White Lotus 22
Because of class differences, Wen Ling couldn’t get close to Xiao Weijing's social circle at all.
Only occasionally in a few meals did Xiao Weijing mentioned his second uncle, Xiao Zexing.
He was only three years older, but was highly regarded by the old man.
When Xiao Weijing went overseas this time, it was to join this second uncle.
Wen Ling finally came back to her senses.
She called out in a trembling voice, “Second Uncle?”
Xiao Zexing put the phone on the deformed bumper and looked down at her, his gaze cold. “What are you?”
Wen Ling's face stung with a fiery heat.
As if she had been mercilessly slapped.
——No, it was even worse than that.
The way Xiao Zexing looked at her was no different from one looking at disgusting garbage.
He turned around and left; his assistant presented him with tissues promptly. Xiao Zexing lowered his eyes and finished wiping his fingers one by one.
When he went to Tangelo's side, his voice warmed, “Don't worry, I'll back you up.”
Tang You was still shaking; it hurt tonight. She nodded and tried to put on the man's trench coat.
After the huge aftershock, she was only slightly beginning to settle.
The coat was simply too big, and the sleeves were also too long. It fit him so well, but on Tang You, it was as if she had put on a sack, somewhat like a child sneakily putting on adult’s clothes when playing house. Tang You had no choice but to pull up the sleeves, struggling to reveal her hands.
Xiao Zexing took the umbrella and held it up to block the rain, while the assistant ran to open the trunk. He took out the triangle warning sign and placed it down well.
Xiao Zexing lowered his head and looked at the trembling Tangelo. “Would you like to go wait in the store nearby first? It's cold outside.”
“No,” Tang You shook her head. “The traffic police will be here soon, right?”
Xiao Zexing did not persuade her anymore, and took two steps to the left.
The chilly wind from just now was momentarily gone. Tang You covered her face with both hands and rubbed it.
Her temperature gradually returned.
She couldn't help but look up at Xiao Zexing. He was really tall, probably almost 190. With his trench coat off, she saw that inside, he was wearing the same style of shirt that didn’t seem to have changed in a million years.
——Was there nothing else in this man's closet besides shirts?
——Oh, there were suits.
However, it was undeniable that Tang You had never seen a man look better in a shirt than Xiao Zexing did.
He had the height advantage, and his body management was also amazing.
There was a large private gym in Xiao Zexing's home with all kinds of equipment.
Tang You lowered her head.
She wondered which lucky girl would become her second aunt in the future.
The traffic police soon arrived.
This sort of incident wasn’t very difficult to deal with.
There was a driving recorder in Tang You’s car, which clearly recorded everything that just happened. Tang You wasn’t driving fast, and had also maintained adequate distance with the car before her. In the final analysis, it was Wen Ling’s sudden malicious braking and illegal parking that had caused the rear-end collision.
Wen Ling was primarily responsible.
Wen Ling did not refute this result.
However, the red wine stains on her body attracted the traffic police’s attention, and he made her take a breathalyser test to estimate her blood alcohol content.
Wen Ling complied.
After learning of Xiao Zexing's identity, her complexion did not look good.
It wasn’t a big accident, neither side had been drinking, and there was no disagreement about the result of the determination of responsibility. A tow truck was called to tow both cars away, and the traffic police issued a ticket, then left.
Wen Ling asked Xiao Zexing somewhat stiffly, “Mr. Xiao, I'm sorry, the brakes suddenly failed just now, I didn't pay attention——”
Xiao Zexing interrupted, “Do you think I am Xiao Weijing?”
Wen Ling asked in a low voice, “……Then, can I go first?”
“Go?” Xiao Zexing looked at his watch and smiled mockingly. “Didn't you just call Weijing? Wait for him to get here. I’m interested to see just exactly what you have to trouble him about.”
Wen Ling intuitively felt that something big was going to happen tonight.
Xiao Zexing’s assistant stood silently by the side. She didn’t have a car now, and dared not try to run either.
