Chapter 160 She Shouldn't Have Come

"Xiao Xi, you're not hearing things."

Ning Xi was about to brush off the hand on her shoulder, but as soon as her right hand lifted, she saw someone standing at the bedroom door. Startled, she stumbled and fell straight into Ye Fan's arms.

"Ye Fan, this is…?"

"My mom."

"…"

Hearing this answer, Ning Xi nearly fainted.

She quickly steadied herself, caught between crying and laughing. She bent forward and greeted Ye Xian with a bow, "A-Auntie, hello, I'm Ye Fan's classmate. My name is Ning Xi, nice to meet you."

"Auntie is also happy to meet you."

When Ye Xian saw Ning Xi's appearance clearly, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

At this moment, she only had one thought: What the hell!

Incredible, simply incredible!!

Her son quietly brought home such a beautiful and adorable daughter-in-law. This is amazing!!!

Ye Xian gave her son a dissatisfied look. "Xiao Fan, what are you doing just standing there? Hurry up and bring Ning Xi inside to sit."

"Alright."

Ye Fan nodded silently. Seeing his mother's glowing eyes, he felt a headache coming on. He only hoped his mother would act normal and not scare Ning Xi.

Ning Xi waved her hands repeatedly with an apologetic smile, "Uh… Auntie, I didn't know you were coming to the capital. You must have a lot to talk about with Ye Fan, so I won't disturb you."

After saying that, she turned to leave, but before she could act, her wrist was grabbed.

"Ye Fan, what are you doing? Let go of me."

"It's not me."

"Huh?"

Ning Xi looked up, and indeed, Ye Fan's hands were in his pockets. The culprit was obvious.

She was doomed!!!

Biting her red lips, Ning Xi slowly turned her head, her expression full of unease. "A-Auntie, you…"

Ye Xian smiled warmly, her attitude extremely enthusiastic. "How could you disturb us? Come, come, sit with Auntie and chat."

Without waiting for Ning Xi's response, she pulled her toward the sofa.

Ning Xi turned to Ye Fan with pleading eyes, but he merely shrugged helplessly, indicating he couldn't do anything.

As Ye Fan's mother, Ye Xian's personality was something he understood well. At this moment, no one could stop her.

Ye Fan silently closed the door, tossed his backpack onto the shoe cabinet, and quickly sat opposite the two.

Ye Xian held Ning Xi's hands, examining the young girl before her from head to toe. The more she looked, the more shocked she felt. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.

Oh my gosh!

Where on earth did her son kidnap such a girl?

She's way too perfect!!!

"Ning Xi, right?"

"Yes, Auntie. You can just call me… Xiao Xi." Ning Xi replied, keeping her head down.

"You're so pretty!"

Ye Xian exclaimed, then started asking questions as if she were investigating her future daughter-in-law. "Xiao Xi, how old are you this year?"

"Seventeen."

"So you're the same age as Xiao Fan. What a coincidence."

Sitting across from them, Ye Fan couldn't bear to watch any longer. What kind of logic is that?

Being the same age isn't some grand coincidence.

There are nearly 20 million people the same age as him…

Ning Xi forced a polite smile, unsure how to respond.

Ye Xian continued, "What does your family do? What are your hobbies? And also…"

"Stop!"

Ye Fan couldn't take it anymore and protested, "Mom, Xiao Xi is shy. Don't scare her. Besides, this is your first meeting. Why are you asking so much?"

He propped his left hand on the coffee table, used his right hand to separate their linked hands, and led Ning Xi around the table to sit next to him. In a low voice, he said, "Don't be scared. My mom's actually nice, just… a bit too enthusiastic."

Ye Xian wasn't happy. She hadn't even had time to warm up to her future daughter-in-law, and her son was already interfering. Her glare at him was full of displeasure. "You, stop making trouble. Go cook. I want to chat with Xiao Xi."

"Auntie, I don't—"

"You're staying for dinner."

Ye Xian cut her off. "Xiao Fan mentioned that you both have the weekend off and don't have school tomorrow. What's the rush to leave?"

"I…"

Ning Xi was on the verge of tears.

If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have come!

Ye Xian moved closer, holding Ning Xi's hand with a bright smile. "Xiao Xi, there's no need to be reserved around Auntie. I'm very open-minded. You and Xiao Fan—"

"We're just classmates… and good friends."

Sensing where this was going, Ning Xi quickly clarified, though she felt a bit guilty saying "good friends."

"Auntie understands."

Ye Xian had the look of someone who had been there before. Knowing the girl was shy, she lightly patted Ning Xi's hand. "Xiao Xi, you might not know, but Xiao Fan, though not great at academics, is a steady and caring person. You two can take your time developing your relationship."

"Auntie, w-what are you talking about?"

Ning Xi was stunned by the first half of the statement and didn't even register the latter half. She glanced at Ye Fan, her voice soft as she explained, "Ye Fan's academic performance is amazing."

"Him?"

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow. "I've watched him grow up. If there's one thing I know, it's that this kid has no talent for studying. His grades have always been terrible!"

"…"

"…"

Terrible?

Ning Xi was completely dumbfounded.

Over the past month, she had personally witnessed Ye Fan's exceptional academic abilities time and time again.

He was a legend among legends!

There was no way "terrible" could be associated with him.

Ye Fan's face darkened as he reminded in a low voice, "Mom, am I still your son? Or was I some promotional freebie? Do you really need to slander me like this in front of Xiao Xi?"

"Slander you?"

Ye Xian sneered. "In all these years, have you ever brought home an award?"

"I have."

Ye Fan said flatly, "When I was in kindergarten, I got an award."

"Back then, you showed off that award to the neighbors like crazy. Have you forgotten?"

Hearing this, Ye Xian couldn't help recalling some unpleasant memories. Her face darkened as she gritted her teeth. "How do you still have the nerve to bring that up?"

"Everyone in your kindergarten got an award, but you were last in class. At the time, Mrs. Shen laughed at me for almost a year. Even when she moved away, she was still talking about it."

"You weren't embarrassed, but I was!"

"Not my fault."

Ye Fan shrugged, looking completely innocent. "You were the one who wanted to show off to Mrs. Shen. That snotty kid was top of the class. Who told you to pick the wrong person to brag to?"

"…"

Ye Xian took a deep breath to calm herself, snorted in displeasure, and said, "Xiao Xi is here today, so I won't argue with you."

Ning Xi's soft voice broke the tension. "Auntie, maybe Ye Fan didn't do well when he was younger, but that doesn't mean he's not doing well now. People can change."

"Impossible…"

"Ye Fan is currently ranked first in Zhenhua High's senior year. Last week, the school held a joint exam with Yuqing Middle School, and Ye Fan took first place. Isn't that impressive enough?"

"How is that possible?!"