4 | Four Roses
Xiao Weijing had not seen Tang You in a long time.
The last time, she was still in high school, thin and small, wearing her high school uniform, her hair in a ponytail. The corners of her eyes were tinged red, as if she would burst into tears in the next second.
In his impression, she was a just a little kid.
The person next to Xiao Weijing patted him on the shoulder, motioned for him to look over and said jokingly, “Look, isn't that your little fiancée over there?”
From Xiao Weijing's current angle, he could only make out the girl’s white and flawless skin and half of her face. He hair draped softly on her shoulders, impossibly neat and tidy.
“Your future father-in-law’s personality aside, his two daughters are really beautiful.” Hao Yun rested a hand on Xiao Weijing’s shoulder as he squinted his eyes for a better look. He laughed teasingly, “You really lucked out this time huh!”
Xiao Weijing didn't have the slightest smile on his face. He pushed Hao Yun's hand away and said, “Just a vase. Only good for looking at, nothing else.”
He knew what Tang You had done against Wen Ling. He was also very aware that Tang You’s harmless appearance was far from her true personality. This girl had been spoiled by her father since she was a child. It wasn’t so bad if she was only arrogant. The one thing Xiao Weijing couldn’t stand about her was how she’d pretend to seem one way, but acted in a completely different way.
A hypocrite.
He drained his glass of wine and set the glass upside down on the counter. Watching as Tang You spoke to Xiao Zexing, he said in a mocking tone “Look, she only knows how to act like a good girl to please the elders. How boring.”
Hao Yun cupped his chin and pressed with interest, “Then, you think Wen Ling isn’t boring?”
“Wen Ling’s different,” Xiao Weijing frowned. “Anyway, she’s not my girlfriend, don't compare her with Tang you.”
Hao Yun shook his head, “Forget it, forget it.”
He couldn’t get through to Xiao Weijing.
As a good friend who had grown up with Xiao Weijing, Hao Yun knew the real reason for Xiao Weijing's special treatment towards Wen Ling.
When he was in high school, Xiao Weijing went swimming in the sea. He had a leg cramp and almost drowned, and it was a little girl who had desperately dragged him from the sea to the shore. At that time, the sting of the sea water and the sand in Xiao Weijing’s eyes made him unable to see his savior clearly. With his eyes shut, he handed his bracelet to the girl, hoarsely saying that he would definitely repay her.
There were too many people coming and going. When the ambulance came, the little girl slipped away quietly; Xiao Weijing couldn’t track her down. It was only sometime after his engagement that Xiao Weijing met Wen Ling, his bracelet on her wrist.
Rumors have it that Xiao Weijing resolutely opposed the engagement with Tang You because of Wen Ling, but Hao Yun didn't think so.
Xiao Weijing and Wen Ling had never even held hands.
From the beginning, Xiao Weijing was really just earnestly repaying the favor.
Including but not limited to helping Wen Ling enter the swim team, and upon her retirement, providing the capital for her to open her gym.
Seeing that Xiao Weijing was about to leave, Hao Yun hurriedly called out, “Where are you going? Are you crazy? You’re running away during your own grandfather's birthday?”
“The gift has been delivered. I’m going into hiding,” said Xiao Weijing flatly. “’I’m not ready to get married so early.”
Tang You was about to graduate from university, and he was now back in China. The old man used to be quite low-key for his birthday, but this year he’d invited so many people over with so much fanfare. Xiao Weijing couldn’t help putting up his guard.
Lest the old man really forced them into marriage.
Seeing Tang You stand in front of Xiao Zexing, Xiao Weijing frowned.
She could’ve chosen anyone else, but she’d just had to go provoke his second uncle.
Who didn't know that Xiao Zexing had a heart of stone? Like rock that’s undergone thousands of years of weathering it seemed not much different from a lump of cold iron. To approach him just like that, she must be tired of living.
Well, Tang You didn’t know.
When she spotted Xiao Zexing in the crowd, her eyes lit up immediately, not unlike a cat that just spotted a ball of yarn.
Yes! Here’s a good opportunity to up the Disgust Meter!
Tang You walked over excitedly. She raised her face and smiled sweetly, calling out admiringly, “Mr. Xiao.”
Xiao Zexing turned slightly, his gaze falling on her.
After registering her face, Xiao Zexing smiled. “Why are you here too? Did Zeyan bring you here? Where is he?”
Tang You was momentarily taken aback, before she recovered and quickly replied, “No no, it was Grandpa Xiao who invited me.”
Xiao Zexing turned his cup in his hands, as he carelessly nodded in response.
