White Lotus Chapter 7
7 | Seven Roses
Tang You suspected that there must be a problem with her ears.
What kind of shameless mentality did this man harbor as he uttered those deranged words?!
What kind of devil was he!
Ignoring her shock and consternation, Xiao Zexing said indifferently, “The outcome is a foregone conclusion. I don't wish to see you to still behaving like this in the future.”
Tang You, “…”
Did this mean that he’s not intending to annul the engagement anymore, and was even asking that she change her character?
Well, ok.
At least one thing was confirmed, it seems like "Xiao Weijing" still hates this pretentious, delicate image of hers.
Xiao Zexing did not say anything more to her; Tang You went back in the car she came in.
Through the window, Tang You saw Xiao Zexing light a cigarette, his handsome face enveloped in the haze of smoke, light and shadow.
There was not the slightest trace of a smile.
In the evening, Tang You reviewed the day’s performance. After some deep thinking, she came to the realization that——
While her reckless mission this afternoon must have increased the disgust meter by quite a bit, she had also been taught a lesson by “Xiao Weijing”.
Riding a horse in a skirt is far from a wonderful experience, and Tang You's skin was already tender and delicate to begin with.
Although it was only a ten-minute ride, it started to hurt the moment she got off the horse. The initial swelling had now bloomed into a large bruised area, which was particularly obvious on her glowing fair skin.
Back at her small apartment, Tang You's strange walking posture shocked Miao Jiaxi, who jumped up from the sofa, “Sister, have you begun on your journey of adulthood?”
Tang You was silent for a couple of seconds, then said, “Well, I think, rather than becoming an adult, it’s more like becoming a spirit.”
“Then how did you become a spirit?”
“Xiao Weijing took revenge on me. He made me ride a horse when I’m wearing a skirt.”
Seeing Miao Jiaxi’s knowing smile grow wider, Tang You corrected sharply, “Scrub your brain clean from all those dirty thoughts. It was simply just riding a horse, nothing more.”
Miao Jiaxi shouted, “That damned bastard must be a beast! I didn't expect Xiao Weijing to be so vicious! How could he be so mean to my dear sister! May he get fungus on his feet, and suffer the pain of hemorrhoids!”
Tang You sighed, “Jiajia, how can we curse him like this? That's too cruel.”
The moon was very beautiful tonight, and the balcony was aglow with moonlight. Tang You limped over, offered two sticks of incense to the God of Fortune, and said with immense reverence, “This faithful believer is willing to be vegetarian for the rest of her life, in exchange for Xiao Weijing gaining thirty pounds, his penis shrinking ten centimeters, man boobs growing by two cup sizes, and half his hair falling out.”
Miao Jiaxi, “……”
What a gentle curse that is not at all “too cruel”.
After the gentle prayer, Tang You crouched half-kneeling on the ground as she rummaged around for the medicinal balm.
The medicine box was placed in a low area that wasn’t very easy to find; when she knelt, she scraped the injured skin, and sucked in a sharp breath from the pain.
Miao Jiaxi couldn’t help but put forward a suggestion, “Why not just forget it, Youyou. As the saying goes, ‘One more ex gives you one more road; one more husband gives you one more home’. When you and Xiao Weijing fulfil the marriage agreement, you can both do whatever you like with whomever you want and not interfere with each other. Isn’t that also a good way to go?”
Tang You firmly refused, “No.”
After two consecutive days of rubbing medicine, the bruises on Tang You's legs finally started to subside.
It couldn’t be helped, her skin was too tender; usually, even a bump would be painful enough to provoke tears, much less the prolonged friction sustained this time. It would be a long time before she’d fully recover.
Zhao Manlan called and apologized to her in a gentle tone, explaining that Xiao Weijing had been too impulsive at the time and had been lectured about it.
Tang You listened quietly and reassured her gently, “It's okay, Auntie.”
After she hung up, Tang You studiously made a list of all the things Xiao Weijing hated on her phone's notetaking app.
Delicate little white flower; childish aura.
From not far away, Ah Mai called out to her and told her to go over to look at the photos that’d just been taken.
Golden sunlight poured in through the arched glass dome; tall green leafy branches stretched out; in the corner, bloomed flowers in a variety of colors; the air was full of fresh and pleasant scents; crystal clear water streamed from the fountain; the faint sound of violins could be heard in the distance.
This was a resort garden hotel in Xijing. Tang You had accepted the offer to promote a new domestic fashion brand; the brand had sent over the clothes, with the additional request of an outdoor shoot.
