The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

It feels like just last night that I said goodbye to Sister Chen Xing; the lingering sadness from our parting at the corner teahouse hasn't faded yet.

But time waits for no one, and in the blink of an eye, Chen Xing's wedding day was just around the corner.

Ye Shu sat on the sofa, looking at the invitation in her hand.

The red background with gold lettering features photos of Chen Xing and her husband, along with the wedding date and location.

Ye Shu rubbed her hands together on the invitation card, then turned to look at the person beside her.

Xiaoxue was wearing a fluffy bunny pajama set, clutching a pair of equally fluffy potato chips tightly in her arms.

The potato chips lay obediently in her arms, as if they had made Xiaoxue's embrace their little nest.

Xiaoxue looked at the invitation in Ye Shu's hand, and then at Ye Shu's somewhat troubled face.

She knew what it was; Ye Shu had already told her that Sister Chen Xing was getting married and had invited them.

"Minor Snow".

Ye Shu placed the invitation on the coffee table and whispered to Xiao Xue:

"Chen Xing's wedding... the time and place are here. You see, it's a bit far, we might need to go a day early and stay there. And..."

His eyes never left Xiaoxue's face, watching her reaction:

"Besides, there will definitely be a lot of people at the wedding. Chen Xing and her boyfriend's relatives, friends, colleagues, and classmates will all be strangers. It'll be quite...lively. Do you want to go?"

Although he always encouraged Xiaoxue to go out and interact with society, he was really afraid that she wouldn't be able to handle being in contact with so many people all at once.

For Xiaoxue, the presence of a large crowd and lively atmosphere is itself a huge source of pressure.

As Xiaoxue listened, she unconsciously hugged the potato chips in her arms tighter.

Potato Chips seemed uncomfortable from being squeezed; it whimpered twice and squirmed in Xiaoxue's arms.

Xiaoxue pressed her face against the fuzz on the back of the potato chip, leaving only her eyes showing, and then said weakly:

"I...I don't know..."

She really didn't know. Just imagining the scene—an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strangers—although she wasn't the main character, the thought of that setting already made her feel a sense of panic.

Seeing her like this, Ye Shu reached out and patted her head:

"Chen Xing's wedding is very important, and I have to go. If you really can't handle it, we can think of another way."

He revealed the safest plan he had come up with that night when he received the invitation:

"For example, if I go there myself, you can stay with Uncle An and Aunt Shen for a few days, okay? I promise, I'll come back immediately after the ceremony, at most one day and one night, and then I'll come pick you up."

I'll tell Sister Chen Xing later that my girlfriend really can't get away, and she'll understand... right?

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Xiaoxue immediately shook her head, her two rabbit ears swaying back and forth.

"don't want……"

She spoke from behind the potato chips, sounding a little aggrieved:

"Don't...be alone..."

She didn't want to leave Ye Shu; without Ye Shu by her side, her sense of security was greatly diminished.

Moreover, Ye Shu will be away from her for a long time this time. Although it's only for a day and a night, in her mind, a day and a night feels like a long time.

Just thinking about it makes her feel worse than facing a crowd.

Ye Shu sighed inwardly. As expected, Xiao Xue wouldn't agree. Ye Shu knew how dependent Xiao Xue was on him.

At times, even Uncle An and Aunt Shen couldn't compare. Thinking of this, Ye Shu felt a strange sense of superiority.

He thought for a moment, then said:

"Then... let's go together. I promise I'll stay with you the whole time, I won't leave your side for a moment. Just stay by my side, you don't need to talk to anyone else. If you feel uncomfortable, we'll go to a less crowded place for some fresh air, okay?"

But Xiaoxue still shook her head, her two rabbit ears drooping.

She knew Ye Shu would protect her, and Ye Shu's promise would always stand.

However, the thought of being in a crowd made her breathless.

Having Ye Shu around might alleviate the fear, but it can't eliminate it.

