"Brother Ye Qi, this is Jun Moyan."
Wen Xiao’ai ignored Ye Qi’s words about who is close; she didn’t understand.
She just eagerly introduced Jun Moyan to Ye Qi.
"Your friend in the Human Realm?"
"Not a friend, he’s..."
Wen Xiao’ai thought for a moment, forgetting the word ’boyfriend’, so she said, "He’s someone who is especially, especially good to Xiao’ai. He’s been taking care of me all this time; he really spoils me."
"You little rascal, always causing trouble for others," Ye Qi said dotingly.
Wen Xiao’ai giggled a little.
Their banter made Jun Moyan feel quite uncomfortable inside.
Especially that line from Ye Qi—was it deliberate or not?
Anyway, in Jun Moyan’s ears, it didn’t sit right at all.
It was as if he was suggesting that his family’s child was troubling others, implying that Jun Moyan was an outsider.
Unavoidably, when faced with a romantic rival, someone became a bit childish amidst a sense of crisis.
Ye Qi looked at Jun Moyan and said with a smile, "Mr. Jun? Did I get that right? Thank you for taking care of Xiao’ai during this time, sorry for the trouble."
Throughout, he maintained polite kindness, the smile on his face unwavering.
Yet despite his warmth, there was a slight aloofness in his demeanor, making people want to approach but hesitant to do so.
It was as if this was his nature, unfazed by anything, and even if he got angry, it wouldn’t show on his face.
Perhaps Jun Moyan, as this romantic rival, didn’t make him feel any crisis at all, or maybe he was well aware that this human would never have a chance to take Xiao’ai from him.
"You’re welcome; it was nothing."
Jun Moyan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, as he tightened his grip on Wen Xiao’ai’s hand, staring directly at Ye Qi.
The implication in his gaze and tone was clear: Why are you thanking me for taking care of my own?
He had no insecurity about Xiao’ai and Ye Qi’s lifelong friendship and certainly didn’t see himself as an outsider.
If he had responded politely, he really would be treating himself as an outsider. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ noⅴelfire.net
Ye Qi either didn’t catch the hidden meaning in Jun Moyan’s words or just didn’t care.
He smiled but said nothing.
Seeing them talking, Wen Xiao’ai was overjoyed; she had been looking forward to this moment for a long time.
"Jun Moyan, he’s the Brother Ye Qi I told you about. I wasn’t lying, was I? Isn’t he a really nice person? Do you like him?"
Completely oblivious to the brewing conflict between the two men, Wen Xiao’ai reached into Jun Moyan’s pocket with her free hand, took out a lollipop, and placed it in Ye Qi’s hand, saying excitedly:
"Brother Ye Qi, here’s a lollipop. I love these the most. Try it, it’s so sweet. I have plenty more in my backpack; they’re all from Jun Moyan."
As she spoke, Wen Xiao’ai bounced up and down twice in place with joy, her backpack of snacks bouncing along.
Ye Qi lowered his gaze, glanced briefly at the candy in his hand, and then took another look at Jun Moyan.
His expression subtly changed.
"Right, you should shake hands, you should shake hands." Wen Xiao’ai pulled at one of Ye Qi’s hands, trying to have them shake hands in the human greeting tradition.
"After shaking hands, you’ll be good friends."
As soon as Wen Xiao’ai touched Ye Qi’s hand, he clasped hers in his palm.
Her hands were held by them both.