12 | Twelve Roses
A minute-long stare of death.
Tang Nan, who was still lying on the floor, coughed twice, and struggled to sit up. On the other hand, Tang You turned and fled. Upon returning to her room, she tremblingly sent out a few messages in an effort to maintain her vicious white lotus persona.
Tang You: [ Umm, I was only play-wrestling with my sister just now… ]
——No, you’ve seen it all, I was really beating her up one-sidedly.
Tang You: [ I really wasn’t bullying her, you know? ]
——I really was bullying her! And now I’m pretending to be pitiful! I’m truly a vicious white lotus!
Tang You: [ Please, please don’t misunderstand me, I’ll be really sad. ]
——Please misunderstand me! Please, please hate me! Get angry! Break off the engagement!
After sending a few messages, Tang You racked her brains to think about how to make him hate her even more; her message tone sounded, and she received a reply.
She sat up swiftly, cross-legged, and clicked on it with shaking hands.
Xiao Trash: [ Good form. ]
Xiao Trash: [ Have you trained before? ]
Tang You did not dare to reply. She wailed and stuffed her phone under the pillow, then pulled the quilt over her head.
She felt vaguely that judging from “Xiao Weijing’s” recent behaviour, he didn’t seem like he was going to break off their engagement…
This thought sent her into a great panic.
Early next morning, Tang Xiao brought a listless Tang Nan over to apologize to her.
It wasn’t that Tang You wasn’t prepared for Tang Nan to complain to Tang Xiao, but this was a big surprise to her.
The slap marks on Tang Nan's face were covered with thick layers of foundation and concealer, and her head was hung low, “I'm sorry, Sister, I shouldn't have done that yesterday, I was wrong…”
Tang You immediately took her hand with great affection, “Silly Sister, Big Sis knows that you were only joking.”
With incomparable precision, she touched the half of Tang Nan's face that she had hit last night; Tang Nan sucked in a breath from the pain.
Tang You smiled lovingly, “We sisters have such a good relationship, how could we be affected by this small matter?”
Tang Xiao was greatly moved by her words, “Youyou, you’ve really grown up; you’re much more understanding than before.”
Tang You smiled gently, “It’s because you’ve taught me well, Dad.”
Next to her, Tang Nan took a few more sharp intakes of breaths.
Having scolded Tang Nan, Tang Xiao took Tang You's hand with a look of shame, “Last night, if it wasn't for Mr Xiao, I wouldn't have known that Tang Nan had bullied you…”
Tang You was slightly stunned.
Well, it seems like Xiao Weijing had a bit of conscience.
He at least knew how to protect her a little.
She didn’t respond; Tang Xiao looked at her expression, remembered how Xiao Zexing carelessly brought up the issue of Qixing yesterday, and swallowed the words back into his stomach.
There was no hurry.
The marriage was still not set in stone; he could always start planning after Tang You and Xiao Weijing were married.
For now, he would just let Tang Nan rotate through and try out at the various grassroots departments of Qixing.
Tang You watched calmly as Tang Xiao hemmed and hawed.
She guessed it was probably because Xiao Weijing had said something else.
On the return journey, Tang You took Jiang Chenting's car.
She didn’t sleep well last night; her head hung down and her eyes watered with sleepy tears.
In a daze, she suddenly heard Jiang Chenting say, “You don't want to marry Xiao Weijing?”
The question startled her out of her drowsiness; Tang You looked at him with her eyes opened wide and denied hastily, “How is that possible, I like him so much, how could I not want to marry him?”
Jiang Chenting smiled, “Tangtang1, there’s no need to lie to me.”
The car was not fast, and a shiny black Maybach overtook them—it was Xiao Weijing's car. Jiang Chenting had just met with him yesterday.
Jiang Chenting said, “Don't worry, as long as you’re unwilling, Brother won't let this marriage happen.”
Outside, the sun was a little too strong; Tang You picked up a book, opened it, and covered her face.
—-
“Mm… I know. Okay, Uncle Wang, I understand what you mean…”
Miao Jiaxi came in with some strawberries; when she saw that Tang You was on the phone, she set them down immediately and tiptoed away.
She closed the door gently on her way out.
Tang You was on the sofa; she gently pressed back a corner of the facial mask that was about to fall off.
