late at night
Taking advantage of the fact that he was going to the capital early Saturday morning, Zhong Yunxi picked up Bai Yi and brought her back to Boyuntan that evening.
Bai Yi noticed a box in the walk-in closet containing the pile of clothes and bags she had previously thrown away. Aunt Wu said they had all been maintained and that she had bought new ones for them all.
She glanced at the box of things; she definitely wouldn't use it again. Aside from losing it playing cards, there didn't seem to be any other way to deal with it, and giving it away wasn't appropriate.
She's never been so wasteful before; it's all Zhong Yunxi's fault.
He simply said, "Leave it. I'll handle it myself."
Aunt Wu simply nodded in response. She looked at Bai Yi, who had no expression, and couldn't figure out what kind of temper this lady had. She usually seemed quiet and spoke softly at home.
But that day, the driver brought back a whole trunk full of soaking luxury goods, saying that the two had a fierce argument and the wife had thrown them out. She said she really couldn't believe someone would dare to throw a tantrum at their boss like that.
The driver said that a man like his boss was dragged out the door by his clothes like trash by his wife. He stood by, holding an umbrella, watching his boss get soaked in the rain, but didn't dare to take him there.
Aunt Wu sighed deeply.
However, it seems they have made up now.
Zhong Yunxi went to the study to handle a few emails related to overseas projects. When he entered the bedroom, Bai Yi was in the bathroom. He pushed the door open a crack and asked, "Are you done washing up? Let me blow-dry your hair."
"No, I'll call you in a bit."
Zhong Yunxi smiled; she took her baths more seriously than her meals every day.
He saw two plush toys on the bed, picked them up and threw them onto the sofa. He didn't really like Bai Yi hugging these before bed; he usually only put a plush toy in her arms after he got up and before she woke up.
When he is around, he doesn't need anything else to keep him company.
"husband."
A sound came from the bathroom.
Zhong Yunxi was stunned, thinking he was hallucinating. He took two steps toward the door and waited quietly for a few seconds.
"husband."
It was a bit louder than before.
When Zhong Yunxi pushed open the bathroom door, he felt his heart sink into his chest, only to realize that he had been holding his breath the whole time.
Bai Yi sat on the washbasin with her head down, her hair all falling down, just like before.
He skillfully took a dry towel and wrapped it around her hair.
Bai Yi asked, "What were you doing just now? Didn't you hear me calling you? Today's quota has been used up."
Zhong Yunxi said softly, "I heard you."
Only at this moment did he truly feel the peace of being completely forgiven by her.
Bai Yi was carried back to the bedroom by him. Before she could grab the body lotion, she put her arm around his shoulder and pointed to the bathroom door: "My body lotion."
Zhong Yunxi lifted her up with his arm and kissed the nape of her neck: "Don't rush to wipe yourself, we'll take another shower later."
Bai Yi: ...
"No." She burrowed under the thin blanket and curled up. "We have to take off for the capital early tomorrow."
Zhong Yunxi patiently explained, "Just this once, okay? You can eat and sleep on the plane."
Bai Yi nestled awkwardly in his arms, saying, "You said it once before, you're a liar, and you already pushed my expectations to the limit at the hotel."
Zhong Yunxi finally revealed her face from under the blanket, smiling as he asked, "Is there an expectation? How long? A week or a month? How is it calculated? By duration? By frequency? Or by position?"
His unrestrained speech nearly made Bai Yi's pupils explode, and she reached out to cover his mouth.
"A contract must be drafted jointly by both parties. How can you make the decision for something that requires the joint efforts of both parties?"
Bai Yi's wrist was grabbed by him, and he quickly sealed her lips with his.
Zhong Yunxi restrained himself considerably, gently, slowly, and considerately pleasing her, enticing her to say she wanted it herself.
Bai Yi felt that he was always manipulating her, and accused him of bullying her because he was seven years older than her.
