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Chapter 13: The Illusion Of Being Spoiled

When Ji Zhen Tang rode his scooter back to Rain Lamp Street, the whole alley echoed with her cheerful singing: “I have a little electric donkey that I never ride, one day I felt like it and rode it to the market, holding a little whip in my hand—uncle, look at my little car!”

The old man next to her, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, smiled in agreement, “It’s so beautiful, where did you get it?”

Ji Zhen Tang smiled triumphantly, “My dad bought it for me.”

With a beep, the white door lock clicked shut.

Ji Zhen Tang poked her head into the room, “Auntie, I rode the bike back!”

There was no response from inside.

Ji Zhen Tang entered the room and found Ji Xinhe praying to Guanyin.

The Bodhisattva altar was in the southwest corner of the room, and Ji Zhen Tang had already grasped the routine of her aunt’s daily worship. She prayed at eight in the morning and three in the afternoon. It was said that it would be impolite to pray after three o’clock without covering the statue with a cloth.

“Oh, the Bodhisattva is closed for the day,” she whispered as she tiptoed over.

Ji Xinhe was still kneeling, and she shot a glance at Ji Zhen Tang. “Don’t talk nonsense.” Then she beckoned her forward. “Come and pray.”

Without hesitation, Ji Zhen Tang knelt down, clasping her hands together and shaking them rapidly. “Bodhisattva, please bless my dad to make a fortune so I can enjoy life with him!”

Ji Xinhe wanted to laugh at her words but couldn’t find a way to refute them. After Ji Zhen Tang finished knocking her head a few times and stood up, she asked, “Is that how you rely on your dad to make money?”

“Yes, my dad is very smart. People say he has a knack for business, but sometimes he just lacks luck. When his luck improves, so does mine. Of course, I rely on him to make money.”

Ji Zhen Tang sat down at the table and took a piece of peach pastry into her mouth. The lacquer box containing the pastry was brought back from Chenzhang Garden last time. Ji Zhen Tang used to handle it carelessly without understanding its value until Ji Xinhe warned her to handle it gently. It was worth eight thousand yuan, made of purple sandalwood.

Ji Zhen Tang only realized then that the wealth of wealthy families could be seen in the details.

Looking at the box, she continued to touch the eight thousand yuan worth of purple sandalwood. The chewing motion slowed down as she remembered Zhong Yu Bai.

It had been a while since they had contacted each other since that day they returned.

Neither of them had contacted each other for quite some time.

The promise they made hadn’t been fulfilled.

The profound man made her exaggerate every word and action, yet she always seemed to guess the wrong direction.

Several rains had fallen in the Jiangnan region in late spring, and the trees had sprouted new leaves. Outside, the streets were lush and green, with a hint of summer heat lingering. The cicadas chirped endlessly in the dilapidated alleyways, signaling the imminent arrival of summer. Ji Zhen Tang was about to enter her junior year’s summer vacation. Recently, she had been busy with numerous final exams and attendance checks, reducing her interaction with that circle of friends.

If it weren’t for the expensive box in her hand feeling sturdy, she would have doubted the man and the bustling life associated with him, like a dream she accidentally stumbled into.

What was truly real?

Was it the alley, the cicadas, the blooming and withering sea of flowers? Was it the neighbors who had accompanied her as she grew up, and their old and rundown apartments?

Ji Zhen Tang looked out the window, unable to stop touching the box.

“By the way, Mrs. Zhong’s birthday is coming soon. Someone sent an invitation yesterday, inviting us to go,” said Ji Xinhe.

Ji Zhen Tang’s eyes lit up. “Really? Where is the invitation? I want to see.”

Excitedly taking the invitation, she suddenly felt a bit disappointed. “Ah, it’s addressed to you.”

She waved her hand and put it down, feeling unhappy.

Ji Xinhe said, “The person who delivered it said I should bring you along.”

A smile reappeared on her face. “Who was the person who delivered it?”

“A woman, older than me.”

It must be Aunt Xu.

Ji Zhen Tang said, “Yes, yes, of course, I’ll go!”

Ji Xinhe smiled. “You go ahead, I won’t join in.”

