Chapter 11: Don't Say That Again!

The rest of the day seemed to fly by with ease. The entire family seemed to be found of Zhao Yingyue and she felt the same way about them. They had made jokes and her and Liu Haoyu even helped his mother install the 'Honor' client.

Now, they had all just finished their dinner and dessert—in which it seemed that all those questions Hua Mengyao had asked earlier about Zhao Yingyue's food were for this purpose. The dinner was spread with many of her favorite foods and even the dessert was a delicious strawberry crepe.

Zhao Yingyue's mood was brought back down when her phone started ringing. She was snapped back to reality in which she knew that one of her parents had to be calling her to tell her it was time to go home. Though she believed it was her mom getting nervous that they might find out about what had happened the night before.

They already had. However, they never discussed what would happen next. Zhao Yingyue knew that at the very least, Liu Haoyu would not feel good sending her home without one.

Earlier, his mom had said, "He needs you to also let him care for you. Only then can he be rest assured and properly care for himself."

She had then gone into a story about how he had really bad insomnia when his friend had once gotten in an accident on the way home from an event he had planned.

It wasn't until then that Zhao Yingyue had realized how serious he was the night before when he said he wouldn't be able to rest easy until he was sure she was going to be okay.

Zhao Yingyue pulled her phone from her pocket and answered.

"Zhao Yingyue, what do you think you're doing out so late? I know that you're with your in-laws but you are still yet to be married. Therefore, you shouldn't be staying out this late with a man and his family on your own."

Zhao Yingyue rolled her eyes at her mother's excuse to drag her back home. It was obvious that the woman had other intentions for wanting her home soon. It must have taken her a lot of restraint to not have called earlier but now the sun was setting and she had the excuse that she needed.

"Don't worry mom, we were just finishing up dinner now. I'll be home soon. It may take a little while though since the Liu pavilion is a little far from home."

Gu Yanya, on the other end, smiled as she said, "Make sure someone brings you back. It would break many hearts if something happened on your way back."

"Liu Haoyu will drive me back himself so it should be fine, mom. I have to go now though. It would be rude for me to stay on the phone for a long time as a guest."

Zhao Yingyue then hung up the phone and placed the phone back on the table. All eyes were on her and she felt kind of nervous.

Hua Mengyao said, "There's no way I can send you back to that house in peace while knowing what I've learned today."

Zhao Yingyue bowed her head, "But they are right about one thing. Regardless of how much I enjoy all of your company, Liu Haoyu and I aren't married yet. It would be improper of me to stay here"

Liu Haoyu wasn't very happy with the situation but couldn't argue with her logic. It was alright since he had already prepared for this earlier.

"Then I'm sending a bodyguard home with you this time. She'll play along with anything you say to come up with an excuse. However, if she reports anything to me that is more of a risk to you, I don't care about the societal norms or what is proper anymore. I will personally carry you out of that house and away from those people."

Zhao Yingyue thought about arguing but Hua Mengyao's words from earlier once again echoed through her mind. What he said was fair and if she was honest, being a punching bag for her mom and cousin has never been one of her favorite things.

She nodded obediently. "Okay. Thank you Liu Haoyu."

Liu Haoyu smiled at the praise and her willingness to accept protection. The night before, he hadn't been able to sleep well and opted for an all night stream because he'd been worried there would be repercussions.

He'd never expected that they'd actually put their hands on her then try to lock her away so that she couldn't see him. He definitely wouldn't know what to do with himself otherwise.

Hua Mengyao was also satisfied with Zhao Yingyue's willingness to go along with her son's plan. It meant that she had actually listened to her earlier.

As Liu Haoyu fiddled with his phone, Zhao Yingyue stood up and bowed to his parents.

"Thank you for having me over today Mom and Dad. It was really nice meeting you."

Hua Mengyao stood and walked around to Zhao Yingyue. She pulled her into a hug.

"Please come visit us often. Living with these two men can be so difficult sometimes Yingyue. Having another female presence should liven up the atmosphere a bit more!"

"Of course, Mom. I'll come whenever time permits."

After hearing Zhao Yingyue's promise, Hua Mengyao finally released her with a triumphant smile.

