Youyou took a small step back: “Weijing-gege?”
Xiao Weijing snapped out of it like waking from a dream. He hurriedly helped Wen Ling up from the floor, his voice sinking: “Youyou, you can’t bully people like this.”
Wen Ling had only had surgery two days ago. The sudden fall had jarred her wound; her face went deathly pale from pain. Apart from her initial cry, she said nothing—instead, she patted Xiao Weijing’s arm: “It’s fine, Old Xiao. It was just a fall.”
Xiao Weijing scolded her softly: “Don’t act tough.”
He forced himself not to look at Youyou’s face. His tone was cold and distant, though the earlier fury had faded: “Go home first by yourself. I’ll take Wen Ling to the hospital.”
Youyou considered for a moment.
Being “framed” by Wen Ling was indeed annoying, but from a certain angle, Wen Ling had actually done her a huge favor. Since she was playing the vicious little white lotus, how could she waste Wen Ling’s dedicated performance by not being vicious enough?!
In Xiao Weijing’s eyes, hadn’t she just bullied Wen Ling? Then she might as well go all the way—
Youyou stepped forward. That faint vanilla-milk scent drifted over again.
Xiao Weijing watched her still-trembling lashes. His heart pounded wildly. His mouth went dry; he turned his face away, unable to look directly at her.
Youyou seized the chance and precisely pressed on Wen Ling’s wound, asking with feigned concern: “You’ve been clutching here the whole time—did you hurt it when you fell?”
Wen Ling let out a sudden sharp scream of pain, finally jolting the flushed Xiao Weijing back to his senses.
Xiao Weijing had meant to scold Youyou, but the moment he saw her bewildered, misty eyes, his anger deflated: “Don’t do this, Youyou. She just had appendicitis surgery…”
Wen Ling gripped Xiao Weijing’s arm tightly, trembling uncontrollably from pain. Meanwhile, Youyou covered her mouth, looking perfectly pure and innocent: “I’m sorry, Weijing-gege. I didn’t know.”
Xiao Weijing struggled to tear his gaze from her face: “You didn’t know… it’s fine.”
His voice stiff, he said: “You go back first.”
Go back?
Now was the time to add fuel to the fire!
Was there anything better for racking up disgust points than openly bullying Wen Ling?
Youyou wanted to keep performing.
A bespectacled man who looked like an assistant pushed open the glass door and strode in, calling out clearly: “Miss Tang.”
Youyou didn’t recognize him. She tilted her head: “Yes?”
After seeing the newcomer, Xiao Weijing’s expression softened considerably. Supporting Wen Ling, he asked: “Did Second Uncle send you? Is there something?”
The assistant replied politely: “Sir asked me to take Miss Tang home first.”
Xiao Weijing understood.
Earlier, Xiao Zexing had been coming downstairs with him when a clumsy intern bumped into him and spilled coffee on his shirt. The intern was fired on the spot, and Xiao Zexing needed to change before heading to Grandfather’s.
Though Xiao Weijing had spare clothes in the office and their builds were similar, Xiao Zexing never wore anyone else’s things. On this point, Xiao Weijing suspected his Second Uncle had some kind of mental obsession with cleanliness.
Xiao Weijing guessed Xiao Zexing must have seen the standoff here before leaving and sent someone to fetch Youyou.
Second Uncle was truly thoughtful, considerate, and thorough—even going out of his way to look after his nephew’s fiancée.
Deeply touched, Xiao Weijing didn’t look at Youyou again. His voice gradually hardened: “Since Second Uncle said so, you should head back first. I’ll explain to Grandfather when I get there.”
Youyou still hadn’t met this mysterious Second Uncle, but she couldn’t go against an elder’s kind intentions now.
Before leaving, she gave Xiao Weijing one last “pitiful” glance, as if reluctant to part.
Once Youyou was gone, Wen Ling heard Xiao Weijing let out a heavy breath of relief.
He closed his eyes, rubbed his temples, then lowered his head to her: “Lingling, are you okay?”
Wen Ling smiled: “It’s actually not too bad. I’m used to it.”