……If she ran away now, and Xiao Weijing were to find out who was accountable, it would be even harder to clean this up.
But if she stayed, and they had a confrontation, she was afraid that she was going to be exposed anyway.
Xiao Zexing saw that Tang You's face was still pale and asked patiently, “Did you eat anything tonight?”
Tang You zipped the trench coat all the way to the top, covering half of her small face. “I did.”
“What did you eat?”
While thinking, Tang You answered, “Two cups of juice, and some strawberries, a few leaves…”
Xiao Zexing smiled with helpless exasperation; through their clothes, he gently pulled her arm and sighed. “Let’s go. Second Uncle will treat you to dinner.”
Seeing this, Wen Ling tried to sneak away; the assistant stopped her in time and smiled, “Miss Wen, you can't leave just yet.”
It was a weekday, and there weren’t many people in the restaurant.
Xiao Zexing took Tangelo to the second floor and found a seat by the window.
Wen Ling sat at the back with his assistant, feeling so awkward that she didn’t even know where to put her hands and feet.
Tang You ordered a few dishes absentmindedly; she was gradually beginning to warm up, and the bright lights abated the fear she felt just now.
The waiter presented a towel; Tang You took it, gave thanks softly, and slowly wiped her hair.
She saw Xiao Zexing say something to his assistant; five minutes later, the assistant went downstairs and brought warm milk up.
Xiao Zexing lowered his eyes and poured a cup for her himself, softly reassuring, “Don't be afraid, it's all over.”
His voice was very fierce when he was talking to Wen Ling just now, but now, he was especially gentle, as if he was afraid of scaring her.
Tangelo bit the straw; her hair was still a little wet, and the towel was draped over her neck.
She took a sip, holding the warm cup of milk in her hands. “Thank you, Second Uncle.”
Xiao Weijing rushed in, and immediately caught sight of Tang You, who was eating.
She was wearing a man's trench coat; it was dark cyan, long and large. Bundled in it, her face seemed especially small and delicate.
At this time, her head was lowered; her rain-soaked eyelashes have already dried, casting a small dark shadow. She was holding onto a pair of chopsticks, eating meatballs in small bites.
Xiao Zexing's hands were clasped and placed on the table; he seemed to be lost in thought.
Xiao Weijing couldn't help but slow down his pace.
Xiao Zexing turned his face sideways, saw him, and stood up.
He did not smile.
There was a faintly suppressed anger.
It was the second time that Xiao Weijing saw this expression on Xiao Zexing's face.
Second Uncle rarely got angry.
The last time he saw Xiao Zexing angry was when Xiao Weijing was still in junior high; Xiao Zexing's biological mother had snuck out from the sanatorium and had been forcibly taken away again.
On that occasion, Xiao Zexing and Elder Xiao had gotten into a dispute that later escalated, nearly causing the entire study to be demolished.
Xiao Weijing still didn’t understand the situation and was slightly startled, “Second Uncle, what's wrong?”
Tangelo looked up; the meatball held in her chopsticks slipped out—luckily, there was a little plate to catch it.
Two drops of sauce splashed out and landed on the table.
Xiao Zexing looked down and smiled calmly. “It's alright. Continue to eat.”
Xiao Weijing was stunned by that smile
Tang You nodded, took out a tissue to wipe up the drops of sauce that splashed on the table, crumpled the paper towel into a small ball and threw it away. She then pushed the small plate to the side, picked up another meatball and took a bite as if nothing had happened.
Her mouth was small, and her teeth were white.
From the beginning to the end, Tangelo's eyes only lingered on Xiao Weijing for a few seconds.
It swept past as if she were looking at an ordinary plant.
This was Xiao Weijing’s first time getting a taste of being given the cold-shoulder by her.
There was a slight sense of discomfort in his heart.
Xiao Weijing forced his gaze away from her face and finally saw Wen Ling, who was sitting on the other side.
Compared with Tangelo, today's Wen Ling was truly the definition of “wretched”.
