Chapter 509: Xiang Haorui And Xiao Yiqing

Since the year Qi Youxuan’s sister met Wen Xu, she started drifting away from him.

Qi Youxuan internally expressed a QQ goodbye emoji.

Wen Xu was very satisfied and it showed on the corner of his lips that did not curl up often. Noticing Qi Youning and Wei Muran on their way out, he tidied up his clothes and put on a classy front while awaiting Qi Youning’s arrival.

Qi Youning and Wei Muran were still in the dark about the plans those two had. They were excitedly discussing how they were spending the night staying together.

She brought this up to Cheng Xicheng when Qi Youning was attending class in A City. When asked if she wanted to go together with Wei Muche, Cheng Xicheng immediately slapped the desk, shouting, “We’re going!”

“Er Cheng, you’re such an angel!” Qi Youning exclaimed as she hugged her.

Back when Cheng Xicheng was young and naive, she did not know that the name Er Cheng was a malicious name given to her by her older brothers. She had always thought that it was an endearing name. By the time she found out about it, she was already used to it and had no aversion to them calling her so. However, that was limited to her family. Outsiders were forbidden to call her that way.

“Get lost.” Cheng Xicheng pushed Qi Youning aside.

…

On the thirtieth of September, Qi Youxuan waited for Wei Muran at the gates of the police station the moment her shift ended.

In the trunk were both their luggage, her luggage being smuggled out by Wei Ran. Had Wei Ziqi found out, he would have said no.

All six of them met at the airport and settled for dinner at a simple restaurant there. They were not fussy people with extremely high standards for food who looked down on airport restaurants.

They were rather easy-going and settled for four bowls of ramen at a fast-food restaurant.

Their flight was scheduled to depart at eight p.m. with an estimated arrival time of nine-thirty p.m. at T City.

As they claimed their luggage and exited the airport, a man and a woman were waiting for them.

The man was tall and slender, sporting a khaki-colored windbreaker with his hands in his pockets. He stood there casually but his back was straight as a board, possibly well-trained.

The woman beside him was of much smaller stature. While the man was tall and slender, she gave off a small, soft feeling. Her appearance was very doll-like, a little too beautiful.

To a stranger, she could easily be an enemy to all women. In just one glance, one could tell she had very little luck with friends of the same gender. Her appearance made it easy for her to be rejected by another woman.

Some women looked beautiful but were also popular among other women, having lots of female friends that harbored no animosity against them but instead wanting to befriend them. Others looked beautiful yet caused others of the same gender to feel threatened, feeling that beauty to be very slutty and pompous, all for the purpose to seduce men. Although having done nothing, they would stir up animosity within those of the same gender.

Needless to say, the doll-like woman waving at them belonged to the latter category.

Qi Youning and Wei Muran did not resent her. That woman was waving and shouting excitedly, “Muran, Youning, Xicheng!”

Her actions and her appearance did not match at all.

“Yiqing!” Wei Muran excitedly ran forward with Qi Youning and Cheng Xicheng, leaving the three hunky men behind them with the luggage.

That person was Xiao Yiqing. Ning Wan was rescued by Wei Ziqi back when she was pregnant. Ning Wan proceeded to stay in B City up until Xiao Yiqing was three years old before returning Xiao Yiqing to Xiao Yunqing’s side in T City.

In those three years, Ning Wan and Wei Ran became close friends. Xiao Yiqing and Wei Muran naturally became buddies as well. Even after returning to T City, Xiao Yiqing frequently followed her parents to B City for gatherings with the Wei family as Xiao Yiqing was favored by the Wei family elders from young. Given that, her relationship with Wei Muran was well-maintained.

After finding out that they were visiting T City for holiday, Xiao Yiqing just had to tag along with them. She even made Xiang Haorui follow her.

Seeing Qi Youxuan and the guys, Xiang Haorui nodded in their direction. While he was closer to Wen Xu, the two of them did not show much enthusiasm in seeing each other due to Wen Xu’s personality.

Ditching the guys to chat among themselves, Wei Muran grabbed onto Xiao Yiqing’s arm. “Why are you two still the same?”

“Shut it.” Xiao Yiqing wrinkled her nose. “He’s yet to confess and I’m so pissed. He’s nice to me and follows me around all the time. I don’t see him following any other girls or getting close to them. Even the public thinks that both our families are having a political marriage, yet he said nothing about it. However, even with such rumors, there are quite a lot of aggressive girls coming after him. Disregarding his reputation, the words he used on them were so uncouth, it makes them seem pitiful.”

