“Dad… are you angry…?”

Yu An hesitated slightly.

She was a gentle and considerate girl—that was why uncertainty flickered in her now.

Naturally, she knew her father had returned.

Last night, she’d wanted to ask him about Yu Zhe…

But he hadn’t come home all evening. Yu An could only sigh and push the thought away.

Now, though, he was back—the maids had told her.

After gathering courage all night, she’d steeled herself to speak with him.

Hearing the news, she’d rushed to open her door and head downstairs—only for the maids to gently advise her not to disturb him yet.

A quick inquiry revealed why: for some reason, her father was in a foul mood in the living room. Going down now would only make things worse.

True to her gentle nature, Yu An stayed put. She’d wait until he calmed down.

Glancing back, she noticed her bed was rumpled. With a soft sigh, she smoothed the sheets.

Perfectly flat—even the housemaids, skilled as they were, couldn’t match her neatness.

“A little… nervous…”

Yu An murmured to herself.

Her lovely eyes drifted to the soft pink bed.

Then…

Plop!

Like a little white rabbit, she pounced onto the freshly made bed.

Messy again.

A blush bloomed on her cheeks.

“Ahem…”

Clearing her throat twice, she climbed off. Her delicate hands began smoothing the sheets once more.

This was one of Yu An’s quiet comforts.

As a child, she had no playmates. Her parents always had her practice housework.

Over time, she became a master of chores.

When bored.

When nervous.

She’d do this—to quiet her mind.

After all, keeping busy chased away boredom and stray thoughts.

A tiny wisdom she’d learned young.

And today? She’s sharing it with you~

But…

Sometimes, a flicker of shyness surfaced.

After all, she wasn’t a child anymore—she was a college student, practically an adult (or so she thought).

So that playful pounce always carried a hint of girlish embarrassment.

Outside, Yu An radiated gentle warmth. Maybe she felt more confident there.

But at home—in the house she’d lived in for over a decade—her confidence…

Never mind. Don’t mention confidence. Yu An would warn you!

Knock, knock—

A soft knock at the door.

“C-coming right away! Please wait!” Startled, she hurried over.

“Miss, the master wishes to see you,” the maid said with a slight bow.

Yu An’s heart skipped. She froze.

Father was asking for *her* first?

A faint unease stirred within.

She nodded politely and descended the stairs with small, careful steps.

Silently, she gathered her courage.

She trusted Yu Zhe. She trusted her father.

Yet what she never noticed…

was the quiet worry and doubt lingering deep in her eyes.

…

…

Yu An reached the living room in just over a minute.

She shook her head slightly, scanning the space.

Her gaze settled quickly: her father and mother sat together at the center.

Beside her father stood a butler in a crisp tailcoat, holding a silver tray with three steaming teacups.

Swallowing nervously, Yu An approached the sofa.

“Father… you wanted to see me?”

She walked respectfully to Cheng Du’s side, nodded to her mother, and spoke softly.

All the while, she watched her father’s expression.

If anger still lingered, she wouldn’t ask her question.

Relief washed over her—he seemed calm, no trace of fury on his face.

“Hmm. Sit,” Cheng Du gestured to the opposite sofa.

Yu An nodded and sat properly.

Cheng Du lifted his gaze to her but said nothing.

Yu An felt stiff. She rarely saw her father—never in a setting like this.

After she sat, the butler placed the tea on the glass table and bowed out.

With a wave, Cheng Du dismissed him—and all other servants left the room.

He sipped his tea, then looked at Yu An again.

“Father, if you have something to say… please just say it,” Yu An added quickly, uneasy.

To ease the silence, she lifted her own cup and took a small sip.

Perhaps Cheng Yu An’s gentle, composed presence softened Cheng Du’s restless heart. He exchanged a glance with Ye Yi.

Ye Yi looked at Cheng Yu An with reluctance, lips parting—then hesitating.

“Ahem…” Cheng Du prompted gently.

After a long pause, Ye Yi bit her lower lip and murmured, “Yu An… you’re not so young anymore. It’s time to consider marriage. We should start looking for a suitable, well-matched family… what do you think…”

“B-but I’m only nineteen…”

Yu An felt something was off.