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墨書 Inktalez
Junxi slipped into the kitchen and closed the door behind her.
"You don't need to come in; just sit outside and chat with them," her mother, Yang Tingfang, gestured towards the door.
Junxi shook her head and walked over to open the refrigerator.
"Mom, can you stir-fry some celery and lilies?" she asked casually.
Yang Tingfang nodded. "Sure, I noticed that Xuan Yu has a sore on his lip from the heat. He should eat something cooling."
"I'm not doing it for him. I just thought with a couple more people around, we could use another dish," Junxi explained.
There was a hint of defensiveness in her tone.
Yang Tingfang smiled. "Alright, alright. You're not doing it for him."
Junxi pouted slightly as she took out the celery and moved to wash it.
"Junxi," Yang Tingfang suddenly called out to her.
"Mm?" Junxi replied without turning around, focused on watching the water flow through her hands.
"At first, both your dad and I were quite surprised that you were with Xuan Yu."
Yang Tingfang's gentle voice came through as Junxi turned off the faucet.
"Why?"
"After all, Xuan Yu is twelve years older than you."
"What does age matter? My dad is also several years older than you."
"Look at you, you're not even letting me finish." Yang Tingfang playfully glared at Junxi.
Junxi raised her hand in a gesture of surrender, signaling her mother to continue.
"You say age isn't an issue. Yes, later on, your dad and I thought about it and realized it really didn't matter. Over the years, you've endured quite a bit. If you could find a man who is more mature and can take care of you in the future, your dad and I would feel more at ease. But..."
"But what?"
"But Xuan Yu is not just anyone; we know him well. He has always been loyal and responsible, but don't forget, he was almost married at that time. Jingming is also a nice girl. I don't know what happened between them that led to their breakup."
Junxi was taken aback when her mother suddenly mentioned Lin Jingming; she paused for a moment.
"Haven't you thought about it?" Yang Tingfang noticed Junxi's reaction and felt a bit uneasy.
"Mom, don't worry. I know how to handle this." Once she resolved the current issue, there would be plenty of opportunities to ask about Lin Jingming later on.
"That's good. I was just afraid you might be too close to the situation," Yang Tingfang said as she turned away to continue chopping vegetables.
Junxi leaned against the sink for a moment, then shook the water off her hands and gently leaned against her mother.
"Mom, do you and Dad really not blame them?" she asked.
Zhou Xuanyu and Zhou Ziyan's sudden visit today caught her off guard. But equally unexpected was her parents' generous forgiveness.
"Your father and I are not unreasonable people. When we asked you to leave Xuan Yu in prison, it was only because we feared you wouldn't be able to handle the truth later on. Now that the truth is out, and during this process, Xuan Yu even sacrificed himself to protect your father and me, we can feel his sincerity."
"He took the blame for his brother."
"That's true, but given Xuan Yu's current power in Qingcheng, he could have easily chosen to cover up the crime instead of taking the blame. And actually..." Her mother hesitated.
"Actually what?" Junxi pressed.
"Actually, before Xuan Yu chose to take the blame, he came to see us in prison. He talked with us for a long time that day. He said he promised you he would get us out, but he couldn't bear to part with his brotherly bond. He mentioned that although what he was about to do wasn't right, it was a way to resolve everything, and he hoped we could understand and forgive him."
After that heartfelt conversation, news of Zhou Xuanyu taking the blame broke outside. Yang Tingfang and Wen Wei were shocked but quickly understood everything; sacrificing himself was indeed what Zhou Xuanyu referred to as a way to resolve matters.
"I found myself suddenly hating Zhou Xuan Yong after Xuan Yu made this decision. Even more than when he framed you and Dad for imprisonment. It turns out he's not just evil but also so cold-hearted; he could watch his own brother take the blame without lifting a finger... However, good and evil will eventually be repaid. Now he's facing a grim fate while your father and I have finally cleared our names. Everything is for the best."
Junxi nodded and hugged Yang Tingfang tighter in a playful manner. She felt incredibly lucky to have such kind and forgiving parents.
"I know you've liked Xuan Yu since you were little. Although I didn't expect that liking would turn into romantic love, your father and I are supportive of it. We've come to see him as a son-in-law; what could there be to complain about? As for Zhou Ziyan, even though he's Zhou Xuan Yong's son, I know deep down he's not like his father at all. Moreover, during these five years in prison, we relied on Zhou Ziyan taking care of us while being by your side; that's why we felt at ease. He's also a pitiful child; how could we bear to blame him?" Yang Tingfang's tone and gaze were filled with affection.
