Chapter 333 - Punishment

“Do you want to hear the truth, or a lie?” Ye Fan asked, looking at Zhao Tianya’s pretty face.

Zhao Tianya was close to Li Zhaojun, and Ye Fan and Li Zhaojun’s marriage would be known to her sooner or later.

Of course, Zhao Tianya didn’t know yet; surely Li Zhaojun didn’t want to reveal it either.

Zhao Tianya couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “I’m asking you a question, so of course I want to hear your real answer.

Do some people actually prefer lies?”

“Hehe, it’s not certain.

Sometimes lies sound better, and playing dumb occasionally isn’t so bad,” Ye Fan said with a light smile.

“Aren’t we having a great time sitting here, drinking and chatting?”

Zhao Tianya’s smile froze as she said, “Since you put it that way, why don’t you just tell me a lie?”

“There are two reasons I avoid lying directly: first, I don’t want to deceive you; second, this lie will be exposed sooner or later, and you would be angry,” Ye Fan explained.

Zhao Tianya hesitated before asking, “What about telling the truth?

What would be the consequence of that?”

“The consequence of telling the truth might be that we no longer sit here together, chatting and drinking,” Ye Fan replied.

He paused, then added, “Of course, you have a third option: you could retract your question, and then we could discuss how round the moon is tonight.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Tianya said, “If it were a month ago, I would choose to chat about how round the moon is tonight.

But now, I choose to hear the truth.”

Ye Fan knew that by “a month ago,” she meant before the divorce.

“Alright.

I’ll tell you the truth.

But before I do, I have a condition,” Ye Fan said.

“After you know, you cannot tell anyone else, especially not Li Zhaojun.”

“That’s fine, no problem,” Zhao Tianya instantly agreed.

Ye Fan shook his head with a smile and said, “I know a bit about your personality; you can’t keep secrets.”

“So what do you want me to do?

Swear that I’ll never tell?” Zhao Tianya quickly said.

“Fine.

I swear I’ll never reveal your and Li Zhaojun’s real relationship, and I won’t go to Li Zhaojun about it either.

Is that enough?”

“Ai, it seems you really want to know,” Ye Fan sighed.

“Well, that’s actually good.”

Though Zhao Tianya was extremely curious, she didn’t rush him, sensing from his words and tone that knowing might affect their relationship.

“Li Zhaojun and I are husband and wife,” Ye Fan said calmly.

“Ah!” Zhao Tianya exclaimed in shock, standing up abruptly, her pretty face filled with astonishment.

Her shout turned heads across the hall, but she paid no attention.

“You, you’re serious?” she asked incredulously.

Ye Fan nodded.

Zhao Tianya collapsed back onto the couch, slightly dazed.

After a while, she regained her composure and said, “This truth…

isn’t a good one.”

After a moment, she suddenly began to giggle, laughing so hard she shook like a leaf.

Ye Fan watched Zhao Tianya, puzzled; perhaps she was not taking it well?

After laughing for a good while, Zhao Tianya finally calmed down, looked at Ye Fan, and said, “Hehe, Ye Fan, you little trickster.

I almost believed you!”

“Eh?” Ye Fan didn’t understand what she was implying.

“Li Zhaojun is so proud.

How could she possibly marry you?

Though you are fun, Li Zhaojun isn’t as easy to fool as I am.

How could she just submit to you so easily?” Zhao Tianya said, “You made me swear not to tell this secret or discuss it with Zhao Jun just to eliminate the possibility of me discovering your lie.

Hmph, you slick little thing.

Too naughty.

You shouldn’t joke about such things!”

Ye Fan widened his eyes, spread his hands, and sighed, “Okay.

Actually, I lied.

I’m Li Zhaojun’s cousin.

What I said earlier, please don’t tell Li Zhaojun; she would tear me up.”

Zhao Tianya looked at Ye Fan smugly and said, “You want me to keep quiet?”

With that, she beckoned Ye Fan with her finger.

“What’s up?” Ye Fan asked, puzzled.

“Come sit by me ,” Zhao Tianya commanded with an air of having the upper hand.

Ye Fan shook his head.

“Is there something we can’t talk about while sitting like this?”

“Are you coming here or should I call Zhao Jun?” Zhao Tianya threatened.

Ye Fan raised his hands in surrender.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming.”

He stood up, walked over, and as Zhao Tianya scooted over, she said, “Sit down.”

Ye Fan had no choice but to sit, but immediately he was keenly aware of the mature scent of Zhao Tianya’s perfume and her warmth lingering on the seat of the sofa.

“Turn your face here,” Zhao Tianya commanded.

Ye Fan turned his upper body to face her.

Zhao Tianya hummed, “To think you dared lie to auntie.

Shouldn’t you be punished?”

“It’s sister, okay?” Ye Fan corrected.

“No talking back.

You’re saying you should be punished, right?”

“Yes—,” Ye Fan dragged out weakly.

“That’s more like it.

You seem sincere enough, so I’ll go easy on you,” Zhao Tianya said, pretending to be stern.

“Next, you aren’t allowed to move or resist.”

Seeing Ye Fan had no objections, she chuckled victoriously, extended her fair right hand, making a pinch with her index and thumb, then reached out and took hold of Ye Fan’s cheek.

“Pinch three times, and don’t move,” Zhao Tianya instructed.

“I won’t move,” Ye Fan replied.

Following that, Zhao Tianya gently pinched Ye Fan’s cheek.

“Does it hurt a lot?” she asked smugly.

“Not at all,” Ye Fan thought to himself.

However, he couldn’t say that, instead playing along, “Ugh, it’s killing me.”

“Two more to go,” Zhao Tianya said, almost effortlessly brushing his cheek lightly two more times before letting go.

After Zhao Tianya withdrew her hand, Ye Fan, feeling like he had received a pardon, immediately stood up and escaped back to his seat.

Zhao Tianya laughed gleefully.

Ye Fan looked sullen.

“Stop looking so pitiful.

You took the joke too far,” Zhao Tianya said, “Alright already, don’t be mad.”

Zhao Tianya picked up the red wine, poured Ye Fan a glass, then filled her own.

Lifting Ye Fan’s glass, she extended it toward him.

Ye Fan reluctantly took it, and as Zhao Tianya retracted her hand and held up her own glass, she said cheerily, “Here, finish this drink, and I’ll give you a gift.”

“What gift?” Ye Fan asked.

“It’s a secret.

But you’ll definitely like it,” Zhao Tianya replied with a smile.

Lifting her glass, she clinked it against Ye Fan’s and said, “Bottoms up.” Then she began to drink.

Ye Fan laughed helplessly, wondering how long he could maintain this dynamic with Zhao Tianya, then he tilted back his head and downed his drink.

Setting down her glass, Zhao Tianya also finished her wine, her pretty face flushing a shade of red, her beautiful eyes shimmering, truly a breathtaking sight.