Chapter 98: Keep at Home

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the Shang family’s villa, large patches of roses were planted in the garden courtyard.

Qu Xiao loved roses. Shang Yan sent Li overseas to search for the most expensive species of roses and transplanted them in the villa.

In his wheelchair, Shang Yan sprinkled water on the flowers with a watering can.

Qu Xiao came back and signaled the butler not to make a sound. She placed her schoolbag at the door and walked towards Shang Yan with light footsteps.

Shang Yan saw her actions from her reflection on the glass of the greenhouse and the corners of his lips curled up as he pretended not to know.

!!

Qu Xiao suddenly bent down and hugged his neck. She kissed his cheek intimately and said sweetly, “Hubby, I’m back!”

Shang Yan saw that she was in a good mood and was about to ask about how her day at school was when Shang Liqing appeared at the door with an impatient expression. She coughed heavily and interrupted the beautiful moment between the two of them. She stared at Qu Xiao and said in a harsh tone, “You’re so two-faced!”

“Hooking up with another student at school, then going home to my brother. Are you having an affair?”

“The Shang family will never allow women…”

Shang Liqing wanted to continue, but Shang Yan frowned and glared at her. He said fiercely, “Liqing, shut up!”

Qu Xiao met Shang Liqing’s gaze and could tell that she had heard some rumors.

Although Shang Yan controlled his emotions very well, Qu Xiao could still see that he minded.

She did not want the two of them to have irreconcilable conflicts and misunderstandings between them.

Qu Xiao raised the corner of her lips slightly, started a recording on her phone and put it in her pocket. She then pushed Shang Yan into the living room.

“What did you hear about me? Tell it to me straight. It’ll be easier for me to explain.”

Shang Liqing looked at her magnanimous appearance and sat on the sofa, snorting coldly.

“You are close with your male classmate called Zhou Ce. Apparently he’s even your deskmate. Who knows what dirty things you’ve done behind Shang Yan’s back?”

“You’re not from our school. How would you know all this?”

Qu Xiao slowly fiddled with her phone and tried her best to ask in a non-aggressive tone.

Shang Liqing stared at her nails nonchalantly. “Of course it was Qu Qi who told me…”

When Qu Xiao heard her expected answer, she paused the recording. Then, she looked at Shang Yan with her clear eyes and explained to him, “Qu Qi and her other friends bullied me at school. Zhou Ce just didn’t like their behavior and helped me casually.”

Shang Liqing narrowed her eyes and egged Shang Yan on in disbelief, “Second brother, do you not see what a horrible person she is?”

“It’s better to not let her go to school and keep her in the villa. At least there’s a butler and a nanny watching her so she can’t stir up any trouble.”

“If there’s a scandal at school, it will affect our family’s reputation!”

Shang Liqing’s words made Qu Xiao and Shang Yan pause. Qu Xiao looked at Shang Yan nervously, afraid that he would agree.

Shang Yan lowered his eyes in silence. His chiseled profile was filled with a gloomy aura.

“Go home. Don’t mention this matter again.”

Shang Liqing stared at Shang Yan in astonishment. She did not expect Shang Yan to still defend Qu Xiao under such circumstances.

The atmosphere in the living room was heavy and oppressive.

Qu Xiao looked nervously at Shang Yan and asked in an extremely soft voice, “I… Can I still go to school?”

Shang Yan did not answer. He just looked at her and asked, “Who is Zhou Ce?”

Qu Xiao moved her feet and sat beside Shang Yan. She shook his hand coquettishly and said, “He is my deskmate.”

“A very righteous boy. You know how Qu Qi does things. I can’t handle it. He has helped me a few times.”

“But that’s all. I’m married to such a manly and successful man. Why would I like a young high school student?”

Qu Xiao could tell that Shang Yan was jealous. She used her hand to gently stroke Shang Yan’s eyebrows and coaxed him in a coquettish voice, “Don’t tell me that the honorable CEO Shang doesn’t have confidence in himself? Will he be reduced to the point of being jealous of high school students?”

Shang Yan’s anger eased a little.

Qu Xiao was a little uncertain.

She held Shang Yan’s cheek and stared into his deep eyes as she asked, “Will you make me stay at home because of the rumors?”

Shang Yan sighed and held her fingertips back. He lovingly and helplessly promised, “I won’t.”

“I’m willing to support you. No matter what you want to do, I won’t stop you.”

“I won’t force you to do things that you don’t like.”

Qu Xiao was moved when she heard his words and leaned over to kiss him.