Chapter 14: My Woman Shall Not Be Insulted

Xiao Yu’s words left Ye Shihan stunned once more.

Given as a gift? A villa worth hundreds of millions, just handed to you like that? Who exactly are you, Xiao Yu, that so many unbelievable things can happen to you with such ease?

Ye Shihan had no time to question further. Taishui was already driving the car up the winding mountainside. With Ye Shihan still in a daze, they passed through security without the slightest hindrance. Not until Taishui stopped the car in front of the villa’s grand doors did she finally come back to her senses.

Xiao Yu glanced at the absentminded Ye Shihan and smiled gently, shaking his head. He opened the car door and stepped out, then leaned on the door, looking at her. “What’s wrong? We’re already at the doorstep. Don’t you want to go inside and have a look?”

His words snapped her out of her trance. She got out of the car and joined Xiao Yu, gazing up at the villa. “Are you sure you’re not joking?”

Xiao Yu shook his head, took the keys Taishui handed him, and placed them in Ye Shihan’s hand. “This is our home now. Here, the keys are all yours. If you don’t believe me, try and see if you can open the door.”

Her hands trembled as she gripped the keys. After glancing at Xiao Yu, she slowly walked toward the villa’s entrance. Seeing this, Xiao Yu and Taishui followed behind, both with a faint smile on their faces.

At the door, Ye Shihan took a deep breath. She carefully inserted the key into the lock and gave it a gentle twist.

With a click, the door swung open.

As the door opened, a shiver ran through Ye Shihan’s body as if she’d been struck by lightning—goosebumps prickled her skin and her hair stood on end.

She pushed the door wide and stepped inside. The villa was nothing like the extravagant palace she had imagined. The décor was understated, almost humble. The main hall on the first floor was accented in shades of grey and white, with decorations that were simple, clean, and elegant.

“Are you satisfied?” Xiao Yu approached her slowly, his voice gentle. “I remember when we first met, you said that if we ever had our own home, you’d want it decorated just like this. I haven’t forgotten.”

Tears streamed down Ye Shihan’s face. She had never expected Xiao Yu to remember those words after all these years. Her heart was overflowing with emotion, and the barriers she’d placed around it began to dissolve.

Her gaze wandered across the hall, coming to rest on the wall directly ahead. There, a large photograph was hung high—two people, a man and a woman, both beaming with radiant smiles. The woman wore an off-shoulder white wedding gown; the man, a black suit. It was their wedding photo, taken five years ago.

“You see how beautiful you were back then,” Xiao Yu whispered, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. This time, Ye Shihan didn’t struggle—she simply let herself rest in his embrace.

“Xiao Yu, what happened to you in all these years? Who are you, really? Why would the owner of this villa give it to you for nothing?”

She was full of confusion. She broke free from his arms, turned to face him, and searched his expression for answers. But Xiao Yu’s face was as calm as ever, betraying nothing.

“I’m your husband, Xiao Yu. What other identity could I have?” he replied with a faint smile.

His answer deflated her. No matter how she pressed him, he refused to share the truth. Even Taishui dodged her questions. It left her helpless, especially since Xiao Yu’s recent actions had so thoroughly defied her expectations.

He had secured a partnership with Huayi Group with a single phone call. Now, someone had handed him the most coveted villa in the city, and a mysterious figure like Taishui was always at his side. All of it spoke of a man far more extraordinary than he let on.

But if Xiao Yu wouldn’t say, there was nothing more she could do. One thing, however, was clear: whoever Xiao Yu was, he was her man.

As Ye Shihan gazed at him in a trance, Xiao Yu took her hand and led her to the sofa. He sighed softly and spoke, “In the five years I was gone, my life changed completely. But one thing never changed: my love for you.”

“The five years are over, so I came back. I came back to make sure you never have to endure those humiliations again.”

Taishui, who had been standing quietly aside, stepped forward. “Sister-in-law, you may not know what our big brother has been through in these five years, but he’s always kept you in his heart. He never forgot you. He just couldn’t come back until now.”

At Xiao Yu’s subtle gesture, Taishui fell silent.

“Don’t worry. The humiliation you suffered today at the Ye family—I’ll make sure they pay for it, one step at a time. No one has the right to insult my woman.”

Xiao Yu looked at her with unwavering seriousness, then pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and put it on speaker, setting the device on the table.

Ye Shihan watched him, bewildered.

“Hello, Mr. Xiao?” came a respectful voice as soon as the call connected. Ye Shihan was startled. She recognized the voice—it was Lin Xue’er, the secretary who had signed the contract with her.

“Regarding the partnership between the Ye Group and your company, I want you to deal only with Ye Shihan.”

Lin Xue’er paused, confused by his request, but she was sharp enough not to ask further. “Rest assured, Mr. Xiao. As far as I’m concerned, Miss Ye is the only one I’ll work with.”

“That’s all, then,” Xiao Yu said, not waiting for her to respond before hanging up.

“Xiao Yu, you…” Ye Shihan stared at him in disbelief.

Xiao Yu smiled gently. “I told you. They cast you out of the Ye family, but one day they’ll regret it. In the Ye family, no one but you, Ye Shihan, is worthy of inheriting everything.”

Hearing these unequivocally protective words, Ye Shihan felt a surge of sweetness in her heart. Once upon a time, the man who could only swallow his anger in silence now stood in front of her, shielding her from the storm. The feeling of being protected was truly wonderful.