Engagement Annulled? Now The Husbands Kneel and Beg for Her Favor

In the morning light, her childhood first love stood on one side and her new flame, whose feelings she’d only confirmed last night, stood on the other. Their two distinctly handsome faces were turned toward Jiang Qingli, as if vying for her affection and forcing her to choose.

Jiang Qingli looked left, then right, before reaching out... and placing her hands in both of theirs at the same time.

The instant her fingers touched theirs, both men reflexively grasped her hands. She then lifted their joined hands and gave them a little shake.

Choosing one would only hurt the other, so Jiang Qingli chose to have them both.

’Sorry, but she couldn’t bring herself to hurt a man she loved.’

’The HE value is already up to 60%,’ 030 pointed out. ’Just admit it, Miss Jiang. You’re enjoying this.’

’Fine,’ Jiang Qingli admitted. ’I’m enjoying myself right now.’

She tilted her head back and smiled up at them both.

Baili Jing smiled and pinched her cheek, finding even her greedy little expression adorable.

Xie Youchen remained silent, but his expression softened, his thin lips curving into a slight smile.

After they’d been sitting for a bit, Baili Jing’s manager called to hurry him along.

He had rushed over before a shoot and needed to get back.

Before he left, Baili Jing held the girl’s face as if no one else was there, tilted his head, and planted a light kiss on her cheek. ”Baby, Hubby’s going to work now. You’d better miss me.”

Calling himself ’Hubby’ just like that.

Feeling Xie Youchen’s grip on her fingers tighten, Jiang Qingli’s cheeks grew hot.

’This guy... Can’t he read the room?!’

She strongly suspected Baili Jing was doing it on purpose, but when she met his narrow, affectionate fox-like eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him. She just raised a hand to push his arm, glaring at him with a blush.

The sight only made Baili Jing more smitten. He quickly stole another kiss on her other cheek before leaving with a laugh.

Before he left, Baili Actor was even thoughtful enough to close the door behind him.

The room fell silent in an instant.

Jiang Qingli could distinctly feel Xie Youchen’s gaze upon her face. The tips of her ears burned even hotter, and her toes curled inside the fluffy slippers that matched his.

She parted her lips and forced herself to explain, ”Um... we’re not usually this—MMMPH—”

Before she could finish, Xie Youchen tilted her chin up and sealed her lips with his.

Her unspoken words were swallowed by their tangled lips. He pulled her forcefully onto his lap, his arm caging her slender waist while his long fingers threaded through her soft hair to cradle her head.

Their heated breaths mingled. Jiang Qingli pressed her hand against Xie Youchen’s chest, feeling the frantic pounding of his heart.

He was far less composed than he appeared.

Xie Youchen leaned forward, pressing her down onto the sofa. He slid his hand down her slender wrist, tore off the rose quartz bracelet she was wearing, and tossed it aside before forcefully interlocking their fingers.

The kiss deepened, and their breaths and heartbeats became a frantic mess.

Jiang Qingli couldn’t take it anymore. Her fingers went limp, unable to even push him away. A soft, ambiguous whimper escaped her throat, and her leg involuntarily bent at her side.

He suddenly stopped, propping himself up on his arms, and looked down at her.

The angle from which he looked down at her gave Jiang Qingli the mortifying illusion of being seen through completely. She reached up to cover his eyes.

Her long, curled lashes fluttered. She turned her face away, her voice pitifully soft. ”Don’t look...”

But this time, Xie Youchen did not listen to her.

He stared intently at her face, taking in every subtle emotion, while also trying to determine if now was the right time...

Just then, the terminal on the coffee table began to BUZZ.

Xie Youchen glanced at the screen and pressed the answer button.

Chen Mi’s voice came through. ”Marshal, I’ve sent Bai Yiyi’s interrogation report to your inbox.”

”Mm,” Xie Youchen said in a low voice. ”I’ll look at it later.”

Chen Mi paused, his voice hesitant. ”Marshal... Bai Yiyi, she... she seems a bit... off.”

”Off how?” the girl’s voice interjected.

Chen Mi was taken aback. ”Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Qingli instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes pleading with Xie Youchen. ’Oh no, did I just overhear a state secret?’

Xie Youchen stroked her head and calmly instructed Chen Mi to continue.

”Right, right.” Chen Mi spoke again, his voice tinged with obvious delight. ”You’ll see when you read the report. Her thought processes don’t seem... normal. She might need the assistance of a psychiatrist.”

After he finished, he quickly hung up, as if afraid of interrupting something important.

The room fell silent once more, with only the sound of slightly ragged breathing betraying the room’s earlier turbulence.

Her calf, which was resting on his thigh, twitched. Xie Youchen’s gaze lowered.

The hem of the girl’s skirt had ridden up during their struggle, its blue ruffles framing her snow-white, jade-like legs.

Her skin was delicate; her knee was tinged with pink from where it had brushed against the sofa.

As Xie Youchen stared down, Jiang Qingli held her breath. ’I hope the sofa isn’t too narrow.’

Unexpectedly, however, Xie Youchen only looked for two seconds before helping her sit up straight. He then habitually straightened her skirt, covering her exposed skin.

Jiang Qingli: ”...”

’Hey, what’s with this ”caring childhood big brother” act at a time like this!’

’Is there something wrong with this Xie Youchen guy?!’

’But from what she saw last night, there shouldn’t be any problems with him...’

Jiang Qingli wanted to complain but didn’t dare. As she stewed in her frustration, Xie Youchen activated a screen and pushed it in front of her.

Jiang Qingli glanced at the contents on the screen.

After Chen Mi had brought Bai Yiyi in yesterday, he’d immediately begun the interrogation.

At first, Bai Yiyi wouldn’t confess, but the military had countless interrogation methods.

Chen Mi’s Superpower was Spiritual. He simply created a mental environment that made Bai Yiyi unknowingly spill everything.

The report was full of words like ”system” and ”female lead,” leaving Chen Mi utterly bewildered. He wondered if she’d developed a delusional disorder from reading too many novels, which was why he’d rushed the report to Xie Youchen.

When Jiang Qingli finished reading, she looked up. ”Are you going to go confirm this yourself? Can you take me with you? I want to see her.”

”You have time?” Xie Youchen asked.

”I do,” Jiang Qingli nodded.

The Imperial Royal Academy’s summer vacation was the longest of any university in the interstellar region, lasting a full three months. The semester didn’t start until almost October, and could be delayed even further for students with a light course load.

Most students at the Royal Academy were from wealthy and powerful families, and they would use this time to travel.

Of course, many nobles also used the summer vacation to get involved in family affairs in preparation for their futures.

Jiang Qingli had received a message from Jiang Yi a few days ago.

Jiang Yi knew that Jiang Qingli was more interested in politics than in managing the family business, so he had sent her some internship options that would be very helpful for her future career.

There was no rush, though. They didn’t officially start until the week after next, so she could relax for a few days before making her choice.

It was the perfect opportunity to go see Bai Yiyi today. She could also let 030 take a look at the system that wanted to possess her and figure out a solution.

Since Jiang Qingli had made a request, Xie Youchen naturally agreed.

But he didn’t get up right away. Instead, he took Jiang Qingli’s hand and said in a low voice:

”Ah Li, I have something to tell you.”