The white dress was originally rather pretty, but it now had a lot of red wine stains; her hair had also been messed up by water. The usually candid and warm person had now unexpectedly taken on a pitiful appearance.
Xiao Weijing was suddenly struck by a strange thought—he somehow felt that the current Tang You and Wen Ling seemed to both have become entirely different people. always feel that now Tang You and Wen Ling seem like a different person.
Xiao Zexing walked over to Wen Ling and sat down opposite her.
He still wore a dark expression. “Speak.”
His voice was low, and Wen Ling couldn’t stop shaking with fright.
Xiao Weijing looked at Wen Ling, still not understanding. “What's going on?”
The assistant at the side prompted, “Miss Wen, I hope you can clearly state the entire sequence of events today.”
Wen Ling calmed herself, pinched her palm hard, then spoke slowly, “Today was Mr. Ma's birthday. I met Tang You, and we had a little argument, it wasn’t anything much. But later, as I was driving out, the brakes suddenly stopped working and we accidentally had a rear-end collision. I was quite scared during the collision, but it has all been dealt with now. It's just a pity about Lao Xiao's car, the bumper was smashed——”
At this point, she snuck a glance at Xiao Zexing; Xiao Zexing had no expression, and was also not looking at her.
Wen Ling smiled at Xiao Weijing. “I'm afraid I can't afford to pay for it.”
Xiao Weijing wasn’t bothered. “It's just a damaged car.”
Wen Ling's car had suddenly broken down, and she had temporarily borrowed Xiao Weijing's car to attend the class reunion. Xiao Weijing had quite a few cars, and readily loaned one to her when she asked for it; it wasn’t much.
However, these alone should not cause Xiao Zexing to be so angry.
Xiao Weijing couldn't help but ask, “Second Uncle, is there something wrong somewhere?”
“There are many things that are wrong.” Xiao Zexing leaned back slightly and looked askance at Wen Ling. “The brakes stopped working? I've already gotten someone to send the car for an inspection—the results will be out tomorrow. We’ll see then, whether it was the brakes that stopped working, or your feet.”
Xiao Weijing was stunned.
“And that ‘little argument’ you mentioned,” Xiao Zexing said coldly, “What was the argument about? Tell it to me in detail; I would like to hear just what it was that could make you bully Youyou at the risk of a car accident.”
Wen Ling was also frightened by his words.
Xiao Weijing tried to persuade Xiao Zexing to calm down, “Second Uncle, you——”
“Weijing,” Xiao Zexing recited his name and looked at him with disappointment. “This is not the way to repay a debt of gratitude.”
Xiao Weijing was silent.
Xiao Zexing addressed Wen Ling, “It's not over yet, continue.”
Wen Ling fists were clenched tightly, her face white, “……the wine stains on my body were caused by Tang You.”
“Why did she splash wine on you?”
Of course, Wen Ling could not tell the truth. She gritted her teeth, “Because she is jealous that Lao Xiao and I are too close.”
“You and Weijing are too close?” Xiao Zexing sneered, "Listen to your tone—are you feeling wronged?”
Xiao Weijing finally managed to accurately extract the information from the conversation between the two.
He was originally shrouded in fog; he had loaned a car to Wen Ling based on his trust in her. Never had he expected that Wen Ling would get into a rear-end collision with his fiancée in his car, and before that, an irreconcilable conflict seemed to have erupted between the two.
Xiao Weijing was an inflexible and insensitive man. He hadn’t had much experience with women, and was only aware that Green Tea B*tches and White Lotus B*tches were two troublesome types.
He never could’ve dreamed that there was such a thing as Tomboy B*tches1 in this world.
Wen Ling was already in a panic from the series of inquiries.
Xiao Weijing was easy to fool; he seldom examined the specific details of any issue, and she could muddle past everything by him by just twisting things about.
But this didn’t work on Xiao Zexing.
Every sentence of his struck a hard blow, landing precisely on the points where she attempted to cover up and muddle through.
