Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Because they just had a meal at the Shen Residence, Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye did not really eat much. They just ate a little and drank half a bowl of soup.
Things were getting lively after dinner as fireworks shot up into the sky everywhere. A tiny spark shot up high into the night sky, and boom! It lit up the town beautifully.
Stars blanketed the night sky and the cold wind seemed a little lonely, but that was not enough to stop the people from having fun…
Mu Yuchen came out of the bathroom with a black sleeping robe around him. He did not see the woman anywhere in the bedroom. After thinking for a while, he exited the bedroom after tying his sash.
It was quiet in both the living room and the study room. She was probably downstairs mingling with the others or just watching television.
He sat down on the sofa slowly. As he turned the television on, he saw a pack of cigarettes on the side table, so he casually took one out and lit it up.
After several puffs of smoke, he heard the explosion of fireworks from downstairs. He turned his head over to the balcony, then he realized that someone was setting fireworks off right in the yard of his house. He could hear their voices all the way from outside.
He flicked the cigarette on the ashtray before walking towards the balcony.
He leaned against the balcony railing. As expected, he saw the servants and his family playing with fireworks happily. The colorful, sparkling fireworks went off one after another. Even he felt slightly cheered up inside.
He looked around with his eyes and soon noticed the petite woman standing by the side above the staircase. She was gazing up at the fireworks quietly…
She stood underneath the fireworks in silence and observed them with a peaceful smile. It was much different from the usual cold vibe she gave off.
“Missus, come over and play too!”
A servant handed her a lit sparkler, but she smiled and shook her head. “You guys go ahead. I’ll just watch.”
“Master!”
Xi Xiaye turned around when she heard someone yell. She looked over and saw the man on the balcony.
She saw the man casually smoking a cigarette there, and his eyes were definitely fixed on her.
She hesitated for a moment before going back inside the house.
When she went into the room, he was not on the balcony anymore. The curtains were closed and only a dim light by the side living room was switched on, emitting a weak yet warm light. A source of light came from the half-closed door of the study room as well.
She closed the door and went into the study room quietly.
She saw him reading casually beside the tall bookshelf when she pushed the door open. She observed quietly for a moment. Then, she turned around and poured a glass of water before entering the room.
The man, who was focused on his book, was alerted when he heard the sound of footsteps. Lifting his head and looking towards the entrance, her tiny figure came into his vision. His dark eyes brightened up slightly.
“Why don’t you join them?” He asked gently.
Xi Xiaye went over to him slowly and handed the glass of water to him, sighing, “I feel that it’s way past my age to play with fireworks now, and your family’s playing mahjong…”
He laughed and took a sip from the glass as he closed the book. “Well, it’s only usual for the New Year, so get used to it.”
Xi Xiaye smiled. “Mmm, it’s not bad this way. Grandpa and Mother are probably watching some New Year special programme on TV now too. Although they do more or less the same thing every year, they kind of usher in the New Year spirit.”
“Didn’t Grandmother ask you to play and offer to become your strategist?”
Mu Yuchen did not forget that Wang Hui had mentioned that she would get Xi Xiaye to play mahjong that night and she would be her strategist in the back.
Xi Xiaye was too embarrassed to admit that she had almost lost all of Wang Hui’s money. Anxious, Wang Hui had interfered to play again in order to win back her money again.
Mu Yuchen could guess what had happened judging from her disappointed look. He handed the book to her as he walked towards the table. “They’ve been playing for the past two decades. Of course, you’re not going to win easily.”
She put the book back onto the shelf and asked as she looked at the huge collection of books, “Do you always spend time like this during the New Year?”
“I’ve stayed abroad the past few years. I rarely celebrated it because I wasn’t at home. Usually, I just rested at home.” He grabbed his phone on the table as he put his arm over Xi Xiaye’s shoulder and walked outside. “Let’s go. I’ll watch TV with you.”
“The TV programmes are a little…”
She followed his steps as she glanced at him, reluctant to watch television. She thought about it for a bit and then said, “Let’s play chess. Don’t you have a chessboard here?”
She had not noticed it the last time she came, but this time there was a Go board beside the coffee table.
“What reward do I get if I win?”
A certain businessman showed his true colors as soon as Xi Xiaye suggested her proposal. He stared at her in the eye.
She halted her steps and wiggled her eyebrows. “You’ll know after you defeat me!”
“It’ll be better if we make the terms clear now.”
He stopped his steps as well and looked down at her from above with his height advantage. She seemed much smaller after she took her high heels off.
She took a deep breath and shrugged. “Alright then. Tell me what you want. I’ll make sure to fulfill what you want as long as it’s within my capabilities.”
“Anything? Including your kiss?” He said casually, his dark eyes brightening and looking at her with a smile.
Xi Xiaye was stunned. Her face blushed as she clenched her fists. She waved them before him. “Including this as well!”
Mu Yuchen raised his eyebrows. It was not his first time seeing this side of hers. He went silent for a moment and then let out a laugh. “Missus, actually when I saw you for the first time, I thought of you as a quiet and beautiful lady.”
Xi Xiaye was surprised to hear such high praise from him. She chuckled. “Am I really as good as you thought?”
“Afterwards, I realized I still need to work on my vision. It’s only complete if I can see through a person’s true nature. Sadly, I can’t return my goods now,” he mumbled as he patted her little head. A perfect curve of a smile appeared on his handsome face.