“Stop!” Qi Youning waved her arms to stop. “Hold it. Are you trying to complain or praise him now? You’re just trying to show off your love indirectly.”

“What are you talking about?” Xiao Yiqing squeaked, feeling a little guilty. “It’s his fault for not making it clear to me.”

“Men are dull. They won’t think about it in such a detailed fashion.” Wei Muran used herself as an example. “If you like him, just ask. Even…even Qi Youxuan thought he was being obvious, that I should know, he doesn’t know that I’m actually unsure deep down.”

Wei Muran unconsciously turned around to look at Qi Youxuan as she mentioned him, only to find that Qi Youxuan was staring straight at her. Seeing her looking at him, he immediately flashed her a wide grin.

Wei Muran blushed and shifted her gaze, not daring to look over again. She muttered softly towards Xiao Yiqing, “They have a different way of thinking than us.”

Xiao Yiqing controlled her urge and did not take a look at Xiang Haorui.

The gang drove toward the resort. The resort belonged to Xiang Haorui’s father Xiang Yichen, and it was currently under the management of Xiang Haorui, making it convenient for them to have their vacation at the resort.

What started as two couples now turned into four, with the remaining couple Xiao Yiqing and Xiang Haorui still unconfirmed. Nonetheless, to Qi Youxuan and Wen Xu, they were considered an item already.

Or at least Xiang Haorui thought so.

Regardless, Qi Youxuan and Wen Xun’s original plan to stay in their rooms were foiled. With that, both of them strongly requested individual rooms.

On the other hand, the ladies wanted to be together and were looking forward to a sleepover party. Xiang Haorui finally decided to make a phone call and had them clear up the empty villa within the resort. It had a total of six bedrooms, nicely allowing each couple their own room.

As to Qi Youxuan’s plans with the rest, Xiang Haorui understood clearly and he was willing to accommodate them. That way, he could also gain allies to assist in his relationship with Xiao Yiqing.

Each villa was managed by a housekeeper who had undergone standardized training procedures and certified. Only those with certification were hired without a fixed term. The resort hired mystery guests to the resort for secret evaluations of the housekeeper’s service and professionalism. The results would determine if the housekeeper would receive a reward, continue employment, retraining, or termination.

The housekeeper of the villa they were staying in, An Feiru was already waiting for them at the door. She was a woman that appeared to be around twenty-seven to twenty-eight years old in the housekeeper uniform, looking very professional.

The bellboy at the door helped them with the car doors. Seeing Xiang Haorui descending from the car, An Feiru put on a smile that looked more sincere than her usual professional smile as she welcomed him. “Director Xiang, the place has been tidied up. We welcome your stay.”

Having said that, An Feiru’s gaze shifted to Xiang Haorui’s body, walking beside Xiang Haorui at the front and slowly closing their distance expertly.

Xiao Yiqing wrinkled her nose, then whispered to the girls, “See? They just keep coming!”

As she barely finished the statement, Xiang Haorui stopped in his tracks and turned around. Xiao Yiqing felt guilty and went on alert. ‘Was that coincidental? I just finished my statement and he turned around. Did he hear what I said?’

She estimated the distance between them. ‘Even if Xiang Haorui had trained with the Lanshan Institute from a young age, his hearing shouldn’t be this good!’ She then saw Xiang Haorui waving at her. “Why are you so slow? We’re the host tonight. Come here.”

Before Xiao Yiqing could move, Wei Muran and Qi Youning gave her a shove and pushed the dazed Xiao Yiqing up to Xiang Haorui’s side.

Xiang Haorui’s lips curled upward then grabbed onto Xiao Yiqing’s hand, extremely satisfied with how An Feiru’s smile just froze on her face.

An Feiru led the six of them to inspect each bedroom then said, “If there’s any question, you can just get me.” She then made her leave.

It was as though all six of them were staying in the same house, stirring much excitement among the ladies.

Qi Youning was with Cheng Xicheng, running up and down all over the three-storied villa, checking through each room multiple times.

“Wow… What should we do next? Soak in the hot spring?” Qi Youning mentioned excitedly.

Cheng Xicheng instead laid lazily on the sofa. “We rushed over here tonight and I’m tired. I want to sleep early and refresh myself before I start soaking tomorrow.”

