"YOU can't," Shen Ji Yun said automatically before he could even think properly.
He knew that it was simply a child's rumbling and something that shouldn't really be taken seriously, but there was a feeling of rejection in him. Like his mind just couldn't accept someone saying that they would make Luo Yan their bride. Even if that someone was a five-year-old child.
Bai Ye immediately pouted. [Why does everyone keep saying that Yan Yan can't be my bride? Now even Brother Ji Yun is saying the same thing. Hate.] "Why? If you say it's because we're both boys, I won't accept it."
Because even until now, our poor little Bai Ye still didn't believe that Luo Yan was a boy.
"Because you're cousins. And cousins can't marry," Shen Ji Yun said in the most logical way possible.
Bai Ye became silent for a second. Then as if he thought of something, he puffed out his chest, put both hands on the side of his waist, and proudly said, "Then I'll become president and change the law."
There was silence for a moment and then everyone just burst out laughing. Even Shen Ji Yun chuckled a bit. The tense atmosphere that permeated the air earlier was completely gone because of Bai Ye's antics.
"Xiao Ye, can you say that again? I'm going to record it in my phone," Bai Ze said, raising his phone while still chuckling. And Bai Ye did repeat what he just said which made Bai Ze laughed even more. "I now have Xiao Ye's black material. Man, showing this to you once you grow up would be a riot."
Bai Ye looked completely confused. "What's black material?"
"Don't mind Brother Ze," Luo Yan said. He agreed with Bai Ze, this was a very good material. So, it's better if Bai Ye didn't find out what a 'black material' was. Well, at least not until he's older. "But Xiao Ye, aren't you forgetting something? You still can't marry me if I don't agree to it."
Bai Ye's small face immediately crumpled. "Why? Yan Yan doesn't like me?" he asked, already on the verge of crying.
Luo Yan pinched Bai Ye's cheek. "Of course, I like Xiao Ye. But there are different kinds of 'like' in this world. So, until Xiao Ye understand the meaning of those 'likes', you shouldn't easily say that you wanted to marry someone." He tapped the tip of the kid's nose. "Okay?"
Even though Bai Ye didn't understand what Yan Yan said, he also felt like he did. So, he nodded. "Okay."
Bai Ze raised one of his brows when he heard what Luo Yan said. Even though it might seem like it was just a simple conversation with a child, talking to him in a way that he would understand, Bai Ze felt like Luo Yan did understand what he was talking about. Which was a bit surprising. Because technically, he was also a child himself.
But contrary to what Bai Ze thought, Luo Yan actually still couldn't understand the different 'likes' he was talking about. He could differentiate the 'likes' between family and friends. That was easy. Especially now since he'd been reborn in such a great family. The 'like' he was talking about was the romantic kind.
He had never been in a relationship in his past life. He never even felt any kind of attraction towards anyone. So, he really had no idea what it was like to like someone in that way. There was even a time before when he suspected that he might be as.e.x.u.a.l or something.
This was one aspect of himself that he knew he was lacking. Thinking of that, Luo Yan had a sudden realization. Would the things he couldn't understand regarding some of his reactions towards Shen Ji Yun because of that thing that he lacked? Wait- wouldn't that mean he's attracted to Shen Ji Yun?
Luo Yan quickly threw that thought away. Not because they're both boys and he just refused to think of that possibility. But because he's sure that he's not attracted to him in that way. You know, in the way that involved s.e.x.u.a.l desires.
Shen Ji Yun was good-looking, extremely so. But he didn't want to hug him or kiss him. He never felt that urge. The only urge he felt was bullying him. Especially whenever he's being such a puppy.
Should he just do an experiment just to make sure?
While Luo Yan was contemplating over that, Shen Ji Yun was also thinking hard about something.
When he heard Luo Yan talked about the different kind of 'likes', he suddenly had a revelation. Well, not really a big one. Just a feeling like he suddenly grasped something.
He now somewhat understood that the reason why he's treating Luo Yan so differently than the others might be due to that different kind of 'like' the rabbit was talking about. Although he felt like he still couldn't fully grasp it, he also felt like he was close in fully understanding it.
And for now, that was enough. Understanding his own emotion this much was actually already such a big leap.
"Xiao Ye, go and tell the cook to prepare more food since Ji Yun is going to eat lunch with us," Bai Ze said.
"I'll do it," Luo Jin said before Bai Ye could speak. He stood up and then glanced at Shen Ji Yun. "I'm sorry for the insensitive comment I made earlier."
Then before anyone could react, he already quickly walked back to the villa.
Luo Yan laughed a little because of his brother's action. Really, what a shy tsundere. He turned to Shen Ji Yun. "Ah Jin is truly sorry. He wouldn't say something so insensitive if he knew the circ.u.mstance."
"It's fine. It didn't make me angry," Shen Ji Yun said. "Although hearing your brother apologized was kind of creepy in a way."
Bai Ze laughed. "True. But it's also good trait to know when to apologize. Although Xiao Jin seem aggressive and confrontational, he's actually quite thoughtful."
"That's one of Ah Jin's good trait," Luo Yan said, smiling proudly. "By the way, is Sister Yuqi also going to drop by today?"
"Yeah, she said she would later in the afternoon," Bai Ze said.
"Then it means all five of us will finally meet today," Luo Yan said happily.
"You'd be surprised once you see the real Yuqi. She's so far off from her game avatar that you wouldn't even think it's her," Bai Ze said. "Unlike Ji Yun who looked exactly like the avatar of his alt account."
What Bai Ze said intrigued Luo Yan a little bit. But if there's someone who's probably more excited to meet Su Yuqi in person, then it's definitely his younger brother.
Soon, they were called for lunch. Bai Ze carried Bai Ye up even though the other one wanted to hold hands with Luo Yan. While the two were walking in the front, Luo Yan matched his steps with Shen Ji Yun.
He raised his head and looked at Shen Ji Yun. "I'm happy to see you again in person, Brother Ji Yun."
Shen Ji Yun gazed down. Looking at the rabbit's big peach blossom eyes, the corner of his lips couldn't help but turn into an upward arc.
"I feel the same way."