To Foster Their Relationship

Tang Mianmian asked eagerly, "How does it taste? It's my first time brewing freshly ground coffee."

Long Yejue struggled to swallow it and then pretended to busy himself with something else.

Receiving no response, Tang Mianmian felt a little disappointed. She pouted and was about to go back to her tasks when Long Yejue, seemingly regaining his composure, added, "Next time, feel free to offer it to Qi Yunmo. I won't mind."

Tang Mianmian: "..."

Won't mind?

Is that a joke?

Earlier, he'd been scheming so Qi Yunmo wouldn't get to drink it.

Tang Mianmian cast a doubtful glance at Long Yejue, confused by his sudden change of attitude.

As if realizing something, she returned to the counter, poured the remaining coffee into a cup, and took a small sip—

Oh my! What is this awful taste?

No wonder he was so generous about sharing it with Qi Yunmo!

Tang Mianmian stood by the counter, on the verge of tears.

The next day was the weekend. Tang Mianmian and Long Yejue sat in the living room, one focused on the computer and the other on the television.

She still hadn't worked up the courage to ask about the suspicious red marks on her back.

Of course, she also didn't know how to ask.

Was she supposed to say, Were the marks on my back from your kisses?

What if he said no?

That would be mortifying!

While nibbling on an apple, she absentmindedly watched TV.

Long Yejue closed his laptop, pulled her into his arms, and asked with a low voice, "Do you have something to ask me?"

"You could tell?" she asked, half laughing, half exasperated.

"Your actions are too obvious."

"..."

What actions?

Clearly, high-IQ games weren't her forte. Tang Mianmian's cheeks reddened as she hesitated and finally said, "Your family estate seems to have mosquitoes."

"Really?" He raised an indifferent brow. "I'll have Steward Xu take care of it."

Tang Mianmian grew more suspicious. His expression made it seem like he had no idea what she was talking about.

Thank goodness she'd tested the waters before asking directly; otherwise, it would've been humiliating.

"Go upstairs and pack some clothes. We'll stay at the estate tonight," Long Yejue said lazily, leaning back on the sofa, casually playing with her hair.

Tang Mianmian's first reaction was, "Why?"

"Have you forgotten the rule about spending weekends at the estate?"

"No, but don't we only have to stay for one day?" The little lamb still had her logic intact.

Long Yejue smirked, his dark eyes gleaming. "Grandfather called and said we should spend the whole week there. In fact, we might need to stay there for a while."

"What?" The little lamb's face fell.

"To foster relationships." He dropped the remark, then strode toward the kitchen.

"..."

Foster relationships?

Did he mean with him or with his parents?

Tang Mianmian was utterly confused.

After thinking it over, she decided the latter seemed more plausible.

She fell into a tangle of worry. Staying at the estate would be uncomfortable for her. Not to mention all the elders—what if she accidentally offended someone with her lack of manners?

But most importantly, staying there meant sharing a bed with Long Yejue.

Oh, no!

She had a strong suspicion that this was the boss's real intention.

Of course, it was just a suspicion. She didn't have the guts to ask him outright.

Despite her doubts, she began packing her clothes.

Looking at the full wardrobe, she wondered, Am I supposed to bring all this?

She definitely couldn't bring her old, shabby market clothes to the estate.

At some point, Long Yejue appeared at the door, holding a box of yogurt. He handed it to her, glanced at her suitcase, and said, "Why such a big suitcase?"

"You said we'd stay for a while. I figured I'd need a lot of changes of clothes," Tang Mianmian explained while sipping the yogurt.

Lately, she'd become addicted to yogurt. Their house was fully stocked, and she couldn't stop drinking it.

"Just bring the essentials. Everything else has been prepared over there," Long Yejue said, amused by her adorable cluelessness.

The smile at the corners of his mouth was unrestrained, and his chiseled features exuded a natural charm that could captivate anyone.

Seeing Long Yejue like this, Tang Mianmian couldn't help but feel her heart race. She took a big gulp of yogurt, only to choke and start coughing embarrassingly.

Long Yejue frowned, patting her back lightly. "Drink slowly. No one's going to take it from you."

"...Oh, cough, cough..."

It's all because of you!

In her heart, Tang Mianmian blamed him countless times.

Unfortunately, the man didn't seem to think it had anything to do with him.

Following his instructions, she packed only the essentials. The two of them then drove to the estate.

Every visit filled her with unease.

Her stiff posture betrayed her nerves, and she remained silent the entire drive. After pulling into the garage, Long Yejue grabbed her luggage and opened the car door for her. "Relax. No one's going to eat you."

Of course, if anyone did, it would be him.

After all, she was his prey.

"Your mother hasn't accepted me yet. Is it really okay for me to just show up like this?" Tang Mianmian asked hesitantly.

She truly feared that her already shaky relationship with Long Yejue's family might worsen because of her presence.

