Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 166 Jealousy

As guests gathered at the guesthouse, those dining in the front hall gradually departed.

Xia Lanyue and Dai You sat by the window, having a meal together.

However, Xia Lanyue seemed distracted, even picking up and eating the rapeseed she usually avoided, clearly indicating that her mind wasn't on it.

Dai You noticed that Xia Lanyue was in a bad mood and asked with concern, "Ayue, didn't you go out with Xia Yao today?"

Xia Lanyue lowered her head and answered, "No."

"If I had known it would be like this, I should have taken you for a walk. I heard it was quite lively today," Dai You said with a hint of regret.

"I... saw Jiang Di today, and we went for a walk by the lake."

"Did you hear any gossip today?" Dai You asked after a moment of silence.

Xia Lanyue looked at Dai You, not understanding his meaning, but knowing that his words must be related to her, she couldn't help but feel uneasy, "What did you say?"

Dai You hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke, "I heard that Xia Yao and Village Chief Zhao went to the mountain to pray for blessings today."

Xia Lanyue nodded. "I know about this. Is there anything wrong with it?"

"Also accompanying them was Zhao's niece, Zhen," Dai You said.

Xia Lanyue frowned. She didn't know about this, nor had she heard Li Tao mention it. But she couldn't suspect Xia Yao of having other intentions just because of this. That would show a complete lack of trust between them. "Her going along doesn't necessarily mean anything, does it?"

"I heard that this girl is interested in Xia Yao. Village Chief Zhao took her there. I wonder if he was trying to set them up," Dai You said.

Xia Lanyue was at a loss; she knew nothing about the matter.

"Did he tell you about this?" Dai You asked.

Xia Lanyue shook her head. "Perhaps he didn't know that the Zhen family member would be going along as well."

"How could that be? Madam Zhen has been here for several days. She will definitely go for this festival. I'm afraid she's just keeping it from you."

Xia Lanyue felt a pang of sadness. Not only had Xia Yao not told her about the mountain climb, but he had also not told her that the Zhen family was traveling with them. Although she didn't want to doubt Xia Yao, all these things had already made her feel disappointed.

She comforted herself, thinking that perhaps Xia Yao didn't take her along because he was afraid she would overthink things. She should trust Xia Yao; some things were better asked directly than learned from someone else.

Dai You noticed that Xia Lanyue was in a bad mood, so he didn't continue.

Xia Lanyue took a deep breath and composed herself. "Is there anything else?"

"Do you dare to listen?" Dai You asked.

Xia Lanyue was taken aback. It seemed there were even more hurtful things to say, but she still wanted to know. "Go ahead and say it."

"After you left the Xia family, people in town wentssip. Some speculated that you were not filial, and others said... that you were not virtuous as a woman, saying that you were kicked out."

"Ha," Xia Lanyue sneered, "I didn't expect so many unrelated people to be paying attention to me?!"

“Ah Yue, Xia Yao is a very materialistic person. He won’t put you first in everything. You’ll suffer if you stay with him,” Dai You advised. “Leave him as soon as possible.”

Xia Lanyue didn't know if Dai You genuinely thought Xia Yao was bad, or if he was just looking for an opportunity for himself, but she wouldn't give up on Xia Yao so easily. "No, I'm not leaving. Besides, can those rumors prove we have any problems? Even if I leave one day, it will be because we truly have no feelings for each other anymore. But that day will never come. I have faith in Xia Yao."

Dai You sighed. Seeing Xia Lanyue's determination, he didn't try to persuade her anymore. He simply put a piece of meat in her bowl and said, "Eat more meat, it's what you like."

Xia Lanyue looked at the meat in the bowl but lost her appetite. She suddenly felt incompetent. At home, she couldn't handle Xia Huifang, and she couldn't win against Li Tao outside. Now, she didn't even seem to know what Xia Yao was thinking. Perhaps, she had never really understood Xia Yao.

After dinner, Xia Lanyue returned to her room, where she paced back and forth.

She was torn, wondering whether to go find Xia Yao or wait for him to come. Her mind was in turmoil, many questions remained unanswered, and she longed to see Xia Yao and hear his explanation.

These problems were driving Xia Lanyue to the brink of collapse. She couldn't wait any longer, so she rushed over, opened the door, and walked outside.

To her surprise, just as she was going downstairs, she ran into Xia Yao, who was walking upstairs towards her.

Before Xia Yao could speak, Xia Lanyue pulled him back to the room.

As soon as he closed the door, Xia Yao stepped forward and embraced Xia Lanyue.

"Did you miss me? Hmm?" Xia Yao's teasing voice came from Xia Lanyue's head.

But Xia Lanyue had no other thoughts at the moment.

She slowly pulled away from his embrace, staring intently into Xia Yao's eyes, as if searching for something.

Xia Yao asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? A-Yue?"

After a brief silence, Xia Lanyue spoke directly, "I saw Li Tao today."

Xia Yao wasn't as surprised as she had imagined. He simply tidied the stray hairs in front of her face and then said casually, "Oh?"

Xia Lanyue was puzzled by Xia Yao's overly indifferent attitude. "Don't you have anything to say about her?"

Xia Yao shook his head. "I've already explained her situation to you."

“But I want to know more,” Xia Lanyue said, taking a half-step back.

"What's wrong, Yue? Did she say something to you?" Xia Yao asked.

"Xia Yao, are you still in contact with her?"

Xia Yao shook his head. "No, is A-Yue... jealous?"

This was not what Xia Lanyue wanted to express, and she hesitated whether to ask more.

Xia Yao laughed and pulled Xia Lanyue into his arms. "I'm not familiar with her."

Before Xia Lanyue could ask, Xia Yao explained his relationship with Li Tao. The original Xia Yao had helped Li Tao after she fell into the water while he was taking a student home. Li Tao then used the excuse of repaying his kindness to become attached to him. The real Xia Yao was an introverted, stubborn, and unsociable person with few friends. He was easily swayed by Li Tao's "enthusiasm" and gradually, under her influence, they engaged in unspeakable acts.

And now, this hot potato has been handed to Kong Yao.

Xia Yao looked helpless. "I haven't seen her since I got together with you."

Hearing this explanation, Xia Lanyue chose to believe him. After all, who hasn't had an ex? She couldn't dwell on these things; as long as his feelings were there, she felt none of this mattered anymore.

However, Xia Lanyue didn't know what to say for a moment, "Li Tao has a very good figure."

Xia Yao laughed out loud, "So what? What does it have to do with me? I have A-Yue now." As he spoke, he hugged Xia Lanyue even tighter.

Xia Lanyue didn't push him away, letting him hold her. However, the thought of Zhen Shi's matter made her feel conflicted.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" Xia Lanyue asked tentatively.

Xia Yao thought for a moment, then shook his head. "What does A-Yue want to ask?"

I didn't see you today, are you busy?

"I'm not in a hurry. I went to pray for blessings with Village Chief Zhao. I heard from the village security guard that you came to see me. Did you miss me?" Xia Yao released Xia Lanyue and looked at her, but his gaze lingered on her lips and wouldn't leave them.

Xia Yao's gaze was intense, making Xia Lanyue flustered. She lowered her head, avoiding his eyes.

"Ah Yue, I'm not going back tonight, can I stay with you?" Xia Yao said.

Xia Lanyue understood the meaning behind Xia Yao's words and panicked even more. She was not ready to take the next step with Xia Yao. "No."

"what happened?"

"I... want to wait a little longer," Xia Lanyue said, her eyes darting away, unable to meet Xia Yao's gaze.

Xia Yao frowned slightly, then cupped her face and kissed her.