Chapter 62: Just Sibling Affection

Standing directly opposite Ye Xuan, Lin Aoxue stared at him and Yang Bingyu in disbelief, her pupils dilating instantly.

"Y-you’re getting engaged?"

"Xue’er, listen to me..."

Ye Xuan himself was dumbfounded. He had absolutely no idea Yang Zhennan would pull such a stunt. He tried to explain to Lin Aoxue, but his voice was drowned out by the cheering guests.

Tears welled up in Lin Aoxue’s eyes. She gave Ye Xuan a look of profound disappointment, then turned and ran straight out.

"Aoxue!"

"Ye Xuan!"

Ye Xuan shouted and tried to chase after her, but Yang Bingyu grabbed him from the side.

"Ye Xuan, if you leave like this, the Yang family will lose all our dignity." Yang Bingyu clung tightly to his arm, her eyes pleading.

In truth, her reason for holding him back wasn’t just for the Yang family’s reputation. It was mostly out of selfishness; she didn’t want Ye Xuan to go after Lin Aoxue.

"Bingyu, you shouldn’t have taken matters into your own hands like this." Faced with her plea, Ye Xuan’s brows knitted into a tight knot, his eyes clearly flashing with displeasure.

Yang Bingyu felt a wave of guilt under his intense gaze. Lowering her eyes and biting her lower lip, she said, "I’m sorry. I didn’t know Grandpa would suddenly announce our engagement. I know this makes you angry, but can you please not leave me here alone?"

Ye Xuan stared at Yang Bingyu for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh. If this was entirely Yang Zhennan’s own doing, his sudden departure would undoubtedly hurt Yang Bingyu. After weighing the pros and cons, he ultimately stayed.

Seeing that he wasn’t going to leave, Yang Bingyu’s hanging heart finally settled.

She had actually lied. Earlier, what Yang Zhennan had discussed with her was exactly the announcement of the engagement. Although Yang Bingyu initially disagreed with this act-first-explain-later approach, she felt she had to do it in order to be with Ye Xuan.

The news of the engagement quickly reached major media outlets. In an instant, the internet was flooded with reports about Ye Xuan and Yang Bingyu. Even if Ye Xuan publicly announced that the engagement was fake right now, it would be to no avail.

Being played by Yang Zhennan left Ye Xuan feeling incredibly disgruntled. However, to save face for the Yang family and out of consideration for Yang Bingyu’s feelings and reputation, he could only endure it for the time being.

It wasn’t until half an hour later, after he had finished dealing with all the guests, that Ye Xuan finally found the time to call Lin Aoxue. Unsurprisingly, the call didn’t go through. With no other options, he could only leave a message for her on WeChat, asking her to give him a chance to explain.

They say that if someone truly likes you, they will never leave you hanging. Not long after Ye Xuan sent the message, Lin Aoxue couldn’t resist calling him back.

"How do you want to explain? Speak." Lin Aoxue’s hoarse, tearful voice came through the phone, making Ye Xuan’s heart ache terribly.

"Xue’er, listen to my explanation. Things aren’t what you think.

"I really don’t have those kinds of feelings for Bingyu. I only treat her as a younger sister. Both of us were completely unaware of the engagement announcement tonight; it was entirely Yang Zhennan taking matters into his own hands.

"If I were going to get engaged to Bingyu, why would I have gotten together with you?

"Rest assured, after the banquet is over, I’ll make things clear with Yang Zhennan. Then, I’ll hold a press conference to announce that my marriage to Bingyu is invalid."

Hearing his explanation, Lin Aoxue felt a bit better, but her emotions were still far from settled. Actually, Ye Xuan could completely understand her current thoughts. Anyone would find it unacceptable to hear the news of their man getting engaged to another woman.

"If that’s the case, then you should quit your job as a bodyguard. I, Lin Aoxue, can still afford to support you."

Before tonight, Lin Aoxue could barely accept Ye Xuan continuing to stay by Yang Bingyu’s side as her bodyguard. But with this engagement news out, there was no way she would let Ye Xuan stay with the Yang family any longer.

For a moment, Ye Xuan was put in a very difficult position. He knew that after such an incident, it was too much to ask Lin Aoxue to be understanding. However, there were still no clues regarding the mole within the Yang family. If he left now, Yang Bingyu’s life would definitely be threatened.

Frowning in thought, Ye Xuan said helplessly, "Xue’er, I really can’t leave the Yang family right now, nor can I leave Bingyu’s side.

"There are many reasons for this that I can’t tell you yet, but please believe me. You are the only one I love, and what I feel for Bingyu is purely a sibling bond."

She had originally thought Ye Xuan would unhesitatingly quit his bodyguard job for her, but his answer left Lin Aoxue deeply disappointed. She let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

"In that case, let’s stop contacting each other from now on. Whether you’re being Yang Bingyu’s bodyguard or marrying into the Yang family as a live-in son-in-law, it will have absolutely nothing to do with me."

"Xue’er! Don’t be like this. I really have my reasons. Give me three months. I just need three months. Once I handle the Yang family’s affairs, I’ll remarry you immediately, alright?"

Hearing Lin Aoxue’s resolute words, Ye Xuan panicked. Having never begged anyone in his life, he pleaded with her in such a humble tone for the very first time.

Lin Aoxue gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles turning pale from the force. Her face was covered in tears, completely oblivious to the fact that she had bitten her lip until it bled. She really couldn’t understand why Ye Xuan insisted on staying by Yang Bingyu’s side. They hadn’t even spoken to each other before all this.

"No, I don’t want to wait anymore. Ye Xuan, I’m only giving you three days. In three days, I’ll be waiting for you at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

"If you come, we’ll live a good life together from then on and stop meddling in anyone else’s business.

"If you don’t come, then we’ll make a clean break. You go your way, and I’ll go mine."

After saying this, Lin Aoxue hung up the phone. Ye Xuan stood motionless in place for a long time, his eyes filled with conflict and heartache.

Staying by Yang Bingyu’s side to protect her safety was the promise Ye Xuan had made to the deceased White Tiger. This was righteousness. Remarrying Lin Aoxue and living a good life with her was his duty as a man. This was responsibility.

Never in his life had Ye Xuan faced such a difficult decision. He truly didn’t know what choice to make. Giving up on either of them was not what he wanted.

Lost in thought, Ye Xuan failed to notice a familiar figure hiding in a secluded corner behind him.

Yang Bingyu covered her mouth tightly with her hands, forcing herself not to cry out loud. She had heard everything Ye Xuan just said. She originally thought he had at least some feelings for her, but she never expected that it was merely a sibling bond.