Long Yejue pulled her reluctant, turtle-like self out of the car and wrapped an arm around her. His smile was as cold as it was striking. "That's exactly why we're here—to build bridges. Don't you have the confidence to make my mother accept you?"

"It's not that..."

And what does this have to do with confidence, anyway?

"Then there's no issue, is there? Didn't you say you wanted to be a polite Mrs. Long? Start at home. Use the family as your base of operations, then spread outwards, showcasing your charm as Mrs. Long. Simple, isn't it?" Long Yejue teased, his tone playful and his lips curling in amusement.

Tang Mianmian was torn between frustration and laughter, but she slowly began to relax.

This man, who rarely said much on normal days, had said so much today—it had to be his way of easing her nerves.

A warm feeling filled her heart, and suddenly she felt invigorated, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After all, Tang Mianmian had always been a lovable "little lamb," someone adored by all. She'd conquer any obstacles and reach her goals without fail!

Accepting the daunting task, she turned to him and said, "Long Yejue, marrying you feels pretty great."

His phoenix-like eyes narrowed, and he abruptly stopped walking. His arm tightened around her waist.

"What's wrong?" Tang Mianmian looked at him, puzzled.

His answer came in the form of a searing kiss.

Caught off guard, Tang Mianmian instinctively closed her eyes, surrendering to his passionate embrace. His agile tongue parted her lips, and she trembled slightly before completely succumbing to the unexpected yet natural intimacy.

The night was stunningly beautiful, and the evening for lovers had only just begun.

When the couple arrived, Steward Xu was visibly startled. He wanted to ask a few questions, but Long Yejue handed him their belongings and gave specific instructions. "Take these upstairs for the young madam, and make sure the mosquitoes in the room are dealt with."

"Mosquitoes?" Steward Xu was momentarily confused.

Though the Ning Garden hadn't been occupied for a while, it was meticulously maintained. How could there possibly be mosquitoes?

"Well? Get to it," Long Yejue's tone cooled.

"Right away!"

The old steward hurried off, not daring to question further. If the young master said there were mosquitoes, there must be mosquitoes.

Tang Mianmian, feeling awkward, muttered, "It's not really a big deal. Was it necessary to trouble the steward?"

"In this household, the more you keep the steward busy, the more it shows you respect his work. The more he'll like you. Got it?" Long Yejue began teaching her the survival rules of the Long family estate.

Tang Mianmian was flustered. Is that really how it works?

Still, he wouldn't lie to her, right?

After all, in the vast Long family, he was her only true ally.

Long Zhenfei, hearing of their return, sent fresh fruits from Jinyuan, claiming they were organic and freshly picked from the family orchard.

Tang Mianmian, a true foodie who loved all things edible, was overjoyed. She eagerly washed the fruits and placed them in the refrigerator. That was when she noticed the fridge stocked to the brim with her favorite yogurt.

"Long Yejue! Long Yejue!" she called out from the kitchen, her voice brimming with excitement.

Long Yejue, who had been instructing the servants, felt a sudden tension and hurried to the kitchen. There, he found her holding a box of yogurt, her face glowing with happiness.

"What's wrong?"

"Look at this! The steward must've known you like these and prepared them specially for you!" She beamed, explaining enthusiastically as she opened a box, inserted a straw, and handed it to him.

Long Yejue glanced at the yogurt, then at her sparkling eyes. Resigned, he accepted it. "The steward is very thoughtful."

"Totally!" she replied with a sweet smile, opening her own box and sipping contentedly.

Watching her expression of pure satisfaction, Long Yejue suddenly felt that the yogurt in his hand didn't taste quite as good.

When Steward Xu came down after preparing the bedroom, he nearly stumbled at the sight of the young master sipping yogurt.

Is this really the aloof, dignified young master?

He almost felt the need to report this anomaly to the old master.

Tang Mianmian, seeing Steward Xu, eagerly thanked him. "Thank you for the yogurt, Uncle Xu!"

Steward Xu froze, unsure how to respond.

Long Yejue's relaxed demeanor tightened slightly. "Uncle Xu, you can go now. Don't mind her."

Tang Mianmian: "..."

Steward Xu, relieved, nodded quickly. "Yes, I'll get back to work right away."

Hearing the young master call him "Uncle Xu" was unnervingly out of character.

Once the steward left, Tang Mianmian couldn't help but grumble, "Why did you say that? I was sincerely thanking him."

"Tang Mianmian, I'm teaching you the rules of survival here. Understand?" Long Yejue leaned back on the sofa, his tone calm.

These are survival rules?

She found herself utterly baffled by the world of the wealthy.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Long Yejue's lips curved ever so slightly. "Steward Xu is meticulous. If you thank him too earnestly, he might think he's done something wrong."

"Alright..."

This bizarre set of survival rules truly left her at a loss.

Steward Xu rushed back to Jinyuan and relayed the peculiar scenes at Ning Garden to the old master, especially emphasizing the young master drinking yogurt and calling him "Uncle Xu."

With a worried tone, he asked, "Master, do you think the young master's changes are for the better or worse?"