Liu Ting came a little closer but still stayed at a distance as he nodded his head to Zhao Yingyue. She smiled at him.

"I'll be off now. Thank you again for hosting me today Mom and D-dad."

Liu Haoyu gently placed a hand on her shoulder and walked her out of the house. The car was already brought up front by a member of the staff with the key still in it.

As soon as they were settled down, Liu Haoyu looked over to Zhao Yingyue. She could tell from his eyes that he was struggling on how to feel as he looked her in the eye.

"Yingyue, please tell me next time something is bothering you or someone has made you suffer. I know that right now, our relationship is that of convenience, but you are still to be my wife and no one has any right to make you suffer."

Zhao Yingyue turned to look at him. She hadn't expected to be found out that day or any of the Liu family's reactions. This was a relationship of convenience so she hadn't taken his word for what he'd originally said.

"I'm sorry Liu Haoyu. When you originally said you'd take care of me, I didn't want to be much trouble nor did I want to lose all of my family because of something that wasn't permanent. Because of that, I..."

Liu Haoyu cut her off.

"Who says this isn't permanent? I already told you that once we're married, I have no intention of divorcing. So please... don't say that again."

Zhao Yingyue was silent. She didn't know what to say. Until now, she didn't truly believe in this man's words. Now, it seemed, she had no choice but to.

All this time, Liu Haoyu had only shown Zhao Yingyue his sincerity and her trust issues blinded her from that truth. She couldn't let her family's terrible treatment of her scar her forever so that she may ruin any good thing coming for her.

"Thank you Liu Haoyu. At first, I admit that I didn't believe the words you said. But from now on, I will learn to trust you and lean on you the same way a wife should to her husband. I only ask two things in return."

Liu Haoyu smiled before saying, "And these two things... what are they?"

Zhao Yingyue shifted in her seat before turning to look Liu Haoyu straight in the eye.

"First, don't break my trust. Without trust, there is no type of relationship between us at all. Once mine is broken, you won't ever earn it back in your lifetime."

"And number two, you must also lean on me and trust me in the same way you expect me to do to you. That's a two way street and if you're giving it your all as my husband, then I'll do the same as your wife."

Liu Haoyu was content. After all, these conditions would only be beneficial to their relationship in the long run and he had already decided that he'd be winning her heart.

Little did he know, she had already started to like him.

How could she not?

In the last few days, Liu Haoyu had shown more compassion and concern for her than her parents had in her entire life. He even was upset over her not sharing her grievances.

Zhao Yingyue turned her head to look out the window and hide her smile. She didn't want to embarrass herself further or give him a reason to tease her.

Between him and his mom, she'd received enough teasing to last a lifetime.

"Liu Haoyu, thank you again for everything. Thanks to you, I can live."

Liu Haoyu kept his eyes on the road and couldn't help but smile.

"Tomorrow night, there will be a dinner between us and our two immediate families. It was supposed to be the day after but I can't wait a second longer. We'll then have the engagement party on Friday night and get married on Sunday. I don't want you in that house any longer than you have to be."

Zhao Yingyue nodded. There was no use putting off their rushed marriage anyway. Besides, now that he was standing behind her in regards to the abuse she faced at the hands of her mother and cousin, there was no longer any reason to stay in that house any longer.

"Okay. What about the bodyguard you arranged?"

Liu Haoyu replied, "Her name is Bai Xinyi. She'll be meeting us at your home. She also has my personal contact information so she'll notify me if anything happens as well. I told her to at as if she was sent by my parents to keep an eye on you. It'll be phrased in a way to make it seem as if they doubt your character rather than her being there to protect you."

"Thank you Liu Haoyu. You really think of everything, don't you?"

Liu Haoyu was extremely happy with her response. While he didn't like compliments from others who simply wanted to suck up to him, hearing them come from her lips made him feel content.

"Mmh."

The pair just smiled as they continued on their way back to Zhao Yingyue's house. However, her mother's words from earlier couldn't leave her mind.

What did her mother mean when she said that it would break many hearts if something happened on her way back?

Her mother wouldn't do anything reckless, would she?