Xiao Zexing asked coldly, “Tell me clearly, what was the source of the dispute? Who was the one who spoke first?”
Wen Ling steadily lost ground, “……I don't remember.”
22 | Twenty-two Roses (2)
This was Xiao Weijing’s first time seeing Wen Ling look like this. Not understanding the situation, he thought Wen Ling was also frightened by the incident; he coughed twice and said, “Don’t be anxious, think slowly. Didn’t it all just happen? You have such a good memory, I’m sure you remember.”
Wen Ling had never felt as keenly as she did now that Xiao Weijing always spoke without looking at the situation.
This was the first time she was so angry with his blockheadedness that she wanted to vomit blood.
She said, “I really can't remember.”
Clack.
Behind her, Tangelo threw down her chopsticks.
She stood up with a sullen expression; the trench coat is too big, making her seem all the more smaller, but it did not make a dent in her imposing aura.
Tang You walked straight over, without the slightest hint of a smile.
It was Xiao Weijing’s first time Xiao seeing her angry.
He froze.
In his daze, Tang You had already slammed her hand hard on the table. She looked at Wen Ling, chest heaving violently, “Don’t remember? Do you want me to help you remember?”
Wen Ling didn't say anything and simply looked dumbfoundedly at Tang You.
Tang You had never shown this fierce side of herself in front of Xiao Weijing before.
She had secretly laughed at Tang You in private in the past, mocking Tang You for not even being able to grasp Xiao Weijing's tastes, and actually attempting to pretend to be delicate to win Xiao Weijing's favour.
Xiao Weijing detested delicate and weak types the most, and loved candid and straightforward personalities the most.
“When I went to the bathroom, Miss Wen kept following me, asking me how it felt to be robbed of my fiancé; I didn't pay attention to you, and you asked me how it felt to be a landlubber.” Tang You asked bluntly, “Why do I not dare to go into the water anymore? Doesn't Miss Wen know the reason for that?”
Wen Ling's face turned pale.
For so many years, Tang You had never brought it up.
Swimming was Tang You’s psychological trauma; she seemed to have selectively forgotten anything to do with it, and trembled uncomfortably whenever it was mentioned.
Wen Ling never thought Tang You would talk about it.
At least, not in front of so many people.
“The summer vacation after junior high, we passed the preliminary match together. After it was over, you invited me to go play at the beach, and I went.” Tang You's fingers were pressed firmly on the table, and she gritted her teeth. “In the shallow water area, you said you had leg cramps, and I tried to carry you upstream; what did you do?”
Tang You made a faint gesture and gritted her teeth bitterly. “You kept dragging me into the water and pressed my mouth shut——”
Wen Ling tried to justify herself, “…I had already lost self-awareness at the time and wasn’t in control of myself.”
“Not in control of yourself, yet somehow, were still able to tug at my swim skirt so precisely?” Tangelo trembled and asked, “And also able to strangle my neck?”
Taking in the conversation between the two clearly, the stunned Xiao Weijing sat stock-still, as if he had been struck by lightning.
“If the rescue team hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid I would have drowned a long time ago.” Tangelo laughed in self-mockery. “You were very successful, I will never compete with you for a guaranteed spot again.”
The suffocating feeling of being on the verge of drowning was something that Tangelo could never forget.
She could never swim again.
Even if swimming was her favourite sport, even if her teachers from childhood all praised her for her talent in this area.
When Tang You spoke, her expression was extremely cold, not revealing a trace of sadness.
But her legs kept shaking.
It was also difficult to breathe.
After so many years, it was still painful to remember.
Xiao Zexing glanced at his assistant, who immediately ran to get warm milk and handed it to Tang Youzu.
Tang You held the cup.
The waiter added a new seat and she sat down.
From the moment she came over up till now, Tang You did not even glance at Xiao Weijing.
Xiao Weijing had never imagined that it would be such a situation.
He had known Wen Ling for nearly four years now.
Wen Ling's personality was straightforward and carefree, completely different from those pretentious girls.