Knowing Ji Xinhe’s character of being indifferent to worldly matters, Ji Zhen Tang didn’t even want to persuade her. She then asked, “What clothes did you make for Mrs. Zhong?”

“A qipao and a set of Tang suits.”

“Did she like them?”

“Not bad.” Ji Xinhe wasn’t one to exaggerate, so saying “not bad” meant that the other party was quite satisfied.

Ji Zhen Tang smiled broadly. “Then I’ll go.”

Ji Xinhe said, “Remember to buy some nice clothes.”

“No need to tell me, I’ll dress like a female star!”

She hurriedly went upstairs to pick a dress.

—

There weren’t many occasions that allowed Ji Zhen Tang to wear makeup, and Mrs. Zhong’s birthday banquet was one of them.

She got up early to put on makeup. In the midst of summer, fearing that the heat would ruin her makeup, she even took a taxi. When she arrived at the entrance of Riverside Garden, she was at a loss, trying to find her way, when she received a call from a long-lost number. Ji Zhen Tang looked at the stern security guards at the revolving door and answered the call.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for several days, Zhong Yu Bai’s tone was still familiar. He spoke as if it was natural, saying, “I’ll come pick you up.”

Calm and composed. She could already guess from his tone that Zhong Yu Bai remained unchanged, but Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t figure out whether his words were a question or an announcement.

She said, “I’m already here.”

Perhaps slightly surprised, Zhong Yu Bai paused for a moment before replying, “Come in, you’ll see me.”

Luxury cars lined up in front of the hotel entrance, one after another, with elegantly dressed people carrying gifts and entering, chatting and laughing. Ji Zhen Tang didn’t know anyone, she adjusted her dress and made sure her carefully selected outfit was in perfect condition. Even though she had prepared everything, when she stood here for real, she felt a sense of detachment.

The revolving door was only so big, and she waited in line for people to enter one by one before she could move her feet. Just as she was about to step forward, a security guard raised his hand to stop her and asked harshly where she was from. She handed over the invitation, saying, “I’m here—”

Before she could finish, the security guard glanced at the invitation and quickly changed his tone, bowing his head and saying, “Please, Miss Ji, the dining hall is on the left.”

Ji Zhen Tang was pleasantly surprised. “Ah, okay.”

As the door to the banquet hall was open, Ji Zhen Tang was about to walk in when she heard a somewhat heavy closing sound behind her.

Startled, she looked back and saw two people getting out of the black luxury car.

It was Chen Ke.

And the beautiful female doctor who had examined her heart in the hospital!

These two were actually together?

Ji Zhen Tang was very interested, standing behind a banana tree, observing the two walking inside through the green leafy shadows.

Zhu Qingying had a cold demeanor, with unique charm. She tied her hair back, a few strands falling in front of her forehead, lazily and naturally, enhancing her goose-egg-sized face. There was a hint of hiding in her demeanor as she stood behind the well-dressed man, taking out a tissue and gently wiping her slightly messy and spotted red lips.

Ji Zhen Tang raised her hand and made a framing gesture, framing the two people in her “camera,” zooming in and observing carefully.

One could almost imagine the dramatic scene that must have unfolded in that car just now, probably like what’s shown on TV dramas, a passionate kiss, almost like going to war.

How long did it last? She couldn’t tell.

But she could see that Chen Ke’s mood wasn’t very good. His face was stern, hands in his pockets, walking ahead.

Zhu Qingying followed lightly, finishing wiping her lipstick, tossing the tissue aside, seemingly insignificant to her.

As they reached the hall, someone came over to greet Chen Ke. He responded perfunctorily, his attention still on his wife.

Without informing him, Zhu Qingying went to another table, apparently where she knew people, preparing to find a seat.

Chen Ke quickly reached out and grabbed her hand, forcibly pulling her into his embrace.

Zhu Qingying was petite, delicate, and with an unyielding personality, but she couldn’t resist, so she was forced to be embraced and walked forward by him.

The expressions on both of their faces were quite fascinating.

Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t help but smile.

Men and women, truly interesting.

Her framing continued to follow the backs of the two.

As she was taking pictures, a familiar figure suddenly entered the “frame.”

The follow-up paused.

In front of an empty round table, Zhong Yu Bai sat elegantly in black, legs crossed, looking noble and relaxed. He raised his eyes and looked deeply into Ji Zhen Tang’s “camera,” with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

He must have been observing her for quite some time.

