Chapter 43: Don’t set flags casually

Zhang Xianyu had no idea that the person just a room away from him had suddenly come to a realization and was lost in thought.

He held his phone, replying one by one to New Year greetings.

Just past the hour, the Q Group and WeChat Groups were flooded with “Happy New Year” messages, and his private chats were also filled with greetings.

After replying earnestly, he opened his contacts and began sending New Year wishes to everyone he knew.

His finger paused on Wu Shui’s name.

Zhang Xianyu thought about how long it had been since he last saw her.

He still owed her a meal, which he hadn’t yet repaid.

He also didn’t know if she had returned to the country.

With that in mind, Zhang Xianyu opened the chat window and sent Wu Shui a blessing message, casually asking when she would be back.

The moment the message was sent, the phone on the bedside table rang once.

Zhang Xianyu looked over in confusion and saw it was Lin Wushui’s phone ringing.

He had gone to the bathroom to freshen up and had casually left the phone on the bedside table.

The phone rang once and then went silent.

Zhang Xianyu didn’t pay much attention and continued sending his blessing messages.

After washing up, Lin Wushui returned and saw Zhang Xianyu already curled up under the blanket, only his eyes and fingers visible as he typed on the phone like a little animal afraid of the cold.

Understanding what was on his mind, Lin Wushui found him increasingly endearing—he seemed cute through and through.

Reaching out, Lin Wushui grabbed the phone from the bedside table and unlocked it.

He intended to secretly take a photo to commemorate the moment, but as soon as he unlocked it, a WeChat message popped up.

It was a New Year greeting from Zhang Xianyu.

Lin Wushui froze, his heart skipping a beat.

He caressed the phone unsure if Zhang Xianyu had seen his message.

Trying to remain calm, he thought for a moment and then replied cautiously, [Happy New Year to you too. I haven’t returned yet qaq].

After sending it, he stared at Zhang Xianyu’s expression.

When the other’s phone vibrated, Lin Wushui’s fingers moved quickly to respond.

Lin Wushui’s phone rang again.

Zhang Xianyu immediately looked up at him, suspicion in his eyes.

Lin Wushui felt like his brain had been eaten by a dog—how could he have forgotten to put his phone on silent?

He quickly pulled Wu Shui out to take the blame and calmly said, “Wu Shui messaged me. She said she’s back and wants you to treat her to a meal.”

Zhang Xianyu instantly dropped his suspicions and laughed, “I just messaged her too, asking if she had returned. She said no. Is she not going home for the New Year either?”

Lin Wushui replied with a faint “hmm” and casually made up an excuse, “She has to handle overseas business. It’s just starting, so she can’t come back for a while.”

Zhang Xianyu was surprised.

“By herself? Can she manage all that alone?”

Then he recalled how generously Wu Shui had spent money before and guessed she might be a wealthy second-generation heir.

Unexpectedly, she was no longer part of that world and was already in charge of overseas business on her own.

Thinking about it, since Wu Shui and Lin Wushui were siblings, and Lin Wushui’s domestic business was huge with the entire Lin Family under his control, Wu Shui, as his younger sister, shouldn’t be too shabby either.

Lin Wushui, however, felt a bit sour.

“You care about her so much? Didn’t you dislike her before?”

Back then, Zhang Xianyu’s dislike for Wu Shui was practically written all over his face.

If he hadn’t noticed and changed his approach by throwing money at the problem, things wouldn’t be like this now.

“Ah?”

Zhang Xianyu was stunned.

“How do you know I didn’t like her?”

Lin Wushui’s expression stiffened for a moment.

He mumbled, “She told me, said you always found her clumsy and awkward.”

Zhang Xianyu scratched his face, a bit embarrassed.

“That was before.”

At first, he really didn’t like Wu Shui—she had just latched onto him after he had helped her out, always freeloading food and drinks.

At that time, he was financially tight, so naturally, he wasn’t fond of her.

But after spending more time together, maybe out of habit, he slowly accepted her.

Especially since Wu Shui stopped whining all day and even helped with chores and cooking—though most of the meals were takeout she ordered herself.

At least she placed the orders personally.

So when he later realized Wu Shui’s personality was very different from before, Zhang Xianyu, sensing no ill will, just pretended not to notice.

Back then, he thought it was only for a month anyway.

If she wanted to stay, let her stay.

Unexpectedly, fate had it that he ended up becoming good friends with Lin Wushui, and since Wu Shui was Lin Wushui’s sister and had been abroad for a long time, Zhang Xianyu found himself missing one of the few friends he had.

Translating Lin Wushui’s words: he used to dislike Wu Shui, but now he liked her.

Lin Wushui thought that feeling more sour than a whole lemon wouldn’t compare to the bitterness in his heart.

In his mind, he scolded the poor assistant and thought if it weren’t for Lin Ming saying that pretty girls were easier to approach, he wouldn’t have randomly decided to crossdress to get close to Zhang Xianyu.

Although the awkward situation now was ninety-nine percent his own doing, Lin Wushui never thought he was at fault.

He only knew how to blame the poor assistant.

Lin Wushui sourly thought to himself that he would deduct Lin Ming’s bonus when he got back.

Zhang Xianyu didn’t know about the bitter and dark thoughts brewing in Lin Wushui’s mind.

Seeing him standing by the bed in slippers without moving, he patted the bed and asked curiously, “Come on, get in. Aren’t you cold down there?”

Lin Wushui immediately forgot about the sour feelings and quickly climbed into bed from the other side.

This time, the bed and blanket were big enough that they didn’t have to squeeze together.

Lin Wushui sighed with relief but also felt a bit disappointed.

Just as he was debating whether to scoot a little closer, he felt something warm pressed against his calf, then a soft, warm foot rubbed against it and then pulled away.