Junxi felt a warmth in her heart.
"Mom, you and Dad have always been my and Jun Xuan's pride, our role models in life. We never doubted that during those five years. Thank you."
Yang Tingfang hugged Junxi briefly, then pushed her shoulders away.
"Silly child, hurry up and go out. If you keep clinging to me like this, when will the people outside get to eat?"
"I'll help you."
"No need, no need. You're just in the way," Yang Tingfang said as she pushed Junxi out.
Outside, the four of them had split into two groups. Zhou Ziyan was on the balcony playing with Jun Xuan, while Zhou Xuanyu sat on the sofa chatting with their father, Wen Wei.
Hearing Junxi come out of the kitchen, all four men turned to look at her.
"Dad, aren't you coming out to sunbathe with me?" Jun Xuan suddenly shouted at Wen Wei.
"Isn't it enough that your brother Zhou Ziyan is keeping you company?" Wen Wei instinctively replied.
"Dad, I want both you and Brother Zhou Ziyan to come with me!" Jun Xuan emphasized the word "both."
Wen Wei paused for a moment. He glanced at the awkward expressions on Junxi and Zhou Xuanyu's faces and immediately realized what was happening.
"Alright, alright, I'll come out and keep you company in the sun."
Wen Wei stood up and walked away, turning back to Junxi as he said, "Come sit down, why are you just standing there like an idiot?"
"I want to bask in the sun too." Junxi pretended not to see Zhou Xuanyu and followed Wen Wei toward the balcony.
"What do you think you're doing basking in the sun?" Jun Xuan waved at her. "There are already enough people on the balcony; you two can come later."
Junxi shot her brother a glare from a distance, thinking how obvious he was in helping Zhou Xuanyu!
"Junxi, can we talk for a moment?" Zhou Xuanyu reached out and grabbed Junxi's arm.
Junxi shook off his hand but still sat down across from him.
Zhou Xuanyu took a seat opposite her, looking at her while she deliberately turned her gaze elsewhere.
"Are you getting married?" Zhou Xuanyu asked.
Junxi's heart skipped a beat. Did Zhou Xuanyu really hear it from Shen Yunchong? Had he come over because he caught wind of something?
"Weren't we supposed to agree not to get married?" Seeing Junxi silent, Zhou Xuanyu added anxiously.
"Who agreed with you not to get married? When did we agree on that? I don't remember anything like that," Junxi denied it outright.
Zhou Xuanyu furrowed his brows tightly.
"How can you be so reckless about such a major decision in your life!" His tone indicated that he was genuinely angry.
Junxi wasn't afraid of his anger at all.
After worrying about him for so long, it was only fair to scare him a little now.
"How do you know I'm being reckless? This decision was made after careful consideration. Besides, even if I were being reckless, it's none of your business."
"You..." Zhou Xuanyu was clearly furious, but with everyone else in the small room, he had to lower his voice as he said, "If you keep this up, your parents will worry."
"I'll find a chance to tell them. You don't need to worry about it," Junxi replied calmly.
Zhou Xuanyu felt a throbbing pain at his temples. The cold sore at the corner of his mouth burned intensely; if there weren't so many people around, he would have pressed his lips against hers just to silence that aggressive little mouth.
"What do you want me to do for you to agree not to marry Shen Yunchong?" After collecting himself, Zhou Xuanyu asked sincerely.
"No need. It's already set in stone; whatever you do now is too late. Besides, I don't need you to do anything."
Zhou Xuanyu realized he couldn't persuade her.
He fell silent, as if deep in thought.
Seeing his furrowed brow, Junxi felt a sense of satisfaction. She wondered if he would dare to offend her so casually in the future.
After a long pause, Zhou Xuanyu sighed deeply and reached out to hold Junxi's hand resting on her knee.
"What are you doing? Everyone is here, and our identities are different now. Don't get too touchy with me," Junxi said seriously, trying to pull her hand back.
Zhou Xuanyu didn't let go; instead, he pressed down harder on her.
"Regardless of anything, even if you really walk into the church in a wedding dress with Shen Yunchong, I will take you back. You are mine."
His expression was sincere, tinged with a hint of determination.
Junxi felt a stir in her heart; it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved.
He actually intended to snatch her away.
She never expected this serious person could come up with such an unconventional idea.
"Do you have the guts to do that?"
"As long as it's you, no matter who the other person is or where you are, I will go and take you back," he said clearly, word by word.
Junxi secretly delighted and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, then go ahead and try."
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