Young Brother-in-law Is Now My Husband

1626  Happy Together

Inside the room, Sara and the boys were laughing.

"This isn't how you act," one of the boys teased. "We need it to look realistic so the video can have a strong impact with its message."

Sara huffed. "I'm doing my best, alright?"

A few more boys and girls, part of the shooting team, gathered around. "Sara, don't listen to him. You're doing great."

"Thanks. Let's shoot again. I'll start from entering the room," Sara said, picking up her bag.

"What's going on?" Jared mumbled, looking confused as he glanced at Lu Lijun and Jiang Yuyan.

"Unlike you, your daughter is doing something noble," Noah chimed in. "Her class has been given a small project to spread awareness about the abuse young girls suffer, especially when it goes unpunished. Your daughter and her team happened to receive a script prepared and sponsored by us. They'll be getting a nice reward for it once the project is complete."

Jared clenched his fists. "You tricked me?"

Lu Lijun raised a brow. "Would you rather it have been real?"

Jared immediately fell silent, the reality of the situation sinking in. He remained on his knees, his voice soft and apologetic. "No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything you've had to endure because of my family. As I said, I'll leave this country and never return. I'll never try to harm your family again. From the start, it was our mistake."

"Good," Lu Lijun said, standing and helping Jiang Yuyan to her feet. "We won't be seeing you off, then," he added before walking away with Yuyan, having no more words left for Jared. Noah quickly gathered the device attached to the TV and followed them out.

The message to Jared was clear, and there was nothing left to explain.

Jared sat there for a moment, watching them leave, before picking up his phone. He dialed his daughter's number, and it went through. The moment he heard her voice on the other end, he spoke softly, "Sara."

"Dad, you finally called. I thought you forgot about me."

Jared's voice was heavy as he wiped his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Dad, are you okay? You sound… different."

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice strained. "I just miss you."

"Then why don't you come back? We all miss you too."

"Yes, I'm coming back now. I won't leave you all alone again."

"That's great! I'll tell Mom and Ryan."

"No, let's keep it a surprise."

"That's a good idea. Come back soon, okay? I have to get to class now. See you soon."

Jared hummed in agreement and hung up the call. He slumped back on the sofa, tears still streaming down his face. Relief washed over him—his daughter was safe. He couldn't even begin to fathom what he would have done if she had been truly harmed.

Hearing her cheerful voice made him realize that revenge wasn't important. The people he cherished, his family, were the only ones truly worth his time.

-----

Jiang Yuyan and Lu Lijun returned home to find the entire family gathered in the drawing room, worry etched on everyone's faces as they anxiously awaited their arrival.

"They're here," the butler informed.

Everyone stood up, watching the couple enter the room, both unharmed.

Ning Jiahui hurried to Jiang Yuyan and took her hands in hers. "Yuyan, are you alright? I don't know what I was thinking at the hospital. I should have stopped you from going to that man."

"Mother, I'm fine," Jiang Yuyan reassured her. "You didn't stop me—instead, you encouraged me to punish him. That gave me the strength I needed. I'm grateful you trusted me."

"But if something had happened to you, I—"

"I'm fine," Jiang Yuyan repeated, gently squeezing her hands.

Ning Jiahui turned to her son. "Good that you brought her back unharmed, or I would have disowned you."

"Mother, even without me, no one can harm her. Trust me," Lu Lijun said calmly. "You knew that too, which is why you let her go, didn't you? You should have seen her—almost ready to shoot that man."

"I can't help but worry," Ning Jiahui mumbled, but her relief was clear.

They moved toward the sitting area, where Lu Jinhai asked, "What about Jared?"

"He's learned his lesson and is returning to his country," Lu Lijun answered. "He won't be bothering our family again."

"Are you sure?" Lu Jinhai pressed.

"Yes," Lu Lijun confirmed.

The entire family felt a wave of relief, and smiles spread across their faces. Ning Jiahui turned to the butler and said, "Tonight, we're having a feast. Prepare all the dishes each family member loves."

The butler, sharing in the family's joy, hurried off to the kitchen to give instructions to the servants.

After an enjoyable dinner together, the family spent time in the garden. Jiang Yuyan and Lu Lijun stood inside the gazebo, the night calm around them.

"What are you thinking about?" Lu Lijun asked as he noticed her lost in thought.

"I was remembering that night," she replied.

"Which one?"

"That rainy night," she said, pointing toward the wooden bridge attached to the gazebo, "when I was standing there, and you were standing here, lost in your own world."

Lu Lijun understood immediately. She was talking about that night when he had first confessed to her. "And what are you thinking about in particular?"

"I'm thinking I did well by coming here to search for you," she said, turning to face him. "If I hadn't, you wouldn't have confessed to me."

"You must have been shocked," he said softly.

"I was. It was something I could never have imagined. It felt like my whole world had suddenly flipped upside down, and I didn't know where to go or what to do."

"I was shocked myself," Lu Lijun admitted. "Maybe I should have waited for a better moment and not surprised you like that. But I couldn't hold it in any longer. It was suffocating—trying to hide it, trying to ignore it. At that moment, I just wanted to let it all out and not care about the consequences."

Jiang Yuyan gently raised her hand and caressed his cheek. "I'm sorry for slapping you that day."

"You don't need to be," he said, holding her hand and pressing a soft kiss into her palm. His gaze was tender as he met her eyes. "I'm the one who should apologize for forcing myself on you. I shouldn't have done that."

"What matters now is that we're together and happy," she reassured him. "Even thought all that was shocking, now we are together, I find it as the most important moments of our relationship."

Lu Lijun nodded and pulled her into a hug. "All I need is you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled, letting him hold her close. "I'm always with you."

He inhaled her sweet scent, "I don't know why I love you so much, but all I know, I am born only to love you. My life is meant for you. If not you, then there is no meaning. I love you, I love you so much that I don't even know 'how much' is that 'so much'."

Jiang Yuyan chuckled, her hands circled around him. "I love you as well."

Few more chapters to go, I hope I get to finish them soon. Mynovel20