Urban Seduction: Housewives Club Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Siyao's Concern
Previously on Urban Seduction: Housewives Club...
Once Ye Siqi had departed, Ye Fei and Ye Yunqi settled back into their studies. However, Ye Yunqi found it impossible to focus. Being a sharp and perceptive girl, she had clearly sensed that Siqi had sent her away on purpose earlier. Though she typically followed Siqi’s lead, her curiosity about their private conversation was burning. In their family, there were rarely any secrets kept between the siblings.
"Brother, what exactly did Siqi discuss with you just now?" After suppressing her curiosity for a few moments, Ye Yunqi finally snapped and asked.
Ye Fei had no intention of revealing his humiliating predicament. His authority as an elder brother was already thin enough as it was. If she discovered the awkward truth, she might lose all respect for him. Instead, he forced a chuckle and replied, "It was nothing important. Siqi was just checking in on my health."
"You're lying!" Ye Yunqi pouted, her dissatisfaction evident. "I don't buy it. If she was only worried about your health, there would be no reason to make me leave. Are you going to tell me the truth or not? If you don't..."
"Mercy, I'll tell you," Ye Fei said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Actually, it’s quite simple. Siqi was feeling a bit bashful and didn't want to bring it up in front of you. It actually involves you, too."
"Siqi was shy? And it involves me?" This only served to pique Ye Yunqi’s interest further. She pressed him, "What is it, specifically?"
Ye Fei broke into a laugh. "Siqi mentioned that I'm still too young and my body isn't strong enough. She wants me to grow up quickly and get into better shape so she can marry me off to both of you at once!"
"Your imagination is running wild," Ye Yunqi countered with a look of scorn. "There isn't a man in this world worthy of Siqi yet, and that certainly includes you."
"Does that mean I'm only good enough for you, then?" Ye Fei teased, maintaining a playful grin. He wasn't seriously trying to provoke her; he was simply using banter to steer the conversation away from the truth.
"Yes, you're a perfect match for me," Ye Yunqi mocked back. "Perfect for fetching my shoes!"
The siblings instantly fell silent at the mention of that name. If there was one person in the household they truly feared, it was their second sister, Ye Siyao. Siyao was an intensely serious individual—stoic toward strangers and deeply devoted to her family—but the childhood trauma of losing her mother had left her emotionally repressed. Even though they knew her love for them matched Siqi’s, her cold aura still intimidated them.
They set aside their pens once more to greet her; despite their fear, their bond with her remained strong.
Before they could even stand, Siyao stepped into the room. Though she was two years younger than Siqi, she possessed an equal level of beauty. Her frosty demeanor gave her a regal, queenly presence that made her seem distant, almost like an unreachable dream.
With a simple look from Siyao, Ye Fei and Ye Yunqi sat back down obediently. They behaved like disciplined school children, hardly daring to fidget under her gaze.
Siyao felt a flicker of helplessness seeing her siblings act so stiffly. She had no desire for them to be afraid of her, yet it seemed unavoidable. Emotional expression had never been her strength, and her face was perpetually fixed in a serious mask. Unlike the naturally gentle and warm Siqi, smiling was a difficult task for her.
Attempting to soften her expression, Siyao looked at Ye Fei. "Ye Fei, how have things been for you at the military camp?"
Looking directly into Siyao’s eyes, Ye Fei caught a glimpse of the same underlying warmth and concern he had seen in Siqi. He realized in that moment that Siyao’s affection for him was just as deep. Reflecting on the past, he understood she had always looked at him this way, but he had been too scared of her stern face to notice. Overcome by a sudden wave of guilt, he pulled his chair closer and leaned into her, resting his head against her chest. In her soft, warm embrace, he felt no stray thoughts—only a profound sense of comfort.
"Siyao, thank you for taking care of me all these years," Ye Fei said with total sincerity.
"Silly boy, we're family. There's no need for such formality," Siyao replied. For the first time, a genuine smile broke across her face as she reached out to stroke her brother’s hair.
Watching from the side, Ye Yunqi was stunned. She had never realized that Siyao was capable of such a beautiful, tender smile. In that heartbeat, she finally understood her sister’s heart. Mimicking Ye Fei, she moved closer and snuggled into Siyao’s other side.
Cradling her younger siblings, Ye Siyao felt a surge of joy. She spoke softly, "You two need to focus on your studies, understood? If you ever need anything, come to me. Mom and Sis Siqi are always swamped with work, so I have more time to spare." Since graduating, she hadn't joined the family business, choosing instead to run a small martial arts gym. The Liu family possessed a heritage of elite traditional martial arts that all the sisters had trained in since youth. It was this training that had allowed Ye Yunqi to become a leader at school, following in Siqi's footsteps.
Thinking of their eldest sister, Ye Fei asked, "Siyao, why didn't you arrive with Sis Siqi? She left just a short while ago. Also, where is Mom?"
"Sis Siqi called me before she headed over, but I had some matters to attend to, so I told her to go ahead," Ye Siyao explained, though she wasn't being entirely transparent. While it was true that Mom was still out and Siqi had called, she hadn't actually been busy. She had intentionally delayed her arrival because she knew that if she and Siqi were together, the two younger ones would gravitate entirely toward the eldest sister, leaving her feeling isolated.
Aware that they had early classes and a mountain of schoolwork to finish, Ye Siyao didn't linger. After a bit more conversation, she took her leave.
Once she was gone, the study returned to its quiet state. The siblings hurried to finish their tasks, not wanting to face the wrath of Yu Wuxia the following morning.
It was nearly eleven at night by the time they closed their books. Ye Yunqi stretched her limbs and suddenly let out a bright laugh.
Ye Fei looked at her with a puzzled expression, confused by her sudden outburst. "What's gotten into you?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm just happy!" Ye Yunqi replied directly. "I only truly realized today how much Siyao cares for us. I can't believe I used to be so terrified of her."
"I agree," Ye Fei nodded. "When I think about it, we really should apologize to her. We kept her at such a distance; she must have been very lonely."
Ye Yunqi felt the weight of that thought, but she didn't want the mood to turn somber. Now that they understood Siyao’s true feelings, things would be different. She smiled and said, "Alright, stop playing the philosopher. It’s late—aren't you exhausted? We should wash up and get to sleep."
"Yeah, I'm pretty tired," Ye Fei admitted, letting the heavy thoughts go. As long as they treated Siyao with more affection from now on, that was what mattered. "Let's go wash up then. Or... should we just head to the bath together?"