Mu Anxiao never expected Ouyang Ye to be the type of person who would bring up sensitive topics. As she met his gaze, the anger in her heart surged, but another voice still reminded her to endure. Clenching her fists, she took a deep breath and said, "Yes, if it weren't for Shen Yan, I probably would have had a fourth generation. If not for him," Mu Anxiao deliberately played along with Ouyang Ye, humming lightly, "I wouldn't be this young."
Ouyang Ye looked embarrassed by Mu Anxiao's remark and said faintly, "However, I also have to thank Shen Yan. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have met you. You..."
"If it weren't for him, and for me, you wouldn't have become like this. Speaking of which," Mu Anxiao frowned, her expression serious, "it seems like I've harmed you."
"I don't think so, don't..."
"You hate me, right?" Mu Anxiao interrupted. More than being liked by Ouyang Ye, she wished to be hated by him, because only then... could she finally have some peace.
Ouyang Ye smiled.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but show a look of confusion. "What are you laughing at? Your smile makes me quite awkward." As she spoke, she raised her hand and touched the back of her head.
"Mu Anxiao, it's not an exaggeration to call you mischievous and clever."
"Mischievous and clever," Mu Anxiao repeated, a slight twitch at the corner of her lips. "I'm no longer young. It's not appropriate to describe me as mischievous and clever. But speaking of which, why did you suddenly say something like that? It's making things... quite awkward." She was genuinely awkward.
"You did it on purpose, didn't you?" Ouyang Ye was direct.
Mu Anxiao continued to feign ignorance. "What did I do on purpose? I'm sorry, I'm not very smart, so I didn't..." She pursed her lips and continued, "understand what you meant."
"Just keep playing dumb. Anyway," Ouyang Ye blinked, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips, "no matter what you say, I like you."
"You..." Mu Anxiao's anger ignited once more by Ouyang Ye's sudden 'confession'. Gripping the hem of her clothes, she said with some annoyance, "Can you stop saying you like me? You sound so fake."
"If you think it's fake, then it's enough that I think it's real," Ouyang Ye said. He lowered his head and glanced at the red wedding bed, smiling, "It looks like you slept quite comfortably here."
"Here..." Mu Anxiao repeated, suddenly realizing that the first thing she should have done upon waking was to wonder why she was here. But in reality... she was asking Ouyang Ye, why are you here? Thinking about her behavior, and looking at Ouyang Ye's determined gaze, she realized... it was over. This cunning fellow must have seen through something, right?
She swallowed, trying to salvage the situation. "That's strange, why am I here?" she asked, slightly frowning and staring seriously at Ouyang Ye's face.
Ouyang Ye's lips curved. "You're quite something, only just remembering this question."
"Yes, why am I here?" Mu Anxiao said, raising her hand to touch her head. "Damn it, my memory... why is it becoming so hazy." After speaking, she lowered her head, thinking, my acting should be... passable, right?
"You don't remember what happened?" Ouyang Ye asked, not detecting any flaws.
Hearing Ouyang Ye say this, Mu Anxiao became even more certain that Ouyang Ye hadn't noticed anything. To solidify her act, she remained stunned for a full minute before speaking, "I remember some things, and some I don't. Oh, right," she said, feigning weakness, "that man, did he run away?"
"Which man?" Ouyang Ye didn't react.
Mu Anxiao patiently clarified, "The one... who was targeted by the female demon, and whom I protected."
"He left."
"Left... Did he leave completely?"
"I suppose so."
"'I suppose so'... what does that mean?" Mu Anxiao deliberately shifted the focus of the conversation entirely onto the dirty-faced man.
Ouyang Ye thought Mu Anxiao was genuinely concerned about the dirty-faced man and felt jealous. "Why do you care so much about that man? Now," he recalled Mu Anxiao's actions in the woodshed, his eyes darkening, "shouldn't you be worrying about yourself?"
"What about that girl?" Mu Anxiao interrupted Ouyang Ye's concern for her and asked again.
"Outside. You should rest," Ouyang Ye said, standing up.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao quickly leaned forward and grabbed Ouyang Ye's arm, saying, "Where are you going?"
"You should rest well. This room," Ouyang Ye said, glancing behind him, then turning back to Mu Anxiao, "I'll give it to you in place of Feng Qishi. As for his bridal chamber, I'll help him find a design."
"Isn't his own room perfectly fine?"
"Any place you've been in is not fine."
"Are you saying I'm unlucky?" Mu Anxiao tilted her head up, glaring fiercely at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye chuckled lightly. "You really think too much."
"Then what do you mean?"
"I can see that he has feelings for you. If he feels your presence in the room, I'm afraid," Ouyang Ye said, suddenly bending down to meet Mu Anxiao's eyes, "he might change his mind."
"Your idea is truly disgusting," Mu Anxiao said, tightening her grip on Ouyang Ye's arm.
"Why aren't you letting go?" Ouyang Ye glanced at his arm, held tightly by Mu Anxiao, and asked.
"You haven't finished speaking, you..."
"Don't you hate to see me go?" Ouyang Ye deliberately interrupted.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao immediately showed a look of disdain. "Not really. I just wanted to ask you," her gaze swept over Ouyang Ye's face, then she gave a dry laugh, "where's Jia?"
"You only want to ask about Jia, that's why you're holding me."
"And more," Mu Anxiao said, showing no intention of letting go.
Ouyang Ye was then left with no choice but to sigh in exasperation. He slowly straightened up and asked, "What else?"
"You still haven't told me why I'm here?"
"I brought you here. As for Jia," Ouyang Ye didn't bother to lie and glanced towards the door, "he's outside." He then turned back to Mu Anxiao.
"Why didn't you let him... them in?" Mu Anxiao was making conversation.
Ouyang Ye genuinely thought Mu Anxiao wanted to discuss this topic and patiently explained, "The female demon soul has heavy yin energy. Your injuries have just healed, and if you were affected by the yin energy, it might be detrimental to your recovery."
"You didn't want them to come in, did you?" Mu Anxiao saw through him.
Ouyang Ye's carefully constructed 'warm man' image was completely shattered by Mu Anxiao. Looking at her, he smiled helplessly. "Since you already know, why ask?"