PDLP Chapter 166 Brother Ayu
Chapter 166 Brother Ayu
Fan Junyu leaned down slightly, his gaze fixed on He Mingning's delicate face, a faint smile playing on his lips. He deliberately lowered his voice, slowly approaching He Mingning, his warm breath brushing against her fair ear, teasing her with a hint of playfulness, "You little brat, you really have quite the temper! When you're angry, you put on a stern face and call me 'Lord Fan,' hmm?"
Teasing her like that by Fan Junyu, He Mingning instantly blushed deeply. She herself didn't know why she had suddenly acted like a child, and now, thinking back on it carefully, she felt incredibly embarrassed, her heart pounding like a deer's. She lowered her head, like a frightened rabbit, and stammered in a voice barely above a whisper, "I...I'm sorry, I really don't know why I snapped at you like that. I've never done this before, and I promise I won't make that mistake again." After saying this, He Mingning, like a child who had done something wrong and was waiting to be punished, clutched the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands, her fingers turning white from the force, and her body trembling slightly involuntarily.
Upon seeing this, Fan Junyu's heart stirred. He straightened up, crossed his arms, and gazed intently and affectionately at the shy and lovely girl in front of him. He said in a serious tone, "There's no need to pretend. In front of me, you don't need to deliberately hide your true emotions and thoughts."
Upon hearing this, He Mingning was taken aback at first, then slowly raised her head with a look of suspicion. Her large, watery eyes were filled with incomprehension and confusion. She timidly parted her lips and softly asked, "Wh...what do you mean?"
Fan Junyu's long, warm hands, like a gentle spring breeze, softly rested on her delicate shoulders. His deep eyes gazed at the woman before him, and he continued, his tone gentle yet firm, "I'm telling you, my dear, in front of me, you really don't need to pretend to be perfect anymore. You don't need to be constantly cautious, nor do you need to always maintain the dignified demeanor expected of a princess. Here, it's just the two of us. You can completely release all your emotions without any reservations, and do whatever you want to try. Just show your most authentic self, understand?"
He Mingning nodded slightly, like a shy water lily, and softly replied in a voice as melodious as a nightingale's song, "Okay." However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, her exquisite heart was already in turmoil.
She pondered silently in her heart that her father, mother, brothers, and sisters had all said similar things. However, despite their repeated reassurance and encouragement, she had never been able to act as freely as Fan Junyu now desired. This was because she deeply understood that as a princess of the nation, she carried far too many responsibilities and expectations. From the moment of her birth, countless eyes, filled with envy, jealousy, or hatred, had been watching her every move. She dared not make even the slightest mistake, fearing that those with ulterior motives would seize upon it and use it as a powerful weapon against her brother, the Crown Prince. Therefore, no matter when or where, she had to carefully maintain her noble yet fragile image.
Therefore, she has always been cautious and apprehensive, taking each step as if walking on thin ice, not daring to be even slightly lax or relaxed, always worried that if she accidentally makes a mistake, it will bring unexpected trouble and trouble to her beloved family.
Strangely, for some unknown reason, when she stood before Fan Junyu, it was as if she had suddenly shed all her burdens. The masks and pretenses she always wore seemed to fall away naturally. Was it truly because deep down she knew very well that this man would never intentionally harm her and would silently protect her?
Thinking of this, He Mingning's pretty face suddenly blossomed into a radiant and captivating smile, like a flower blooming in spring. Her beautiful eyes lingered, gazing tenderly at Fan Junyu before her, and she softly said, "Thank you." Hearing this, Fan Junyu smiled slightly, reaching out to gently pinch her delicate, exquisitely sculpted cheek. A doting smile played on his lips as he softly asked, "Will you still call me Lord Fan now?" Hearing this, He Mingning lowered her head shyly, then looked up at Fan Junyu with a sweet smile, gently shaking her head to indicate that she would no longer address him that way.
Seeing her adorable and charming appearance, Fan Junyu's eyes softened even more. He lowered his voice and asked in an almost whispered tone, "So, clever and quick-witted, do you already know how to properly address me?" He Mingning was slightly taken aback at first, then seemed to understand something and nodded happily, replying, "Yes, I know, from now on I'll just call you by your name—Fan Junyu." Unexpectedly, Fan Junyu gently shook his head after hearing this, leaned closer to her ear again, and said in an even lower and softer voice, "If you still call me by my full name like this, doesn't it make us seem too distant and awkward?" After saying this, he deliberately leaned forward, closing the distance between him and He Mingning to just inches. Upon seeing this, He Mingning was filled with doubt, and a look of confusion appeared on her delicate face. She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes as clear and captivating as autumn water, and asked in a sweet voice, "Then... then what should I call you?"
Fan Junyu's lips curled up slightly, forming a sly and charming smile, as dazzling as a peach blossom in spring. He lowered his voice and said slowly in a soft, almost whispered tone, "Well... you'll have to use your brain and think about it carefully, Ningning."
