Ye ZhengYu sat up straight, wearing an innocent expression while meeting Huo Yao's typically stoic gaze.
"I think I made it clear that I don't want to marry Mr. Ye, but it seems you don't understand my words,"
Huo Yao stated firmly.
Ye ZhengYu acknowledged her feelings, though it pained him to hear her rejection so clearly.
"I've also made it clear that I will officially pursue you from now on. I'm not forcing you to marry me, nor will I force you to accept me," he explained.
"I just want to pursue you. You won't deny me that, will you?" he added.
Huo Yao folded her arms and replied, "Yes, you're not allowed to do even this. You're disturbing my work."
Ye ZhengYu tried to appeal to her by mentioning their children, saying, "But our children deserve a complete family. We can try to provide that for them."
Huo Yao countered, "Many children in this world grow up happily and healthily in incomplete families. I've arranged for them to meet you whenever they want. They don't complain about having an incomplete family, so you don't need to worry."
Huo Yao wasn't known for her sympathy or empathy. She had been raised to think rationally, even when it came to her children.
At this moment, she glanced at Ye ZhengYu, seeing the sadness and pain in his eyes, which she recognized but struggled to understand fully.
For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
She couldn't bring herself to speak harshly to him. Her head throbbed, and she quickly opened her mask to take a deep breath.
"Forget it. I'm sorry for my harsh words, but I really don't want to get married. It was never in my plan," she explained.
She paused, trying to clarify further, "Please try to understand. I have difficulty expressing my emotions and understanding others' emotions."
"Previously, Yue Chen only planned for me to stay by your side because I felt a longing to get closer to you. But Grandpa Ye arranged for me to be your fiancée. I thought I might as well give it a try, thinking I could live with people better than I expected," she continued.
"But it was a failure. You also noticed that I never cared about your neglect, whether you were at home for months or not," Huo Yao spoke in a gentle voice she usually reserved for her children.
"So, Mr. Ye, I am really not suitable for marriage or living with a partner. Please don't waste your time on me."
Ye ZhengYu continued to stare at her, remaining silent.
This was the first time he had seen her speak so much around him.
Huo Yao waited for his response but received nothing. She thought her words might have hurt him deeply, so he needed some time alone.
As she turned to leave, she heard hurried footsteps behind her and felt hands on her waist.
Huo Yao helplessly turned to look at Ye ZhengYu, who was standing very close to her.
Ye ZhengYu spoke, "Huo Yao, tell me honestly, did my actions make your heart beat faster? Even a little faster will do. I believe you're an honest person."
He didn't give her a chance to respond, lowering his head and gently kissing her.
He nibbled gently, not too deeply or too lightly, and pulled her closer. Huo Yao allowed him to kiss her without resistance. She wanted to see if his kiss could make her heart beat faster.
And it did start to beat faster. Ye ZhengYu didn't wait for Huo Yao's response; he placed his hand over her heart.
After a while, he kissed her more passionately, and Huo Yao began to respond.
In the end, they fought for dominance.
When they finally separated, they were both out of breath, gasping for air as Ye ZhengYu continued to gaze at her.
After calming down, Ye ZhengYu showed a big smile. "Darling, your heart beat faster, and you can't deny it. You responded to me."
Huo Yao's lips looked even more alluringly red after being kissed, and Ye ZhengYu felt tempted to take another bite.
"I responded because of women's sexual desire. After all, I'm already a mother. In medical terms, it's normal to respond to your kiss," she explained.
She thought for a moment, then continued, "And my heart beat faster because your sudden kiss awakened my desire."
Huo Yao responded in a medical way to his words, but Ye ZhengYu still smiled.
"Whatever you want to say, I won't stop pursuing my wife. But I promise not to disturb your work in the future," he assured her.
He checked the time, picked up his coat, and said, "Let's go. It's time for dinner. I told our children to wait. I will bring their mother to have dinner together."