Ma Family Villa, lunchtime.
Four people sat around the table, with Ma Mingzhe at the head. Beside him were Che Xiayun and Ma Qingyu, while Pan Anqi sat next to Ma Qingyu.
People of Ma Mingzhe’s generation weren’t fond of foreign liquor. They preferred small cups of domestically produced rice wine, just enough to get pleasantly tipsy, making their conversations lively and cheerful.
Che Xiayun couldn’t handle such strong alcohol, so she opted to toast with tea instead, mimicking the gestures with grace.
For her, the meal itself was far more important. The Ma family’s chef was quite skilled, adept at steaming, boiling, stewing, frying, and sautéing. The table was laden with ten different dishes, each in generous portions more than enough for the four of them.
Che Xiayun preferred savory dishes over sweet ones, but today’s Dongpo pork was an exception. A large, perfectly marbled slab of pork ribs had been slow-braised in a clay pot until tender and fragrant. The fatty parts were soft and melted in the mouth, while the lean meat, infused with rich juices, was tender and chewy, truly a culinary delight.
However, such rich dishes, though perfect with rice, could easily become cloying after a few bites. That’s why pairing it with water bamboo shoots and wood ear mushrooms was ideal crisp, light, and neither salty nor greasy, they perfectly cut through the richness.
By the end of the meal, both guests and hosts were content. Che Xiayun, pleasantly full, patted her stomach contentedly. Sometimes, it was nice to just laze around in a different setting.
Seeing Che Xiayun enjoy the food so much, Ma Qingyu ended up eating a bit more as well. In the end, she thought with a mix of satisfaction and slight regret that she’d have to exercise a little extra to work it off.
In the afternoon, Che Xiayun lounged on the sofa, scrolling through Weibo on her phone before putting on headphones to catch up on anime.
Ma Mingzhe typically spent his weekends fishing, drinking tea, practicing calligraphy, or playing with his birds, a leisurely routine. Pan Anqi, on the other hand, had few fixed plans for the weekend. If there was a social gathering in her circle, like a mahjong game, she would join. Otherwise, she stayed home watching TV, doing yoga, or tending to her plants.
If not for the sudden visit of a family of four, the scene in the villa would have remained harmonious.
Around three in the afternoon, Pan Anqi’s younger brother, Pan Bide, arrived with his wife, Qiu Xue, and their two children, bringing along some seafood. “Fresh hairy crabs, lobsters, abalone, and sea cucumbers, let’s cook them for dinner,” he said.
The servants quickly took the ingredients to the kitchen. Pan Anqi beamed, taking her younger nephew’s hand. “Jierui , did you miss your aunt?”
Pan Jierui , eight years old with a round, chubby face and a somewhat clumsy demeanor, plopped onto the sofa and shouted, “Auntie!”
“Yes, my dear,” Pan Anqi replied, then asked a servant to bring out snacks. A colorful assortment soon covered the coffee table, suggesting that such visits were quite frequent.
Pan Jierui began picking through the snacks, making a mess as he ate. His sister, Pan Mary, though only three years older, was much better behaved. She quietly took a bag of chips and sat in her spot, munching while watching TV.
As soon as their parents and Pan Anqi went into the living room to chat, Pan Jierui started acting up. His grubby hands reached for Che Xiayun, scattering crumbs on her clothes. He wriggled and squirmed on the sofa like a chubby, restless worm, even trying to snatch her phone.
The servants could only softly persuade him, gently holding him back, afraid to use too much force lest they hurt him.
Young Master Che had a foul temper and was a severe neat freak, but he wasn’t petty enough to argue with a little brat. So he simply picked up his phone and left without a moment’s hesitation. Pan Jierui, still clutching his chocolate malt balls, scattered them across the floor like a celestial maiden strewing flowers. His short little legs flailed as he tried to chase after her, but Young Master Che’s legs were nearly a meter long, and with each stride, his clothes billowed in the wind. In no time, he disappeared around the staircase.
Pan Jierui threw himself onto the floor and burst into loud, dramatic sobs. The servants exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to approach him.
In the end, it was only after Pan Mary went to the reception room to fetch their mother that Pan Jierui finally stopped crying.
＊
Once Che Xiayun reached the second floor, she realized there was nowhere else to go, so she pushed open Ma Qingyu’s bedroom door and locked it behind her.
Ma Qingyu had been sitting at her desk writing something but paused at the sound of the door. She turned around, startled to see Che Xiayun locking the door, and swallowed nervously, her throat dry.
What was she doing here? Why had she barged in so suddenly? And why lock the door?
Che Xiayun shrugged and explained helplessly, “Your cousin is too noisy. I came up here to get away from him.”
Ma Qingyu immediately understood who she was referring to. Clearing her mind of any inappropriate thoughts, she nodded sympathetically. “He really is a handful stubborn and prone to throwing tantrums.”
