13 All The World’s A Stage, Acting Skills Are At Stake (1/2)

13 All The World’s A Stage, Acting Skills Are At Stake

Translator: YTJS_ | Editor: Perriemix

Xia Chunyu heard the noise and looked up, his eyes visibly brightening at the sight of her. She looked so simple, elegant, and coquettishly charming with that white overcoat and crimson hundred pleat dress. Her attire contrasted against her blushing face, her eyes sharp and intelligent, beautiful and moving. Indeed, the simple and elegant style definitely suited her better.

”Have you eaten yet?” Xia Chunyu picked up the cup, taking a sip of tea.

”Yes, I had a bowl of porridge. What are you doing? Are you coming up with a battle plan?” Ye Jiayao glanced at the map and saw an encircled place - Xin Yi town.

Xia Chunyu calmly drew the map away. Even if she was technically his wife, he still had to be careful and put his guard up. He could not tell anyone what his true plans were.

Ye Jiayao curled her lips angrily, forcing herself to stay quiet. I would not understand it even if you let me see it!

Xia Chunyu leaned back leisurely, sipping his tea. He pointed to the seat beside him, motioning for her to sit.

”Where did you get your culinary skills from?” Xia Chunyu asked casually.

Was he suspicious? Ye Jiayao put on a miserable and helpless expression immediately, replying sadly, ”I learned it from my family’s chef. Although I am the eldest daughter of the Ye family, my father is not very fond of me and I rarely get to see him. Even during morning and evening visits, my stepmother would find ways to stop me from seeing him. She would either say that my father was too tired and had already gone to rest, or that he was in a bad mood and I should not disturb him. I am a dispensable person in the Ye household, Chunyu. I decided to take up cooking so that at least I could give my father something to remind him of me.”

Ye Jiayao spoke in a low voice, trying hard to force out her tears, letting them well up in her eyes. She was portraying the pitiful child lacking parental love, whose life was made difficult by her stepmother.

As the saying goes, all the world’s a stage, putting her acting skills at stake.

That speech was craftily mixed with truths and lies. Ye Jiayao's host did learn cooking in order to win her father's favor. However, the dishes she made were never delivered to her father. That just went to show how little she was valued in the household. Even the host's marriage with the Wei family had to depend on her maternal family’s power in order to come to fruition.

Although pitiful, Xia Chunyu was still suspicious with the validity of her words. Just as he was about to ask her, she sniffed and wiped her tears, saying self-deprecatingly, ”Sorry for getting a bit emotional. That’s why you kept saying that I do not behave like a proper lady. I am indeed no proper lady. I did not learn the four arts, only learned how to cook a few dishes from a chef. So, in the future, I can only make you food, wash your clothes and serve you tea.”

With her eyes still red with unshed tears, she looked so miserable that Xia Chunyu couldn't help but feel sympathetic. ”Well it’s better than nothing,” he consoled.

”Will you despise me?” Ye Jiayao asked.

Xia Chunyu thought about it for a long while. He did not have any expectations of her so he could not really despise her. He wondered it if saying that would be too straightforward as he looked at her hopeful gaze.

Is it really that f*cking difficult to answer? As a lady from a wealthy family, marrying a bandit like him was considered marrying down. I am just being humble you arrogant git!

”Forget that I even asked.” Ye Jiayao waved her hand resentfully, getting up to leave.

Xia Chunyu frowned, replying unhappily, ”What do you mean forget it?”

Ye Jiayao stopped in her tracks. ”I'm just afraid of hearing something I want to hear, and also afraid of something I do not want to hear.”

”What does that mean?” Xia Chunyu asked, genuinely confused.

”It means that it was a senseless question.”

After saying that, she left, leaving Xia Chunyu staring after her in bewilderment. What the f*ck? Did she mean that she really didn't care either way whether he cared about her or not?

Xia Chunyu could not stay calm and chased her to their room.

”Hey, make yourself clear. Why was that a senseless question?” Xia Chunyu demanded.

Ye Jiayao was arranging her new clothes and shoes, marveling over their prettiness. Truthfully, the ancient attire looked way better than modern clothes. They were just a little troublesome to wear, and even on a hot day, she had to cover herself tightly. It would be a wonder if she did not get heat rash.

”I have a name, can you not call me hey?” Ye Jiayao said, not even bothering to raise her head.

”I like calling you that, so deal with it.” Xia Chunyu said carelessly. ”Answer my question.”

”If you are going to call me however you like, does that mean I can do the same too?” Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him.

”The husband is your guiding principle, do you know that? I have the right to call you whatever I want,” Xia Chunyu raised his voice at her pompously.

Ye Jiayao rubbed her ears, thinking that he must've been the god of rage in his past life. Why does he love shouting so much?

”Ah, so you admit that you really are my husband?” Ye Jiayao suddenly smiled. ”I thought so. How could you despise me when you treat me so well?”

When did he treat her well?