Chapter 669: Chapter 672: Foolish Heart
The brief phrase left Rose, who was initially tense, stunned.
After a long time, she finally separated from Yang Chen's embrace. In the dim light, she gazed at the man before her, feeling her voice go dry as she softly asked, "You came back before midnight just for this?"
"How can you say 'just for this'? It's very important. I remembered it while driving a few nights ago and timed my return to make it back. I even planned to buy a gift, but now it looks like I can only offer myself as a present for tonight," Yang Chen said with a bright smile.
Rose's eyes glistened, slightly moist. She hadn't expected that Yang Chen would wait at the airport for most of the day and rush back under the stars just to say those simple words.
In fact, ever since Yang Chen married Lin Ruoxi, Rose hadn't expected much time from him. Although she wouldn't say it, she felt a pang of sadness in her heart. But at this moment, all the waiting felt sweet.
"Thank you. I almost forgot it myself," Rose murmured.
Yang Chen touched her cheek and said, "When I first returned to China, I met you. Since then, although there are many people I love and who love me, I only remember your birthday. I don't want to miss this day each year. After all, during my lowest times, you were the one who accompanied me through it."
"Don't say such sad things. Let's not think about those things, okay?" Rose wrapped her arms around Yang Chen's neck and spoke softly.
Yang Chen patted her back, "It's no big deal. But you, you look thinner since I've been away. Have you been missing me?"
"Hmph, stop being narcissistic," Rose said softly. "The atmosphere at home has been weird these days, all because of you. You made it so hard for Qian Ni, and I felt down, couldn't eat well or sleep well, and naturally lost weight."
Yang Chen sighed, "I've been worrying about it too. I plan to find some time to talk to my mother-in-law. I definitely won't give up."
Rose nodded and seemed to think of something, asking curiously, "You said you only remember my birthday? What about Ruoxi's?"
Yang Chen awkwardly touched his nose and smiled, "I don't know the others'. But I think Ruoxi wouldn't like mentioning her birthday."
"Why?" Rose was puzzled.
Yang Chen shrugged, "It's a long story. Don't ask, okay? Since I came all this way to wish you a happy birthday, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
Rose understood his implication and shyly said, "Better not. Aunt Ma is staying on this floor, and Qian Ni is here too. They don't know you're back. If they hear any noise, it'll be bad."
Yang Chen grinned mischievously, "Don't worry. I guarantee no one outside this room will hear a thing."
Joking aside, even when he was at the peak of his innate power, he could easily control sound waves within a range using his true qi. With his current level of cultivation, this small feat was nothing! It was just a matter of whether he wanted to do it or not.
"Really?" Rose asked hesitantly.
Yang Chen chuckled, "Why, it seems like you really want to. You're looking quite expectant."
"I do not!" At this moment, the queen of the underworld looked like a shy little girl whose secret had been revealed, her cheeks blushing.
Yang Chen didn't waste any more words. He pulled the silk blanket over and pressed Rose down on the bed.
The blanket rippled, and soft sounds filled the room.
The night quietly passed in a haze of affection.
At dawn, Yang Chen kissed the still half-asleep Rose and slipped out of the room early, heading to where he had parked his car.
Yang Chen scratched his head and smiled bitterly. "Ruoxi, I know you must hate me right now, but we need to communicate if there's an issue. We can't just keep it bottled up. You can yell at me or hit me, but don't treat me like I'm invisible, okay?"
Lin Ruoxi suddenly looked up but addressed Wang Ma instead. "Wang Ma, let's have noodles tomorrow. I'm getting tired of porridge every day."
Yang Chen nearly fell over. Although he knew he was in the wrong, this level of disregard was too much!
Wang Ma glanced at Yang Chen sympathetically but still smiled and agreed, "Sure, Miss. I'll make your favorite pickled vegetable noodles tomorrow."
"Thank you," Lin Ruoxi nodded, put down her chopsticks, and stood up to get her bag. "I'm not very hungry, so I'll head to work now."
"You're eating so little? Should I pack something for you to take to the office?" Guo Xuehua asked worriedly.
Lin Ruoxi shook her head slightly and then turned to leave.
Yang Chen considered blocking her way so she'd have to interact with him, but his guilt held him back, fearing he might make her even angrier.
Watching her beautiful figure leave the house, Yang Chen sighed deeply in frustration.
Guo Xuehua then glared at him. "You troublemaker, how did you manage to stir up so much trouble in Yandu? No wonder Ruoxi is ignoring you. Anyone would be furious! She's remarkably calm, considering everything. When will you finally settle down?"
Yang Chen was surprised. "Mom, you know what happened?"
"Of course!" Guo Xuehua rolled her eyes. "Your aunt called and told me everything! You really made a scene in Yandu. I was worried you wouldn't get along there, but you ended up getting involved with the Li and Tang families. Your aunt even said that the Yang family has a promising future, thanks to me having such a good son! You're really something, always causing trouble!"
"Aunt? Who?" Yang Chen was puzzled.
"Yali! Guo Yali!" Guo Xuehua sighed. "I knew about your antics in Yandu before Ruoxi did. I didn't expect Cai Family's Jiang Shan to be so manipulative, even calling Ruoxi. But you deserved it. You'll have to find a way to talk to Ruoxi yourself this time. I can't help you."
Yang Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had completely forgotten meeting Li Xin and Guo Yali. The term "aunt" was so foreign to him that he couldn't even imagine it being a part of his life.
Now, having all these family members, both met and unmet, was a huge change. But the headaches it brought were just as numerous.
Zhenxiu curiously asked, "Aunt Guo, what happened?"
Guo Xuehua tapped Zhenxiu's forehead gently. "You nosy girl, hurry up and finish your breakfast. You need to get to school. Don't worry about adult matters. You're about to take your college entrance exams and still care about gossip."
Zhenxiu pouted but didn't ask any more questions.
Wang Ma hesitated and then said softly, "Young Master, I don't know the details, but Miss seems angrier than usual. Normally, when you two fight, she'd at least be cold towards you. But this time, she hasn't reacted at all, which is even more worrisome."
Yang Chen's scalp tingled with anxiety. This situation was indeed scarier than a cold war.
But for now, he didn't know what to do to both appease Lin Ruoxi and avoid making things worse. He could only say, "I'll head to the office and think about how to resolve this."
Guo Xuehua quickly said, "Son, aren't you going to have breakfast?"
"Ruoxi said she had no appetite. If I can still eat, wouldn't that mean I have no heart?" Yang Chen replied weakly and walked out the door.
Guo Xuehua watched him leave and sighed, "That child really is foolish at heart."