Chapter 237 - 236: The Housewarming Gift is a Diamond Necklace

"I rented a small villa in Jinfu Orchid Garden and brought my sister and the others over. It’s safer there, and the environment is a little better."

Xu Yue was silent for a moment, then stood up. "I’ll go see them. And bring them a little housewarming gift."

"It’s too late now. You’re tired from work, you should get some rest."

"It’s close to our house anyway. You can drop by whenever you’re free in the future. That girl, Xiaocai, really likes you," Yang Xun said softly.

Xu Yue nodded and looked up at him.

Silence fell between them for a few seconds, and a subtle atmosphere filled the air.

As if remembering something, Xu Yue stood up and walked toward the stairs. "Wait a moment."

Yang Xun froze for a second, watching her back disappear around the corner on the second floor.

A moment later, Xu Yue came back downstairs with a deep blue velvet box in her hand. It looked exceptionally exquisite between her long, fair fingers.

She walked up to Yang Xun and handed him the box, her voice softening slightly. "Here. Please give this to Yang Cai for me, as a housewarming present."

Yang Xun took it and opened the lid. His eyes fell upon a diamond necklace resting quietly on the velvet cushion inside.

The delicate diamonds refracted a fine glimmer under the light. One look was enough to tell it wasn’t cheap.

"This is too expensive."

Yang Xun looked up at Xu Yue, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Xu Yue sat down beside him, her hands folded in her lap. Her tone was calm yet earnest. "Xiaocai is a grown-up now, she should start dressing up a little. A young lady ought to have some pretty jewelry."

Gazing at Xu Yue’s profile, which looked exceptionally soft in the light, Yang Xun felt a warmth spread through his heart.

’This woman... she usually seems so cold and distant, but on the inside, she’s more thoughtful than anyone.’

"Alright, I’ll thank you on Xiaocai’s behalf."

Yang Xun closed the box, a smile playing on his lips.

Xu Yue shook her head gently, her voice as light as a breeze. "No need to thank me. She’s your sister, which makes her my sister too."

They were sitting very close as they spoke, and the atmosphere gradually grew ambiguous.

The tips of her ears turned slightly red. She quickly stood up. "It’s getting late, I’m going to bed. You should get some rest too."

"Okay."

Yang Xun nodded, watching as she quickly walked up the stairs.

After returning to his room, he placed the deep blue velvet box on the nightstand, opened it to look again, and found he couldn’t suppress the smile on his face.

...

「The next morning.」

Yang Xun finished breakfast and left the house with the velvet box in hand.

The villa he rented wasn’t far from the Xu Family’s home, only a ten-minute walk.

As he pushed open the courtyard gate of his own little villa, he saw Yang Cai squatting in the yard, playing with an orange tabby that had wandered in from who-knows-where.

"Brother! You’re here!"

The moment Yang Cai saw him, she dropped the cat and came bouncing over like a little sparrow.

"Why are you here so early? Have you had breakfast? We just made congee!"

"I’ve eaten."

Yang Xun reached out to ruffle her hair, then pulled the deep blue velvet box from his pocket and held it out to her. "This is for you."

Yang Cai froze for a second, her big, clear eyes blinking. She took the box with a curious expression. "What is it?"

"Open it and see."

Yang Cai carefully lifted the lid. The moment the exquisite diamond necklace came into view, she was completely stunned.

After a long moment, she finally looked up, her eyes slightly red-rimmed. Her voice trembled with uncertainty. "Brother... did you buy this?"

"It’s a housewarming gift from your sister-in-law. It’s a diamond necklace."

Yang Cai’s eyes grew even wider, and the hand holding the box began to tremble slightly. "My sister-in-law got me a gift?"

She could hardly believe it. Because Xu Yue was the daughter of a wealthy family, she had always thought her sister-in-law looked down on them. That’s why she never dared to say much whenever they met, afraid she would displease her and affect her brother’s marriage.

She never expected her sister-in-law to suddenly give her such a valuable gift.

"Mhm."

Yang Xun nodded with a smile. "She said you’re a grown-up now and deserve a nice piece of jewelry. Try it on."

Yang Cai looked down at the necklace sparkling in the morning light. She bit her lip, then suddenly burst out crying with a "WAAAH."

"*Sob*... Sister-in-law is too good to me..."

She cried while clutching the box tightly to her chest, tears streaming down her face. "I always thought she didn’t like me very much... but it turns out she was thinking of me all along!"

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Yang Xun patted her head. "Alright, alright, what are you crying for? Just go visit her more often in the future. She’s cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She’ll be happy if you get closer to her."

"Mhm!"

Yang Cai nodded vigorously. She wiped her tears away messily with the back of her hand, sniffled, and her eyes shone brightly. "Brother, since Sister-in-law is so good to us, shouldn’t we show our appreciation somehow?"

"Yes, we should. Think about what you’d like to give her."

Yang Xun smiled, gratified. ’My little sister has grown up,’ he thought. ’She’s learned to be considerate of others.’

Yang Cai’s eyes darted, a spark of inspiration flashing in her clear, almond-shaped eyes.

"Brother, I have an idea!"

"What idea?"

"Since Sister-in-law gave me such an expensive gift, I want to give her something to show my appreciation, too."

Yang Cai excitedly ran into the house and quickly came back out holding a small bottle filled with a milky white liquid.

She held it up in front of Yang Xun, her face beaming with excitement. "Brother! What do you think if I give a bottle of this beauty milk to Sister-in-law?"

The smile on Yang Xun’s face instantly froze.

He stared at the small bottle in Yang Cai’s hand, which contained the "essence" he had "contributed" yesterday. He was rooted to the spot, as if he’d been struck by lightning.

"You... You’re going to give this to Xu Yue?"

"Yeah!"

Yang Cai was completely oblivious to Yang Xun’s strange reaction and continued on enthusiastically, "This beauty milk works wonders! Don’t be fooled by this small bottle. Look at my skin! It only got this good after I started using it!"

"Sister-in-law works so hard and often stays up late, so her skin must be a bit dull. This would be perfect for her!"

"Xiaocai... this..."

Yang Xun opened his mouth, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead.

’How am I supposed to tell my sister,’ he thought, ’that the so-called "beauty milk" in her hand is actually my sperm?’

’And she wants to give it to my wife?!’

’My world is collapsing!’

"Brother, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale? Are you not feeling well?"

Yang Cai finally noticed Yang Xun’s stiff expression and pale face, and she leaned in closer with concern.

"I’m fine!"

Yang Xun snapped back to his senses and grabbed Yang Cai’s wrist, his voice laced with urgency. "Listen to me. This... isn’t a very suitable gift for your sister-in-law."

"Why not? It works so well, Sister-in-law will definitely love it!"

Yang Cai looked completely baffled.