Upon hearing this, He Mingning's previously relaxed brows furrowed tightly, like a flower bud about to bloom, yet tinged with shyness and hesitation. After a moment's thought, a faint blush gradually rose on her delicate cheeks, as beautiful and captivating as the colorful clouds reflected in the sunset. Finally, as if gathering her courage, she whispered in a voice barely audible, "Then...then may I call you A-Yu, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Fan Junyu's gaze fell directly on the shy, deer-like girl before him, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes. Then, he deliberately feigned deep thought, pausing for a moment before speaking with a troubled expression, "But, that's basically what most people who know me call me. So, I really long for a unique, exclusive nickname that only you, Ningning, can use. Ningning, could you help me think of one more?"
Upon hearing this, He Mingning's gentle, watery eyes gazed at Fan Junyu's face, which now appeared somewhat pitiful. Her heart instantly softened, as if a warm spring breeze had gently caressed it, making it as light and fragile as willow catkins swaying in the wind. She quickly replied, "Okay...okay, then I'll think about it carefully." Fan Junyu's beautiful face beamed with a smile. He nodded slightly and said in a voice as gentle as a spring breeze, "Well, take your time thinking about it."
At this moment, He Mingning's brows were slightly furrowed, her beautiful eyes fixed on the ground, as if trying to find inspiration from that land. She racked her brains, trying to figure out how to address the man who had captivated her so much in a way that would make her seem unique and special.
Time ticked by, and various possible names flashed through He Mingning's mind, but she quickly rejected each one. Just when she was about to give up, a name suddenly flashed through her mind like lightning—"Brother Ayu."
Upon hearing this address, He Mingning was stunned, her heart pounding like a deer. She felt her cheeks flush and her heart race. Although the address sounded intimate and cute, it still made her, who was always shy and reserved, feel somewhat embarrassed. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't think of a more special or expressive address.
After much hesitation, He Mingning finally mustered her courage and, like a guilty thief, cautiously raised her head and quickly glanced at Fan Junyu. However, this casual glance met Fan Junyu's deep and ardent gaze.
In an instant, He Mingning felt as if she had been electrocuted, a tingling sensation spreading throughout her body. Her face flushed bright red, and in her panic, she quickly averted her gaze like a startled rabbit, not daring to meet Fan Junyu's eyes for even a second longer.
Fan Junyu gazed quietly at the girl before him, who looked as frightened as a startled fawn. Her delicate and timid appearance stirred a feeling of tenderness in him. He keenly sensed from her flustered and evasive eyes and her slightly trembling lips that she had clearly already decided how to address him.
Then, Fan Junyu smiled gently and said softly, "What's wrong, Ningning? Have you figured out how to address me yet?" His voice was like a warm spring breeze, gently brushing against He Mingning's heart and easing her tension slightly.
After speaking, Fan Junyu's deep, pool-like eyes locked onto He Mingning's figure, his gaze filled with anticipation. At this moment, he was like a child anxiously awaiting a beloved gift, his heart brimming with trepidation and excitement. His eyes sparkled with a bright light, revealing a burning desire to hear the answer, as if the moment He Mingning uttered that name, his heart would instantly burst with joy and elation.
He Mingning gazed intently at Fan Junyu's eyes, which shone like stars in the deep night sky. She felt her heart pounding wildly in her chest, like a startled fawn. Involuntarily, she gently bit her delicate lower lip, leaving a faint mark with her teeth. Then, as if making a tremendous decision, she tightly closed her eyes, seemingly struggling with an extremely difficult choice deep within her heart.
Finally, after a fierce internal struggle, He Mingning took a deep breath, mustered all her courage, and stammered in a voice softer than a mosquito's hum, almost inaudible, "Um...that...Ah...Brother Yu, can...can I?" As soon as she finished speaking, He Mingning, like a startled ostrich, quickly and shyly lowered her head, not daring to look at Fan Junyu again. Although her voice was as faint as a mosquito's wing, it was like heavenly music, clearly reaching Fan Junyu's ears, instantly rippling his heart with joy. However, Fan Junyu's face did not show even the slightest hint of joy; instead, he feigned composure, making it impossible to detect his true emotional fluctuations.
At this moment, Fan Junyu turned her gaze to He Mingning, whose eyes were darting around, and who was charming and adorable. Her fair and delicate face was now as red as a ripe apple, beautiful and captivating, her shyness overflowing. Facing the endearing He Mingning, Fan Junyu secretly chuckled to herself, but on the surface, she pretended not to have heard a thing, deliberately leaning forward and asking with a puzzled expression, "Ningning, what did you just say? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you clearly. Could you please repeat it to me?"
When He Mingning heard Fan Junyu say that he hadn't heard what Fan Junyu had just said, he felt a chill run down his spine. He was frozen in place, as if he had been put under a spell, unable to move.
Her mind was buzzing with countless bees as she pondered: Was it really because my voice was too soft and weak that he didn't hear me at all? But... just thinking about that name made He Mingning blush. It was such an embarrassing name to utter! It took immense courage to say it, let alone shout it out loud.
However, if he remained silent, he would never know that he was addressed in such a special way. Besides, he should at least ask him if he was satisfied with the nickname. Otherwise, what if he didn't like it or didn't care at all? Wouldn't all his efforts be wasted? But if he asked, would he think he was being too proactive or abrupt? He Mingning was caught in a deep internal struggle and contradiction, unsure of what to do.