Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 186: Ye Ming’s Appearance
"Ye Ming!"
A delighted surprise appeared in Shi Lan’s eyes, and she called out his name happily.
The tall man, who had been meticulously adjusting his clothes, suddenly froze. His fingers, resting on the fabric, grew tense, unsure of what to do. A feeling akin to the apprehension of a long-awaited homecoming washed over him.
He paused for a moment before turning his head. His emerald eyes seemed to pierce through the empty air, fixing on her with intense focus.
His gaze was gentle, yet it seemed to hold an endless depth of affection.
After a long moment, his lips finally parted. "Lanlan, you’re back..."
Shi Lan nodded hesitantly, her gaze fixed on his face, her breath catching in her throat.
She had actually wondered if Ye Ming’s face was injured, or if he had some other mark that made him always wear that eyepatch.
But now, the moment she saw his face, she knew all her theories had been completely overturned.
Ye Ming’s face wasn’t injured, nor did it bear any marks. On the contrary, with the covered area now revealed, his handsome features were on full display.
The eyepatch had hidden him so thoroughly. This was the first time Shi Lan realized that Ye Ming had a pair of captivating, almond-shaped eyes, with a small mole, like a sesame seed, just under his right one.
When he looked at someone like this, even if the corners of his lips only lifted in a faint, reserved, and almost imperceptible smile, his eyes seemed to hold all the brilliance of spring. They shimmered with a dazzling, bright warmth, full of profound affection. Gazing into them for too long could make a person drown without even realizing it.
Shi Lan found herself staring, completely captivated. It wasn’t until she felt two different pressures kneading her hands that she snapped back to reality. Her face grew warm as she asked in a daze, "Why did you take off your eyepatch?"
Ye Ming had caught the spellbound look she’d given him. A flicker of joy was hidden in his eyes. ’I’m glad I have a handsome face, one that can win Lanlan’s favor,’ he thought.
He slowly walked toward Shi Lan, stopping a step away from her. He gently touched the corner of his eye, the curve of his smile deepening slightly. "Mm, I didn’t want to wear it anymore, so I took it off."
As he spoke, he glanced at the two men on either side of Shi Lan. Mu Tangfeng and Jiang Xia were sizing up his attire, and both of them had distinctly odd expressions.
"Eldest Prince."
The two greeted him. Mu Tangfeng discreetly tugged at his own clothes, regretting his miscalculation in not dressing up more.
Jiang Xia’s eyes swept over the green gemstone earring on Ye Ming’s ear, a curious light flashing in their depths. "So this is what the Eldest Prince looks like with an earring."
Back in the prison, he could never get a clear look. Later, after returning to the Director’s private planet, he spent most of his time confined to a Treatment Pod.
It was safe to say this was the first time Jiang Xia had ever seen Ye Ming properly wearing an earring.
Hearing this, Shi Lan couldn’t help but look as well.
Beneath his short, black hair, a fine green gemstone on his right ear glinted in the light. As the sun shone on it, green, wave-like patterns reflected onto his fair-skinned ear.
It was like a fine piece of art—exquisite, and it suited him perfectly.
As she continued to look, Shi Lan noticed a beautiful, peachy-pink blush slowly spreading across the edges of Ye Ming’s originally pale ears.
Her eyes met his, and for some reason, her heart skipped a beat.
’So it’s not just me who’s shy... he’s bashful too...’
Ye Ming couldn’t resist rubbing his ear with his fingers. Shi Lan felt too embarrassed to keep staring so intently and averted her gaze. However, in her peripheral vision, she noticed that the ear he’d just rubbed had turned an even more gorgeous rose-red, like a ripe fruit on a branch that made one want to take a bite.
She guiltily licked her dry lips and didn’t dare look again.
Ye Ming was distracted and didn’t reply to Jiang Xia for a long moment.
But Jiang Xia had only said it casually and didn’t think much of it.
He tightened his grip on Shi Lan’s hand, his tone cheerful. "Lanlan, since you’re on the Capital Star, why don’t you come to my place? My mom has been wanting to meet you for ages."
Shi Lan had a faint impression of Jiang Xia’s mother. She was the wealthy woman who had generously given her a Space Twist right after they met, though she had seemed a bit fierce at the time.
’But how could someone who gives such a lavish first-meeting gift, and who hasn’t asked me to do anything immoral or harmful, be a bad person?’
Still, this felt a bit like meeting the parents. Looking at the young man beside her, who was staring at her with such open and eager eyes, Shi Lan felt like a fraud deceiving a good kid. She didn’t quite dare to meet them yet.
While she was trying to think of a way to refuse, Mu Tangfeng frowned unhappily. "Why should she go to your place? My mom wants to see Lanlan too."
Jiang Xia argued his case forcefully. "My mom met Lanlan before your mom did. They’ve already met, so they’re more familiar with each other. If Lanlan sees my mom first, at least she won’t be as nervous."
"Heh, you just said they’ve already met. My mom hasn’t, so shouldn’t my mom get to meet her first?"
The two bickered back and forth, neither willing to yield. They both wanted Shi Lan to come to their house so they could find a way to have her stay the night, gaining the advantage of proximity.
For once, Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng were on the same wavelength, so on this issue, there was no room for retreat.
Shi Lan hadn’t found a place to stay yet, and Jiang Yan hadn’t returned either. However, she had no intention of going to either of their homes right now; she would probably choose to stay in a hotel for a few days.
Just as she was about to say something, Ye Ming spoke up. "I’ve already arranged a place for Lanlan to stay. If you haven’t decided where to go yet, Lanlan, you can come to my place first."
"Where is it?"
Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng asked in unison. Ye Ming replied, "Interstellar Mansion. We can go take a look now."
Upon hearing it was Interstellar Mansion, Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng reached a temporary truce.
This place was a good choice. The security was excellent, and it was a residential complex specifically for females or married families. Most importantly, she wouldn’t be living in the Eldest Prince’s palace, which meant it would be more convenient for them to visit.
Shi Lan had heard of Interstellar Mansion’s reputation. The property prices there were comparable to downtown in a major capital city. It had top-tier security, with every household assigned its own human and robotic bodyguards.
She paused, surprised. "Is this your house?"
Ye Ming nodded, then shook his head. "It was a gift from my family," he finally said. The word "wedding home" was left unsaid; he was too embarrassed to speak it aloud.
Strictly speaking, it was a property the Director had allocated to him in the past, saying it would be for his future wife. As a male, he was not allowed to live there before getting married.
Ye Ming had previously looked into Shi Lan’s situation and knew that she usually rented when on the Capital Star, which was why he had specifically prepared this house.
Shi Lan smiled. "Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you."
"So, would you like to go take a look first?"
Ye Ming asked, uncertain of her thoughts.
Shi Lan pondered for a moment before nodding. ’I can stay there for a few days for now,’ she thought. ’That’ll give me time to look for a place I really like.’
Hearing her agreement, Ye Ming’s lips curved into a slight smile, barely restraining his overwhelming joy.
He led Shi Lan and the others toward his Hovercar. Meanwhile, the two clingy pests on either side of her still hadn’t let go of her hands, sticking to her side like parasitic vines, refusing to move even an inch away.
