Chapter 60 - You Know I'm Teasing You
How could Mu Sifa not perceive Shang Xiaojie's attempt at bravery in this moment? His usual air of arrogance had vanished, and his brows were tightly furrowed. Is he mad at me? Or maybe Shang Xiaojie disliked it and was forcing himself into this.
“Or maybe you dislike me following you?” He linked his hands together and inquired cautiously, his gaze locked onto Mu Sifa.
Mu Sifa asked this, his frown causing a misunderstanding.
“Why do you ask?” His frown persisted.
Shang Xiaojie, slightly aggrieved, bit his lip and cast his eyes downward. He then answered softly, “It's because you seem unhappy. So, I wondered if you resented me following you, which is why you're wearing that expression.”
Shang Xiaojie's hypersensitivity to others' expressions was honed through observing his family members' faces in the Shang Family. His current level of observation was influenced by the current atmosphere, leading him to assume that Mu Sifa was unhappy.
Shang Xiaojie's caution deepened Mu Sifa's frown. Maybe it was also a way of expressing his heartache.
“If I were truly mad, then yes, I would detest you. I'd be straightforward about it, so don't let your imagination run wild.” Ye Zichen pinched Shang Xiaojie's cheek, attempting to snap him out of it, so he wouldn't overthink.
“But you keep frowning! How am I supposed to know if you're annoyed or not!”
Shang Xiaojie murmured under his breath, his face revealing his feelings. It's not as if I'm telepathic. How am I supposed to decipher your thoughts?
“Hah!” You dare to sass me!? He pinched Shang Xiaojie's cheek and playfully shook it a few times. Interestingly, he didn't seem angry at all; quite the contrary, he wore a broad grin.
I forgot, this guy is from the Shang Family, accustomed to unpredictability, and he's often overlooked. It's normal for him to overthink. I'll have to avoid frowning around him in the future.
Mu Sifa contemplated this for the first time. He wasn't sure if he still remembered his initial intent of using Shang Xiaojie to deal with the Shang Family or if he ended up losing himself and falling for Shang Xiaojie.
“What's wrong with my retort? You won't let me talk back! Clearly, it's your fault, can't I still say so?”
A cute pout, he proudly turned his face to the side, as if conveying to Mu Sifa that he was genuinely vexed.
Mu Sifa paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. He hoisted Shang Xiaojie up and stated, “Alright, alright, alright. My dear wife is such a good girl. Not angry at all.” And then, he sealed this declaration with a kiss. Was this the legendary ‘cuddle and raise'?
Mu Sifa's sudden display of childish cajoling turned Shang Xiaojie beet red. The embarrassment was so intense that he wished he could vanish into thin air.
In a panic, he struggled, “Are you out of your mind? Why are you doing something so childish to me? Put me down.”
His cheeks were aflame. Filled with confusion and panic, he didn't know what to do. He dared not look at anyone.
“Oh really? You don't like it?” Mu Sifa's smile lingered.
“Who, who would like it!? You're not a child. Let go of me, or I'll genuinely get mad.” He attempted to put on a stern face, but his baby features and flushed complexion contradicted any notion of anger.
“Then why don't you show me? Do you look adorable when you're angry? I felt an urge to tease you.” Ye Zichen released Shang Xiaojie, enfolding him in his arms, all the while maintaining a grin.
Shang Xiaojie felt so mortified he thought he might combust, “For how long are you planning to tease me before giving up!”
“Oh dear!” You even realize I'm teasing you!
Not only did he not own up, he doubled down. Shang Xiaojie became a mixture of anger and embarrassment, left with nothing but exasperation.
Eventually, he huffed, “I'm done paying you any mind.”
Foll𝑜w current novels on fre(e)w𝒆bnovel