After Xiao Weijing noticed her bracelet, he immediately approached her the next day to reveal his identity and intentions to repay his debt of gratitude.
Wen Ling was cleaning at the time. After listening to him, she was momentarily stunned, then wiped the sweat from her face with the back of her hand and laughed. “You don't need to repay me. In such a situation, who would do nothing and just leave someone to die
Xiao Weijing admired Wen Ling very much; he admired her indifference about not seeking reward, and admired her attitude of always staying optimistic and working hard despite being poor even more.
It was also with this background that he felt that the Tang Youzu, who had forced Wen Ling out of the city's swim team, was too overbearing.
But no one had ever brought up this grievous incident.
Wen Ling didn’t dare meet Xiao Weijing's eyes; she put on a bold front and said, “Don’t think you can confuse right and wrong just because you have powerful backing.”
“Who exactly is confusing right and wrong? You should be well aware,” Tang You said one word at a time. “You’ve done so many bad things yourself, and you still really think others are targeting you?"
Tang You turned her head and asked Xiao Weijing bluntly, “What did she tell you was the reason for dropping out of high school?”
Xiao Weijing froze. “School violence.”
“Well, that's true,” Tang You smiled mockingly. “But Wen Ling was the one who perpetuated violence.”
“But one thing is true, I did force her to quit the swim team.” Tang You touched on it lightly, “Why should I tolerate someone who wants to harm me? Why should you be allowed to make me never enter the water again, yet be able to continue swimming without any repercussions?”
At the end of her words, her complexion had become extremely bad; her fingers were shaking, squeezing the cup of milk tightly, and her fingertips had turned white from exerting excessive force.
Xiao Zexing stood up and pushed aside Xiao Weijing.
Standing behind Tangelo, he leaned down, running his hand along her spine, patting soothingly and whispered comfortingly, “Youyou, don't be afraid.”
Xiao Weijing hadn't finished digesting what Tang You had just said.
He felt as if he had never known this little fiancée of his.
Tang You let go of the cup and stood up. “Second Uncle, I want to go home.”
“Okay.” Xiao Zexing straightened and looked at Xiao Weijing lightly, “Weijing, you should know how to deal with this.”
Tang You walked ahead; Xiao Zexing was beside her, and together with his assistant, they went downstairs.
Wen Ling's face was ashen.
Xiao Weijing sorted out the general outline of everything that had happened, held himself calm for a moment, then asked Wen Ling, “Was what Tang You said just now all true?”
Wen Ling panicked, “No, listen to my explanation——”
“No need,” Xiao Weijing's face was tired. “Wen Ling, I am very grateful that you saved me back then. All these years, I’ve always been supporting you, also to return the kindness you gave me then.”
Wen Ling couldn't help calling out to him with a never-before-seen look of plea in her eyes, “Lao Xiao.”
Xiao Weijing stood up and straightened his shirt.
He looked at Wen Ling with great disappointment. “Tomorrow, I will ask my assistant to put another sum of money into your account. You’ve saved my life, and now, I consider this debt to be paid off. Don't come to look for me again in the future.”
Tang You was not in a good state.
The shock of the near-crash, coupled with being forced to remember the feeling of almost drowning, on top of being soaked in the rain, all made her especially uncomfortable. She shrank into the back of the car seat.
In her arms was a furry, rabbit-shaped hand warmer.
It was only after a long time that Tangelo said softly, “Second Uncle, thank you very much.”
Xiao Zexing did not correct her term of address this time, “Go back and have a good sleep, don't think so much. Are you still hungry?”
“No, thank you, Second Uncle.”
When they arrived at the villa, Uncle Zhao had already received the news in advance and had the kitchen prepare a soup that can dispel cold.
Tangelo put down her spoon after a few sips, then silently went off to look for her pyjamas, and went to take a shower.
She was used to sleeping late, but today, she slept especially early. Having suffered from excessive fright, she fell asleep almost as soon as she sank into the soft bedding.
Xiao Zexing did not sleep; he sat on the sofa, smoking calmly.
