2 | Two Roses
Tang You sat across from him in her usual well-mannered way. A small stature, a pair of small hands, a small face.
Everything about her was tiny.
From the moment she stepped through the door, Xiao Zexing began to observe this child.
Xiao Zexing's cousin Xiao Zeyan was nearly 50 years old and still had no children. He wanted to adopt a child to carry on the family business. After some initial inquiries, he finally chose a pair of siblings from the orphanage, Tang You and Tang Fu.
They were supposed to have their first official meeting today. However, Xiao Zeyan's wife's illness worsened and Xiao Zeyan could not step away. As Xiao Zexing was on vacation, he was requested to meet the siblings on their behalf.
Xiao Zexing did not have much information about the siblings. He only knew Tang You was is still in high school, while Tang Fu was in elementary school.
The girl before him wore light makeup, a demure dress, understated black hair and had no excessive accessories. The definitive image of a high school student.
Tang You sat elegantly with her eyes downcast as she examined the items on the table.
Actually, she had been secretly sneaking glances at Xiao Zexing.
After four years of absence, this man has become more than just a little better looking.
According to the official data, Xiao Weijing was four years and seven months older than her. Five years was actually not much of a difference. At least, the “Xiao Weijing” before her had not a single wrinkle on his unblemished, handsome face. On the contrary, the added experience of his extra years added a mature and introspective aura that was missing from her peers.
Caught off guard as their eyes met, Tang You’s hands trembled.
The man's calm and impassive aura was a little too scary. When their eyes met, she almost dropped her cup and fled.
To cover up the embarrassment of being caught peeking, Tang You immediately looked at him with a pair of innocent deer eyes. She spoke with a tone full of admiration, “I heard that the group successfully won several large-scale infrastructure construction projects, it’s really amazing.”
Xiao Weijing hated delicate and weak girls, a fact that Tang You understood well. She was acting on her resolve to put on the image of a sweet and silly girl in front of him— the sort of empty vessel who was about as mature as a carton of milk.
A carton of poisoned milk.
But “Xiao Weijing’s” eyes did not contain even a trace of disgust that Tang You was hoping to elicit.
Xiao Zexing only responded simply, “Mm.”
Was her act too restrained? Did she need to be even more delicate, soft, and weak?
Tang You smiled and said, “Then, Mr. Xiao, how was it like living in Northern Europe? Is the food there tasty? I've always wanted to go for vacation but never had the time…”
Unfazed by her long string of questions, Xiao Zexing answered each one calmly, “It was okay.”
“I still eat Chinese food most of the time.”
……
The man's voice was as unbelievably perfect as his face, like a piano bathed in sunlight, each note striking the heart with unerring accuracy.
The Tang You who did not achieve her goal felt a little frustrated.
She was trying so hard to make him feel disgusted, why was there no response at all!
As Tang You struggled with her feelings of distress, she finally heard the man's first question to her after she’d entered the room.
“Why didn't Tang Fu come with you?” asked Xiao Zexing.
Tang Fu?
What’s that?
Tang You thought hard for a long time, and it suddenly struck her.
Could this person be referring to her dog? Tang You had a Chinese Field Dog named Tang Huhu.
How unexpected, to think that Xiao Weijing knew about her dog! He just didn’t get the pronunciation quite right.
Tang You remembered that Xiao Weijing's grandmother was from Hunan.
No wonder.
“You mean Tang Huhu, right?” she asked.
Tang Huhu?
Xiao Zexing frowned.
That must be Tang Fu’s nickname, Tang Fu Fu.
Xiao Zexing vaguely remembered that the Tang siblings were of Fujian descent.
No wonder.
“Right.”
After ascertaining that they were on the same page, Tang You relaxed and smiled sweetly. “Does Mr. Xiao like Tang Huhu? Then I'll bring him to meet you next time.”
She secretly thought to herself— who would bring a pet on an arranged date? Xiao Weijing's request was too strange.
