White Lotus 20
The chopsticks in Tang You's hand clattered to the floor.
The entire room was silent.
Xiao Zexing reasoned calmly, “My place is not only close to Youyou’s school, but it’s also not far from Weijing's company. Besides, Youyou's grandmother, Ms. Meng, also happens to live there. There are many rooms and has all kinds of facilities. It is suitable for both Youyou and Weijing to move in together.”
Elder Xiao's sinister gaze dissipated.
Tang You's wildly beating heart calmed slightly…
Thank goodness, thank goodness it was with Xiao Weijing.
She was scared to death. She had thought just now that Xiao Zexing had meant that she would be the only one to move in.
But that wasn’t possible too.
What could Xiao Zexing hope to get anyway.
Zhao Manlan thought for two seconds, and agreed, “I think that’s fine. After all, Youyou is still in school.”
She was actually afraid that Xiao Weijing would continue to dispute and quarrel with Tang You.
Xiao Zexing had a claim and steady personality, and was the most reassuring presence in the family. With this elder watching over them, should any conflict between Youyou and Xiao Weijing arise, he would be able to help them to reconcile in a timely manner.
Xiao Zenian didn’t have much opinion on the matter, and echoed smilingly, “What Zexing said is reasonable.”
Elder Xiao stared at Xiao Zexing. The two ornamental walnuts in his hand were not turning anymore; he was squeezing them firmly.
Xiao Zexing's posture was upright, and his expression calm; there wasn’t the slightest abnormality to be detected.
A few moments later, Elder Xiao asked Xiao Weijing in a deep voice, “Weijing, what do you think?”
Startled at being called upon, Xiao Weijing pursed his lips and finally spoke, “I don't have a problem with it either.”
With that, all eyes fell on Tang You.
……Xiao Zexing had said that he would help her to break off the engagement, he shouldn’t be lying to her, right?
Besides, he probably wouldn’t arrange for her to live with Xiao Weijing.
Tang You braced herself and said weakly, “I’ll do what Grandpa decides.”
Elder Xiao made the final decision, “Then it's settled. Tomorrow and the day after, take some time to let both Youyou and Weijing move to Zexing's.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Earlier, some were worried that either Tang You or Xiao Weijing would not agree—— but for the old man to change his decision for the first time was truly unprecedented.
Xiao Zexing was probably the only person who could change Elder Xiao’s mind.
As soon as Tang Xiao received the news that Tang You was moving out, he abandoned all care about his image and ran over with a bruised eye, telling Tang You with great earnestness, “I heard that your second uncle has quite a good temper. Now that he’s helping, you must get along well with Weijing, don't make Weijing angry again!”
Tang You answered absentmindedly.
Tang Xiao didn’t sense anything strange from his daughter's expression and continued, “Your Aunty having her birthday is next week, we’re also not going to do anything big, just a family dinner——”
“Hmm, next week,” said Tang You, “I’ll see.”
She didn't really want to go.
To be more precise, she didn't want to see Jiang Tao and her daughter.
If Tang Nan was openly bad, Jiang Tao was secretly mean.
Tang You had suffered a lot at the hands of these two in the past.
Back then, because her mother's Qixing was still in Tang Xiao’s hands, Tang You had to endure quite a lot.
However, from now on, Tang You would not allow these two to continue behaving so arrogantly.
Tang Xiao did not notice this at all.
He rarely pays attention to the conflicts in the family.
To Tang Xiao, apart from the “rebellious phase” at the beginning, Tang You had always been a pretty and soft-natured child.
The marriage between him and his ex-wife was not a good match; Su Yuan was rather dull, and her daughter was the same as well. Thankfully, Tang You's face was still not bad, so he had been able to reap such a huge benefit from her.
In comparison, he doted on Tang Nan more. After all, she was the offspring of him and Jiang Tao, his soulmate.
Not long after Tang Xiao left, Tang You was about to call the housekeeping company when she was caught off guard by a message from Xiao Zexing.
Xiao Trash: [ At home now? ]
Xiao Trash: [ I’ll get someone to go over and help you ]
Tang You replied with an “OK” emoji.
She put down the phone and rubbed her brows.
Her little face wrinkled like a bittermelon.
