Summon of the Bloodline

Yu Xue Yin remained silent, prompting Zhen Chen to glance at her gently. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be resting comfortably. Zhen Chen wasn't angry about her earlier outburst. He knew enough about Yu Xue Yin to feel only a slight surprise. From what he knew of her, she wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs or chatter incessantly. Proud and aloof, she rarely paid attention to any man. Yet, here she was, fussing over him like a worried wife. It was strange, but also endearing.

Zhen Chen found himself staring at her face, captivated. Her straight nose and slightly parted rosebud lips looked like a finely carved classical sculpture, exuding an artistic charm. Her slightly arched eyebrows furrowed as if she were displeased with something. Their close proximity allowed him to see the faint green veins beneath her translucent jade-like skin. The faint fragrance of her perfume made his heart beat faster. He was mesmerized by her beauty, a beauty so captivating it could bring an entire city to its knees.

As Zhen Chen continued to gaze at her, Yu Xue Yin's eyes fluttered open. She noticed him staring at her without blinking and felt a slight embarrassment, though she masked it with a playful tone.

"What are you staring at? Haven't you seen a beautiful woman before?"

Zhen Chen, however, was unfazed. With an innocent expression, he shook his head and replied, "I've never seen a woman as beautiful as you, Sister Xue Yin. The more I look, the more beautiful you become. Even famous actresses can't compare to you. From today, I've decided… I'll only marry someone as beautiful as you!"

Yu Xue Yin blushed even more at his words. No woman would dislike being called beautiful, and though she was aware of her own beauty, Zhen Chen's direct praise pleased her. Moreover, the way this little rascal boldly declared he would marry someone like her made her heart flutter. She no longer saw him as just a child, but she didn't quite see him as a mature man either. Curious, she asked, "Are you already thinking about marriage? I heard you don't even have a girlfriend."

Zhen Chen shook his head. "Not yet… I can't get married right now… Ah, for me to get married…" He trailed off, his thoughts drifting to the pendant around his neck, and his mood soured.

'When will I have nieces and nephews…? My brother and sister are still single…'

'If I have nieces and nephews, then…'

Zhen Chen sighed and shook his head. Seeing his dejected expression, Yu Xue Yin felt a pang of guilt. She knew Zhen Chen had never had a girlfriend throughout his school years. Her question had been meant as a tease, but she hadn't expected him to become so disheartened. She gently patted his shoulder, unsure how to comfort him.

Meanwhile, Zhen Chen was deep in thought. "For me to have nieces and nephews, my brother and sister need to get married soon. Wait… if my uncle gets married, I'll have cousins too. They might not be as picky as my brother and sister…"

"My uncle needs to get married too. Should I help him find a match? That won't be easy. But my uncle is getting older. Maybe I should find someone for him, even if it's not Sister Xue Yin. The main thing is for me to have cousins, right?"

Lost in thought, Zhen Chen suddenly asked Yu Xue Yin, "Sister Xue Yin, when are you planning to get married?"

Yu Xue Yin was caught off guard by his unexpected question. She stared at him blankly before responding, "Me…?"

Marriage was something Yu Xue Yin had never seriously considered. Her mind was occupied with her company's growth and her mother's health. She rarely thought about anything else. Zhen Chen, with a hint of hesitation, continued, "Well… my uncle really likes you, Sister Xue Yin. And you don't have anyone you're seeing, right? Plus, my uncle is successful and the kind of person you'd approve of…"

"When the time comes to get married, wouldn't you choose my uncle? You're already close to my aunt, and you know each other well…"

Zhen Chen spoke confidently, trying to play matchmaker.

Yu Xue Yin knew Zhen Chen's words were far-fetched, but her subconscious automatically rejected the idea. "I won't get married. Zhen Lao Tang is a good man, but I… I…"

She couldn't continue. In truth, her mother had been subtly encouraging her to marry Zhen Lao Tang. She believed that marrying someone as accomplished and virtuous as him would be more stable and secure than marrying someone her own age. Though she didn't push too hard, she often hinted at it.

Yu Xue Yin's heart carried scars from her father's abandonment. The image of her mother crying silently at night, looking at her father's picture, had left a deep emotional wound. She had vowed never to entrust her heart to a man again. The more she observed men, the more her distrust grew.

She needed someone who could heal her emotional scars, someone who could truly capture her heart. Otherwise, she had no intention of marrying. She looked at Zhen Chen seriously and said, "Since the day my father left, I've seen my mother struggle and cry silently at night. I told myself I would never love a man or entrust my heart to anyone. Zhen Chen, think about it. What's the point of a marriage without love? It's just an added burden. If I have children, the responsibilities will only increase. For me, it's meaningless. Unless… one day, I meet a man who truly captures my heart, I won't marry. Otherwise, I have no intention of marrying at all."

Zhen Chen understood. Her heart wasn't hardened; it was afraid. She was terrified of being hurt by a man again.

"She's afraid of being hurt by a man. That's why she's locked her heart away, refusing to let anyone in."

Zhen Chen felt a pang of pity for her. She was incredibly lonely. She had even kept her feelings from her mother, burying herself in work to the point where she didn't even realize how isolated she was.

"I need to take better care of Sister Xue Yin. She's really pitiful. I'll make sure she's happy from now on."

Zhen Chen thought to himself quietly.

Yu Xue Yin, having vented years of pent-up emotions, felt a sense of relief. She was surprised she had opened up to Zhen Chen, someone she hadn't even shared these feelings with her closest friends. She wondered what he thought of her now.

Would he think she hated men?

She glanced at Zhen Chen, who seemed deep in thought. He then looked at her with a serious expression.

"Sister Xue Yin, you're right. A marriage without love is just an added burden. From today, no matter what you decide, I'll always be by your side. You won't be alone anymore. Even aunt scolds me, I'll stand by you. Don't worry, Sister Xue Yin! From now on, I'll take care of you and make sure you're happy…"

Yu Xue Yin felt a warmth spread through her heart, a comforting sensation she hadn't felt in a long time.

"------"

The atmosphere grew warmer, and Yu Xue Yin felt a soothing warmth in her heart.