Urban Seduction: Housewives Club Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Siyao's Concern

Once Ye Siqi had departed, Ye Fei and Ye Yunqi settled back into their studies. However, Ye Yunqi found it impossible to focus. As a sharp-witted girl, she had pick up on the fact that Siqi had sent her away on purpose earlier. Despite her usual obedience toward Siqi, her curiosity was piqued this time. After all, there were rarely any secrets kept between the siblings.

"Brother, what was Siqi whispering to you just now?" After enduring the silence for as long as she could, Ye Yunqi finally blurted out the question.

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 his awkward secret, she might lose all respect for him entirely. Instead, he forced a small laugh and replied, "It was nothing important. Siqi was just checking in on my health."

"You're lying!" Ye Yunqi pouted, her face full of skepticism. "I don't buy it. If she was only worried about your health, she wouldn't have made me leave the room. Are you going to tell me the truth or not? Because if you don't..."

"Alright, mercy! I'll tell you," Ye Fei said, raising his hands in a gesture of defeat. "It’s actually quite simple. Siqi was feeling a bit bashful and didn't want to discuss it in front of you. Besides, it involves you as well."

"Siqi was shy? And it involves me?" This only made Ye Yunqi more intrigued. She pressed further, "What exactly did she say?"

Ye Fei chuckled, "Siqi mentioned that my physique isn't strong enough and I'm still too young. She wants me to hit the gym and grow up fast so she can marry me off to you alongside herself!"

"What a wild imagination you have," Ye Yunqi said with a scoff of disdain. "There isn't a man in this world worthy of Siqi yet, and you certainly aren't the one."

"Does that mean I'm only good enough for you then?" Ye Fei teased with a grin. He wasn't actually trying to flirt; he was merely using banter to steer the conversation away from the truth.

"Yes, you're a perfect match for me," Ye Yunqi mocked him right back. "Perfect for fetching my shoes!"

While the two siblings were enjoying their lighthearted bickering, Aunt Zhang’s voice drifted up from the ground floor. "Yaoyao, you've arrived too."

The siblings immediately fell silent at the sound of that name. If there was one person in the household they truly feared, it was their second sister, Ye Siyao. Siyao was a stern individual—aloof toward strangers and deeply protective of her family, yet she struggled to show emotion due to the childhood trauma of losing their mother. Even though they knew Siyao loved them as much as Siqi did, her presence still intimidated them.

They set their schoolwork aside once more to greet her; despite their fear, their bond with her remained strong.

Before they could even stand up, Siyao walked into the room. Although she was two years younger than Siqi, she was equally stunning. She possessed a cold, regal aura that made her feel distant, almost like an untouchable dream.

At a simple nod from Siyao, Ye Fei and Ye Yunqi sat back down obediently. They behaved like perfectly disciplined students, hardly daring to flinch.

Observing their stiff behavior, Siyao felt a pang of helplessness. She never intended for them to be afraid of her, but it seemed unavoidable. Emotional expression had never been her strength, and her face was perpetually set in a serious mask. Unlike Siqi’s naturally warm and gentle temperament, smiling was a difficult task for her.

Straining to soften her expression, Siyao looked at Ye Fei. "Ye Fei, how have things been for you at the military camp?"

Meeting Siyao’s gaze, Ye Fei caught a glimpse of the same warmth and concern he had seen in Siqi. In that moment, it dawned on him that Siyao’s affection for him was just as deep. Looking back, she had always watched over him with that look, but he had been too scared of her icy demeanor to notice. Overcome with sudden guilt, he pulled his chair closer and leaned into her, resting his head against her chest. As he felt her soft, warm embrace, his mind was clear of any impure thoughts, filled only with a sense of comfort.

"Siyao, thank you for taking care of me all these years," Ye Fei said with genuine sincerity.

"Silly boy, we're family. There's no need for such formality." For the first time, a true smile broke across Siyao's face as she gently stroked her brother's hair.

Watching from the side, Ye Yunqi was stunned. She had never realized that Siyao could look so beautiful and kind when she smiled. In an instant, she understood Siyao’s true feelings. Following Ye Fei’s example, she moved closer and snuggled into the embrace as well.

Cradling her younger siblings, Ye Siyao felt a wave of happiness. 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 swamped with work, but I have more free time." After her graduation, she hadn't joined the family business, choosing instead to open a modest martial arts gym. The Liu family possessed a lineage of exceptional traditional martial arts, which the sisters had mastered since they were young. It was the reason Ye Yunqi, like Siqi before her, had become a dominant figure at school.

Thinking of their eldest sister, Ye Fei asked, "Siyao, why didn't you arrive with Sis Siqi? She left just a moment ago. And why didn't Mom come along?"

"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 completely honest. While it was true that Mom was busy and Siqi had called, she hadn't actually been busy with anything urgent. She had intentionally delayed her arrival because she knew that if she were there at the same time as Siqi, the two younger ones would gravitate toward their eldest sister, leaving her feeling sidelined.

Aware that they had early classes and a mountain of homework remaining, Ye Siyao didn't linger. After a bit more conversation, she took her leave.

With Siyao gone, the study returned to a quiet state, and the siblings hurried to finish their tasks. They had no desire to face the wrath of Yu Wuxia the following morning.

It was nearly eleven at night by the time they finally closed their books. Ye Yunqi stretched her limbs lazily and suddenly began to laugh.

Ye Fei watched her with a confused expression, wondering what had sparked the outburst. "What's gotten into you?" he asked cautiously.

"I'm just happy!" Ye Yunqi replied honestly. "I only realized tonight how much Siyao truly cares for us. I can't believe I used to be so terrified of her."

"Yeah," Ye Fei agreed with a nod. "Looking back, we really should apologize to her. We pushed her away for so long; she must have been very hurt."

Ye Yunqi felt a similar pang of regret, but she didn't want to stay in a somber mood. Now that they understood Siyao, things would be different. She smiled brightly and said, "Alright, stop playing the philosopher. It’s late—aren’t you exhausted? Let's wash up and get some sleep."

"I am pretty tired," Ye Fei admitted, letting go of the heavy thoughts. As long as they treated Siyao better from now on, that was what mattered. "Let's go then. Or... should we just wash up together?"