Miao Jiaxi sat next to her, worrying along with her friend, “My good Youyou, can your appetite handle both men?”
As soon as she said this, Tang You couldn't help but give her a heavy knock on her forehead. “What kind of filthy things are you thinking about in your little head every day!”
Miao Jiaxi covered her forehead, stood up, took a step back, and said very sincerely, “You have to forgive this experienced ‘filthy’ old woman. When your peers are still only able to watch videos and lick the screen, you’re going to cohabitate with two S-class male gods. Ah, there are those that die from droughts, and there are those that die from floods2!”
“……that last phrase can't be used like that, right?”
Miao Jiaxi pattered off to take ice cream from the refrigerator and handed one to Tang Youzu, “What are your thoughts?”
Tang You said earnestly, “Still the same as before. To break off the engagement without offending anyone.”
“You don’t want either of them?”
“I don’t want them both,” said Tang You with a smile. “Are you crazy? Taking on an elder?”
“There’s no familial relation anyway! Looking at the family ties, at most you can say that your grandfather and the old man know each other,” said Miao Jiaxi, totally unconcerned, sitting cross-legged. “He’s not a proper elder anyway, so what are you afraid of? Besides, you are only eight years apart, it would be more fitting to call him Big Brother.”
Tang You bit her ice cream in small bites.
The cold ice cream made her shiver; the sweet and creamy taste melted on her tongue and spread out.
Miao Jiaxi was right about one thing.
He really wasn’t a proper elder.
This elder was quite improper.
The people Xiao Zexing had called arrived very quickly. After obtaining Tang You’s consent, they began to pack her things in an orderly manner.
Due to her photoshoot needs, Tang You had a lot of clothes and shoes. However, she didn't plan to take them all, and would only take a few.
After all, because of Ah Mai's special circumstances, most of her shoots would still be taking place here.
Tang You didn't think that she was going to live at Xiao Zexing's for a long time, so she didn't bring much. Instead, Tang Huhu’s dog food, snacks, toys, etc., amounted to a large pile.
A car was sent to pick her up. She slept in the car; it was Tang Huhu who gently woke her up with his muzzle.
She had arrived.
The last time she came here, the driver couldn’t drive in, but this time, they were unimpeded.
Xiao Zexing’s place was very close to Meng Yunqiu's residence, but the environment was a bit quieter. Behind it was a wide lake, and further back was a national forest park. It was lush and green, and one could see white waterfowls with thin white beaks flying by every now and then.
When Tangelo got out of the car, she immediately saw the roses that were brilliantly blooming in the courtyard.
Xiao Zexing really loved roses
The housekeeper in charge of the villa was surnamed Zhao. He was a silver-haired elderly man with a kind smile, wearing white gloves and a grey Western-style vest. He was standing in the middle of the courtyard, waiting to receive her.
He said respectfully, “Miss Tang, Sir is at the polo club this afternoon and is not expected to return until after dinner. Mr. Weijing called and said he would arrive at six o'clock. Would you like me to show you around first?”
Tang You smiled, “I'll trouble you, then.”
Uncle Zhao introduced Tang You to the locations of the dining room, study, etc. in turn, and specially remarked, “Mr. Xiao had instructed for the guest room opposite your room to be redone into a walk-in wardrobe. As there was little time, it was hastily prepared; I hope you don't mind.”
Tang You waved her hand. “How can that be. It's already very good that Second Uncle is willing to let me move in here.”
Tang You had been allocated the room at the end of the second-floor corridor. The room had two large balconies. To Tang You's surprise, the decor of the room was quite to her liking. It wasn’t in a princess pink dreamy style; be it the wallpaper or the bedding, they were all in the simple and elegant style that she liked.
Fresh and clean.
Tang You couldn't help gasp with sincere admiration. The private property of the Xiao family was indeed excellent; even the aesthetics were squarely in line with her preferences.
The walk-in wardrobe was also not as “hastily prepared” as Uncle Zhao had said. When Tang You saw the vast amounts of clothes and shoes inside, she was stunned.
She turned around hesitantly and asked the housekeeper tentatively, “Uncle Zhao, were these left behind by Mr. Xiao's ex-girlfriend?”