Xiao Weijing responded absentmindedly and let go of the hand supporting her.
This time the sudden loss of support caught her prepared—she didn’t fall.
Wen Ling observed his expression and teased: “Old Xiao, I never thought I’d see the day you’d be stunned by a pretty face.”
Xiao Weijing frowned, displeased: “How long have you known me? Do you really think I’m the type who only cares about looks?”
Xiao Weijing thought he had only been surprised just now.
He had seen plenty of beautiful women—nothing special anymore. Four years ago, when he first saw Tang Youyou, she hadn’t even grown into herself; in his memory, she was just a scrawny little girl with somewhat decent features.
No one could have predicted that the skinny, undeveloped brat from back then would grow up to be… this stunning.
It wasn’t that he was bewitched by her beauty.
Wen Ling rested a hand on his shoulder: “Look at you—four years apart and you can’t even take a joke anymore!”
Normally they bantered like this all the time. But right now, Xiao Weijing felt a vague, inexplicable discomfort deep in his chest. He couldn’t pinpoint the source of it, so after some thought, he chalked it up to being too tired today and having a muddled head.
Still…
His fiancée really was quite beautiful.
Xiao Weijing thought to himself: facing a face like that, even if she was a little pretentious?
As long as she didn’t go too far and her character was passable, he could probably forgive her.
Once Youyou got into the car, she softly thanked the assistant.
She didn’t know much about this Second Uncle yet—only that Tang Xiao had once mentioned him in passing. But since he had sent someone to rescue her, she asked politely: “Will Second Uncle be joining us for dinner tonight?”
The assistant smiled: “Yes.”
After all, he was an elder—and this would be their first meeting.
Besides, Xiao Zexing now controlled Mingjian. She might need his help one day.
And then there was that person who had said she peed on him at five years old and ruined a bunch of things…
Youyou pondered for a moment, thinking she should bring some gift to earn a few favor points.
Hopefully he’d forgive her childhood bear-child behavior for the sake of the present.
Unsure of what a big shot like him would like, she tentatively asked the assistant: “Do you know what Second Uncle prefers?”
“Miss Tang, why the sudden question?”
“It’s my first time meeting an elder, after all,” Youyou said, checking herself in the mirror and carefully blotting away the tears she had squeezed out at the corners of her eyes. “As the junior, I should at least bring a gift.”
The assistant suggested: “Sir enjoys tea. You could bring some good tea.”
Youyou took the advice.
Xiao Weijing still had to take Wen Ling to the hospital, so Youyou wasn’t in a hurry. First she went to buy premium tea, then—referencing what she knew of Xiao Zenian’s tastes—she chose the most appropriate gift packaging for an elder.
By the time she arrived at Grandfather’s residence, the moon was already high and the night breeze cool.
As expected, Xiao Weijing was still at the hospital with Wen Ling and hadn’t arrived yet.
It was a family dinner, so not many guests were invited. Zhao Manlan held Youyou’s hand and chatted with her privately for a long time before finally steering the conversation to the main topic.
“Youyou, don’t worry about Weijing and Wen Ling,” Zhao Manlan said gently, lowering her lashes. “I already know everything that happened this afternoon. The café surveillance has been pulled.”
Youyou’s eyelid twitched: “Auntie, I’m not upset.”
She really wasn’t upset at all!
She wished Xiao Weijing would misunderstand her even more deeply!
Just treat her as an irredeemably evil woman already!
Zhao Manlan squeezed her hand, full of affection: “I know what a good child you are. Even when you’re wronged, you never complain—”
Before she finished, a servant came to call Zhao Manlan away. She released Youyou’s hand, pinched her cheek gently: “Good girl. Don’t worry—Auntie has your back.”
Without giving Youyou time to reply, Zhao Manlan turned and gracefully left.
Left alone, Youyou finally took a proper look around the room.
There was a book on the table and half a smoked cigarette in the ashtray beside it. Out of curiosity, Youyou picked up the book. It was all classical Chinese with no annotations. Puzzled, she checked the cover: Miscellaneous Records of Youyang.
