The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 33.3

“Perhaps.” Xie Zichen’s voice trembled slightly.

He wasn’t even sure if he liked Wei Hua. What he did know, however, was that Wei Hua possessed a face strikingly similar to Wei Lan’s, a beauty far too easy for one to sink into. He feared that if he let go, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Marrying Wei Hua had always been a necessary matter in his mind. He had always believed that everything in the human world could be calculated and planned. For instance, liking someone, if necessary, he could learn to like them, and then make them like him in return.

And Wei Hua was not only necessary, she also had a face that delighted him. Even without Wei Lan, he would still have been willing to marry her.

After much thought, Xie Zichen finally came to a decision.

He set down his book, raised his head to look at Wei Lan, and said seriously, “If Miss Wei and I come to share mutual affection, then three years from now, I will certainly have a status befitting hers and go to formally propose marriage. If we have no such fate, I will never, for my own selfish desires, drag her into the mire of political filth. Brother Lan, what do you think?”

Hearing this, Wei Lan almost laughed out of sheer anger.

Well, she had already deceived the Emperor, tricking one more person was hardly a concern. So she raised a smile and slowly said, “Unfortunately, my younger sister has already exchanged lifelong vows with a close friend of mine. Brother Xie, I fear you are too late.”

At those words, Xie Zichen frowned and recalled a name. “Lin Xia?”

“That’s right. Brother Xie knows of him as well?”

Hah. Wei Lan sneered inwardly, Xie Zichen’s feelings toward Wei Hua were truly no small matter. Upon hearing this news, Xie Zichen did not even look surprised. He merely nodded, then said coolly, “In that case, it seems my invitation will have to wait for a very long time before Brother Lan can give me an answer.”

Raising his head to meet Wei Lan’s eyes, his tone faint, he added, “I ask that Brother Lan wait until my wings are fully grown before making a decision.”

“Very well,” Wei Lan lowered her gaze.

At that moment, Xie Tong returned, carrying a bucket. “Young Master, the water is ready.”

Xie Zichen nodded, turned, and stepped behind the curtain. Wei Lan sat cross-legged on the bed, resting her chin in her hand. Watching the thick curtain and Xie Tong’s watchful guarding, she suddenly felt a little melancholic.

The curtain is so thick… can’t even see a beauty bathing. How tragic.

Yan Mo caught Wei Lan’s expression at a glance and immediately guessed what she was thinking. Lowering his voice, he said, “If the curtain were see-through, Shizi, you’d probably feel even worse.”

Hearing this, Wei Lan sighed and nodded.

Still, even if she could see through the curtain, Wei Lan wouldn’t actually peek. She was romantic, not lecherous.

With that thought, Xie Zichen soon emerged from his bath.

Unlike Wei Lan, who was wrapped up tightly, Xie Zichen had only loosely tied his robe. The robe exposed a broad expanse of his chest, and with every step he took, his long legs came into view. Wei Lan took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on him, then quickly felt she was being improper and turned her head away, muttering under her breath, “See no evil, see no evil.”

She might have the heart of someone who wanted to admire beauties, but at her core, she was still a gentlewoman.

Just like how, though she often wanted to steal a kiss here or a touch there, she generally refrained unless the other party was willing, and even then, she would think it through before acting.

Xie Zichen had no idea how much of a loss such restraint was for him, but Wei Lan understood. Since she had decided to treat him as a brother and not be responsible for him in the future, she could not take advantage of him.

After mustering her willpower to keep her head turned for a while, she heard Xie Zichen’s voice beside her, “You’ve been staring at the wall for quite a while, what are you looking at?”

“You…” Wei Lan held back for a moment before finally saying, “You’re wearing too little.”

Xie Zichen froze. Then he remembered, this one was a cut sleeve!

His face changed instantly. He pulled his clothes tightly around him, fastening his belt with care. “All right, my mistake. You can turn back now.”

Wei Lan let out a breath, she wasn’t sure if it was relief or disappointment, and turned her head back, only to see Xie Zichen so wrapped up by Xie Tong that even his collarbones were hidden.

She felt she’d been foolish, she should have taken a few more glances earlier. Even if she didn’t, she shouldn’t have reminded him. Now the little bonus was gone, and life felt a little less happy.

It’s hard being a gentleman, Wei Lan thought to herself.

“My apologies earlier,” Xie Zichen said coolly as he lifted his tea, noticing the disappointment in her expression. “I forgot you were a cut sleeve. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

Wei Lan: “…”

I’m not a cut sleeve. Really. I’m not!

But she couldn’t say any of that aloud. She sighed, lay back under the covers, and said, “Sleep.”

Xie Zichen nodded. After drying his hair, he had Xie Tong extinguish the light, returned to his bed, and fell asleep peacefully.

Wei Lan always slept in a proper position. But in the middle of the night, she dreamed of being buried under heavy stones, stones pressing on her chest and body until she could barely breathe.

She woke with a start, only to find Xie Zichen sprawled across her. His head rested on her shoulder, one leg draped over her thigh, and his hand pressed against her breastplate…

So that’s why it felt like a giant stone was crushing me!

She took a deep breath. At first she felt a spark of irritation, but when she turned her head and saw Xie Zichen’s handsome face in such unguarded repose, with a few stray hairs sticking up on his forehead like a child, so different from his usual cold and reserved self, Wei Lan couldn’t help but laugh softly, all her annoyance gone.

She shifted her position, lying on her side so that he no longer touched her sensitive areas, letting him rest only on her shoulder and thigh.

Well, since he came over on his own… With warm fragrance and soft jade right in front of me, the least I can do is be polite and give him a hug.

So she stretched out her hand, rested it on his waist, and even gave it a couple of squeezes.

Satisfied, she closed her eyes, not dwelling on the matter further.

The next morning, when Xie Zichen slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Wei Lan’s exquisite, near-perfect face. Her hand was still on his waist, and his entire body was draped over her. Judging by their position, he must have been the one to roll over to her.

Xie Zichen froze, holding his breath in shock. After a long moment, his mind finally started working again. He quickly withdrew, getting out of bed with both caution and speed, as if afraid to wake her. He snatched up his clothes and slipped out of the room like a guilty scoundrel fleeing after a one-night stand.

Wei Lan slowly opened her eyes, unable to suppress a smile.

Then she heard Xie Tong’s startled voice outside, “Young Master, why are you coming out holding your clothes?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

In such an awkward moment, could you please not ask questions?