In the space of time he took to respond, Tang You took another step forward.
The distance between the two shrunk once more. She raised a beautiful, gleaming face towards him, “Mr. Xiao, I saw some bad things about you…”
At this point, there was a small pause as Tang You bit her bottom lip lightly, giving him a timid and fearful look. The corners of her eyes were red, but she still tried to keep her voice light as she said with a laugh, “But I know that must have been fabricated by the paparazzi! I believe in you.”
“What is a kid like you doing, looking at those things?” responded Xiao Zexing noncommittally.
Huh?
She’s already giving this white flower act her all, and all she’s getting was this bland response?
Tang You's smile froze slightly.
With Xiao Weijing's character, shouldn't he have turned and left with a sneer by now? What’s with that cajoling tone, as if he were coaxing a child?
Before Tang You could straighten her thoughts, she felt someone tousle her hair.
Ehhhhhhhh??!!!!
Tang You was born with a small frame, had tiny hands and feet, a thin waist, a small head and face; Xiao Zexing was big-boned, had a tall stature and imposing posture— her complete opposite.
The man had casually covered the top of her head with his wide and warm palm and rubbed it a couple of times. Her hair feels nice, he thought to himself. He was about to retract his hand, then changed his mind and tousled her hair once more. He said smiling, “Instead of worrying about me, it is better to focus on your studies. Child, aim for a good university.”
“……”
As she stood stock-still, the man turned and left. Tang You touched her hair, dazed.
No wait, what did Xiao Weijing mean? What does he mean by asking her to ‘aim for a good university’? Although the university that she was attending wasn’t one of the top universities in China, it was still part of Project 2111! ‘Aim for a good university’… Did this man mean for her to take the postgraduate entrance examination?!
She suddenly thought of the study guides that he’d given her——
Tang You finally understood.
This man was mocking her, insinuating that she had a poor education and low IQ.
After four years of absence, his methods of expressing sarcasm had become more and more obscure.
A few moments later, she was called over by Elder Xiao.
Although everyone called him “Elder Xiao”, he was actually only celebrating his sixty-third birthday today. Both he and Xiao Weijing's father followed the tradition of early marriage and childbirth, but it seemed like this tradition end with Xiao Zexing and Xiao Weijing.
Elder Xiao just learnt that Xiao Weijing was nowhere to be found. He was worried that Tang You would be sad, so he did not bring him up. He smiled and asked, “Youyou, you’re graduating soon right? What are you going to do after graduation? Are you interested to go work at Weijing’s company?"
Tang You hurriedly waved her hands, “No, Grandpa, my grades are not very good, I will only hold him back if I go.”
Elder Xiao assumed a stern expression, “Nonsense, if our Youyou is not getting good grades, then who is? If you don’t know how to do it, you can just slowly learn the ropes. Even if you really can’t do it, it doesn’t matter, let Weijie support you!”
Tang You saw that Elder Xiao was in a good mood, and tentatively said, “I think I’d still better not bother Brother Weijing… Mm… Grandpa, you can see that actually Brother Weijing doesn't seem to like me, so why not——”
“He dares to not like you?!” Elder Xiao cut her off, his face grave, and his voice sonorous. “I'll break his legs again!”
He gave the table a few hard raps, rattling the pens in the pen holder, and even a few drops of ink from the inkstone spilled out.
Tang You swallowed the rest of her words.
There was a knocking on the door— three measured knocks, neither fast nor slow.
Tang You turned and saw Xiao Zexing push the door open and step in.
Why was this person here?
In front of the old man, coupled with his obvious attitude on the matter of their relationship, Tang You had no choice but to continue to play the role of the besotted little white flower.
Tang You gave him a quick look, then lowered her head shyly.
When Elder Xiao saw Xiao Zexing, the smile on his face disappeared without a trace.
His lips flattened into a straight line, and his expression darkened.
He snorted coldly, “Oh? You still know how to come back? The Xicheng National Timber Reserve is such a big project, and you decided on your own to take it on. Do you still even have any regard for me?”
He wanted to continue scolding, but he caught a glimpse Tang You out of the corner of his eye, and paused.
Elder Xiao felt that Xiao Zexing was also Tang You’s elder, so it really wasn’t nice to be scolding him in front of her.
He gave Xiao Zexing a fierce glare, and then turned to Tang You and said gently, “Youyou, there is something I need to take care of, you should go back first.”
Tang You didn’t need to be told twice. She stood up and said obediently, “Alright. Goodbye, Grandpa.”