She quickly put her hand down and floated over to him with light steps.

Zhong Yu Bai watched her approach, his tone leisurely and steady. “What’s so interesting about a couple quarreling?”

As he spoke, he gently pulled out the chair next to him, indicating for her to sit down.

Ji Zhen Tang glanced around, seeing that no one was paying attention to her, so she sat down and couldn’t help but gossip, “How did they meet?”

Zhong Yu Bai replied, “Blind date, arranged marriage.”

Ji Zhen Tang was excited, “Wow, that sounds so interesting, isn’t it like opening a gift box?”

He neither agreed nor disagreed, “If you end up with a bad gift, you become like the Smiths of modern times, each with their own schemes, lots of conflicts, quarreling every day and every night.”

Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t help but smile.

Zhong Yu Bai poured her a glass of orange juice. As he handed it over, his arm brushed against the ends of her hair that were draped down. Through the fabric of her shirt, it brought a slight itch. Ji Zhen Tang, eager to eavesdrop on gossip, leaned slightly closer to him. Her breath lingered around the man’s chest and neck. Then she tilted her head and asked, “Would you argue with your future wife?”

Zhong Yu Bai, with a calm expression, pondered for a few seconds before saying softly, “I advocate in moderation.”

“Step back and the sea will be boundless?”

He said, “Yes.”

She also pondered for a moment and murmured to herself, “Curious, what will your future wife be like?”

Zhong Yu Bai smiled faintly and replied without giving away much, “Moderate like me.”

Without much thought, she just felt that the concept was good and responded, “Then she will be like me too. Strictly speaking, I am not just moderate; I am more like a timid turtle.”

But upon hearing this, he asked, “How much alike?”

Ji Zhen Tang was slightly stunned.

In the ensuing silence, she realized they were too close. The man’s aftershave, a blend of sandalwood and labdanum, exuded a mature and sharp aroma. It was enticing, yet Ji Zhen Tang awkwardly withdrew, maintaining a certain distance from him.

She changed the subject again, avoiding it: “If my dad didn’t make money or do things remarkably well, would Mr. Chen get angry? And then vent his anger on you, and then on me?”

Zhong Yu Bai was amused by her innocence and raised his lips slightly. “Don’t worry, besides his wife, no one can make him lose his temper.”

Ji Zhen Tang immediately retorted, “That’s not true. There’s Liang.”

His smile deepened, seemingly smirking, conceding to her well-informed gossip. “Where did you hear so many rumors?”

Then Zhong Yu Bai said, “He has met his nemesis.”

Ji Zhen Tang, resting her chin on her hand, looked at him for a moment. “And what about you? Have you met your nemesis?”

He answered seriously, “The fortune teller said I would face a crisis at thirty.”

“At thirty?” she asked, full of curiosity.

“That’s now.”

“Oh, then you should be careful.”

“What should I be careful of?” Zhong Yu Bai interrupted.

“Careful of losing wealth, careful of your health, careful—”

He interrupted, “It’s a romantic crisis.”

Ji Zhen Tang met his deep gaze and suddenly her heartbeat accelerated. It wasn’t the terrifying loss of control felt when ill, but rather a shallow flutter, like being plucked on a heartstring. She grasped the glass of orange juice, avoiding his gaze, and looked around, saying, “I’ll go toast Mr. Chen properly; I haven’t thanked him properly yet.”

Seeing her about to get up, Zhong Yu Bai raised his hand and lightly grasped her wrist, pressing it down.

Telling her not to move.

Ji Zhen Tang asked cautiously, “Does he… not like it?”

Zhong Yu Bai held her hand lightly, then let go, shaking his head slightly with some restraint.

He didn’t say why, just asked her to extend her hand.

Ji Zhen Tang complied.

The slightly cool fingertips of the man landed on her palm and slowly wrote a word with his finger, the “Bai” from his name. She looked at him puzzled, and Zhong Yu Bai smiled and said, “This is your pass.”

Ji Zhen Tang’s heart skipped a beat.

He continued, “You won’t need to do these things anymore.”

By “these things” he meant cautious compliments and careful appeasement.

