Chapter 32: Uncle Has Arrived

"My dear sister here has always been obsessed with marrying into the Si family."

Yun Qingqing watched Yun Chuxia’s face darken and instinctively took a few steps back to create distance, though she did not stop her verbal assault.

"It’s a pity, really. After three years of playing the sycophant, she hasn't even managed to secure a title."

A chill surged from the tips of her toes, swept up her spine, and continued to rise. Yun Chuxia felt as though she had been frozen in place. Yun Qingqing’s words were harsh, yet they did not seem entirely wrong. For those three years, her heart and mind had been filled with nothing but Si Haochen. But in his eyes, was she not just a tool and a sycophant—someone to be summoned at will, cast aside whenever convenient, and abandoned at any moment?

Yun Chuxia pressed her lips together, struggling to conceal the roiling emotions in her eyes, and tried to make her voice sound as steady as possible.

"I never wanted to marry into the Si family."

She had liked Si Haochen back then, seeing him as her salvation, but it was never because of his status as a young master of the Si family. However, her trembling voice and reddened eyes served only to confirm Yun Qingqing’s claims. After all, body language is often far more honest than words. It was no wonder Su Muxue couldn't stand her; who would want a sycophant who coveted their fiancé hovering nearby every single day?

***

Si Haochen felt a pang of reluctance. From beginning to end, Yun Chuxia had done nothing wrong, yet she had borne so much infamy because of him. He looked at her reddened eyes and was just about to open his mouth to retort when a cold, sharp voice rang out.

"Miss Yun’s words are truly heartbreaking."

Everyone turned to look at the newcomer. He wore a high-end, bespoke suit that accentuated his tall, slender frame, yet his gaze was filled with arrogance and nobility. With his hands tucked into his pockets, he carried an air of aloofness that warned others to keep their distance.

Yun Qingqing was the first to grow excited: "The idol! My idol is actually here!"

Lu Yao stood up and introduced him to the others: "This is Mr. Si Yuchuan."

Si Yuchuan’s reputation was well-known throughout Yancheng, yet few had ever seen him in the flesh. Everyone was astonished to find him so young and handsome; several young women blushed, their voices turning coy as they greeted him.

Si Haochen also lowered his hands respectfully and called out, "Uncle."

Su Muxue followed suit. Yun Qingqing busied herself smoothing her hair and hitching up the hem of her bodycon dress, revealing the black stockings underneath.

Yun Chuxia was positioned with her back to the door and did not turn around. The moment she heard his voice, the defenses she had been struggling to maintain completely collapsed. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Si Yuchuan stepped forward, his warm hand resting on the small of her back. He lowered his voice and murmured, "It’s alright. Your husband is here."

***

The warmth at her waist seemed to infuse her with strength. Yun Chuxia sniffled, held back her tears, and forced a somewhat strained smile.

Si Yuchuan felt a sudden ache in his heart. He longed to announce to everyone that he was Yun Chuxia’s husband. But he remembered her request to keep their relationship private for the time being, and besides, she wasn't wearing a ring.

Si Yuchuan moved his left hand in his pocket and quietly slipped the ring off his own ring finger.

Su Muxue, recalling the words she had just heard, couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, do you know Chuxia?"

Could it be that Yun Chuxia had offended Si Yuchuan as well? If that were the case, things would be much simpler. This uncle of the Si family was rumored to be ruthless, a man who could not tolerate any impurity. If he turned against her, Yun Chuxia wouldn't just be out of Jiutian; she might not even be able to stay in Yancheng.

Si Yuchuan’s gaze fixed on Yun Chuxia’s face, his cold eyes softening visibly.

"I’ve been pursuing her for three years," he said, "but she still won't agree to marry me."