Zhong Yunxi smiled helplessly and brushed the stray hairs on her forehead that were damp with sweat, arguing that he hadn't.
He packed Bai Yi's luggage early in the morning, carefully packing her skincare products, clothes, and accessories according to the memo sent to his chat box.
In the walk-in closet, he used to be unable to find even his own things, but now he knows exactly where Bai Yi's things are.
Bai Yi was so sleepy that she didn't even want to eat breakfast. It was only during the flight, when the turbulence caused an uncomfortable feeling of weightlessness, that she was fully awakened.
She ate breakfast and then sat on her tablet reading comic books. When Zhong Yunxi spoke to her, she would just nod or shake her head.
Zhong Yunxi knew that when she was in a bad mood, she was too lazy to talk. She only opened her mouth when she was angry.
The weather in Beijing was dry and chilly, with a vast expanse of blue sky and sunlight that was pure and bright, unfiltered by clouds.
Bai Yi had only visited Beijing once during her school years, on a history study tour. She spent more than half a month there with her history teacher during the summer vacation, visiting many famous historical sites. Therefore, her impression of Beijing had always been limited to the tall, spacious classical buildings with red walls and green eaves.
As soon as she stepped out of the cabin, she raised her hand to shield her eyes, and Zhong Yunxi handed her sunglasses.
He didn't mention his return to Beijing to his family, but as soon as he landed, his mother called and asked him to bring Bai Yi back to the old house for dinner that evening.
Zhong Yunxi was silent for a moment, then said, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Shi Lin snorted at him: "Why didn't you say you were coming back sooner?"
Zhong Yunxi only said, "Yes, that brand won't miss its exhibition because of something like this."
Shi Lin chuckled: "So that's why I suddenly came back to Beijing. It turns out I brought my wife to see the exhibition."
Zhong Yunxi guessed that it must have been because he asked the housekeeper to clean his house, and his mother found out that he had returned to Beijing.
As for how he knew Bai Yi was also there, he was too lazy to ask now. If his mother wanted to know, there were too many ways to find out. Bai Yi was a living person; he couldn't keep it a secret forever.
Now that things have come to this, I'm bound to get a scolding when I get back to the old house tonight.
He originally planned to wait until things were more stable with Bai Yi before returning to see his maternal grandparents. His mother knew about this complicated marriage arrangement but didn't care, since she knew what kind of person her son was.
However, the elderly value marriage and know that they are treating it so lightly. They can scold him, but they are afraid that the elders will have a problem with Bai Yi.
When he arrived at his residence in Beijing, the butler and chef were already waiting. There wasn't much good food in the capital, so Zhong Yunxi invited a chef who cooked Huaiyang cuisine.
The long-empty apartment, a large, single-level unit, was minimalist in style, with black, white, and gray tones, making it feel particularly cold and desolate, which she didn't like. She sat on the sofa, placing her legs on Zhong Yunxi's knees, snuggling close to him.
Zhong Yunxi casually pulled the blanket from the sofa armrest: "Are you cold?"
She shook her head and hugged a cushion.
“My mom knows I’m back in Beijing. Let’s go back to the old house together tonight,” Zhong Yunxi suggested to her.
Bai Yi paused for a few seconds, then said "Oh," and added, "Then don't tell them you're only getting married for two years."
Zhong Yunxi looked at her and smiled: "You know you can't tell?"
Bai Yi was picked up and pulled into his arms: "What do you want me to do to make this engagement last a little longer?"
Bai Yi glanced at him but didn't say anything. Zhong Yunxi might love her, in a worldly yet meticulous way. She might not find anyone who doted on her more than Zhong Yunxi.
But she often felt afraid. She was like a flower or a wine attached to Zhong Yunxi's life, not even in terms of power or status.
Zhong Yunxi said she could earn back the money she spent in seconds, and he would trade a 100 million yuan project for two hair clips from her. She was tempted but also felt guilty. She was being pampered by him like this, but she was also afraid that one day he would no longer want to hold her, and she wouldn't even be able to hold onto his fingers.
