Before Xing Lixuan could speak, Yu Antong quickly added, “Do you like me so much that you won't eat anything unless I've made it?”

The last statement hit Xing Lixuan hard, and he begrudgingly admitted through gritted teeth, “Yes.”

“See? He admits it,” Yu Antong turned gleefully to the young lady, “Don’t worry. No one's bullying me. I'm doing just fine.”

Yu Annan nodded skeptically, “It must be true. That man is powerful and influential. He wouldn't need to deceive me unless he truly cared for my brother.”

She felt her brother had changed. Was it because he had married that domineering man?

Being with such a formidable figure, had her brother changed as well?

Regardless, my brother has improved and won't be taken advantage of anymore.

Conveniently, after Xing Lixuan had an argument with Yu Antong, a guest room was prepared and is now ready for occupancy.

Yu Antong reassured the slightly uneasy girl in this unfamiliar setting, "Stay here with peace of mind. My brother has retrieved all the inheritance left to us by our father, and he has regained your custody rights. From now on, we won't be bullied by anyone."

After chatting with his sister and settling her to sleep, Yu Antong returned to his bedroom.

As soon as he opened the door, a strong arm encircled his waist, pulling him inside.

"Ah!" Yu Antong exclaimed, momentarily disoriented, before being pushed down onto the bed by Xing Lixuan.

Xing Lixuan held both his hands above his head. Looking up, Yu Antong saw Xing Lixuan's stern face and a hint of danger in his eyes.

Clearly, the man intended to settle scores from earlier in the day.

Xing Lixuan, exuding a dangerous aura, whispered, "I love you so deeply that I can't be away from you, understand?"

"I just wanted to comfort the child," pouted Yu Antong, "Let go, you're hurting me."

As Xing Lixuan released him, Yu Antong wrapped his arms around Xing's neck, giving a captivating smile, "It's just words; when have you not taken advantage of me?"

Hearing this, a shadow passed over Xing Lixuan's eyes. He chuckled and said in a low voice, "Then I won't 'bully' you anymore."

Emphasizing the word "bully", he teased Yu Antong enough to make him weak in the knees, who then pretended to get up.

"How can you tease and just leave?" Yu Antong said, eyes shimmering, speaking softly, "You're so bad, let me be the one to 'bully' you, okay?"

Xing Lixuan pulled the covers over them and murmured, "Be quieter later."

"Shut up!" Thinking of the child in the next room, Yu Antong blushed uncharacteristically.

One might say they've grown accustomed to their playful banter, as the next day Yu Antong was full of energy discussing plans with Yu Annan.

"Should we go hiking or to the amusement park?"

The young girl sipped her porridge, listening intently. Her eyes lit up with excitement, yet she declined, "Maybe not. My teacher said with senior year upon us, we must prioritize studies and can't slack off."

Yu Antong could see the longing in her eyes. It had been tough for them over the years, and she probably hadn’t had much fun. It was quite pitiable.

"One or two days won’t affect your studies. You can't be tense all the time," Yu Antong advised, "It’s important to have a balance between work and relaxation."

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became, and under his determined gaze, Yu Annan finally agreed, saying, "Alright then."

"That's the spirit," Yu Antong said, ruffling her hair, "Hiking can be boring. Let's go to the amusement park, ride roller coasters and play on drop towers. It’s exhilarating."

Yu Antong animatedly gestured as he spoke. He had never experienced these thrills himself due to health limitations. These were things he had longed for but could never partake in.

Turning to Xing Lixuan, Yu Antong said, "Husband, you should come with us."

Xing Lixuan looked at him, his excitement akin to a child's, and teased mercilessly, "Seems like you're the one who's really excited to go."

Yu Antong snapped back, "So what if I want to go?"

Though the excuse was to let the kids relax, once they arrived, Yu Antong was clearly the most excited.

After getting off the roller coaster, Yu Antong leaned on Xing Lixuan, his legs weak from the thrill, his cheeks flushed, but his spirit was high.

Xing Lixuan guided both big and small to a bench to rest, feeling as if he was out with two kids.

After a short pause, Xing Lixuan inquired, "Ready for the next ride?"

Yu Antong, looking at the roller coaster starting its next round, exclaimed, "That was amazing! Honey, I want to go again."

Xing Lixuan replied, "Then you can queue up."