Uncle Zhao beamed, “Sir has never had a girlfriend. He has instructed for someone to pick all these out according to the Miss’s measurements.”
Tang You was stupefied.
It was not just that Xiao Zexing was so attentive as to buy clothes for her, but——
He had never had a girlfriend before?!
Although Tang You did not have a wide social circle, among the few men of her age that she knew, most had already bade their virginity goodbye early in their student years, not to mention going for ‘spas’ and all sorts of promiscuous parties. The few who were considered decent had also changed their girlfriends several times.
With Xiao Zexing's qualifications, he actually never had a relationship with a woman before.
Unbelievable.
Or, could it be that he really didn’t have much interest in women?
Surprised, Tang You instructed for the things she had brought over to be put in place. After feeding Huhu, Tang You sat on the bed and finally had time to read the unread messages.
They were all basically all from Jiang Chenting——
Jiang Chenting: [ How could you move to Xiao Zexing's place? ]
Jiang Chenting: [ That person is very dangerous ]
Jiang Chenting: [ I will return to China in the next two days, you must protect yourself well ]
Jiang Chenting: [ Be sure to shut the doors and windows properly at night ]
……
Jiang Chenting had always been a man of few words; he must’ve been really ticked off to be rambling on like that. Through the screen, Tang You could imagine his furious expression.
Tang You replied: [ I will, don’t worry ]
[ It’s not like he can eat me ]
Jiang Chenting replied quickly: [ And why not? ]
Tang You could roughly figure out what Jiang Chenting meant.
Xiao Zexing was able to “seduce” her like that before, so he must have had ulterior motives from the beginning. Jiang Chenting’s worry was not unreasonable, but Tang You thought, Xiao Zexing should not be unscrupulous to the extent that he would do something to her, right?
After all, Xiao Zexing had been quite decent in the beginning, even though he had gifted her textbooks to make fun of her…
Tang You vaguely remembered that at that time, Xiao Zexing had also said something like “Don't waste time on him”, but unfortunately, she hadn’t understood what he meant.
Back then, she didn’t want to give her first time to Xiao Weijing and was ready to throw herself at Xiao Zexing, but he had stopped her.
The housekeeper also said that Xiao Zexing had never had a girlfriend.
Taking everything into consideration, this second uncle didn’t seem to be very lecherous.
After serious contemplation, Tangelo’s guard against Xiao Zexing lowered a little.
Moreover, Xiao Zexing had also said that he would help her to break off the engagement as an apology.
Tang You dared not tell Jiang Chenting about such private matters in too much detail. She had a hunch that if Jiang Chenting knew that Xiao Zexing had kissed her, he would definitely be so infuriated that he’d go beat him up.
Once, when Tang You was in junior high, she had been stalked. When Jiang Chenting saw it, he pounced on the guy and fought with him. They were both sent to the police station, and it was Tang Xiao who went to get him out in the end.
Jiang Chenting was really a good brother.
Tang You typed out word by word: [ Don't worry, I will take care of myself ]
Jiang Chenting: [ You must be careful of Xiao Zexing ]
Jiang Chenting: [ He is not a good sort ]
Tang You had dinner alone.
Xiao Weijing, who was supposed to arrive at six o'clock, did not return on time. The housekeeper had answered the phone, then told Tang You with a troubled expression, “Mr. Weijing seems to have gone to accompany Miss Wen Ling.”
Tang You was inwardly happy, but she remained very calm on the surface, “I see, Thank you.”
It’s so comfortable to be eating alone!
I sincerely hope that both Mr. Xiaos will not come back for dinner.
She had just put down her chopsticks after dinner when Tang Huhu, who had been lying by Tang You's feet obediently, suddenly stood up and barked at the door twice.
Tang You thought Tang Huhu hadn't adapted to the unfamiliar environment after having changed to a new place.
She squatted on the ground, put her arms around Tang Huhu's neck soothingly and coaxed softly, “Don't be afraid, Huhu, don’t be afraid, it's okay.”
Just as the words left her mouth, the sound of a door opening could be heard.
Xiao Weijing, in a suit and leather shoes, stood at the door. His eyes fell on Tang Huhu who was by her feet, and he frowned, “You even brought a dog here?”
