Chapter 51: Temporarily Kept Secret

"Ye Xuan, can you stop being Yang Bingyu’s bodyguard? I can make enough money to support both of us."

Early the next morning, Lin Aoxue asked this question while eating the breakfast Ye Xuan had made for her. The mere thought of Yang Bingyu clinging to Ye Xuan’s arm infuriated her. That woman was simply obnoxious. From now on, she had to make sure Bingyu stayed far away from her man.

"Silly girl, are you jealous?" Ye Xuan asked, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

Meeting his smiling gaze, Lin Aoxue hurriedly lowered her head, her heartbeat quickening slightly. "Damn it," she thought. "Why do I feel like Ye Xuan is so much more handsome than before? Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder?"

"W-Who’s jealous? Is she even worth my jealousy? I just think Yang Bingyu is capricious and reckless. Being her bodyguard must be suffocating for you, and I just feel bad for you, that’s all." The proud and stubborn Lin Aoxue refused to admit her jealousy, offering this excuse with a guilty conscience.

Ye Xuan knew she was lying, but instead of exposing her, he chuckled softly.

"What are you laughing at? Stop laughing." Hearing his laughter, Lin Aoxue’s face turned even redder. She pouted and glared at him.

"Alright, I’ll stop. You know, you look really cute when you’re jealous." Ye Xuan couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her hair, his face full of doting affection.

Lin Aoxue’s face instantly flushed all the way to her ears. She buried her head in her food, not daring to look up at him.

"I’m not being Yang Bingyu’s bodyguard for the money. There are other reasons. Until this matter is settled, I have to stay by her side and protect her.

"Besides, Aoxue, we might need to keep our relationship a secret for now. I don’t want to drag you into any unnecessary trouble."

With their playful banter over, Ye Xuan returned to the main point. He understood Lin Aoxue’s feelings, but he couldn’t do as she asked. He couldn’t leave Yang Bingyu’s side; the moment he left the Yang Family, that mole would definitely make a move against her. He had sworn to protect White Tiger’s only living blood relative in this world, and he absolutely could not break that promise.

As for his reconciliation with Lin Aoxue, he chose to keep it under wraps for the time being. His current identity attracted far too much trouble. If those people found out he loved Lin Aoxue, they would capture her at any cost—because Lin Aoxue was his weakness.

"Why do we need to keep it a secret? Are you afraid Yang Bingyu will be upset if she finds out?" Lin Aoxue’s head snapped up at his words, her face full of hurt as she looked at him.

"Of course not, silly. Don’t let your imagination run wild. I’m keeping it a secret to protect you. My identity is complicated. If those with malicious intentions learn you’re my woman, you won’t be safe," Ye Xuan explained softly, tapping her forehead.

"Alright then..."

Although she was slightly displeased, Lin Aoxue agreed. During the time they had been divorced, she had vaguely guessed that Ye Xuan’s background wasn’t so simple. It was obvious from the Yang Family’s attitude toward him. If they didn’t know his true identity, why would they hire a supposedly useless live-in son-in-law to be Yang Bingyu’s bodyguard?

"Don’t worry, I definitely won’t do anything to betray you. How about I report my itinerary to you every day from now on?" Seeing that she was still a bit gloomy, Ye Xuan took the initiative to reassure her.

"Hmph, if you dare do anything to betray me, I’ll make you pay!" After saying this, Lin Aoxue shot a vicious glare right between his legs.

Terrified, Ye Xuan quickly snapped his legs together and looked at her in horror. "Whoa, isn’t that a bit too ruthless, girl? You’d be destroying your own lifelong sexual happiness."

His teasing made Lin Aoxue feel a bit embarrassed. She shot him a reproachful glare, lowered her head to eat, and fell silent.

After breakfast, Lin Aoxue left for work at the company, while Ye Xuan returned to Yunju Mountain Villa.

When he saw Yang Bingyu sitting on the living room sofa like an imposing Buddha statue, he jumped in fright. The little tune he had been humming all the way home came to an abrupt halt. For some reason, looking at her gave him an inexplicable guilty conscience. It felt exactly like a husband who had cheated outside and was terrified of his wife finding out.

"Ahem... Bingyu, what are you doing here so early?"

There was no one at Yunju Mountain Villa yesterday, so Yang Bingyu should have returned to the Yang Family with Yang Zhennan, right? Why was she here? Ye Xuan’s eyes darted around, completely unable to meet her gaze.

Seeing his guilty appearance, Yang Bingyu’s heart sank. The tears she had held back all night finally spilled over.

"Ye Xuan! You bastard! Where were you all night? Did you get back together with that woman, Lin Aoxue?"

Her agitated, hoarse sobbing threw Ye Xuan into a panic. He quickly walked over to wipe her tears. "Why are you crying, girl? We can talk things out slowly. Come on, stop crying. You won’t look pretty if you keep crying."

"You bastard! I hate you! You clearly said things were impossible between you and Lin Aoxue anymore, but the second she cries, you go soft! Tell me, did you sleep with Lin Aoxue last night?!" Yang Bingyu frantically pounded her fists against Ye Xuan’s chest, utterly overwhelmed with emotion.

She had hardly slept a wink last night. She had wanted to call Ye Xuan, but her pride held her back. After agonizing the entire night, she finally made it to dawn and rushed over to find him first thing in the morning. Yet, after turning the entire Yunju Mountain Villa upside down, there had been no sign of him. In just those one or two hours, she had conjured up countless scenarios of him and Lin Aoxue together.

Not expecting Yang Bingyu to hit the nail on the head, Ye Xuan rubbed his nose guiltily. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell, and he had to go open the door first.

Outside the main doors stood two handsome foreigners with blond hair and blue eyes.

"Ye, it has truly been a long time." One of the men, wearing a purple tailcoat, spread his arms warmly upon seeing Ye Xuan.

Seeing the enthusiastic Orioles at the door, Ye Xuan slapped his forehead hard. How could he have forgotten about this!

"Orioles, so much has happened recently that I forgot you were coming. I’m really sorry you had to find your way here yourself." Ye Xuan stepped down the stairs and embraced Orioles, explaining with an apologetic look.

"It’s no problem. Coming to find you myself is exactly the same."

Orioles’s clunky Chinese made Ye Xuan want to laugh. This guy was extremely interested in Chinese culture and had started studying it many years ago. Who would have thought that after all these years, he still hadn’t improved a single bit?

"Orioles?! Is it really you?"

Hearing the commotion, Yang Bingyu walked out of the house. Upon seeing the renowned designer, she completely lost her composure. "Is this really the true Orioles?" she wondered in shock. "Why is he so young?"

"This beautiful lady must be Miss Yang Bingyu, yes? Your beauty truly intoxicates me. I wonder, at your grandfather’s birthday banquet, could I have the honor of attending as your date?"