Xia Rou continued looking at her, her gaze clearly implying that there was nothing wrong with proposing to a man.

Although it was not very common for women to propose, Xia Rou didn't think anything was wrong with that.

When Yun Xuan understood the look in her eyes, she felt even more embarrassed. "Aunty, can you not give me that kind of look? I don't know how I would bring myself to do that." Her expression clearly screamed that she would die first before making that move.

Xia Rou chuckled lightly, resorting to giving that punk a few hints. If he was not a fool, they would be married quite soon. "No problem. He will propose sooner or later."

Meanwhile, she started thinking of important things like helping them find a wedding planner. She would wait until they were ready and find the best professional to help them plan their wedding. She was obviously taking the role of a mother and mother-in-law at the same time.

Now that she thought about it, Yun Xuan didn't have a family and neither did Lin Ye. They had both cut ties with their families. It seemed like they would only have the Lin family and Xia Rou was happy to be there for them.

If anyone were to ask her, she couldn't explain why she liked Yun Xuan so much and why she cared about her happiness either.

Perhaps it was because the little boy Yun Feng was just too loveable and she had grown fond of the mother because of the son?

Whatever it was, it didn't really matter. Yun Xuan was after all a good girl and from the look of things, their close friendship would not change after her marriage.

True to her thoughts, Xia Rou found an opportunity and exchanged a few words with Lin Ye, dropping in a few words that obviously hinted towards settling down soon.

Lin Ye was not a little boy and he instantly understood her meaning. However, he wasn't too confident himself. "When the time is right, I will naturally propose."

As for how to determine 'the right time', it was all up to Yun Xuan.

His intuition made him believe that she liked him. However, she had neither admitted that she did nor agreed to be his girlfriend. He couldn't blindly move to the next step until she did.

At the moment, he was at least 90% sure that she would agree to his proposal. He had been sure of it ever since he confessed his feelings to her. Her main reason was not love and that slightly disappointed him.

He couldn't blame her for being slow, but he didn't only want to be a father. He wanted to be a normal couple with her- share love and all that.

Xia Rou had seen the sun much earlier than them and she pretty much understood his train of thought. So she teased him, "Do you think you will get her to accept her feelings by sitting at home and doing your work? Don't be such a bore! Ask her out and go have fun. You can even take some time to go and play for a few days, just the two of you.

I will take care of my little Feng."

Lin Ye thought about it and admitted that it was a good idea.

...

As soon as Xia Rou left, Lin Ye checked through some footage he had obtained by bugging people.

His plan was going on quite well and he had planned to sneak attack. But since he was exposed, he could only be direct with his moves.

That evening, Yun Xuan dropped by to check on the progress of his investigation.

"There's nothing to prove that Qin Zhan was involved in the plan but one thing is for sure. My brother played a huge role."

Yun Xuan looked at the footage and frowned. "Why would he want to do such a thing anyway? If it's just because of your identity and the fact that you rejected the company, it wouldn't be enough for then to hold such a level of animosity."

Lin Ye looked nonchalant as though there was nothing serious about it. "Indeed. Aren't you curious why you have never heard anything about my stepmother, my father's legitimate wife?"

"I have been truly curious about... wait. Don't tell me you..."

Lin Ye was worried he would scare her so he clarified, "I didn't kill her. I only made it so they will never see her again. But they know I have something to do with her disappearance and think I killed her."

Yun Xuan couldn't blame him. He deserved to take revenge. How could he accept it when he thought that he had a family, only to find out that the so called family was actually behind his mother's death? Who would accept it? In fact it was generous of him to keep his stepmother alive. It was probably because the stepmother wasn't involved in killing his mother so he didn't find any valid reason to kill her.

She pursed her lips into a sneer. She hated people who schemed against others, but the people she hated the most were those who wouldn't accept retribution for their crimes. They had shamelessly killed his mother. Why couldn't they accept it if their own mother was killed?

"Xuanxuan, you don't have to worry. I will not let them hurt you." He covered her hand with his.

Yun Xuan moved closer to hug his arm and put her head on his shoulder. "I'm not worried about that."

Seeing her little head nestled comfortably on his shoulder, a smile appeared on his handsome face. So she really did forgive him.

He turned to hold her shoulders and look into her blue eyes. Caught unawares, she stared back at him, her eyes a little dazed.

She had to widen her eyes as she saw the man hold her chin. His gaze was full of passion, his lips slightly parted as though in silent invitation. He slowly lowered his head...