Tang You was secretly overjoyed.
Could it be that Xiao Weijing didn’t like dogs?
She picked up the dog’s paw and held it up towards him. “Huhu, hurry up and greet Big Brother.”
Tang Huhu was very obedient, “Woof~”
Xiao Weijing's brow furrowed even more, “I won't be a brother to a dog!”
“They should call each other sisters,” Xiao Zexing stepped in and said casually. He took off his gloves, revealing a pair of slender hands. “Huhu had just been sterilised not long ago.”
Xiao Weijing: “……”
He suddenly had the feeling that Second Uncle was helping Tangelo to bully him.
Xiao Weijing looked at Tang You, who was still on the ground. Then, he asked Xiao Zexing, “Second Uncle, where are all my things?”
Xiao Zexing handed his gloves to the maid next to him and took off his jacket; the outlines of the muscles under the shirt were smooth. “I think you’ve been arranged to stay on the third floor. I can't remember details, let Uncle Zhao take you there.”
As he spoke, he walked over and scratched Tang Huhu’s chin. Tang Huhu could still remember him; he wagged his big fluffy tail happily, and his throat made a sound of pleasure.
The nice scent that came from his body approached, encroaching on the sweet fragrance’s territory.
Because of Tang Huhu, the two were extremely close. Tang You could even clearly see his Adam’s apple; this kind of distance made her a little breathless.
In order to hide her peculiar condition, Tang You said, “Huhu has gained so much weight recently. I wonder if it's time for a diet.”
Xiao Zexing stroked Tang Huhu a couple of times and teased, “Is this the legendary ‘swelling with cuteness’?”
Tang You has come to realise that Xiao Zexing’s mouth could poison one to death, and could compliment one to death too.
The former is aggravating, while the latter is beautiful.
Xiao Weijing stood coldly at the side; he finally spoke, interrupting the weird atmosphere that felt somewhat like a family of three, “Tang You, I have something to say to you.”
Being named, Tang You stood up, quite at a loss. “What's wrong, Brother Weijing?”
Xiao Weijing turned his face away, refusing to look her in the eye.
After clearing his throat, he said, “I want to tell you clearly that our engagement will definitely be annulled. You do not fit what I have in mind as an ideal wife. Right now, I am still at the stage of convincing the old man. You should not have any illusions about me. From now on, we will each look for our other half, and have nothing to do with each other.”
Tang You was inwardly ecstatic; she restrained herself from laughing out loud, and said pitifully, “Did I do something wrong?”
Xiao Weijing had expected her to be like this. He gave a soft humph and said coldy, “Slapping Wen Ling in public— Tang You, don't pretend to be gentle in front of me anymore.”
Tang You thought.
With Xiao Weijing's emotional intelligence, he was basically always going to be lagging behind.
She bit her lips slightly and looked at him pitifully; it seemed like there were tears in her eyes, flashing.
Xiao Weijing remained cold and impassive. “You know exactly what you have done, so don't pretend to be pitiful here. Don't think you can get any special advantages just because we are living under the same roof. I’m only living here in deference to the old man and Second Uncle.”
After saying these harsh words, Xiao Weijing turned around and left without looking back.
Only Tang You was left standing in the same place, tears spinning in her eyes.
Xiao Zexing handed her a tissue and smiled, “Alright, Youyou, the show’s over, he's gone.”
Tang You felt like a heavy load has been lifted. She took the tissue, wiped away the tears carefully, heaved a sigh of relief and thanked with genuine sincerity, “Thank you, Second Uncle.”
Now, she really felt that Xiao Zexing was good.
Although Xiao Zexing himself was still single, he could still empathise with her and Xiao Weijing. For the sake of their respective happiness, he was willing to help them break off the engagement even at the risk of offending the old man.
Such selfless and big-hearted people are truly rare.
In contrast, Tang You could more or less understand Xiao Zexing's previous deceitful behaviour.
After all, he wasn’t able to experience the greatest pleasures in life.
Tang Huhu wagged his tail around his master, and Tang You gratefully bade Xiao Zexing goodnight.
She led Tang Huhu back to the bedroom; Xiao Zexing stood up and followed her.