“Your stamina is really lacking!” said Qi Youning as she pointed at Cheng Xicheng, then turned around to look at Wei Muche. “You’re making it difficult for Muche, even though Muche doesn’t look very strong.”

Hearing that, Muche glared at her and rolled up his sleeves to display his arm muscles. “Are you blind? I’m the type that looks slim when clothed and well-toned without them. It’s the best body type! All the weight training I did in the past wasn’t a waste of time!”

Wei Muran fell silent.

Thinking back at all the stupid things Wei Muche did back in school, Wei Muran was of a mind of cutting ties with him.

Luckily, Wei Ziqi was oblivious to this. Otherwise, even Wei Ziqi might cut ties with him.

Cheng Xicheng lazily opened her arms at him. “It’s time to test your strength. I don’t feel like getting up.”

The intention was to have Wei Muche carry the great Miss Cheng.

Wei Muche wasted no time on words, lifted her horizontally and headed to the bedroom.

Aside from Xiao Yiqing, Wei Muran and Qi Youning were both rather tired so they headed back to their rooms.

Qi Youning and Wen Xu’s room were right across the hallway. Wen Xu followed closely behind Qi Youning. When Qi Youning reached her room, she poked her head out of the door and greeted Wen Xu goodnight with a blushed face.

Wen Xu stood at the door, having no intention of returning to his room. As his gaze softened, he took a big step forward and stood right before Qi Youning. Not saying anything, he pecked a kiss on her lips. “Goodnight.”

Qi Youning’s face turned red. “You…you sleep well!”

Following that, she scrambled to close the door and shut Wen Xu outside.

With her face still burning, her legs gave way as she fell on the bed.

In truth, Wen Xu had never officially confessed to her. It all started when she first saw her as a kid, and he had never left her side from that day onward. Of course, those few days that he took off to visit T City did not count.

Even if he visited T City and the distance kept them apart, he would always video-call her. As he was of little words, she would do most of the talking. No matter what she said, he would accommodate her.

As they had kissed each other since childhood, Qi Youning thought nothing of their difference of gender back then. To her, it was like her parents and brother. Occasionally splatter his face with saliva, showing him how close they were and how much she liked him.

That was because whenever she did that, her parents and brother were extremely happy, which led her to believe that Wen Xu should also be happy with it.

Furthermore, every time she kissed him, Wen Xu would return the kiss with his squinty eyes, making Qi Youning believe that he was really happy about it.

However, before she was 18 years old, both of them would only kiss each other’s cheeks. Qi Youning would always bury herself in his chest and take advantage of him, rolling around on his chest.

Up until her 18th birthday, the Qi family internally threw a warm and momentous birthday party for her. They did not invite many guests; it was just her family celebrating her coming of age.

Fresh in her memories, it was eleven-thirty that night. With only thirty minutes remaining, her birthday would be over.

That night, Qi Youning felt that her birthday was missing something. It was incomplete.

After some thoughts, she finally realized that Wen Xu who would always be by her side was not there. Her eighteenth birthday without him felt incomplete.

At that moment, Qi Youning sat cross-legged on the bed staring at her phone, feeling a small resentment within her. Her birthday was almost over yet Wen Xu did not even give her a phone call—not even a text message sending his blessings for her.

Eighteenth birthdays were, after all, important days.

He was there for all her previous birthdays, yet he was not there for her on this most important one.

She was mentally debating with herself if she should give Wen Xu a call to lecture him on how he was failing as her loyal fan by being unprofessional for not even sending her a birthday greeting. Right at that moment, Qi Youning’s phone started ringing.

Looking at the caller ID, it was labeled ‘Ah Xu’. Oddly enough, Qi Youning started feeling nervous.

She picked up the call, then nervously answered in a stuttering manner, “Ah, Ah Xu!”

Just as she said that, Qi Youning scolded herself internally for being such a pushover.

“Come outside,” said the monotonous voice from within the phone, yet to Qi Youning’s ears, it was overflowing with warmth.

Qi Youning once again scolded herself for being a pushover, saying, ‘You’re going outside just because he asked you to.’ She quickly put on a jacket then grabbed her phone and keys and headed outside.

At that time, her parents were busy having some loving time in their bedroom. They would not be out catching her.

Who would have expected that the moment she left her bedroom, she would bump into Qi Youxuan?

“Where are you going at this hour?” Qi Youxuan gave her a quick look from head to toe.

“What are you doing coming out at this time?” Qi Youning narrowed her eyes and asked.