Sometimes she felt she was overthinking things. Perhaps no woman who marries into a wealthy family is like her; they would seize every opportunity and use every means to secure their position and control the finances. But she would only give herself two years, waiting for the hormones to subside, until they could no longer stand each other and parted ways amicably.
She shook her head.
Zhong Yunxi cleverly steered the conversation away from the topic and even gave her a hint: "If you're asked when you're having your wedding tonight, just say you're too busy with work and need to go to Xiangcheng often."
She nodded again.
Zhong Yunxi often didn't know what Bai Yi was thinking. She was incredibly perceptive, while he had never developed the ability or habit of understanding other people's emotions. So whenever Bai Yi acted awkwardly, he always felt helpless and at a loss.
Even so, he never thought of giving up.
The afternoon fashion show was held in a botanical garden. A 2,000-square-meter area with suitable terrain and scenery was enclosed and set up as a fashion show venue, with a very creative design.
Zhong Yunxi knew that Bai Yi liked E-family. He realized this when he first chose a gift for Bai Yi. After learning about this exhibition, he arranged to come to Beijing mainly to make her happy.
The rich heiresses in his circle all love to go to exhibitions and shop at luxury brand stores in groups, but Bai Yi's social circle is too simple, so he has to accompany them personally.
After receiving a call from his mother asking him to return to the old house that evening, he contacted his younger cousins and asked them to come over so that Bai could meet him in advance, so that he wouldn't feel awkward if he arrived at the old house that night and found no one there.
When Shi Yan and Shi Qi arrived, they were very excited to see Bai Yi. Shi Qi even asked, "Last time my brother came to Beijing, I picked out a lot of gifts for him to give to you. Did you receive them? Did you like them?"
Bai Yi nodded: "I like it very much, thank you."
Shi Yan also asked, "I heard from my second aunt that you two got your marriage certificate. How did you and my brother meet?"
She glanced at Zhong Yunxi and said silently: What a talkative brother and sister.
Shi Qi sat on the other side of Bai Yi and whispered to Bai Yi, "My brother is going to get a beating when we go back to the old house tonight. My second aunt said bad things about him to my grandfather. Don't tell him."
Bai Yi: ...
Shi Yan sat in the row behind Zhong Yunxi and the others. He patted Zhong Yunxi on the shoulder, leaned over and whispered, "Brother, you must have gotten married on a whim because you fell for her."
Zhong Yunxi turned to look at him and said, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
Once the fashion show started, Bai Yi would see something she liked and shake Zhong Yunxi's hand, saying, "This one."
Zhong Yunxi took a picture with his phone and sent it to Xue Meng, asking him to communicate with the brand.
Shi Qi not only managed to snag a few items, but after the fashion show, she insisted on dragging Bai Yi shopping, with Zhong Yunxi accompanying her as well.
She knew best how to use Zhong Yunxi, so she sent him a few shops and asked him to find a way to clear the area in advance so she and Bai Yi could go shopping there.
Zhong Yunxi glanced at his clever cousin and said, "Okay, but you know what to do and what to say when we go back to the old house tonight."
Shi Qi nodded: "If we say good things about you and your sister-in-law and really can't save them, we'll just shift the blame onto you and use that as a way to relieve the pressure on your family."
Zhong Yunxi chuckled, "When will you use your brain for the right thing?"
Bai Yi usually shops at luxury brand stores alone and rarely goes with others. Meeting Shi Qi, who was even more enthusiastic than the sales assistants, left her somewhat bewildered. Shi Qi's extravagant spending habits also opened her eyes.
Zhong Yunxi laughed and said, "Why don't you learn from her?"
Bai Yi sat down next to him, exhausted: "I really can't afford to buy anymore."
She never expected that after flying two thousand kilometers to Beijing to go shopping, it would be like there was nothing to do in Hong Kong.
