TheLazyDreamer
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48 Sister-in-Law
🕑 Added 2025-04-28 15:24:46 +0000 UTC
Su Ting watched him leave, uncertainty flashing across his face. He could go visit her himself, but that would be awkward — he knew nothing about Miss Bai’s personality.
He hesitated, frowning slightly. Were the rumors true? If his brother refused to tell him, he would simply have to find out on his own.
Gathering his courage, Su Ting quietly decided to follow.
Su Kang noticed immediately and sighed inwardly.
This guy is completely shameless. Does he really plan to trespass into his sister-in-law’s courtyard like this?
Their marriage was still a secret, but sooner or later, the close family would have to know.
Perhaps the time had come sooner than expected.
Su Ting’s footsteps slowed as he neared the courtyard, his heart pounding in his chest. Curiosity and caution battled within him.
The servants’ whispers had only fueled his imagination, but before he could get any closer, a calm voice cut through the evening air.
"Brother... what are you doing here?"
Su Kang stood at the entrance, arms crossed, his gaze steady. His tone was mild, but there was a quiet warning in his eyes.
Su Ting froze, scratching the back of his head awkwardly before forcing a sheepish grin.
"I... I just wanted to check on the family’s guest," he mumbled.
Su Kang’s lips curled slightly in amusement.
"How considerate. I didn’t realize you were so concerned about family matters."
Su Ting straightened, trying to regain some dignity.
"You didn’t know because you weren't here. Ask the others if you don't believe me."
Su Kang chuckled and stepped forward, resting a hand lightly on Su Ting’s shoulder.
"Since you're so thoughtful, I’ll introduce you tomorrow at dinner."
Su Ting’s eyes lit up, excitement flashing across his boyish face.
"Really?"
"But remember," Su Kang added, his voice dipping lower, "don't go spreading rumors."
Su Ting nodded quickly and backed away, though the glint of curiosity never left his eyes.
Lantern light illuminated Bai Yunxi's study, casting warm patterns across the room.
The faint fragrance of herbs lingered in the air as she read quietly, her delicate figure bathed in golden light.
A gentle voice interrupted the silence.
"Yunxi," Su Kang’s voice called softly.
She looked up, her lips curving into a tender smile.
"Husband."
Su Kang stepped inside, his dark eyes reflecting something deeper than usual. Without a word, he crossed the room and took her cool hand in his warm palm.
In silent understanding, they moved toward her bedroom, closing the door behind them.
"Yunxi…" he began, his voice low and steady. "It’s time we reveal our relationship to my family."
"Are you sure? It's... so soon," she said, lowering her gaze.
Su Kang's thumb brushed gently against her cheek.
"I don't think we can hide it much longer. But we'll move carefully. For now, we'll let them believe we're only courting."
Bai Yunxi thought for a moment, then nodded, a small smile lighting up her pale face.
"I'll follow your decision, husband."
"Good. I’ll introduce you to my brother first," Su Kang said, smiling.
They settled onto the bed as Su Kang began telling her about Su Ting’s personality, preparing her for what was to come.
...
The following evening, Su Ting visited Bai Yunxi’s courtyard. Su Kang led him to the dining hall, where Bai Yunxi awaited them.
Su Ting immediately found her breathtaking. She looked radiant in a simple yet elegant dress, her eyes shimmering with a green light that seemed to captivate people.
Su Kang spoke calmly.
"Su Ting, this is Bai Yunxi. She’s a guest of our family."
Bai Yunxi’s calm gaze flicked toward Su Kang before she offered Su Ting a polite smile.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Ting."
Su Ting bowed respectfully but couldn’t completely hide the mischievous spark dancing behind his grin.
"The pleasure is mine, Miss Bai... Though, it seems my brother rarely brings good friends home."
Su Kang’s brow twitched slightly, but Bai Yunxi’s lips curled faintly.
"Is that so? I’m honored to know I’m special," she replied gracefully.
Su Ting’s grin widened, his mind catching the subtle warmth in her tone.
"Oh? Then I must thank you, Miss Bai, for bringing out a different side of him."
Su Kang’s chopsticks paused mid-air, shooting Su Ting a warning glance.
Su Ting quickly straightened, suppressing his grin — though his curiosity only deepened.
Throughout the meal, he stole quick glances between the two, noting the subtle tenderness hidden within their interactions.