Xiao Zexing replied noncommittedly, “According to the family's wishes, I hope that you will bring Tang Fu to live with the Xiao family next week.”
Live with the Xiao family?
Although the two were engaged, but they had not gone through any of the legal procedures, and so were not actually legally married. Moreover, didn’t Xiao Weijing really really really hate her? Why is he saying this so calmly and matter-of-factly right now?
It couldn’t be that he wanted to sleep with her, right?
Tang You was shocked. “So suddenly?”
Xiao Zexing seemed unaffected by her alarm. “This was made out of the consideration to cause as little disruption to your studies as possible.”
Tang You, “……”
Wasn’t it obvious that living together would affect her studies even more?!
Tang You was worried that her refusal would destroy the innocent flower image she was trying to build, so she could only give a weak note of assent.
When the man was not smiling, his aura felt too strong and oppressive. Tang You took small sips of her tea, and even her breathing seemed to be slowing down.
The room was beautifully lit— under the light, Tang You's skin gleamed smooth and clear like porcelain. As she lowered her eyes, she noticed that Xiao Zexing's teacup was empty. She leaned over hurriedly, wanting to pour him some tea——
It so happened that Xiao Zexing was also about to take the teapot. Tang You's could not draw back her delicate fingers in time and they touched his hand; the man's fingers were warm, his finger bones were firm and defined. The instant their hands touched, Tang You retracted her hands in a panic.
A tiny electric current spread from the spot where the two came into contact, crackling as it coursed in the bloodstream. Tang You whispered, “Sorry.”
She apologized inwardly and didn't realize that she had accidentally flashed Xiao Zexing when she leaned over.
She didn't even notice that Xiao Zexing was looking at her even more thoughtfully.
“It's okay,” replied Xiao Zexing calmly, filling his tea with graceful gestures. “Also, about changing your surname—”
“Do I need to change my surname?” Tang You was thoroughly shocked now. “Do you still have such rules in your family?”
This is the year 2020, right? Why are there still people who want their wives to change their surnames in these times?
This isn't Japan! The Qing Dynasty collapsed long ago!
Xiao Zexing frowned slightly, “Is there a problem?”
Xiao Zeyan was adopting a child to be his heir. In the future, all the properties under Xiao Zeyan's name will be owned by his adopted children, so naturally, they would need to change their surname. The adopted children should have the same surname as their adopted father, and Xiao Zeyan did not think that this was an unreasonable request.
After a moment's pause, he said, “The need to change your surname should’ve already been conveyed to you a long time ago."
Tang You secretly pinched her arm under the table, then pinched her thigh.
Ouch…
It hurt.
How can you make such an obviously unreasonable request so matter-of-factly?!
The Xiao family was a big family with a big empire. Tang You reminded himself of Xiao Weijing’s leg that was by Elder Xiao, and put on a demure smile. “It’s nothing. I just suddenly felt that Xiao You sounded a bit strange…”
Xiao Zexing did not make any comment.
In the enclosed space, a ringtone rang out.
The standard one that comes out of the box.
Tang You thought to herself, this man is really surprisingly old-fashioned.
Xiao Zexing opened his mouth, breaking the heavy silence, “Sorry, I'll take this call.”
Tang You gave him a sweet smile, sitting obediently in her chair. “Please go ahead.”
Although it was a work-related matter, Xiao Zexing was not concerned about Tang You being there.
She was only a high school student after all.
Xiao Zexing listened quietly to the person on the other side of the line before interrupting, “Did I give you all half a month to come up with a solution like this?”
It was a completely different voice from the one that was just talking to her. Tang You quietly straightened her back.
Lowering her head, she put her hands on her knees, folded and tucked her skirts together.
A prim and proper sitting form.