He was waiting for Xiao Weijing to return.
As soon as Xiao Weijing opened the door, he could smell the smoke in the room.
Xiao Zexing was not a heavy smoker, and he was smoking even less in recent times; this was the first time he had smoked so much like this. Xiao Weijing knew he had done something wrong; he sat opposite him and called out respectfully, “Second Uncle.”
Xiao Zexing put out his cigarette, didn't look at him, and spoke calmly, “Big Brother has been spoiling you since you were young, going along with whatever you wanted, resulting in you having such a character.”
Xiao Weijing didn't say anything.
“How on earth did you get fooled by Wen Ling's lousy tricks?” Xiao Zexing frowned and asked, “Do you consider her to be a straightforward and generous person? Which straightforward and generous girl would entangle themselves with someone else's fiancé?”
Xiao Zexing’s every word felt like knives stabbing into his heart; a trace of vexation finally surfaced on Xiao Weijing's face, “Second Uncle, I know I was wrong. I'll go apologise to Youyou later.”
“She's already asleep.”
“Then I’ll do it tomorrow,” Xiao Weijing said. “I'll see if she can forgive me, and as for breaking off the engagement, it’s also not urgent——”
Xiao Zexing frowned and interrupted firmly, “It's very urgent.”
Xiao Weijing's mind went blank, unable to react so quickly, “Huh?”
“The matter of breaking off the engagement is very urgent," Xiao Zexing repeated, picking up the lighter on the table. “Youyou has decided to break off the engagement, I will talk to the old man tomorrow.”
Xiao Weijing didn't expect things to develop so fast, and was a little caught off guard. “Ah… how dare I trouble Second Uncle?”
Xiao Zexing leaned back slightly, playing with the lighter, “Then, can you be counted on to do it?”
Xiao Weijing was very guilty, “The main thing is that your own wedding has not been settled yet, just helping me to solve this——”
His hand paused for a moment, then Xiao Zexing placed the lighter back on the table, clasped his hands and placed it them on his lap.
He looked at Xiao Weijing, “Only after resolving your marriage can my marriage be settled with ease.”
Tangelo was still dreaming when she was woken up by a knock on the door.
Still wearing her bunny pyjamas, her toes tapped around on the floor before finally finding her shoes; she put them on, pattered over to the door, and opened it.
Xiao Zexing stood before her, casting his eyes down at her, “Are you feeling better?”
Having just woken up, Tang You’s mind was still not quite clear; she nodded and automatically stepped aside. “What's the matter?”
“It's almost twelve o'clock, and you've been sleeping all this while,” Xiao Zexing stepped in slowly. The air in the room was filled with a faint smell of vanilla milk; his voice was gentle, “What are your thoughts now? About the engagement.”
Tang Huhu had woken up a long time ago; he held his small pillow in his mouth and pulled it to Tang You's feet.
Tang Youzu stroked his head absently, “I want to withdraw from the engagement, but I don't know what I should do next.”
“Just tell the old man the thoughts in your heart,” Xiao Zexing said. “Although he is stubborn, he is not completely unreasonable.”
Tang You sat on the sofa; Tang Huhu jumped up, lay down, and very obediently placed his head into her arms, allowing her to stroke her.
His eyes narrowed with pleasure, and his big tail swept to and fro.
Tang You hesitated. “But you said last time that Grandpa Xiao is the key. I don't know how I can convince him, let alone understand why Grandpa is so stubborn……”
“Before Elder Tang died, the old man swore before his sickbed that he would marry you into the Xiao family.” Xiao Zexing sat in a corner of the sofa, with the huddled Tang Huhu between them. “He is a man who values promises, and had always believed that feelings can develop between you and Weijing.”
“Impossible,” Tang You refused immediately. “There’s no way I can be with Xiao Weijing.”
“Why?” Xiao Zexing lowered his head to look at her, his voice becoming gentle, “Because of Wen Ling? If that’s the case, you can rest assured. After last night, Wei Jing has completely broken off all ties with her.”