She skimmed a few pages. The rare words weren’t too many, and it wasn’t especially hard to read. She was trying to make sense of it when a shadow fell over her.
A long, slender hand covered the page, pressing down exactly on the line she was reading.
A faint, clear cedar scent cut through the quiet stillness.
She heard the man’s warm, refined voice: “You like reading this kind of thing?”
Youyou looked up and saw Xiao Zexing.
He wore a pale gray shirt that wrapped his tall, upright frame. Perhaps because it wasn’t a formal occasion, he wasn’t wearing a stiff English-style dress shirt; it was slightly looser, no tie, the top button undone.
Xiao Zexing looked at the book in her hand: “I didn’t expect you to be interested in miscellaneous records like this.”
Youyou was stunned: “Why are you here?”
“Grandfather asked me to come, so I came,” Xiao Zexing released the book, sat down opposite her, and rested his fingers against the outside of the porcelain teapot to test the temperature. He called out clearly: “Bring a fresh pot.”
The servant standing to the side immediately took the teapot and left.
The room was now empty except for the two of them.
Youyou stared at him in a daze: “Who exactly are you?”
“My surname is Xiao,” Xiao Zexing interlaced his fingers, posture relaxed. He smiled. “With this much of a hint, you should understand by now, right?”
Youyou stared at the face so strikingly similar to Xiao Weijing’s. Her mind spun in circles until only one thought remained—
She leaned forward, voice low: “Are you… Uncle Xiao’s illegitimate son? Coming back now to claim your place in the family?”
Xiao Zexing laughed helplessly: “I didn’t expect your imagination to be so vivid for such a small head.”
Youyou felt he was mocking her. Furious, she reached out and grabbed his collar with both hands: “Stop laughing!”
Even being yanked by the collar, Xiao Zexing showed no trace of anger. His dimples deepened, eyes holding flecks of light: “Finally showing your claws?”
Youyou froze, suddenly realizing what she had done.
She let go and sat back.
“I don’t care who you are—you have to keep your word,” Youyou repeated firmly, commanding him with utmost seriousness. “You have to forget all those messy things. You absolutely cannot—”
Xiao Zexing leisurely smoothed out the wrinkles she had just pulled into his shirt: “Cannot what?”
Youyou said: “Just don’t tell anyone! Don’t even think about it, and don’t ever bring it up again!”
“Why not?”
Youyou flushed with shame and anger: “Because I have to maintain a good image in front of the elders, obviously!”
She felt like she lost her temper far too easily in front of him. The realization made her panic. She took three deep breaths in and out. From the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Zexing’s hand resting on the gift box on the table and immediately stopped him: “Don’t open it!”
Xiao Zexing traced the elegant patterns on the wrapping with his fingertips and smiled: “Judging from the packaging, this was meant for Grandfather? What treasure is inside?”
“It’s for Second Uncle!” Youyou said. “Let go—don’t ruin it.”
“Second Uncle?” Xiao Zexing raised an eyebrow with faint amusement. “Why the sudden gift for him?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Trying to curry favor with Xiao Zexing?”
“Hmph,” Youyou huffed. Realizing her leverage was still in his hands, she immediately warned: “In front of Second Uncle, you’re not allowed to say a word. Don’t ruin our deep uncle-nephew bond.”
“Deep uncle-nephew bond?” Xiao Zexing repeated the four words, then let out a low laugh. “It won’t be affected.”
Hearing the door open, Youyou immediately fell silent. She adjusted her posture, lowered her head like a gentle, docile quail.
“You… Youyou,” Xiao Weijing said as he entered. His gaze first landed on Youyou’s fair, slender neck before he awkwardly corrected himself. “Grandfather wants to see you.”
Youyou’s heart pounded wildly.
She secretly observed Xiao Weijing’s and Xiao Zexing’s expressions.
Xiao Zexing was reading Miscellaneous Records of Youyang, seemingly uninterested in their exchange. He only lifted his eyes briefly when Xiao Weijing entered, then lowered them back to the book.
As if their earlier verbal sparring had never happened.
Xiao Weijing’s expression remained neutral—no trace of surprise at seeing Xiao Zexing there.
