us?"

  Although Gu Xiyu was still somewhat reluctant, she nodded slightly. Compared to Zheng Junyan's piercing gaze, Ye Qingning and Ye Qinglan were much more gentle and amiable.

  Gu Xiannian smiled and looked at Ye Qingning: "Thanks for your hard work, Cousin Qingning."

  Being gazed at by those warm and jade-like black eyes, Ye Qingning felt as if she was floating on air, her cheeks flushing with a faint red glow, and for a moment, she forgot to respond.

  Ye Qinglan couldn't help it anymore, and with the most affectionate, gentle, and soft eyes, she looked at Gu Xiyu: "Xiyu sister, may I come to your side?"

  The girl's voice is warm, soft and sweet, exceptionally pleasant to hear.

  Gu Xi Yu raised her head for the first time and met a pair of calm, gentle and kind beautiful eyes.

  The owner of those eyes seemed even younger than herself, with a delicate and pretty face like a flower bud on a branch, fresh and elegant. The faint smile on her lips made one feel inexplicably comfortable and happy.

  Gu Xi Yu couldn't help but nod slightly.

  Such a simple nod, yet it made Gu Xiannian extremely shocked. His dark eyes stared tightly at Ye Qinglan's gentle smile.

  Ye Qinglan, however, seemed to be unaware of his embarrassment and walked towards Gu Xizhen with a smile, but not too close, carefully maintaining a distance of about one meter.

  Excessive closeness can make people with autism feel insecure, leading to negative emotions such as fear and panic. On the contrary, it will lead to more rejection and disgust towards approaching people. Keeping a distance is actually a kind of body language hint, indicating that there is absolutely no malicious intention to offend.

  As expected, Gu Xiuyu didn't back down and instead looked at Ye Qinglan with a curious gaze from her clear black and white eyes.

  What beautiful eyes!

  Ye Qinglan secretly praised her in her heart. Those eyes were clear and pure, without any impurities, truly extremely beautiful.