“Seems like you have all been living too comfortably in the few years that I’ve been away.” Xiao Zexing loosened his tie and a smile spread slowly across his face. “So comfortably that you dare to bring me such crap. Do you think that because I’ve not been here for so long that it’ll be easy to fool me?”
Tang You was startled by his words. Even though she knew that the man was not angry at her, she could not hold back a small shiver.
A reflex action that could not be controlled.
Xiao Zexing glanced over at her.
The little one was obviously frightened, the sweet smile had all but disappeared from her face and her lips were now pursed. Her hair hung down, vaguely revealing a smooth, pale neck. On the snow-white skin, there was a cute little red mole.
She’s quite timid.
Xiao Zexing's tone softened, “I’ll give you two more days. Clear your minds before coming to see me.”
After putting his phone away, Xiao Zexing raised his wrist, looked at the time, stood up. “I still have things to do tonight, that’ll be it for today.”
He pointed to two beautiful giftboxes on the low table next to him and said, “Remember to take these two back with you.”
The boxes were exquisitely wrapped, one blue, one red, both sporting with bows.
Why were there two gifts?
Tang You was stupefied. “Are these from Auntie?”
Xiao Zexing paused for a moment. “I bought the red one, it’s for you. The blue one is for Tang Fu.”
Tang You was very touched.
Auntie was really becoming more and more thoughtful! She even prepared a gift for Huhu this time.
As for the one given to her by this man in front of her…
He must’ve just bought it randomly.
“What’s Huhu’s gift? Is it food?” asked Tang You.
“Mm.”
Tang You turned on her boot-licking mode, “Auntie is really too kind and generous, to even prepare dog food…”
Xiao Zexing corrected her, “Not dog food. They’re snacks. Some cheese, cookies and chocolate.”
Tang You, “……”
Was this supposed to be a treat or poison?
Tang You told Xiao Zexing politely, “Huhu can't eat chocolate. It will affect its life span if he eats chocolate. He can't eat dairy products either, as he has a slight lactose intolerance.”
“Sorry, I didn't know.”
It was the first time Xiao Zexing had heard that eating chocolate would affect a person’s life expectancy.
After the man stood up, Tang You realized that he was really tall. She tried to inconspicuously compare their heights and found that the top of her head just about came up to his shoulders.
That's not right… Was he this tall in the past? Tang You tried hard to recall, but had not the slightest impression.
Well, she might just be mistaken.
After all, the last time they met was four years ago. The memory was already fuzzy.
The man before her stood tall and straight, his noble aura could not be concealed.
It was difficult to reconcile this image with the cold and distant figure in her memory.
Tang You met his gaze again, but this time, her heart didn’t just skip like a beat— it felt more like there were a dozen huskies jumping around happily in her chest.
She was still puzzled about the present for Huhu.
Although Huhu was very smart and cute, but he’s only a dog after all! He can’t have human snacks!
“Mm…” Tang You smiled sweetly at Xiao Zexing, revealing a little crooked tooth, “When Mr. Xiao comes to my house, I’ll get him to perform how his frisbee catching skills for you! He flies through the air and catches it with his mouth in one smooth action, it's really something!”
Xiao Zexing straightened. He could not imagine a little boy leaping through the air and catching a frisbee in his mouth. He just replied plainly, “No need.”
He left first, and right after he got into the car, Xiao Zeyan called and asked Xiao Zexing about the meeting with the two children.
Xiao Zexing took off his tie, undid a button, and replied Xiao Zeyan, “I only saw Tang You today. She’s rather smart, and has a bright and expression.”
—— Like a kitten that has put away its sharp claws and turned over to reveal its snow-white belly and fleshy pink paw pads.
Xiao Zexing was very demanding, and it was extremely difficult to hear positive comments from him.
Xiao Zeyan was quite satisfied with this answer and breathed a sigh of relief, “What about Tang Fu?”
“He didn't come today,” Xiao Zexing rested his hand on the steering wheel and spoke languidly. “But the relationship between the two siblings seems a bit complicated.”
