Male Lead's Canon Fodder Wife

The moment Zhang Yulan heard the familiar voice, she stopped in her tracks. After a moment of hesitation, she turned around and walked toward the man.

Standing a few steps in front of him, she asked, "Brother An, you are still injured. Why are you coming out?"

An Xuyuan stared into her eyes and asked, "Yulan, are you planning to leave without even seeing me?"

Meeting his gaze, Zhang Yulan lowered her eyes and replied with a smile, "Brother An, you are overthinking."

"Is that so?"

After a moment of silence, An Xuyuan let out a sigh and held her hand. He didn't give her room to refuse as he pulled her into his house while saying, "I know you care about me. That's why you asked my neighbors to check on me once every hour."

Hearing this, Zhang Yulan said, "I'm just worried."

An Xuyuan nodded and replied, "I know, that's why I'm feeling happy and eager to meet you."

After they entered the house, he pulled her to the bench and let her sit down before he sat beside her. He didn't let go of her hand and said, "Yulan, I know that you don't have any romantic feelings toward me and only treat me as a friend. But I can't lie to myself."

When she heard his words, Zhang Yulan had a premonition in her heart, and she looked at him with wide eyes. She shook her head and said, "Brother An, I—"

Before she could finish her words, An Xuyuan said, "Yulan, I like you. My heart desires you, and I want to be part of your future."

Zhang Yulan was shocked by his sudden, direct confession and was at a loss. She could only stare at him with an agape mouth.

"When I was attacked by the wolf, I thought that I would die. During that moment, I only had one fear and regret. I feared that I wouldn't be able to come back and see you again. I regretted that I was not brave enough to confess my feelings to you," An Xuyuan said solemnly.

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Now that I managed to come back and was given a second chance, I don't want to miss my chance anymore."

"Yulan, it's okay if you don't have the same feelings as me. I only want you to know that I like you as you are. As for your family background or what other people will say about me, I don't care."

Zhang Yulan's eyes teared up, and she quickly blinked to hold back her tears. Lowering her head, she said hoarsely, "Even if you don't care, what about your family? If you marry me, your future will be ruined. I don't want to harm you."

The moment he heard this, the corner of An Xuyuan's lips lifted. He tightened his hold on her hand and said, "Yulan, the one marrying you is me. I will take care of my family. They will like you. As for my future, I believe with my capability, I can still have a bright future."

He paused for a moment before he added with delight, "Yulan, you like me. That's great."

His tone was not a questioning tone but a declaration. From how she treated him and from her words, he knew that she also liked him. It was just that she was concerned about his future and afraid to take a step closer to him.

"Yulan, I will take 99 steps to get close to you. As long as you take the last step, we can be together forever. So, will you take the last step?" he asked.

Zhang Yulan was stunned by his words, and it took her a while to regain her composure. She thought about the consequences of them being together and imagined what her future would be like without him.

When she thought about him marrying another woman, she felt as if her heart was being pinched and sliced with a dull knife. It was unbearable and suffocating.

Feeling the warmth radiating from his palm, she took a deep breath. Her brother was right. She should be brave and not overthink the far future. What was important was the present.

After she made up her mind, she finally looked at him and said, "Brother An, I will take the last step."

As soon as she said this, An Xuyuan finally smiled and pulled her into a hug. Fearing he might tear his wound, Zhang Yulan didn't dare to struggle and could only let him hug her.

"Be careful of your wound," she reminded him shyly.

An Xuyuan let out a low hum before he said, "Thank you, Yulan. I will treat you well for the rest of our lives."

"Okay," she replied softly as she reached out to hug his waist.

Sitting on the kang bed in the bedroom, Zhang Ermu rubbed his arms. He never expected that it would feel this cloying hearing other people whispering love words.

Was this how others felt when they heard him whispering sweet words to his wife?

Thinking about how those people threw a disgusted stare at him, he finally realized that he might have caused others to feel uncomfortable due to his behavior.

After giving the couple some time, he finally let out a cough and walked out of the bedroom. Standing at the door, he said, "Alright, you should eat before the food gets cold and take your medicine."

"You better get well soon and come to propose. Otherwise, my parents might set up a blind date for my sister after the New Year," he added.

Hearing this, An Xuyuan smiled and said, "I will come to propose as soon as possible."

As a good brother, Zhang Ermu only gave him a glance and went to the kitchen to boil the medicine, leaving the couple some time alone.

Half an hour later, he returned with a bowl of concoction. After An Xuyuan drank the medicine and fell asleep, the brother and sister left the house and went to inform the neighbors to keep an eye on him before they returned home.