Youyou’s mind felt like tiny cat claws scratching frantically—
Who the hell was this man?
Xiao Weijing looked so calm—he probably wasn’t Uncle Xiao’s illegitimate son after all.
Surname Xiao, hadn’t been in the country for years, looked so much like Xiao Weijing, and the two of them were clearly close…
Youyou couldn’t figure it out.
Old Master Xiao spoke to her briefly—mostly concern for her health, followed by the usual reminders and gentle admonishments.
As always, it circled back to Xiao Weijing and Wen Ling.
After leaving Grandfather’s room, Zhao Manlan took her hand and smiled warmly: “Youyou, don’t worry about Weijing and Wen Ling. I already know everything that happened this afternoon—the café surveillance footage has been pulled.”
Youyou’s eyelid twitched: “Auntie, I’m not upset.”
She really wasn’t upset at all!
She wished Xiao Weijing would misunderstand her even more deeply!
Just treat her as an irredeemably evil woman already!
Zhao Manlan squeezed her hand, overflowing with affection: “I know what a good child you are. Even when you’re wronged, you never complain—”
Before she finished, a servant came to call Zhao Manlan away. She released Youyou’s hand, pinched her cheek gently: “Good girl. Don’t worry—Auntie has your back.”
Without giving Youyou time to reply, Zhao Manlan turned and gracefully left.
Left alone, Youyou finally took a proper look around the room.
There was a book on the table and half a smoked cigarette in the ashtray beside it. Out of curiosity, Youyou picked up the book. It was all classical Chinese with no annotations. Puzzled, she checked the cover: Miscellaneous Records of Youyang.
She skimmed a few pages. The rare words weren’t too many, and it wasn’t especially hard to read. She was trying to make sense of it when a shadow fell over her.
A long, slender hand covered the page, pressing down exactly on the line she was reading.
A faint, clear cedar scent cut through the quiet stillness.
She heard the man’s warm, refined voice: “You like reading this kind of thing?”
Youyou looked up and saw Xiao Zexing.
He wore a pale gray shirt that wrapped his tall, upright frame. Perhaps because it wasn’t a formal occasion, he wasn’t wearing a stiff English-style dress shirt; it was slightly looser, no tie, the top button undone.
Xiao Zexing looked at the book in her hand: “I didn’t expect you to be interested in miscellaneous records like this.”
Youyou was stunned: “Why are you here?”
“Grandfather asked me to come, so I came,” Xiao Zexing released the book, sat down opposite her, and rested his fingers against the outside of the porcelain teapot to test the temperature. He called out clearly: “Bring a fresh pot.”
The servant standing to the side immediately took the teapot and left.
The room was now empty except for the two of them.
Youyou stared at him in a daze: “Who exactly are you?”
“My surname is Xiao,” Xiao Zexing interlaced his fingers, posture relaxed. He smiled. “With this much of a hint, you should understand by now, right?”
Youyou stared at the face so strikingly similar to Xiao Weijing’s. Her mind spun in circles until only one thought remained—
She leaned forward, voice low: “Are you… Uncle Xiao’s illegitimate son? Coming back now to claim your place in the family?”
Xiao Zexing laughed helplessly: “I didn’t expect your imagination to be so vivid for such a small head.”
Youyou felt he was mocking her. Furious, she reached out and grabbed his collar with both hands: “Stop laughing!”
Even being yanked by the collar, Xiao Zexing showed no trace of anger. His dimples deepened, eyes holding flecks of light: “Finally showing your claws?”
Youyou froze, suddenly realizing what she had done.
She let go and sat back.
“I don’t care who you are—you have to keep your word,” Youyou repeated firmly, commanding him with utmost seriousness. “You have to forget all those messy things. You absolutely cannot—”
Xiao Zexing leisurely smoothed out the wrinkles she had just pulled into his shirt: “Cannot what?”
Author’s Note:
About Youyou and Second Uncle: I’ve always believed love should make both people grow better, so Youyou will slowly mature too. =V=
The old fox will occasionally get kicked back by the rabbit.