“It’s not just that.” Tang You rubbed Tang Huhu’s ears and slowly organised her words. “Since he can be deceived by Wen Ling now, he can be deceived by others in the future. The partner I want must devote wholly himself to me, and can only be good to me alone. I don't want my other half to have 'soul mates’ with whom they can spend the night to celebrate their birthday……”
She lifted her head and looked at Xiao Zexing's expression.
Xiao Zexing was listening to her quietly.
His long eyelashes drooped slightly, and he was smiling faintly.
He was as serious as if he were listening to a report in a meeting.
Tangelo smiled. “Sorry, I seem to have said too much.”
“It's fine, it's pretty good.” Xiao Zexing smiled slightly. “You can tell these to the old man, don't conceal anything, just say what you really think.”
Tangelo looked up and stared at him, stunned, “But I'm afraid that Grandpa Xiao will be angry.”
“No, don't worry,” Xiao Zexing reassured. “From what I know about him, he will never lose his temper with you, Youyou.”
After a two-second pause, he added with a smile, “Besides, you still have a trump card you’ve not used.”
Tang You looked blankly at him, “What trump card?”
“Your grandmother, Ms. Meng Yunqiu.” Xiao Zexing stroked Tang Huhu’s head casually; Tang Huhu’s tail wagged even more happily. He continued, “She is your strongest backing.”
Tang You didn’t think so. “……But grandma doesn't seem to like me.”
When she wanted to see her grandmother last time, she had been turned away.
Tang You still remembered it all.
“What she doesn't like is the you that only runs after Xiao Weijing, not the real you,” Xiao Zexing said. “Trust me, go to the old man this afternoon to propose breaking off the engagement, then go to Ms. Meng tomorrow. I guarantee that she will see you.”
Tang You slowly smoothed the fur of the big dog in her arms and fell into deep thought.
She sat leaning against the sofa, the two rabbit ears on her hood hung down, trembling slightly as she breathed.
Fluffy.
Xiao Zexing reached out calmly and squeezed her two rabbit ears.
After Tangelo calmed down, she thought for a long time.
She didn't understand why Xiao Zexing was so sure, but somehow, instinctively felt he should be right.
——The reason for this was probably because of the hands he stretched out during her bout of intense fear yesterday.
It was like throwing a life preserver towards a drowning person.
Tang You went to see Mr. Xiao in the afternoon.
The old man was playing with a bird; when he saw her, he thought she was here to complain, and beamed. “Youyou, your second uncle has told me about what happened yesterday. That rascal Weijing, I'll beat him up hard tonight on your behalf——”
“No need, Grandpa Xiao.” Tang You smiled, her eyes forming upturned crescents. “I don't want to get married to Brother Weijing.”
Elder Xiao didn't take her seriously; he just thought she was still being angry, and continued to smile, “Good child, I know you're very angry now, but this kind of thing can’t be broken off just like that. Marriage is an important matter; you have to think it over carefully.”
“It's because marriage is an important matter that I'm saying this.” Tangelo looked at him determinedly, “I've been thinking about it for a long time, Grandpa Xiao.”
Elder Xiao stared steadily at her, as if he was weighing the truth of what she was saying right now.
Was it a decision made after much deliberation, or just a momentary fit of emotion?
A few moments later, the smile on his face disappeared.
Elder Xiao said nothing; he took off his gloves, sat on the chair, rubbed his temples, and closed his eyes.
Tang You said softly, “I’ve thought it over; although Brother Weijing is very nice, he is not my ideal partner.”
Following Xiao Zexing's advice, Tang You stood upright, and just like that, repeated her reasons in a tone that was neither aggressive nor conciliatory.
The whole time, Elder Xiao did not speak.
Nor did he interrupt her.
After a long pause, he said, “Youyou, go back for now.”
Tang You couldn’t make out what he was feeling at this time, but had the vague feeling that something was wrong. She bowed earnestly, said “Goodbye, Grandpa”, then turned, and left.