Zhang Xianyu said, “Hot water bottle for you.”

Lin Wushui felt a burning sensation where the foot had touched.

He had never known such a light touch could feel like an electric shock, numbing his voice until it went hoarse.

Not daring to speak for fear of revealing his emotions, he burrowed further under the blanket and mumbled, “Mm.”

Zhang Xianyu didn’t notice anything unusual and assumed he was sleepy, so he put away his phone and went to sleep.

The next morning, Zhang Xianyu brought the gifts he had prepared to the village elders to pay New Year respects.

Lin Wushui followed closely behind.

Every time Zhang Xianyu visited a household, he had to explain, “This is my friend. He came to visit me because he was bored at home. He arrived last night.”

Then the villagers would praise him, “Your friend is really handsome!”

Eventually, Zhang Xianyu and Lin Wushui were both invited to eat at the Village Chief’s house.

Zhang Shaoying was also there—he had returned on New Year’s Eve.

He had planned to invite Zhang Xianyu out to play that day but didn’t expect that Zhang Xianyu would bring a tag-along.

This tag-along didn’t speak much but had a strong presence.

Moreover, Zhang Shaoying felt the other’s gaze held some hostility.

“He’s here.”

Zhang Shaoying scrutinized the newcomer for a while, furrowing his brows, and quietly asked Zhang Xianyu, “What’s his relationship with that woman who used to cling to you?”

Zhang Xianyu laughed bitterly, “Her name’s Wu Shui. He’s her brother.”

Zhang Shaoying frowned, “Why are you still in contact with her? Didn’t you say you’d cut ties after school started? And why did you bring her brother home now?”

Zhang Xianyu thought for a moment and decided the matter was too complicated to explain.

“It’s a long story. I’m too lazy to say.”

Zhang Shaoying glared at him for a while, then sighed, “I always feel like you’re going to get tricked and sold out someday.”

Zhang Xianyu grabbed a chicken drumstick for him with a smile.

“You’re a detective. After so long, you suspect everyone. Just eat your chicken.”

Zhang Shaoying wanted to say more, but he suddenly felt a hostile gaze fall on him.

Looking up, he met Lin Wushui’s hostile eyes.

Zhang Shaoying thought to himself, “I was right—if the sister’s not a decent person, the brother won’t be either.”

After dinner, Zhang Shaoying called a few good friends from the village and took Zhang Xianyu to the county to have fun by car.

Lin Wushui naturally tagged along.

Zhang Xianyu worried that Lin Wushui wouldn’t fit in, but after a round of toasting and mingling, Lin Wushui quickly blended in.

Zhang Shaoying’s cousin patted his shoulder and said, “Brother, I can tell you’re destined for success! When you make it big, don’t forget to take your brother along!”

Lin Wushui filled his glass and smiled, “Won’t forget. One more drink.”

The cousin finished the last glass and immediately collapsed drunk on the floor, completely forgetting his cousin’s advice as if it had vanished into another world.

Zhang Shaoying’s face turned dark.

He wished he could drag the useless guy up and give him a beating.

After spending the third day of the Lunar New Year in Tuanjie Village, Lin Wushui invited Zhang Xianyu to celebrate the rest of the holiday at his house.

He had a solid reason: “I don’t have many friends. Wu Shui hasn’t returned, and it’s just my parents at home. If you come over, they’ll be really happy.”

Zhang Xianyu found it hard to refuse.

After bidding farewell to the villagers on the fourth day, he went back to Jiangcheng with Lin Wushui.

Lin Wushui took him straight home.

The Lin Family was a large clan, but the main branch consisted only of Lin Wushui’s family.

His grandparents had already passed away.

Saying only his parents remained wasn’t an exaggeration.

On the way back, Lin Wushui planned to tell his parents about Wu Shui to avoid any slips later.

But thinking about it, the crossdressing thing was really hard to tell his parents.

Plus, Zhang Xianyu already knew Wu Shui was overseas, and Lin Wushui had specially told him not to mention Wu Shui at home.

Wu Shui wasn’t coming home for New Year, and his parents were a bit upset about that.

He worried that bringing her up would upset them further.

With the precaution in place, Zhang Xianyu probably wouldn’t mention it again.

After all, it was just a family dinner. Nothing unexpected should happen.

Lin Father and Lin Mother already knew Lin Wushui was coming back and bringing a guest.

Lin Father had been sulking because Lin Wushui left on New Year’s Eve without saying goodbye, but Lin Mother was delighted when she heard a friend was coming.

She even patted her sulking husband and scolded, “Put away your grumpy face. What kind of host shows an attitude when guests come? You just left during the New Year’s Eve dinner, it’s not a big deal.”

Lin Father twitched his face, suppressed his anger, and sulked off to the study.

Lin Mother busied herself instructing the servants to prepare food and snacks to entertain the guests.

Around one o’clock, the two arrived at the Lin Family home.

The moment the car stopped at the gate, Lin Mother came out to greet them.

She glanced past her son and looked at Zhang Xianyu.

When she saw he was a boy, her eyes briefly showed disappointment, but she quickly brightened and welcomed him inside.

“Is it cold outside? Have some ginger tea to ward off the chill.”

“Thank you, Aunt.”

Zhang Xianyu handed over the gifts he brought to the servants and sat down on the sofa somewhat awkwardly.

He was wearing a white down jacket, casual pants, and sneakers, looking clean and fresh.

His small face looked even smaller framed by the fur-lined hood.

Lin Mother had been a little disappointed that Lin Wushui hadn’t brought home a daughter-in-law, but after chatting with Zhang Xianyu for a few minutes, she liked him very much and forgot all about wanting a daughter-in-law.

She warmly served him food.