Yan Huan paused as he was eating, blinked, and gazed at Ye Lan with eyes full of hope, suddenly realizing why she had told the principal in school that she was his "mother."
Ye Lan's visit to see Yan Huan was not just to catch up and reminisce about his deceased mother; she was here to adopt Yan Huan.
Did Ye Lan have any other ulterior motives?
No, not at all.
If one must say, it was as she had mentioned: hoping that he would take more care of his quirky sister, Ye Shiyu, and that was it.
Moreover, she was the head of Ye International at Lin Gate, while Yan Huan was just a high school student still. No matter if he was a student council president or a top student, she had no other intentions whatsoever.
The sole reason she acted this way was simply because she viewed Yan Huan, the child of her deceased close friend, as family and wanted to take care of him.
And to be realistic, from what could be seen so far, Ye Lan was wealthy, and by all logic, one should kneel and acknowledge her as "mother," becoming "Gao Qiqiang of Lin Gate."
However, Guldan, what would be the price?
The hint of unease within him made Yan Huan's heartbeat uncontrollably quicken as he looked hesitantly at Ye Shiyu, who was eating her dinner in an unhurried manner.
His smile was tinged with hesitation as he asked,
"Auntie, isn't this... too sudden?"
"Is it not okay, Xiao Huan? Or do you find Auntie too difficult to get along with?"
Sensing the retreat in Yan Huan's words, the sparkle in Ye Lan's eyes faintly echoed the sentiment she had when she first met Yan Huan today.
Her smiled lips suddenly pouted, and the corners of her mouth drooped as if weights were attached.
...don't make that face, Aunt Ye!
Yan Huan resisted looking at Ye Lan to avoid being influenced by her expression and opted to appeal to emotions and reason,
"...Auntie, how could I think that when you are so kind. It's just that it feels inappropriate... you see, Auntie, I am after all a boy, and also..."
Before he could finish his reasons, Ye Lan interjected,
"Xiao Huan, you're not an outsider, and there's nothing to worry about. Aunt Chen lives on the first floor, I and your sister on the third floor, and you can stay on the second floor. Each room has an en-suite bathroom, the soundproofing is great, and we always knock before entering a room, so we won't disturb Xiao Huan's privacy..."
Okay, showing off financial capability, right?
But indeed, just a turn of the head shows the sprawling garden villa is nothing restraining; even the living room is spacious enough for a basketball game, not to mention the second, third floors and the rooftop terrace.
Helpless, he could only delve deeper into the crux of the matter, raising his eyes to Ye Shiyu, whose pace of eating had slowed, and said,
"Moreover, we should also consider Sister Shiyu's feelings. There might be some things that Auntie deems trivial but..."
Before he could finish, Ye Lan impatiently turned her head towards Ye Shiyu,
"Shiyu, what do you think?"
Ye Shiyu held her bowl, with a small clump of rice still held by her chopsticks.
Upon hearing this, she slowly placed the rice into her mouth without chewing, turned her head, and met her mother's gaze.
Just catching sight of her mother's slightly pouting lips and feeling her gaze filled with expectation, she nodded and said softly,
"I have no objections."
Her voice was melodious, and although not loud, her words were clear.
"Great! Don't mind that Shiyu doesn't talk much, she is actually a very gentle and kind child. Don't worry Xiao Huan, both my sister and I welcome you."
Gentle and kind... really?
Yan Huan glanced at Ye Shiyu, who resumed picking up her food, their gazes meeting directly and never avoiding each other's eyes.
That direct eye contact eased some of Yan Huan's inner unrest; his thoughts whirled, yet he still didn't consent outright.
After pondering, Yan Huan began to employ the ability he had just acquired today, adjusting the expression on his face,
"I know my sister and aunt are very good people, but... Auntie, could you give me some time to think?"
Ye Lan pursed her lips, seeing the touched yet still hesitant look on the young man's face.
Indeed, she had just made this mistake this afternoon, and now again...
She might have been a little too hasty.
With this thought, Ye Lan also softened her tone, gently suggesting,
"Then... Xiao Huan, since today is Friday and it's already dark, and we're far from the South District where you live, why not just stay here for the weekend? I'll take you and your sister out nearby over the next couple of days. What do you think?"
As long as nothing was definite about Yan Huan moving in or anything, he essentially reached his goal.
At least he should first dispel the vague premonitions in his heart, right?
He looked at Ye Lan, still hesitant, but eventually, his facial uncertainty seemed to be overwhelmed by her gentleness, and he smiled and nodded,
"Okay, Auntie."
Ye Lan breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Ye Shiyu, and asked similarly,
"Shiyu?"
"Yeah, I have no objections."
The same reaction, the same response as before.
"Perfect! Then it's decided... Aunt Chen, could you please tidy up the room on the second floor later."
Ye Lan clapped her hands, as the meal was almost finished.
Aunt Chen, who had been listening silently the entire time, finally stood up at this moment; she busily began clearing the bowls and utensils, and said to Yan Huan,
"Alright, I'll take Xiao Huan there later."