Ah Mai's social anxiety was extremely severe; even though he’d come out of self-isolation, it was still best to avoid any unnecessary human interaction.
This hotel's greenhouse garden was extremely beautiful; Tang You took a fancy to it and chose to have the shoot here.
Ah Mai was fiddling with the camera with his head lowered. He was tall and thin, and no matter how hot it got, he’d be wrapped up from head to toe, completed with a mask and hood.
Whether at home or outdoors, this was how he always was.
Tang You tiptoed slightly to view the photos on the camera screen with him.
“They’re pretty good,” said Ah Mai.
After viewing the photos one by one, Tang You asked casually, “Do you want to have lunch together?”
“No,” Ah Mai carefully removed the lens, wiped it with great care, and placed it in the camera bag. “There are too many people, I'm not used to it.”
The pair have been working together for many years, and there wasn’t a need to say more.
Tang You was just about to pick up her own bag when Ah Mai stepped ahead of her and carried it. “It's a bit heavy, I'll help you.”
“Thank you then.”
Tang You never imagined that she would meet Tang Xiao and the family the moment she entered the hotel lobby.
Jiang Tao was holding onto Tang Yao's arm with Tang Nan standing next to her. The trio was talking and laughing, the atmosphere around them rather harmonious.
——Until they saw Tang You.
Tang Xiao looked dumbfounded at Tang You and Ah Mai.
Tang Nan covered her mouth and took a step back, and expressed extreme surprised: “Sister, didn't you say you were going on a date with Mr. Xiao today? Why…”
Looking at the silent Ah Mai, Tang Nan shrieked, “No wonder, you’ve been so unwilling to marry Mr. Xiao, it’s because you have a boyfriend!”
Without waiting for Tang You’s response, Jiang Tao tugged on Tang Xiao's arm, “Don't be angry, maybe Youyou doesn’t mean it.”
She finished her sentence with a meaningful inflection of her tone, so layered and deep that it almost took on a life of its own.
Tang You sighed inwardly. Look at that, a shining example of the perfect White Lotus; how many thousands of years of practice would she have to undergo to achieve such mastery?
If she could be just like Jiang Tao, perhaps Xiao Weijing would have annulled the engagement more than eight hundred times by now.
It would never have dragged on till now.
The smile of a loving father completely disappeared from Tang Yao's face; he grimaced and questioned, “Youyou, what's going on?”
Tang You introduced Ah Mai, “I just came here to take pictures with my friend.”
Here, she pinched her palms and squeezed out a few tears, “So, did Dad, Auntie and Sister come here to eat? Why didn't you tell me about it? In your hearts, am I not your family anymore?"
Tang You's words caused slight changes in the expressions of those present. Tang Xiao was most afraid of Tang You talking about this; he withdrew his arm from Jiang Tao's arms, “How can that be? Didn’t your sister give you a call?”
Tang Nan’s expression flickered.
“I didn’t receive it.” Tang You’s face was pale, her eyes brimming with tears. “Nannan, you did you deceive me? I already gave Dad to you, isn’t that enough? Why are you still preventing me from meeting Dad?”
Tang Nan was stunned by her brilliant performance.
Tang Xiao turned around and asked Tang Nan, “What's going on?”
Tang Nan was completely lost for words.
Seeing that the tables were about to be turned on them, Jiang Tao smiled and spoke, “Maybe Nannan accidentally forgot about it. Nannan is still young, Youyou, you’re the older sister, and a sensible child, you won’t hold it against your younger sister, right?”
As she finished, she clung naturally onto Tang Xiao’s arm again. “Although, there’s something I’m still quite curious about—what kind of photos are you taking? Why did you need to come to a hotel?”
Again, the spearhead was aimed at Tang You.
Tang Nan snorted disdainfully, “Probably some shameless photos.”
As she spoke, she reached out to grab Ah Mai's camera bag. Ah Mai suffered from serious social anxiety and feared people— his only treasure was his camera. When he saw Tang Nan come suddenly at him, he was so frightened that he turned around and ran.
It wouldn’t have been so bad if he didn’t run. But his sudden action stunned Tang Nan momentarily, before she shrieked, “He must have a guilty conscience!”
“Tang Nan!”
A clear male voice interjected; the black-clad Jiang Chenting walked over and shielded Tang You behind him. He frowned and scolded, “Shouting and making a scene in the public, is that how you were taught to behave?”
Tang You, who was pretending to wipe her tears, paused, and Jiang Chenting handed her a clean tissue.