From the moment he entered the room, Xiao Zexing had only glanced at her once.
After Tang You left, Elder Xiao was just about to continue to berate his son, when Xiao Zexing said, “If you were more informed, you would know that I had not only took on the construction of the timber reserve, but also two ecological complexes."
Elder Xiao glowered, “What are you trying to do?”
“Nothing,” Xiao Zexing smiled. “I estimate that the new city will do well economically, so I decided to make some investments in advance and bought some land.”
Elder Xiao was stunned by the hidden meaning of his words. “You even bought land? How much?”
Xiao Zexing didn't answer him. Instead, he asked, “Is there anything else?”
Elder Xiao was irritated by his indifferent attitude, and also angry that he did not inform him of such big decisions.
The old man had a strong desire for control and a bad temper. He couldn't stand even the slightest bit of what he deemed as defiance. He grabbed a book off the table and flung it. Xiao Zexing did not evade; the spine of the book hit his forehead, causing a small wound.
“It seems like there’s nothing else,” said Xiao Zexing with a light smile. “Then I'll be going first. Eldest brother is still waiting to drink with me.”
This sentence provoked Elder Xiao so much that he thundered loud curses at him.
“Please mind your health,” said Xiao Zexing calmly. “I know what I’m doing. I will not tarnish the family’s reputation.”
The old man was really angry now. As a stream of curses flowed out from his mouth, his hands scrambled about. Anything that could be thrown flew across the room.
Xiao Zexing opened the door. And as soon as he came out, he saw Tang You standing by the door.
A book flew out by his side, brushing the edges of his clothes, and landed heavily on his feet.
The sudden commotion caused Tang You to tremble with fright. She stood arrow-straight, as if she were in a military parade. Xiao Zexing closed the door swiftly, and more books could be heard crashing upon the closed door.
The soundproofing of the room was excellent. Tang You couldn't hear the conversation that had happened inside. She only saw a little bloodstain on Xiao Zexing's forehead and the book that had just flown out.
Tang You was a little excited and a little happy.
Damn, he must’ve beaten up again for bringing up the annulment of the engagement, right? Was she about to regain her freedom?
This is a great opportunity to add oil to fire!
Tang You suppressed the delight that was building up in her heart, and tremblingly took out clean tissues from the small bag she carried. She tiptoed slightly, intending to help him wipe off the blood. “Did Grandpa hit you? Does it hurt?”
Xiao Zexing looked at her trembling hands.
Clean and soft tissues pressed against the man's forehead.
The wound was actually not big, and there wasn’t much blood.
Tang You stretched her arms high and tiptoed further, thoughts running wildly through her mind.
F*ck.
What’s the point of growing so tall? Her arms were getting sore and her legs started to ache. Please, you must be so disgusted by this little white flower now, right?
The soreness of her limbs caused Tang You to fail to see Xiao Zexing's expression darken.
Tang You didn't even notice that Xiao Zexing had leaned forward slightly, nor did she realize that she could actually touch his wound without tiptoeing so high.
A small and exquisite girl, struggling to stand on tiptoe; an upturned face with undisguised distress and tenderness in her eyes; lips that were soft and smooth, her eyelashes thick and curled.
Like a small strawberry that had just begun to turn red, astringent yet mixed with slight sweetness.
Xiao Zexing reached out his hand and held down the tissues.
Together with her hand, which the tissues were wrapped around.
The delicate fingers were pressed down heavily through the soft tissues.
His presence suddenly felt overbearing. The man emanating a faint hint of alcohol, which became more pronounced as the distance between them closed.
As if burnt by an exposed flame, Tang You quickly withdrew her hand.
She lowered her head, faintly aware that something was wrong with the atmosphere then. She only heard the man’s calm voice come down from above her head, “Thank you.”
“…you're welcome.”
Her head still lowered, she caught a glimpse of the man’s neatly ironed trousers, and a gleaming pair of leather shoes.
Xiao Zexing never said nothing more, turned and left.
This isn’t right. Why was Xiao Weijing and still behaving so calmly in the face of her innocent act?
Had Xiao Weijing’s tastes changed??? Or has his hatred for small white flowers already maxed out, and he’s now immune?
Or, does she have to increase the intensity of her act?
Tang You was stumped.
—
Zhao Manlan searched for a long time but could not find Xiao Weijing. She was resigned to the knowledge that he’d probably ran away again.
The complimentary words from a person next to her flitted into her ears and Zhao Manlan smiled in polite response. She caught a glimpse of the Tang You in the crowd, and immediately sent someone to bring the girl over, “Go, request for Miss Tang to come over here.”