“Mm.”
Che Xiayun settled into the beanbag chair by the floor-to-ceiling window, nestling comfortably as she picked up her phone to catch up on her anime.
The room returned to silence.
At first, Ma Qingyu couldn’t help stealing glances at Che Xiayun. Each time she looked away, she found herself wanting to look back again, her thoughts in complete disarray.
After about ten minutes, she managed to steady her mind with great effort. Though she couldn’t entirely ignore the other person in the room, she was able to focus most of her attention on her book and resumed writing swiftly.
The sun gradually tilted toward the horizon, casting a warm, bright orange glow from the west. The light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, passed through the floor-to-ceiling window, and fell diagonally across Che Xiayun.
During a break between episodes, she stretched lazily and gazed out the window, sighing inwardly at how wonderful it was to live the carefree life of a slacker!
This only strengthened her resolve to stay alive and happily idle away her days.
Pausing the show contentedly, she leaned back in the beanbag chair, tilting her head to relax her spine.
When people have too much free time, they tend to overthink and Che Xiayun was no exception.
Suddenly, it occurred to her that she would have to share a room with Ma Qingyu that night. Fear crept in, and she didn’t dare even glance toward the desk where Ma Qingyu sat. Her eyelids twitched nervously. What was she going to do?
The old Che Xiayun would have simply done as she pleased and headed straight for the guest room, even if it annoyed Pan Anqi every time. But Young Master Che’s temper was fierce, and Pan Anqi could do nothing about it.
However, the current Che Xiayun, armed with insider knowledge, knew that Pan Anqi might want her dead. She didn’t dare act so recklessly now. What if she provoked someone and ended up never leaving the Ma family villa alive?
As she pondered, a brilliant idea suddenly struck her, and she nearly slapped her thigh and jumped up in excitement. This plan was perfect: since the room was carpeted, she could secretly bring in a blanket and sleep on the floor!
A faint smile crept onto Che Xiayun’s face. Yet another major problem had been cleverly solved by her quick-witted mind.
Before long, the sky gradually darkened, and a knock sounded at the door. Ma Qingyu rose to answer it, finding the servant standing outside with Pan Jierui and Pan Mali. “Miss, it’s time for dinner,” the servant said.
Pan Jierui craned his neck curiously at the doorway, spotting Che Xiayun lounging on the beanbag chair. He immediately tried to dart inside, but Ma Qingyu caught him firmly. “Go play with your sister downstairs.”
Pan Jierui struggled with all his might, but as an eight-year-old child, his efforts were futile. Frustrated, he yelled, “Why?!”
Ma Qingyu pulled him outside and closed the door behind her. “That sister is looking at something very important and doesn’t like to be disturbed.”
“I don’t care! I want to play with her!”
Pan Jierui continued to shout and make a scene, stubbornly planting himself by the door and pounding on it repeatedly.
Just then, Che Xiayun noticed her phone’s low battery notification. She removed her earphones, turned off the screen, and walked over to open the door. A chubby child tumbled in, bumping into her slender legs. With a swift kick, she sent Pan Jierui back out and turned to Ma Qingyu. “Where’s your charger? My phone is out of battery.”
Ma Qingyu scooped up Pan Jierui from the floor and handed him to the servant. “Take him downstairs first.”
The servant nodded repeatedly, carrying the wriggling bundle away. Pan Mali didn’t even glance at her troublesome brother, walking straight downstairs without a second look.
Ma Qingyu entered the room, retrieved a charging cable from the drawer, and after a moment’s thought, handed over her iPad as well. “This is more comfortable for watching shows.”
“Mm.”
Che Xiayun plugged in her phone and placed the iPad on the small table beside the beanbag chair. “Let’s go down for dinner.”
As they descended the stairs, Pan Jierui was still causing chaos, having made a mess of the coffee table. His mother couldn’t control him either. Spotting Che Xiayun, the grubby child charged toward her, shouting, “Sister, I want to play with you!”
Che Xiayun subtly sidestepped, pressing her palm against his forehead to keep him at a distance. “Not ‘sister.’ Call me ‘brother-in-law.'”
Brother-in-law?
Ma Qingyu glanced at her in pleasant surprise, her eyes sparkling with excitement. This was the first time Che Xiayun had corrected someone about their relationship during a family gathering, a historic step forward!
Quickly concealing her delight, Ma Qingyu maintained a composed expression.
Pan Jierui flailed his arms but couldn’t reach Che Xiayun. Bursting into tears, he sobbed, “Wah! You are sister, you are sister. Wah!”
Qiu Xue hurried over to carry Pan Jierui away, wiping his tear-streaked face with a tissue. “Don’t cry, sweetie. Mommy will give you anything you want.”
Pan Jierui paused his sobs, pointing at Che Xiayun. “Mom, I want that sister.”
