“The real reason YuanYuan and I broke up…”

Mei Fang exchanged glances with Lin Youxi, caught off guard by his mother’s sudden question in the car.

They had prepared numerous diplomatic explanations, but those were merely contingency plans. From Xiang Xiaoxia’s tone, they sensed something deeper—she was probing their true intentions.

This was both an opportunity and a challenge.

Revealing their three-way relationship ambitions too abruptly without first reshaping their parents’ values risked fierce opposition. Yet continued evasion would only breed misunderstandings and stall progress.

Some truths, however, couldn’t be gracefully articulated from Mei Fang’s position.

After a contemplative pause, he ventured, “It’s similar to what we’ve said before. Being lovers was wonderful, but it created… a slight barrier. When YuanYuan and I dated, she struggled to balance her relationship with Youxi. Right, Youxi?”

Passing the conversational baton to Lin Youxi, who rested against his shoulder, the clever girl immediately grasped his intent.

Sitting up straight, she began, “YuanYuan and I confessed our feelings for Ah Fang long ago. We didn’t want to hurt him, so we agreed to fair competition—to let him choose.”

Her fingers absently traced patterns on Mei Fang’s arm as she continued, “But in high school, especially when they collaborated on music, their bond deepened rapidly. YuanYuan couldn’t hold back her confession, and then Ah Fang just…”

“He accepted immediately? Without considering your feelings?” Xiang Xiaoxia shot Mei Fang a disapproving look.

The young man scratched his head sheepishly. “I was immature then… and the atmosphere was… Anyway, let’s not dwell on that.”

Lin Youxi picked up the thread. “Though YuanYuan and Ah Fang were happy together, her guilt over breaking our pact grew unbearable. Unlike her, I’m not that selfless—if she’d yielded him to me, I wouldn’t have refused.”

Her grip on Mei Fang’s arm tightened as she gazed up at him. “But truthfully… you never stopped caring for YuanYuan, did you?”

“My feelings for you are equally real,” he deflected—which was as good as confirmation.

Instead of anger, Lin Youxi responded by booping his nose and tattling to Xiang Xiaoxia: “Aunt Xiang, your son is a two-timing radish!”

“Eh? Well… even if you share history with YuanYuan… as Youxi’s boyfriend now, shouldn’t you maintain some distance?”

Mei Fang spread his hands helplessly. “But you always say I can’t neglect YuanYuan.”

“Distance isn’t neglect! With all your wealth, surely you can—”

“I was joking about him being two-timing,” Lin Youxi interjected with a playful tongue-show. Snuggling closer, she murmured, “I don’t mind their closeness. Without YuanYuan stepping aside, I’d never have gotten this chance.”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s mind short-circuited.

Both girls were treasures—YuanYuan with her golden heart, Youxi with her bottomless compassion. Their childhood affection had somehow matured into this unbreakable, familial love.

Choosing between them would be cruelty.

It was youngest sister Mei Ya who dropped the bombshell:

“If both sisters love my brother, why not both marry him? He’s rich enough to treat them well!”

“Mei Ya! Silence!”

“But it’s logical!” The girl tugged Lin Youxi’s sleeve. “Youxi-jie, do you hate YuanYuan-jie?”

“Never.” Lin Youxi’s smile held summer warmth. “She’s family to me, as I am to her.”

“See, Mom? If they don’t mind—”

“Adults are talking!”

Yet even as she scolded, Xiang Xiaoxia’s resistance wavered. The psychological warfare between generations mirrored a dark forest—whoever revealed their hand first would be at the other’s mercy.

Through Mei Ya’s “innocent” questioning, two critical messages had been transmitted:

1. Mei Fang and Xia Yuan’s lingering attachment.
2. Lin Youxi’s profound bond with Xia Yuan.

Among all parents, the Mei couple stood to lose the least—gaining two stellar daughters-in-law. The only barrier was their own moral compass.

Though the parents’ stance remained unclear, the absence of outright rejection marked a promising first step.

Meanwhile, Xia Yuan faced parallel interrogation, as evidenced by her panicked messages in their trio group chat:

[My parents are grilling me about the breakup! T_T]

[What did you say? The rehearsed version?]

[Sort of… I said I stole the first move unfairly, so I returned the chance to Youxi.]

[Also… I kinda implied Youxi only gets one year with you? Hope that’s okay?]

Lin Youxi responded: [Worried I’ll monopolize him?]

[Nooo! >_< Just giving our families hope you might return him later!]

[Actually works in our favor. Now your dad won’t stab Ah Fang in his sleep.]

[My dad wouldn’t! O_O]

[That murderous glare says otherwise.]

Exiting the car, Mei Fang pulled Mei Ya aside.

“Flight model or merch this time?”

His sister beamed. “So proactive! Worth all my years observing you three.”

Her expression shifted to an Anya-esque smirk as she saluted:

(TL: Yes that’s the original text. Something like this lol)

“Just bring back both sisters-in-law. Until then, Agent Mei Ya will guard Operation Throuple’s secrets unto death!”

“Respect, Comrade Mei Ya!”

Their synchronized salute drew amused glances from Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan.

“The siblings are so close!”

“Aren’t they just…”

The girls shared a knowing smile.