Finally, toward the end of dinner, Su Ting couldn't resist any longer.
"This little brother is a bit slow..." he began, his eyes twinkling with innocent mischief, "but if I didn’t know better, I’d say Brother is courting Miss Bai."
Bai Yunxi’s eyes shimmered with amusement, but she merely took a sip of tea, neither confirming nor denying it.
"Aha! It is true!" Su Ting exclaimed after watching her silent reaction. "My brother, finally ensnared by a beauty!"
Su Kang's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Su Ting… do you want extra training tomorrow?"
Su Ting immediately suppressed his grin, clearing his throat.
"This little brother was merely expressing his admiration! Nothing more, nothing more!"
He stood up after dinner and cupped his fists in farewell.
"Miss Bai, thank you for your hospitality," he said, smiling.
"No problem. I enjoyed your presence very much," Bai Yunxi said with a gentle nod.
As he turned to leave, he paused a few steps away and added with a sly grin,
"Don’t worry — your secret is definitely safe with me. See you later, sister-in-law!"
Afraid of Su Kang’s reaction, Su Ting bolted out of the room, his laughter echoing faintly behind him.
Su Kang’s brow twitched, but Bai Yunxi simply chuckled in amusement.
"Your brother is definitely spoiled and well-loved."
Su Kang shook his head and sighed.
"Well, there’s a reason behind this."
In the days that followed, Su Ting became an occasional visitor to Bai Yunxi’s courtyard.
In the evening after training — or after being beaten up — he would arrive carrying fresh gossip and wild stories about Su Kang’s childhood.
It was his form of revenge for the beatings he endured.
"He wrote love poems to a female guest of the family... dozens of them! She ended up leaving our household in embarrassment!" Su Ting said, grinning mischievously.
Bai Yunxi smiled, her gaze composed despite the slight curve of her lips.
"Your brother must have been quite lonely... to share such things with you."
Su Ting blinked, his grin faltering.
He glanced at her serene expression, scratched his nose awkwardly, and spoke in a light yet firm tone.
"Well... Brother always acted tough in front of others, so most people never saw his softer side."
Bai Yunxi looked at him deeply, her eyes clear and calm as he met her gaze with some hesitation.
She smiled sincerely.
"I will try to make sure he doesn’t have to hide his worries from me. I’ll do my best to ease his burdens."
Su Ting straightened, a rare seriousness flashing across his face.
"I’ll be grateful if you do."
With a final nod, he excused himself and left the courtyard.
Once outside, the usual playful grin disappeared from his face, replaced by an unreadable expression.
His gaze grew heavy, a seriousness weighing in his eyes.
"Sister-in-law," he murmured under his breath, "I’ll trust your words... for now."
Later that evening, under the soft glow of lanterns in the quiet garden, Su Kang noticed something different.
Whenever Bai Yunxi's gaze met his, there was a teasing light dancing in her eyes.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" Su Kang asked, narrowing his brows.
Bai Yunxi tilted her head slightly, pretending to think.
"Your brother has been... surprisingly informative," she said, her voice laced with mischief.
Su Kang frowned.
"What did that brat tell you?"
She leaned closer, resting her chin lightly on her hand.
"Everything about your... romantic adventures," she said, drawing out the words slowly. "Apparently, you have quite the hidden past."
Su Kang chuckled.
"He’s just spouting nonsense. I’ve never done anything like that," he said.
Bai Yunxi leaned back, folding her arms across her chest, studying him seriously.
"Handsome, talented... It's only natural you'd have had a few admirers," she said lightly.
"That doesn't mean I had relationships with them," Su Kang replied, reaching for her hands. "Trust me—you’re the first woman I've ever been with."
The teasing in Bai Yunxi’s eyes softened.
Her gaze dropped briefly before lifting again, steadier than before.
"I know," she said softly. "I was just teasing you. You don't have to explain. Even if that were the case... I'd be fine with it."
Su Kang’s chest tightened at her gentle acceptance.
"Don’t you feel jealous?" he asked, looking into her emerald eyes.
"You’ll need a proper wife and heir someday. My identity isn’t suitable for that, nor do I want children," Bai Yunxi said calmly.
"So I’m fine with you having other women, as long as you keep me in your heart."
A complicated feeling stirred within Su Kang.
He wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or restless.
Their marriage was more like a transaction—he gained some destiny from it, while she was perhaps just repaying him for everything he had done for her.