“Am I not here trying to protect my sister?” Qi Youxuan pouted. “Wen Xu’s outside?”

“I’ll be out for just a moment.” Qi Youxuan stared at Qi Youxuan, then snickered, “You help me and I’ll help you! Uncle Wei is keeping a tight watch on Muran, huh?”

Qi Youxuan narrowed his eyes then whispered, “Only for half an hour. You must be back by 12!”

“Quiet, don’t let Mom and Dad hear you!” Qi Youning said as she ran outside.

Qi Youxuan fell silent.

Wen Xun parked his car right outside their house. Even though the security guards of Prestige Residences were nice people, they would not allow a non-resident to enter at such late hours.

When Qi Youning came down, she was rather happy. Wen Xu had just seen her grinning. In the end, she suddenly tightened her face and took a few small steps, stopping right in front of him. She pointed her finger at him. “Ah, you finally remember to come over? Today’s an important day for me!”

Wen Xu remained silent and turned around. Behind him, the window on the driver seat was open. He stretched his long arm in and retrieved a square flat box.

“Happy birthday,” Wen Xu greeted.

If it were anyone else, they would have found his tone insincere. However, Qi Youning happily received the box. Upon opening it, she found that it contained a necklace.

The necklace and pendant came in a set. It was neither very creative nor was it an innovative design, just the type with a string of letters.

The lights in the courtyard were not too bright, but it was sufficient to clearly see the letters on the pendant. It was ‘WENNING’. With just a glance it looked like a regular English word.

Upon closer inspection, Qi Youning immediately understood.

It was his last name added onto her first name. She felt warmer the more she read it. It was as though he had softly brought her under his name.

Under the streetlamp, Qi Youning’s face was scarlet. Combined with the silvery-white moonlight, it made her face shine a soft glow, glistening in the night.

He had never officially made the statement, ‘Youning, be my girlfriend.’

However, that necklace clearly conveyed his thoughts. Qi Youning raised her head and stared at him in full anticipation.

Wen Xu quietly removed the necklace from the box and put it on her.

Both hands around her, his hands wrapped around her back, partially hugging onto her. Qi Youning could not help but lower her head, not daring to look up straight at him.

As he approached her, she smelled the familiar and pleasant scent coming from him. Her heartbeat hastened and she was at a loss of what to do.

Earlier she was at home ready to retire to bed after a shower. Now without her makeup, her hair was also tied up for comfort. As she lowered her head, the fair skin on her neck was exposed. When Wen Xu came up close, he could detect the sweet scent of her shower gel on her—sweet and fresh.

Her soft silken skin was fair as white tofu, irresistibly triggering his appetite.

He failed to hold it back. After putting the necklace on her, his fingertips ‘unintentionally’ slid across her skin. As they were so close together, he did not miss seeing the goosebumps rising on the back of her neck, along with the instant she quivered.

Wen Xun’s lips hooked upward uncontrollably, causing his facial muscle to look like it was spasming.

“Birthday present?” Qi Youning asked out of nervousness, trying to make a conversation as she questioned the obvious.

Wen Xu cooperatively acknowledged it with a low hum. His slender fingers trailed down to her collarbone, fingertips lightly touching the string of letters. At the same time, he unavoidably touched her skin, sending another shiver through Qi Youning.

Wen Xu continued as though not noticing the reaction. She flipped the letters over, seemingly oblivious that his fingers were constantly touching her skin along with the movement of his hands, continued to caress her skin.

“I’ve added Lanshan Institute’s GPS in here just in case. In case anything happens, I can immediately locate you through this. Please don’t lose this necklace,” explained Wen Xu in a calm tone.

“I won’t lose it. Even if without that, it’s your gift. I’ll carry it with me. I won’t lose it,” Qi Youning replied quickly, as if in a hurry. Only after she finished her sentence did she realize that she sounded too rushed, unreserved. With that, she immediately added, “I…I’m the type that treasures the thoughts of others! You…you know that!”

“Mhm, I know.” Wen Xu nodded in acknowledgment.

“As the chip inside is made to order, it isn’t mass-produced and stocked there. It was only supplied to the internal members of Lanshan Institute. To get one requires an application ahead of time, then match it with the user’s fingerprints before it is embedded into the pendant. If you need to activate it, just touch this pendant. That’s why it took so much time. At least it’s done by today. I took a trip to T City today so I can deliver this to you before your birthday is over. That’s why I couldn’t make it to your birthday party,” Wen Xu explained. His voice monotonous yet clearly explaining everything in detail to her.

