Even Xie Xiaobao’s patience wore thin under Hu Jiuli’s teasing. Face stern, he said into the phone, “Keep this up, and I’ll hang up.”
Hu Jiuli: *…*
“No, no, I’ll stop,” Hu Jiuli surrendered. “But my sister really wants to meet you. If you don’t come, she’ll skin me for a scarf.”
Soft-hearted, Xie Xiaobao relented after thinking it over, asked for the time and place, and hung up.
The meeting was set for Tuesday afternoon. Xie Xiaobao changed and left early. With Hu Jiuli’s sister attending, he didn’t want to keep a lady waiting.
Hu Jiuli chose a Western restaurant, elegantly decorated, with soft piano music flowing. Xie Xiaobao gave the reservation number and waited.
About ten minutes later, Hu Jiuli arrived with a glamorous woman.
Hu Yiqing, in high heels, matched Hu Jiuli’s height. Her black dress reached her ankles, swaying with her steps. Pushing up her sunglasses, which hid half her face from curious stares, her waist-length brown curly hair was loosely pinned near her ears. Without extra adornments, she still drew every eye upon entering.
Hu Yiqing sat at the booth, the screen blocking outsiders’ views. She removed her sunglasses, exhaling in relief.
Xie Xiaobao poured two glasses of water, placing one before her. “Hi, I’m Xie Xi, Hu Jiuli’s friend. You can call me Xiaobao.”
Hu Yiqing studied him, then smiled. “You’re nothing like Xie Yan.”
Xie Xiaobao scratched his cheek, grinning shyly.
“But you’re much cuter,” Hu Yiqing added, laughing. “I hope you don’t mind me asking Jiuli to invite you.”
Xie Xiaobao shook his head. “No, I was just teasing Jiuli.”
Hu Yiqing winked. “Good. Actually, I need your help with something.”
Xie Xiaobao’s eyes widened slightly. “Help with what?”
She pushed the menu to him, chin propped, smiling. “Let’s order first, then talk.”
The restaurant served quickly. Appetizers arrived, and the trio chatted softly while eating. After the main course, the waiter cleared the dishes, bringing fruit and dessert. Hu Yiqing cleared her throat, a rare blush on her face.
“I invited you to learn more about Xie Yan,” she said.
“Huh?” Xie Xiaobao’s eyes widened. “Big Brother?”
“Yes.” Hu Yiqing twirled her hair, a flush on her cheeks but direct. “I’m pursuing Xie Yan. I hoped you could share some insights.”
Despite Xie Yan’s cold exterior, many at Fengsheng had tried to win him over, only to fail. But Hu Yiqing noticed his leniency with siblings. Though the Hu and Xie families lived far apart, they had occasional contact, and she’d gathered some intel.
Her goal differed from others, but she wanted the same prize. Winning Xie Yan required effort.
Xie Xiaobao, hearing her out, looked conflicted. He was happy someone liked his brother—Xie Yan, long single, was a frequent topic at family gatherings, with their parents worrying. But sharing his brother’s details without permission felt wrong.
Fidgeting, Xie Xiaobao wrestled internally, then refused. “Sorry, I can’t share Big Brother’s info without his consent.”
Hu Yiqing burst out laughing at his troubled expression. “You’re way more fun than your brother.”
Xie Xiaobao looked at her, confused. Why was she laughing after being turned down?
“Just a thought,” Hu Yiqing explained. “Don’t take it seriously.”
She handed him a dessert. “You’re Jiuli’s friend. Treating you to dinner is normal, right?”
Xie Xiaobao nodded dazedly, her smile coaxing one from him.
Across the room, He Yu frowned, watching Xie Xiaobao’s grin and Hu Yiqing’s charm, his brow creasing deeper.
“What’re you looking at?” his mother asked, following his gaze but seeing only the screen.
He Yu’s eyes darkened as Xie Xiaobao leaned closer, the two whispering over a phone. Too far to hear, he saw only their gestures.
His mother tugged him, puzzled. “What’s got you distracted?”
He Yu snapped back, shaking his head. “Nothing. Let’s go.”
They sat at their booth. He Yu’s gaze flicked to Xie Xiaobao’s table, then casually returned, half-heartedly answering his mother’s questions.
Xie Xiaobao and Hu Yiqing exchanged WeChat. She pinched his cheek, smiling, donned her sunglasses, and waved. “I’ve got an activity tonight. My assistant’s here. I’m off. You two have fun.”
Xie Xiaobao stood, seeing her off, then left with Hu Jiuli.
Hu Jiuli drove, dropping Xie Xiaobao home.
Back home, Xie Xiaobao stretched, relieved. Being gentlemanly around a woman was exhausting for a cat.
He turned cat, rolled on the floor, kicked his pillow, and sprawled, belly up, eyes half-closed.
His phone buzzed. Xie Xiaobao tilted his head, tail lazily tapping the sofa.
Too lazy to move.
Ignoring it, he hugged his pillow, dozing off. He woke at 9 p.m., yawning, stretching luxuriously, and padding to the snack cabinet for food.
Dragging out a chocolate box, he clawed it open, revealing small chocolate packets. Frowning, he pulled out two, hesitated, pushed one back, and carried the other to his phone, nestling down.
Munching the chocolate, Xie Xiaobao purred contentedly, then recalled the earlier buzz.
Swiping his paw, he unlocked the screen, seeing He Yu’s messages in the notification bar:
[*What’re you up to?*]
[*Not there?*]
[*Home yet?*]