She took it silently.
This stepbrother, who had no blood-relations with her, was the only normal person in the Tang family.
At least, that’s what Tang You thought.
Tang Nan called out unhappily, “Brother.”
Jiang Chenting ignored this younger sister of his. He lowered his head and looked at Tang You, “It’s good that you’re here. Let's eat together.”
Tang You refused decisively, “No thanks. I need to go pick up Huhu.”
“I’ll accompany you,” said Jiang Chenting.
“Brother,” said Tang Nan. “This was supposed to be a welcome meal for you——”
“You all go ahead, don't mind me.” Tang You smiled and balled up the tissue in her hand as if nothing had happened, “Brother, I have other things to do.”
Jiang Chenting looked at her for a long time. “Alright.”
Tang Nan was still full of dissatisfaction. She muttered inaudibly under her breath, unhappiness written all over her face.
Tang Xiao didn’t say a word.
It was only after Tang You walked out when she remembered that her car key was still in Ah Mai's bag.
Not only the car key, but also her mobile phone and wallet.
Ah Mai could run faster than a rabbit—he was probably hiding and shivering somewhere else by now.
Tang You sighed. She sat down on the edge of the flower bed, and seriously contemplated if she should go back to look for Jiang Chenting, or if she should borrow a phone from the hotel reception desk to give Ah Mai a call.
Hmm?
She caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Tang You stood up straight and shielded her eyes with her hands. She looked carefully, then ran over and called out, “Mr. Xiao!”
Xiao Zexing wasn’t alone; he was followed by three people who looked like assistants, and next to him were several older, somewhat grey-haired people.
A bright moon among the stars, Xiao Zexing's posture was more upright and imposing than ever, and his aura was overwhelming.
Hearing the voice, he raised his hand slightly, and one of the grey-haired men immediately fell silent in mid-sentence.
They saw Tang You come running towards them in small steps.
She was still wearing the dress from the shoot—two thin straps; silk material; loose, uncinched waist; it hung smooth and soft, and its pastel yellow colour made her skin appear more delicate.
It was no longer a plain and pure student image, but one that is fresh breezy student look, adding a few fresh, sweet, and somewhat coquettish.
Tang You smiled and said, “Mr. Xiao, I lost my wallet and mobile phone, can I borrow your phone?” As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Zexing with pitiful expression.
Tang You placed her palms together and looked at him, her eyes full of expectation, “Pretty please.”
Tang You’s actions were well calculated.
It didn’t really matter if Xiao Weijing would lend her his phone. She wanted to establish an image of her “foolishly interrupting his work without regard for his circumstances”.
No man would like to be disturbed in the middle of work, right?
Xiao Zexing's gaze fell on her; his expression was indifferent and arrogant.
It was completely different from when he was teaching her to ride at the polo club.
Xiao Zexing asked, “Who are you calling? Where are you going?”
Tang You answered truthfully, “I want to call my friend. I will be going to pick up Huhu from the hospital later.”
Xiao Zexing did not give her the phone.
He looked at Tang You quietly for a few seconds, then turned to people with him and smiled, “Sorry, I have some personal matters today. We'll talk about the project some other time.”
The grey-haired man quickly smiled and said, “Please go ahead; there’s nothing urgent to deal with here.”
Xiao Zexing gave a slight nod. He instructed a few words to his assistants before walking up to Tang You. “Let's go.”
Tang You froze. “You’re going to give me a ride?”
“What else?” countered Xiao Zexing. “Do you still want to continue basking in the sun here? Think you’re a sunflower?”
The speechless Tang You could only quickly trail after him.
This was only Tang You’s second time in Xiao Zexing's car, and it was already a new one— a custom-made Rolls-Royce Phantom, which Tang You had been coveting for a long time.
Xiao Zexing loosened his tie and undid two buttons.
The car sped away from the hotel. Xiao Zexing did not look at Tang You the entire time, as if she was just air.
The man’s expression was too cold. Tang You was momentarily oppressed by his overwhelming imposing aura; all the pretentiously innocent and delicate words she’d thought of lay in the pit of her stomach, completely unuttered.
In the end, it was Xiao Zexing who spoke first. His expression was as usual, and his tone was calm, “What's wrong with Tang Fu? He fell ill?”
This guy was always going on and on about Tang Hu. For a few seconds, Tang You even suspected that this person wouldn’t break off their engagement because he was keen on her dog.
Tang You said, “Nothing. He just went to get sterilized.”
A sharp brake.
