Chapter Eleven: The Three (Part Two)

Zeng Lang caught up with Lu Ying, reaching out with his right hand to clamp down on her shoulder.

Feeling a sudden pain, Lu Ying turned her head. When she met that dark, stormy face, her heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly realized that some matters were not nearly as simple as she had imagined.

They were on the street, surrounded by streams of people. Lu Ying's remarkable presence always drew attention, and now, even more eyes were fixed on the two of them.

At that moment, Zeng Lang’s voice, heavy with anger, flooded Lu Ying’s ears, "A Ying, what did you just say? You said you want to 'step aside'?" His tone was thick with a rage like gathering storm clouds.

Lu Ying met his blazing eyes, her elegant brows knitting together as she reminded him, "Zeng Lang!" Her voice rose slightly.

Zeng Lang shot a glare at those around them, causing them to retreat, then turned back to Lu Ying, his voice cold, "What did you mean by what you said just now? Explain yourself!"

Explain? Did she really need to explain herself? Meeting Zeng Lang’s angry yet determined expression, Lu Ying’s eyes suddenly stung, and she couldn’t help but mock herself: If she were her old self, before the hurt, seeing him now, she would surely believe he still cared deeply for her. Surely, whatever happened between him and A Yin was just a misunderstanding on her part.

But unfortunately, after being wounded, her senses had grown too sharp, sharp enough that she could no longer ignore or pretend ignorance.

A strange weariness welled up inside her. She blinked, silent, as Zeng Lang’s frustrated voice sounded again, "Are you deaf? Afraid to speak?"

Finally, Lu Ying lifted her head and stared steadily into Zeng Lang’s eyes for a long moment. Her delicate lips curved gently, and she spoke softly, "A Yin is here."

A Yin is here? Zeng Lang was startled, suddenly recalling that, in his fury, he had abandoned A Yin to chase after Lu Ying.

Lu Ying then looked past Zeng Lang, her voice icy, "A Yin has arrived? You should talk to Zeng Lang." With that, Lu Ying raised her lips in a smile, slowly took Zeng Lang’s hand, and gently placed it in A Yin’s hand.

Her movements were slow, deliberate. As she did so, her smile lingered—an expression both mocking and quietly profound, impossible to fully describe.

Her dark eyes never left Zeng Lang’s. The moment his confusion flickered, she leaned in slightly, her breath fragrant as she whispered, "Zeng Lang, A Yin and I are closest sisters… Just as a brother’s wife is not to be trifled with, a sister’s husband is not meant to be shared. At least, for me, I absolutely refuse to share. If you choose her, then take her hand. If you want me, you may as well say so in front of A Yin."

Her lips curved, half-smiling, as she turned to the one behind, who was watching Zeng Lang intently. Lu Ying laughed lightly, "Zeng Lang has only one position for a wife. With A Yin’s beauty and family, she’s hardly someone who should be made a concubine. What do you say, A Yin?"

This was a challenge!

The delicate balance among the three was torn open suddenly by Lu Ying.

Zeng Lang had thought, once his father returned home, he would speak to him about wanting to take A Yin as his wife. His father had always doted on him, and his mother had never liked Lu Ying. As long as he asked, his father would surely agree to swap daughters-in-law.

Once his father relented, he would immediately seek out Lu Ying, seize his chance to claim her, and then propose to A Yin’s family. In this way, both beauties would be his.

He never imagined that a chance encounter with Lu Ying, a few casual words, would bring him to this point!

Lu Ying and A Yin were both watching Zeng Lang, waiting for his answer!

Unlike before, neither beauty was letting go, neither willing to let him off.

Faced with their insistence, Zeng Lang, who had been so forceful moments before, suddenly wilted. His lips moved, and after a long pause, he murmured, "A Ying, there are too many people here, this isn’t the time to talk about this."

Finding what felt like the perfect excuse, he immediately raised his voice, straightened his back, and said seriously, "Everyone’s watching, A Ying, let go."

He tried to pull his hand away.

In the past, Lu Ying would have obeyed. As his little sister-in-law, she had always respected and feared him, never daring to defy him.

But this time, Lu Ying smiled. As Zeng Lang tried to withdraw his wrist, she held it tighter, her lips curving, her voice cold, "Zeng Lang, all I want is for you to shake hands. A Yin is here, just take her hand."

Her voice lowered, soft, bitter and pleading, "If you truly don’t want to take her hand…" She didn’t finish, but her eyes suddenly shone bright!

Zeng Lang, seeing her relentless grip, grew pale. Just then, his hand grew warm—it was A Yin, reaching out to clasp his tightly!

Their hands joined. A Yin didn’t look at Lu Ying, but smiled sweetly at Zeng Lang, "Zeng Lang, let’s go back."

With that, she steered Zeng Lang around, guiding him away from Lu Ying.

Zeng Lang resisted, his face darkening, his eyes still fixed on Lu Ying. Gazing at her increasingly graceful face, he felt a fear he could neither describe nor understand. Yet he knew he could say nothing more; if he showed any lingering affection for Lu Ying, he would lose A Yin. Compared to Lu Ying, marrying A Yin brought far greater benefit…

In the suffocating silence, Lu Ying slowly bowed her head, then stepped back two paces. Then, she turned resolutely, shook her money pouch so that it clanged loudly, a final reminder to someone. With light steps, she slipped into the crowd and vanished without a trace.

Watching Lu Ying leave, A Yin was beaming, her eyes overflowing with unabashed joy and pride, even her hair seemed to radiate happiness.

At that instant, her hand grew cold.

A Yin turned quickly, only to see Zeng Lang’s figure once again chasing after Lu Ying. But after a few steps, he doubled back to her, anxiously reassuring, "A Yin, Lu Ying has depended on me since childhood. I’m truly worried she’ll take things badly. You go home first, I’ll see you tomorrow." Thinking it over, he decided to put A Yin’s mind at ease, "Don’t worry, once things are settled with Lu Ying, I’ll send a matchmaker to your family."

This promise made A Yin smile with delight, her happiness boundless. Zeng Lang hurriedly turned and rushed toward Lu Ying’s home. After a few steps, he veered toward the market, thinking he’d better buy some gifts before visiting.

He thought, Lu Ying had always loved him. She must have discovered the affair with A Yin and felt upset. But it didn’t matter; a few sweet words would soothe her.

Then he remembered the coldness in Lu Ying’s gaze earlier and mused: I can't delay anymore. As soon as her anger fades, I’ll claim her.

The thought of Lu Ying’s beauty, blossoming like the first peach flower of spring, made his heart race, his palms damp. He licked his lips and thought to himself: A Yin clings to me so tightly, yet somehow, compared to A Yin, I crave Lu Ying even more.