Qiu Xue glanced awkwardly at Che Xiayun, then at Ma Qingyu, but remained silent.
Truth be told, the Pan family wasn’t close to Che Xiayun. If not for Ma Qingyu and Che Xiayun’s recent marriage, Che Xiayun likely wouldn’t have crossed paths with them.
Ma Qingyu scanned the cluttered sofa there was no place to sit so she stood nearby, showing no intention of intervening on Qiu Xue’s behalf.
Pan Jierui was still throwing a tantrum, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Mom, Mom, I want this sister!”
Just then, Pan Anqi happened to come out and, hearing this, teased him with a smile, “Oh, little ancestor, which sister do you want?”
Pan Jierui pointed directly at Che Xiayun, “Auntie, I want this one.”
Pan Anqi’s smile deepened, “Xiayun, could you play with Jierui for a bit? He’s very well-behaved.”
Che Xiayun remained expressionless and said flatly, “I don’t like children.” In reality, it wasn’t that she disliked children in general she just despised Pan Jierui. Not only was he grubby, but he also played little tricks, clinging to her just because she was pretty. It was too much.
Ma Qingyu bit her lip slightly, quietly taking note: she doesn’t like children.
Pan Anqi continued to smile warmly, though her mind was elsewhere, and she turned to Pan Jierui, “That sister doesn’t like you. How about Auntie plays with you instead?”
Pan Jierui shook his head vigorously, on the verge of tears again. Just then, Pan Bide came down from the study on the second floor with Ma Mingzhe. “Why is everyone standing around?”
Everyone fell silent, except for Pan Anqi, who tried to cover for Pan Jierui a little, “Standing now means we can eat more later.”
Pan Bide glanced toward the sofa area. The large seating area was a complete mess, all thanks to Pan Jierui. The servants were doing their best to clean up, but oil stains and smudges were still visible. His face instantly darkened. “Pan Jierui! Look at the mess you’ve made. Apologize to your aunt, uncle, and the sisters! Otherwise, no dinner for you tonight.”
Ma Mingzhe wore a stern expression as he looked at Pan Jierui, “It’s normal for kids to play around, but Jierui, you’ve gone too far today. Apologize properly, and Uncle will let you eat.”
Pan Jierui sobbed and sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. His chubby face grew even dirtier, looking utterly pitiful. “S-sorry…”
Pan Anqi felt sorry for him and quickly smoothed things over, “Alright, alright, Jierui has apologized. Let’s all sit down and get ready for dinner.”
But Che Xiayun shook her head inwardly. A child raised like this would inevitably face harsh lessons from society, no amount of money could fill that kind of void.
Dinner was even more lavish than lunch, with a total of sixteen dishes, most of which were seafood. The crab roe tofu was exceptionally fresh and sweet, with incredibly tender tofu that paired perfectly with the crab roe’s texture. There was a huge bowl of spicy crayfish, but Che Xiayun found shelling them too troublesome and didn’t bother, especially since there were plenty of other dishes, nearly covering the entire table.
Overall, however, the atmosphere wasn’t great. The little brat kept wandering around taking a bite here, tossing a crayfish there, picking up a dish only to take one bite and discard it. It was incredibly wasteful, and Che Xiayun couldn’t stand watching, though she held her tongue.
Fortunately, Ma Mingzhe was considerate. “Xiayun, if you’re finished eating, you can head upstairs first. We’ll have a few drinks and chat for a while longer.”
“Alright, Father-in-law, Uncle, enjoy your conversation.”
Che Xiayun nodded, bid her farewells, and left. Though she could be a bit of a troublemaker, she never neglected basic courtesy toward her elders.
By around 8:30 p.m., the dinner downstairs finally wrapped up. For some reason, Ma Qingyu had stayed downstairs the whole time, keeping them company. When she came up, her clothes carried a faint scent of alcohol, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her lips looked glossy, as if she’d applied a shiny lip tint.
Che Xiayun glanced up at her but said nothing, then went back to watching her show.
But Ma Qingyu, having had a bit to drink, was more talkative than usual. She brought it up herself, her tone tinged with a hint of coquettishness, “I just consulted Dad about some company matters and had a couple of drinks, only two glasses.”
Che Xiayun nodded slightly and looked at her. “Mm, I’ll go to the guest room later to get a blanket and sleep on the floor.”
The smile on Ma Qingyu’s face faded a little. “There’s an extra blanket in my room. You can just grab it from the closet.”
Without waiting for Che Xiayun’s reply, she headed straight for the bathroom without looking back. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Though she clearly understood in her heart that this was the best solution for both of them at the moment, she still felt a sour, swelling ache inside. Stubbornly, she kept questioning herself in her mind: Che Xiayun had already slept in her bed before, why couldn’t there just be one more person in it now?