Zhong Yunxi leaned close to her ear and said, "We're going back to the old house tonight. You don't know what the elders like, so have Shi Qi buy a lot to please them. She enjoys shopping anyway; doesn't she look like a happy sled dog?"
Bai Yi couldn't help but laugh and asked him, "Do you always have Shi Qi buy gifts for your family?"
Zhong Yunxi nodded: "Yes, just buy her one more. It will save a lot of time and effort."
That evening, the four of them returned to the old house together. In families like this in the capital, there was an invisible aura. As soon as Bai Yi got out of the car, she was half a step behind Zhong Yunxi. Zhong Yunxi lowered his hand and held hers. Shi Qi could probably tell that she was not very comfortable, so he took her arm.
As soon as I entered, Grandma and Aunt were chatting in the living room. Zhong Yunxi called out to them and sat down next to Grandma, saying, "Grandma, bring Xiaoyi back to Beijing to see you and Grandpa."
Bai Yi lowered her head slightly and softly called out, "Grandma."
The old man looked at Bai Yi across Zhong Yunxi, patted her hand, and then looked at Zhong Yunxi and said, "You should have come back a long time ago. I didn't know how busy you were in Yuegang. Once you're married, you should be open about it. How can you hide it like this?"
Zhong Yunxi smiled and said, "Yes."
Bai Yi felt guilty listening to this.
The uncle came out of the kitchen, looked at Bai Yi, and said to Zhong Yunxi, "Your maternal grandfather is in the study. Go up and chat with him for a bit."
Zhong Yunxi stood up and patted Bai Yi's shoulder: "You two talk."
Before leaving, she gave Shi Qi a wink. Shi Qi sat next to her grandmother, unpacking the shopping spoils she had bought that afternoon: "Grandma, my sister-in-law and I spent the whole afternoon shopping and picked out these gifts for you."
Grandma was not confused at all: "Your brother spent the money, so you contributed your two legs."
Shi Qi leaned on her elder's shoulder and laughed, "That's because we put in so much effort. He makes money so easily."
Zhong Yunxi followed his uncle upstairs. As soon as he entered his grandfather's study, the old man put down the book in his hand, stood up, picked up his cane, and hit him hard on the back of the knee.
Zhong Yunxi hissed and stepped to the side.
"What did you do? Your mother said you used the news of Tiansheng's restructuring to trick her into marriage?"
Zhong Yunxi: ...
He said, "That's not true."
The uncle sighed and said, "You have no intention of returning to Beijing. What's wrong with that girl from the Wen family? You picked and chose someone with no family background. Even if Yuegang is good, she's just a financial manager."
Zhong Yunxi knew that his uncle had always wanted him to return to Beijing. Shi Yan was still young and couldn't handle many things. If he returned to Beijing, the Shi family could accumulate even more wealth.
Grandpa didn't criticize his career arrangements, he just said, "We know you have a strong will. The family has never forced you to get married. If we had known you would treat marriage so lightly, we would have forced you to get married even when I broke my leg a few years ago."
Zhong Yunxi stood properly and explained, "Grandpa, this is no joke. My mother doesn't know the situation. I really like Bai Yi. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. She was not satisfied with the previous arranged marriage, so I took advantage of Tiansheng's restructuring to break it up."
Grandfather: ...
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything; with this explanation, it's clear that it means he forcibly seized the property.
The old man angrily retorted, "What do you take that girl for?"
Zhong Yunxi remained expressionless: "She knows. Although they had a few days of sulking, they made up."
Regarding freedom of marriage and love, the old man always thought he was behind the younger generation. After all, back then, it was all arranged by the organization. But his good grandson, in the 21st century, has done something shameful that is a remnant of feudalism.
He cursed again, "You bastard."
Zhong Yunxi knew he was in for a scolding, but he was relieved to hear that his grandfather seemed to be quite protective of Bai Yi.
It's likely that when his mother told the elders about his whirlwind marriage, she shifted all the blame onto him.
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