Translator: 549690339
âI didnât go anywhere,â Xu Chaomu said weakly.
She walked toward the house with her backpack, not looking back, her whole being listless.
Old Cheng found it a bit odd. Had the girl been scolded by a teacher at school again? Impossible, her skin was so thick that it would be a stroke of luck not to have driven a teacher to tears.
As Xu Chaomu walked into the living room, she suddenly heard a burst of silvery laughter, like that of an oriole.
It was Bai Man.
How come she was at the Shen Familyâs house?
Xu Chaomu hesitated, wondering whether to go in or not. She stood at the door and soon heard Bai Manâs conversation with Shen Chi.
âDo you think this dress is pretty?â Bai Man coquettishly asked Shen Chi.
âHmm,â Shen Chi seemed to hum in response.
âAh, you didnât even look! Just take a glance, tell me, whatâs pretty about it?â Bai Manâs voice was still sickly sweet.
âYou look good in anything,â Shen Chi replied indifferently.
Only then did Bai Man cheer up, feeling as sweet as if she had eaten honey: âWhen did you learn to flatter people? Iâm not falling for itâ¦â
Xu Chaomu covered her ears and wanted to run awayâit was a couple showing off their love; she better not go in.
But Old Cheng called out to her from behind, âMiss Xu, why not come in?
President Shen is waiting for you!â
She wanted to run away but couldnât; how awkward.
Indeed, the door opened, and a tall figure stood in front of her.
Xu Chaomu, still covering her ears. wanted to run. But running awav in his presence wouldnât necessarily be badâ¦
But just as she took a step, Shen Chi caught her and pulled her back: âWhere are you running off to?â
His voice was still as deep and magnetic as ever.
âI was going to find Third Brotherâ¦â Xu Chaomu lied.
âYour Third Brother isnât home,â Shen Chi said flatly, âCome back with me.â
After speaking, he took Xu Chaomu by the hand and led her back to the living room. Bai Man was sitting on the sofa, still holding a fashion magazine.
âFourth Brother⦠can I not be a third wheel?â Xu Chaomu felt she was quite self-aware. How would Bai Man think of this?
Bai Man smiled, âChaomu is back, havenât you had dinner yet?â
Xu Chaomu glanced at her, still so beautiful. Delicate makeup, a pink long-sleeve dress, and a white thin overcoat draped over her shoulders. She looked both chic and sexy, exceedingly charming.
Then she looked down at herself, not to mention her small chest, in this school uniform, she looked utterly unattractive.
âI wonât eat, my tooth hurts,â Xu Chaomu said.
âYour tooth is still hurting?â Shen Chi asked with a frown of concern.
If it werenât for Bai Man being there, Xu Chaomu probably wouldâve shouted at Shen Chi: âYou even care about me? I made so many calls to you, and you didnât pick up! â
However, since Bai Man was present, there was no need to be angry with Shen Chi. If she showed anger, it would only make her seem petty.
So, she too responded indifferently, âYeah.â
âIâll take you to the doctor,â Shen Chi said as he unilaterally grabbed her hand.
Xu Chaomu shook him off: âNo need, Iâve already seen a doctor. Iâm going upstairs to do my homework now; you two chat at your leisure.â
After speaking, she âbang bang bangâ ran upstairs, faster than a rabbit.
Bai Man looked at Xu Chaomu, and when she entered her room, she walked to Shen Chi with a beaming smile: âYour little sister is quite amusing. She wouldnât be unwelcoming me, would she?â
âYouâre overthinking it,â Shen Chi said solemnly.
âThen help me have a look, which dress should I wear the day after tomorrow? I canât embarrass you. Look at this one, and then at this one!â Bai Man asked for Shen Chiâs opinion, showing him the magazine.
âTheyâre both good,â Shen Chi showed no preference.
âThen Iâll choose this white gown, dignified and noble, standing beside you, wonât we be well-matched?â Bai Man rested her head on Shen Chiâs shoulder.
âHmm.â
âJust as long as you agree, I was worried you wouldnât like it, â Bai Man nestled against Shen Chi like a docile bird.
Meanwhile, Xu Chaomu had locked herself in her room and closed the windows tightly. Now, she couldnât hear anything.
She admitted, Bai Man was attractive, but she wasnât a man; there was no reason for her to like her.
She dumped everything out of her bagâthe homework books, pencil case, and the medicine she bought after school. She remembered the doctorâs words, asking for her family to come to the hospital to sign for a tooth extraction. But where did she have family? She was an orphan.
The thought brought an unsolicited bitterness to her heart.
When she was unhappy, she took out the puppet Shen Chi had given her and vented her frustration on it.
Poke, poke, poke!
She poked vigorously!
She remembered the conversation she had overheard outside the doorâShen Chi saying Bai Man âlooks good in anything.â Xu Chaomu couldnât believe Shen Chi could flatter people; wasnât he always sarcastic?
He had never once complimented her, which made sense. She had nothing to compliment.
She was a little hooligan!
Poke, poke, poke! She kept poking vigorously!
Finally tired of poking, Xu Chaomu threw the puppet on the floor. She began to flip through her English book to do exercises, but as always, she felt sleepy as soon as she touched a book. After just one line of cloze passage, she fell asleep on the table.
Downstairs, Bai Man was still chatting with Shen Chi.
It was dinner time, and Shen Cexian, Liu Rumei, and Shen Yanrou had all come to the living room.
âHello Uncle Shen, Aunt Liu, and Second Sister,â Bai Man greeted them with a smile.
Shen Cexian responded, settling into his seat. Liu Rumei walked up to Bai Man with a smile, âManman is so sweet, when did you get here?â
âIâve been here for a while now. Iâll be staying at the Shen Family today and tomorrow, and then accompany Shen Chi to A City the day after tomorrow. Sorry to impose,â Bai Man was very courteous.
âWeâre family, no need for formalities; youâre welcome to stay as long as you like,â Liu Rumei said cheerily.
A little later, the servants brought the dishes to the table. Because they had a guest, there was a lavish spread.
Bai Man sat close to Shen Chi and smiled at Liu Rumei, âAunt Liu is too kind.â
âKind? You and Achi are nearly married! Oh, by the way, have you got your marriage certificate yet?â Liu Rumei asked with concern.
âNot yet, Shen Chi has been busy lately. I thought weâd wait until heâs less busy,â Bai Man replied with a soft smile.
Shen Cexian chimed in, âIn a while, we should invite Mr. Bai over to the Shen
Family and discuss the wedding.â
âSure, my father also looks forward to seeing you!â
Without interrupting their conversation, Shen Chi turned to Butler Ling, âCall Chaomu down for dinner.â
âOkay, Iâll go right away,â Butler Ling acknowledged.
Butler Ling dashed up the wooden spiral staircase, tried the door, and found it was locked. She had to knock, âMiss Xu, itâs time for dinner.â
Shen Chi had mentioned that once Xu Chaomu fell asleep, nothing could wake her up. So, no matter how much Butler Ling called, there was no response from inside.
Butler Ling grew anxious and raised her voice, âMiss Xu, come down for dinner!â
Still no response, Butler Ling had no choice but to go back downstairs.
âYoung Master, Miss Xu has locked the door and wonât answer, no matter how much I call,â Butler Ling whispered to Shen Chi.