She tilted her face, did not smile. She spoke softly and gently, “Uncle Wang, I know you have your own considerations. You know the current situation; I dare not trouble you too much, and just want to ask you one thing—if Jiang Tao and her daughter really want to join the board of directors, please stand on my side, okay?”
The person on the other end of the phone sighed, “Youyou, I watched you grow up, and CEO Su had always taken care of me in the past as well. I’ll give you some advice—if you really want to enter Qixing, it’s best to ask Xiao Zexing to speak on your behalf. He’s your fiancé’s second uncle and is now in charge of Mingjian; his word is better than anything.”
Just after he finished speaking, Wang Yu saw a tall man with a crowd clustered around him approach. He said hurriedly, “Okay, Youyou, that's all Uncle has to say to you. I have to go now, we’ll talk again next time when I’m free.”
As he spoke, the man was already in front of him.
Wang Yu put away his mobile phone and greeted him with a smile, “Mr Xiao, you’re gracing us with your presence at last.”
Xiao Zexing was dressed in a dark suit that emphasised his tall stature and dignified bearing.
The light cast a shadow on his noble features; he smiled slightly, “I heard that you were not well some time ago, but I see that you look much better now."
Wang Yu didn't expect Xiao Zexing to remember him at all; surprised and flattered, he smiled, “I've been well for a long time, thank you for your concern.”
This was originally organised for the Chen family, he was just a small minion here. While he was here, he would also try to see if he could get some benefits for Qixing.
After three rounds of drinking, with the prospect of business opportunities at the back of his mind, Wang Yu tentatively broached the subject.
Xiao Zexing put his wine glass down calmly, “Are you referring to Chairman Su’s Qixing?”
Wang Yu nodded.
Someone noticed that Xiao Zexing's glass was empty and hurried to fill it. Xiao Zexing lifted his glass in support, and smiled, “Speaking of that, I can be considered to have some relations with Qixing.”
A sentence that captured everyone’s attention.
Xiao Zexing said slowly, “It won’t be long before Chairman Su’s daughter marries into my family.”
Wang Yu's eyelids twitched, and he thought:
What a coincidence.
He had just reminded Tang You to please Xiao Zexing, and now Xiao Zexing was saying such things.
The implication was plainly obvious. The current chairman of Qixing was Tang Xiao, but Xiao Zexing had referred to the late Chairman Su Yuan, and even deliberately mentioned that her daughter, Tang You, will soon marry into the Xiao family.
He was evidently safeguarding her position.
Everyone present was sharp enough to pick it up. They had heard vague rumours that Tang You was not loved by Xiao Weijing, but since Elder Xiao and Xiao Zexing were both on her side, there was nothing more to be said.
Now that Xiao Zexing had stated his position, who would still dare to help Jiang Tao and her daughter?
Wang Yu felt a great weight lift off his chest, and was relaxed and happy.
—-
Tang You had never thought of going to Xiao Zexing for help.
She didn't dare to get mixed up in the muddy waters of the Xiao family. Since she had made up her mind not to get involved with their family, she shouldn't invite trouble herself.
But Elder Xiao obviously thought otherwise.
When she received his call, Tang You was going through the forms she had compiled, ticking off Qixing’s directors according to their closeness, attitude, and friendliness.
During Tang Xiao’s tenure as Qixing’s chairman, the entire management team basically underwent a complete overhaul; several people who her mother had valued had either resigned or retired.
It was going to be difficult.
Just as she was considering her dilemma, Elder Xiao called her on his own accord.
The elderly man spoke in a loud and clear voice, “Youyou, there's still some time before you start school, right? Let’s spend some time together; do you want to go sea fishing?”
No, she didn't want to.
Although the old man's words were a question, they sounded like an order.
Even if Tang You had already started school, he would still pressure her to take time off to go out.
Tang You smiled and replied, “That sounds good, Grandpa. Where are we going?”
“Don't you little girls like surprises? Let’s keep it a secret for now.” Elder Xiao was in a good mood, and his mind was made up. “That’s that then. I'll have someone pick you up tomorrow—the trip will be about two or three days. You can bring some personal necessities with you, or make a list and let Ah Xiang know, I’ll have someone prepare them for you.”
Elder Xiao had made the decision for the both of them. He didn’t like having his opinions refuted by others, so he just laid out the plans, and didn’t give Tang You any chance to refuse.