She couldn't afford to provoke the bad-tempered Elder Xiao. With Xiao Zexing's words, she was already mentally prepared.
She wasn’t feeling particularly disappointed now either.
Her heart was beating very quickly.
Tang You clutched her chest, calmed herself down for a moment, and decided to go home first according to Xiao Zexing's advice.
She would go ask her grandmother for help tomorrow.
She wanted to believe Xiao Zexing this once.
Xiao Zexing received a phone call from Elder Xiao in the evening.
The old man sounded tired; he asked him to go back to the old mansion immediately after work.
Xiao Zexing agreed.
Before stepping into the study, the maid at the side reminded him in a low voice, “Master was very angry this afternoon, and he also ate very little for dinner.”
Xiao Zexing took off his coat, undid his tie, unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and smiled, “I know.”
Elder Xiao was lying in the recliner, swaying to and fro.
Hearing the movement, he sat up and beckoned to Xiao Zexing. “Zexing, come over and play two games with me.”
Elder Xiao liked to play Go in his spare time, and few around him could beat him.
Once, when Elder Xiao’s enthusiasm to Go was stirred up, he was annoyed with the lousy players around him, so he specially invited a few professional seventh-rank players to come and stay with him. They played for three days in a row; he won some and lost some, and exclaimed how much he was enjoying himself.
In the Xiao family, only Xiao Zexing could compete with the old man on the chessboard.
They played two games in a row, each winning one game.
No one spoke.
They were just over the halfway point of the third game.
Elder Xiao held a white piece, brows tightly knit, and finally said what was bothering him, “Youyou came to see me this afternoon and said she wanted to break off her engagement with Weijing.”
He set the piece down.
Immediately after, Xiao Zexing set down a black piece to the left of the white piece and said calmly, “What are your thoughts?”
“I originally thought that it was because Weijing and Youyou had spent too little time together that caused them to be like this. I didn't expect that their relationship would get worse after living together under the same roof for just a few days.” Elder Xiao stared at the chessboard and sighed regretfully. “It seems liked they are destined to be enemies, and not fated to be together.”
He was completely unaware that during these few days of “cohabitation”, Xiao Weijing and Tang You didn’t even meet each other.
Xiao Zexing was noncommittal, “Are you worried about the oath you made to Elder Tang?”
This was exactly what was in the old man’s heart.
Before he died, Elder Tang once said that his son was incompetent, Jiang Tao was insidious, and the one he was most worried about was Tang You.
Elder Xiao thumped his chest and guaranteed that he would take good care of Tang You, and promised to marry her into the Xiao family.
“A gentleman's word is of great importance; since I had promised to make sure that Youyou would marry into the family, how can I go back on my word?” Elder Xiao held a white piece, and put it down only after a long time, frowning. “But now, both Youyou and Weijing are so determined. It would seem unreasonable of me to continue insisting so strongly on this now——”
“I have a solution that’s the best of both worlds,” Xiao Zexing smiled as he casually picked up a black piece. “It can not only keep you from breaking your vow, but also satisfy both Youyou and Weijing.”
Elder Xiao had been worried about this all afternoon; he was unwilling to break the vow he made at his old friend's sickbed, and also unwilling to set aside his pride to admit he had done something wrong— yet, he was truly feeling soft-hearted and distressed over this pair of children.
Hearing Xiao Zexing’s words now, his eyes suddenly lit up and he urged, “What method?”
Xiao Zexing set down the black piece, forcing the white piece to have no more way out.
He said lightly, “In our family, Weijing is not the only marriageable male.”
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Footnotes:
1 Tomboy B*tches: A modern Chinese derogatory buzzword. The actual term is 汉子婊, and it is used to refer to girls who like to call other men “Brothers” and have a masculine personality, but talk behind other girls’ backs to stir things up in the relationship between the couple. Differs from actual tomboys in the sense that genuine tomboys are the same in front of both male and female, whereas Tomboy B*tches aren’t.
