That voice calling "Tingye brother" still feels unreal to him.
He smiled faintly, and thinking of Meimei calmed his restless heart considerably, making time pass quickly.
"Young master, it’s almost nine o’clock. Mr. Jie didn’t say you couldn’t eat. I’ve had the kitchen prepare some porridge; you can kneel and have a bowl," Yao said, as he walked into the living room, full of concern.
Kneeling for so long, if you’re still hungry, then by the time your knees are fine, your stomach will surely be a problem.
"I’m not hungry."
He’d rather stay hungry than eat while kneeling.
Besides, this wasn’t the first time he’d been punished by kneeling. The Dan Family had always trained their heirs more strictly than any other family since childhood; he wouldn’t starve from missing one meal. Meimei was still waiting at the Ye Family Villa. He wouldn’t give Dan Hanjie the chance to increase his punishment.
"Young master, Miss Meimei is here, waiting just outside the villa gate..."
"What did you say?" Dan Tingye suddenly lifted his head, glaring fiercely at the guard reporting back, gritting his teeth, "Where’s Jiang Nan?"
"I haven’t seen Young Master Jiang Nan, only Miss Meimei. She said she snuck out to find you and wants to meet the young master," the guard shuddered, speaking with trepidation.
Such a beautiful girl appearing outside the villa at night, they were all stunned. If Miss Meimei hadn’t introduced herself, saying she wanted to meet the young master, they wouldn’t have dared to disturb him.
But hearing that Miss Meimei came to the villa, why does the young master seem unhappy?
"Go out and say I’m too tired today and have already gone to sleep. Make sure she’s safely sent back to the Ye Family Villa," Dan Tingye ordered sharply, eyes narrowing.
Damn Jiang Nan, being so inattentive that he didn’t even notice Meimei sneaking out!
"Yes," the guard acknowledged, hurrying out.
Knowing Meimei came to find him, Dan Tingye gritted his teeth, almost unable to resist getting up to see her.
The air pressure in the living room suddenly dropped.
"Everyone out, turn off all the chandeliers, just leave one on," he instructed. With the living room so bright, and her being so clever, she certainly wouldn’t believe he’s really asleep.
"Yes, young master."
Yao waved everyone out of the living room, turning off the lights one by one.
In the end, Dan Tingye was left alone, the dim light casting a solitary and desolate silhouette on his lean back...
He knelt there in silence as if meditating, but upon closer inspection, his eyes always seemed to be shimmering slightly.
After waiting so long, he finally looked forward to seeing the person he wanted, but with her just outside the villa, he could only have her sent away.
The thought of Meimei’s disappointed expression made his hand clench suddenly. Fighting to control himself, he remained kneeling.
-
Dawn filtered through the window, bright points of light danced on the unclosed curtains like a mischievous child.
Dan Tingye had been kneeling all night, his upright posture unchanged.
His eyes remained tightly shut, with long lashes casting shadows on his lids, his sculpted features bathed in the soft light, revealing a porcelain-like allure, indescribably enchanting.
Yet the weariness on his face tells of his exhaustion.
"Young master, it’s time," Yao appeared punctually in the villa’s living room, worrying over the still-kneeling Dan Tingye.
At these words, Dan Tingye slowly opened his alluring eyes, lips faintly moving, "Help me up."