A lady smiled, “Elder Xiao has good taste. I heard that when Elder Tang was still around, the two would often go fishing together.”
Another wife hastened to compliment, “Thinking about it, Elder Xiao is really so kind and generous. If not for his support, I am afraid that the Tang family would have gone bankrupt long ago.”
Zhao Manlan just listened and did not respond, the graceful smile on her face never wavered.
Noticing that Tang You was drawing nearer, the group tacitly dropped the topic.
Zhao Manlan stretched out her hand and gestured for Tang You sit next to her. “Have you seen the old man?” she asked with an affectionate smile
“Yes,” replied Tang You obediently. “After a short conversation, he told me to come back here to enjoy myself.”
Everyone knew that Elder Xiao loved the Tang You very much. They were all trying to figure out what his intentions were. Seeing his insistence on the match between Tang You and Xiao Weijing, they guessed that he was probably going to appoint Xiao Weijing as his successor in future. However, when Xiao Zexing came back to China, the old man entrusted heavy responsibilities to Xiao Weijing on one hand, and on the other, entrusted Mingjian Co. to Xiao Zexing. It was hard to figure out what he truly had in mind.
“Did you just see Weijing?” asked Zhao Manlan.
Tang You nodded and laughed, “He asked me to pay more attention to my studies.”
Zhao Manlan was well aware of her son’s attitude towards Tang You. Only an angel Tang You would still be trying to shield him.
Xiao Weijing never showed up to the meeting that she had specially planned for them, yet Tang You still made up a lie to tell her that Xiao Weijing had turned up… Ah, such a good child, beautiful and kind, and the most important thing is that she is so devoted to Weijing…
Zhao Manlan patted Tang You's delicate hand, wishing that she could separate Xiao Weijing from that Wen Ling that instant.
After some conversation, some people brought Xiao Zexing up, “Now that Weijing is getting ready to get married, is there any news about the marriage plans of the returnee?”
The returnee referred to Xiao Zexing.
Zhao Manlan expression remained unchanged, “Zexing's put all of his mind and heart in his career, not even the old man influence him.”
In the recent days, Xiao Zexing's name had come up quite frequently. Zhao Manlan turned to Tang You and asked her warmly, “Youyou, do you still remember what your second uncle looks like? When you were a child, your grandfather brought you to our house, and he even carried you before.”
In Zhao Manlan's eyes, Tang You was already her family.
Tang You felt a little abashed. “I’ve forgotten.”
She had not an ounce of interest in this Xiao Zexing. The Xiao family tree had deep and intertwined roots, and there were naturally many entanglements regarding personal interest. To Tang You, the further she could keep away from the Xiao’s affairs, the better, lest she caused more complication when she broke ties with Tang Xiao in future.
Zhao Manlan’s smile deepened, “It just so happens that he’s here today. I’ll call him over; family should at least meet each other——”
She beckoned the waiter over and instructed, “Please bring Xiao Zexing over.”
The waiter bowed and left. The conversation topic changed once more, towards other directions.
Some ladies snuck Zhao Manlan looks as their drunk their tea, carefully observing her expression and trying to guess her intentions.
Tang You sat by and just listened to their conversation. They were all her elders, and it was not her place to speak, so she could only be a vase.
But Mrs. Chen, who was next to her, took the initiative to ask her, “Youyou, I’ve noticed that your outfits always look so good. Did you hire a personal stylist?”
Tang You replied demurely, “No, I picked them out myself. Thank you.”
Her stylist was herself, the one who knew the characteristics of her body the best. This started out as a casual comment, but it’d attracted the attention of several other ladies, who gave appraising looks to what Tang You had on.
Mrs. Zheng noticed Tang You's bare wrists and necks, and jokingly remarked, “Youyou, your outfit is beautigul, but why aren’t you wearing jewelry? Is your stepmother reluctant to give you any?”
Tang You smiled, “Auntie gave me a lot. I'm was afraid that if I damaged them, she’d be sad, so I kept them and don’t bear to wear any.”
This was a lie.
Although she would put on accessories when coordinating outfits for photoshoots, she doesn’t usually wear any. Even when she was a child, she’d only simply set the bracelets and necklaces that she received as gifts aside, and never put them on.
She felt that they were too cumbersome.
The waiter returned with a distressed expression, “Mr. Xiao went off for a drink, he’s not here.”
Zhao Manlan’s raised her brows slightly, and said regretfully, “It seems like I’d only be able to introduce you two next time.”