Glancing at the serpentine line that stretched for a long distance, Yu Antong sighed, "Maybe not."

"Brother, I want to try that," Yu Annan pointed at the haunted house on the map.

Yu Antong responded, "You're quite brave."

He hadn't intended to visit the haunted house. He couldn't even stomach horror films, and after his unexpected journey into this novel, he was even more wary of the supernatural.

But if the kid wanted to go, then why not? It's all just actors, after all. Nothing to fear!

Psyching himself up, Yu Antong finally agreed, "Let's go."

As they approached the haunted house, several couples emerged, the women looking horrified and tearful, while the men tried to console them, looking equally terrified. One particular couple stood out, with the man crying even more than the woman.

Could it be that scary?

A chill ran down Yu Antong's spine, and he gripped Xing Lixuan's arm a bit tighter.

Sensing Yu Antong's apprehension, Xing Lixuan teased, "Is there something even you're afraid of?"

"Brother, are you scared?" The little girl looked up, "If you are, we don't have to go in."

"Who's scared?" Now at this point, Yu Antong had to put on a brave face, "Ghosts are just people in costumes. What's there to fear?"

"Really, you're not scared?" Yu Annan hesitated, thinking that if he wasn't afraid, then adults wouldn't be either, "Then, let's go in."

Yu Antong thought to himself, "..."

This cunning child! She should've said she didn't believe in ghosts, so he'd have an excuse to back out.

And now she believes?

With no other choice, Yu Antong had to muster up the courage.

The entrance of the haunted house was designed like the menacing mouth of a fierce demon lord. They entered through the massive mouth, finding the entrance quite narrow. Yu Antong held his sister's hand with his left and clung tightly to Xing Lixuan with his right, the three of them barely managing to walk side by side.

Upon entering, they were greeted by two skeletons in tattered clothing on either side, posed as if bowing and beckoning them forward.

Yu Antong's fear evaporated instantly, "Is this it? It seems like it's just meant to scare children."

As they turned a corner, the light dimmed, and the space expanded, revealing an ancient-style decoration throughout the haunted house.

Old, dilapidated houses lined both sides, their doors half-open and seemingly ready to collapse. Dark voids lurked within the doors as if monstrous apparitions would lunge out at any moment.

They could vaguely see strange yellow symbols pasted and hanging on the walls and wood, with curtains draping down from above, obscuring their vision.

Yu Antong swallowed hard, anxiety creeping back. He silently reassured himself: It's all fake... it's all fake... I'm not scared.

"Ahh!"

A shrill scream echoed.

Xing Lixuan wasn't startled by a ghost, but by Yu Antong. He turned to him, asking, "What happened?"

Clinging tightly to Xing Lixuan, Yu Antong whimpered, "Something... something wrapped around my foot! Check what it is!"

"It's okay, brother. It's just an employee," Yu Annan reassured, "Look, she's even smiling at us."

"Don't look!" Xing Lixuan tried to stop Yu Antong, but it was too late. Yu Antong had already peered down in terror.

Beneath him, a ghostly woman in white, with disheveled black hair and blood-red eyes, her face streaked with bloody tears and a smile that stretched eerily from cheek to cheek, grinned malevolently up at him.

"Aaaahhh!!"

Yu Antong felt as if he might faint.

"Sorry, brother," Yu Annan said, remorse and concern evident in her voice.

She had thought that by telling her brother it was just an employee playing a trick, it would alleviate his fear, not realizing just how faint-hearted he was.

Trembling, Yu Antong stammered, "Let's... let's go..."

They needed to get out. Now.

A few steps ahead, after pushing aside obscuring curtains, they were confronted by a cluster of bloodstained cages containing realistic severed limbs. In the center stood a larger cage, imprisoning a "criminal" in ragged prison attire, his body covered in bloody wounds.

"Heh," Yu Antong pinched himself, trying to stay calm.

To move forward, they would have to squeeze between the cages, and as visitors passed, the "criminal" would make sudden movements, attempting to grab them.

Previous visitors screamed and ran past with their eyes shut.

Shivering uncontrollably, Yu Antong was too terrified to proceed.

Xing Lixuan was speechless, really not understanding what there was to be afraid of. "Close your eyes. I'll guide you through."