At first, Tang You didn't think there was anything strange, but when Xiao Zexing followed her up to the second floor, she felt something was wrong.
When she was almost at the bedroom door, Tang You finally turned around and asked him directly, "Second Uncle, is there anything else?”
Xiao Zexing looked down at her. “No, why?”
Tang You couldn't help asking, “Then, why do you keep following me?”
Xiao Zexing smiled, dimples flashing, and pointed casually, “I live here.”
Tang You stared at the room that was separated from her bedroom by only one wall and froze.
Why had Xiao Weijing been allocated to the third floor, while Xiao Zexing was so close to her?
“These are the three largest bedrooms in this house,” Xiao Zexing said leisurely. “You don't want to live with Xiao Weijing, and you don't want to see him, so this is the only way to allocate it.”
Here, Xiao Zexing smiled at Tang You. “Since you want to break off your engagement with Xiao Weijing, it's better to meet less often."
That's what she thought too.
Tang You thought what he said made sense and thanked him politely, “I’ve caused you trouble.”
Her voice naturally had a soft and sweet note to it, and she was especially gentle when she was quiet.
It was far more attractive than what she pretends to be in front of others.
Xiao Zexing’s composure did not waver, “It's no trouble.”
The first day living of with Xiao Weijing was far more relaxed and comfortable than Tang You imagined it could be.
There were basically not many classes in the fourth year of university, so Tang You could sleep until she woke up naturally every morning, then go down slowly and leisurely for breakfast.
By then, Xiao Zexing and Xiao Weijing had long since left.
Xiao Weijing was still angry about the issue with Wen Ling. He treated her like air, and deliberately ate out at night before coming back, doing his best to avoid meeting with Tang You.
He was now determined to break off the engagement and was just waiting for the right opportunity. At the thought of Wen Ling's bruised face and red and swollen eyes, Xiao Wei Jing would not be soft on Tang You anymore.
Therefore, only Tang You and Xiao Zexing were at the dinner table.
Now that Tang You didn’t have to conceal her true nature in front of him, she was feeling extraordinarily at ease.
On the second night of their cohabitation, Tang You went to bed early. At 10 p.m., she was unexpectedly woken up by hunger. After enduring it for some time, she gave in, then got up naturally and went to the kitchen in search of food——
There was no one in the kitchen, and the lights were off.
Based on this, she could infer that Xiao Zexing did not have the habit of eating supper.
Tang You turned on the light herself, then rummaged through the cupboard and found some noodles. She decided to make some vegetable noodles.
At this moment, Miao Jiaxi called.
Tang You was in her pyjamas and didn’t have her earphones with her. She placed her phone on the table next to her and turned on the speaker.
Anyway, Xiao Zexing wasn’t here tonight.
Miao Jiaxi called out cheerfully, “My good Youyou, what are you doing?”
The pot was filled with hot water and the stove was turned on. Flames licked the bottom of the pot, emitting a faint sizzling sound.
Tang You responded listlessly, “I woke up hungry, and went downstairs to eat.”
Miao Jiaxi laughed suspiciously, “Luckily you went downstairs to eat, and not eating down there3.”
Tangelo was so sleepy that it took her five seconds to realize that this person was making lewd jokes again.
She yawned and complained a little, “Day in and day out, you’re always talking like this. My nutritional levels can't keep up.”
“Well, we should be talking about these things when it’s late at night,” Miao Jiaxi chuckled cheekily and asked, “How does it feel to be living with two handsome guys? My dear Youyou? Has any love~ grown~ over~ time~ 4”
She deliberately dragged out the sound of the last four words, laughing very suggestively.
The seasoned Tang You kept up with her pace and answered smoothly, “What kind of ‘love’? The feeling or the action?”
“The action, of course! I'm more interested in the development of a thrilling romance!”
Tang You said casually, “What’s the fun of a thrilling romance generated by literal ‘closeness’. Making money is more interesting.”
“……Maybe you can also make money from the thrilling romance?”
Tang You stood by the small pot and watched the water inside gurgle and boil before adding, “A thrilling romance that one can earn morning from, that’s called pros.ti.tu.tion.”
Miao Jiaxi was so amused that she laughed out loud, “Okay, you win.”