Tang You replied gently, “It’s fine, Auntie. There’ll be more opportunities in future.”
Seeing that the night was growing dark, the crowd gradually dispersed. Tang You was about to bid her hosts farewell but was stopped by Zhao Manlan. “It's so far from your home, and it’s already so dark. Why not just stay here tonight?”
Without waiting for Tang You to refuse, Zhao Manlan smiled and said, “I’ve already spoke to your father on the phone, and he’d agreed.”
By this point, Zhao Manlan had made it clear that she was not allowed to refuse. Tang You could only nod in agreement. “Thank you, Auntie.”
The place where they were now was the Xiao’s old family home. Elder Xiao had lived here for decades, and his refusal to move was enough to prove that the conditions here were excellent. The value of the house now was through the roof. Not only that, no matter how rich one was, one wouldn’t be able to buy it without considerable power and influence.
It was arranged for Tang You sleep in the guest room on the second floor. The furnishings were lush and exquisite, and everything that she could need was provided for. Everyone knew that she was Xiao Weijing’s fiancée, and beloved by Elder Xiao, so no one dared to be negligent .
She tossed and turned in the bed and couldn’t fall asleep. Tang You had a small stomach and couldn’t ever very much at a time. Consequently, she got hungry fairly quickly.
She had already examined all the fruits and snacks in the guestroom; none were to her liking.
With a sigh, Tang You got out of bed, ready to go out to look for something to eat.
Before entering the room, she’d explored the area and knew that there was a small kitchen at the end of the second floor corridor.
At Tang's house, there was always someone on duty in the kitchen at night, and she wondered if it was the same here.
Tang You cautiously poked her head out and saw that the door at the end of the corridor was open, revealing the warm glow of a light shining from within. She breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that there was someone there.
Tang You was too lazy to change clothes. The pajamas she was wearing were prepared by Zhao Manlan. They were very conservative, like the one worn by the princess in Roman Holiday.
Tang You slowly walked towards the kitchen door. She’d just taken a step in when she suddenly noticed Xiao Zexing, who was leaning by the door.
At that moment, the smell of alcohol emanating from the man was much more intense. He squinted slightly and stood leaning against the wall. His tie was long gone— the top two buttons of his previously neat shirt was unbuttoned, and his collarbones peeked out from the gap.
His usual calm and steady air was diminished a lot by this posture. On the contrary, there was a new trace of laziness.
He was holding on to half a cigarette in his left hand. In the lingering smoke, his expression seemed especially profound.
He looked down at Tang You condescendingly, and asked hoarsely, “What are you doing here?”
“No… nothing, I’m sleepwalking.”
Tang You, who had been momentarily mesmerized by this attractive figure, finally noticed that something was amiss. She retracted her steps and turned to leave. In her haste, she didn’t notice the water stains on the floor and her foot slipped——
She swayed wildly, struggling to regain her balance.
Xiao Zexing, who was next to her, dropped his cigarette, and held her firmly.
His arm was around her waist in a tight grip, forcing Tang You to be crushed into his body. Through her pajamas, the cold and hard belt buckle cut into her rather painfully.
The man had exerted too much force, and in that swift action, she felt the air being squeezed out of her lungs. With her face pressed against his chest, Tang You was still in a state of shock.
Actually, she was quite sure that she wouldn’t have fallen just now, as her sense of balance had always been very good. It was the man before her who had really thrown her into a wild panic ahhhhhhhh!!
Why did he help her!
His warmth spread through their clothes. The thick smell of alcohol added to her growing sense of horror, and Tang You trembled involuntarily. She pressed her palms against his chest, her anxiety and tension made her voice reveal a trace of genuine weakness, “Can you… Can you let me go…?”
Xiao Zexing looked down at the trembling girl in his arms.
His arm tightened, encircling the trembling and slender figure.
So fragile that it seemed like she could be snapped like a twig.
Under the cover of the loose dress, she seemed so unbearably delicate.
As he tightened, blue veins rose on a pair of slender hands.
An Adam's apple moved almost imperceptibly.
The secret that no one else in the world knew about, the secret preference of Xiao Zexing——
A thin waist.
1 Project 211: The 211 Project refers to the construction of about 100 colleges and universities and a number of key disciplines in the 21st century. It was officially launched in November 1995 after being approved by the State Council .
—
Translator’s notes:
O.O Wow, that was unexpected. In a story that played so heavily on personality tropes, I was fully expecting it to be something to do with personality traits… Looks like Tang You’s almighty waist has gained another admirer (fan club president being Miao Jiaxi)!