As dull as Shen Yao was, even he could tell that if he didn't do something everything would escalate beyond his control.
So, like a man who had touched fire by mistake he took a quick step back releasing himself from her grip. Shen Yiyi watched dumbfoundedly as Shen Yao raised his hand towards Xi Shu who always the reliable one took out a cloth from who knows where that he used to thoroughly clean his wrist and other places as if he was afraid, she would give him something.
Shen Yiyi watched this and her expression didn't change from the kind loving expression she had but the smile on her face grew stiffer— looking worse than crying. Actually, though she was shocked but it wasn't that bad after all before this she had heard about this when she was snooping around her parents room trying to know how many gifts they had swindled from her cousin because she wanted to get a lot of valuable stuff from her mother before it was all swindled away by her brother but now looking down at her hand she felt humiliated especially in front of Shen Maio this cousin she hated the most.
She took a deep breathe to calm down then took stepped forward. Shen Yao stepped back "Wasn't she good looking today why was her cousin who loved her the most steeping away from her as if she was a germ" she asked herself her eyes looking down at herself there was nothing wrong.
Her light pink brocade robes moved with the motion — the fabric flattering in the breeze making her look serene and beautiful. Her Long black hair cascaded along her long swan neck down to her shoulders with pure black watery eyes resembling a baby deer's enhancing her beauty. And right now, she was standing in front of Shen Yao her eyes filled with tears as Shen Yao avoided her advances.
Something stirred in his chest a sort of discomfort he felt it but didn't make it too obvious
'The original's emotions maybe," he thought but still took a step back again.
"Brother Shen." Her voice was soft and apologetic. her voice sincere as if remembering something she reached out for his hand, but he moved faster she paused her movements her voice now carrying a hint of wounding "It wasn't me. You have to believe me — I tried to tell father you were innocent, but you know how he is, he's always been biased toward Third Brother and I couldn't—"
She paused. Her hand rubbed her eyes then a tear rolled down her cheek she hiccupped a bit
"Brother what did I do wrong I couldn't stop father and mother you know how much they love to spoil An 'an" she turned to the side wiping her tear with a cloth as if she doesn't want him to see her at her weakest
Around them the garden was quiet as no body made a single sound. Xi Shu knew what sort of person this second miss was but today watching her act so pitiful he felt his world view refreshed if no one knew better they would have thought they had hired a theatre troupe to perform for them and funnier was actually his young master's reaction for a moment he actually felt he was watching a cat and mouse game where the cat was trying to tempt the hiding mouse to come out but it couldn't so it tried catching it instead. The Bai twins were no better off either as their expressions shifted between fascination and pure entertainment
and the worst-off being Shen Maio who had basically dropped all pretense and just laughed out loud. When you think about it no one could blame her for this one because Shen Yao had brought this one on himself being the emotionally rigid and composed brother, he was it is a rare sight to see him like this.
She laughed and laughed until she had to clutch her stomach from just looking at Shen Yiyi's face which was now slightly red from anger and embarrassment.
Xi Shu maintained a neutral expression though the twitching corner of his lips gave him away as for the Bai twins looked at each other. Then at their young miss who was still laughing herself silly and turned to Shen Yiyi whose hands had already clenched as she glared at Shen Maio in an angle that Shen Yao couldn't see then they glanced each other both helpless this girl really didn't know how to hold back.
Shen Yao stood still his gaze locked on this sister of his surprised by her reaction though they had spent a month together getting to know each other better this was the first he had heard her laugh since the most she had done tugging at the edge of his robe instead of reaching for his hand because she'd realized he seemed to dislike the feeling of another in his hand
He scratched his cheek.
Shen Yiyi's face had already moved through embarrassment and anger — both of them visible as the red climbed from her neck to her cheek a tiny vein was also throbbing to her side as she clenched her fist trying not to lose it in front of Shen Yao though her eyes basically glared holes at Shen Maio
The Bai twins behind Shen Maio happily returned the glare with their own as Shen Miao composed herself.
It all happened with in the speed of someone switching a light off — one moment laughing, the next standing with her expression arranged correctly, only the slight brightness still in her eyes and the color in her cheeks indicating that something had happened. She tilted her head as if something had just occurred to her.
"I'm sorry, Sister Yiyi." Her voice was pleasant then same tone Yiyi had once used to mock her "I didn't know you were coming today — I only prepared enough snacks for me and Brother." A small pause." if you want to join us, I can have the kitchen prepare some more for you."
Shen Yiyi's smiled, the vein on her head practically throbbing even more
"Third Sister, how dare I impose?" She waved her hand with the gracious dismissal of someone doing you a favor. "You two go and enjoy yourselves. I wouldn't dream of intruding."
She turned to Shen Yao glancing at him and waiting for him to accuse and scold Shen Maio for being rude, but nothing happened instead Shen Yao did something she never expected he picked up the basket from Shen Miao's hands.
Then without a single glance in her direction "Let's go," he said and walked forward with turning back.
Shen Miao seeing her brother moving further away quickly fell into step trying to catch up with his long legs, so she had to half run to finally reach him — she smiled this time her brother didn't scold her or even look at Yiyi like he used to.
"This was good" She thought happily wanting to skip around but too embarrassed to do so Infront of her brother.
Behind them Shen Yiyi stood in the garden her smile still in place but now entrenched with traces of anger while her pink robes fluttered in the air
The smile dropped as her fingers unclenched and clenched again, she turned and left her expression spelling fury