Qi Youning grinned, her eyes all narrowed from the smile. “Considering your sincerity, I’ll forgive you. I love this gift.”

Wen Xu pointed at his cheek without saying anything.

Qi Youning’s face turned red. She was no longer a little girl. How could she just simply kiss him?

Wen Xu nonchalantly loosened his internal collar, quickly flashing his collarbone in the cold wind, then went back to being hidden under his collar as he took his hand away.

Qi Youning’s eyes were staring straight at him, almost wanting to pull his collar open with her hand. With a slurp, she gulped down her saliva while still trying to act composed. “Considering your gift to be overflowing with sincerity, I’ll…I’ll give you a kiss.”

Wen Xu secretly twitched his eyebrows but remained silent. He lowered his head and exposed his cheeks to her.

Qi Youning wanted it badly too so she did not try to put on the act for much longer. She licked her lips and tiptoed toward his face. Just as she was almost there, Wen Xu suddenly turned his head and her lips landed squarely on Wen Xu’s lips.

It was soft, and tasted clean, seemingly carrying the scent of the night breeze.

Qi Youning felt the warmth spread outward from her burning lips. She quickly backed off then covered her mouth in shock with her eyes wide open in shock.

“You…why did you move?” Qi Youning accused.

However, Wen Xu revealed an innocent expression as though he had been taken advantage of.

His facial expression did not change much, but those eyes gave her that feeling.

In the next second, Wen Xu took a step forward and removed her hand from her mouth. While Qi Youning was flabbergasted from the shock, he lowered his head and went straight for her lips.

Wen Xu caught her hand and moved it behind her, finally pinning it to the back of her waist. Then, in a sweeping motion, he pushed her into his tight embrace.

He eventually released her after some time but his arms still wrapping her in his embrace.

“You’re of age now, and I can finally do that,” Wen Xu’s voice was filled with satisfaction, unmistakably so.

“You..you…you…you…you…you…you…” Qi Youning could not accept that reality. How did the loyal follower suddenly turn into someone else?

Wen Xu’s lips finally displayed a more obvious curl. He gave her another quick kiss, then spoke softly, “Go back.”

Qi Youning forgot how she got back home, but she was thankful that Qi Youxuan did not wait for her at the door. Her brains were having problems functioning, most likely unable to handle him.

She did not know how she went to bed. From that day on, she never doubted Wen Xu’s intentions.

Both of them just followed the flow.

Qi Youning laid in bed in the holiday resort’s room in the villa, thinking back of her first kiss, then covered her face as she rolled around.

That first kiss was so forceful and embarrassing!

While her face was still burning, she heard a knock on the door.

Qi Youning got off the bed and went to the door, asking, “Who is it?”

“Me,” said Wen Xu’s ever-constant monotonous voice from the other side of the door.

“…” Hearing Wen Xu’s voice, Qi Youning’s ears turned a darker shade of red. Opening the door, she could see him standing straight outside the door.

“Why are your ears flushed?” Wen Xu asked while stealthily moving forward, sneakily moving into her room.

“Are you asleep? Why did you come here?” Qi Youning had yet to realize. As Wen Xu walked forward, she unconsciously moved backward without a clue.

“I’m bored so I came over to have a look. I’m afraid you might not be able to sleep alone.” Wen Xu calmly took a seat on the bed.

“…” Qi Youning was speechless. “I’m fine sleeping alone. I’ve done so for many years. Why would I have difficulty falling asleep?”

“Well, you’ve just changed to a new place, right?” Wen Xu stared at her. “You’re picky with beds.”

“How would I not know myself?” Qi Youning exclaimed. Upon seeing how Wen Xu sat there calmly, she concluded, “Ah, don’t tell me you’re here to be shameless?”

Right as she finished the sentence, she was dragged into Wen Xu’s embrace, tightly held by him as he said matter-of-factly, “Actually I’m picky with beds.”

“Wen Xu!” Qi Youning shouted at him.

Wen Xu’s eyebrows twitched. Before Qi Youning could say a thing, she was lying down sideways on the bed in his embrace.

“Ah…Ah Xu, ah!” Qi Youning said nervously, “I’m sleepy.”

“Then sleep.” Wen Xu replied.

“Then you go back to your room and sleep!” Qi Youning gave a light kick to his thigh.