Tang You turned around to get the noodles.
She was completely caught off guard by the sight of Xiao Zexing, who was standing behind her, looking calmly at her.
A shirt that was meticulously buttoned to the top; a Windsor knot— he looked like he had just finished a meeting, strict and proper.
Tang You was dumbfounded.
Miao Jiaxi waited for a long time, but there was no response; she couldn’t help but call out, “Youyou? Youyou? Why are you——”
Tang You’s hands were quick; she cut off the call.
Holding the phone behind her back, she smiled awkwardly, “Why is Second Uncle here?”
Xiao Zexing tugged on his tie and approached; he replied casually, “I’ve come down to eat3.”
The glanced lightly at Tang You and smiled, “‘Down’, as in ‘downstairs’.”
——Of course, it’s ‘down’ as in ‘downstairs’! It can’t be anything else!
Tang You was like a schoolgirl caught secretly reading erotica; she reached out tremblingly for the noodles and put them into the pot.
In her panic, she forgot to break them, and just dumped them in directly.
The middle section of the noodles were immediately softened by the hot water.
Xiao Zexing had already taken off his tie; he took off his suit jacket and placed it casually on the high stool next to him.
His sleeves were slightly folded back, revealing a pair of smooth, clean wrists.
There was a table in the kitchen, neither big nor small, just enough for four people to sit together.
Tang You forced herself to focus on the pot.
And her rumbling stomach.
She hypnotised herself.
Just now, Xiao Zexing heard nothing, heard nothing, heard nothing……
During her self-hypnosis, Xiao Zexing spoke leisurely from behind her, “You still have to abide by the most fundamental laws when dating, right?”
Tang You breathed a sigh of relief, “……Mm.”
Although it was a bit strange for Xiao Zexing to bring up this topic now, but it was a good thing that he didn’t seem to have heard her conversation just now.
He shouldn’t have heard the “went downstairs to eat”, not to mention “two handsome men”, “close together every day” and so on. He only just happened to see her cooking downstairs and said so, it had nothing to do with the obscene reference to “eating down there”.
It's was too humiliating to be caught red-handed by one of the subjects of a dirty joke made between good friends.
The noodles in the pot tumbled and slowly became tender in the hot water.
Tangelo turned up the heat a little, then a little more, eagerly hoping that it could be done as soon as possible.
She could quickly fill her stomach and leave.
Xiao Zexing said unhurriedly, “Coincidentally, I also prefer love that grows over time.”
Tang You: “!!!”
She turned her head stiffly.
Xiao Zexing calmly undid the first button of his shirt.
He smiled, “The feelings kind.”
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Translator’s note: There are a number of recurrent lewd puns that don’t translate well, and I’ve taken the liberty to replace it with something of a similar meaning. I’ve tried to explain the original jokes in the footnotes, and if you’d like to understand more, feel free to leave a comment/ ask on discord!
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Footnotes:
1 Aunty: referring to Jiang Tao, her stepmother, who she calls 阿姨 (Aunty) rather than Mother.
2 there are those that die from droughts, and there are those that die from floods: a saying that uses two extreme weather conditions to compare the disparity of two extremes, e.g. rich VS poor.
3 The lewd joke that MJX is making is lost in translation. TY says that she is planning to “下面吃” which means “cook noodles to eat”, and MJX responds “luckily, it’s 下面吃，and not吃下面。”— by changing the word order of “下面吃” to “吃下面”, the meaning changes from “cooking noodles to eat” to “eating down below”, the latter, of course, carrying sexual innuendos. As the sexual pun cannot be translated, I took the liberty to replace it with something of a similar suggestive nature.
Later on, XZX builds upon this joke by referring to “面” (noodles), but as it doesn’t make sense translated in English, I’ve similarly replaced it.
4 Again, another joke that doesn’t translate well. MJX says did you “日久深情”, an idiom that means ‘develop feelings after spending days together’, and TY asks, “what kind of 日 (day)? Adverb or verb?” , to which MJX replies “Verb, or course!”— “日” means “days” and by saying she’s interested in the verb version of “日” she is inferring to a couple having “actions” every day will get closer together. It’s quite confusing to translate literally, so I took the liberty to replace it with something similar again.