Although Master Xiao did not say it explicitly, Tang You also knew that this outing was probably made with the intention of setting her up with Xiao Weijing.
She took a deep breath, shut her book, and rubbed her eyes.
There was always a solution to a problem; she would just deal with things as they came.
She couldn’t do anything with Elder Xiao, so she would still have to work on Xiao Weijing.
Elder Xiao personally sent a car to pick Tang You up. Upon arriving at the airport, she chatted with the chauffeur; only then did Tang You get a full picture of Elder Xiao's plan.
The old man had taken great pains to set her up with Xiao Weijing—he had chartered an entire island and a superyacht that would take them out to sea. Worried that things met be award with just the two of them, he had also invited many people similar in age along.
“There will be quite a few people going this time. In addition to the sirs from the Xiao family, there are also several close friends: Mr Deng Jue, and Mr Hao Yun…” The chauffeur listed the names meticulously and smiled, “It’s a pity that the few Xiao ladies are not around, and cannot go.”
The Xiao family had many males, but few females. This was also why Elder Xiao especially cherished and doted on Tang You; having no daughter or granddaughter, he pampered Tang You as if she were his own granddaughter.
Tang You didn’t mind—she wasn’t interested in socializing; she was only concerned about earning Xiao Weijing’s displeasure and disgust.
However, after she boarded the plane, there was a kink in the plans—Xiao Weijing did not turn up.
After arriving at the destination, she could only board the superyacht alone; on their way to the superyacht, the chauffeur answered a call, and took on a solemn expression.
The person on the line said that Xiao Weijing had refused to accompany Miss Tang You out to sea, and was now bringing Wen Ling to the hospital to see a doctor.
The chauffeur was instructed to placate Miss Tang You and to keep this under wraps; the madam would give Miss Tang a call later.
As the chauffeur acknowledged the new instructions, he couldn’t help sympathising with Tang You.
Everyone in the Xiao family knew that Xiao Weijing was extremely cold to his fiancée, but it was such a pity for Miss Tang You, who was so beautiful and sensible…
Distracted, when they arrived at the superyacht, the driver went to get the room card and took the one for Xiao Zexing's room by mistake.
He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn’t notice, and handed it to Tang You.
Tang You did not receive any call from Zhao Manlan.
It was a maid from the Xiao family who secretly informed Tang You that Xiao Weijing had gone to accompany Wenling today, and probably wouldn’t be able to get on the superyacht.
Tang You was so happy that she could explode.
Elder Xiao had deliberately arranged for her and Xiao Weijing to share the same room, his intention painfully obvious. Tang You had only found out about this awful arrangement after she boarded the superyacht. Since she was determined to break off the engagement, she did not want to have any kind of physical relationship with him at all.
She had been worrying about what to do, and was immensely relieved to hear the wonderful news.
Now that the superyacht had set off, he wouldn’t be able to get on board.
Assured, Tang You took a long soak in the bathtub. After she had enough, she hummed and stepped out; the heat from the hot water made her cheeks a rosy pink, and she liked how the furry carpet felt under her bare feet.
Lying in bed, she watched videos of vicious female antagonists in action, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
In the haze of sleep.
Someone nipped her waist hard, and the pain woke Tang You from her dreams; when she opened her eyes, the sight of Xiao Zexing caught her completely off guard.
She was dumbfounded.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Why had this person come on board?!
The top two buttons of his white shirt were unbuttoned, revealing a clearly defined collarbone; Xiao Zexing was leaning over her, his eyes cast down at her.
His face was dimly lit, and his clear eyes reflected the panicked Tang You.
There was a dense smell of alcohol, mixed with a hint of cool fragrance.
He was already drunk; he squinted slightly and stroked her cheek, as if in trying to make out who she was.
Three seconds later, he called out her name with complete accuracy, “Youyou?”
With his hand still on her waist and the other hand cupping her cheek, he lowered his head and kissed her straight on the lips.
Tang You's head buzzed and almost exploded.
Translator’s note: While all our heads buzz and almost explode, here’s a little note about Tang You’s various nicknames…
Footnote:
1 Tangtang: While most people call Tang You ‘Youyou’, by repeating her given name as a form of affection, her stepbrother calls her Tangtang, but instead of the character of her family name (棠), he’s using the character for sweet (糖), which is, well, quite sweet.