And with the pass in her hand, she no longer needed to do these things.

Ji Zhen Tang looked at her palm, surprised by the unreasonably generous gesture he displayed in their unclear relationship. She murmured, “Where does it work?”

He said, “Anytime, anywhere.”

“… Such a valuable pass.”

With too many guests around, Ji Zhen Tang felt a bit overwhelmed. She realized she had been sitting for quite some time, yet Zhong Yu Bai hadn’t arranged another seat for her. She asked, “Am I sitting here today? But I don’t have a namecard.”

He shrugged it off, “You had one since you sat down.”

Many things didn’t need confirmation; they were tacit understandings.

By sitting beside him, her status was affirmed.

A series of signals disrupted her turbulent emotions.

“What dishes would you like to eat?” he asked casually amid her still-beating heart.

Ji Zhen Tang replied, “There are many. Will you save some for me?”

Zhong Yu Bai teased, but also seemed serious, “I told them not to touch anything; it’s all for you.”

She laughed even more happily, “This feels like when I was young, going to banquets with my dad, and all the delicious food was saved for the youngest child.”

He smiled too, slowly rolling up his shirt sleeves. “Aren’t you a child?”

“…”

Being called a child, she stared blankly at him, suddenly two words popped into her mind: spoiled rotten.

His words always made her feel like she was being spoiled.

Ji Zhen Tang glanced at the other people at the table. Zhong Yu Bai didn’t greet them. It probably wasn’t necessary, but when someone came over and called him Mr. Zhong, he nodded politely in acknowledgment. One great advantage of having status was not needing to flatter.

Just as Ji Zhen Tang was about to reach for a dish on the table, she accidentally knocked over a chopstick.

Zhong Yu Bai leaned over slowly and picked up the now useless chopstick.

Then, his gaze fell on her shoes, a pair of black British-style double-buckle leather shoes, with the buckle on the right foot loose.

With a casual gesture, Zhong Yu Bai fastened the buckle of her shoe.

His movements were light and airy, with a soft click, he fixed her shoe back on. Ji Zhen Tang was surprised and instinctively pulled her ankle back.

When she looked down to observe, she realized what had happened. Shortly after, his teasing voice came, sounding like he was teasing a child, “You can’t even put your shoes on properly.”

Ji Zhen Tang looked at her shoes, feeling a bit embarrassed, and muttered, “No, it accidentally came off, and I didn’t even notice.”

Zhong Yu Bai sat up straight again, lazily leaning back in his chair. He didn’t pursue the matter further and asked, “How’s your health been lately?”

“I’m taking medicine,” she said, her tone a bit petulant. “The medicine you gave me is so bitter, but fortunately it’s somewhat effective. However, sometimes in the quiet of the night, I still feel like I’m struggling with myself.”

He smiled at her words, speaking calmly, “Children who want to grow up into adults, more or less, need to struggle a bit.”

Ji Zhen Tang enjoyed chatting with him, feeling that in his calm and profound voice, the whole world became easier to settle down in. “Will I be better when I become an adult?”

“You will become renewed,” Zhong Yu Bai said. “After enduring all emotional illnesses, you will have a richer spiritual world, just like a pupa struggling to break free from its cocoon and transforming into a butterfly.”

He looked at her encouragingly, saying, “Little pains are nothing serious.”

Ji Zhen Tang lightly replied, lowering her head, fidgeting with the edge of her skirt, and said softly, “But I’m not a butterfly.”

His voice, low and magnetic, whispered in her ear, “Why wouldn’t you be?”

In a dimly lit corner where no light reached, the man spoke gently to her. Behind them, the night was colorful. She felt like she was lying in a dream, letting the tide wash over her body, making her soft and warm.

In front of elders, she was always obedient and sensible.

In front of her ex-boyfriend, who didn’t understand her, she had to be independent and clear-headed.

Ji Zhen Tang occasionally felt a bit tired, but she couldn’t pinpoint where the exhaustion came from.

Until this moment, she suddenly realized. Perhaps it was because she lacked a sheltered place to rest, where someone would protect her childish innocence and give her space to vent and be spoiled.

He said, “Why wouldn’t you be a butterfly?”

“I’ve already seen your colors, just a little earlier than others,” he continued.

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