He laughed. “Or maybe it's just a joke between children, it's quite funny.”
“That's good…” As Xiao Zeyan replied, he suddenly remembered that he had an important thing to ask Xiao Zexing. “Wei Jing and his fiancée were also supposed to meet at Bishui Xiaoting tonight, did you see the girl?”
“No,” replied Xiao Zexing nonchalantly. “Wei Jing did not go.”
As it so happened that the two families had appointments at the same place today, Xiao Zexing looked Xiao Weijing up before going to the restaurant.
Xiao Weijing was adamant that he would not go.
“It’s Wen Ling’s birthday.” Xiao Weijing continued with a tone of disgust creeping into his voice, “As for that girl… she’s so bland and uninteresting, always acting so innocent and demure. She only knows how to please the elders.”
Xiao Zexing was not interested in his nephew's private affairs. He only knew that Elder Xiao had forced him to get engaged, and knew nothing about the girl.
Xiao Zeyan sighed softly and changed the subject, “Zexing, you are also at the age where you should settle down and start a family, isn't that——”
“There’s no hurry,” Xiao Zexing smiled. “The right person is worth waiting for.”
Xiao Zeyan had just been relieved from the worry over his prospective adoptees, but was now worried about Xiao Zexing.
Although the right person was indeed worth waiting for, the problem was that up till now, Xiao Zexing had never had a girlfriend. He’d also never given matters of the heart much importance.
Even the younger generation, Xiao Weijing, has gotten engaged. Yet Xiao Zexing was still so laid back. It really was rather worrying.
Xiao Zeyan said beseeched entreatingly, “Tell us what you’re looking for, Zexing, so that your sister-in-law can keep a look out for you.”
“I’m not looking for anything in particular,” replied Xiao Zexing lightly with a chuckle. “Well, if you have the leisure, you might as well give next quarter's earnings report more thought."
Unable to loosen his lips, Xiao Zeyan sighed and hung up.
The qualities Xiao Zeyan wanted in an ideal partner was a secret.
He never revealed even a trace of his preferences to anyone.
Xiao Zexing’s car was still parked by the building, he had not driven off yet.
In the space of time after he’d hung up, he saw Tang You’s small and slight figure walking out with the two giftboxes in her arms. She happened to stop right next to his car, and casually placed the giftboxes on the ground by her feet.
The car window was wound down slightly, and the sound of a female crying on the phone slipped through the gap with the cool night air.
The little girl's voice is soft and coaxing, like the purr of a little kitten. “Mm… Mm.. Don't be angry, I believe that Brother Jing didn’t meet up with that woman intentionally…”
Xiao Zexing narrowed his eyes slightly and thought he had a rough idea of what was happening.
This child must have started her puppy love.
Listening to her tone, it seemed like her boyfriend had cheated on her, yet she was still pitifully trying to find excuses to comfort others.
Like an injured kitten, crying in aggrievedly in a corner.
The girl outside the car window hung up the phone. Her hands drooped as her shoulders trembled, and she looked rather pitiful from the back.
Xiao Zexing got up and just opened the car door when he saw Tang You pick up the phone and give it a few swipes. She burst out in a cheerful tone, “Hahahahaha Jiajia! Someone caught that dog man and that woman on camera when they were together the other! I also died from trying to hold back my laughter at the news!!”
Translator’s notes:
There’re quite a bit of Chinese internet lingo in the terms used to describe the various stereotypes. I’ve tried to express them as simply as I could without having to go too much into the mainstream slang. A clear motif that the author uses is that of the “small white flower”, and image that Tang You is trying to put on to 1. disgust her fiancé 2. win the elders’ favor. The reference to roses in the chapter titles makes me think that through the course of the story, we will see how she drops the “small white flower” image and blossom as the red rose she’s meant to be! The mistaken identity is rather hilarious and I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen when they find out who each other are XD