Chapter 1042: SEED OF DOUBT

LUO YAN acted as if that wasn't a big of a deal. This way, Yu Jiao would be more relaxed and much more receptive in telling him all the details of her date with Luo Ren. Because that's what it was, a date.

It seemed to have worked since Yu Jiao, after a bit of contemplation, told him of the short version of the events that happened during their date. From that ridiculous excuse he used to invite Yu Jiao to the art gallery, to the also very obvious way of giving that infinity necklace to her. Oh, and let's not forget the Forget-Me-Nots.

If he could, Luo Yan would have already applauded. His older brother's strategy to have this date and give Yu Jiao gifts without the other realizing of his true intentions. Of course, something like that could only work on an innocent and unsuspecting soul, like Yu Jiao.

And now that she was done telling him what happened, it was now Luo Yan's turn to do a bit of work.

"Hmm... that's weird. My brother isn't really that much interested in art. At least not to the extent that his secretary will buy tickets in advance. Oh well, maybe his taste has changed," he said in an innocent manner, as if he thought nothing of it.

He secretly glanced at Yu Jiao. The other had a confused look on her face, obviously not really understanding what Luo Yan was trying to say.

Should he be more straightforward?

Honestly, he didn't really want this situation to reach a point where he had to directly say to the other that Luo Ren was in love with her. That would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it? Besides, realizing one's own feelings was much more fulfilling that having someone spoonfed it to them.

So, the only thing he could do was to leave clues that wouldn't be too obvious but would also not be too easily ignored.

"What were the flowers Brother gave you?" Luo Yan asked, acting like he had forgotten it.

"I-It's a bouquet of Forget-Me-Nots," Yu Jiao answered. The confused expression on her face showed that she was still thinking about what he said earlier.

"Forget-Me-Nots? How romantic."

Yu Jiao sharply turned to Luo Yan. The other's words reminded her of what her mother had said before. About how the flowers were romantic. She couldn't understand it then, and she still couldn't understand it now.

But this situation was at least different. She couldn't ask her mother why she said those words, mainly because she was feeling embarrassed. She didn't even know why. But right now, she felt like she could ask Luo Yan. Although it's still quite a bit embarrassing, her curiosity was currently even greater than that.

So, she asked, "Wh-why is it romantic?"

Luo Yan smiled secretly when he heard the question. He felt like a cat that had finally caught the mouse. "It's because of its meaning."

"Meaning? What does it mean?"

"It means 'true love'," Luo Yan said. Of course, there were other more well-known meaning for the flower, he just chose the most romantic one. Which he was sure this was also what his brother meant. Then he smiled sweetly. "Isn't that romantic?"

Yu Jiao felt like she had been hit by lightning when she heard Luo Yan's answer. True love? What did that mean? No, she probably should know what it meant. But at this moment, everything was just muddled up. Like her brain was just put into a blender and it now had turned into putty.

Looking at Yu Jiao's expression, as if she was having an existential crisis, Luo Yan secretly smiled once again. It seemed that he had succeeded.

And indeed, he did.

Because at this moment, a seed of doubt had finally been planted in Yu Jiao's heart. A doubt that maybe there was another meaning behind Luo Ren's actions on the 14th.

This seed of doubt once planted would surely grow and grow until it bore fruit.

"What were you talking about so intensely with Yu Jiao earlier?" Shen Ji Yun asked while playing with Luo Yan's hand.

He was sitting behind the other, spooning him into an embrace. They were on his island; they teleported here after the little celebration in Yuexing Pavilion. Thankfully, Dusk took the kid away before he could throw a tantrum.

"Oh, I'm giving her some enlightenment, hoping to help my dear older brother," Luo Yan answered, clasping their hands together.

Shen Ji Yun was also made aware, albeit not of his own accord, of Luo Ren's feelings for Yu Jiao. "Are you playing cupid?"

"Maybe." Luo Yan rested his head on Shen Ji Yun's shoulder. "It's really up to my brother to make Jiao Jiao fall in love with her." He raised his head and kiss the other's jaw. "Why don't you give some advice to my brother, Brother Ji Yun? He might learn a thing or two from you. After all, you're the most romantic Casanova I ever met."

Shen Ji Yun chuckled. "I'm afraid my Casanova tendency only works on you."

"Well, I'm certainly glad about that. I don't want you seducing unsuspected people out there."

That made Shen Ji Yun chuckled once more. "Don't worry, I am and always will be yours."

Luo Yan turned around and sat directly on Shen Ji Yun's lap. Then he hugged the other's neck before kissing him. "Ah, I've been dying to do that since earlier."

Shen Ji Yun also leaned down and kissed Luo Yan. "Me as well."

Then the two shared a kiss, savoring each other's lips.

After getting enough of each other, Shen Ji Yun finally remembered that he had something to say to Luo Yan.

"Yan Yan, do you remember about the gift Uncle and Brother Zhao gave to me on my birthday?"

"Hmm... yes, but didn't Uncle Yi Mu say that he would tell you what it was later that day?" Luo Yan said, remembering that time. "So, what gift did they give you?"

"It's something that I believe you will definitely like."