She didn't want to cause trouble for Ye Shu because of her nervousness, and she didn't want to become someone who needed special attention on Chen Xing's happy day.

I wanted to go because I didn't want to be separated from Ye Shu.

She dared not go because it was an incredibly suffocating environment for her.

Two conflicting feelings were pulling her back and forth, leaving her momentarily at a loss for what to do.

She held the potato chips, gently tugging at the dog's soft fur, her eyes filled with conflict.

Ye Shu felt very sorry for her when she saw her like this.

He knew that Xiaoxue wasn't being willful or throwing a tantrum; she was just afraid and struggling.

He reached out and pulled Xiaoxue and the potato chips in his arms into his arms.

The elementary school student leaned against him, pressing her face against his chest.

The potato chip was sandwiched between the two, which made it very uncomfortable. It twisted and turned, but still stayed nestled between them.

Ye Shu rested his chin on Xiaoxue's head, wrapped his arms around her, and coaxed her softly:

"It's alright, it's alright... no rush, we'll think of a solution slowly."

Xiaoxue slowly relaxed in his arms, but the grievance and entanglement she felt did not disappear.

Her eyes were closed, and they seemed a little wet.

She didn't want to cry, but the feeling of powerlessness—the inability to overcome her own obstacles and meet Ye Shu's expectations—made her heart ache.

This road seems to have led to a dead end.

Ye Shu held Xiao Xue in his arms, unable to think of a good solution for the time being.

We can't just not go, can we?

I have a close relationship with Sister Chen Xing. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for her, and it would be a bit unreasonable for me not to go.

But if I were to leave Xiaoxue alone, seeing her pitiful state, I really couldn't bring myself to do it, and I was even more afraid that she would overthink things at home.

The two of them were hugging like that, with the potato chip sandwiched between them, almost turning into a potato chip.

Just as Ye Shu was still thinking of a solution, the person in his arms moved slightly.

Ye Shu looked down and saw Xiao Xue slowly sit up straight from his arms, her two rabbit ears swaying.

She looked up, bit her lip, tried to encourage herself, and then said weakly:

"Then... promise me you'll never leave my side, you'll always stay by my side..."

Her eyes were on Ye Shu, and after asking the question, she added:

"May I?"

Does this mean... he's agreed?

Ye Shu felt a little surprised and also a sense that her daughter had grown up.

He knew all too well how much courage it took for Xiaoxue to make this decision.

Ye Shu pulled her into his arms again, and the potato chips he had just breathed a sigh of relief were caught in his hand again.

"Of course, I promise I'll stay by your side and never leave your side. I'll find a rope and tie us together, so you won't be able to run away even if you want to, okay?"

Xiaoxue leaned against his chest, finding what he said amusing, and nodded, humming in agreement.

After a few seconds, she spoke again, her voice still soft, but she deliberately put on a tough tone. Although it didn't sound intimidating, it was rather cute.

"If you're lying, then when you get back, you can sleep in the same bed as potato chips."

Oh ho, you're threatening people now?

But Xiaoxue, your threat sounds like you're being coquettish.

Ye Shu released his arm, looked down at Xiaoxue's slightly flushed face and her trying-to-be-serious eyes, and reached out to pinch her soft cheek:

"Wow, our Xiaoxue is threatening people now? She's grown up."

Xiaoxue shook her head as he pinched her, trying to get away from his hand. She looked away, avoiding his gaze, but couldn't suppress a smile as she muttered softly:

"I didn't... I was just saying."

Looking at her like this, Ye Shu thought Xiao Xue was just too cute.

But despite all the joking around, Ye Shu was well aware that although Xiao Xue had mustered up the courage to agree, it was more based on her trust in him and her determination to make a temporary effort.

When you actually get there, that fear will resurface.

Therefore, he had to be fully prepared and absolutely could not let Xiaoxue have any psychological trauma from her first experience with such a place, otherwise she would be even more reluctant to go out in the future.

The promise was just the first step, giving her the motivation to go out.

And I need to be her shield.