Yu Antong nodded vigorously, uttering an eager "Mm-hmm" before hurriedly shutting his eyes, following Xing Lixuan's lead closely.

As they passed the ghostly prisoner, who attempted to tap Yu Antong, Xing Lixuan shielded him, casting a chilling glance that froze the "prisoner" in place.

Only once Xing Lixuan had passed did the actor playing the prisoner snap back to reality.

A visitor frightening the ghost? This was absurd!

This job was proving to be impossible. This was taking it too far!

With his eyes closed, Yu Antong couldn't see the terrifying scenes, which was a relief. However, before he could even exhale, he stumbled over something, almost tripping. Thankfully, Xing Lixuan caught him in time.

Instinctively, Yu Antong steadied himself and opened his eyes, only to be greeted by the horrifying sight of a mangled corpse, its grotesqueness accentuated by the dim red lighting.

"Ahh!" Yu Antong's pupils contracted, and he burst into tears from sheer fright.

Xing Lixuan commanded, "Let go of me."

Clinging tightly to Xing Lixuan's arm, Yu Antong sobbed, "I won't! How could you abandon me at a time like this?"

Sighing, Xing Lixuan said, "If you keep holding onto me like this, neither of us will be able to move properly. You almost pulled me down earlier."

Xing Lixuan gently proposed, "Release me, and I'll carry you out."

"Promise you're not lying to me?" Yu Antong whimpered, tears streaming down his face. He hesitantly let go, keeping his eyes tightly shut. "Don't leave me behind."

Feeling vulnerable without any support, Yu Antong's fear intensified, and his cries grew louder.

Thankfully, within moments, Xing Lixuan scooped him up. The familiar cool scent from the man comforted Yu Antong, who buried his face into Xing Lixuan's broad chest, murmuring, "I was so scared."

Turning to Yu Annan, Xing Lixuan instructed, "Stay close," then briskly carried Yu Antong out.

Once outside, Xing Lixuan gently jostled the man in his arms, reassuring him, "Stop crying. We're out now; it's over."

Through sobs, Yu Antong whispered, "I... I was so scared."

"Stay here and don't wander off. I'll comfort your brother," Xing Lixuan told Yu Annan, leading Yu Antong to a nearby bench.

Noticing Yu Antong still trembling from fear, Xing Lixuan softened his voice, "It's okay. Look, we're out. Open your eyes and see for yourself."

Seated on Xing Lixuan's lap, Yu Antong hesitantly turned towards the light, slowly opening his eyes as they adjusted.

Warm sunlight bathed them, and before him lay a vast blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. They were truly safe.

With red, teary eyes and sniffles, Yu Antong looked like a frightened bunny.

Seeing Yu Antong's vulnerable appearance, Xing Lixuan couldn't resist wiping away his tears, whispering, "It's okay now, sweetheart. No more tears."

With lingering fear, Yu Antong clung to Xing Lixuan's neck, staying silent and looking defeated.

Xing Lixuan patted his back gently, awkwardly consoling, "Don't be scared. I'm here. You're safe, my love."

It took a while for Yu Antong to recover. Realizing how he had acted, he said embarrassedly, "Was I really embarrassing just now?"

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Things that even kids aren't scared of terrified him to death.

Xing Lixuan spoke softly, "No, you weren't the only one. Look, others were scared too."

Indeed, most visitors entered with a laugh but left in tears.

Before entering, Yu Antong had thought many girls pretended to be scared for their boyfriends to comfort them, but it was genuinely terrifying.

Suddenly, recalling something, Yu Antong asked, "Honey, did you call me 'baby' when you were comforting me?"

Xing Lixuan froze momentarily, and his hand, which was on Yu Antong's back, stopped. He denied, "No, I didn't."

"Don't lie to me; I heard you." Yu Antong revived his spirits and insisted, "I was too scared to listen closely then. Say it again."

No matter how much he coaxed before, Xing Lixuan never used that term. Now he had.

He had called him 'baby' and 'darling'.

And Yu Antong had missed it. He needed to hear it again.

Xing Lixuan put him down and walked away, asserting, "You must have misheard."

Yu Antong chased after him, "Honey, please say it again~"

Left behind, Yu Annan quietly followed, now genuinely convinced of Xing Lixuan's affection for her brother.

She also finally recognized her real role in all of this.

A third wheel.

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